Review ~ Final Girls by Riley Sager

Title: Final Girls

Author: Riley Sager
Copyright: 2017
Type:  Suspense/Thriller
Pages: 342
Series: no

Reason for Reading: 

I heard on the Bookriot that it was an interesting read and I thought it was one I should check out. 

Summary:

"The Final Girls need you. . . .  The Final Girls are tough, everything survivors should be.  But the new threat is clever, ominous, even closer than you suspect. You are about to gasp. You might drop the book. You may have to look over your shoulder. But you must keep reading.  This is the best book of 2017."—Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author of Find Her

Ten years ago, college student Quincy Carpenter went on vacation with five friends and came back alone, the only survivor of a horror movie–scale massacre. In an instant, she became a member of a club no one wants to belong to—a group of similar survivors known in the press as the Final Girls. Lisa, who lost nine sorority sisters to a college dropout's knife; Sam, who went up against the Sack Man during her shift at the Nightlight Inn; and now Quincy, who ran bleeding through the woods to escape Pine Cottage and the man she refers to only as Him. The three girls are all attempting to put their nightmares behind them, and, with that, one another. Despite the media's attempts, they never meet.

Now, Quincy is doing well—maybe even great, thanks to her Xanax prescription. She has a caring almost-fiancé, Jeff; a popular baking blog; a beautiful apartment; and a therapeutic presence in Coop, the police officer who saved her life all those years ago. Her memory won’t even allow her to recall the events of that night; the past is in the past.

That is, until Lisa, the first Final Girl, is found dead in her bathtub, wrists slit, and Sam, the second, appears on Quincy's doorstep. Blowing through Quincy's life like a whirlwind, Sam seems intent on making Quincy relive the past, with increasingly dire consequences, all of which makes Quincy question why Sam is really seeking her out. And when new details about Lisa's death come to light, Quincy's life becomes a race against time as she tries to unravel Sam's truths from her lies, evade the police and hungry reporters, and, most crucially, remember what really happened at Pine Cottage, before what was started ten years ago is finished..

Thoughts:

This book surprised me. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. It constantly had me on guard and questioning what I thought I knew vs what I did know. I was definitely on the edge of my seat while reading it. There were constant twist and turns, some I expected while others completely took me by surprised. I have to say my favorite part is when Quincy flashes back to the night in the cabin when it all went horribly wrong. It was a mystery inside a thriller inside a mystery due to the flashbacks of the original crime and what is currently happening with the final girls. 

I have to say the twist and turns are what kept me on the edge of my seat. There were a few plot devices that I didn't care for but managed to overlook them due to the fantastic story and writing that comes with this books. It is one of the few books I read in 2017 that I can say I recommend with most of my conversations. 

Goodreads: 4 out of 5 stars

Would you recommend this book to others? I already have recommended this numerous times. 

Review ~ An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Title: An Ember in the Ashes

Author: Sabaa Tahir
Copyright: 2015
Type:  ya/dystopian
Pages: 453
Series: 

1. An Ember in the Ashes

2. A Torch Against the Night

3. A Reaper At the Gate

Reason for Reading: 

I heard on the Bookriot that it was an interesting read and I thought it was one I should check out. 

Summary:

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

Thoughts:

This book did the typical where the girl is a Mary Sue and the boy is a bad ass this fits the thing I like about it is the girl remain who she is she stays true to her and yet she doesn't she grows. And the bad ass well he doesn't want to be a bad ass he wants to be different. I liked it oddly enough I really enjoyed it sadly enough I really did. I read it in 2 days and I was shocked at how it kept me interested. The school was fascinating the trails Elias had to go through was more so. Laia grows into who she needs to be while at the same time realizing that maybe she is being taking advantage of the whole time you can't help but wondering if you got the twist right or if you are wrong. I had to say this was one I enjoyed it. The real question though is will I continue the series?

Goodreads: 3 out of 5 stars

Would you recommend this book to others? I have to say I enjoyed it enough that if I ran into someone who liked ya action themed books this would be a recommendation. 

Review ~ Yesterday by Felicia Yap

Title: Yesterday

Author: Felicia Yap
Copyright: 2017
Type:  Dystopian/Mystery/Fiction
Pages: 352
Series: no

Reason for Reading: 

I heard on the Bookriot that it was an interesting read and I thought it was one I should check out. 

Summary:

How do you solve a murder when you only remember yesterday?

