A Halloween Homicide by David W. Robinson

My thoughts on number three of the series:

A Halloween Homicide is a fast paced whodunit that keeps you reading on. I thought I had worked out most of the details quite early on but …I was wrong! Things happened that I wasn’t expecting. As with the first two STAC mysteries the plot, when revealed, seems very believable. Joe is becoming grumpier as the series goes on, so continuing to find him a likeable character was harder than with the other two of the series that I’ve read. Joe’s interaction with the cops is, at times, a treat and D.W. Robinson’s turn of phrase is continually entertaining.I've enjoyed all three mysteries but this one a little bit less than the other two- though it is still a great read.

Breath of Africa by Jane Bwye

Breath of Africa by Jane Bwye- My thoughts on it. 

Jane Bwye writes beautifully evocative descriptions of the Kenyan landscape. The heat and dust got to me quite easily as I learned about Kenya in the late 1960s and early 1970s – bringing back vague memories of the Kenyatta period as reported in the newspapers of the era. Lasting and loving relationships of different kinds are explored within the book, some tragic and some happier- racial and cultural differences having a huge bearing on the success of such bondings. The theme of tribal curses runs through the novel but is not depicted in great depth, though the effects on those who believe in a curse are long lasting and poignant. The dilemma of the born and bred in Kenya ‘whites’, who want to remain after independence, is sensitively portrayed.

Soul Taker by Karen Michell Nutt

My thoughts on Soul Taker:

I really enjoyed the fact that this was not just another vampire/paranormal story. The way the author wove in traditional elements of the ‘sidhe’ made it a more interesting read, the characters all very likeable (except perhaps Alexander). There’s a good, constant pace throughout and the theme of the soul thief is an interesting one, the characters nicely developed. 

The story was well- written though I did note a few editing errors which halted the flow of my reading. 

The Sigil of Ahriman

Familiarise Friday Features presents The Sigil of Ahriman by Steve K. Smy to you. 

The Sigil of Ahriman, Part 3 of G1: The Guardians, relates how the elite G1 team, despite being decimated by the closing conflict of their last mission (Evil Under The Circle), are called upon to again take the field against a powerful evil.  An ancient artefact has been stolen by an unknown individual.  An artefact with the potential to bring the dark god, Ahriman, back into the world.  And if Ahriman does return, all humanity will be enslaved – or destroyed.  This is the ultimate power of the Sigil of Ahriman!

With their thinned ranks filled by inexperienced members of the Guardians, G1, under the leadership of Kate Wellesley and Matt Carter, and with the Lama Bradhiman Thom as ally and advisor, leave their secret headquarters for the north of England.  It would seem that their chances are slim at best.  Will Bradhiman be the difference maker?  Will the mysterious enemy content himself with unlocking only part of the power of the Sigil?  Only one thing is certain: G1 are on a mission unlike any before it, and they are at their weakest.

The Sigil of Ahriman is currently available as an ebook for Kindle from all Amazon stores (Amazon Ref. B00D2O61XG).  It will be released as a paperback shortly, through skoobebooks.

Also available in this series: Shade of Evil and Evil Under The Circle.

 

Steve K Smy was born in Ipswich, Suffolk - a picturesque part of England. He has lived virtually his whole life there. He started writing for pleasure when he was 13 years old. He returned to it seriously in February 2012, following a long illness. Since then, he has written and published (in ebook form) several short stories, four novelettes and has been working on a major fantasy novel.

He has written and published (as ebooks) stories in three series: the "Thief" series of fantasy short stories, the horror/future fiction "G1: The Guardians" series (two novelettes, to date) and the science fiction "Captain Henri Duschelle Stories" (a short story and two novelettes). The first novelette in each of the last two series has now been published in paperback - contact the author for details.

Mr Smy is also a blogger with a growing readership.

Find Steve at the following places:

Imagineer eBooks blog
Imagineer on facebook
Twitter: @SteveKSmyAuthor

Amazon.com Author Page

Steve's writing:

Short Story eBooks:

Skylord             To Sail The Dark Sea             In Night's Shadows

Seelie Heiress   Thief              Gabrin: The Avatar            Ur'gavan

Intruder             The Guild

Novelette eBooks:

Shade of Evil (Smashwords, also available from all Amazon sites)

For the Sake of Mercy (Smashwords, also available from all Amazon sites)

The Ossilan Affair (Smashwords, also available from all Amazon sites)

Evil Under The Circle (Available from all Amazon sites - search ASIN B00CA74SX6)

Novelettes in Paperback:

For the Sake of Mercy (skoobebooks Book Store only)

The Ossilan Affair (skoobebooks Book Store only)

Shade of Evil (FeedARead only)

Thanks for appearing on Familiarise Friday Features today, Steve. Best wishes with sales of all of your writing.

Slainthe! 

