"Writing on the Wall" by Tracey Ward (5 Stars)

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Writing on the Wall

Book #1, Survival Series

by Tracey Ward

Genre: Dystopian/Zombies!/YA Romance

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I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and I am delighted to be able to give Writing on the Wall 5 stars. And on Thanksgiving, no less!

Joss has been on her own for 6 years. She's watched everyone she ever cared about die tragically in a world decimated by an outbreak that turned human beings into actual zombies. She's done pretty good for herself, living by a survivor's code that has kept her alive - including not getting attached, not hooking up with other survivors, and not helping people in need.

Until Ryan.

Everything is upside down, all because of him. Her hard shell is cracking and she's in more danger than she's ever been before. From wolves, from gangs, from the Colonies. The zombies were the least of these worries until one of the Colonies falls. Now they're everywhere again and Joss has made herself vulnerable by writing on a wall to a boy she shouldn't care about and that's when it happens.

...I'm not going to tell you what happens, you're going to have to read it for yourself and have a blast doing it! Once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down!!

Check it out at Goodreads and then get your own at amazon.

"Rogue Hunter: Dark Space" by Kevis Hendrickson (5 Stars)

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Rogue Hunter: Dark Space

Book #2, Rogue Hunter Series

by Kevis Hendrickson

Genre: Sci-fi/Urban Fantasy in Space!

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I also read and reviewed the first book in this series, Inquest, which you can find HERE.

We join our favorite deep space bounty hunter, Zyra Zanr, soon after the events in the first book, Inquest. In an ironic twist, she's been captured by a team of bounty hunters who want to turn her in for a hefty profit with not a care for the inevitable outcome Zyra will face- certain gruesome death. But it's not going to be easy turning this mark in. Especially after a violent beat-down that will seal the fate of every man and woman on board the dilapidated ship, Lilith.

This adventure takes place entirely in space. It's a tale of revenge and therefore is much darker and nastier than the first book as we get a look at the kind of experiences that Zyra faces and how she struggles to survive. You'll get to see how each decision, past and present, has a consequence and how every choice changes her.

You don't have to read the first book to enjoy this one, I think, but it will help to get an understanding of some of the references that lead up to Zyra's capture (and the intense hatred by one of her captors).

I would highly recommend this book to lovers of sci-fi, urban fantasy, and overall readers of a dark, well-written novel.

Want to know more? Check it out on Goodreads and then scoop up your own copy at amazon. Like music with your read? Try out this soundtrack specifically created for Rogue Hunter: Inquest - Details at the author's website. (I have the soundtrack and it's a-mazing! I gave the soundtrack 5 stars at amazon - see it HERE.)

"TATS" by James S. Hoch (3 Stars)

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TATS

by James S. Hoch

Genre: Horror

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Ye Olde Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Dr. Burk Franks is a dermatologist with a big problem. He tried to help the wrong person.

Her name is Riley and she got a bad tattoo. A really bad tattoo. She's desperate for Burk to remove the mistake, but it's not the design she's willing to carve out of her own flesh, it's the ink used to do it.

So begins a harrowing dive into the unknown. Street kids, gang bangers and unfortunate victims become the guinea pigs for human trials of a chemical agent that turns the recipients into giggling, murderous psychotics with the ability to infiltrate the minds of others, often with catastrophic, head exploding results.

The purpose? Weaponization, of course!

My copy of "TATS" has some formatting errors and a couple of instances of wrong names used, and at times it felt like some of the personalities didn't have distinct voices. I also got to wondering if the author loves Aliens as much as I do, because I caught no less than 2 phrases Bill Paxton made famous in that movie, hmmmm.

You'll find lots of cursing (which doesn't bother me any and I felt fit the atmosphere- I only mention because the author kindly warned me so I will extend his thoughtful gesture to you, the buyer/reader), decapitation (what's a little beheading among friends?), super strong and super psycho teens (and a really nasty cockfighter named Razor), ineffective peace keepers, and a whole lot of erotic tattoo rubbing.