Imagine a world in which classes are divided not by wealth or religion but by how much each group can remember. Monos, the majority, have only one day’s worth of memory; elite Duos have two. In this stratified society, where Monos are excluded from holding high office and demanding jobs, Claire and Mark are a rare mixed marriage. Clare is a conscientious Mono housewife, Mark a novelist-turned-politician Duo on the rise. They are a shining example of a new vision of tolerance and equality—until…

...a beautiful woman is found dead, her body dumped in England’s River Cam. The woman is Mark’s mistress, and he is the prime suspect in her murder. The detective investigating the case has secrets of his own. So did the victim. And when both the investigator’s and the suspect’s memories are constantly erased—how can anyone learn the truth?

Told from four different perspectives, that of Mark, Claire, the detective on the case, and the victim—Felicia Yap’s staggeringly inventive debut leads us on a race against an ever-resetting clock to find the killer. With the science-fiction world-building of Philip K. Dick and the twisted ingenuity of Memento , Yesterday is a thriller you’ll never forget..

Thoughts:

I have to say the whole premise was very interesting. What would life be like if you could only remember 1 day back or 2 days back at most? It hit on issues of segregation and bias of Duos being better and smarter then Monos. The hate between the 2 was very realistic and interesting. I have to say the mystery was also interesting and seeing it from a Mono detective who is pretending to be a Duo in order to keep his job. There is also a couple that is Mono and Duo married and how is that affected and how does it work. Then we have Sophia who can actually remember everything from age 23 on. And how does she fit into all of this. I had to say that I preferred seeing how the people lived and their everyday life with having 2 days of memories and 1 day of memories then I was about the actual mystery that is taking place. The world building was done very well with limited telling and more showing which I enjoyed. This book had a twist at the end that I didn't see coming and I have to say while that was interesting I enjoyed learning more about the people in the book and the characters then anything else. 

Goodreads: 3 out of 5 stars

Would you recommend this book to others? I enjoyed the concept and found the storyline interesting like how do Mono and Duo work. 

Review ~ The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Title: The Winner's Curse
Author: Marie Rutkoski

Copyright: 2014
Type:  YA, fantasty
Pages: 355
Series: yes

1. The Winner's Curse 

2. The Winner's Crime

3. The Winner's Kiss

Reason for Reading: 

First and foremost the cover is beautiful secondly it just sounded interesting and I couldn't pass it up. 

Summary:

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love...

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.  .

Thoughts:

This was one of those books that I didn't anticipate to be so good. I sat down and started reading it. I have to say I even rolled my eyes a few times at Kestrel and her typical story plot. Then the next thing I realized it was 11 pm and I had finished the book and was ordering the 2nd in the trilogy. I was completely blown away with not only the story but also how much I had come to care for the characters. I liked that Kestrel was strategically smart but not physically a warrior. I liked that she knew this and overcame her obstacle by using her mind and not bronze. I came to appreciate Arin and how he was, who he was, and how he came to be the person that Kestrel will eventually fall in love with. I love the fact that while it was a Romeo and Juliet it wasn't they both live in a world of choices and Kestrel and Arin are going to have to get past this and their past in order to make it in the future. I have to admit the ending and cliff hanger-ish kind of upset me but it did make me want to read the 2nd book and after all isn't that the point of an ending?

Goodreads: 4 out of 5 stars

Would you recommend this book to others? It took me by complete surprise I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. I ended up reading it in one night. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA fantasy.

Review ~ The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman

Title: The Zookeeper's Wife

Author: Diane Ackerman
Copyright: 2008
Type:  Historical Fiction/Biography
Pages: 384
Series: no

Reason for Reading: 

The movie was coming out and I thought I need to read this first. Sadly I never saw the movie nor did I finish the book before the movie went to DVD

Summary:

The New York Times bestseller: a true story in which the keepers of the Warsaw Zoo saved hundreds of people from Nazi hands.

After their zoo was bombed, Polish zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski managed to save over three hundred people from the Nazis by hiding refugees in the empty animal cages. With animal names for these "guests," and human names for the animals, it's no wonder that the zoo's code name became "The House Under a Crazy Star." Best-selling naturalist and acclaimed storyteller Diane Ackerman combines extensive research and an exuberant writing style to re-create this fascinating, true-life story—sharing Antonina's life as "the zookeeper's wife," while examining the disturbing obsessions at the core of Nazism.

