Captured by Elizabeth Bolling

Review

Elizabeth Bolling’s “Captured” intrigues with a cocktail of suspense and romance.

The novella follows Meredith Clarke, a consultant at a small marketing firm, who has philosophical thoughts about marriage and singleness as she approaches her third year of marriage.

Her thoughts are cast in a new light when she is kidnapped at a gunpoint, and during her captivity, there is much reflection about her life and relationships.

Bolling uses multiple perspectives to tell the story, including that of Meredith’s husband, Rob Clarke.

Although the plot is relatively linear, it is written in a way that has the reader wondering what happens next.

One of highlights of the novella is Bolling’s ability to incorporate interesting details, such as the décor of the kitchen, into her writing without being boring. The details make the story feel much more real.

The dialogue of the novel is also well-written, and the exchanges between Meredith and her kidnapper, as she tries to understand him, are particularly interesting.

Being a romance novella, there is no shortage of pages dedicated to romance and sex.

With Meredith’s husband having been involved in an affair in the past, the chemistry between Meredith and her husband is pleasantly uncharacteristic of the romance genre.

At its core, the novella is a romance piece that explores the ideas of fidelity and relationships, with a suspense-filled plot moving it forward. Anyone who is a fan of the genre will love “Captured.”

More Information

Buy it here: www.amazon.com/Captured-A-Romance-ebook/dp/B00DUEJNRY
Website: www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Bolling/e/B0094S1PH6/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lizbolling
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeth-Bolling/374791742591376

Going Home by Kim Welsman

Review
“Going Home,” the first book in a series, goes where few science fiction novels have gone before – with a female protagonist and antagonist– and executes in a way that will have all science fiction fans wanting more.

Kim Welsman’s 103-page novel is set on Earth a few hundred years from the present. The plot takes off when a sage-like alien, named Sygen, appears in front of a general, bearing a powerful gift and the message that the newly emerging Agency will be tremendously harmful to Earth.

Fast forward a few years, the determined protagonist, Lyrissa, is tasked with infiltrating the hateful yet powerful Agency to get in contact with Peggy, an enigmatic being with a mysterious agenda.

The novel’s plot is relatively simple, yet intriguing and engaging. It also almost has a spy novel feel to it, with secrets, targets, and contacts.

Welsman is able to build a world that is reminiscent of present Earth, but also has plenty of futuristic components. Welsman’s creations, such as the soma-like drug Zyloftin, help move the plot forward, as well as make the world more interesting.

The writing is punchy, with relatively short sentences and paragraphs, making the book an easy yet affective read.

The novel’s usage of females in a variety of strong roles is innovative for the genre, making the novel feel refreshing.

The combination of an intriguing plot, strong writing, and a fresh take on the genre make “Going Home” a worthy buy for any science fiction fan.

More Information

Buy it here: www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFUODK2
Website: www.kimwelsman.ca/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/kimwelsman
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kim.welsman

Her Something Impetuous by Kim Hunt Harris

Review
Kim Hunt Harris’ “Her Something Impetuous” shines with a brilliantly humorous and romantic take on the post-divorce life of a middle-aged woman from the suburbs.

The novel follows the adventures of Karen Way, a recent divorcee whose impetuous visit to a tattoo parlor results in a cascade of gripping, steamy, and humorous events.

Karen’s relationship with a dreamy bad-boy tattoo artist, Will Corcorran, begins when she impulsively decides to get a smiley tattooed on her buttocks. Despite the lighthearted beginning, the relationship quickly heats up, and Karen finds herself navigating her first post-divorce relationship.

In addition to the novel’s romance component, a subplot involving police raids, planted drugs, and a mysterious stripper emerges, taking the reader on a wild journey as Karen and Will travel all around town, from the police station to a drag queen club and everywhere in between, to make sense of everything.

To complicate matters further, Karen’s ex-husband, the local district attorney, and his new, young, sexy fling somehow seem to be involved with Karen’s misfortunes.

The reality of the novel is one of its strongest features. Despite the chaos that accompanies the development of Karen’s relationship with Will, Karen does not neglect the more mundane parts of her life, such as baking muffins for a neighborhood association event, which Harris addresses in a gut-wrenchingly hilarious manner.

