Tag: action

Review: Lost Grove: Part One by Charlotte Zang and Alex J. Knudsen

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

For fans of Twin Peaks and Stranger Things, Lost Grove is the first in a paranormal mystery duology that explores the twisted legends and mysteries in one small town.

In the eerie, enigmatic town of Lost Grove, where secrets whispered among the rustling pines are as thick as the fog rolling in from the sea, the discovery of Sarah Elizabeth Grahams’ lifeless body on the windswept beach is but the first note in a haunting symphony of mysteries.

Sergeant Seth Wolfe, the town’s tenacious lawman, penetrates the cryptic and labyrinthine secrets veiled beneath the town’s cheerful facade. A connection to Sarah Elizabeth, one he could never have fathomed, begins to take shape, blurring the lines between his own existence and the mysteries that enshroud the town. Suspects multiply like whispers in a haunted forest, but each lead unravels, and the mysteries of the case deepen.

Meanwhile, a group of local teenagers embark on their own harrowing mission, driven by a relentless desire to answer the riddle of their friend’s vanished brother and expose the sinister secrets harbored by an affluent institute nestled in the heart of Lost Grove. Further complicating matters, one teen’s father left town the morning Sarah Elizabeth’s body was found. With ties to a similar case seven years prior, he has become a prime suspect in the case.

As Seth dives deeper into the abyss of darkness gripping Lost Grove, an unsettling discovery threatens to derail his investigation and shatter the illusions of safety the town has harbored for far too long. A chilling web of malevolence begins to tighten its grip, ensnaring them all in a nightmarish dance that will test the limits of their resolve.

Readers who love the eerie, unsettling mystery of Stephen King’s The Outsider and the monstrous legends of Brian McGreevy’s Hemlock Grove will enjoy this twisty, taut thriller.

Favorite Lines:

“If it’s cold, Zoe likes it. The weather, food, water, you name it.”

“The angel’s wings stretched out against the inky night sky like a graceful paintbrush, his feathers rich with a hue of grapefruit and perfectly symmetrical.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story starts off with the body of Sarah Elizabeth Grahams being found on an empty beach in Lost Grove. Sergeant Seth Wolfe is put on the case and finds himself falling down a rabbit hole full of mysteriously forgotten memories and haunting dreams. While word of Sarah’s death spreads around town, two psychic siblings attempt to escape their past and start over at a new high school and a group of teenagers set out on their own dangerous mission to find a missing brother which leads them to question if changelings exist. That’s all to say that there are several strange things going on in Lost Grove and readers get to buckle in for the ride.

The story alternates between a present day storyline and flashbacks from multiple characters’ pasts which gives an inside perspective to a variety of events and only lends to the notes of mystery throughout this book. I found that the authors did a great job at setting the stage for Lost Grove to be what seems like a normal small town only for readers to quickly realize that there are a lot of unexplainable, and sometimes downright creepy, undercurrents that create a shroud of suspense and mystery around the town. I applaud the authors for being able to spin such a tangled web of secrets and connect them all together to become the town of Lost Grove. 

In addition to a deliciously creepy setting and plot, I also enjoyed the character writing throughout this book. The authors create a diverse cast of characters with their own personality quirks, secrets, and mysterious backstories that only add to the intrigue of this story. I thought the balancing of these characters, especially because there are several of them, was very skillfully done and there were several times while I was reading this that I thought there had to be some type of detective-esque board with strings attaching points together; how else were they able to keep everything so straight to write this story? I almost felt like I needed to make one a few times while reading this… This story is definitely something I could see being made into a TV show and, if you’re like me, you’ll be binge watching it in one sitting (maybe with a light or two on).

I also wanted to quickly highlight how cool I think it is that Knudson and Zang  are a husband/wife duo. I always love when spouses create something special like this together. Talk about a power couple!

Summary:

Full of horror elements, suspense, the paranormal, mystery, and much more, Lost Grove leaves no rock unturned while taking readers on an addicting dark and thrilling journey that will have them turning page after page desperate answers. If you’re a fan of Twin Peaks, and want to read something similar with a bit more of the supernatural and paranormal, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Lost Grove: Part One here!

 

Review: Focused on Love by Melody Carson

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

Rodeo nights and a city girl who’s all trouble. I must protect this damsel at all costs.

