J.A. Saare, The Ripple Effect

 Title:  The Ripple Effect

Author:  J.A. Saare

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Horror

Sub-Genre:  Paranormal Urban Fiction 

Keywords:  Vampire, Romance

Page Count:  222       

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-60659-330-1

Price:  $4.99

ISBN for Print:  978-1-60659-331-8 

Price:  $12.95

Publisher:  Mundania Press, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.mundania.com/book.php?title=The+Ripple+Effect

Reviewer:  Rhonda J. Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

Book 3 of the Rhiannon's Law series

There is always a price to pay…

Rhiannon Murphy visited the future, witnessed hell on earth and made choices to change things for the greater good. Unfortunately there are consequences for her actions, the penalties for her interference possibly more than she can bear. Determined to sever her debt with a fallen angel, she pushes everything aside, focusing on locating Marigold Vesta’s resting place.

Until death comes knocking at her door.

When Disco’s maker arrives in New York, he resents Rhiannon on a level she can’t begin to comprehend. Yet Marius isn’t her most dangerous adversary, not by a long shot. Marius’s sire -- a half-demon -- is determined to see the necromancer who stunned the vampire world on her knees. If she won’t bend, he’ll do everything in his power to make her break. No price is too high, meaning no one is safe -- including Disco and Paine.

Dealt a blow from which she can never recover, Rhiannon turns to the only person who can help her: the fallen angel who is relying on Rhiannon to save her soul. Bartering with a creature from Heaven is probably just as dangerous as starting a war with a demon from Hell, but with nothing to lose it’s no longer about life or death.

It’s about getting even.

Review:

The Ripple Effect by J.A. Saare is not, in my opinion, a standalone book.  I would call this a bridge story.  In this portion of the tale, we continue the theme that Disco is still angry with Paine and Rhiannon for things that occurred in a future time-line but have not actually happened in this current time.  We deal with the arrival of Disco and Paine's maker and his coterie of demon and half demon friends.  And finally, we get a view of what life on Earth would be like with demon masters in complete control. 

However, the characters of Disco and Rhiannon are not further developed, as they previously were in each instalment.  Paine, after we have been made to love and sympathize with him, is removed from the story and it is questionable whether we will see him again. Rhiannon accomplishes exactly nothing on the path towards freeing Marigold Vesta.  Lastly, a new teaser character, Bane, is introduced as someone we will probably see again.

If you love the Rhiannon series, this is a book to read as it was designed to span the tales of all that has come before and what may be in store for the future.  It was as well written as the last tales.  On its own, however, this tale is incomplete.  The Ripple Effect leaves you hanging, just when it feels as though it is beginning to gain momentum.

Rebecca Cline, R.A.V.E.N. (Vampire Eradication Network)

Title:  R.A.V.E.N. (Vampire Eradication Network)

Author:  Rebecca Cline

Rating:  Five Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords:  Vampires, Shape-Shifters, Black Rose, Spicy 

Page Count:  400       

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-229-3

Price:  $5.99

ISBN for Print:  978-1-61217-228-6 

Price:  $16.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=4920

Reviewer:  Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

Kachina Raven is a Reconnaissance Agent for the Vampire Eradication Network.  One night while escaping a murderous cult of vampire wannabes, she meets Kael.  There is an immediate attraction but she knows there is something odd about him. 

He has some very unusual skills and abilities.  She’s sure he isn’t a vampire but knows he’s no ordinary human either.

She knows she’ll always be stalked by vampires and doesn’t want to put anyone else at risk by having a relationship with them. Her life is further complicated by the relentless pursuit of a homeland security agent.

Kael is an alpha male used being the protector but Raven makes it clear she can fight her own battles. He’s frustrated by her refusal to acknowledge the strength of the attraction between them and is determined to have her as his mate.

Review:

Kachina Raven is a tall Native American beauty who works for the Vampire Eradication Network, otherwise known as VEN.  She is an enhanced human with nearly vampiric abilities herself.  Her job is reconnaissance for the VEN.  While on a recon mission without her backup, she is injured severely and ducks into a biker bar to blend with the crowd.  While there, she meets Kael.

Kael also appears to be doing some recon of his own in the bar.  He's waiting for a pretty long haired girl.  Is Kachina the girl?  It seems not, but he can't be sure.  From the moment they meet, sparks fly.  But Kachina is not truly full human and can't share her secrets with Kael.  She also doesn't fully trust him.  He moves too fast, seems too strong and knows things he shouldn't.  No one can hear that well.  Is he one of the hated vampires, a lurker, or something else?  Kachina doesn't know.

