Saving sunni is the second book in The Keyhole Series from Kasi Alexander. Exploring the many facets of a polyamorous lifestyles – lived by the author herself – and including BDSM is no simple piece of pulp titillation. » Read more..
Archive for Just Read
Just Read….Changeling by Philippa Gregory
Title: Changeling
Author: Philippa Gregory
Imprint: Simon & Schuster (Penguin)
HB ISBN: 978-0-85707-730-1
TPB ISBN: 978-0-85707-731-8
EB ISBN: 978-0-85707-733-2
Just Read….Building a Blog For Readers by Nick Thacker
TITLE: Building a Blog For Readers
AUTHOR: Nick Thacker
FORMAT: Kindle (print coming)
PUBLISHER: Turtle Shell Press (May 25, 2012)
ASIN: B0086QQ5DG
So you’ve decided you want to make your fortune blogging. Or at least make your name. And why not? After all, in this age of iPads, iPhones, Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, and any other cyberspace gadget you can think of, why not join ‘em in order to beat ‘em.
» Read more..
Just Read…Dead Meat by Chris & Patrick Williams
Title: Dead Meat
Author: Chris & Patrick Williams
Format: E-book & Paperback
Publisher: Permuted Press
River’s Edge has a problem. A severe outbreak of rabies has been declared and people are dying by the truckload. Sort of. A survivor by the name of Gavin who is trying to find his family has a feeling there is something more to this rabies outbreak and as the story progresses, and he encounters other survivors he discovers just what.
River’s Edge is full of zombies and they’re hungry. Before long Gavin and his rag tag group have dubbed the zombies ‘bees’ in ‘honor’ of the way they swarm when attacking – and not only do the survivors have to watch out for the bees, they are also in danger of being killed by the exterminators. Exterminators are soldiers who have been sent to well…exterminate the zombies. Or anything they might come across.
Ok I have to be honest up front. I’m not a zombie fan. The idea makes me feel a little ill – not in an ‘oh please, get real’ kind of way. It’s more of an ‘oh please excuse me, I think I’m going to be sick’ kind of way. I think it has something to do with the way zombies are portrayed as being so relentless and hungry…but I digress.
Chris Williams
Originally an online, serialised novel Dead Meat was no different, it made me feel ill. But that is not a criticism – it’s a compliment. Well written with strong narrative, excellent characters and yes nausea inducing descriptions, Dead Meat is a good addition to any horror library and a must read for any zombiephile. Yes, such things exist. My sister is one….
It’s impossible to not be drawn into the horror and desperation Gavin experiences as the story advances and this is testimony to the talent of the authors. A little online research suggests there are more instalments to come and I certainly hope so as the brothers’ style and talent has certainly hooked me. Even if I am double checking all the locks tonight.
Patrick Williams
The Williams brothers have a great site for all things concerning Dead Meat (and zombies) so make sure you drop by the site: Dead Meat: A Zombie Novel by Patrick & Chris Williams
You can also follow them on Twitter or like them on Facebook, and like any self respecting book (or zombie for that matter) they’re on GoodReads
To buy your own copy of the book, head on over to:
or
GIVE AWAY
Would you like to win a copy of Dead Meat? Just Heard, Just Read, Just Seen has a Kindle copy to give away – simply leave a comment telling us why you would like to win Dead Meat and you’re in the draw. Draw will close on June 1, 2012 and the winner will be selected, notified and announced on June 3, 2012.
Just Read…Alas,Peace Be Still by Jessica Angelique
This is not Jessica Angelique’s first book. She is the author of the successful The Road to Me: I know now why the caged bird sang detailing her life in foster care, her battle with cancer and the hardships of being a homeless single mother to two small children.
Due to be released exclusively on Amazon in the next 24 hours, Alas Peace Be Still is the heart – and often gut wrenching – account of Angelique’s reaction to seeing Oprah Winfrey interview critically acclaimed producer Tyler Perry.
The result is a moving and inspirational account of the author’s state of life, the realisation of the depth of her faith, her shift from balancing on the brink of suicide to embracing her life – even the parts she is not happy with.
