Blue Violet by Abigail Owen

Article first published as Book Review:Blue Violet by Abigail Owen on Blogcritics.

Walking the razor path between fear and danger is often deadly. If you were the one who witnessed a horrible act, and had to hide from life, what would that look like? Could you find a strength and courage to return to the everyday cycle of life?

In Blue Violet by Abigail Owen, we have the opportunity to meet just such a soul. Ellie Aubrey moves to Colorado, knowing that she has made a move that will put her in a spotlight. When she meets a unique group of friends who too are hiding, they began a slow dance around trust. They too have something to fear.

What Ellie does not expect is the feelings that occur as she meets Alex Jenner. Even as she tried to sort the emotions from the mix, she is smitten. But what of him, he initially seems to care but then cuts himself off.

As Ellie continues to watch over this unusual group, she is interested to see that each has a different type of gift. None of them seem very skilled with what they have, but each is different. When Ellie’s brother tracks her down, they find that her biggest fear is about to come true. They are being hunted with a stealth and cunning that she has seen before. Can she warn her friends and family before it is too late? Will they understand why she has lived a lie, and trust her judgment?  How does Alex Jenner fit in the equation?

Owen has given us characters to care about. Their unusual abilities and life cycle are interesting and the history of their being is unique. Known as Svatura, her world is exciting with challenges of both danger and the need to learn what is before them. Blue Violet is the beginning of a series about this clan, and looks to be very enticing.

The protagonists are quite deadly, and yet Elle has the power to keep the worst at bay. As you delve deep into the mystery of this strange and insular group you are mesmerized at the bravado of the last survivors of a brutal massacre. Family is such an important concept and Owen has taken it a step further to absolute acceptance.

This is a fun novel and would be an excellent addition to your teen’s library. Romance, danger and magic are filter around a centuries old pact. Young and old alike will enjoy the magic, and the yearning of a special love shines a light all its own.  If you are a believer watch for this series to continue and learn more about the Svatura and their lives and abilities as they find the strength to move forward.

Rating 4/5

Shadow Man by Mark Murphy

Article first published as Book Review: Shadow Man by Mark Murphy on Blogcritics.

I have heard it said that everyone has a twin, someone somewhere that looks like them that would confuse their own family. A doppelganger is the word often used to describe this phenomenon. What happens when that other someone pretends to be you? Or what if instead of a doppelganger, someone who is a whiz at disguise decides to impersonate. How long would it take those closest to you to know? If this person had an agenda, one to set you up for horrific deeds, how would you fight what looks to be so real on the outside?

In Shadow Man by Mark Murphy, we are drawn into a psychological thriller that details a strange, yet surreal killer. A man who can choose at will to become someone else.

When Malcolm King finds his perfect life beginning to fall apart he does not anywhere to turn. He sees a shadow at every turn, mocking and terrorizing him. When he finds he is the prime suspect in the murder of a rival, he is not sure what to do. All of a sudden his perfect life, his medical practice and his family are in the balance. Who is the figure hovering in the shadows, the Thin Man as he begins to see him more? Is he the killer, the one creating the nightmare that is now a part of Malcolm’s life? When he is warned by a good friend that the police are ready to make an arrest, he decides to run for his life. There is not one shred of proof that he is innocent.  

As he tries to disappear, he finds he is in trouble–there are police everywhere. As the Thin Man steps out of the shadows to offer assistance, can Malcolm trust him. He must find a way to clear himself of these fictitious charges. As the Thin Man tells his own story, Malcolm has to make a choice. He must trust him or be branded a murderer for life.

Can this stranger be the savior of his sanity and his life? Time will only tell as the killing becomes even more brutal. When his family disappears, and another friend is attacked, he forms an uneasy alliance with a man he does not know or trust. But what else can he do?

Murphy has pulled the monster from our nightmares and put him into our daily life. This strangely twisted mind is walking among us, with no one the wiser. His crimes are horrific and the way he is able to create chaos is mind numbing. You can feel a chill as you step into the mind of Malcolm and the terror he is living becomes your own.

