Earthbound by JM Dragon & Erin O'Reilly

Amanda Lawson was happy. She had a wonderful partner, Gwen and they had been together for eight glorious years. One terrible day everything changed. A cement truck ran into them, killing Gwen and seriously injuring Amanda. Now Amanda is in constant pain and on the verge of committing suicide. How can she possibly go on living without her beloved Gwen? Even now, two years later, Amanda’s life is a mess and on hold.

One day, mysteriously, a 1999 phone book appears, opened on a page for a spiritual healer. After reading ‘Let me heal you with the light’, Amanda believes that Gwen is reaching out to her from beyond the grave. She dials the number for Luminitsa, the healer and arranges to visit for a consultation.

When Amanda visits Luminitsa and her gorgeous granddaughter, Raphaela, (Rae), Amanda feels that her life may not be over after all. For the first time in over two years, Amanda feels hope.

Amanda has to embrace the knowledge Luminitsa and Rae have to impart in order to leave her world of pain and pills behind her. But will Amanda be believe in them or be strong enough? Can Amanda let herself go completely to get her life back again? For Amanda to be able to live her life and love again, she has to let Gwen go. Will she be able to?

This book was previously offered as a free read, but has been totally re-edited.

The story is unusual, a page turner and is extremely well written. Both JM Dragon and Erin O’Reilly are accomplished and wonderful writers in their own right. Together this magnificent writing duo have produced an above average book, with a storyline that ensures you won’t want to put the book down until you’ve turned the last page.

The story is a mixture of the supernatural and romance. In my opinion an excellent mix of the two. The actual storytelling is superb. Both angst and humor radiates from it’s pages. The scenic descriptions ensured that I felt a part of the story alongside of the characters as the story unfolded. Very cleverly written.

There are three main characters in this book, Amanda, Rae and Luminitsa. They are all multidimensional and loveable characters. They are backed up with some equally important minor characters who are essential in the telling of this story and progress it forward at a nice pace to it’s conclusion. Which came far too soon for me.

I would like to see more from Amanda, Rae and Luminitsa in the future. But any book JM Dragon and Erin O’Reilly write, will be more than welcome on my bookshelf.

The Ripper's Daughter by Anders and Phair

Police Detective, Colby Willis, is a shadow of her former self. Since the murder she feels she should have prevented of her mentor, Marty Walsh, Jack Daniel’s has become her best friend. Plus Colby is suffering from uncontrollable seizures and blackouts, she has whole chunks of time unaccounted for. Time she has no idea of where she’s been or what she’s done.

Colby is currently investigating a series of grim murders, committed by a person the press have named ‘The Ripper’s Daughter’. This unknown subject picks a random victim, mutilates them in unimaginable ways, glues their mouths closed and leaves them to die, right near where an unsuspecting person could easily find the body.

Colby is also eaten up with guilt by her failure to protect the woman she loved, Jessie Walsh, Marty’s daughter. Colby knew she had been incarcerated in a mental asylum and left her there. She had no idea of what Jessie was going through, she abandoned her.

Colby is certain that Jessie knows the killers identity. An arrangement is made for her to meet Jessie and her lawyer for a visit at the asylum. Both Jessie’s lawyer and Colby are horrified by Jessie’s condition and decide to remove her immediately from the institution. It’s Colby’s task to keep Jessie safe and secure until a new place is found for her.

Colby is desperately trying to recall things from the past, things that may help with the case. Also she has to coerce Jessie into divulging the name of the killer. Will Colby remember, or will she be too late to save both herself and Jessie from becoming the killers next victim?

A fast paced, grisly, gruesome, thrilling, chilling and intriguing detective story that is so dark, it’s black. This story is not for the faint hearted, or for anyone who suffers from a nervous disposition. It’s pure terror at it’s finest. Best read when not alone.

The scenic descriptions are graphic and horrifying. The storytelling is at it’s best and leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination.

I loved the two main characters, Colby and Jessie. They are two people who have suffered horribly in their lives and their pasts have a bearing on the present time and possibly their future. They interact well together. The rest of the characters fit in well and are essential in moving the story along.

I have to say, although I really enjoyed this book and the story is one of the best in it’s genre I’ve read in a long time, the editing rather let it down. The odd typo or two can easily be forgiven, but this book has more than a few. But having said that, if you can get past the typos, the story is well worth the effort.

Sweet Charlotte by Kate Genet

Michaela, Trisha and Trisha’s younger sister, Caro, are settled in Michaela’s new Zealand home. Life is ticking along nicely, nothing mysterious has happened for quite some time. In fact, Michaela is finding life a little too quiet. But things are about to change.

