Book Review of Dragon Daily News. Stories of Imagination for Children of All Ages by Gene Twaronite

Synopsis:

“… he heard a strange rumbling noise coming from the kitchen. Then a loud crash. He got there just in time to see a small glacier go right through the kitchen wall, into the living room, and out the front door.” (from “The Glacier That Almost Ate Main Street”)

A glacier that starts in a refrigerator is just one of the weird things that can happen in these twenty-one stories by Highlights for Children author Gene Twaronite. What if you showed up for school one day, but the school wasn’t there? What if words suddenly leapt off the page in the book you’re reading and floated away? What if the jet you’re on is afraid to fly? What if your parents gave you a real live rhino for your birthday? What if a little snake stretched and stretched to become the longest snake in the world? What if dragons really exist somewhere? What if …? Discover the answers to these and other questions. But be careful. Imagination can be a dangerous thing … especially if someone closes the book on you while you’re inside.

While some of these stories were first published in magazines including Highlights for Children and Read (Weekly Reader), many are brand new. So what are you waiting for? Jump right in—have fun with your head! Includes nine original, full-color illustrations not found in the print edition.

Review:


Dragon Daily News by Gene Twaronite
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

This is a fantastic children's story book, I LOVED it!

When I was first contacted by the author to read this book, I was quite excited. I love stories that get the imagination juices flowing. I am just sorry that due to my rather large reading list, that it has taken me so long to get to read it.

Every single story in this book takes the reader (or listening child) on an amazing adventure. Although I was a little disappointed that the stories were not as long as I would have liked, they are the perfect length to capture, and keep, even the most fidgety youngster enthralled. The author has taken some very ordinary, everyday objects and has woven magical tales around them. There are some fantastic stories in this book, and it is difficult to pick a favourite one. However, I loved the following stories: How to Stuff a Rhino, Dragon Daily News and The Jet Who Wouldn't Fly. Each story in this book has an obstacle that the characters have to overcome, such as fear or bullies, but they also have a message such as asking for help when needed or believing in yourself. I was sorry to come to the end of the book, as these stories were highly entertaining.

Gene Twaronite has written a fantastic children's book that sparked my imagination, never mind a child's. I loved his writing style, which was fast paced enough to keep even the shortest of attention spans hooked; every story flowed wonderfully. I would definitely read more of this author's books in the future.

I highly recommend this book as a bedtime story for youngsters aged 5-7, a read-along for readers aged 7-9 (depending on reading ability) and as a read-alone for readers aged 9-12. I also recommend this book to adults who love reading Young Adult novels or stories. - Lynn Worton

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Book Review of Painting by Numbers by Tom Gillespie

Synopsis:

** FINALIST, THE PEOPLE'S BOOK PRIZE, 2013 ** 

PAINTING BY NUMBERS is a dark, surreal PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER that follows one man’s relentless pursuit of a truth buried deep within. 

Day after day, earth scientist Jacob Boyce returns to a 17th century painting which hangs in a Scottish art gallery. By using a series of measurements and calculations, he attempts to decipher a strange mathematical code locked into its canvas.

But as more of the painting’s hidden SECRETS are revealed, his life spirals into chaos, and his world is turned upside down.

The object of his obsession has begun to move.

Review:


Painting by Numbers by Tom Gillespie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

This is a fantastic psychological thriller! I loved it! Unfortunately, due to my rather large reading list, it has taken me a while to get to read it. I am really kicking myself for not reading it sooner!

Jacob Boyce is an interesting character. He is an earth scientist, who has become obsessed with a hidden code in a painting hanging in the Glasgow museum. I liked this character a lot. I found his journey quite interesting, but disturbing at the same time.

I love a good psychological thriller, so when I was offered this book I jumped at the chance to read it. This story captured me from the first page and I struggled to put it down. I admit that this story reminded me slightly of Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code", and it pays a slight homage to it. However, the only similarity is the supposedly mathematical code that is hidden in the painting. This code may help explain earthly seismological events, and Jacob Boyce is determined to crack the code. There are a few interesting twists and turns in this story that kept me on the edge of my seat. The story is set in Glasgow, but travels to Spain and then back again. The theory that pictures have hidden codes in them is exciting and disturbing at the same time. Granted, paintings are a great visual record of the world around us, or a weird and wonderful journey into the mind of the artist, but they were the first written language (see cave paintings) and, as such, can carry subliminal messages. People, unfortunately, can also see messages in paintings where there are none; sometimes, a painting is just a painting. Nevertheless, watching and travelling with Jacob on his journey, made me wonder if there is something in our subconscious mind that does "see" codes in everything we interact with on a daily basis. However, our conscious mind has learnt to disregard these codes, and it is only when our subconscious mind overrides it, do we spiral into obsession, depression and paranoia. This story is a visual feast of it's own. The author describes the scenes in such a way that I could picture them with ease. I enjoyed the bus ride scene in Madrid. It was quite entertaining in a scary way. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to been on the bus for real, but then again, I think Jacob didn't want to be there either. I was a little disappointed with the ending, but it gave me a deeper understanding of why things happened the way they did. Other readers may or may not agree with me. However, I leave it up to you to make up your own minds.