Thoughts:

I enjoyed this book I really did. The story over all was very sad and I found that I was crying over the animals more then the people which doesn't speak very highly of me but alas the way that Antonina describes them and how she cared for them made me feel for them even more. I felt so bad about the animals and her son Rhys who every time he got attached to one it was killed. I also couldn't image what it was like for Antonia being pregnant at this whole time and during WW2. It was so stressful for her and this book got it across to the reader. The tension was off the chain in this book. The thing I didn't appreciate was the fact of it skipping around and it was definitely not written by Antonina it was a lot of guessing and filling in. This bothered me since Antonina kept a journal during the whole time so why didn't they take more of it and use it. I have to say though for the most part I enjoyed it and I would recommend it to anyone who wanted to know what it was like for Polish people during WW2. 

Goodreads: 3 out of 5 stars

Would you recommend this book to others? It wasn't what I was expecting but it was okay.

Review ~ The Real McCoys by Matthew Swanson & Robbi Behr

TOUR SCHEDULE and LINKS.http://www.jeanbooknerd.com/2017/09/the-real-mccoys-by-matthew-swanson.html

Synopsis 

Her name’s Moxie. Moxie McCoy.

Bold, opinionated, and haplessly self-confident, the world’s greatest fourth-grade detective faces her biggest challenge! When someone kidnaps beloved school mascot Eddie the Owl, Moxie is on the case—but she’s forced to fly solo now that her best friend (and crime-solving partner) has moved away.

Moxie must interview her classmates—both as potential new best friends and as possible suspects. She finds clues and points fingers but can’t save the owl on her own. Enter Moxie’s little brother, Milton. Quiet, cautious, and boring as a butter knife, he’s a good listener.

Can the Real McCoys form an unlikely alliance and solve the crime of the century?

Bursting with interactive illustrations on every page, Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr’s The Real McCoys delivers clever storytelling, laugh-out-loud humor, and heartwarming insight. This is the first book in a series.

REVIEW
I thought this book was really cute and something that really enjoyed! Moxie is in the fourth grade and she is a detective, she is on the hunt for who has kidnaped her school mascot Eddie the Owl. The relationship between the characters was enjoyable and I have to say the artwork was helpful in enjoying the story. I liked the whole book a lot and think it would be good for anyone who is looking for a cute mystery for the elementary to middle school ages. The mystery wasn't hard to figure out but it was an enjoyable to read none the less.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Praise for THE REAL MCCOYS
"Readers will breeze through this ingenious combination of text and art, eager for Moxie and Milton’s next case." —School Library Journal, starred review

"Swanson’s witty text is enhanced exponentially by Behr’s bold, original artwork to create a uniquely told whodunit with wide appeal ... An exceptional book." —Booklist, starred review

"An exceptional middle-grade read packed with giggles for young sleuths who love to explore a little off the beaten path." —Kirkus Reviews
"This clever, funny, delightful book is just what this crazy world needs. The surprising and inventive interaction between text and illustration shows that two brains are, indeed, better than one--especially when they belong to Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr." —Andrea Beaty, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ada Twist Scientist

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

WE LIVE AND WORK AND MAKE STUFF TOGETHER IN THE HAYLOFT OF AN OLD BARN ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND.

Combining Robbi’s illustrations and Matthew’s words, we run two small presses— Idiots’Books (illustrated picture books for adults) and Bobbledy Books, (a picture book and music club for kids). Together, we have published more than 60 volumes, including titles with Macmillan, Chronicle Books and LB Kids. We speak, teach, and run workshops on collaboration and creative entrepreneurship (with appearances at TEDx, Mom 2.0,Alt Summit, and ICON7). And we blog about our ongoing adventures in creative mishap.

ROBBI BEHR is an illustrator/print maker/commercial salmon fisherwoman who earned a BA from Williams College and an MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design. When she is not drawing stuff or eating ice cream or watching sappy late-90s chick movies, she is, in all likelihood, fast asleep.
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST |

MATTHEW SWANSON is a writer/art director/blues harmonica player who has so far failed in every attempt to be swashbuckling. He managed to secure a BA from Williams but was summarily rejected from every MFA program to which he applied—thus emboldening Robbi to remind him almost daily that he is a master of nothing.
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST |

Photo Content from Matthew Swanson ans Robbi Behr

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ENDS: December 8, 2017

Review ~ Black Goat Blues by Levi Black

​

TOUR SCHEDULE and LINKS.

http://www.jeanbooknerd.com/2017/09/cosplay-tour-black-goat-blues-by-levi.html

Synopsis 

In Red Right Hand, Charlie Tristan Moore was thrust into a nightmarish world of lurking Lovecraftian horrors when The Man In Black, a diabolical Elder God, chose her as his unwilling Acolyte. Discovering her own power, Charlie ultimately defied The Man In Black, but at a cost.

