CONVENTIONAL THINGS PUBLISHERS LOVE TO READ FIRST IN YOUR MANUSCRIPT

by Nzondi (Ace Antonio-Hall)

1) State the name of the protagonist.

Many have said otherwise, stating that it is boring and not creative, however, I have found that if you're trying to get past the slush pile, there is nothing more irritating to the agent or publisher reading your manuscript as to not knowing who the protagonist is, and much worse, not knowing if it is a male or female.

2) Introduce all the main characters (or make a reference to them) by pages 6-10.

3) State the age of the protagonist. (Especially, if you are writing YA. Publishers and Agents want to know right away the age group of the target audience. For YA, it is 12-18)

4) Reveal the ghosts of protagonist. What pains the character? This information is not only good to allow the reader to empathize with the character but also allows the reader to relate to the character's pains. Needless to say, the pain must be an emotional one that most people in your target audience can relate to. Remember: The thought process that many publishers and entertainment producers have is, "Show me something I've seen before, but differently." Also, you must insert, masterfully (or as best as you can), the internal/ external conflict of the character, thus showing the beginnings of the arc, which sets up the arc's path and destination.

Before page ten, we should know some of the demons that plague the protagonist, and show things that makes the character likable. Unless you want your protagonist to be an unlikable character, which is probably not the best idea (unless she is an anti-hero, even then, be cautious). Also, writing an action(s) which make the reader, in this case, the Publisher or Agent, like the character is also key. For example, when the hero helps his neighbor get a cat out of a tree even after telling the neighbor about his allergies to cat fur. The reader can't help but like your hero. See how powerful that tool is?

Note how long this point is—that's because I feel it is Very Important!

5) Setting. The setting is more than the place, it is the environment, the weather, time of day, and date. You can barely get through the first paragraph of any good novel and not know if it is hot or cloudy, cold, or windy.

The weather, as well as your descriptive word choices, will help set the tone whether you want the mood to be dark, or sarcastic, colorful, humorous, or Gothic.

The time of day is simply letting the reader know if it is day, or night, morning, or midnight. The date can be literal: On October 29th, 2008, I helped my mother kill her abuser; dad.

Or it can be more ambiguous: Long, long ago, in a world where zombies were as common as the cold, I'd finally learned how to throw a curve ball.

6) Inciting incident/Call to Action. Sometimes, these are two different occurrences, many times, they are the same. In either case, this is where your plot truly begins, letting the Agent or Publisher know what your story is about. Wait until after page ten to do this, and it is highly plausible that your story will not catch their attention.

7) Use the 5 senses, thematic elements (many first time authors simply have the character state the theme), mold the tone, and have the opening images set up the mirror images of what the character will have to walk into upon his/her adventure--the normal world before they enter the STRANGE NEW WORLD.

8) If it's a Science Fiction story, technology must be introduced immediately. If the character is a bad-ass, show the reader why within the first six pages, but also remember that it is so important to integrate the ghosts, and characteristics that the reader can relate to, as well, or you chance making the reader not care about your numero uno character. Not good.

9) Lastly, if the character is employed, either use an immediate reference to what their job is, or allow the reader, in this case, the Agent or the Publisher, see the protagonist in their workplace immediately. For example, a witch bewitching, a vampire feeding, a teacher instructing a class, an agent on a mission, an athlete in a competition, etc.

Thanks for reading. I hope this helps.

Create a conflict that shows high stakes so that if the main character doesn’t succeed, death or perhaps something even more haunting is imminent.

Reveal the ghosts of protagonist. What pains the character? This information is not only good to allow the reader to empathize with the character but also allows the reader to relate to the character's pains. Needless to say, the pain must be an emotional one that most people in your target audience can relate to. Remember: The thought process that many publishers and literary agents have is, "Show me something I've seen before, but differently." I always say during my keynote speaking addresses at writing conferences that if you’re going to create a chocolate chip cookie, just do it so that when we taste it, it’s like thing we’ve ever tasted before—familiar, yet spectacular. Also, you must insert, masterfully (or as best as you can), the internal/external conflict of the character, thus showing the beginnings of the arc, which sets up the arc's path and destination.

Use the 5 senses, thematic elements, mold the tone, and have the opening images set up the mirror images of what the character will have to walk into upon his/ her adventure—the normal world before they enter the STRANGE NEW WORLD.

Be careful of info dumps. Unless, you’re writing hard science fiction, spread the information out into the plot as smoothly as butter on toast—not all in one spot but evenly throughout the chapter or story. This can help tie up each chapter together. The more the plot moves (but there are strings tying each scene together) the more fluid your story will be, even if you change up the pacing of your writing to create suspense and mood.

Be bold. Write bold new imaginative ideas. Create new worlds and astonishing beings we’ve never seen before but do the homework: make sure the cultural, social, political, and moral/ immoral attitudes have an unseen backstory that glues their ‘why, how and where’ of the situations to

ABOUT NZONDI (ACE ANTONIOHALL)

Ace Antonio Hall (born July 4th, 1966) is an American urban fantasy and horror writer. His novel Oware Mosaic won the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Young Adult fiction.

