Die to Fight Another Day

     Ezekiel (Zeke) Watson left his girlfriend behind as he escaped certain death from his employers, the Tic a black-market cartel. The Tic battles the Overseers, some call them the government, for control of water. Nearly dead from being chased, Zeke stumbles on the property of a bar. But, it’s not any bar; it’s the bar at the end of the world.

Abrahams first novel in The Watchers series, The Bar at the End of the World is an odd mix of post-apocalyptic, dystopian, and paranormal. He does an excellent job of blending the genres to create a fascinating tale of redemption. I’ve never read anything like it, nor have I seen any other books of a similar nature.

Zeke’s character was well developed and while not the nicest person on the planet, he was relatable. The storyline is full of surprises and takes you through a maze. There is even one big ‘gotcha’ twist that makes you want to start all over from the beginning to see if you can pick up on the clues.

5 out of 5 stars.

Victory but at what price?

The Traxx family just cannot seem to shake the continued attacks from the Vultures even after more than 75 years. A final showdown is coming. Varan and Caleb who were abducted as children into slavery as fighters for entertainment meet Freya, a slave girl who has a destiny intertwined with theirs.

Parker’s third novel in The Path of Ashes series, Dark Embers, follows both sides of the Traxx family. Nothing is as it seems and many will die. This is the final chapter to what began as grandfather Aiden’s bedtime story.

Again, I am not a fan of the paranormal or lizard people. But, that did not stop me from enjoying the struggles of the Traxx family as told by Parker. He does indeed spin a good tale.

4 out of 5 stars.

The Very Definition of Love

Ren Lewis has evolved so much from the first book. He has found love and will do anything to keep it – forever. It’s life as usual at The Lucidites Institute even though they are still recovering from an apocalyptic event. Ren feels that he has done more than his share to keep the world safe and that it is time to pass the torch. Can he really walk away from his work, his family, and his friends?

Noffke’s fourth and final book in the Ren series, Ren: The Monster’s Death, draws to conclusion the story of Ren Lewis. It has been a wonderful ride. Even though he is a character in many of her other books, Ren’s stories will be dearly missed.

This book is shows more than anything else what true love is and what one man will do to keep it alive. I’ve never liked Ren’s lady love, Dahlia, but I’ve never wished her any harm either. What I didn’t realize was the depth to which Ren loved her.

A well-written and edited book by Noffke. A great addition to the Ren collection.

5 out of 5 stars.

Love Transcends All Time

Tinley Hall has taken a near fatal fall down the stairs of her home. While she is in the hospital in a coma she experiences an unworldly meeting with a ghost at her home. Is she dead or is she in the in-between? And, when she falls in love with her ghostly companion will she want to return to the land of the living or stay with him?

Hagan’s latest novel, The Haunting of Tinley Hall is a sweet paranormal romance. The story is told from Tinley’s perspective. And, through her thought processes we learn a great deal about the young woman she is becoming.

I am not a fan of paranormal or romances. But, because Hagan is such a talented author I agreed to review this book. It is well written and edited. The story is clean and crisp.

5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book for free from the author for review consideration. This in no way affected my opinion of the book, or the content of my review.

A New Reality

Beth259201 has escaped FERTS but lost those she sought to find on the outside. Now, alone in the wilderness she must battle the elements and the demons of her mind. Will she find those that she seeks? And, if so, will they welcome her into their camp?

Hudson’s second novel in the FERTS series, The Rogue Thread, follows 201 as she finds herself ill-equipped to deal life outside of FERTS. Meanwhile, the new Pinnacle Officer is implementing his plans for FERTS. And, those plans will directly conflict with 201’s freedom.

A little over half of this book follows 201’s adventures out in the wilderness. The pace is exceptionally slow and I had to push myself to finish the book. I’m glad I did as the second half was so much better. That being said I did find Officer Reno’s transformation hard to believe.

3 out of 5 stars.

The Lewis Family Vacation

 

Ren Lewis is in a living hell. He’s on vacation with his family and girlfriend. Ren doesn’t do vacation. Anything and everything that can go wrong for him does so. It’s comical and sad at the same time.  Will Ren just survive or will he grow in character from the experience?

Noffke’s novella, Ren: The Monster’s Adventure (A Ren Novella, #3.5), is in response to overwhelming requests from Ren fans. And, boy, does Noffke deliver! Ren’s character has been evolving throughout this entire series. But, he has not lost his British snark.