Now armed with a magic coat made from the skin of a flayed angel, Charlie is out to destroy The Man In Black and save her boyfriend Daniel--and she doesn't care how many bloodthirsty gods and monsters get in her way...

Review

I have to say this book surprised me. It is the second in a series and while the first would have helped to a point I didn't feel that I needed it. There was a moment that I couldn't understand the desire and the absolute need to be with Daniel but I figured it had to be because I missed the story in the first book.
Charlie is an interesting character that just won't quit. She is constantly after The Man In Black no matter what or who stands in her way. She isn't as bad ass as it appears and slowly builds up her powers pushing herself until she nearly dies in order to defeat this man. It is definitely something I admire about her at the same time I kept wanting to tell her to wait and take her time eventually she was going to get herself and those she cares about killed if she didn't slow down. The book shows different characters, Gods, and other places in the world I would have never thought about. It also reminded me of Dr. Strange with objects having personalities which I found amusing. 

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Praise for RED RIGHT HAND
Red Right Hand is a perfect blend of old-school horror and modern storytelling sorcery. Levi Black is absolutely riveting! ―Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Predator One and Deadlands: Ghostwalkers.

Visceral and creepy, Red Right Hand is a sincerely twisted tale that’s every bit as thrilling as it is macabre. ―Cherie Priest, bestselling author of Boneshaker and Maplecroft
A merge of horror and dark fantasy that will grab you by the throat! ―Faith Hunter, New York Times bestselling author of the Jane Yellowrock series.

Red Right Hand is a beautiful, terrifying nightmare of a book. Stylish and nerve-wracking, it held me constantly in an iron grip as I read it...and has yet to let me go. More, Levi Black! ―Nancy Holder, New York Times bestselling author of The Rules
Levi Black writes with bare knuckle confidence and a champion prizefighter’s skill. Red Right Hand is his first round combination that leaves you flat on the canvass, dazed and impressed. Get in the ring and be ready for battle. ―Nate Southard, author of Pale Horses and Will the Sun Ever Come Out Again?
Levi Black's Red Right Hand is visceral, violent, and sexy. This book has jaggedly-sharp humor, snappy patter and tight pacing that can literately leave you breathless at some points. It's crazy fun with unspeakable horrors! ―R.S. Belcher, author of Nightwise and The Six-Gun Tarot
Imagine that one of Lovecraft’s Great Old Ones showed up at your door and said, ‘You work for me now.’ That’s the premise of Red Right Hand, Levi Black’s grim and gory tale that takes urban fantasy into the darkest places of both the universe and the human heart. Riveting in both senses of the word: it grips your attention, and it feels like bolts punching through your flesh. ―Alex Bledsoe, author of Long Black Curl
Levi Black mixes deft characterization, vivid description, and H. P. Lovecraft’s cosmic horrors to create a thoroughly engaging urban fantasy. ―Richard Lee Byers, author of The Reaver and Blind Man’s Bluff
With Red Right Hand, Levi Black gives us an exciting, pulse-inducing mashup of Urban Fantasy and Lovecraftian Horror. Charlie Moore is a great entry into the pantheon of urban fantasy heroines, and The Man in Black is a Mythos character made even more terrifyingly real. I can't wait for the sequel. ―Gini Koch, author of the Alien/Katherine"Kitty" Katt series

Levi Black’s Red Right Hand is a perfect fusion of noir, action and horror. Urban decay, Lovecraftian madness and emotional desperation are only a few of the ingredients in the mix that powers this breakout novel. The engine on this beast is burning high-octane fuel and running hot. Highly recommended! ―James A. Moore, author of the Seven Forges Series and Alien: Sea of Sorrows
Sleek, savage and brutally well-written, Black's story hurtles you into a world where the elder gods view humans as expendable playthings or tasty snacks. Even as you obsessively turn the pages, you'll be rooting for good to triumph over endless evil. A brilliant blend of horror and urban fantasy, Red Right Hand proves that truth is chaos, and hell is only a tentacle away. ―Jana Oliver, award-winning author of the Demon Trappers series

If Mickey Spillane had delved into the Cthulhu Mythos, he might have turned out something like this. Hard-hitting and truly scary, Red Right Hand is a postmodern Lovecraftian nightmare of a tale. Dark and bloody and bad to the bone. ―Charles R. Rutledge, co-author of Congregations of the Dead

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Levi Black lives in Metro Atlanta with his wife and an array of toys, books, records, and comics. He's been weird his whole life and is almost as scary as he looks. Red Right Hand is his first novel.