Among his many short stories that were published in anthologies and print magazines, Hall’s short story, “Raising Mary: Frankenstein”, was nominated for 2016 horror story of the year for the 19th Annual Editors and Preditors Readers Poll. Additionally, three of his short stories were on the Horror Writers Association Reading list for the 2017 Bram Stoker Awards.

A former Director of Education for NYC schools and the Sylvan Learning Center, the award-winning educator earned a BFA from Long Island University. Hall currently lives bicoastal in New York and Los Angeles. Follow Nzondi on his social media platforms @Nzondi3 on Twitter or as Ace Antonio Hall on Instagram and Facebook for news, books, updates and appearances for keynote speaking events at writing conferences.

The House Guest

After every divorce, one spouse gets all the friends. What does the other one get? If they're smart, they get the benefits. Alyssa Macallan is terrified when she's dumped by her wealthy and powerful husband. With a devastating divorce looming, she begins to suspect her toxic and manipulative soon-to-be-ex is scheming to ruin her—leaving her alone and penniless. And when the FBI shows up at her door, Alyssa knows she really needs a friend.

And then she gets one. A seductive new friend, one who's running from a dangerous relationship of her own. Alyssa offers Bree Lorrance the safety of her guest house, and the two become confidantes. Then Bree makes a heart-stoppingly tempting offer. Maybe Alyssa and Bree can solve each others' problems.

But no one is what they seem. And the fates and fortunes of these two women twist and turn until the shocking truth emerges: You can't always get what you want. But sometimes you get what you deserve.

"The House Guest is great! Twists, turns and backflips--and

Gothic

On his 59th birthday, Tyson Parks—a famous, but struggling, horror writer—receives an antique desk from his partner, Sarah, in the hopes it will rekindle his creative juices. Perhaps inspire him to write another best-selling novel and prove his best years aren’t behind him.

A continent away, a mysterious woman makes inquiries with her sources around the world, seeking the whereabouts of a certain artifact her family has been hunting for centuries. With the help of a New York City private detective, she finally finds what she’s been looking for.

It’s in the home of Tyson Parks.- sticks the landing. What a pleasure to read."

Meanwhile, as Tyson begins to use his new desk, he begins acting... strange. Violent. His writing more disturbing than anything he’s done before. But publishers are paying top dollar, convinced his new work will be a hit, and Tyson will do whatever it takes to protect his newfound success. Even if it means the destruction of the ones he loves.

--James Patterson

Hank Phillippi Ryan

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN is the USA Today bestselling author of 14 psychological thrillers, winning the genre’s most prestigious awards: five Agathas, five Anthonys, and the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award. She’s also investigative reporter for Boston’s WHDH-TV, winning 37 EMMYs. National book reviewers call her “a superb and gifted storyteller.” Her newest is the page-turning standalone THE HOUSE GUEST – a story of psychological manipulation exploring the dark heart of marriage and friendship—it’s Gaslight meets Thelma & Louise! Publishers Weekly says, “Ryan is a master of suspense!” and the Library Journal starred review calls it “Binge-worthy.”

Visit Hank at HankPhillippiRyan.com,

Philip Francassi

Philip Fracassi is the author of the story collections Beneath a Pale Sky (named “Best Collection of the Year” by Rue Morgue Magazine and a finalist for the Bram Stoker award) and Behold the Void (named “Best Collection of the Year” by This Is Horror). He is also the author of several novellas, including Sacculina, Shiloh, and Commodore.

His novels include Don't Let Them Get You Down, A Child Alone with Strangers, Gothic, and Boys in the Valley.

Philip’s books have been translated into multiple languages and his stories have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Best Horror of the Year, Nightmare Magazine, Black Static, Southwest Review, and Interzone.You can follow Philip on Facebook, Instagram (pfracassi), and Twitter (@philipfracassi), or at his official website at www.pfracassi.com

Monster Gunslinger

In an Old West overrun by monsters, a stoic gunslinger must embark on a dangerous quest to save her friends and stop a supernatural war.

Sharpshooter Melinda West, 29, has encountered more than her share of supernatural creatures after a monster infection killed her mother. Now, Melinda and her charismatic partner, Lance, offer their exterminating services to desperate towns, fighting everything from giant flying scorpions to psychic bugs. But when they accidentally release a demon, they must track a dangerous outlaw across treacherous lands and battle a menagerie of creatures—all before an army of soul-devouring monsters descend on Earth.

The Witcher meets Bonnie and Clyde in a re-imagined Old West full of diverse characters, desolate landscapes, and fast-paced adventure.

The Shapes Of Wrath

A demonic surgeon. A haunted hospital. And the doctor caught between them.