To say that this is Tom Gillespie's debut novel, he has written a fantastically dark and suspenseful thriller that delves into man's deepest psyche, and it feels like he's been writing for years. I love his writing style, which was fast paced without being rushed, and the flow was wonderful. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

I highly recommend this book if you love Psychological Thrillers, Suspense, Mystery or Horror genres. - Lynn Worton

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Book Review of Galactic Energies: Science fiction and fantasy short stories by Luca Rossi

Synopsis:

The artificial intelligences of DataCom are trying to save the planet... by exterminating the human race. 
Aurelia finds her perfect man: a robot. 
The space explorer Captain Arcot sacrifices his life for an impossible conquest, the heart of Vril the vampire queen. 
A shape-shifting mutant ignites the erotic desires of the galactic police officer who's been tracking her down.
Alessio fights against corruption in a universe of his own creation.
An innocent man is forced to submit to the domination of a ruthless prison director.
A king who's forgotten his own past wanders through a magical dimension where he discovers his own history.
Two souls separated after one abandons the other meet again in another life.
In an exciting virtual reality game, the hunter of the fearsome black widow becomes her prey.

This book contains explicit scenes of sexual nature.

Review:


Galactic Energies by Luca Rossi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a fantastic anthology of science fiction and fantasy short stories. I really enjoyed it!

First of all, I would like to say that I love the cover! I am usually drawn to the synopsis of a book, rather than the cover, but this one was quite eye catching! Secondly, I am a HUGE science fiction fan, and I have been wanting to read this book for a while now. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable the stories were. Some of the stories were a little shorter than I would have liked, but each one contained interesting characters and subjects. What struck me about these stories were the lifelike quality of the characters, and the author's vivid imagination. Some of these stories have scenes of a sexual nature that were a little explicit and had an element of BDSM or fetish in them. However, not every story does. I did find some of the stories a little unsettling, but this does not mean other readers will, and each one has a twist at the end. For instance, I wasn't keen about the story called Life in Prison. This story was about a man who was supposedly innocent, but sent to prison and used as a sex slave by the prison director. I don't believe in slavery of any kind, and I am sure the author doesn't either, but this story made me squirm; I just didn't like it as much as the other stories. However, I will leave it to you to decide for yourselves.

Luca Rossi has written a wonderful anthology of science fiction stories that were entertaining in their own way. I love his writing style, but I did find some of the dialogue a bit stiff and stilted in places. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to reading his next book, The Branches of Time.

Due to the stories containing scenes of a sexual nature, I do not recommend this book to younger readers. However, I recommend this book if you love anthologies or Science Fiction, Fantasy, Cyberpunk and Erotica genres. - Lynn Worton

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Between Fire & Ice:

A female. Designed for him. Engineered by his mother. Her only purpose to give him a child. And now, his mother will destroy what she created.

Cy is heir to the powerful empire of his parents, a mining enterprise in Chile, South America. Their future power depends on his ability to produce an heir, a daunting prospect, as the human race is becoming infertile. But Cy's mother - a cold-hearted scientist - left nothing to chance, when, at her son's tenth birthday, headed a project to artificially inseminate a fertile woman. At thirty years of age, Cy is instructed to marry Elena, who his parents surrogated and adopted for one purpose only - to have his baby. Elena was hidden in a secluded cloister where the nuns, renowned for their mysterious magical practices, taught her the art of meditation and healing. A cruel education ensured that Elena submitted to her destiny, namely to give Cy a child. Soon Cy will learn that there is more to his bride than submissiveness. Under her gentle beauty hides a powerful woman who can give Cy peace. She holds the key to his heart and he begins to believe in the destiny that had been preached to him all his life.

                    

The Winemaker:

He speaks Spanish. He lives in Chile. He owns a vineyard. He makes wine for a living. He has a hidden talent. He must be the most infuriating winemaker in the world. She is from England. Her fiancé just dumped her. She is broke. Cursed with visions, she has no idea in how much danger her life is. She must be the most intoxicating woman in the world.

