Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews

Civil War TC Marti Military Fantasy

I was Culled at age five into the Bastille Military, the World of Rondure’s superpower… …Having lived on-base for thirteen years, military life taught me two things: Mastery of the Smoke Element and to never apologize about using it on enemies

Amy’s Review: Enjoyed this story!

TC Marti writes a dystopian fantastical tale with Civil War. I am a big fan of TC Marti. This book is part of the Chronicles of Rondure series, and this is volume one. Imagine you’re in prison, shackled in your cell, can’t walk, can’t lie down, your only refuge is to sit on your toilet. Chapter one just brings you in. A “war crime” criminal tells his story, making you wonder, what exactly is a Smoke Master, and why is that a special “skill.” It’s an action-packed story that as it unravels, you continue to read it. Narc tells his stories, and sometimes, when he describes being dehumanized by being call “it,” is heart breaking. It’s a story beyond time and place, and in TC Marti’s mind, but it could be on any world. Any country. Any planet. Riveting and Compelling! Absolutely chilling, with seemingly death around every corner. Narc is determined and tenacious, and determined to survive, and become what he needs to be, by doing whatever needs to be done. Narc listens to Bane, and comes to some troubling realizations, when he says “Now, how would it feel, Narc, to become such a scourge of society that you and your descendants, many of whom will die in their early twenties, would be condemned to live their entire lives as deformed ...”

The Black Wasp Alistair Cross Vampire Horror

Something is coming … As he grieves the death of his girlfriend at the fangs of his own brother, Cade Colter attracts the attention of a group of fanatical vampire killers. His life is in turmoil and just when it seems things couldn’t get any worse, a new evil comes to town.

Amy’s Review: Whatever you do, don’t scream!

Alistair Cross writes a chilling vampiric paranormal tale with Alistair Cross- The Black Wasp. I’ve read work from this author before, and each time is a new experience, and a story to be afraid of and enjoy at the same time. This book is part of the Vampires of Crimson Cove series, and this is volume three. “Don’t Scream … She wants to know your terror. She wants to taste your pain.” Cade recently lost his love from the fangs of a vampire, his own brother. He’s as low as he thinks he can get, life spinning out of control, and then, she comes ... She lingers with the fog, in the dark, spewing her poison and now, she has her sights set on Cade. It’s a chilling, and thrilling evility that brings nothing but pain, death, and darkness. Cross is a brilliant writer and has this imagination that just cannot be explained. I love all of his work, and this one really caught my attention. It’s one you sometimes have to look away, but then realize you’ll miss the best parts.

One Giant Leap Ben Gartner Children’s SciFi

I’m pretty sure I’m about to die in space. And I just turned twelve and a half. Blast off with the four winners of the StellarKid Project on a trip to the International Space Station and then to the Gateway outpost orbiting the Moon! It’s a dream come true until space junk collides with the ISS, turning their epic trip into a nightmare of survival.

Amy’s Review: Enjoyed this story!

What an entertaining sci-fi story in Gateway to Mars by H.E. Wilburson. This is the third volume in what is currently a three-volume set, The Martian Diaries. I recommend reading each book in order. If you like HG Wells, you are certain to like these books. Gateway to Mars finds the earth still in peril and on the brink of extinction, due to a Martian virus. Between the past and the present, the fight for survival continues, with doctors trying to find the cure before it is too late. It’s a magnificently written tale that gives so many details and brings the characters to life. It reads so believable, which is also a trait of HG Wells. Basically, Wilburson picked up where Wells left off in War of the Worlds. A definite attention grabber, so much I couldn’t put it down. Both thrilling and intriguing, all the way to the end. The characterizations are engrossing and dynamic. I am a definite fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I read. This author brings the words to life. The story brings in the believable, even if almost impossible.

Homicide Hérault

Bluette Matthey Mystery

Veteran trekker Hardy

Durkin leads his first bike tour group to Béziers in the South of France, during its annual grand Feria, for what is expected to be relaxing, uneventful bicycling in the Hérault region. This notion is kicked to the curb when a double cold-case with present-day repercussions is discovered on one of the group’s outings.

Amy’s Review: Magnificent!

Bluette Matthey writes a suspenseful tale with Homicide Hérault. What a hidden gem, especially if you love suspenseful plots. This book is part of the Hardy Durkin Travel Mystery Series, and this is volume six. The Hérault department is in the Occitania region, where the story takes place is in the south of France. I read the first book in the series, and hope to read 2 through 5, because this was such a grand title. The reader is reintroduced to Hardy Durkin, who always gets involved in a mystery to solve, no matter where he travels. Hardy is a “trekker” or a bicyclist travel, and he is leading his first tour. Of course, things never go as they are supposed to. This is one of those books that grabs you from the start and pulls you in. I’m a big fan of this author! Compelling!. Un-putdownable! It is always an honor to read Bluette Matthey’s books. The reader just embarked on a superb journey.