This book is well written and keeps you reading late into the night.  A long novel, it moves right along and keeps you turning pages.  Clearly this book is meant as the beginning of a series.  It introduces many characters and develops most of them fully.  I did think it ended a bit abruptly after 400 pages of detailed descriptions, but it leaves you waiting for the next book to continue the tale of life in the VEN.

How will Kachina and Kael blend their lives?  Will Killer hookup with a pack member or the Homeland Security agent who has a thing for her?  Where has Taven been sneaking off to?  Is Kachina's brother Palin actually a “good vampire”?  These are all questions I await the answers of in later instalments.  Any lover of the paranormal, urban fantasy genre will love this book.

Maxine Mansfield, Touched By The Magic

Title:  Touched By The Magic

Author:  Maxine Mansfield

Rating:  Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre:  Fantasy

Sub-Genre:  Erotic 

Keywords:  Erotic Scarlet Rose, Humor, Multiple Partners, F/M/F/M, Voyeurism, F/F/M/M, Graphic Language

Page Count:  374       

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-371-9

Price:  $5.99

ISBN for Print:  978-1-61217-370-2

Price:  $14.99

Publisher:  The Wilder Roses

Buy-Link:  http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=182&products_id=872

Reviewer:  Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

New to The Academy of Magical Arts, Briarlarn Tumbleweed wants to learn the art of a True Healer, but her nerves get the best of her when she’s paired in the sexually dynamic healing class with Uthiel Stoutheart, Paladin of the Realm. Between burning off his eyebrows and overturning a candle on certain exposed male parts, she isn't making a very good impression. But how can she focus when Uthiel is strong, brave, and touches Briar in a way that leaves her weak in the knees, quivering with pleasure, and begging for more?

Falling in love with the accident-prone but talented Briar was not what Uthiel had planned, but life with the sexy healer is adventurous, hilarious, mind-blowingly stimulating, and clearly his destiny. His soul awakens while taking her to new heights of ecstasy, yet he can't allow his own pleasure. There’s no getting around it—he must leave The Academy and pursue his quest to right the wrongs done to his people if he can ever hope to find happiness with Briar.

But is their love strong enough to mend the magic so desperately needed to preserve their world, and that touches both their souls with a searing heat?

Review:

Touched By The Magic was a lighthearted, fun read.  A wonderful blend of the erotic and humour tied together with leather bands of fantasy.  And yes, it touches on bondage but manages to turn it on its head to where you want to laugh at the circumstances that Briar and Uthiel find themselves in.  I managed to read through the entire book in two evenings, reading way past the time that I should have turned in.

Briar, has a secret, in a world where most much younger than her have received training in the arts of love, she is without an education.  Worse yet she has lied on a school application for a job that requires said training.  Uthiel also, has his issues.  He is a paladin, sworn to protect dragons, which he is determined to kill due to previous heartache.  Together, they manage to botch almost every lesson the school of magic has to teach, while managing to save the world. 

And if that isn't amusing enough for you, throughout the book are cameos by a perverted, potty mouthed gnome who likes to steal woman's underwear for the blow up sex doll he carries with him almost everywhere.  If you are looking for some lighthearted fantasy, with hot sex scenes, this is the book for you!

Kathryn R. Blake, Mortal Illusions

Title:  Mortal Illusions

Author:  Kathryn R. Blake

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Keywords:  Vampire

Word Count:  198,234     

ISBN E-Book:  Available through Publisher and Kindle

Price:  $1.99

ISBN for Print:  978-1466493537

Price:  $14.99

Publisher:  New Concepts Publishing

Buy-Link:  http://newconceptspublishing.com/kathryn-r.-blake/mortal-illusions/

Reviewer:  Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

Desperate to keep her dying brother alive, Claire Daniels sets out to charm a powerful vampire into helping her save him. But winning Germaine St. Justine’s support will take more than Claire’s blood. It will cost her heart and soul.

 Review:

This is the story of Claire and Germaine.  Germaine is a vampire from the age of the French Revolution who is still somewhat damaged by occurrences from the past.  Germaine was tortured during the revolution while his family was murdered and eventually, he was turned by his inquisitor.  This has left a mark on him and he has decided never to turn anyone.  Claire is the daughter of the last woman that Germaine loved and let grow old.  Claire's mother has just passed from cancer leaving the request that the two of them pair up.  This is the opening to Mortal Illusions. 

