This is a great opportunity to share your book reviews, discover new reviewers, and some extra exposure for the reviewers themselves. I’ve already found a couple of new blogs to follow.
************************************************************
Here’s your big chance to get some free publicity! If you’ve had your book reviewed on a website or blog, post the link! It’ll be free publicity for you, and a potential source fo…
The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza
Crime Thriller – Book One of Detective Erica Foster.
396 (page-turning) pages
I ordered this during its pre-order period. The combination of great cover art, cool title, discount price and great reviews made me think, let’s take a chance.
It was a very fast paced and exciting read, the kind of book you just can’t put down. I enjoyed the story and meeting Erica Foster who is a troubled, but engaging lead character. I liked how her backstory was slowly revealed throughout the story, it really helped the reader understand why she was such a mess and sunk herself so heavily into her work. Getting justice became her sole priority, even at the risk of her own safety. I was rooting for her to succeed the whole way through.
The serial killer element to the story also kept me reading, and there were plenty of red herrings to leave me guessing at the killer’s identity.
The Girl in the Ice is current #1 in the UK kindle mystery chart and has 484 reviews (346 of them are 5 star). I rate it 4 out of 5 stars – there were just a couple of tiny details that made me wonder on its believability, otherwise it would have been a 5. I still highly recommend this gripping read and can’t wait for the next instalment.
My Rating 5 out of 5.
Pages 136.
Blurb from the front cover, which makes an interesting change.
‘A revolt is brewing. The year is 1381 and unrest is spreading like plague. England’s peasants are ready to rise against their unjust landlords. The violent upheaval will affect everyone – even dogs, like the old hunting bitch through whose eyes, ears and nose these dramatic events are revealed.’
Children’s book – I’d say 9+ but the book doesn’t state. I would be happy for my 9 year old to read it, and I think my son (11) would enjoy it too (in fact my son read ‘White Wolf’ by Henrietta Branford a couple of years ago and said it was one of his favourite books).
My daughter bought Fire, Bed and Bone at her school fair. She said she really liked the cover and the blurb and that’s why she picked it out of loads of other books. I decided to read a page or two just to see if it was suitable, but I couldn’t stop reading. I read the book in a couple of evenings, though around page 100 it almost became too emotional to read (that might just be me as I’m a sucker for an animal story).
This book is brilliantly written. I was immediately drawn into the world of ‘old dog’ as she is affectionately called by her owners. But she is not old and has two litters through the story, proving herself a fiercely protective and loving mother. She is also devoted to her owners Rufus and Comfort, and their children. I loved her voice and all the little details that she as a dog notices about people and the world around her. I was not surprised to read Henrietta Branford grew up in The New Forest, England (a place close to my heart) and that she learnt a great deal from her father about animals from a shooting and fishing perspective.
It’s a short, wonderful read, and I recommend it to everyone.
I can’t wait for both my children (and my husband) to read it and see what they think. It will be an interesting experiment, something we haven’t had the chance to do as a family before. I look forward to updating this post with their opinions, I only hope they love Fire, Bed and Bone as much as me.
The Iron Ship is Book One of The Gates of the World. Published in 2015.
‘Merchant, industrialist and explorer Trassan Kressind has an audacious plan – combining the might of magic and iron in the heart of a great ship to navigate an uncrossed ocean, seeking the city of the extinct Morfaan to uncover the secrets of their lost sciences…’
It was my book group choice. My first impressions – I loved the cover, was intrigued by the blurb and couldn’t wait to read it.
The Iron Ship is a fantasy / steampunk mix, perfect for those who love indepth worldbuilding. Unfortunately, I’m not one of them.
It took me over 200 pages to get into the story. There are a lot of characters – we follow the lives of the six Kressind siblings, but also a lot more besides, and it’s hard to keep track of everything that’s going on. I would think those who enjoy the huge scale of Game of Thrones would enjoy this new series.
It’s a long book and sometimes the descriptions can drag. But there are also moments of high tension and excitement that draw you in. I just wanted more character focus, to live the story through them more. I did like (but not love) some of the characters Katriona, Guis and Tuvacs, and would be interested to continue their stories in the next book.
There are plenty of new concepts to enjoy; the Tyn people, talking dogs which are used as horses, lizard-like creatures and plenty of fantastical beasts, twin moons, Glimmer magic, Guiders to send spirits on, the Drowned King… I could go on. There is a lot to explore in this book. If you are a fan of world building this could be the book for you.
I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.
I would like to share this wonderful review from C at happymeerkatreviews. I supplied her a free copy for an honest review.
I was kindly sent a free digital copy of this book from the author Suzanne Rogerson. It’s a wonderful fantasy book. Links for the author’s website and other sites are below the review.
This is my review of Visions of Zarua:
This is a dark and thrilling fantasy book that really keeps you gripped from beginning to end. Set in the world of Paltria, where there is magic, wizards and dark creatures, Paddren and his friends begin their journey by trying to save his master Kalesh. But when Kalesh is found dead they must find out why and their search reveals the dark and sinister past haunting Paltria.
This book is one of the best fantasy books I’ve read to date! From the very first chapter I was hooked to read more and it isn’t many books that truly keep you reading from the very beginning to the very end. …
View original post 459 more words
The first thing that drew me to this book was the title, Wild Ruins. I’ve always loved ruins and this book has over 300 of them to discover. Then there is the amazing cover, which drew me in, not least because it’s just like an image I have in my head for my current WIP – Search for the Sentinel.
This is a very easy to use reference book with chapters focusing on counties i.e. Cornwall, Hampshire and Isle of Wight.
A nice touch are the pages at the beginning where the author suggests the best ruins for things like foraging (a favourite pastime of mine), picnics, beautiful walks, the weirdest and strangest ruins and the best for children and families. The book has lots of inspiring pictures, maps, ordnance survey grid references and post codes for sat nav.
It’s a good size to fit in a ruck sack, and I certainly can’t wait to take it on family holidays and outings to discover these Wild Ruins for myself.
From a writers perspective this is a book of pure inspiration, a must for all our bookshelves.
I’ve rated it 4 out of 5 stars. I suppose my only complaint would be the lack of glossy pictures inside, just to make it more visually pleasing.
Check out Wild Ruins on Amazon.
I’m really pleased to share this thoughtful 4 star review of my debut fantasy novel, Visions of Zarua. Reviewer Nyareads.
***
Visions of Zarua by Suzanne Rogerson Publication date: December 14th 2015 Genres: Fantasy An ancient darkness haunts the realm of Paltria. Apprentice wizard Paddren is plagued by visions of a city …
Source: Visions of Zarua by Suzanne Rogerson – Review + Giveaway
Lots of good advice for those of us starting out in self publishing.
.
.
How friends and family can help to improve your Amazon Ranking will be a reminder today, short before the holiday season starts. They indeed can help you so much – they even don’t need to buy the book (again). Amazon can give a great book a big boost to “be discovered”. These little features take only a few seconds, but can make a big difference in your Amazon ranking – and subsequently in the success of your book.
.
Ask all your acquaintances, friends, family to:.
View original post 479 more words
Shining a small, bright light in a wilderness of writing scams
Nobody cares what I'm on about...not even me!
Stories that bring sunshine after the rain
...Book review blog with lots of heart...
Fantasy by Deborah J. Lightfoot
Because stories are everywhere
The speculative fiction of P. H. Solomon
Hannah's book blog. This is my place where I share my favourite reads and chat about books.
Reading my way through a thousand worlds...
My little corner to talk about books
Book Sniffer and Bookstagrammer
Sharing Sights and Sounds, Words and Wonder
Suzanne Rogerson Fantasy Author 