{Review} The Trajectory of Dreams by Nicole Wolverton

ISBN #: 978-1938463440

Page Count: 285

Copyright: March 1, 2013

Publisher: Bitingduck Press

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

For Lela White, a Houston sleep lab technician, sleep doesn't come easy - there's a price to be paid for a poor night's sleep, and she's the judge, jury, and executioner.

Everyone around Lela considers her a private woman with a passion for her lab work. But nighttime reveals her for what she is: a woman on a critical secret mission. Lela lives in the grip of a mental disorder that compels her to break into astronauts' homes to ensure they can sleep well and believes that by doing so, she keeps the revitalized U. S. space program safe from fatal accidents. What began at the age of ten when her mother confessed to blowing up the space shuttle has evolved into Lela's life's work. She dreads the day when an astronaut doesn't pass her testing, but she's prepared to kill for the greater good.

When Zory Korchagin, a Russian cosmonaut on loan to the U.S. shuttle program, finds himself drawn to Lela, he puts her carefully-constructed world at risk of an explosion as surely as he does his own upcoming launch. As Lela's universe unravels, no one is safe.

Charlene's Review:

When a young Lela White witnesses the Space Shuttle explode on take-off, it shapes her future in a profound way. As a sleep lab technician, she breaks into homes and observes astronauts sleep patterns in an effort to stop the horrific catastrophe from occurring again. Misguided by an emotionally crippling mother and a little misinformation, this becomes her day, and night, mission. When a cosmonaut gets a little too close for comfort, Lela slowly begins to lose her focus, and spirals into a terrifying end.

This is a psychological thriller of epic proportions. Lela is a paranoid mastermind of a very strange, parallel reality. Confiding her secrets and seeking advice from Nike, her "talking" cat, keeping her parent's bedroom a shrine, and liaisons with the janitor in exchange for information allow Lela to control her surroundings and continue her studies. The true reality is a far cry from the perfection she works so hard for. Her struggle to control her environment is maddening.

5 out of 5 stars for its crazy twists and exhilarating ending. This is a gripping, disquieting look at mental illness that will cause you to question how well you can truly know a person, especially those with something to hide.


*A physical copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Blog Tour/Review} The Shadow Man by Mark Murphy

Welcome to Literary R&R's stop on Mark Murphy's The Shadow Man blog tour, hosted by Tribute Books.

Author Info:

A physician currently living in Savannah, Georgia, Mark Murphy is also a lifelong award-winning writer. In the midst of a busy medical career which included several academic publications, Dr. Murphy's decision to attend the Iowa Summer Writing Festival led to the inclusion of a short story, "The Funeral," in a 2004 collection of works entitled O! Georgia! A well-received regular newspaper column in the Savannah Morning News followed. The Shadow Man is his first novel.

Book Info:

ISBN #: 978-1938296031

Page Count: 331

Copyright: July 20, 2012

Publisher: Langdon Street Press

Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Savannah surgeon Malcolm King had a perfect life - a loving wife, devoted daughter, and a thriving medical practice.

And then it all ended.

A chance encounter with a reckless driver in an airport parking lot leads to his first brush with the law. The senseless slaughter of a neighbor's pet soon follows, with Malcolm inexplicably questioned in the matter by the police. An adversary is found decapitated. An acquaintance is chopped into pieces and stuffed into a garbage bag, Malcolm soon finds himself the prime suspect in a serial murder case. But he's not a killer. Or is he?

Who is the Thin Man who lurks at the edges of his vision?

Are the flocks of ravens that crowd overhead a warning of impending doom? Or do they exist at all?

And how can he protect his family from something - or someone - he knows absolutely nothing about?

As Malcolm fights to discover the truth, he learnes from a mysterious Seminole tracker that he may not be the first victim of a chameleon-like serial killer known as The Shadow Man. Malcolm's quest for justice takes him perilously close to the edge of sanity - and perhaps a little bit over it.