The book itself was an engaging easy read.  The story enjoyable and in parts even sad to the point of tears.  Watching Claire and Germaine work out their issues with each other and death at a few points became nearly painful.  Claire loses her mother and her brother, while Germaine relives losing his whole family, Claire's mother and eventually Claire.  However, personally I found Germaine to be far too autocratic.  He gives Claire orders constantly and expects absolute obedience without giving her any explanations as to why.  Of course then Claire disobeys and Germaine shuts her off for days to weeks at a time in a huff. 

Personally, I found this to be abusive behaviour and if I were Claire, would have run off in a heartbeat with his second in command Marcus.  Even Nick, while flighty, would have been more fun than Germaine.  So, while this was a good story, Germaine is not the vampire for me.  I look forward to reading the story of the Roman Marcus.  His quiet nobility struck me far more than Germaine's autocratic petulance.

J.A. Saare, The Renfield Syndrome

Title: The Renfield Syndrome

Author: J.A. Saare

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Vampires, Werewolves, Demons, Rhiannon’s Law Series

Page Count: 201

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60659-265-6

Price: $4.99

ISBN for Print: 978-1-60659-266-3

Price: $12.95

Publisher: Mundania Press, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.mundania.com/book.php?title=The+Renfield+Syndrome

Reviewer: Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

Book 2 of the Rhiannon's Law series

Vampires, and werewolves, and demons, oh my.

Rhiannon thought facing off against a deranged child vampire was the most dangerous task she would ever have to undertake, but she's about to discover making a deal with a demon is far, far worse. Sent forward into another reality, one in which vampires are now dominating nearly extinct

humans, she realizes the sooner she returns to her vampire lover, Disco,the better.

Unfortunately, time changes a lot of things, including those most trusted around her. When she's faced with a loss and betrayal unlike any she has ever known, her focus shifts from severing the debt between the demon that wants to kill her, to exacting a revenge that will bring forth consequences she never could have fathomed. By reaching out to the darkness lingering within her, she'll find the strength to push forward despite the circumstances that would see her dead and buried.

After all, when it's all said and done, all that she has left to lose is her soul.

Review:

In Dead, Undead and Somewhere in Between, we are basically left hanging. Wondering... oh no what will happen next, The Renfield Syndrome picks up exactly where Dead, Undead leaves off. The Renfield Syndrome continues as smoothly as if it was just the next chapter. It does, however, also leave you hanging, waiting for the next book, because again there are so many changes that we need to know...what will happen next.

In the first instalment Rhiannon learns to trust and love. She finally lets her hair down and tries on a relationship. Throughout Dead, Undead though, I suspected there was someone on the side, watching this relationship develop and wishing it were him instead. The Renfield Syndrome moves from the development of Rhiannon, to the education of Rhiannon. Now she has been thrown 101 years into the future by flippantly accepting a deal with a demon. In the future, everything she just earned is gone. People are blood slaves. The world is a wasteland. Demons are masquerading as vampires, driving the destruction.

Rhiannon must find Disco and deliver a message in order to complete the Demon's deal. But before she can do that, she'll have to escape the compound of a lovesick werewolf and his crazy werewolf stalkerette. Carter, the werewolves' leader, had Rhiannon scooped up by his team, the instant she stepped out of the past. He intends to keep her for himself, for her own good of course, he explains. Once that issue is dealt with, Rhiannon discovers that Disco is dead. He has been for 101 years. Deals with demons never work out like you think. In this world, demons are in charge and they are interested in Rhiannon.

Paine, steps forward and claims Rhiannon before the demon in charge can have her way. It seems that on Disco's passing Rhiannon's mark passed to Paine. He is more than happy with that arrangement and has been waiting 101 years for her. Over time, Goose and Paine had figured out what happened to Rhiannon, but they did not know when she'd reappear. Paine has been waiting a long time to touch someone, and Rhiannon is the only person that fits the bill.

So, in this instalment, let's call it educating Rhiannon, Rhiannon learns there are consequences to brash acts. Love has many forms, even if some of them start as heartrending empathy. And finally, you can't go home again, even when you can. To do that, she lost the love she found with Disco, as he no longer trusts her and she has a small piece of future Paine in her heart. Rhiannon has not learned enough though, to know that you probably shouldn't make deals with fallen angels either. To return home, save Disco and save the human race, Rhiannon enters into a deal with a fallen angel to free her in one years’ time. Has she forgotten, aren't fallen angels... devils? What could possibly go wrong with this arrangement? We'll have to wait for book three to see. The Renfield Syndrome is an excellent weekend read.

