Sweet Dreams: Twisted Reflections Book 1 by Jessica K. Webb is supposed to explore the dark corners of our minds and dive into the human psyche. TSweet Dreams: Twisted Reflections Book 1 by Jessica K. Webb is supposed to explore the dark corners of our minds and dive into the human psyche. The main character believes he’s a doctor and having dreams. It initially piqued my interest, but I couldn’t connect with him or the story. Several themes are woven into the storyline including seeking success, bullying, conformity, guilt, isolation, remorse, and more.
Overall, this story didn’t work for me. However, if you enjoy psychological suspense short stories, this might appeal to you.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was April 24, 2024....more
The Interrogation by Ethan Jones is the prequel book in the Justin Hall spy thriller series. Justin, a Canadian Intelligence Service Agent, has beThe Interrogation by Ethan Jones is the prequel book in the Justin Hall spy thriller series. Justin, a Canadian Intelligence Service Agent, has been captured by terrorists during a rescue operation in Libya.
This was a fantastic short story right up until the ending that wasn’t an ending. I thought this was going to be a solid four-star read until then. The characterization is good for a short story and the world-building and atmosphere are fabulous. The plot is fast-paced and pulse-pounding. It’s also great to read something featuring a Canadian intelligence agent for a change. It is a good introduction to the main series character and is a first-person narrative.
Overall, the story is filled with action, suspense, and violence. Despite ending in the middle of a scene, I want to read the first book in the series, which is not supposed to end in a cliffhanger.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was May 1, 2012....more
Nine eerie and chilling horror short stories plus a poem keep readers turning the pages in Jonathan Maberry’s Long Past Midnight. The stories takeNine eerie and chilling horror short stories plus a poem keep readers turning the pages in Jonathan Maberry’s Long Past Midnight. The stories take place in or near Pine Deep, Pennsylvania. While most take place after the author’s Pine Deep horror trilogy, the first story takes place before the Trouble. All are descriptive without slowing down the story line and have great characterization.
In Property Condemned, nine-year-old Malcolm Crow and his friends Vall Guthrie, Terry Wolfe, and Gerry Stickler decide to explore the abandoned Croft house which is known to be haunted. Malcolm wants proof of the existence of ghosts. The house feels like a fifth character in this story. Whether it is due to the nervousness of the four children or the evil sensations from the house, readers may fell chills as they read this story.
Readers familiar with Maberry’s series will be happy to find Captain Joseph Edwin Ledger and two members of Echo team are featured in Material Witness. The story starts with post-mission statements and analyses and the discrepancies between Echo team’s after-action reports and interviews and verifiable facts. After this, it reverts to the mission itself. All of this takes place after the events in the Pine Deep trilogy. Those who love action thrillers with a supernatural twist will enjoy this story.
Long Way Home surprised me. It features Donny Castleberry and takes place ten years after the Trouble. I didn’t see this ending coming!
Three Guys Walk Into a Bar features private investigator Sam Hunter. I loved this character and would love to read a series featuring Sam. He’s an ex-cop, tough, and scary. However, he sleeps with a light on at night. He also has a surprising aspect to his character. In his latest case, he goes to Pine Deep. By now, Malcolm Crow is the Chief of Police and his adopted son, Mike Sweeney is a deputy. Joe Ledger is back for this story as well. This is another supernatural action thriller with plenty of suspense and danger. It’s also the longest of the stories. On Lonely Roads is the only poem is this book. It’s the only one that features Monk Addison, but was my least favorite.
Mister Pockets features the only homeless person in Pine Deep and a young boy, Lefty Harrigan. This one was a little predictable, but still had great characterization.
Whistlin’ Past the Graveyard amped up the atmosphere with much of it taking place in the cemetery in Pine Deep. It features Francesco Sponelli who maintains the cemetery and digs the graves.
A House in Need of Children features Sam Hunter again. This is another great story featuring a haunted house and is one of the sadder stories in the book.
The Trouble takes place after the Pine Deep Trilogy and features Malcolm and Mike as well as Val who is now married to Malcolm. This one is another action thriller story.
The final story, Ghost Creepin’ Blues, features 16-year-old Jinnifer who suffers from depression, panic attacks, and hallucinations. This one feels like the set-up for a novel.
Overall, this was a great collection of stories and one that kept me feeling the characters’ anxiety. While some are full of exciting scenes and plenty of action, others are more thought provoking. The world-building and characterization are terrific.
Kensington Books and Jonathan Maberry provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for August 22, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
--------------------------------------- My 4.43 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Christmas Witch by Willow Monroe is billed as a paranormal cozy mystery short story in the Jagged Grove series. Trinket Banks and Angelo are marriChristmas Witch by Willow Monroe is billed as a paranormal cozy mystery short story in the Jagged Grove series. Trinket Banks and Angelo are married due to a binding spell by an evil warlock. This is Trinket’s first Christmas in Jagged Grove, a place where supernaturals don’t have to hide their abilities from humans. With thoughts of snow, holiday shopping ,and handing out Christmas cookies, what could possibly go wrong?