Etán Perez-Cruz, world-renown winemaker, excels in everything he puts his mind to, but self-expression. When an intoxicating woman crashes head first into his life, he finds a way to communicate his feelings through his wine bouquets. As knowing Zenobia becomes a hedonistic pleasure, he fights to keep her safe, and to keep his all-consuming desire from destroying her happiness . . . and his brother. Etán will need more than his exceptional talent of taste and smell to overcome the dangerous obstacles set in their path. Zenobia Rambling considers everything about herself utterly average. Leaving England to marry her boyfriend in South America, she finds herself dumped three short weeks after her arrival. Going home is not an option. Zenna possesses a visionary gift that has become her curse. Out of love, luck and money, Zenna turns to her famous Chilean neighbor for a temporary solution . . . and finds far more in the deal than she has bargained for.

                 

About the Author:

Charmaine Pauls is an author of paranormal erotic romance. The South African born novelist is a gypsy at heart who loves to look at the world through the lens of her camera. She resides in Chile with her husband and children.

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Book Review of Fury of Fate: A Dragonfury Short Story by Coreene Callahan

Synopsis:

She’s determined to try something new… 
Sasha Cooper is a woman on a mission. Determined to let loose and live a little, she takes her best friend’s advice and embarks on a night of passion with a complete stranger. No regrets in the morning. No looking back either. But when the one she chooses turns out to be a Dragonkind warrior, Sasha knows she’s in trouble—and that the man she believed was a dream come true could end up being her worst nightmare.

He never intended to get involved…
Ivar, leader of a rogue faction of Dragonkind, isn't a pushover. So when a noisy neighbor jeopardizes the security of his secret lair, he decides to take care of the problem once and for all. Little does he know banging on Sasha’s door will send him on a passionate odyssey unlike any he’s ever experienced. But when the night takes a deadly turn, he’s left little choice—escape from the woman who possesses the power to kill him, or die trying.

Review:


Fury of Fate by Coreene Callahan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a short story in the Dragonfury series. I really loved it!

Ivar is a very driven man. He is a scientist, manipulating dragon DNA to create female dragons, and bent on eradicating the humans off the face of the planet. I actually like Ivar, strange as that may seem to some, because he does have a ruthless streak. He is a man of conviction, but I think he is a little blinded by his hatred on relying on humans to procreate.

Sasha Cooper is a woman I would like to know better. She is a shy person normally, but on an impulse, she indulges in one night of passion that could change her life forever.

I was looking forward to reading this short story, as I have really begun to love this series. I have been wanting a story from Ivar's point of view for a while, so when I heard this book was being written I was very excited. The only disappointment I had was that the story was too short! The story was really fun to read. The passion and attraction that these two characters have for each other just about burned the pages! I think that Ivar has met his match in Sasha. She is a scientist too, so they have something in common. I actually had a smile on my face at Ivar's reaction to Sasha near the end; his panic was a bit comical. I could actually picture the scene quite clearly, and I giggled at the images in my minds eye. I am now looking forward to continuing reading the Dragonfury series, and cannot wait for Venom's story.

Coreene Callahan has written another fantastic paranormal romance. She is fast becoming one of my favourite authors to read. Her books are fast paced, exciting and extremely addictive! I still have an issue with the f-bombs used, but I have come to realise that these characters are what they are, and I wouldn't change them at all.

Due to the use of bad language and the explicit sexual scenes, I do not recommend this book for younger readers. However, I highly recommend this book if you love erotic paranormal romances or books with sexy dragon shifters! - Lynn Worton

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Audio/Book Review of The Atopia Chronicles (Atopia series) by Matthew Mather

Synopsis:

What could be worse than letting billions die?

In the near future, to escape the crush and clutter of a packed and polluted Earth, the world’s elite flock to Atopia, an enormous corporate-owned artificial island in the Pacific Ocean. It is there that Dr. Patricia Killiam rushes to perfect the ultimate in virtual reality: a program to save the ravaged Earth from mankind’s insatiable appetite for natural resources.

Review:


Complete Atopia Chronicles by Matthew Mather
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was recommended this book/series by Amazon, since I love science fiction. It sounded interesting, so I downloaded this on audio book. I must admit it was an intriguing story!

There are several characters in this book, and because it would take too long to do a character breakdown for every single one, I have decided to just jump right in to my review.