Photo Content from Levi Black

WEBSITE: https://leviblackbooks.wordpress.com/
TWITTER: @JamesTuckwriter
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14220711.Levi_Black
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jamesrtuckwriter/

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ENDS: December 1, 2017

Review ~ Faithful Place by Tana French

Title: Faithful Place

Author: Tana French
Genre: mystery/suspense
Publish Date: 7/2010
Pages: 400
Series:
1) Into the Woods
2) The Likeness
3) Faithful Place

Reason for reading:
I heard on a podcast that I just needed to read this author because she was so amazing

Summary:
Back in 1985, Frank Mackey was a nineteen year old kid with a dream of escaping his family's cramped flat on Faithful Place and running away to London with his girl, Rosie Daly. But on the night they were supposed to leave, Rosie didn't show. Frank took it for granted that she'd dumped him - probably because of his alcoholic father, nutcase mother, and generally dysfunctional family. He never went home again. Neither did Rosie. Then, twenty-two years later, Rosie's suitcase shows up behind a fireplace in a derelict house on Faithful Place, and Frank, now a detective in the Dublin Undercover squad, is going home whether he likes it or not. 

Getting sucked in is a lot easier than getting out again. Frank finds himself straight back in the dark tangle of relationships he left behind. The cops working the case want him out of the way, in case loyalty to his family and community makes him a liability. Faithful Place wants him out because he's a detective now, and the Place has never liked cops. Frank just wants to find out what happened to Rosie Daly - and he's willing to do whatever it takes, to himself or anyone else, to get the job done.

Thoughts
I have to say this was a recommendation from a podcast I listen to called Read or Dead  these two ladies went on for about 20 minutes or longer about how amazing Tana French was. After that I thought I have to read this author immediately. Low and behold when I was at the library I saw a copy of the Faithful Place and even tough it was the 3rd in the series I figured I would give it a try. Mainly because each book is about a different detective in the series some in the murder pool some in undercover. This book dealt with Frank Mackey from the undercover unit. The unique thing about this book is the fact it takes place in Ireland and while at times you can tell I have to say for the most part you couldn't and I enjoyed that. 
Also while I figured out the mystery it didn't stop me from turning the pages and turning the pages until I got to the end to make sure that a) I was right and b) that I knew everything that happened. 
I have to say I love Frank. I can see how some people didn't enjoy his story he is a hard egg to enjoy but I LOVE his story I loved learning about his back story, his family, his history, but I also loved learning about his here and now. I loved his daughter, his ex-wife, his relationships since. This story was beautifully written and I wasn't shocked at the ending I was fully engaged and enjoyed the twist and turns. So much so I have picked up Broken Harbor which is the 4th in the series and I have put all her books on my hold list at the library. 

Grade 5 out of 5 stars
Would I recommend this book: UM yes I actually already have to 2 people!

Review ~ Killing Is My Business by Adam Christopher

TOUR SCHEDULE and LINKS.
http://www.jeanbooknerd.com/2017/07/killing-is-my-business-by-adam.html

Title: Killing Is My Business

Author: Adam Christopher

Synopsis

A blend of science fiction and stylish mystery noir featuring a robot detective: the stand alone sequel to Made to Kill

Another golden morning in a seedy town, and a new memory tape for intrepid PI-turned-hitman--and last robot left in working order-- Raymond Electromatic. When his comrade-in-electronic-arms, Ada, assigns a new morning roster of clientele, Ray heads out into the LA sun, only to find that his skills might be a bit rustier than he expected....

Killing is My Business is the latest in Christopher's noir oeuvre, hot on the heels of the acclaimed Made to Kill.