J.A. Saare, Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between

Title: Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between

Author: J.A. Saare

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Vampires,

Rhiannon’s Law Series

Page Count: 194

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-59426-712-3

Price: $4.99

ISBN for Print: 978-1-59426-713-0

Price: $12.95

Publisher: Mundania Press, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.mundania.com/book.php?title=Dead,+Undead,+or+Somewhere+in+Between

Reviewer: Rhonda J. Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

(Book 1 of the Rhiannon’s Law Series)

One bad corpse can ruin your whole day.

No one knows that better than Rhiannon Murphy. She’s left behind the flash and sass of Miami for the no-nonsense groove of New York City, eager for a clean slate and a fresh start. A bartender by trade, a loud mouth by choice, and a necromancer by chance, she’s managed to keep her nifty talent hidden from those around her--until now.

The deliciously good-looking vampire Disco knows her secret, and when he strolls into her bar to solicit help investigating the mysterious disappearances of his kind from the city, she discovers he’s not the kind of person that appreciates the significance of the word no. But in a world where vampires peddle their blood as the latest and greatest drug of choice, it’s only a matter of time before the next big thing hits the market. Someone or something is killing vampires to steal their hearts, and unlike Rhiannon, this isn’t their first stroll around the undead block.

Review:

Vampire fans, don't miss this book! Having read many vampire genre stories, this book falls among the best of them. J.A. Saare manages to blend a touch of humour smoothly into the horror genre with a touch of sadness seamlessly. To me, this story was reminiscent of the Kim Harrison, Rachel Morgan series. This author has a similar talent for gentle touches of humour dabbled throughout her paranormal tale. With vampire names like Disco and Cash one just has to smile while reading this tale.

The only slight criticism, which in no way effects this story, would be that these are your standard vampires. I always look for some new trait in a vampire book and did not find one here. Some have talents, some don't, they drink blood both consensually and otherwise, they mark you, live in families and the place you've been bit becomes super sensitive. All traits that have been seen before. However, the story is an engaging, can't put it down type novel that will keep you up at night. In fact, as it ends with a new beginning, you will probably need to run right out and get the next book just to see what happens to Rhiannon next.

Rhiannon is a not too mild mannered bar keep. She just happens to see dead people. This rolls over into dead vampires which makes her a special commodity to the vampire community as that particular ability is extremely rare. Rhiannon, who was an abused child, wants nothing to do with Vamps as she believes that they are hard core killers. The story mentions a past friend that went missing in the company of a vamp, but no more is said in that vein. Because of this, she wants nothing to do with Cash and Disco, regardless of their amazing good looks and vamp pheromones. This story documents Rhiannon's slow acknowledgement that sometimes people need to choose the lesser of two evils. Occasionally, the lesser of evils can even turn out to be just what a girl needs!

Skyhe Moncrief, Feral Fever

Title: Feral Fever

Author: Skhye Moncrief

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Sub-Genre: Science Fiction

Keywords: Shape-Shifters, Alien Race, Multiple Partners

Page Count: 216

ISBN E-Book: 1463589107

Price: $6.99

ISBN for Print: 978-1463589103

Price: $14.99

Publisher: New Concepts Publishing

Buy-Link: http://newconceptspublishing.com/skhye-moncrief/feral-series-iii-feral-fever/

Reviewer: Rhonda J. Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

Feral Series III: Feral Fever

Blessed are those who just give into the darkness of Luvk... Earthling archaeologist Aisling Bjorn never really considered juggling multiple husbands for were-assassin duty on planet Luvk—a world of tiger folk subjugated by winged aliens--for a career. Her sanity is out of the question when surrounded by enormous muscled Tiger Lords cloaked in sexy leather pants. Their glorious bodies alone could incite riots on Earth. And they all want her. One thing’s for certain, love or lust, everyone eventually succumbs to Luvks’ FERAL FEVER. (Multiple sex partners)

Review:

Feral Fever is book three in a series. I had not read books one and two. While this book can be read as a standalone, and enjoyed, I am positive that it suffers somewhat from that. Read as a third book, I believe that I may have given it a higher rating. Much of the back story as to why Aisling Bjorn is a Marshall or even what a Marshall is, is missing in this story. Unlike many other books, there really isn't much of a re-hash on the back story to catch up anyone who had just happened to start with this book.