I’m Shane, a lonely cowboy and billionaire bronc rider with a memory I can’t shake.
Then enters Zoey, a sexy city fashion photographer, stirring up dust in my private world.
Sparks fly as we’re instantly drawn to each other.

But, then Zoey unknowingly captures a kidnapping on film
and our attraction takes a very dangerous turn.
I must protect her from the shadows as we unravel an unspeakable
crime that threatens everything.

I’m not only wrestling with broncs,
but I’m protecting the only woman who’s ever stolen my heart.
Together, we’ll face the evil in this small-town mystery that threatens to tear us apart.

This rodeo holds more than bronc riding –
it may just be the place where two hearts find their way home.

But, first, we must outsmart the danger and find our love amidst the chaos.

Favorite Lines:

“Think again, asshat, ’cause that’s not going to happen.”

“You know you’re getting old when sleeping hurts.”

“I didn’t just fall in love with you that day. I fell in love with your spirit, your resilience…your heart. You’re the strongest woman I know, Zoey. And I admire and respect you more than anyone else in this world.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows Zoey and Shane. Zoey is a photographer who is sent to Montana to take pictures at a rodeo but finds herself out of a job when her boss gets a bit too flirty for her tastes. When she confronts him about it, he fires her on the spot. Meanwhile, Shane is a rancher and bronco rider at the rodeo who is addicted to the thrill and wants to ride until he is physically no longer able. Shane has no interest in a city girl from LA being at the rodeo but when a girl goes missing, the unlikely pair team up to help solve the case.

This is a contemporary enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy that features cowboys; what is not to love? Like many of Carson’s other books, this is a short and sweet romance that features strong female characters and the men that fall for them. Carson’s writing style flows well and creates an easy to follow story that is easy to get addicted to. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself turning page after page until you’re staring at the end of the book all in one sitting.

Summary:

Overall, if you like contemporary romances featuring cowboys, small town love, action, suspense, intrigue, and of course romance, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Focused on Love here!

 

Review: Her Dark Promises by E.H. Raven

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

Stuck in a dead-end job and unable to afford independence, Jamila’s dreams of success fade daily. Desperate, she agrees to an arranged marriage orchestrated by her father, but it backfires, deepening her depression. 

She finds solace in horror movies about demonic possession, leading her to research real-life cases. Discovering some achieve success through dark means, she decides to summon her demon, hoping to change her fate. Possession grants Jamila immense confidence and success, but the dark alliance exacts a steep price.

The demon consumes her sanity, blurring reality and nightmare.

Can Jamila escape the darkness she unleashed?

Favorite Lines:

“Nothing I eat satisfies my hunger. This must be what stress eating is.”

“She recognized the tragic irony in humanity’s plight: their yearning for a better life had led them into an inescapable trap.”

“In her moments of clarity, Jamila realized the irony of her situation. She had sought possession to gain knowledge and power, but it was only in her damnation that she truly understood the depths of the world’s corruption. The knowledge she had gained was vast, but it came at the highest cost imaginable: her soul.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion and just in time for spooky season to begin!

Can I start this review off by saying that something that really drew me in to this book was the cover alone. It was the perfect level of creepy and ends up fitting this book very well!

This story follows Jamila, a young woman who feels trapped in a mundane existence with a draining job who is unable to see a light at the end of the tunnel. To make matters worse, her father keeps insisting on an arranged marriage that she is less than thrilled about. To escape her reality, Jamila watches a lot of horror movies and becomes interested in real-life stories of people who have summoned demons. Taking inspiration from these stories, Jamila tries to summon a demon herself. What starts as a confidence boost for Jamila, quickly spirals out of control and readers follow along as Jamila fights a darkness as it begins to consume her.

I am a sucker for any psychological thrillers and this one did not disappoint – and it came just in time for spooky season! This is my first book by Raven and I loved the way that the world was set up only to have a purposeful tone shift once Jamila summoned the demon. Raven did a great job at setting up a terrifying and thrilling plot that had me on the edge of my seat. Throughout reading this, I regularly found myself picturing this on the big screen and think it could be a great plot for a scary, demon possession movie!

If I had to nitpick one thing, it would have to be the flow of the book. As some points, it came off as a bit choppy and could have probably flowed more smoothly from one scene to the next. However, I want to emphasize that this didn’t take away from the overall plot which I still found to be creative and interesting.

I wanted to put a trigger warning that this book does contain graphic violence, self-mutilation, sexual content, horror themes, and more and may not be suited for everyone.