Dr. Hope Sze launches into her general surgery rotation with Dr. Vrac, the scourge of operating room #3, also known as the death O.R.

Dr. Vrac screams at the resident doctors suffering under him, the nurses who don't move fast enough, the anesthesiologist, his auto mechanic, and even a garbage can.

Patients begin to die under Dr. Vrac’s scalpel.

This morning, Hope discovers a dead man in the back of the O.R.

Next, a ghost lingers outside of Montreal's St. Joseph's Hospital. a) WTF and b) can Hope outwit the enraged killer before someone slices her throat?

Melissa Yi

KC Grifant is a New England-to-SoCal transplant who writes internationally published horror, fantasy, science fiction and weird western stories for collectible card games, podcasts, anthologies and magazines. Her writings have appeared in Andromeda Spaceways Magazine, Aurealis Magazine, Unnerving Magazine, Frozen Wavelets, Tales to Terrify, The Macabre Museum and Colp Magazine. Her short stories have haunted dozens of collections, including We Shall Be Monsters, Beyond the Infinite: Tales from the Outer Reaches, Shadowy Natures, Six Guns Straight From Hell, and the Stoker-nominated Fright Mare: Women Write Horror.

In addition, she is the co-founder of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) San Diego chapter, an organization that helps to connect writers and fans of horror literature.

Melissa Yi is an emergency physician who writes medical thrillers starring Dr. Hope Sze, a resident physician bone-deep in murder. Yi has been a finalist for the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Thriller, the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence, and the Derringer Award (best crime story in the English language). She writes award-winning speculative fiction and memoir as Melissa YuanInnes. Sometimes, she sleeps.

Sign up for her mailing list and receive a free novella at www.myi.ninja.

Twitter: @dr_sassy

Facebook: facebook. com/MelissaYiYuanInnes/

Instagram: @melissa.yuaninnes

TikTok: @myi_books

Bookbub: bookbub.com/authors/melissa-yi

Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/4600856.Melissa_

Yuan_Innes

Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/melissayi

LOVE'S CALL

Denipia Leron, a beautiful young painter and visionary from the country of Usmerim, has just won the coveted Innovation Awards in the Arts. During her trip to the award ceremony, she learns that President Nichamir Linput of the enemy nation of Sorusvia is a primary patron and has expressed special interest in her. Fearful of what this could mean for her burgeoning company and artistic career, she vows to be polite, but keep the would-be dictator as far from her as she can.

Nichamir is used to getting what he wants, both personally and politically. Having saved his nation from a Calvernsin invasion, he believes himself justified in how he rules Sorusvia. In spite of the propaganda against him, Nichamir works hard to bring prosperity to his people. Yet the powerful ruler finds himself unprepared for his first meeting with the strong-willed and wary Denipia.

But Nichamir is not what he seems. He is dragonborn, a secret he has carefully hidden his whole life. He knows Denipia is his fated mate from the first moment he catches her scent. For Denipia, the strength of the attraction she feels for a man she should deeply despise is

Sheriff Of Starr County

When Texas becomes a newly-minted state, good men and women work hard toward progress and peace. Texas Ranger Will Smith travels to the borderlands of the Nueces Strip to become the first Sheriff of Starr County. He’ll do what he must to bring justice to the frontier, including wrangling outlaws, navigating political intrigues, fighting Indians, and keeping the tenuous peace between the Tejano and Anglo residents. He encounters influential statesmen and entrepreneurs of early Texas, assists the US Army, and falls for two very different women. This is exciting and authentic fiction based on the author’s own ancestors. It’s a compelling story in readible format for anyone who appreciates Texas history.

disconcerting, yet undeniable. She wants Nichamir as she has never wanted any other man.

Can Denipia risk giving her heart to this powerful man? Will Nichamir be able to win her trust? Can Love’s Call help them overcome the many obstacles in their path and forge the bond they seem destined to fulfill?

Fern Brady

Fern Brady is the founder and CEO of Inklings Publishing. She holds multiple Masters degrees and several certifications. She began her professional life as a foreign correspondent, and taught for 15 years in Alief ISD. She has published numerous short stories, two children's picture books, and a couple of poems. Her debut novel, United Vidden, which is book one in her Thyrein’s Galactic Wall Series, was given a glowing review by Dr. Who Online, the official site of the fandom.

She co-hosts on the popular podcast Author Talk. Besides being active in WIVLA (Women in the Visual and Literary Arts), she is also a member of Blood Over Texas, Romance Writers of America, and American Booksellers Association. www.fernbrady.com

DAVID A. BOWLES

David A. Bowles is a fifth generation Austinite. Both parents from early Travis County pioneers. His great grandmother Elnora Van Cleve, is recorded as the first birth in Austin, Texas during the days of the Republic. The author and his dog Becka travel in a class A motor-coach they call home, telling and writing the stories of the Westward Sagas. David grew up listening to stories of his ancestors told by his elders. Their stories so fascinated him that he became a professional story-teller, spinning tales through the Westward Sagas as well as the spoken word. He is a member of the National Story Telling Network and the Tejas Storyteller Association. David entertains groups frequently about his adventures on the open road and the books he has written. All four books in the Westward Sagas series have won awards. He is presently writing the sequel to Comanche Trace which won 1st Place at the North Texas Book Festival.