The multiple layers of action, mystery, comedy, and romance make “Her Something Impetuous” a must-read for anyone who likes to get laughs and romance from the same book.

More Information

Buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KAATHK
Website: http://kimhuntharris.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kimhuntharris
Facebook: http://facebook.com/kimhuntharris

Tainted by Helen Macdonald

Review

“Tainted” by Helen Macdonald is a contemporary, scifi fantasy that explores the dark side of the human experience.

The first few chapters of the book are available for purchase on Amazon.

One of the highlights of the available chapters is Macdonald’s writing.

With fresh, crisp prose, she captures a wide range of human emotions.

The fantasy elements in “Tainted” allow Macdonald to flex her imaginative wings. The result is some extremely creative ideas, such as the Alternate Realm Variator and interesting conceptions of genetic alterations.

Despite the fantasy elements, Macdonald does not neglect developing her characters.

Her characters are extremely dynamic, and their dialogue is true-to-life.

The chapters give the reader an idea of what is to come. For instance, the character Reagan talks about being chosen for combat at age 10, and the reader anticipates action.

The rich plot is shown through a variety of perspectives. Each perspective gives the reader a new insight into some aspect of the plot. This technique is particularly powerful in showing both sides of the characters’ relationships.

The story is written in first-person, present tense, which allows the reader to have an intimate connection with the characters.

Overall, the available “Tainted” chapters will have readers clamoring for more.

More Information

Buy the Kindle edition here: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00AXMRN9G/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb
Website: www.helenmacdonaldonline.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/helen_macdonald

Vampire Elite by Irina Argo

Review

Irina Argo’s “Vampire Elite” wows with intriguing mythology, fascinating characters, and a tantalizing plot.

Set in a variety of exotic locations, such as Greece and Venezuela, the book, follows the ages-long battle between vampires and the Amiti, a race created by the Egyptian goddess Hathor to unlock the love of vampires.

One of the novel’s strongest points is its usage of the interplay between relationships and politics to drive the plot forward.

Case in point, it is Simone, the child of the former Queen of the Amiti and the King of Vampires, who takes the initiative to protect the new Queen of the Amiti, Arianna.

The story shifts perspectives occasionally, giving the reader a spectrum of viewpoints, truly allowing a connection with the characters.

Although the plot is fast-paced, Argo does not neglect the lore behind the Amiti and the vampires, fully explaining their history and capabilities, such as the blood-bond.

The government structure of each group, such as the Amiti’s Keepers, play an important role in the plot and are described in a way that keeps the reader interested.

The tie in between the Amiti, the vampires, and Egyptian mythology is seamless and adds a layer of realism to the story.

One of novel’s strongest points is its emphasis on capturing emotion. For instance, the novel explores the conflicted feelings of Simone, who is half vampire and half Amiti, and her reservations about the vampire practice of enslaving Amiti for use as bloodstock

The novel is such a complete package that it’d appeal to anyone who loves a story with a fast-paced plot and fascinating characters, whether they like vampires or not.


More information
Buy a copy here: www.amazon.com/Vampire-Elite-Series-Volume-ebook/dp/B00D3XWOUK/
Website: www.vampire-elite.com

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

Review

With strong writing and a diverse cast of characters, J.K. Rowling looks into the dark side of human nature in her novel, “The Casual Vacancy.”

Set in the picturesque English village of Pagford, the book practically reads as a response to the Harry Potter books, with a lack of the imaginative.

The book starts with the death of councilmember Barry Fairbrother.

The death creates a casual vacancy in the council that causes some characters to reach for power, while others are victimized.

The plot rockets into orbit following the death, only to fizzle out a few chapters later.
The book’s ending feels premature and overly dramatic.

Luckily, Rowling’s characters, a group representative of the town’s demographics, keep the reader interested.

The characters often move to the dark side of human behavior, pursuing casual sex and drug use.

The novel’s cast of characters and sharp writing more than make up for the weak plot, and the book is perfect for anyone interested in the human condition.

More Information
Website: www.jkrowling.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jk_rowling