Summary:

Overall, while this was my first book from Raven, I am confident that it won’t be my last. This was the perfect blend of creepy, thrilling, and addicting and I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of horror and psychological thrillers. Happy reading!

Check out Her Dark Promises here!

Review: Mr. Bingley: Just As A Gentleman Ought To Be by Brandon Dragan

~ likelystory18 ~ 3 Comments

Synopsis:

“Finally, a novel that reveals the true Bingley! Heartily recommend to all Bingley-philes!” — Crispin Bonham-Carter, Mr. Bingley in the BBC Miniseries, Pride & Prejudice

For centuries Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice, has been dearly loved he world over. However, few people know the hidden truth about Mr. Darcy’s closest friend, the affable Mr. Bingley—who is much more than he appears on first impression.

Mr. Bingley: Just as a Gentleman Ought to Be is the previously untold story of a young man who unwittingly uncovers an evil cabal among the British Empire’s aristocracy. Bingley finds himself confronting an enterprise so nefarious, he cannot help but act to redress it, even if it costs him his own reputation and the love of his life, the angelic Miss Jane Bennet.

Follow Mr. Bingley down a rabbit hole of intrigue and corruption, as he fights to protect the country’s most vulnerable alongside friends old and new. Can he set things right before he loses Jane forever?

Favorite Lines:

“She is undoubtedly the most handsome creature I have ever beheld, but more than her beauty, it is her serenity, or rather, the effect her serenity has had on me that gives me cause to ponder my own feelings.”

“In her presence, and in her presence alone, I seem able to be at peace with the world.”

“There is no defense for the fixed state of vanity in which you at times operate, Darcy.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

As someone who watches Pride and Prejudice at least once a year, I was very excited to review this book. This story follows the Charles Bingley we know and love while giving new depth to his character like we have never seen before.  I would like to imagine that this story is happening in parallel to Pride and Prejudice giving new perspective to Mr. Bingley’s life outside of the P&P storyline.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going into this book but I can say I wasn’t expecting such a creative blend of Pride and Prejudice meets James Bond meets Sherlock Holmes; especially coming from a character like Mr. Bingley. Dragan does an excellent job at creating a plot that is entirely his own in a world that many literary fans are already familiar with and love.

As mentioned above, the Pride and Prejudice world is one many are already familiar with but I think Dragan did an excellent job at expanding upon that world and building one that is unique for this story. I also really enjoyed the character development and conversation writing. Dragan added hidden depths to several characters featured in the Pride and Prejudice story beyond just Mr. Bingley and introduced some new ones too.

If I had to complain about one thing, it would be out of pure selfishness coming from my inner romantic – I wish there had been more in the plot to feature interactions with Jane from Mr. Bingley’s perspective. I am a sucker for split POVs and seeing what the male love interest thinks of their counterparts and I would have loved to see more of that here. We do get some behind the scenes thoughts but not very many direct interactions seen from Mr. Bingley’s eyes. However, this is almost made up for by hearing Mr. Darcy tell Bingley about Elizabeth. I would like to emphasize that this is nitpicky and understand that the point of this book wasn’t necessarily the romance – I still enjoyed the book immensely. 

Summary:

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a creative and unique twist to the familiar Pride and Prejudice world. I would recommend to anyone who is a P&P fan who wants a new take on a familiar character, and even those who are less familiar with P&P but love literature set in the 19th century that feature action, mystery, comradery, and a touch of romance. Happy reading!

Check out Mr. Bingley: Just As A Gentleman Ought To Be here!

 

Review: She Tames the Sea by E.M. Etheridge

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

Men fear a woman on the sea. They say women bring about bad luck and anger from the gods who rule the waters. Estella Bohem fears being aboard Captain Eric Price’s ship, amongst the pirates who kidnapped her for her abilities. It was the Bohem family who used magic to tame the beast of the sea decades ago. They trapped it in an ancient spell to make the waters safe to travel, but it was the vagabonds of the sea who wanted to free it, tame it, and use it for their own ambitions. All her life Estella never had control of her future, but as the notoriously brutal Captain Edward Laggatt hunts her down for the key to the beast’s cage, she has no choice but to trust the same men who stole her away from her socialite life in Charleston South Carolina.

She Tames The Sea is an adult dark fantasy novel that delves into the complications of familial relations, magic and mythology.