My Thoughts

So where I went wrong with this book is I missed out on the first book. That being said I had no idea this wasn't the first book until I found out on goodreads. That being said I have to say I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything. I enjoyed reading this "noir mystery" about a robot in the 50's who is the world as a hired hitman. Who solves crimes but only remembers 22 hours. Do I have your attention now because that is what caught mine other then the fact that this is a basic mystery wrapped in an action wrapped in a robot. I enjoyed it a 100% and I can't wait to go back and read the first one. I think that the series should keep going for sure.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Praise for KILLING IS MY BUSINESS

"Hits hard, spins your head around, and leaves you stunned. The Ray Electromatic mysteries are so freakin’ perfect you’d think robot hitmen and retro supercomputers had always been part of noir fiction.”—Peter Clines, author of Paradox Bound and The Fold

"Humor, action, and heart: everything I've come to expect from an Adam Christopher book, and then some. A marvelous read!"—New York Timesbestseller Jason M. Hough, author of Zero World

“Delivers like a punch from a two-ton robot in a zoot suit.”—Delilah Dawson 

"Atmospheric and charming as hell. Adam Christopher has an extraordinary talent for scooping you up and dropping you into an alternative LA that feels just as real as the street outside your house."—Emma Newman

Praise for the RAY ELECTROMATIC MYSTERIES

"Robot noir in 60s Los Angeles? You had me at 'Hello.'"—John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling novelist

"Gripping, funny, deadly and suspenseful."—Boing Boing
“Delivers like a punch from a two-ton robot in a zoot suit.”—Lila Bowen (aka Delilah Dawson)

"The dialogue is effortlessly swift and clever, and even the B-movie climax is a spectacle to behold. Above that, though, Ray sparks to live, and his antiheroic slant only makes him that much more compelling and and sympathetic. Knowing that there are only two more Raymond Electromatic mysteries to come is the book's only disappointment."—NPR

"Genre mash-ups don't always succeed, but this one will please fans of both gumshoes and laser beams."—Publishers Weekly

"A fun, fast read for anyone willing to take the speculative leap--a must-add for most fiction collections."—Booklist (starred review)

"Made to Kill is yet more proof that we should all be thankful for Adam Christopher and his imagination. This tale of robot noir is unlike anything I’ve ever read—Adam’s is a weird and wonderful voice and we are lucky to have it."—Chuck Wendig, New York Times bestselling author of Aftermath

"Adam Christopher has brilliantly deduced what should have been obvious all along: Classic noir and robots are a perfect match. Part Chandler, part Asimov, and part Philip K. Dick, Made to Kill is a rip-roaring cocktail of smart, sharp, twisty, cyber-pulp awesomeness."—Adam Sternbaugh, author of Shovel Ready

"Made to Kill is just the sort of exciting genre collision that marks out Adam Christopher as one of the hottest new young SF writers."—Paul Cornell, author of The Severed Streets

"A smart, rollicking noir/SF mashup. One of the best books I've read all year."—Kelly Braffet, author of Save Yourself

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adam Christopher’s debut novel EMPIRE STATE was SciFiNow’s Book of the Year and a Financial Times Book of the Year. The author of MADE TO KILL, STANDARD HOLLYWOOD DEPRAVITY, and KILLING IS MY BUSINESS, Adam’s other novels include SEVEN WONDERS, THE AGE ATOMIC, and THE BURNING DARK.

Adam has also written the official tie-in novels for the hit CBS television show ELEMENTARY, and the award-winning DISHONORED video game franchise, and with Chuck Wendig, wrote THE SHIELD for Dark Circle/Archie Comics. Adam is also a contributor to the STAR WARS: FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW 40th anniversary anthology.

Born in New Zealand, Adam has lived in Great Britain since 2006.

Photo Credit: Lou Abercrombie

WEBSITE: http://www.adamchristopher.co.uk/
TWITTER: @ghostfinder
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/590743.Adam_Christopher
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/adamchristopherauthor/

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Review ~ Graveyard Shift by Michael F Haspil

TOUR SCHEDULE and LINKS.

http://www.jeanbooknerd.com/2017/07/graveyard-shift-by-michael-f-haspil.html

Title: Graveyard Shift

Author: Michael F Haspil

Synopsis 

Police procedurals go supernatural in this gritty urban fantasy debut 

Alex Menkaure, former pharaoh and mummy, and his vampire partner, Marcus, who was born in ancient Rome, once hunted evil vampires for UMBRA, a super-secret unit of the NSA. That was before the discovery of a blood substitute and a Supreme Court ruling allowed thousands of vampires to integrate into society.

Now, Alex and Marcus are vice cops in a special police unit. They fight to keep the streets safe from criminal vampires, shape-shifters, blood-dealers, and anti-vampire vigilantes.