Episode Thirteen

From the macabre mind of a Bram Stoker Award-nominated author, this heartpounding novel of horror and psychological suspense takes a ghost hunting reality TV crew into a world they could never have imagined.

Fade to Black is the newest hit ghost hunting reality TV show. Led by husband and wife team Matt and Claire Kirklin, it delivers weekly hauntings investigated by a dedicated team of ghost hunting experts.

Episode Thirteen takes them to every ghost hunter's holy grail: the Paranormal Research Foundation. This brooding, derelict mansion holds secrets and clues about bizarre experiments that took place there in the 1970s. It's also famously haunted, and the team hopes their scientific techniques and high tech gear will prove it. But as the house begins to reveal itself to them, proof of an afterlife might not be everything Matt dreamed of. A story told in broken pieces, in tapes, journals, and correspondence, this is the story of Episode Thirteen— and how everything went terribly, horribly wrong.

A Small Town Second Chance

From USA Today/Amazon bestselling author

Melinda Curtis comes a heartwarming romance about homecomings, the courage to let go and risk loving again.

It takes more than a new town to start over.

Widow Becca MacKenzie's career as a temporary caregiver for the elderly suits her just fine. Help them recover from surgery or a fall, hop back in her motorhome and move on, caring without lasting commitment or heartbreak. The ideal life for someone trying to outrun her memories.

It takes courage to stay.

But her new patient and his handsome grandson Flynn are weakening Becca’s resolve to stay detached, not to mention the kind and quirky folks in small town Harmony Valley seem ready to adopt her. But in order to stay and build something real with Flynn, Becca must let go of the past and her tangle of secrets.

Craig DiLouie

Craig DiLouie is an author of popular thriller, apocalyptic/horror, and sci-fi/fantasy fiction.

In hundreds of reviews, Craig’s novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.

These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA. At www.CraigDiLouie.com, you can find all of Craig’s major works, interviews, and hundreds of interesting blog posts. Be sure to sign up for Craig’s mailing list so you can stay tuned on new releases.

Fans of caregiver movies like Me Before You will love this gripping, emotional, heartwarming romance with a happily-ever-after.

Previously published as Summer Kisses.

Melinda Curtis

Prior to writing romance, Melinda was a junior manager for a Fortune 500 company, which meant when she flew on the private jet she was relegated to the jump seat—otherwise known as the potty. After grabbing her pen (and a parachute) she made the jump to full-time writer. She recently came to grips with the fact that she’s an empty nester and a (very young) grandma, concepts easier to grasp than jet-setting on a potty.

Check out www.MelindaCurtis.com and sign up for her newsletter (there may be free reads involved). "Like" her on Facebook

Backwater Mystic Blues

"Between the voids at the deepest and farthest reaches of our science, there is this eternal now...”

In this second suite of intimate essays, Lloyd Ratzlaff summons the secret hiding spots, makeshift rafts, and uncomplicated childhood joys that lay the foundations for adult philosophy. In tune with the vivid simplicities of the sensuous world and the honour of unassuming people, Ratzlaff explores the disguises shaped by religion, family, and memory as he recreates the discovery and illumination that his past has offered.

Whether you sit back and savour the ribald yarns of Sandra Dee or pick up a bit of Christian dating advice circa 1950s, remember, the tombstones are talking, and the child’s cookie box found in the river may contain miracle or misery—but you won’t know until you open it.

Dollybird

Housekeeper—or whore?

Twenty-year-old Moira, the daughter of a Newfoundland doctor, dreams of becoming a doctor herself; but when she becomes pregnant out of wedlock, she is banished to the bleak landscape of southern Saskatchewan in 1906. There, she must come to terms with her predicament, her pioneer environment, and her employment as a “dollybird,” a term applied to women who might be housekeepers, whores—or both.

A saga of birth, death, and the violent potential of both men and the elements, Dollybird explores the small mercies that mean more than they should under a vast prairie sky that waits, not so quietly, for people to fail.

Winner of the Willa Award for Historical Fiction

Saskatchewan Book Award Finalist

Lloyd Ratzlaff is the author of a triptych of personal literary essays, the editor of an anthology of seniors’ writings published by READ Saskatoon, and a monthly columnist for Prairie Messenger Catholic Journal. He has served on the boards of several writing organizations and has taught writing classes for the University of Saskatchewan Certificate of Art & Design (USCAD) and the Western Development Museum. Both his creative non-fiction and professional pieces have been widely published throughout Canada and the United States. Ratzlaff lives in Saskatoon.