Buy Links

Amazon

Kindle

Nook

My Book Orders (Paperback)

My Book Orders (Ebook)

Mandy's Review:

 Cover

I love the black and white cover, the juxtaposition of the light and dark. It gives an aura or mystery and suspense to the novel.

Plot

A surgeon, Malcolm, is happy and satisfied with his life. His professional career is thriving, his family is gorgeous and beautiful and content, and he is a well-respected member of the community. That all changes with the demented plans of a deranged killer.

Malcolm is convinced he is being set up for murder. The local police, whom happens to employ his best friend, is convinced that Malcolm, himself, is the killer as all the evidence they have points to that fact. In order to prove his innocence, Malcolm runs and hides with the help of a complete stranger, who has more in common with Malcolm than he realizes.

Is the stranger really there to help Malcolm or to hinder him? Is this helpful stranger the one doing the killing? If not, then who is and why are they framing Malcolm?

Main Characters

Malcolm - A well-respected surgeon who lives in Savannah with his wife and daughter. His parents are deceased. He has a loyal, aging dog. He seems to be a little arrogant at the beginning, but who wouldn't being in his position? As a father, he seems to come across as trying just a little too hard to be funny. There were parts that didn't seem genuine to me.

Amy - Malcolm's wife and a nurse. She can be a strong support for Malcolm, but tends to be a little too emotional at times.

Mimi - Malcolm and Amy's daughter. She's a little spoiled, but she's smart and trusts her instincts.

The Shadow Man - Was a little bit of a surprise ... To be as smart as he was, I was disappointed to see him open up the way he did. Perhaps that was the emotion of the situation getting to him. Perhaps he was truly tired of killing people, but I don't think so.

Overall

This was an extremely well-thought out novel. The twists and turns were above par for a debut author. I think some of the characters could've used just a little tweaking, but the concept and direction were solid.


*A paperback copy of this novel was provided by the tour host in exchange for an honest review for the purposes of this blog tour.

{Review} Sleepwalker by Karen Robards

ISBN #: 978-1439183724

Page Count: 370

Copyright: December 27, 2011

Publisher: Gallery Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from jacket flaps)

It's not that Micayla Lange is afraid of the clinking she hears coming from the first floor of the empty McMansion she's housesitting for her uncle Nicco. She's a cop, after all. It's just that finding out her boyfriend was cheating on her was enough drama for one night. Now she's alone on New Year's Eve, wearing flannel pajamas and wielding a Glock 22 as she zeroes in on the unmistakable source of the sound: Uncle Nicco's private office.

Jason Davis steals things for a living, so unexpected developments are a natural part of the job. Getting caught red-handed by a hot, pigtail-sporting police officer in what is supposed to be a gangster's deserted house is just one more twist in the game. Kind of like finding incriminating photos in Nicco Marino's safe, only to discover the cop - and the security cameras - have gotten a real good look at his face.

Unfortunately for Mick, she also got a good look at the damned pictures. Her "uncle" might love her like family, but if he knows she's seen evidence that implicates him in the murder of a city councilman, she doesn't like her chances. Which is why she's having a hard time reconciling her professional instincts with what she is rapidly concluding is an inescapable fact: She's about to help a criminal get away with a suitcase full of stolen money. And she's going with him.

Mick and Jason's race for their lives hurtles them through the dangerous Michigan wilderness on speedboat and snowmobile. As their adventure heats up and their enemies close in, Mick is torn between her duty to the force and the combustible passion engulfing her and her unlikely partner in crime. She'll have to turn Jason in sooner or later ... if they survive. But will they ever get a second chance at love?

Mandy's Review:

On the book that I have, the line below the title on the front cover reads 'A Thriller' instead of 'A Novel.' I'm not sure why they changed it because this novel is a thriller.

Micayla (aka Mick) and Jason's story can be compared to a symphony. You have your introductory, which then turns into a more full-bodied musical piece with the added tensions and plot twists. From there, the story continues to pick up speed that psychologically thrills the reader's mind and imagination. Finally, we come to the crescendo that fades away into a sweet, peaceful ending. The author definitely takes you on a ride that will have you questioning right and wrong. People aren't who they seem to be, but is that good or bad?