When someone starts poisoning the artificial blood, race relations between vampires and humans deteriorate to the brink of anarchy. While the city threatens to tear itself apart, Alex and Marcus must form an unnatural alliance with a vigilante gang and a shape-shifter woman in a desperate battle against an ancient vampire conspiracy.

If they succeed, they'll be pariahs, hunted by everyone. If they fail, the result will be a race-war bloodier than any the world has ever seen.

My Thoughts:
This book took on a different spin and I have to say I wasn't expecting it. At first it took a minute to get the barrings of this book. Once you wrap your head around the fact that the main character Alex is a Mummy a freaking mummy pharaoh reborn into a Vice agent who fights vampires and bad guys. His partner is a vampire agent who worked for the Vatican. Now that you have that under control you also have to know Vampires are real and are legal in the US and want their rights back. Add to this there is a group that want all vampires dead and starting with the main one. 

The book overall was interesting it went on side stories that were funny like a teenager pretending which was a funny side story. I did enjoy the humor not humor and the twist and turns. This story kept me interested and at times made me wonder what was going to happen next. I did enjoy this book and I hope that others will too. 

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Praise for GRAVEYARD SHIFT

“Gritty urban fantasy and hard-boiled noir packed into a hand grenade of awesome!” —Mario Acevedo, author of Werewolf Smackdown

“Those who enjoy police action mixed with urban fantasy may want to try this series launch.”—Library Journal, starred review

“The buddy-cop formula gets an undead twist with Alex—also known as the pharaoh Menkaure, reanimated to carry out an eternal duty—and Marcus, his vampiric colleague, who serve as cops in a special paranormal unit. Between the two of them, they have several thousand years' worth of superpowersand martial aptitude. The action is gritty, cinematic, and unrelenting...the worldbuilding is intriguing (as a figure drawn from Egyptian mythos, Alex injects fresh blood into undead tropes), and the reader runs no chance of growing bored during the tense race to the finish, in which a confrontation with an old enemy lays the groundwork for a potential sequel. Fans of urban fantasy, noir, and tightly choreographed action scenes will enjoy the blood and bullets in this adrenaline-heavy ride through crime scenes and secret societies.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Inventive and cleverly crafted with a unique premise, Haspil's urban fantasy is absolutely gripping. With strong, intelligent storytelling, distinctive, vivid characters, and gritty, edgy dialogue, Haspil will capture readers. Alex is a compelling, powerful hero and Marcus, his partner, is astrong and enthralling counterpart. With an intricate plot filled with actionand intrigue, Haspil lends a fresh voice to urban fantasy with his exciting and riveting debut.”—RT Book Reviews, four stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael F. Haspil is a geeky engineer and nerdy artist. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he had the opportunities to serve as an ICBM crew commander and as a launch director at Cape Canaveral. The art of storytelling called to him from a young age and he has plied his craft over many years and through diverse media. He has written original stories for as long as he can remember and has dabbled in many genres. However, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror have whispered directly to his soul.

When he isn’t writing, you can find him sharing stories with his role-playing group, cosplaying, computer gaming, or collecting and creating replica movie props. Lately, he devotes the bulk of his hobby time to assembling and painting miniatures for his tabletop wargaming addiction.
Michael is represented by Sara Megibow of the KT Literary Agency and Adrian Garcia of the Paradigm Talent Agency.

He has collected and made replica movie props for over twenty years and enjoys the way a particular collectible lets an individual connect with a meaningful story.

He spends entirely too much time gaming or thinking (some might say ‘scheming’) about strategies and tactics in all kinds of gaming be it board games, computer games, or his passion, tabletop wargaming. He devotes the largest share of the gaming pie to Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 tabletop game. He has collected and played Grey Knights, Space Marines, Tyranids, Dark Eldar, Necrons, and Space Wolves. Michael is a regular contributor to “The Long War” a premiere podcast and webcast dedicated to tabletop gaming, but especially to Warhammer 40,000.

Photo Content from Michael F. Haspil

WEBSITE: http://michaelhaspil.apocprod.com/
TWITTER: @MichaelHaspil
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14055047.Michael_F_Haspil
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelHaspil/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Rogue428/

Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

- 5 Winners will receive a Copy of GRAVEYARD SHIFT by Michael F. Haspil

CODE:

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DIRECT LINK:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e849f7751222/
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