Anne Lazurko is an award-winning novelist, a no-awards farmer and a sometimes poet. As the youngest of six daughters born to Dutch immigrants, she grew up with a nuanced view of people and their stories.

'What Is Written on the Tongue' (April/22 ECW Press) was shortlisted for the Glengarry Book Award. Her first novel 'Dollybird' won the Willa Award for Historical Fiction and Anne received a 2018 Saskatchewan Foundation for the Arts Literary Award.

A graduate of the Humber Creative Writing program, Anne is published in literary magazines and anthologies. An active editor, mentor and teacher in the prairie writing community, she writes from her farm on Treaty 4 territory in Saskatchewan.

HER ALASKAN VALENTINE'S DAY MATCHMAKER

A fun, matchmaking, sweet romcom set in Alaska from a trio of USA Today bestselling authors.

This trio of jaded, bearded bachelors in Alaska just made a bet that they could become matchmakers!

Coop, Gideon, and Ty are bar stool quarterbacks when it comes to love…or should we say scorekeepers on the ice hockey rink of love? A rink they don’t skate on. In a small town they take for granted.

And now they need to put up or shut up.

There’s no harm in placing a bet with a hockey team owner – make 6 love matches in the small town of Kenkamken Bay, Alaska, by Valentine’s Day to earn jobs in his hockey organization in the Lower 48. A bet that could finally get these bearded, hockey-loving bachelors a chance at the good life. If they don’t foul it up.

Love isn’t always where you expect to find it.

Forever Broken

They say to get over one woman, you have to get under another one... And that exactly what Liam does. Finding a woman is easy, but having the woman of his dreams is a fading memory.

Helping Jade keep the illusion of happiness is all he can give. When Ashton's past comes to the light, Liam will do anything to keep Jade safe. Even helping the man that stole his future.

Ashton has everything he wanted, but the past won't stay buried. With his life being threatened at every turn he needs the help of the man that he is not sure he can trust to keep him safe.

Memories are a funny thing, but when the truth surface everything changes...Fans of caregiver movies like Me Before You will love this gripping, emotional, heartwarming romance with a happily-ever-after.

Fans of movies featuring amateur or budding matchmakers, like Emma, A Perfect Match, or Matchmaking Mysteries, will love this fun, first installment of the Alaskan Matchmaker series, featuring bearded, hockey-loving heroes and guaranteed happily-ever-afters.

MELINDA CURTIS, ANNA J. STEWART, CARI LYNN WEBB

Mariah Kingsley

USA Today Best Selling author Mariah Kingsley, was a stay at home mom that wrote while her family slept. She wrote about dirty talking alpha males who had a thing for spankings and handcuffs.

Now Mariah Kingsley writes about love, life, murder, and toe curling sex. The concept of what happens after “Happily Ever After” changed her life.

Now a blushing mom who never imagined she would run across her work on her mothers kindle loves the life. The author, blogger and avid reader now there are several books that she is proud of. Don't let the titles fool you, the stories will change your idea of life and love.

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

Surpassed Every Expectation

Again, although a majority of the characters in this book were in the Prime series, it is by no means the same. The storyline is complex and engrossing.

This storyline was amazing. Just when I thought I knew who the killer was all of a sudden, there's another person it could be. Totally engrossing.

In this third installment of the Harry Bosch series, Michael Connelly finally introduces Honey (Money) Chandler into his cast of characters. She is the legal representative of the widow of the man Harry killed before the first book started. That serial killer was known by the moniker The Dollmaker.

We get more background on Harry's growing up who is father is his mother. Harry Bosch is fleshed out as a main character. We see that a relationship he had just started at the end of book two - The Black Ice - is now a full blown relationship. As with other books, the sex is either alluded to, implied or off the page.

I cannot say enough about this storyline. I kept guessing and kept guessing and about the time I thought I had it figured out I was completely wrong. The conclusion was definitely unexpected, and for those of us who watched the series before reading the books it was both heartbreaking and astonishing.

Recommend?

I do recommend reading the Bosch books if you loved the Prime series and even if you didn't. The intricacies and different threads have to be followed to unravel the mystery that is expertly tangled and then followed.

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

A WORTHWHILE CONTINUATION OF THE BLACKWELL FAMILY SAGA

Mistress of the Game is the continuation of family saga of the Blackwells, first brought to life by Sidney Sheldon. Tilly Bagshawe does a good job of weaving ambition, psychosis, incestuous relationships, and criminal actions in a “Winner take all” fashion. Her characters were flawed and heroic, in other words, they were human.

Ms. Bagshawe does a wonderful job of bringing to life the uber wealthy in the same manner that Sidney Sheldon did, giving them personalities, faults and frailties. I will be honest, I did not know if Ms. Bagshawe would be able to write the character of Eve as evil as Mr. Sheldon did, but I was pleasantly surprised that she was able to make the character even more despicable. Its always refreshing to have a character’s faults be represented by their appearance. Kudos to Ms. Bagshawe for conveying a character who could withstand Eve’s machinations and familial hatred.

