The only thing of value I can tell you with this review, is that this is “part 3” and not “book 3”. If you’re at all interested in this series and haven’t read or listened to the first 2 books yet, I highly suggest you pick up all 4 and give it a shot. If… Continue reading Review: The Jalakh Bow
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Review: The Curse of Cain
The Curse of Cain: When a necromancer is admitted to Vilokan Asylum against her will, and she evokes the ghost of Cain’s murdered brother, Abel, he’ll have to do more than treat the patient… he’ll have to confront the ghosts of his past, literally.
Razing Cain:After agreeing with the new Vampire Council to take on their newest batch of younglings, and help them tame their blood cravings, things quickly get out of hand at Vilokan Asylum. Dr. Cain will need more than a “blood suckers” support group to get a handle on the issue. He’ll require the aid of Baron Samedi… of course, when the Baron is involved, his help almost always comes at a cost.
Cain and Angel: A fallen angel has a change of heart. He just can’t stomach the big guy “downstairs” and his propensity for torture, fire, and all that devilish crap. But he’s burned his bridges with the celestials, too. When he comes to Vilokan Asylum, he hopes Cain’s experience with the guy “upstairs” can help him find his own path on the narrow road between the warring leagues of angels. But when the Archangel Michael is sent to arrest the “unfallen” angel, Cain must approach the Divine for the first time in several millennia to advocate for his patient.
Go up and click ‘Read for Free’ or ‘Buy Now’ to be admitted to the Vilokan Asylum of the Magically and Mentally Deranged.
The Vilokan Asylum of the Magically and Mentally Deranged is a paranormal romp, diving into a world of voodoo, werewolves, vampires, and magic. Dr. Cain is a snarky werewolf, an Old Testament character brought to life in a modern day fantasy setting. Readers of Monroe’s Legacy of a Vampire Witch or The Legend of Nyx have met Dr. Cain before. Now, we get a deeper look into the world of magic and mayhem that is the Vilokan Asylum.
Review: Heliotrope
Teleo is a retired soldier descended from Mages, who were cast out of power generations ago. After years of war and sorrow, he wants nothing more than to live a quiet life on his farm and work his stonemason’s craft.
His wife and daughter had been murdered during a war raid several years earlier and his young son stolen by the enemy side. He spent years unsuccessfully searching for his son and returned home broken-hearted. At the local castle, he comes upon a war orphan stolen by his side from the enemy and rescues him from abuse, adopting him as his foster son.
Teleo is working as a mason at the castle when he finds himself in the middle of a coup. This launches a journey to protect his new family, uncover the secrets of the ancient ways, and reclaim the magic of the Mages.
Thoughts: Finding quality audio narrators.
I’ve listened to and reviewed more than 300 audiobooks. When finding a quality narrator for your work, I believe there are quite a few things to look out for, which nearly every audio narrator falls short on one or more of. I’ll provide my honest, unfiltered thoughts, as I always do, with examples where applicable.… Continue reading Thoughts: Finding quality audio narrators.
Review: Dragon Age: Asunder
A mystical killer stalks the halls of the White Spire, the heart of templar power in the mighty Orlesian Empire. To prove his innocence, Rhys reluctantly embarks on a journey into the western wastelands that will not only reveal much more than he bargained for but change the fate of his fellow mages forever.
Review: Bluebird Memories
In a performance that combines the personal and poetic with the literary and the lyrical, Grammy, Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe-winning artist Common spins something entirely new and bold, for both his old-school fans and those new to one of hip hop’s most essential voices. This is Bluebird Memories, part of Audible’s Words + Music that blends storytelling, music, and performance to create a one-of-a-kind listening experience.
Written and conceived by Common with Awoye Timpo and NSangou Njikam, originally recorded live at The Minetta Lane Theatre in New York City and backed by a world-class band including special guest appearance by Robert Glasper and ensemble of vocalists, Bluebird Memories tracks Common’s intimate journey from childhood to manhood. At its heart, serving as both an open letter to his estranged father, and a personal meditation on the quest for greater self-understanding, self-worth, and connection to the world that surrounds him.
As a young artist, introduced to the work of literary icons from James Baldwin and Gwendolyn Brooks to Rakim and Melle Mel, Common would grow to use their works as motivation and a high-water mark for what would become his life in words. In a performance that recounts stories about growing up in Chicago, discovering hip hop, longing for a consistent father, and his awakening into Black consciousness, the evolution of Common, as son, as man, artist, and activist is all here, unpacked and laid bare.
At just under two hours, Bluebird Memories is constantly in motion, soaring with emotion and pulsing with raw vitality. Seamlessly blending, stretching, and playing with forms, Common slides between poetry and candid conversation, kicks into one of his classic tracks, and backs out into a moment of nearly silent reflection. For those hip-hop heads, the treat of hearing Common bounce between bars of his own self-admitted cringey party raps, to rapturously reciting classic hip hop’s most revered verses is a joy to behold. (Yes, bumping human beatbox included). In a performance that calls forth the spirit and legacy of so many artists, thinkers, and heroes who informed both his artistry and personal philosophy, Common invites listeners to experience him in his totality. A finely tuned instrument capable of conveying a sweeping breadth of power, range and tone. Listen to a modern icon deliver at the top of his craft.