The story itself is excellent. It involves a matriarchal cast society with female domination over the males of their race. They are a humanoid race that have slightly furred faces and tiger stripes imbedded into their skin (tattoo like). The royal females, those with the palest markings, are queens and take up to fifty or more husbands if they wish. They are capable of having children for many years and often have 40 or more children themselves. Somehow most of these children turn out to be males, against all statistics. This produces many unattached warring males looking for mates. There is a sadness to this book.

Aisling is sent to this planet to become a royal queen as an ambassador from the Marshalls. She is forced to take a minimum of 7 husbands, one from each region, against her personal beliefs. With time she comes to embrace the five husbands who survive the warring planet. This story is not a ménage per se as she is only with one husband at a time, however different men may visit her in the same day. Each husband has his own baggage and traits so there is something for everyone in this story. Once you read past the opening story, this book is mostly about Aisling creating workable bonds with all of her husbands, so the heat level on this book is pretty high. If you are looking for a hot book, with multiple partners, all in one to one situations, this is the book that you should read.

Heather McCollum, Masquerade

Title: Masquerade

Author: Heather McCollum

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Sub-Genre: Fantasy, Time Travel

Keywords: Faery Rose, Witches, Demons, The Dragonfly Chronicles

Page Count: 334

ISBN E-Book: 1-60154-902-4

Price: $7.00

ISBN for Print: 978-1601549020

Price: $14.99

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_139&products_id=4494

Reviewer: Rhonda J. Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

The Dragonfly Chronicles

Orphanage director by day, jewel thief by night. Using her magic to rob from the rich to keep the orphanage running seems like the perfect solution until Kat steals from the wrong man, a man who sees through her magic, a man who can see the scars she hides from the world.

Toren MacCallum is cursed. An old witch tore him from his sixteenth century world and threw him into the twenty-first century. But he’s found an ancient dragonfly necklace to bait the witch to return him to his time. For he must find a way home to save his sister and his clan from disappearing off the pages of history.

When a mysterious woman steals the necklace in front of a hundred witnesses, the witch, followed by a storm of demons, sends Kat and him to Elizabethan England. Toren agrees to return the necklace, but he won’t give up the greater prize, the thief who’s stolen his heart.

Review:

Being of Scottish descent and actually descended from clan MacCallum, I chose to review this book for purely selfish reasons. I felt it would be interesting to read a romance based upon my own clan instead of say, the time traveling Frasers, and yes, I've read those too. Having said that, I truly enjoyed this story!

A time traveling witch, who does not know she's from possibly a thousand or more years ago, who is also a cat burglar with a robin hood complex, meets a time traveling Laird of a beleaguered Elizabethan Scottish clan, while trying to abscond with his magic necklace. Through the efforts of the spirit of another deceased witch they are tossed back and forth through time to avoid an evil that is out to steal Kat's powers and destroy the world.

This appears to be the third instalment in a series, which I only became aware of when Ms. McCollum introduced the other two sisters and they had already found their mates. Being a third book made absolutely no difference to the story, although I believe I would have enjoyed it even more had I read the first two first. There will, I think be a forth book as Kat has a “missing” twin sister. It was also alluded to that there is an unknown fifth brother or sister out there that even the helpful dragonfly witch spirit seemed ignorant of.

This book was very well written and engaging. This is the kind of tale that won't allow you to put the book down. It will keep you up late into the wee hours with red eyes until you've turned the final page. You will love it!!

J.J. Westendarp, Spiral X

Title: Spiral X

Author: J.J. Westendarp

Rating: Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal

Keywords: Vampire Hunter, Vampires

Word Count: 101,000

ISBN E-Book: B004A14QAA

Price: $2.99 (Kindle)

Publisher: Self-Published

Buy-Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004A14QAA

Reviewer: Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

Cheryl Erikson is a Vampire Hunter with a problem. A dangerous new drug named Plast has found its way onto the streets of Dallas. She would prefer to let the DEA and local law enforcement handle everything, but since the dealers also happen to be vampires, she has no choice but to step in and put a stop to it. With the help of her best friend Virgil and a fellow Hunter named Tank, Cheryl must work to eradicate Plast from the streets of Dallas. It's a task that becomes more difficult as she comes under the gun, quite literally, from a contract out on her head. Coupled with a nosy police detective looking to peg her for a triple homicide, and a sudden interest in her activities from a powerful vampire recently arrived in the area, it's enough to force her to accept help from the least likely of sources, a mysterious Hunter named Rev. Through him, everything she thinks she knows, and everything she stands for, is challenged in ways she never imagined.