Sleepwalker may not be one of my favorite books, but it was definitely a thrilling experience that I would recommend to fans of this genre.


*A hardcopy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Redemption on the River by Loren DeShon

ISBN #: 978-0985925925

Page Count: 390

Copyright: August 2, 2012

Publisher: Loren DeShon

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Silas Jacobson pulled a trigger, killed his father, and ended up months later face down in Memphis mud, trying to forget the girl who betrayed him.

Silas buries his father on the farm, his guilt in himself and leaves home seeking to forget past mistakes. He travels on Mississippi steamboats and meets his best friend in a brawl, his worst enemy in a cathouse, and a mentor and lover at a New Orleans faro table. Fighting, fornicating, and cheating at cards are a grand time, but there's another woman, a girl on a mission of her own, who saves his life and offers the opportunity to redeem himself.

Silas staggers out of the mud to go to her, but he finds that she's deceived him from the start. He'll risk his neck for her - he owes her that much - but love is no longer possible. His shot at redemption comes down to his conscience, the two women, a poker game, and the turn of a card.

Redemption on the River is historical fiction set along the Mississippi River in 1848.

Kathy's Review:

From the opening lines of this story, I let the tale sweep me away like the currents on the Mississippi River. Silas is an intriguing character who has his vices. But deep down, he wants to help his family and erase some of the guilt he feels for his father's death. I loved the descriptions of the towns along the Mississippi, including New Orleans and St. Louis, in the late 1800's. Normally I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction, but the writing is so engaging that I forgot my bias.

I'd say this is definitely among the top books I've read for review this year. Author Loren DeShon so expertly paints a picture of the riverboats, the seedy establishments, gambling halls, etc., that Silas frequents that you feel like you're there alongside him for this adventure. The push and pull romance between Hannah and Silas is the main driver for the plot, but there's plenty of action, too. There's fights, friendships, high-stakes gambling, smuggling slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad, and so much more. Although Silas goes from rags to riches and then rags again, and he definitely has a temper and a mouth that gets him in trouble a lot, you can't help but root for him to succeed, both in life and in winning Hannah's heart.

Highly recommended for any reader who appreciates high quality writing, plot and characters. This is a true A+.


*A paperback copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Blog Tour/Review} Autumn Winds by Charlotte Hubbard

Welcome to Literary R&R's stop on Charlotte Hubbard's Autumn Winds book blog tour, hosted by Pump Up Your Book.

Author Info:

I've (Charlotte) called Missouri home for most of my life, and most folks don't realize that several Old Order Amish and Mennonite communities make their home here, as well. The rolling pastureland, woods, and small towns along county highways make a wonderful setting for Plain populations - and for stories about them, too! While Jamesport, Missouri is the largest Old Order Amish settlement west of the Mississippi River, the other communities have also found the affordable farm land ideal for raising crops, livestock, and running the small family-owned businesses that support their families.

Like my heroine, Miriam Lantz, of my new Seasons of the Heart series, I love to feed people - to share my hearth and home. I bake bread and goodies and I love to try new recipes. I put up jars and jars of green beans, tomatoes, beets and other veggies every summer. All my adult life, I've been a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and we hosted a potluck group in our home for more than twenty years.

Like Abby Lambright, heroine of my new Home at Cedar Creek series, I consider it a personal mission to be a listener and a peacemaker - to heal broken hearts and wounded souls. Faith and family, farming and frugality matter to me: like Abby, I sew and enjoy fabric arts - I made my wedding dress and the one Mom wore, too, when I married into an Iowa farm family more than thirty-five years ago! When I'm not writing, I crochet and sew, and I love to travel.

I recently moved to Minnesota when my husband got a wonderful new job, so now he and I and our border collie, Ramona, are exploring our new state and making friends.