Recommend?

Highly recommend to those who wish to read a tight storyline with no unnecessary fluff.

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

A GLOBE-HOPPING GEOPOLITICAL THRILLER..

Full disclaimer, I have never picked up a geopolitical thriller so I really had no idea what to expect. The closest I ever came was some of the Sydney Sheldon's with his globetrotting jet set. This book is a great introduction to the genre.

Yes, Red Chaos is the third book in the Red Hotel series by Fuller and Grossman. Don't let that scare you. It is stand alone. It doesn't matter if you haven't read books one and two you still will have no problem jumping in to the stories. Of course, at this point, because I did feel a connection with the book's characters, I want to read the previous books in the series.

The characters for the most part were well developed, one female character's interaction hit a false note but her portion was only a few paragraphs so it was not too distracting. Other than that tiny scene, the charachers were well rounded and believable.

The authors did an excellent job of intertwining events, locations and characters to write an engrossing and thrilling novel. With the current events taking place in real-life right now, it was so easy to imagine this novel's storyline being 100% believable. World powers' engaging in assassinations', terrorism and financial espionage. Great plot!

Recommend?

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery and able to believe some of the unimaginable.

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

An Worthy Follow Up To Sacred Sins

This was the second book in Nora Roberts, D.C. Detectives series. It was a romantic thriller that had many of the same characters as the first book. However, as opposed to Sacred Sins (Book 1) this story, while a good read, felt rushed.

This story deals with his partner, Detective Ed Jackson, a health food eating throwback to simpler times. He's not a bad guy, he's just a protector without being a mysognist. Ed during book 1 bought a house and in the interim between book 1 and 2 has been fixing the house up. One of his neighbors is Kathleen. Kathleen is a school teacher, going through a divorce whose sister, Grace McCabe is a bestselling mystery novelist. Grace comes to D.C. to reconnect with Kathleen. Within days of reuniting, Kathleen gets killed and Grace is the one who finds her after coming back to the house from her first date with Ed. Grace is determined to help the police find her sisters killer. She initially thinks its got to be a hit set up by Kathleen's exhusband, but soon comes to the conclusion that it has to do with her sister's side job as a phone sex operator when other women are killed who work for the same service.

The character action and dialogue was spot on, but I expect nothing less from Nora Roberts. She is the best at romantic suspense and thrillers.

Read the complete review on the eBookBuilders site. https://ebookbuilderspro.com/brazen-virtue/

Reviewed By Scribblesworth

Imagine being one of the most powerful beings in existence, the most feared witch, a goddess that was adored and hated for thousands of years, to the point that your name spread chaos and panic, and you suddenly lose your powers and mortal.

How are you going to recover them? IF you ever do so? Easy! Just face challenges against all gods that you did wrong, all witches that want you dead, and yes , you will have to fight them, a mortal. A walk in the park

There are lots of secrets, twists, and even backstories at the end of the book that will make you go ahhhhhhh . This is a well thought-out book , and the fact that the mythology was well researched adds a lot to this title, not only for being extremely creative, but also for introducing us to many gods, and magical beings that normally get a lot of attention such as the Horned God, The Lame God, and the Golden Fleece. It’s surprising, enlightening, and oh you will want to punch Aphrodite on the boobs, trust me .

This is a title that I am sure everyone will enjoy, except those that think that sex is / should be . Once again, I repeat , do not read this book if you like puritan stuff, there is nothing here for you. Other than that , I recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a quick, entertaining, funny, sexy, and extremely creative read about Greek Goddesses, Vampires, Dragons and very horny Fae. Book

Reviewed By Scribblesworth

This is one of those books that the title makes you curious and the relevant first words you read captivate you.

The title: “Peace At The Midst Of The Storm” creates images that invite you to think upon it. How can we be peaceful when battered by a storm? When chaos rules our lives? How can we be peaceful at those moments? Is it possible? We will surely find out in this book, because it seems like the author, Kaleb Thompson has been through some whirlwinds and has got some answers that were blowing in the wind.

Not only Kaleb’s words are inviting, but also gripping due to their honesty, vulnerability, which, we assure you dear reader, that it will touch you as you relate them.

There is the sharing of experiences, sensations and even moods on each poem, to which readers will find intriguing, not only because we will be, at first, instinctively looking for rhyming verses, finding them scattered throughout the book but also because Kaleb Thompson invites reflection upon how we feel, think and see things This will be both surprising and mindopening, as it will invite you to enjoy a different and oddly comfy style of poetry, that sounds like a “melodic versed narration“. This gives this book a vibe of its own, and to the author, Kaleb, another reason for readers to remember him. Well done!

This book soothes, motivates, strengthens the relationship and admiration to the Christian god, and it also encourages growth, personal growth, through its soft and well-thought words.