Review:

Spiral X is a very well written story in the vampire hunter genre. The vamps in question are not sparkly little boyfriend types but instead blood drinkers bent on re-asserting their position at the top of the food chain. In a slightly different twist from the normal undead vamps that we are used to, this version of a vampire is possessed of a demonic spirit which entered the victims near/at death, otherwise they are very like the typical evil vamps of literature.

Cheryl Erikson is the main vampire hunter that this story focuses on; however, we do meet a few more including government types throughout the course of the tale. Cheryl is spoiled rich kid that has no need to work, due to an inheritance, and at night she hunts the vampires vigilante style as revenge for the death of her father. This story is well written and entertaining even in the face of hundreds of other vampire tales. It has some mysteries within it which remain unanswered hinting that a series could be in the future. The characters of Cheryl and her trusty cyber-sidekick Virgil are nicely developed and well supported by the characters of Tank and Father Harold. Together they make a wonderful vampire hunting team that could, in fact, make a lovely TV series.

With tons of action from beginning to end, this is a book that fans of the vampire lore will thrill to consume.

Marc Vun Kannon, St. Martin's Moon

Title: St. Martin's Moon

Author: Marc Vun Kannon

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Futuristic

Sub-Genre: Paranormal

Keywords: Werewolves, Lunar Colony, Ghosts

Word Count: 66,585

ISBN E-Book: 978-159080-685-2

Price: $2.69 (Kindle)

ISBN for Print: 978-159080-684-5

Price: $13.99

Publisher: Echelon Press

Buy-Link: http://www.amazon.com/St-Martins-Moon-Marc-Kannon/dp/1590806840/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307500639&sr=8-1

Reviewer: Rhonda J Callum-King

Tagline: The Moon is haunted, but the werewolves don’t know that!

Blurb/Summary:

Joseph Marquand didn’t want to go back, he really didn't, but duty called and curiosity beckoned, and besides, it's not like his nights could get any worse. A werewolf attack on the Moon itself was something of a novelty, especially for Earth's greatest werewolf hunter, and if he could lay a few of his own unquiet ghosts to rest at the same time...Well, one ghost. Cynthia's ghost. The reason he'd quit space. The people of Coventry Base definitely didn't want him there. Except for Candace, who was definitely in the minority. They'd found shelter there for a reason, and they were more afraid of the werewolf hunter than they would ever be of a werewolf. Then the nightmares began, and the wolves of Coventry Base found that they were haunted by far more than just their curse. They were being haunted by Marquand's curse as well. The werewolf hunter had become the werewolves' only hope for salvation, but Marquand's only hope for salvation was in one woman with no hope, and another who didn't even know she existed.

Review:

St. Martin's Moon by Mark Vun Kannon takes werewolves to the moon. The premise behind this story is that a werewolf should be unable to change on the moon as there is never a full moon in the sky to trigger the metamorphosis. But then, a werewolf killing occurs on the moon and an ex-military werewolf hunting specialist is called in to answer the how, what, when, where and why's of this unusual situation. Major Marquand has skeletons of his own in the closet. He is suffering from a case of PTSD due to the gruesome loss of his partner and lover several years before on the moon. Because of this, he really has no wish to go to the moon again but the case is to intriguing to pass up.

The story takes us through the odd behaviours of the moon colonists, who are definitely hiding something, and Major Marquand's surreal ghostly nightmares. As such, I found the story slightly disjointed. The sections of 'wolfspeak', if that is what they were, never fully explained who was doing the speaking. It seemed to me that it was meant to be wolves speaking mind to mind but the wolf names never coincided with any of the colonists and as such I was unable to relate the conversations to the story. They also were written almost like a chat room, with people leaving the conversation, so maybe it was meant to be a chat room dialogue instead. Aside from that, I found this to be an intriguing story.

The characters were likeable and well defined. The descriptions of the sports that they had invented upon the moon, using both the moons gravity and their extraordinary abilities, to alleviate the boredom of life on the moon were quite amusing. The setting, of a colony on the moon, peopled by werewolves in a self inflicted, secret, leper style colony was a novel take on the old theme of werewolves verses hunters.

