#TuesdayBookBlog – #bookreview of Evensong by Krista Walsh #fantasy

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Evensong – Krista Walsh – Book one of the Meratis trilogy.

I stumbled on this book last year when I was researching fantasy book covers. This cover instantly appealed to me.

Published 2014.

317 pages.

Evensong is currently free on kindle and the next two books Eventide & Evenlight are available to buy now.

Blurb

Author Jeff Powell wakes up to find the impossible has happened. He is within his own novel – summoned into the fictional world of Fendall’s keep by a spell he didn’t write. One the house enchantress hasn’t figured out how to reverse. When the villain he’s been struggling to write reveals himself, unleashing waves of terror and chaos, Jeff must use more than his imagination to save the characters he created – and the woman he loves.

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The premise had me hooked. What writer wouldn’t want to read about an author sucked into their own book! BUT you may not look at writing or your characters in the same way again.

It was a humorous tale, at times a touch on the gruesome side but nothing you wouldn’t expect from a fantasy. I liked the blend of our everyday reality and the fantasy world of Andvell. It was refreshing to have modern language and swearing in a fantasy setting, and there were some very funny moments when Jeff tries to ride a horse and is challenged to a fight by one of his own characters. He is totally out of his depths in his own fantasy world and quickly realises it.

As readers we can enjoy the tale as it unfolds. As writers we can relate to some of Jeff’s problems and learn a thing or two about the process of writing, and maybe we can even consider going a little easier on our own characters!

I rate this 4 stars – I think because of the format of the story, it was hard to emotionally connect with all the characters. However, it was still a great read and I will definitely be continuing with the story.

Check it out on Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

What Websites/Blogs Have Reviewed Your book? #TuesdayBookBlog

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

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.

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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…

Source: What Websites/Blogs Have Reviewed Your book?

#Bookreview – The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza #Crime #Thriller

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

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.

You can buy Girl in the Ice at Amazon UK or Amazon US

#TuesdayBookBlog #review of Fire, Bed and Bone – Henrietta Branford #childrensbooks

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

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.

#BookReview of Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Book Review of Ink and Bone – Volume 1 of The Great Library

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I picked up this YA fantasy novel purely on the strength of one review from fantasyreads.

I’m so glad I did, though I have to admit to several late nights where I just couldn’t bear to stop reading. This was one of those books that helped me rediscover the joy of reading and allowed me to become completely immersed in another world. Not just for the fact that I loved the premise of a society focused on protecting books, but the story and the characters had me hooked right from the beginning.

It is a very fast paced, entertaining read and I loved the alternative history that was so cleverly portrayed, with plenty of magic and intrigue thrown in. The characters have such depth, especially scholar Wolfe, and there are so many details that add to the world, like the sometimes murderous Automatons and the Burners with their Greek Fire. There are many aspects to this story that I can’t wait to explore more, so many possibilities…

Even as I write this review, I could quite happily read the whole book again.

I give Ink and Bone 5 stars and have no hesitation recommending it to anyone who enjoys fantasy.

The worse thing by far in discovering a new series is to know that the next book is not available until July 2016!

Buy it at Amazon.co.uk

Buy it at Amazon.com