Favorite Lines:

“Remember this, my love, a woman alone in this world is an easy target for foolish men. Society hates a woman who is strong enough to live outside of them and will burn them to the ground. Pirates and Politicians are all the same in that aspect. Humans crave power and will either kill witches like us or enslave us for it.”

“I don’t know of any spells that can give me the power of a man in the patriarchal shitstorm of a society I lived in.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows Estella Bohem, a secret witch stolen away from her life in South Carolina by pirates who need her help to release and tame a beast of the seas that her own ancestors had locked away many years ago. What follows is a tale full of magic that had me addicted until the very end.

My first impression of this book was it is Pirates of the Caribbean with witches – a combination that I didn’t know I needed until I was reading this book and found myself unable to put it down. Etheridge has a beautiful and unique storytelling voice that brings to life a creative story full of pirates, witches, magic, action, adventure, and femininity in a world that is run by men. I really want to emphasize that Etheridge’s unique storytelling voice that is used in this book really sets it apart from a lot of other modern books I have been seeing and reading from places like BookTok, and I mean that in the best way possible – it was a breath of fresh air that added to the appeal and mysticism of this story.

What I found most compelling about this story was the vivid imagery, elaborately crafted mythology, and strong character development. As a woman myself, I appreciated the theme of strong femininity that was present throughout the story. I also really enjoyed the plot twist at the end. No spoilers here, you’ll just have to read for yourself.

Summary:

Overall, I LOVED this book. A creative dark fantasy featuring witches, pirates, romance, action, adventure, and magic, I cannot recommend this book enough and am crossing my fingers that we will see more in this series in the future! Happy reading!

Check out She Tames the Sea here!

 

Monthly Features – September

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Entwined Desires: A Love’s Redemption by Anna Marteen

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Adriana, a fearless voyager moves through the realms of passion, dances with shadows and addiction. Amidst the moonlit encounters, she meets Gabriel, a mysterious orchestrator of destiny, challenging her detachment.

Romantic symphony harmonizes with a melody of emotions. As their love deepens, Gabriel proposes a commitment that Adriana never thought she would entertain. Adriana must confront her demons and decide if she is willing to take the risk of losing herself to find a love that is both passionate and enduring. Gabriel and Adriana embark on a journey of self-discovery and emotional awakening.

But wait,

Secrets from Adriana’s past unravel the carefully woven fabric of their romance, challenging the foundation of their connection. 

Summary: A spicy contemporary romance full of passion, soulmates, and second chances love, this book is for anyone who adores romance at least half as much as I do. 

See the full review here: Entwined Desires: A Love’s Redemption
Purchase here

My Un-Handyman by Melody Carson

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: IT NEVER HURTS TO HELP.
At least that was the motto I’d always gone by up until meeting Emily.

But then again, no good deed goes unpunished. There’s that one, too.
She needed a hand, and I had the time.
What was the harm in pretending to be a handyman if it helped my pretty ranch owner neighbor out?
Besides, how hard could it be?
But now I’m realizing that there are certain things even a billionaire like me can’t pull off. Like knowing how to rewire the lighting on an entire barn. Or even lay water pipe. (And who’s Allen, and why would I want his wrench?)

Worse yet, I’m starting to really like Emily and realize that she isn’t going to take this little ruse very well when I tell her the truth. That I’m not-so-handy after all.
But her legacy—and Emily—are in danger. And even if I could forget about the hottest kiss of my life, there’s no way I can back down from protecting the woman who gave it to me. Or the ranch that was rightfully hers.
Defending what and who I love is one of the things I’m good at, after all

Summary: Overall, I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for a quick and easy romantic comedy full of humorous banter, enemies-to-lovers, and secret billionaires who find that they enjoy handyman work.

See the full review here: My Un-Handyman
Purchase here

 

Ascending the Hourglass by Anthony Dean

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: There are great deserts in space…

So began The Voided Man.

Prisoner Number One has survived in the void. He has even thrived there. But the question remains, can he ever leave there?

If so, by what possible method? And at what risk to himself and others?

Return to the void, and learn if it offers the possibility of escape to those who master the art of Ascending the Hourglass.

Summary: Overall, this was an excellent follow up to the first book and I am excited to see where Dean is taking this series for its conclusion. Classified as a sci-fi, I would also say this book could fall into the YA category and could be for anyone who is a fan of quirky and humorous science fiction.