Alas, Peace Be Still is not easy to read. At times Jessica Angelique’s despair and desperation are almost overwhelming – but she writes with such generosity and such truth you can not turn away. It is indeed a rare privilege to be able to share someone’s journey as they rediscover the truth of themselves.
Toward the end she writes:
“When you spend time with yourself, you get to know yourself and that’s what’s happening to me. I’m finally getting to know my true self. It also means that you learn how to love the person that you are.”
Jessica Angelique’s courage and honesty are a rare gem indeed.
Originally written for The Kindle Book Review (this review will appear on Amazon upon release of Alas, Peace Be Still)
Just Read…Heck on Heels by Mary T Wagner
Title: Heck on Heels
Author: Mary T Wagner
Format: Kindle
ASIN: B007T15AYY
Heck on Heels is the second book from award winning author, Mary T Wagner.
The journalist turned lawyer turned to blogging after an accident and Running with Stilettos was born. Before long a collection of the essays from the blog were gathered and a very successful book by the same name emerged.
Heck on Heels is the next installment of essays from Mary and she has recently repackaged them into an e-book to created what she calls “some lovely ‘take me away’ moments”.
And they are lovely. Not to mention often funny, sometimes sad, and very inspirational. Whether she is talking about munching M&Ms while trying to stop her promotional poster being blown away at her first book fair or removing a dead mouse from the hood fan over the stove, Wagner is entertaining and down to earth at the same time.
Non fiction can be tricky to write; it often ends up either cringingly self lampooning or so deadly serious it is depressing (which is not to say that it always does, simply that there is that risk). Wagner has deftly sidestepped both pot holes and produced a wonderfully entertaining series of snapshots of her life that will leave you wanting to read more.
(Originally written for The Kindle Book Review)
Just Read…Dead Like You by Peter James
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Title: Dead Like You
Author: Peter James
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Minotaur Books (a division of Macmillan)
ISBN: 978-0-312-64320-1
Detective Superintendent Roy Grace of the Brighton Police Force has a bad feeling about a spate of stranger rapes that have taken place in his city. The MO appears to resemble that of a rapist, and possibly killer, he was unable to stop 12 years earlier.
The similarities force Grace to examine a period of his life that was extremely painful. At the time his wife was unaccepting of his career and put huge demands on his attention and time; when she eventually disappeared, to never resurface, Grace had an added problem.
12 years later his personal relationship is again entwined with that of the serial rapist as he tries to have his wife declared legally dead so he can marry his new partner who is pregnant with their child.
James’ series of books following Roy Grace through the streets of Brighton has sold more than six million copies around the world, three have been filmed and the author has topped several Best Seller lists.
The accolades are well deserved.
The sixth volume in the series, Dead Like You can be read without having read any of the previous books and still make perfect sense. However, I do think if you haven’t read any of Detective Superintendent Grace’s earlier adventures, you may find some bits a little distracting. For while they clearly provide continuity, if you are a first time reader (as I was) they can be a bit disruptive when you’re egging the hero on. Don’t be put off though, all it really made me want to do was get the earlier books…
All of that aside, Dead Like You is tightly written with strong characters to whom it is easy to react and respond. Grace is likeable and his supporting cast believable. Although many reviewers drew parallels with The Silence of The Lambs, I felt these were unjustified and in many ways unfair. Such parallels tend to suggest a ‘copy’ (and even insinuate an inferiority) while Dead Like You stands very much on its own merits. In fact, while the strength of Silence lays in the juxtaposition of Lecter’s psychosis and genius, the villian in Dead Like You is, I found, much scarier by virtue of his ordinariness. He may be twisted but he’s no genius; in fact he’s just some guy you probably deal with every day. That thought is a little unnerving….
I have Dead Man’s Grip scheduled to read next and must say I am really looking forward to it – and while I am tempted to get the earlier volumes and work my way through, I’m not sure I can wait that long to find out what happens with Grace and Cleo.
Rating: 9/10
Please, Please Me – The Album Guide by Joe Rodgers
Title: The Beatles, Please Please Me – The Album Guide
Format: Kindle Edition
Publisher: Dinosaur Album Guides
ASIN: B006LABAG6
Few people would be able to successfully argue against the impact of The Beatles and their music on rock ‘n’ roll.