The friendly and inviting writing style pulls readers into the story. However, the names seem contrived and the mystery wasn’t much of a mystery. I enjoyed the tale, but that was it. It’s too short to get the needed character development so reading the previous books in the series would likely be best.
Overall, this was an interesting story line, but I found it lacking in depth and mystery.
Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
Undenied by Sara Humphreys is a paranormal romance short story or short novelette in the Amoveo Legend series. Lillian Cordero is a nomadic psychiUndenied by Sara Humphreys is a paranormal romance short story or short novelette in the Amoveo Legend series. Lillian Cordero is a nomadic psychic palm reader who dreams of tigers and has just arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana. Boris Zankoff is a shapeshifter from the Tiger Clan, a bar owner, and one who doesn’t want to participate in the strife that is threatening to break apart the clans.
The story has a lot of potential. However, it’s too short to get the needed character development. Additionally, the relationship developed entirely too fast to be credible (hours) despite each feeling a connection when they first meet. There are peeks at humor and action that may be in the full length novels, but weren’t enough to make this short story stand out.
Overall, this was an interesting story line, but I found it lacking in depth and the instant love didn’t work for me.
Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. ...more
True Wolf by Paige Tyler is riveting, suspenseful, and heart-pounding. It combines supernatural suspense, paranormal romance, and action-adventureTrue Wolf by Paige Tyler is riveting, suspenseful, and heart-pounding. It combines supernatural suspense, paranormal romance, and action-adventure in a thrilling novel that is the third book in the STAT: Special Threat Assessment Team series. It takes the reader on an international journey from Turkey to Croatia to Russia to Ukraine and then for a showdown in New York City. The reader is immediately plunged into the action and drawn into the story.
In this series, supernatural beings are known to a few, but not all humans. As with humans, some supernatural beings are criminals and the United States has put together a team of supernatural beings and humans to deal with these criminals domestically as well as internationally. Caleb Lynch is a werewolf and a member of STAT. His team is sent to Turkey where they’re led to vaults that have been broken into and terrorists have stolen dangerous weapons. Brielle Fontaine has a possible lead on the weapons and her missing brother and joins the STAT team as they travel the globe in search of both.
Both main characters have their flaws that made them seem more real. As an omega werewolf, Caleb can lose control and has to be slapped back to reality, but he can certainly fight. (Omegas are the result of going into a traumatic event with bad intentions and the werewolf gene gets tripped.) Brielle has always taken care of her younger brother and sacrificed other relationships for getting him out of continuous trouble. Add to that both are afraid of not being accepted by others as well as not accepting themselves for what they are. I felt like the characters were emotionally rich with an undercurrent of self-growth amidst the action, suspense, and developing romance.
Tyler does a great job of world-building. I was able to easily visualize the settings, especially the tunnels. There are several twists to the story as it deals with important themes of terrorism, trust, wanting a better world and what you’re willing to do to make it so. Family, concern for others, social awkwardness, friends, and romance also play into the tale. The opening is strong and intriguing and the connection between Caleb and Brielle is deftly handled. There are a couple of steamy scenes later in the book.
This story was a mix of investigation, planning, romance, and action that kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. I was kept fully invested in the mission becoming a success. My one quibble is that I did not believe the head criminal would do what he did in the final showdown.
Overall, this book was fast-paced, action-oriented, and entertaining. If you enjoy action thrillers with some romance that have both strong male and female characters set in a world where supernatural beings exist, then this may be the series for you. Since there are several recurring characters in the book, it helps to read the series in order. That way, a reader is not learning all of the secondary characters at once, but gradually over time. I can’t wait to find out what is next for the STAT team.
SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and Paige Tyler provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 22, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------ My 4 star review will be posted in late January per publisher guidelines....more
In Third Watch, Robert Dugoni uses a short story to continue to set up the Tracy Crosswhite police procedural series. This second prequel introducIn Third Watch, Robert Dugoni uses a short story to continue to set up the Tracy Crosswhite police procedural series. This second prequel introduces readers to Tracy six years after she graduates from the police academy. Tracy is still a patrol officer hoping to get promoted to detective. Freelance reporter Tevia Kushman is shadowing Tracy on a ride-along. She is hoping to get insight into the gender politics within the police department.
With a strong, smart, tough, and confident protagonist, Dugoni managed to give Tracy’s character depth for such a short introduction to her. She’s dedicated and hard-working as well as being a likeable character with an inquisitive nature that is also willing to help others. While she tends to stay out of politics, she isn’t a shrinking violet, as her encounter with Detective Nolasco shows.
Overall, this was a good continuation of the introduction of Tracy and gives more backstory that should enable book one to fly. It was engaging, entertaining, intense, and well-paced. It also left me wanting more. I’ve read one of the books in this series plus the other prequel and I plan to read them all. I highly recommend this series to those that enjoy police procedurals, mysteries and crime novels and am looking forward to reading the first book in the series.