See the full review here: Ascending the Hourglass
Purchase here

Gaviota Island: Birds, Monkeys, and Twisted Love by Janna Klarmann

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: “Gaviota Island” is a psychological thriller exploring the twisted love between a nature girl and a hunter.

The story delivers a message about the cruelty of shooting wild animals. It delves into the tangled complexities of romance, secrecy, and moral ambiguity.

Laura Whitley is 22 years old. She meets Bret Belcher at the University of Texas – an unexpected pairing of a bird enthusiast and a passionate hunter.

Laura admires Bret’s confidence, ambition, and charm. But she grapples with his unwavering passion for guns and hunting.

As university graduation looms, Laura’s distress intensifies because she has no plans for what she’ll do when she finishes. The Belchers will dispatch Bret to Panama to oversee the family’s property business there. This could be Laura’s pivotal moment to break up with him. But against her parents’ advice, she follows him to Panama in hopes of remaking their lives together.

In Panama, Laura befriends a young biologist who discovers a rare population of monkeys on Gaviota, an uninhabited island meant for Bret’s real estate venture. The discovery is a threat to Bret’s plans,

Bret’s violent solution to the monkey problem and his betrayal with another woman push Laura to the edge. Horrified and desperate, Laura takes drastic measures.

Experience Laura’s transformation from an innocent bird watcher to a woman ensnared in a web of deceit and survival.

Follow a series of events that spiral into a dark, dangerous climax.

Discover the gripping tale that blurs the lines between right and wrong, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Summary: Overall, I was not sure what to expect going into this book but I was strangely surprised that I enjoyed it and came out more educated on the topics it covered than I was going into it. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the realities of the injustices that animals face at the hands of mankind. While a work of fiction, this book paints a very real picture of today’s world and what takes place to the animals that are hunted in it. 

See the full review here: Gaviota Island: Birds, Monkeys, and Twisted Love
Purchase here

Too Much to Lose by Melody Carson

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: DON’T MISS YOUR SECOND CHANCE.

It’s not often that we get to try again, cuz life very seldom deals a second chance.
Most people don’t even notice when they get one dropped in their lap like a miracle.
But I noticed.

I’ve lost Cassidy once, and come hell or high water, I won’t make the same mistake twice.
Turning a losing hand into a winner might take the whim of Lady Luck herself, but I’m up for the challenge.

However, fate is not always kind, and sometimes overcoming the evil in this world comes at a terrible price.

Cassidy has a monster to face down, but I’m not going anywhere. When it comes to the love between us, there’s simply too much to lose.

Summary: Overall, if you like contemporary romances featuring second chances at love in a small town, action, suspense, intrigue, and of course romance, then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: Too Much to Lose
Purchase here

The King of Evil by Eileen Gillick

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: He took her powers.
She’ll fight to take back what’s always been hers.
Sixteen-year-old Elise is bullied by her peers every day.
Unbeknownst to them all, she possesses twenty-four mutant abilities.
Eighteen-year-old Rolf takes them all away from her. He isolates them both in his own kingdom to gain knowledge and
strength of her powers. As he constructs a plan to bring her down, Elise must seek an ultimatum. Before it’s the end of her.

Summary: Overall, this was an addicting read. With a refreshing take on some familiar tropes and Gillick’s unique writing style bringing  hints of dark tension and mystery to the plot, I applaud Gillick and am in awe over this debut novel.  I would recommend this to anyone interested in fantasies full of psychological mind games, magic, and mystery that have a darker tone. 

See the full review here: The King of Evil
Purchase here

Review: The King of Evil by Eileen Gillick

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

He took her powers.
She’ll fight to take back what’s always been hers.
Sixteen-year-old Elise is bullied by her peers every day.
Unbeknownst to them all, she possesses twenty-four mutant abilities.
Eighteen-year-old Rolf takes them all away from her. He isolates them both in his own kingdom to gain knowledge and
strength of her powers. As he constructs a plan to bring her down, Elise must seek an ultimatum. Before it’s the end of her.

Favorite Lines:

“In her heart, it was clear to her what unintentionally razing a relationship could do to the heart. Grasping that the dint of love might romp somewhere in her soul, except for all the horror she endured, it seemed impossible to see it in a person. The person who she loved.”

“Distressed, Rolf takes Elise to his chest and screams out.”