Celia, one of Michaela’s friends, decides to hold a séance for research into a book she’s writing about her deceased grandmother. Unfortunately things don’t quite go according to plan at the séance. Apparently the wrong spirit put in an untimely appearance. Now the spirit just won’t go away.

When Celia and her partner Mandy’s lives begin to spiral out of control, Mandy asks Michaela if she will help out. After their previous encounters with the shadows, Trisha is not too happy about getting involved with the unknown. Michaela and Caro however, are keen to investigate. But Trisha is greatly concerned for the safety of everyone.

When Trisha finds out some surprising things about herself, she knows she has to join Michaela, Caro and Caro’s friend in their investigation into the disturbances seemingly caused by someone or something from the spirit world.

It’s not long before all concerned are involved in a dangerous, insane and life threatening situation beyond anything any of them had ever experienced before. How can they find a way to solve the mystery from the past to allow a spirit to go into the light where it belongs? Is it possible that this ghostly being can harm the living? Who is Sweet Charlotte?

Trisha is the one who has to come through for them all, but will her belief in herself and love be enough to save them? Or will the spirit win both the battle and the war?

This is the third book in what has turned out to be one of the nicest mystery series I’ve read for a long time. Sweet Charlotte is well written and has a lovely humorous touch throughout.

I love the main characters, Michaela, Trisha and Caro. All three are so different and they compliment each other very well. Kate Genet has introduced some more nice characters in this story. They all play very well together and are essential in progressing the story forward.

This story is spine tingling, thrilling, chilling and intense. It is also very hot in places, always an added bonus. Once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down. It is nicely paced out and I’d reached the end before I knew it. Now I can’t wait for book four in the series.

Shadows Fally by Kate Genet

Michaela and Trisha are separated by circumstances beyond their control. Michaela is back living in New Zealand and Trisha is living with her mother and sister in the USA. They miss each other badly, but neither of them will admit to it.

Out of the blue, Michaela receives a phone call from Trisha, Trisha says she needs Michaela to return to the USA. Unfortunately they have an argument and the phone call ends abruptly on a sour note. After some deliberation, Michaela decides to fly out to the USA to find out what is wrong with Trisha.

Michaela is shocked when she finds out that Trisha’s younger sister, Caro, is in dire need of help. Help that Michaela hasn’t got a clue how to provide. How can Michaela hope to help Caro, when she doesn’t understand whether the problem is man made or from supernatural beings? The house at night is full of human shaped shadows that seem to be targeting Caro. Will Michaela be able to find out who or what these things are? Are they attached to Caro or the house?

On a lighter note, Michaela and Trisha still care deeply for each other, is there a chance of a reconciliation? Will both women realize they are made for each other?

This book is a page turner from the very first page right through to the very last page. It’s the sort of book that I had to keep slowing down to savor. The story is romantic, mysterious, intriguing and terrifying in parts. The tension and horror is almost breath taking and heart stopping. Not a book to be read in the dead of night when alone. It’s really that good! On the other hand there are parts of this book that are steaming hot, giving a whole new meaning to spine tingling and the feeling of being hot and cold.

Michaela and Trisha are as loveable in this book as they were in Silent Light. In this book, Trisha’s adorable kid sister, Caro, takes a large part. All three characters interact really well together. There are other characters added in to progress the story along at a nice steady pace.

There are a few typos, but nothing to spoil the story and the price reflects on this, so I can easily look past them.

In my opinion Kate Genet has created a wonderful series, a delicious mix of mystery, horror and lesbian romance, always a great combination for me. Kate’s storytelling is fantastic, she knows how to keep the reader enthralled and wanting much more.

I have already purchased the next in the series, Sweet Charlotte. I’m well and truly hooked.

Silent Light by Kate Genet

When Michaela’s lover Allison dumps her, she gives her the key to her lakeside cabin and tells her to use it to take a break. Michaela decides to take her up on her offer and arrives at the cabin and gets settled in.

When Michaela returns from a walk, she gets a shock to discover a strange woman in the cabin. When Michaela finds out that Trisha is one of Allison’s previous ex lovers, she is beside her self with disbelief and anger.

The two women eventually agree that the cabin is big enough for both of them to stay. But will Michaela be able to put up with Trisha’s annoying ways? She soon finds out that as infuriating as Trisha is, she’s also very attractive. Will Michaela give in to her feelings? One minute she feels like doing Trisha grievous bodily harm, the next she feels like kissing her senseless. Which will it be?

