Dark Tide: Excellent

Dark Tide by Elizabeth Haynes is the second of her books I've read, based in modern day London. The first one, Into the Darkest Corner was psychologically riveting. Dark Tide is an interesting, fast paced look into the life of Genevieve Shipley, a professional woman mind-numbingly stressed out
with software solution sales. She takes a second job, only weekends, to expedite her dream of buying a boat and taking a year off from her job. Her weekend job allows her to do something she enjoys: dancing. She keeps the second job a secret from her day job people. Things get complicated when someone there discovers she's an exotic dancer.

 Midway through boat renovations, Genevieve invites a few people from her day job to her barge for a party. Early the next morning, hung over and groggy, she makes a gruesome discovery: a woman's body in the water. Soon enough, she recognizes her as one of the dancers she had been friends with.

I enjoyed every page of this excellently written novel. Elizabeth Haynes paints lively and idiosyncratic characters, vivid scenes and spins not only a good yarn, but a tapestry. I'll be keeping my eye on her for future reads. Get your copy here.



I received this book free from the Amazon Vine Program in exchange for my honest opinion.

Heart Raced All Through "The Running Boy"

Dan Pollock’s book “The Running Boy” started out with such intensity that I was at risk of passing out from holding my breath worrying over the boy, Andy.
When I thought things would let up, they didn't.
When I hoped Ethan and Andy had put some distance between them and the bad guys, they hadn't.
Just when I thought, they really needed to catch a break, the chase ramped up even more.
At times, the only way for me to catch my breath was to book mark the page and stop for a moment. The suspense level in this book was a solid 9.5 almost from the beginning. The Running Boy is a surprising, heart-pounding, international thriller. Don’t miss out! Grab your copy soon!



I received this book free from the the Author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Painting the Rain: Book Review

 Today's post is from guest author, Jack Petersen of In Xanadu.

"PAINTING THE RAIN is a truly remarkable work of fiction. It has drama, action, and more than satisfying strength in both character and plot development. (Be prepared to read the last third of the story in one sitting. Yes, it’s that kind of a book – you can’t put it down.) 

 The novel is based on a play co-authored by J.E. Ocean and myself, so I was naturally curious to see the work “fleshed out.” I was not disappointed. 

Ocean took sub-plots in directions I never imagined. Subtle whimsy appears here and there, along with charming touches of romantic sentimentality I found surprisingly refreshing in a work of heavy drama. (I also discovered I had been written into the story – and killed on page 9. Another story for another time, I suspect.) 

 I must also confess that I am a novice at this downloading-to-a-Kindle business, but Amazon made it so easy I think I was just a little disappointed. 

 Bottom line: I loved the book. I think you will too. I know a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th novels are in progress. I can’t wait. J Petersen


To learn more about Jack's perspective, life and photos visit his blog In Xanadu.

Soderberg's The Andalucian Friend: A Thrilling Masterpiece

The Andalucian Friend by Alexander Soderberg is an excellently written, riveting novel with a cast of characters you won't soon forget. I could barely put this book down to go to work or even sleep. I couldn't wait to continue reading it the second I got home. Soderberg weaves an interesting and complex tale covering four countries, and had me guessing every inch of the way.

Though at times violent, it was graphic without being gratuitous and at times so suspenseful I forgot to breathe. Soderberg's words paint scenes so well, they bloom like a motion picture in the mind. When I first began reading, the book was a daunting 400 plus pages. By the second day I was halfway through it and at the end, I was sad to be finishing.
For my conservative friends: there are several degrading references about women, quite a lot of killing which is at times very unsettling, a healthy sprinkling of F-bombs and one character deals with some drug abuse which is not the least bit glamorized. The Andalucian Friend is the first in a trilogy that I cannot wait to read. Five stars. By all means, add this to your summer reading list. You won't be disappointed.


I received this book free from the Amazon Vine Program in exchange for my honest opinion.

Escape into SLAMMER

When I got my copy of Slammer by Allan Guthrie, I couldn’t wait to begin reading it just before going off to bed one evening. I got comfy  and figured on reading one chapter to whet my appetite, then suddenly found myself on page 85 and up way past my bedtime.

Nick Glass is a new young prison guard that finds himself cooperating with the inmates in ways he never imagined. What it gives him in exchange for what it costs him will keep you guessing every step of the way. Slammer is a first class ticket to heart pounding entertainment.

The slight differences in language, due to Guthrie being a UK writer, were interesting and easily explained, so that the reader always felt connected to the action. His masterful ability to draw me into the world of Nick Glass captured my imagination so completely, that I could barely put the book down to get rest. Once I began it, I made time to keep reading until I found out what happened.  Although a bit gruesome in parts, he wasted no words in gratuitous descriptions.

Although Guthrie might be new to American readers, he has quite a few titles to his credit and I for one, intend to read more of them. If you like psychological thrillers, this is absolutely a must read.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Amazon Vine program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255