“I call this the Icarus room…because when you go in here, you feel your spirits rise. It looks like a nice room, right? Then you fall because of the terror in here.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows two high school students, sixteen year old outcast, Elise and eighteen year old Rolf. While the target of bullies, Elise has an incredible secret – she possess twenty-four mutant abilities. When Rolf finds out about Elise’s powers, he ends up unintentionally absorbing them. What follows is a battle of mental strength and perseverance as Rolf casts Elise into a hidden realm of his own creation in an attempt to break her spirit and ultimately bend her to his will. 

This is a fantastic debut novel for Gillick full of creative worldbuilding, strong character writing, and an interesting plot. Gillick brings a magical realm to life with vivid details that made me feel like I was right there along with the characters. Full of colorful descriptions of the landscapes and a well-crafted magic system, I found myself turning one page after another fully addicted to the immersion of the world that Gillick had created. I especially enjoyed the small detail of what music was playing the background in many of the scenes – it only added to being able to picture the scene.

I also found the character writing to be well done because Gillick didn’t try to make the characters perfect. Both Elise and Rolf are multidimensional characters who could only be described as morally gray at their core. They have their flaws and I found this to make them more relatable and more human. Their dynamic is what the story ultimately revolves around and I couldn’t get enough. Also, have I ever mentioned that I am also a sucker for multiple POVs? One thing I did want to point out that made me feel a bit weird was referring to Elise as a child several times throughout the book. I am not sure if this was because it was usually from Haas’ perspective but it felt slightly odd and a bit like a disservice to make her appear younger than her sixteen years.

*While classified as YA, some scenes in this book may be better suited for adults.*

Summary:

Overall, this was an addicting read. With a refreshing take on some familiar tropes and Gillick’s unique writing style bringing  hints of dark tension and mystery to the plot, I applaud Gillick and am in awe over this debut novel.  I would recommend this to anyone interested in fantasies full of psychological mind games, magic, and mystery that have a darker tone. Happy reading!

Check out The King of Evil here!

 

Review: Gaviota Island: Birds, Monkeys, and Twisted Love by Janna Klarmann

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

“Gaviota Island” is a psychological thriller exploring the twisted love between a nature girl and a hunter.

The story delivers a message about the cruelty of shooting wild animals. It delves into the tangled complexities of romance, secrecy, and moral ambiguity.

Laura Whitley is 22 years old. She meets Bret Belcher at the University of Texas – an unexpected pairing of a bird enthusiast and a passionate hunter.

Laura admires Bret’s confidence, ambition, and charm. But she grapples with his unwavering passion for guns and hunting.

As university graduation looms, Laura’s distress intensifies because she has no plans for what she’ll do when she finishes. The Belchers will dispatch Bret to Panama to oversee the family’s property business there. This could be Laura’s pivotal moment to break up with him. But against her parents’ advice, she follows him to Panama in hopes of remaking their lives together.

In Panama, Laura befriends a young biologist who discovers a rare population of monkeys on Gaviota, an uninhabited island meant for Bret’s real estate venture. The discovery is a threat to Bret’s plans,

Bret’s violent solution to the monkey problem and his betrayal with another woman push Laura to the edge. Horrified and desperate, Laura takes drastic measures.

Experience Laura’s transformation from an innocent bird watcher to a woman ensnared in a web of deceit and survival.

Follow a series of events that spiral into a dark, dangerous climax.

Discover the gripping tale that blurs the lines between right and wrong, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Favorite Lines:

“I think that psychologists must have theories on all of this. Are we talking about misogynistic men fleeing into the wilds to escape women? Does shooting animals make a man feel manly? Do hunters measure their penis sizes?”

“Who does the most good for humanity, property developers or wildlife defenders? In a crowded and overheating world, people had to choose. Laura cast her lot with Penny.”

“Penny resisted the cliché of men from Mars and women from Venus. That wasn’t going to help.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows Laura Whitley, an enthusiastic bird watcher who has fallen in love with Bret Belcher, an intense hunter. Despite disagreeing with Bret’s love for guns and animal hunting, Laura follows Bret to Panama when he travels to oversee his family’s business there in an attempt to stay together and rekindle their love for one another. Laura quickly finds herself in a horrible situation that seems to escalate by the day and the man she had been trying to convince herself she could make a life with is the villain in this story.