This novella is a surprising departure from the other Ren novels. The entire focus is on the vacation and family away from the Institute or other dream travelers. It also sets the stage for book four. I can’t wait for it to be published.

5 out of 5 stars.

Will Ren Lewis Transform or Die?

Ren Lewis isn’t a man that shows emotion or even allows himself to feel. He has built a wall around himself. Now, not only does he find that out that he has a daughter, she is pregnant with his grandchild. Neither is he prepared to embrace. And, an evil enchantress, Vivian, is out to make Ren her own. She is his intellectual equal on many levels. Will these events destroy him or will Ren evolve?

Noffke’s final installment in the Ren series, Ren: The Monster Inside The Monster, delivers the most heart wrenching story of all. It is a masterful conclusion filled with a rollercoaster of emotions. Noffke eloquently conveys how Ren struggles with new realizations about himself. But, don’t worry, he doesn’t lose his snark.

As much as I hated that Ren’s series has come to an end, it was written in the best way possible. Noffke has out done herself. I’m certain that we will see the redheaded Brit pop up from time to time in her other novels.

5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book for free from the author for review consideration. This in no way affected my opinion of the book, or the content of my review.

Human Experimentation vs. Free Will

Faith Elaina lives a lonely life with no friends or family in one of the richest areas of the city. She’s a news reporter and jumps at the chance given to her by the former head professor of Advance Industries to expose illegal human experimentation. When she meets the mysterious and handsome Kye, she begins to question her reality. Will her suppressed memories provide the answers?

Duggsy’s first novel in the Advance Industries series, Advance, is set in a dystopian future controlled by Advance Industries. It is a relatively short book and a quick read. The story is told from several different points of view which became laborious, especially in the second half of the book. The author goes into so much detail with each person’s thoughts that I eventually started skimming over them.

This is a good story and goes on to show that free will is strong in all of us. Unlike so many dystopian novels being churned out today this one is not about a teenage girl saving the world. In fact, this woman is the one who has to be saved. It also points out that who is good and who is evil is not always cut and dry.

3 out of 5 stars.

I received this book for free from the author for review consideration. This in no way affected my opinion of the book, or the content of my review.

Roya’s Battles Continue, Both Personal & Professional

Roya Stark can’t catch a break. She’s defeated Zhuang and he’s back stronger than ever. She’s rescued Dr. Aiden Livingston, one of the young men she loves, from the Voyageurs, a rival Dream Traveler sect. Trey reveals that he is hers and Joseph’s, her twin, father. And, now, Chase, a devilishly handsome Voyageur, wants to claim her for his bride. Just another day in the life of a Lucidite.

Noffke’s third and final installment in The Lucidites Series, Revived, packs a lot of action. All of the supporting characters return to help Roya with yet another battle or two. The only battle they cannot help her with is the ongoing struggle within her heart. She continues to go from pillar to post, from George to Aiden, unable to finalize a decision. Will Chase tear her love from both of them?

This novel comes full circle and answers all of the questions that I’ve had from the beginning. It also is the saddest of the series with scenes that took me by surprise. Thankfully, the ending is as I had hoped. Therefore, I am content.

5 out of 5 stars.

Do the Lucidites ask to much of Roya?

Roya Stark fought the battle of her life saving the Lucidites and herself from the monster Zhuang. Finding the Lucidites full of secrets and possible lies she is ready to leave the Institute and start a new life with her pseudo parents. But, the Institute and the Lucidites are not done with her and her powers just yet. Why does everything have to be so hard? And, why is she the answer to everything wrong in the Lucidite world?

Noffke’s second novel in The Lucidites Series, Stunned, picks up with Roya anxiously counting the days before she will leave the Institute for good. She has been overwhelmed with revelations about her life and seeks the comfort afforded to her by Bob and Steve, her pseudo parents. Her life has her torn between two very different young men of whom she both loves.

Roya’s character continues to develop as she grows into her new role as a member of the Dream Traveler society. Every bit the typical teenaged girl exploring her emotions and sometimes being a brat, or a prat as Ren would call her. The war between the Lucidites and another faction of Dream Travelers again tests and expands her abilities.

This book is very fast paced and a rollercoaster of emotions. I actually found it more enjoyable than the first book in this series. Again, this is not my genre, but I am willing to stretch my mind and go all the way to the end.

5 out of 5 stars.