The concept of this story is definitely not something I have seen before and I look forward to reading more of what this author has to offer. So saddle up, but stay away from the 'special sauce'. ;)

Would you like to learn more? Check out "Tats" at Goodreads and then get a copy of your own at amazon.com.

"Faust 2.0" by Michael Brookes (5 Stars)

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Faust 2.0

Morton & Mitchell #1

by Michael Brookes

Genre: Horror

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and here it is. This book was brilliant. Ok, ok, so sure, I may not have understood half the technical jargon used but it sounded plausible to the point where I had little trouble believing that the damage caused could really happen. That was enough for me.

In Faust 2.0, an intelligence (I won't say what) is wielding the internet like a claymore and no one is safe! You can't hide from technology. It's everywhere, everyone uses it and this intelligence is manipulating people and circumstances, fabricating lies and instigating acts of terror, all through internet connectivity. And of course, by preying on the greed and pain of human beings.

It has a plan. The selections have been made. It is granting desires in exchange for a favor. A favor within the power of the individual to grant, to be named at a later date...

Michael Brookes has done an excellent job with this book, laying bare the weaknesses of the people involved in this story. We see vulnerability, fear, sacrifice and sin; and we see how easily we can be destroyed, with just a few key strokes and the will to do it.

That's pretty scary if you ask me.

If you'd like to learn more, check out "Faust 2.0" at goodreads or the author's website, and then you can buy your own copy at amazon!

"The Strong Brain" by Nathan Yocum (4 Stars)

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The Strong Brain

by Nathan Yocum

Genre: Horror

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I received a copy of "The Strong Brain" for review and I was at first drawn in by the cover art, which looks like a dime store comic. Very cool approach. Next, I was engrossed in the stirring imagery the author painted on every page, not always an easy task when so much of what's going on is happening in the minds of the characters.

Simon Craig is drinking himself to death; he has a mind that shuts out nothing. His world is a nightmare of drug abuse, psych wards, and alcoholism - not great when you're also passing as a private detective. But when he takes a case that is more than he thought it was, things quickly spiral out of his control altogether.

Enter Damsel. She's an assassin but not by her choosing. She's a puppet with no memories of her past before she became so, and her life is a violent, psychotic episode. When she's not on a mission of death dealing, she's trapped in a mental prison of torture and abuse.

When these two unfortunate souls come together, they find themselves on the run from Damsel's puppeteer. A man with a mind unlike anything Simon has experienced before.

Want to learn more? Check it out at Goodreads and then pick up your own copy at amazon today!

"Pallitine Rising" by Roderick Davidson (4 Stars)

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Pallitine Rising

Book #1, Pallitine's Path
by Roderick Davidson

Genre: Fantasy

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and I really love the cover art, first of all! Very striking.

The book begins with an encounter, a fight for life between four Pallitines (an Order of noble Knights) and a fire-spitting wyrm, where the outcome figures greatly later on. Then next we meet Taryn, a girl living at the bottom of the barrel in the worst part of the city until she flees and runs into a Pallitine who will offer her the chance to become so much more.

Sometimes the story jumps ahead in weeks or years, which I can appreciate though it can be a little jarring, as Taryn learns how to become a Pallitine. Trust is hard for her to give and she must suffer through injury and betrayal on her journey to becoming vetted, with intrigue and loss close to hand.

Roderick Davidson did a fantastic job keeping my attention, which isn't easy for me when it comes to fantasy books these days, and I am greatly looking forward to more from him in the future!

Find it on Goodreads and then buy your copy on amazon today!

"A Note Below" by Andrew Butcher (4 Stars)

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A Note Below

A Lansin Island Short Story

by Andrew Butcher

Genre: Paranormal Mystery

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I received a copy of this short story along with the first two books in the series, A Death Displaced and A Body Displaced.

This was a good old fashioned ghost story set in the Lansin Island 'verse, about a family man whose life takes a strange turn when his dog starts hiding at the top of their lighthouse home. Readers of the series will get to visit with an 'old' friend, who may or not be able to help skeptic Gavin Locke.

The ending was sweet and sad and I can't tell you more than that - you'll have to get your own copy! =D

You can find out more at Goodreads, or just pick it up for yourself at Amazon. It's FREE!