I have to say that I think this book is a first for me in terms of being heavily focused on anti-hunting and anti-poaching themes and messaging. Klarmann clearly writes from a personal and passionate place on this topic and I was impressed on how this passion was conveyed throughout this story. I thought that Klarmann had a relaxing and enjoyable writing voice that the story only benefited from and I actually appreciated that it was a bit more informal compared to some other writing styles I have read.

While I do appreciate being spared on some of the more graphic details, there were still many sad and distressing scenes that really drove home the realities of hunting; which was the point. I did find myself with tears in my eyes over several of the scenes but would still recommend this book to wipe away any disillusions about what hunting can entail.

Summary:

Overall, I was not sure what to expect going into this book but I was strangely surprised that I enjoyed it and came out more educated on the topics it covered than I was going into it. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the realities of the injustices that animals face at the hands of mankind. While a work of fiction, this book paints a very real picture of today’s world and what takes place to the animals that are hunted in it. 

Check out Gaviota Island: Birds, Monkeys, and Twisted Love here!

 

Review: Ascending the Hourglass by Anthony Dean

~ likelystory18 ~ 5 Comments

Synopsis:

There are great deserts in space…

So began The Voided Man.

Prisoner Number One has survived in the void. He has even thrived there. But the question remains, can he ever leave there?

If so, by what possible method? And at what risk to himself and others?

Return to the void, and learn if it offers the possibility of escape to those who master the art of Ascending the Hourglass.

Favorite Lines:

“For the past 83 years, I had missed Father as an idea. Mother had missed a man. Her man.”

“Holy Moly! Pete has nukes?”

“I had freedom. I had peace. I had love.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the second book in Dean’s The Voided Man trilogy, you can find my review for the first one, The Voided Man, here. Where the first book really only followed Prisoner Number one, who is exiled to the depths of space with a promise of a lonely eternity ahead of him, this book gives us a new narrator in the form of Cassiopeia – which I found to be refreshing and enjoyable to see a new perspective in this series.

Dean continues to create and expand upon a unique sci-fi world in this series and this book takes it to the next level. I found the character writing to be well done and Dean somehow managed to outdo himself with the intricacies of multiple plot points throughout. I admit that I wasn’t sure it could get more perplexing than the first book in this series but Dean pulls it off in a tasteful and creative way. I think my favorite part of this series so far continues to be Dean’s writing voice which is uniquely distinctive and I think is a major contributor to what sets this series apart from others in the sci-fi genre. 

Summary: 

Overall, this was an excellent follow up to the first book and I am excited to see where Dean is taking this series for its conclusion. Classified as a sci-fi, I would also say this book could fall into the YA category and could be for anyone who is a fan of quirky and humorous science fiction. Happy reading!

Check out Ascending the Hourglass here!

 

Monthly Features – August

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Dissonance: Volume Zero: Revelation by Aaron Ryan

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis:  One day, they silently drifted down through our skies. We thought they were angelic messengers. We were wrong.

They arrived by the hundreds of thousands on June 6th, 2026. The aliens silently drifted down from the sky, hovering fifty feet above us for three long, tense months at a geostationary orbit, taking up positions around the world. No one knew why they came…what they wanted…or why they wouldn’t just go away.

Then, the unthinkable happened. They suddenly came to life…and hunted us down. We ended up calling them gorgons – after the mythical creature Medusa – because if we locked eyes with them, it was all over, and they could telepathically paralyze us with just one look. Once immobilized, they could consume us at their leisure, leaving us to feel every excruciating bite. There was no escape, no hiding from their relentless pursuit. Our only defense was to run.

By the end of 2026, eighty-five percent of mankind had been killed off. The alien invasion turned Planet Earth into a ghost town, with the few survivors eking out an existence in the shadows. Andrew Shipley is one such survivor thrust into an extraordinary nightmare of post-apocalyptic proportions. As chaos erupts, hope dwindles for Andrew and his wife and three small children. Will they make it? Or will the gorgons get them too?

Summary: Overall, this was arguably my favorite so far in the series perhaps because of the light that it sheds on the events that take place in the rest of the series. I found myself laughing at some parts and with tears in my eyes at others. Ryan does an excellent job at evoking emotion and keeping readers engaged throughout this book. If you are a fan of science fiction, dystopian worlds, aliens, action, adventure, thrills, and reading about what it means to be human, then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: Dissonance: Volume Zero: Revelation
Purchase here

 

Post Traumatic Growth by Jesse Hewitt

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: This book is an account of the journey following encounters of trauma and taking steps towards personal growth. I served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 12 years, with 5 years serving as a Close Protection Operator undertaking multiple operations in high-conflict environments – both domestically and overseas. Having completed there missions, I witnessed first-hand the damages of war and having experienced the consequences of combat.