I purchased a digital copy of this prequel. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date was August 16, 2015. ...more
Cost of Care by Betsy Robinson is a hilarious short story. Are you tired of interpreting medical invoices? Stella took on an emergency babysittingCost of Care by Betsy Robinson is a hilarious short story. Are you tired of interpreting medical invoices? Stella took on an emergency babysitting job for a husband and wife couple who are both doctors. I thoroughly enjoyed her itemized invoice. Perhaps they should have negotiated a charge in advance of the babysitting service. This story made me laugh out loud and brightened my day....more
Hot Sun, Hot Lead by Thad Brown brings readers an action-packed short story featuring strong female protagonists. Becca Grant is a private detectiHot Sun, Hot Lead by Thad Brown brings readers an action-packed short story featuring strong female protagonists. Becca Grant is a private detective in the fictional border town of Los Lobos, California. Her secretary/office manager is Tressa Malloy who wants to be a part of the exciting investigation side of the business. She gets her opportunity when an informant gives Becca a lead on catching drug kingpin Carlos Gonzalez with a shipment of crack. With a police contract dispute, Becca and Tressa set off to confront Gonzalez without any additional backup.
While this is a very short story, it manages to bring more character depth to both Becca and Tressa than some writers do in full length novels. While it showcases a “girls-with-guns” story, the reader also gets a fashion sense of both characters and sees Becca’s sense of humor at work.
Similar to this author’s book of 10 action-oriented short stories, The Smoking Gun Sisterhood, the main characters fight for what they consider needs doing. In this story, the excellent descriptions make the reader feel transported to Southern California and living the events alongside the characters.
The prose was compulsively readable, well-written, and engrossing. It may not be pragmatic for two people to confront a drug kingpin and his thugs without backup, but it makes for an exciting story. While there is plenty of gunplay violence, the language is clean.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, entertaining, and action-packed read. If the above sounds like something you would enjoy, then I recommend that you check it out.
This is my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way....more
About a Kiss by Caroline Linden focuses on two of the secondary characters from book one in the Desperately Seeking Duke historical romance seriesAbout a Kiss by Caroline Linden focuses on two of the secondary characters from book one in the Desperately Seeking Duke historical romance series. This short story should be read after book one. Kit Lawrence accepts a job as Maximilian St. James’ valet while Jennie Hickson is the maid to the new Mrs. St. James.
Kit and Jenny are engaging characters with chemistry, but there isn’t a lot of time for depth in the short story. However, by reading About a Rogue first, everything flows well. There are references back to events in that book and how they are viewed by Kit and Jenny.
The romance seems to develop quickly in the short story, but the time frame is actually longer than it appears. Overall, this was entertaining and provided both a different perspective of events in book one and a new romance. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date was October 5, 2020. ...more
Incurable, A Short Story by L. A. Starks is a very short story featuring an unknown private investigator, his unknown client, and the subject of tIncurable, A Short Story by L. A. Starks is a very short story featuring an unknown private investigator, his unknown client, and the subject of the investigation known only as ‘Silver Rat’.
I did not feel a connection to any of the characters. There were no names and nothing tangible to bridge the gap of the unknowns other than some jealousy. This story felt very clichéd to me and had no surprises.
While I thoroughly enjoy this author’s Lynn Dayton series, this short story failed to show her remarkable abilities that come through so well in her novels.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. ...more
Crash and Burn by James Rollins is a short story or novelette in the Sigma Force series. While most of the Sigma Force members are former Special Crash and Burn by James Rollins is a short story or novelette in the Sigma Force series. While most of the Sigma Force members are former Special Forces soldiers, Seichan and Kowalski are the ‘outsiders’. Seichan is a former assassin and Kowalski had been a navy seaman. They are on a transatlantic flight when something happens and their jet goes down. What follows is a suspenseful action-adventure story that is a fight for survival.
Due to how short this story is, there isn’t much time for character depth. However, you do see some in Seichan. There is plenty of action and descriptions of weapons as one expects in a Rollins novel. There was not a lot of dialogue, but some banter occurred between the two main characters. The plot is tense and suspenseful, with a dramatic over-the-top ending.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was an entertaining book that grabbed my attention and didn’t let go. This is the 17th book/novelette that I have read by this author and I own four more that I am looking forward to reading.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. ...more
THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF by O. Henry is one of many short stories written by Henry. This one was first published in 1907 and the humor still comes throTHE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF by O. Henry is one of many short stories written by Henry. This one was first published in 1907 and the humor still comes through in 2020. When two men need money for a fraudulent scheme, they decide to kidnap the only child of Ebenezer Dorset and hold him for ransom. What they got was more than they bargained for.
It has been many years since I originally read this story and it is still amusing. Antics and boisterousness make for an engaging story. But underneath it all, there is a serious element of father-son relationships and much more. This story can be found for free in several places online....more
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