Author's Website
Author's Facebook
Author's Goodreads

Book Info:

ISBN #: 978-1420121704

Page Count: 324

Copyright: September 4, 2012

Publisher: Zebra

Summary:

Winds of change are blowing through Willow Ridge, and they're bringing a stranger to the Sweet Seasons Bakery. At first, widowed Miriam Lantz has misgivings about Ben Hooley, a handsome but rootless traveling blacksmith. But as she gets to know the kind-hearted newcomer, she wonders if his arrival was providential. Perhaps she could find love again - if only there weren't so many obstacles in the way. With Bishop Knepp relentlessly pursuing her hand in marriage and the fate of her beloved cafe at stake, Miriam must listen to God and her heart to find the happiness she longs for and the love she deserves.

Mandy's Review:

Autumn Winds is actually the second book in the Seasons of the Heart series. I reviewed the first book, Summer of Secrets earlier this year (click on the Reviews by Authors link to locate my review).

I have always had an affinity for the Inspirational Romance genre. I think it began when my mother purchased Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly series, which I've read time and time again. There's something sweet and romantic about a love story that's old-fashioned and void of smut. Charlotte Hubbard's Seasons of the Heart series will be forever on my bookshelves so that I may read them time and time again as well.

Miriam Lantz is a widowed Amish woman, the mother of triplet girls and the owner of the Sweet Seasons Bakery. She is also the coveted prize of their Order's Bishop. He, Bishop Knepp, is in constant pursuit of her. He is so relentless that I was enraged on her behalf. I've always wondered what it would be like to live in the Amish community, but if I had to deal with a Bishop pursuing me the way Bishop Knepp pursued Miriam I would be shunned in a heartbeat for my reaction. I wanted to shake this man. My heart went out to Miriam. I even became fearful for her at one point because of the severity of the Bishop's actions in trying to persuade Miriam to marry him.

Thankfully, Ben Hooley arrived on the scene. He's an introspective kind of guy, but when he noticed the Bishop laying it on thick and twisting the Amish customs to suit his own desires, well ... that didn't set too well with Ben. He brought the Bishop a surprise that helped keep him in line.

Ben and Miriam are attracted to each other and feel an immediate connection, but so does Rhoda, one of Miriam's triplet daughters. Rhoda is so desperate for a man that she thinks every new guy needs to notice her and ask her out. I do feel badly for Rhoda, especially when she embarrassed herself with Ben. I can also see where it would get frustrating living in the same Order your whole life with a limited supply of men to choose from. I'm hoping Rhoda finds love in the third novel because she sure didn't find it in this one.

If you've never read an Inspirational Romance because you think it's too tame, well I've got a teaser for you! This is between Ben and Miriam. They've admitted that they like each other and would like to start seeing each other. They're in the kitchen of the Sweet Seasons Bakery early one morning getting their day started. By the way, a farrier is another name for a blacksmith.

Ben wiped his plate clean with the last chunk of his roll and then popped it into his mouth. He grinned at her, chewing ... looking like a little boy scheming something up. "Ya might've been married to a farrier, Miriam," he murmured as he scooted his stool back, "but you've never known fire the way I'm gonna stoke it up. Can ya handle that?" - Page 91

Now, you might be saying, "Psshh ... that's nothing!" Consider the situation: these are two Amish people who are taught to keep their emotions in check. They're taught to be dutiful servants of God and to not let anything deter them from a close relationship with Him. So, we have two people, fully clothed, respectable, who haven't seen a porno movie or fleshy, erotic scenes in books or television shows and the guy's talking about stoking a "fire" so hot that she's not going to be able to handle it. That got MY blood boiling, so I know it had to have affected Miriam! I would've took that man right there!!! Of course, I'm not Amish either. =)

I think by now you can tell that I loved this book. I also love that at the back of each book are some of the recipes that are mentioned within the story. I've only tried one of these recipes so far (the Stuffed Shells recipe) and it was delish! I am eagerly anticipating the third book coming out so I can read more about Miriam, Ben, Rhoda, Bishop Knepp and the rest of the Willow Ridge families.


*A physical copy of this book was provided by the author for the purposes of this tour in exchange for an honest review.