This is a tale of a torment and tribulation but is also the story of reparation and recovery. A story of surviving trauma and overcoming the wounds war inflicted upon my mind. Within this book, you will read about these traumas. Personal crises and living in a state of mind that is unwell will be shared. The approach to conquering my personal mental health struggles was multi-faceted, and details of this journey will be disclosed in order to hopefully empower others to take the first steps in their own recovery. Things such as various treatment styles, inter-personal connections and the accidental introduction to Equine Therapy were all supports to becoming a healthier me.

It is my hope that through sharing the intricacies of what I faced and how I committed to treatment to find meaning, purpose, and strength once again, will help others rediscover their own fortitude, resilience, and resolve as they endeavor into the emotional trenches of recovery and emerge healthier, happier, and having taken their own steps towards Post Traumatic Growth.

Summary: Overall, if you are interested in inspiring, real life stories about overcoming mental health challenges especially as it relates to PTSD, depression, substance abuse disorders, and eating disorders, then this book could be for you. 

See the full review here: Post Traumatic Growth
Purchase here

 

The Voided Man by Anthony Dean

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: There are great deserts in space. Matter is not spread evenly. On average it balances out in all directions, but some regions are not average. For every dense cluster of galaxies in one place, there is a tremendous void somewhere else. There are no galaxies within the voids, no stars, no planets, and no moons. Scientists have theorized that anyone at the center of such an empty space would see only darkness in every direction. Even the brightest objects, they say, would be too far distant to be visible to the naked eye.

I got a chance to test that theory firsthand. I am the most distant exile in human history.

My name is Prisoner Number One. This is my story.

Summary: Overall, I went into this almost completely blind and was pleasantly surprised with this one. This is a great example of going outside of your comfort zone and managing to find some diamonds in the rough. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of quirky science fiction stories that feature romance and touch on what it means to be human. 

See the full review here: The Voided Man
Purchase here

 

The Gemini Project by Ian Moran

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Jan Ericson spends his days on the campus of the Corpo Academy participating in sports and playing games. The Academy has never formally taught Jan, or any of its 42 students, to read or write. Jan looks forward to moving to New London, where he will live with his father and start his career. That day will be his 18th birthday after a celebration known as the renaissance.

Dr. William Osler works at the Academy and considers himself an amateur philosopher and would-be comedian. He befriends Jan and sees the boy’s keen desire to learn. Quietly in the background, the doctor teaches his student to read. Dr. Osler knows that the 17-year-old boy will die, the same way his older brother died, in less than two weeks. However, addicted to a designer drug, the doctor is constantly high as he tries to fight his own demons.

Tre Ericson is Jan’s father. He sees his son four times a year but feels no love for him. While desperately trying to please his father, Jan discovers a tunnel that runs under the school. The tunnel contains a dark secret, which initiates a chain of events that might save Jan’s life!

The Gemini Project is must-read coming-of-age novel that deals with a dystopian future and the world of neurology. The story of Jan Ericson will take you to unpredictable places in a battle of life and death

Summary: Overall, I found this to be an intriguing and thought provoking science fiction thriller set in a dystopian world and would recommend to anyone interested in sci-fi, dystopian worlds, thrillers, suspense, mystery, and philosophical dilemmas.

See the full review here: The Gemini Project
Purchase here

 

Claimed by a Cowboy by Melody Carson

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: I HATE SURPRISES.
Even a surprise that comes with designer heels and killer curves.
What I needed at the end of a long day in the saddle was a cold brew – not a hot tempered reporter who was intent on getting on my last nerve.
Worse, Madison was asking too many questions and getting too close to the truth. Too close to me.

My real identity as heir to the billion dollar Rising Star Ranch was at stake, and I had to keep Madison at arms length.

Until that first unforgettable kiss.

Now, I’m wondering how I can, not only keep Madison at Rising Star Ranch, but also protect her and claim her as my own.

Summary: Overall, if you like cowboy romances full of enemies-to-lovers troupes, mystery, suspense, a bit of danger, and a cowboy saving the day, then this book could be for you!

See the full review here: Claimed by a Cowboy
Purchase here