The scenarios, and the motivation are strange and carry a hint of madness, yet that is to be expected in the mind of a murderer.  The Thin Man is an artful twist to the story and one that gives it a strangely spiritual twist, although I am not sure that is what was meant. While there is nothing spiritual about the story, the entry of this persona lends another level, one of calm yet enduring pain as well.  The depth of deceit is surprising; the exhaustion created in the minds of those impacted is inconsolable.

The story moves quickly and is full of action, some horror filled and some more uplifting. Yet it marches deliberately towards the strange and yet somewhat mysterious ending. The conclusion is satisfying, yet adds another layer of mystery that makes you want more.

If you love a good thriller you will enjoy this book, the suspense and unknown draw you deeper into a pool of mystery that is not that easy to decipher.  A great read for a reading group, this would also be an excellent addition to your library. Murphy is a writer of note, one you will see more from.

The blog tour's official site is:
http://the-shadow-man.blogspot.com/ 

Mark Murphy's Web Site: http://www.mark-e-murphy.com/

Mark Murphy's Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/dr.markmurphy

Mark Murphy's Twitter:https://twitter.com/#!/Heeldawg

Mark Murphy's Blog:http://shadowmanblog.com/

Savannah Book Festival:http://www.savannahbookfestival.org/authors/mark-murphy/

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

The Shadow Man blog tour site:http://the-shadow-man.blogspot.com/

The Shadow Man Book Summary:

There is a devil in the night, silent and invisible, moving in the dream realm between life and death. And he's coming for you.
Savannah surgeon Malcolm King had a perfect life—a loving wife, devoted daughter, and a thriving medical practice. But when a random airport parking lot hit-and-run links him to a dead body in a Florida hotel and an acquaintance is found dismembered and stuffed into a garbage bag, Malcolm finds himself on the run as a suspected serial killer. But he's no murderer.

Or is he?

Who is the mysterious Thin Man who lurks at the edges of his vision? Are the ravens that crowd the skies overhead a warning of impending doom - or do they exist at all?

With the help of Seminole tracker Billy Littlebear, Malcolm tries to untangle the web of clues left behind by a mysterious chameleon-like killer known as the Shadow Man. But will he be too late?

The Shadow Man is a complex, atmospheric thriller in the tradition of Stephen King. Darkly evocative and relentless in its twists and turns, it dares the reader to put it down - even for a minute.

Mark Murphy's Bio:

A physician currently living in Savannah, Georgia, Mark Murphy is also a lifelong award-winning writer. In the midst of a busy medical career which included several academic publications, Dr. Murphy’s decision to attend the Iowa Summer Writing Festival led to the inclusion of a short story, "The Funeral," in a 2004 collection of works entitled O! Georgia! A well-received regular newspaper column in the Savannah Morning News followed. The Shadow Man is his first novel.

Formats/Prices: $14.95 paperback, $5.99 ebook
Publisher: Langdon Street Press
ISBN: 9781938296031
Pages: 348
Release: July 20, 2012

Amazon paperback buy link ($14.95):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938296036?tag=tributebooks-20

MyBookOrders.com paperback buy link ($14.95):
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Kindle buy link ($5.99):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J4VR06?tag=tributebooks-20

Nook buy link ($5.99):
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-shadow-man-mark-murphy/1111759498?ean=9781938296031

MyBookOrders.com ebook buy link ($5.99):
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The GOD Franchise; A Theory of Everything by Alan H. Dawe

Posted First on Blog Critics as Book Review:The God Franchise; A Theory of Everything by Alan H. Dawe

Since the beginning of time we have asked many of the same questions. Why are we here, where did we come from, and the real topper––What is life all about?

In The GOD Franchise; A Theory of Everything, the author Alan H. Dawe tries to give us a stance that he believes answers those questions and more. Not a book on any one religion Dawe delves to the core of the questions that haunt. With so many different religions as well as the non-believers there is a difficulty in answering to everyone’s satisfaction. What happens if you don’t believe, the different religions have different beliefs, so how do you take a concept and make it palatable for the masses.