It’s not long before weird happenings occur across the the lake. The two women see strange lights accompanied by the haunting sound of a child’s laughter. As far as they both know, there are no children anywhere within the vicinity. Curiosity is getting the better of Michaela, she has to find out what is going on. It can’t be a ghost, surely not.

Both Michaela and Trisha begin an amateur sleuthing investigation. They could be putting their lives in danger. Their findings shock them to the core. But who will believe them? That’s even if they get out alive.

This is the first in a series of mystery thrillers with Michaela and Trisha. This is novella length, but there is a tremendous amount packed in to it.

I was hooked in from the first page and my attention was held throughout. I read this in one sitting, I simply couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The story is mysterious, haunting and spine tingling. It is also hot in parts too.

I loved the characters, Michaela and Trisha. I also liked the way they went after what they wanted, each other, there was no playing around or cat and mouse games.

There are a few editorial issues, a few typos etc, but nothing to detract from the story and the low price more than compensates for this.

After reading this book, I immediately lined up the next in the series. I’ve read some of Kate Genet’s books and loved them, this one is no exception. This looks to be a very promising mystery series.

Falling Colours - The Misadventures of a Vision Painter by RJ Samuel

Kiran is a vision painter, the only one in the whole of Ireland. She works part time as a waitress in a restaurant in Connemara to supplement her income. When Kiran is asked by a client to do an unusual vision painting, she is very apprehensive. It goes against everything she believes to be ethical. Unfortunately Kiran makes a serious error of judgment, which results in chaos and Kiran’s life being changed forever.

Added in to the mystery and intrigue is a woman. A woman Kiran finds irresistible, a woman Kiran feels she will never be able to have. But the path of true love rarely runs smoothly, or according to the best laid plans, is there a chance Kiran is wrong in her assumptions?

This is R. J Samuel’s second book. It is very well written and the dialogue flows. The story is most unusual and unlike any I’ve ever read before. This is more than just a run of the mill mystery, intrigue, romance book. It has a touch of supernatural elements and is humorous in parts too. It’s fast paced and a page turner from the first page through to the last. The story kept me on a knife edge throughout, it is full of twists and turns, ups and downs, and had the effect on me of being on a rollercoaster. Totally delightful, mesmerizing and impressive.

The main characters are well developed and have a strong supporting cast of minor characters who all interact well together, (even the not so nice to know characters) to progress the story forward. The scenic descriptions are wonderful, and it’s easy to visualize the different places.

R.J has the gift for making the reader feel as though they are an actual part of the story, it is easy to get totally immersed in this book. The thrill and suspense with a romantic feel to the story, ensured that I had to stay up most of the night to find out how the story ended. In fact, I have read this book twice now. Once was not enough. I had to re-read it without the pressure of not knowing how the book ended. The second time was to savor the richness of the story and the wonderful way with words R.J has.

R.J Samuel is an up and coming exciting new voice in lesbian fiction. An author to watch out for and to add to my list of favorite authors. I am greatly looking forward to reading more from R.J soon.

Gay Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen & Kate Christie

Life for the Bennet sisters in the quiet rural County of Hertfordshire, England, is all set to change dramatically. A rich, single gentleman has arrived at Netherfield Park. Mrs Bennet is delighted. Surely one of her daughters will make Mr Bingley a good wife? After all, she does have five of them for him to choose from.

Elizabeth though has other ideas and marriage isn’t one of them. Elizabeth has been seeing Charlotte romantically for quite sometime. It’s only when Charlotte decides to marry Mr Collins, that Elizabeth must re-think her options. It’s not that Elizabeth doesn’t have choices. Men do ask for her hand in marriage, but not all women feel desire towards men, nor do all men feel desire towards women. There are some who prefer the company of their own sex. What will Elizabeth decide to do? Will Elizabeth ever find another to love?

First of all I’ll start by saying I haven’t read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, so I have nothing to compare this version with. I have no idea how much of the text is Kate Christie’s and how much is Jane Austen’s. I have seen the film version though, so I do know the original story. In my opinion, this book is as true to the original story as possible.

This is a wonderfully refreshing and cleverly written new take on a much loved classic. I think Kate chose exactly the right characters to write in as gay. She didn’t make the story all about the gay characters, which simply wouldn’t have sounded right. The dialogue is written in the style of the time the original book was written.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though I’ve never been too fond of reading the classics, I much prefer the film versions. I’ve always found reading them hard going, if only they were all re-written with Kate’s skill, I may have enjoyed reading them more.

I would love to see this version of Pride and Prejudice made in to a film or even a TV drama.

Well done Kate on what must have been a very difficult and time consuming task to get spot on.