Welcome Wednesday Features has  Margo Hoornstra's latest novel Night Stars and Mourning Doves for you.



Elyse Monroe may be her sister's maid of honor, but that doesn't mean she has to follow the bride's example and fall in love. Battle-scarred and weary from previous relationships, she has no desire to take a chance on another--no matter how many hints her little sister drops about the best man.

Devastating life events have taken a toll on Eric Matthews. After losing his wife and unborn daughter, he's come home to heal. Serving as best man at his kid brother's wedding is the only relationship he cares to contemplate--no matter how attractive the maid of honor.
Thrown together again and again by wedding duties, Elyse and Eric reluctantly agree to explore a possible relationship--only to have their casual date turn into a glorious night of passion. Can two hearts, convinced a happily ever after will never happen, recognize love when it finds them?

Buy from:

 The Wild Rose Press

Amazon

 Here's a little about Margo Hoornstra:

My personal history in a nutshell is pretty simple. I’m a wife to one; mother to four—seven if you count in-law children which I do—and grandmother to four so far.

My work experience includes public relations specialist, magazine editor, television producer, and script and speech writer. I’m also a founding member of Mid-Michigan Romance Writers of America.

Find Margo at these places:

  Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads  

Here's a little taste of Night Stars and Mourning Doves...

“Remodeling your home to accommodate Jay and me. Isn’t that a little extreme?”

Lips pursed, he shook his head. “Your mother and I have talked about adding on for years. Anyway, whatever we put into this house should increase its value eventually.” Setting aside the paper once and for all, his expression mellowed as he regarded his son. “Helping you out is helping us out.”

“It’s nice to hear you say that. And I want you to know I do appreciate what you’re doing for us. Especially Jay.”

“Losing your mother at any age is tough,” he replied as he stood. “It’s gotta be especially devastating when you’re as young as my grandson. He still needs someone to care for him like a mother, and Iris is more than up to the task.”

“She is that,” Eric began, then made himself quit talking.

Hard to admit, but he wanted someone to care for him, or at least listen when he needed them to. It wasn’t easy to look for a woman when you’re mortally injured and still require time to heal. Right now, it seemed all the time in the world would never make him whole again.

More about Buy The Book Tours: 

 http://buythebooktours.blogspot.com/2013/06/night-stars-and-mourning-doves-by-margo.html#ixzz2VzMRm

Thank you for featuring today, Margo,  and my best wishes with your tour! 

Slainthe!

---

Here's a Monday Moments excerpt for you from Christine Warner's Bachelor's Special.

Her body hummed as his smile wavered. Although he wore sunglasses, she’d bet her last dollar his gaze swept across her chest, lingering on the betrayal of her pert nipples pushing against the fabric of her suit.

Until this moment, shyness had never been a trait she possessed. Air stalled in her lungs, her palms grew sweaty, and she itched to cover herself with a towel. Even though her replica vintage swimsuit hid more than most sets of women’s underwear, she felt too exposed. She turned to the side slightly and folded her legs up. Not that it helped, but it made her feel a bit less exposed. Chet slid his feet from his sandals, brushing a hand through his hair. The heat from the sun wasn’t the only thing scorching her skin. She trickled several droplets of water over her arms, but she couldn’t drag her focus from his toned flesh.

Jill soaked in his ripped abs and the obvious package of goodies covered by his brown swimsuit—the same sexy brown as his hair. Damn, did a man have a right to fill out a pair of swimming trunks like that? Flecks of hair, just enough to give him a manly appeal, covered the etched muscles of his long, tan legs. She licked her lips, hoping she could still speak.

“Do you want some privacy?” Yes, say yes. She needed an excuse to make an escape without coming off like someone desperate to be making an exit.

* * * * *
Hell no, he didn’t want privacy. Through the shield of his sunglasses, he inspected her body from the tips of her pink-painted toenails to the top of her brightly flowered swimming cap. Did people still actually wear those things?

“No, you look comfortable. Stay and enjoy the day.”

“Oh…are you sure?”

“Sure.”

Amazed at his own ability to talk without his tongue hitting the cement, Chet turned to throw his towel and sunglasses on a nearby lounge chair. Damn.

The red and white polka-dot halter-style suit featured a tight bodice, but her slender hips and shapely thighs hiding beneath a matching skirt grabbed his attention until all oxygen left his blood. Even showing less skin than the average girl on the beach, she far exceeded sexy and alluring.

Get a grip, Castle. She’s off limits, no matter how delectable. He turned and stepped onto the diving board. He bounced along the surface as he made his way over the water. When he looked at Jill’s bathing cap covering her head, he held back his grin. The neon rubber flowers reminded him of something his grandmother would’ve worn, but there the similarity ended. Everything beneath that cap was far from making him think of Grandma.

• Christine's Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
• Two Timing the Boss on Amazon | Barnes & Noble
• Publisher: Indulgence Line - Entangled Publishing