On the whole, I applaud this take on the werewolf theme. This is a suitable story for fans of sci-fi and the paranormal alike. None of the scenes were particularly offensive and as such I feel this would also be a suitable read for a teenage reader of the sci-fi paranormal genre. Possibly, this story should even be marketed specifically to that category of reader. I enjoyed this story and it was fairly easy to read and absorb with only the dreamworld and the chat sections requiring some slight re-read. A fun read with a unique perspective Mr. Vun Kannon!

Paul Kane, The Adventures of Dalton Quayle

Title: The Adventures of Dalton Quayle

Author: Paul Kane

Rating: Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Mystery

Sub-Genre: Horror

Keywords: Mummies, Magic, Time Travel, Villains, Monsters

Page Count: 222

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-59426-404-7

Price: $4.99

ISBN for Print: 978-1-59426-447-4

Price: $12.95

Publisher: Mundania Press, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.mundania.com/book.php?title=The+Adventures+of+Dalton+Quayle

Reviewer: Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

Re-join famous detectives, adventurers and general rum-goings-on putter-stopperers Dalton Quayle and his sidekick Dr. Humphrey Pemberton as they embark on some of their best, and most loved, investigations from the past decade.

Thrill as they face giant carnivorous worms and fiercely vicious monster sheep; marvel as they visit far-off lands such as the Island of Haintithot and the sandy dunes of Egypt, coming across magical stones which can summon demons and a Mummy out to take over the world; gasp in disbelief as our heroes set sail to find the legendary lost city of Matalantis -- by way of the fishy village of Outsmouth -- and get saddle-sore in the Wild West as they attempt to put a stop to a devilish time traveling scheme; then, witness the dead coming back to life as the pair tackle their most dangerous foes yet -- ones which simply cannot be killed!

Villains, monsters, twisted conundrums, they’re all in here: In the very finest Adventures of Dalton Quayle (as previously noted down on the memoirs of Dr. Pemberton and subsequently published in Strump magazine).

From the fevered imagination of award-winning author Paul Kane (FunnyBones, Arrowhead, The Lazarus Condition, The Hellraiser Films and their Legacy) comes a collection of stories that will make you laugh, cry (with laughter), then laugh some more. Humorous horrors to brighten the day of even the most discerning genre connoisseur.

Review:

The Adventures of Dalton Quayle by Paul Kane was a well written and amusing collection of adventures. The adventures seem to take place in an alternative England of possibly the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. There are carriages and housekeepers, private doctors and the beginnings of flight. There is where similarities part ways. In Kane’s England mummies and zombies walk, there are giant partially sentient worms, Atlantis is bent on world domination and there is the distinct chance of a mauling by were-sheep if you happen to be wandering the dales under the light of the full moon.

Dalton Quayle and his sidekick Dr. Humphrey Pemberton have a Sherlock Holmes type relationship. Mr. Quayle solves the mysteries while Dr. Pemberton tags along, misunderstands everything and finally writes it all up into memoires (once it all has been sufficiently explained to him). The stories are full of puns and movie references which are quite amusing and would appeal to avid readers of Pratchett or Anthony. I also think that being short tales, this would be a suitable read for a tween. There are some off color puns within the stories but nothing more than one might find in a Shrek cartoon. Of the tales, my own favourite was Dalton Quayle and the Curse of King Tuti Fruiti. It was the longest tale, I think, and contained many references to the Mummy movies.

The book has an appealing layout. The cover is very attractive and gives that old leather diary feel. On the whole, it is a fun collection of tales to peruse. Personally, I enjoyed how many correlations I could make between references within the adventures to various movies, books and actual history that may have inspired each tale. The banter between the characters also had a silly light-hearted feel which Paul Kane ended just as it got to be a bit too much each time. On the whole, for a short, amusing bit of fun, I would definitely recommend The Adventures of Dalton Quayle.

Karen Dales, Shadow of Death: Book Two of The Chosen Chronicles

Title: Shadow of Death: Book Two of the Chosen Chronicles

Author: Karen Dales

Rating: Siren's Best Book Stone

Genre: Horror

Sub-Genre: Paranormal Fiction, Urban Fantasy

Keywords: Vampires, Angels

Word Count: 110,000

ISBN for Print: 978-0-9867633-2-8

Price: $24.95

Publisher: Dark Dragon Publishing

Buy-Link: http://www.darkdragonpublishing.com/shadowofdeath.html

Reviewer: Rhonda J. Callum-King

Tagline: Death is the beginning. Life is the shadow.