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

A Thrilling Page Turner Of Apocalyptic Proportions

In 2022 I decided to step out of my normal reading comfort zoneromance, romantic suspense - to read genres I haven't even considered before. I will be honest, The Line Between was a book in a genre that I was resistant to. Nothing against Ms. Lee, but when I read I stay away from anything religious or religion based. As The Line Between is categorized as Religious Mystery I was quite hesitant.

I am SOOOOOO happy I took the chance and read this book. It was amazing, probably one of my top reads EVER.

Yes, Christianity is in the book; yes religion plays a major part in one character's life but this was not a book focused on religion.

This book was published in 2019, well before the start of the COVID pandemic of 2020-2022 that paralyzed the world with lock-downs, shortages and all the craziness that the US and the world have been dealing with. BUT IT IS SO EERILY SIMILAR to what we have been dealing with, what we could have been dealing with it's a little spooky.

The book features Wynter Roth, who has been expelled from the doomsday cult she and her sister have grown up in. Through flashback chapters we get glimpses of how the "Select" (what the members are called) live their lives.

In The Line Between we see Wynter grow from a timid, frightened woman, to a strong hero. She reconciles her past with the new world and because of her upbringing is uniquely qualified to survive the apocalypse she finds herself in the middle of.

Read the complete review on the eBookBuilders site. https://ebookbuilderspro.com/the-line-between/

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

LAUGH OUT LOUD THILLS & CHILLS

First let me say, the cover for this book an the entire series is freaking amazing. The cover was the reason I took a chance on this new-to-me author. The use of color, as well as objects that are in the storyline was truly excellence in design and marketing.

Now, on to the story. Ms. Charles’ ability to bring Deadwood South Dakota alive in the mind of readers was spot on. Her use of characters, humor, history and mystery was masterful. Think Stephanie Plum goes middle America.

In Nearly Departed, Ann Charles’ protagonist, Violet Parker is a single mom of twins starting over in a smallish town where she spent loads of time as a child. Her “do-over” is impeded by her ability to sell houses and a child abductor.

With a cast of characters to bring spice, irritation, humor and thrills to the story, Violet sets out to protect her daughter who is the exact image of one of the missing girls in Deadwood.

Violet spends the book trying to find a house for her client Doc, while trying to get 2 other client’s – Wolfgang Hessler and Old Man Harvey – houses ready to sell or sold. Sparks fly with Doc, while skin crawls at the thought of Violet’s secret admirer. Quickly in the story, Violet draws secondary characters within her circle adding the perfect mix of laughs and snappy dialogue.

This is a great start to a multi-book series that I plan on reading more of.

Recommend?

If you like Janet Evanovich’s writing style, and character development, you will find the Deadwood series worth the time to read.

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

A SUSPENSEFUL STAND-ALONE

For years, I have heard of James Patterson's wonderful books and have watched a couple of the movies based on his books - Along Came A Spider and Kiss the Girls were amazing. However I wanted to start off with one of his stand-alone books rather than get involved with yet another series at the moment.

This manuscript started off with a bang, literally, the main character gets shot by the antagonist.

The protagonist is John Stefanovitch and he is an NYPD Lieutenant, and the opening chapter starts with John being part of a task force tasked with taking down "The Grave Dancer".

This story has twists and turns, some believable if you are one of those who believe it is possible for a Criminal Cabal that has their fingers in the underworld around the globe.

One thing I had a problem with was that after Stefanovitch is shot, he does not take disability, he continues to be a police detective. Suspending belief in this took a little work on my part. But while the Detective is physically impaired he is still able to investigate and use his mind and connections. This plot device was years ahead of its time as it showed the physically disabled are still able to contribute to society.

I did love that while this is not a romance or a subgenre of romance, there is a romantic element to the storyline.

Recommend?

If you like your police procedurals hard, your characters fully fleshed out and your criminals truly evil, this book is for you!

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

GLOBE-HOPPING THRILL GOING BACK TO THE US-RUSSIA COLD WAR AND THE RAMIFICATIONS OF PLOTS PUT IN PLACE THEN

What a heart-pounding, keep you guessing wild ride.

I grew up under the ever-present scenario of war with Russia, I watched as Reagan said "Trust, but verify", I watched communism slowly crumble and Mikhail Gorbachev cause "Gorby-lock" in NYC when he came to visit. There was always whispers of the KGB/FSB having a school devoted to teaching young children/young adults to become Americanized to infiltrate our society and bring it down from the inside.

Executive Actions takes this premise and explores what could happen if that actually happened. Mr. Grossman's story is terrifying in its ramifications.

Bad guys abound, good guys trying to keep up and legal knots all make this an exhilarating and horrifying read.

From the Oval Office of the White House, commuter trains of the Northeast, law offices of Boston, beaches of Florida, mosques of the Middle East, CIA headquarters, to the newsroom of the New York Times, this story hops the globe bringing to life how fragile our democracy could be.

What a heart pounding read and a heart stopping climax. Bravo Mr. Grossman.

Recommend?