Review: Og-Grim-Dog: The Three-Headed Ogre
Three can be a real pain in the arse
Everyone knows ogres can’t be heroes. But Og-Grim-Dog is no ordinary ogre.
Recruited by a team of eccentric dungeon crawlers, all three heads are determined to prove their worth. Will their new crewmates accept them? Will the pencil pushers at the Bureau of Dungeoneering be able to stop them? Will Gal’azu become a more tolerant society…and will Og-Grim-Dog solve the dark mystery that drew them into this new world in the first place?
Reader reviews:
“a marathon of craziness that will tickle your sense of humor. Loved all the gritty characters and enjoyed the fast paced action plot.”
“If you’ve ever played D&D, you’ll enjoy this tale of orcs, and dwarves and ogres. There’s good silliness and a serious theme.”
“The characters are fun and diverse. The jokes are funny and adult without being lewd or gross. The plot is fun, engaging, and well timed.”
“This book sets up an awesome character, some great side characters, and an interesting world filled with surprisingly similar issues that we have in our own. I wasn’t expecting to love this book, but I did.”
“This little book was SO MUCH FUN! There were plenty of in-jokes that, as a fantasy fan, I loved and the characters were extremely likable. The whole thing just makes me want to go on an adventure.”
If you’re looking for something lighthearted, with some cleverness, silliness, and a little grit, start this fun, feelgood adventure today!
Review: The Lost Power
Da Vinci Code meets Tomb Raider in this award-winning thriller that number one NYT bestselling author James Rollins called, “Full of action and suspense”.
Spain 1057: During a thunderous battle, the first King of Aragon wrestles Alexander the Great’s priceless Egyptian weapon from the Moors, but finds it holds a terrifying and mysterious power.
A thousand years later, on a hushed, fog-shrouded, Napa morning, gunshots and the sound of breaking glass rip through the silence. Maddy Marshall, an app designer and aikido instructor, and her twin brother Will Argones, an engineer, quickly run toward the sound. Horrified, they discover a sniper’s bullet has found its human target.
Before the pool of blood on the living room floor is dry, the twins are sent on an arcane quest to recover Alexander’s ancient weapon. Joined by a VanOps covert agent, they soon discover the rifle’s sights are now set on them. No place is safe, a wrong move means death, and even a simple phone call is off limits if they are to survive.
From a medieval Spanish castle, they follow a time-worn trail, starting at a secret warren under the streets of Jerusalem. But if the killer finds the weapon first, it will be used to cripple the United States’ eye-in-the-sky early warning systems, allowing the Russians to swoop in and prey on the vulnerable nation.
Can Maddy learn to wield the power of the dangerous weapon in time to stop the Russian scheme? Failure means fragile world peace will be forever shattered…
Review: Scared Shiftless
A stiletto heel through a vampire’s heart…
Who ever said you had to sacrifice fabulous for functional? Eventually I’d find her, the one who stole my abilities. Now I was stuck like this…in a human body…a male body…I was scared shiftless. I’m out for more than vengeance. I want my life back. But even if I catch her, even if I kill the vampire who ruined my life…can I even take my shapeshifting abilities back? Or, am I destined to stay like this forever?
Review: Pricked by Thorns
All wealthy men are in want of a wife. And a mad woman is in need of an escape.
Catherine swore she wouldn’t go back to the asylum. Her parents locked her away for seeing ghosts and fae, but years of treatment couldn’t cure her. Spirits still haunt her, and the fae continue to taunt her. Her treatment might have failed, but if Elk Grove taught her one thing, it was how to impersonate a sane person. Finally free of the institution, she will do anything to remain so, even if she has to trick a man into marrying her. With the family’s debt hanging over her head, Catherine’s mother is insistent she marry.
Lord Thornton is the perfect candidate: a rich bachelor as charming as he is generous. But Catherine has learned the hard way that appearances can be deceiving and a charismatic mask can hide nefarious intentions. However, with creditors knocking down their doors and time running out, Catherine doesn’t have time to be particular. Either she marries or she will be sent back to the asylum.
When a ghost makes an ominous prediction regarding Lord Thornton, it brings into question not only Catherine’s sanity but her plans to wed. Elk Grove told her ghosts weren’t real, but can she ignore the warning when it’s her life at stake? Now she must make a choice: Defy her parents’ order and be locked away for good, or risk her life and marry Lord Thornton instead.
This romantic gothic fantasy tale, a prequel to the Thornwood Fae, is sure to delight fans of Carnival Row and Jane Eyre.