Blurb/Summary:

Released from more than one hundred years of revenge, the Angel of Death is no longer a tool for the Grand Council of the Chosen. He is finally free to return to a semblance of a life with Father Paul Notus. Haunted by nightmares of his past misdeeds and failings the Angel wants nothing more than to be left alone. It is across the Atlantic, in a foreign country, that he joins Notus, taking up the mantle once more as a protector in a land where those who would see him dead have flourished. Corbie Vale has not forgotten what the Angel has done. His own burning need to see the Angel humiliated and Destroyed sets into motion a carefully seeded plan despite warnings of greater retribution. Now in Corbie’s territory, the Angel’s sword becomes the lure to a trap, one that changes the Angel by giving him what he never dreamed of – mortality.

Review:

The next instalment in Karen Dales’ must read The Chosen Chronicles, is as impressive as the first. This tale picks up the story of Angel and Notus almost more than a century after the tragic loss of Angel’s Jeanie to the vampires. The Angel has completed his mission in Europe and now must follow Notus on an ill advised trip to Canada. Undeterred by pleadings from the master and mistress of England, Notus and Angel plunge headlong into the vampire held new world. The Angel risks all, in order that Notus may fulfill his dream of showing his own original illuminations from centuries ago.

We will meet some new characters in the Shadow of Death and come to a better understanding of what exactly the Angel is. I do not wish to spoil the surprise; however there are some unusual developments within Shadow of Death regarding the Angel’s, shall we say, evolution on his path towards his final metamorphosis. Old Gods and modern practitioners of the old religion introduce new facets to an already novel tale of an albino vampire that can’t tolerate steel or water crossings.

This is a fabulous story, well conceived and illustrated in such a way that the reader will not put it down until they’ve completed it. The cliff hanger will leave you begging for the next instalment and while there is not as much humour to be found within part two, the tragedy has escalated. You cannot miss with Karen’s book. You will love it. If you haven’t read the first one yet, start there and then you too will be waiting impatiently for book number three. This is the kind of story that leaves you both begging for more and hoping that the next one won’t be the finale because you can’t quite bear for it to end. Another wonderful job Karen!

Roberta Gellis, Alinor

Title: Alinor

Author: Roberta Gellis

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Historical Romance

Keywords: Medieval, Blush

Length: Super Plus-Size Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1419931642

Price: $7.99

ISBN for Print:

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

Buy-Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9085-alinor.aspx

Reviewer: Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

Roselynde Chronicles, Book Two

Now alone, despite her exquisite beauty, Lady Alinor is physically and emotionally deprived of love—until her amorous desires are stirred by the dark, sensuous Lord Ian de Vipont. Trapped in a maze of treacherous power plays and volatile liaisons, she is irresistibly swept into an intoxicating passion for a man whose forbidden love promises only pain and peril. A strong-willed woman desperate in her quest for love,Alinor will not heed even the most torturous obstacles in her path.

From the brutal battlegrounds of France to the rich pageantry of English courts, Alinor’s turbulent adventures and romantic passions weave a breathtaking tale of danger and desire.

Publisher’s Note: Previously published elsewhere.

Review:

Alinor by Roberta Gellis is a unique view of the courts and life in England during the rule of the infamous King John, Lackland. While this book is promoted as a passionate romance, I believe it should be seen more as an historical novel with some romance woven into it. This in no way detracts from the tale of the Lady Alinor and Sir Ian. However, Alinor is more the story of the English courts and politics during the rule of King John, Lackland.

In Roberta Gellis’ novel, the premise is taken that King John was actually a very astute and intelligent ruler. In the many versions of Robin Hood, Prince John is often seen as a usurper who only wants tax monies. Here, in Alinor, he is portrayed as a king who was left a bankrupt kingdom and while still rather lecherous, was certainly not the worst that England had to offer at the time.

The romantic scenes between Alinor and Ian are few and far between. What fills the pages of Alinor is the pageantry, deceitfulness and corruption of the English courts during the rules of Kings Richard and John. This is a story of knights, bandits in the woods and licentious court followers. Roberta Gellis has created a love story of the ilk of Robin Hood, set just a few years later, under the rule of the loathsome King John. Read Alinor if you are looking for a story along the lines of the Sherwood Forest tales and you will be pleased.