I recommend this to everyone! Boomers, Gen X, Millennials - everyone will get something from this geopolitical thriller.

REVIEWED BY PELICANFREAK

THIS BOOK!!!

As someone who is typically not overly emotional—maybe even aloof—I do not say this lightly or much. But wow … to say this was an emotional rollercoaster would be an understatement.

This was a much-anticipated read afterFlygirl and Angel Flight—I might have to re-read them, indulge in a full trilogybinge now. Despite the wait for book 3, and the high expectations I held for it, still, I was blown away at times.

Early in, I had to appreciate that this book put me right back into the 1990s/early 2000s—mix-tapes, “high-end” Fossil watches��. etc. I also enjoyed ‘traveling’ into Boston during the ‘Big Dig’ era; as this is when/where I grew up, I found it to be hilariously accurate.

For maybe about halfish of the book, there was so much drama, it sucked me right in and I noticed that I missed it when I put it down. It had me up reading till 9 a.m. on more than one occasion. Yes, I said nine. I can’t even be mad at the author though—totally worth the sleepless days.

There’s all different types of drama, and at least one is likely to invoke some sort of feeling from every reader, whether it’s the family drama, the couples-drama, the scandalous bits, BFF drama, work drama … arrogant ‘boys club’ attitudes women are subjected to in the workplace … the absolute injustice(!), or another aspect.

Read the complete review on the BookBub. https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3244347725

REVIEWED BY PELICANFREAK

Lots Of Witty Banter

I’m a huge fan of Terelst, so when I say this might be her best one yet, that’s saying something. All of her books have been 4- or 5-star reads for me. What I love about this author is she manages to introduce extremely likable characters off the bat, while sucking me right into their world, their drama, etc. As her books go on, I only become more invested. The next thing I know, I’m learning something new or getting a sort-of tour of Australia, while indulging in the story and loving every minute of it. Absolutely brilliant and with some fantastic writing along the way. I expect I’ll fail at recording everything I loved about this read, but I’ll list as many as I can: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2582993224

Completely relatable male and female leads. Relating to both of them, completely understanding both of their respective sides and rooting for both of them was fun.

Real feels.

Laugh-out-loud moments.

Lots of witty banter.

Business operations management details (What can I say, I’m a marketing geek).

Farm life—apple orchard to be specific.

One very lovable feline character.

Awww, a plausible dog rescue.

Family drama.

Important spotlight on mental illness and individual coping mechanisms and the stigmas one faces.

So much angst.

Read the complete review on the BookBub.

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

PERFECT FOR DIE-HARD STEPHANIE PLUM FANS

I usually fan-girl over any Stephanie Plum book. I mean the dialogue is snappy and funny, the storylines are usually overthe-top in a good way. That said, about half-way through this book in the series, I was waiting for it to wrap up and come to a conclusion.

The writing was still good, the storyline was right on par with earlier books, but I just wasn't feeling it.

A lot of it has to do with while Stephanie's antics and shenanigans were laugh out loud in the first 20+ books, now I just want to know why she hasn't grown as a character. Yes, the ping-ponging between Morelli and Ranger add heat and tension but its now feels forced (hence the reason it took me so long to read, for me, it just wasn't engrossing.)

Don't get me wrong, Ms. Evanovich writes some of the most hilarious characters in fiction today, how she can have Lula, Grandma and Stephanie interact is a treat to read, the situations they end up in and Lula's always positive spin on anything is a great lighthearted escape. Its just that this installment of the shenanigans of Stephanie Plum, enforcement agent fell flat with my reading tastes. But if truth be told, I would still raise a glass with any of the characters except Vinnie.

Recommend?

If you are a die-hard Stephanie Plum/ Janet Evanovich this book is for you. If you are new to Stephanie Plum, start with book 1 - "One for the Money".

Reviewed By Deena Rae

New Series Same Attention To Detail

I finished The Late Show by Michael Conley last night. Stayed up late on November 30th to finish it because I once it got going I couldn't put it down.

It took me a while to warm up to these characters. I think because I was more invested in Bosch as that was the last book that I read before this one. I know that the characters in this book will eventually overlap with the Bosch books. There's already been mentioned of Bosch in this book.

This series main character is Renee Ballard. She has multiple years on the LAPD but like Bosch she is targeted by higher ups who want to boot her out. Mr. Connelly really writes female characters well so I was able to develop an affinity for Renee and become interested in her story.

There are multiple storylines working in this novel, unlike other times that Michael Conley has dealt with that, they that where they all intertwined, none of these cases are intertwined. Each line of the story was wrapped up without feeling rushed or events skipped over.

I did enjoy the characters and of course the writing style and will be reading book two in the series after I read more of the Bosch series since he is a character in the series going forward. After getting caught up chronologically, I will come back to this series to read book 2 before I decide if I will stick with this series or not.

Read the complete review on the eBookBuilders site. https://ebookbuilderspro.com/the-late-show/