There are several narrators that bring each of the six chronicles to life. They are: Luke Daniels, Angela Dawe, Tanya Eby, Amy McFadden, Mikael Naramore and Nick Podehl. I am not sure who narrated the first chronicle, but I nearly stopped listening to the story within the first 15 minutes. The lady had a thick New York or Brooklyn accent that, I am sorry to say, really put me off; no offence meant to New Yorkers or Brooklynites. The nasal tone of the narrator made me cringe, as her voice sounded whiny and it gave me a headache. However, I persevered and I am glad I did; the rest of the narrators were a pleasure to listen to.

The story was a wonderful mix of science fiction, fantasy and reality. The first chronicle was set in New York, but the rest of the series was set on the island of Atopia, a large man-made floating island in the Pacific. Dr. Patricia Killiam is launching a new virtual reality platform. However, everything is not as it seems.
This story takes the reader on a fast paced roller coaster ride! Every character involved in this story is affected by certain events that culminate in an amazing showdown with a desperate and slightly crazy individual.
The story did feel a bit disjointed at times, but I suppose it's because it was originally written in sections. I really liked Bob (Robert Baxter), who was a bit of a drunkard and drug addict, but he has reason to be. I don't believe that drink and drugs are a solution to a problem or situation, but in his defense, it was understandable. This book actually terrified me, in a way. With the way we are advancing with our computers, and the virtual reality in movies getting better and better, this technology could, in the not too distant future, become more readily available. The line between what is real and what is virtual is growing thinner and blurrier all the time. This could, in the wrong hands, be used as a kind of mind control one day, and this absolutely terrifies me. If the life we now live is an illusion, what would be the point in living it? Are we actually already living in a virtual world? This kind of story makes a person think very deep and philosophical thoughts. That being said, I really enjoyed the story. The ending finished on a slight cliffhanger, and now I am looking forward to continuing the Chronicles by reading/listening to The Dystopia Chronicles, which will be released in August this year.

Matthew Mather has written a intriguing science fiction series. His characters were very lifelike. I loved his fast paced writing style and, even though the flow was a bit disjointed in places, I would definitely read more of his books in the future.

Due to the mention of alcohol and drug abuse, I do not recommend this book to younger readers. I do, however, recommend this book to lovers of science fiction or dystopian fiction genres. - Lynn Worton

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Book Review of Prisms by Amy Durrant

Synopsis:

Year DC12. The parallel worlds of Earth and Mara are wastelands of corruption, ruled by the unforgiving conference. Seventeen-year-old Faye finds herself thrown into the heart of rebellion with one aim; destroy the conference at whatever cost.

Time is ticking. The Runners are coming. But can she win out before she loses herself forever?

Review:


Prisms by Amy Durrant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

This was an interesting science fiction thriller. I really enjoyed it.

Faye (real name, Anna Link) is a great character. She is a normal teen, full of angst and sarcasm. I really liked her. She has a bit of a chip on her shoulder because of her mixed heritage. This is a bit understandable; it has it's advantages, but also some disadvantages.

I started to read this book, and was struck by the unique way the author has written this story. I was quickly drawn into the story, and I found myself turning pages; the world building was wonderful. I read this book in one sitting. Prisms is a fantastic dystopian thriller, full of twists and turns. The description of how one travels between the parallel worlds of Earth and Mara was unique, and made me wary of standing under a street lamp; I now worry I would get pulled into that world if I did! The story is told through several characters' points of view. Each chapter is dedicated to a different character, which gives an interesting perspective on the tale. Dax is Faye's older brother. He works and lives in Mara, with his fiance, Kash. Lark Lyre is a soldier in the resistance against the conference (a tyrannical and corrupt government on Mara), until his capture and he is turned into a Runner (soldiers made to keep the citizens of both sides from travelling between the worlds). There are also other interesting characters that are introduced in this tale, and several surprises and twists that I didn't see coming. However, this story has a "Hunger Games" and "Divergent" feel to it. I wasn't quite sure who were the "bad" or the "good" guys at times. The only truly "bad" guy seemed to be Torre Fynn, the President of Mara. He is a total megalomaniac and despot. The ending was a bit shocking in it's abruptness, but it sort of made sense in a weird way. I must admit that I did feel a bit disappointed that it ended the way it did, though; I felt slightly cheated. However, this is only my opinion. I will leave it up to you to decide for yourselves.

Amy Durrant has written a wonderful debut novel that was fast paced and exciting. Her writing style kept my attention, and the story flowed wonderfully. Her characters were so lifelike that I expected them to pop onto my street and walk through my door. I would definitely consider reading more books by this author in the future.

I recommend this book if you love YA, Dystopian, Science Fiction or Thriller genres. - Lynn Worton

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