Starting with‘Please, Please Me; The Album Guide’, Dinosaur Album Guides trace the work of the rock band that set the bar for all those who came after.
Well researched and covering each song’s history, style, and delivery. Not content to dissect the lyrics, the guide looks at the engineering and production details, guest musicians and if at times he seems to be examining every drop of sweat that went into each and every note, it’s easily forgiven by his obvious passion for the music.
Rodgers’ writing style is easy to read and informative and never boring.
Please, Please Me is an informative, interesting and fun book that is must have for every music lover’s bookshelf.
by Angelique Jurd for The Kindle Book Review
Far Sighted by Emlyn Chand
Publisher: Blue Crown Press (October 17, 2011)
Format: Kindle Edition
ASIN: B005WXFG54
I have to say I didn’t feel very sorry for the main character of Chand’s book Far Sighted. In fact, I spent much of the story wanting to deliver Alex a good flick to the ear. This is not indicative of bad writing on Chand’s part but in fact quite the opposite.
Alex, the teenage hero, is so believable I did on occassion catch myself muttering “oh get over yourself”. Alex, blind from birth, loves his mother – even if she does baby him somewhat, does not get on particularly well with his father and doesn’t fit in at school.
All of this is exacerbated when two things happen at once: he begins to have visions and a mysterious and exotic new girl at school befriends him.
The visions lead to the discovery of a latent pyschic ability,the new girl his introduction to love.
The teenage characters in this story are strong and believable – being grumpy and a little preoccupied with himself makes Alex more credible in my eyes (I have two teenage sons – I recognise this trait). The issues Alex deals with and his reactions to the girls he becomes friends with are beliavable and move the story forward smoothly.
I found the adults a little less engaging but as they are secondary characters for the main part, this wasn’t really a problem.
Refreshingly the teenage protaganists didn’t save the day by blowing raspberries at the experience of their elders but by drawing on it – while it can sometimes be rewarding to see the youngsters win by breaking the established rules, it’s good to see there is value in those rules,if only occassionally.
There were a couple of weak spots in the story. When Alex’s mother learns of his psychic abilities she is not in the slightest concerned, claiming she had figured it out already. Given that Chand had written her as slightly fragile and a bit over protective of her son, there was a great opportunity here for some great scenes. I hope Alex’s mother gets
a little more of the spotlight in further installments and we get to see her really angry at least once.
The second spot was the ending which came abruptly and without warning. Now there is a caveat with this observation – this is obviously a series in the making and the idea is to get you to read the next book. The technique works brilliantly but the truth is if I don’t get a chance to read Book 2 (I get hit by a bus, fall off the edge of the earth, lose my Kindle)I find it frustrating that
this installment didn’t end….
A good read for teens and great to see a main male character who is an ordinary guy.
Nicely written and bring on the next book.
by Angelique Jurd for The Kindle Book Review
The Lonely Mile by Allan Leverone
Format: Kindle Edition
Publisher: StoneHouse Ink; 1 edition (July 18, 2011)
ASIN: B005DAX06I
A thriller in the style of The Silence of the Lambs, The Lonely Mile is a well written and gripping story of a battle between a serial killer and the father of his latest victim.
Leverone’s style is not unlike that of Thomas Harris and the killer’s point of view is given as much air time as that of the victim. The combination makes for a very unnerving read and the urge to keep going until the end – regardless of what horrors may lay in store.
The character’s in The Lonely Mile are well drawn for the main part – my only complaint would be the victim comes over a teensy bit cliched in her girl next door persona, but it’s not so pronounced that it intrudes on the quality of the story as a whole.
The plot is strong with a sharp twist that is neatly delivered and believable.
I did find the end a little drawn out – but that should not be taken too personally,since I am a reader who once the climax of the story has been reached is often quite happy to leave things as they are.
If you’re looking for a good, solid read that will draw you in and hold you all the way through the story, you can’t go past The Lonely Mile
By Angelique Jurd for The Kindle Book Review