If these questions and many others have you worrying and wondering, this work is precise and draws a parallel to the differences as well as the likenesses we all question. What about those that don’t believe in God? Well he has a theory for that as well.

If you are looking for answers and have questions about creation, you would enjoy the premise of this work. Dawe has taken the liberty of mixing the proven and the belief system and come up with an interesting scenario. Using the God Conscience as his credo, he has broken down the idea in easy terms. Much like the way a franchise works; he has drawn lines in the sand, a diagram of words to sooth the imagination and tickle the soul.

His philosophy is simple and easy to grasp, he colors the mix so thoroughly to paint a picture of beauty and you are drawn to the idea. You will hear much of what you already know, yet it is simplified. Mixing the scientific with the belief system, he uses famous quotes, passages from the bible and other works.

The perspective draws information from many varied and well researched works, and the ideology will challenge you to look deeper into your own life. If you are open to the challenge you may just find the answers to the questions that have always haunted you. Only you can change the way you live and think, and Dawe gives you a unique process that will at least have you questioning his ideas. As with any thing with free will, it is your choice and yours alone as to what you choose to do.

If you are looking for that certain something, here is another look through a different set of eyes.  You will recognize much of the theory from others works but Dawe draws a perspective that is at once fulfilling and interesting.

This would be a great book for a reading or discussion group. The possibilities are endless.

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Cutting Season by Attica Locke

Article first published as Book Review:The Cutting Season by Attica Locke on Blogcritics.

You often hear that you can never go home. From experience, I know that what you left behind is never the same as it was before. Often the return brings heartache, and then there are the times that bring terror.

In The Cutting Season by Attica Locke, we visit the Deep South and one of the Plantations of Old. Belle Vie is a huge place and a reminder of the past which includes generations of slavery. Caren Gray has gone home to Belle Vie where her mother and several ancestors put all they had into the home and the land. When the body of a young murdered woman is found, Caren finds herself in the middle of a mystery. It is one that could very well relate to the disappearance of one of her ancestors that went missing years before. Under suspicion herself, she works at trying to help find the answers. Little does she know, but there is more at stake than even she can imagine.

As she continues to look for answers, she finds her own past coming back to haunt her. Something is going on with her daughter, and the others at the plantation seem to know more of what is happening then they should. Can she find any answers before she becomes the prime suspect? What is the secret that it seems someone else is willing to kill for?

Locke has given us a beatific look at what the South is known for. The beauty of the lovely old plantations, and the grit and hard work of the slaves of another era are clear in the telling. She has delivered on the descriptions and the vision is easy to see, both the charm as well as the harm. Her visions come clear though the eyes of her characters as they struggle with the lives they lead as well as their reaction to the murder. Each still has an uneasy fear of the law, and it is quite telling in their different defense mechanisms, including that of Caren Gray.

The story is deep and creates a journey into the history of this centuries old plantation. It is well thought out and well told with an eye to detail. The creation of red herrings is twisted throughout the fabric of the story, taking away the usual easy guess as we try to depict who the bad guys are. She has shown us layers of badness, yet the murderer is the obvious winner in the desperation and vileness of his act. If you enjoy history and suspense you will enjoy this novel.

Locke has an uncanny way of taking you into the story without you even knowing until you are there. It is a skill to get the reader to feel the feelings and see the visions. She does that quite well. This would be a great book for a reading or discussion group. It is full of history and the characters just beg for commentary.

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Stroganov by Ty Hutchinson

Article first published as Book Review Stroganov by Ty Hutchinson on Blogcritics.

When a young man is on top of the world and looking for fun, where can he go? Re-setting your personal life can sometimes be difficult, but don’t always jump into situations that could backfire, know the ins and outs of every opportunity because they just may bring you more trouble than they are worth.

In Strogonov by Ty Hutchinson, we follow the sometimes goofy antics of Darby Stansfield. This time he is involved with the Russian mob, and is their consultant on the items he sells them. When he finds himself flush once more, he knows it is time to look for love. Is finding a woman through a dating service in the Ukraine really the right situation or will he land himself once again in danger?

Going forward Darby believes he has found the woman of his dreams, but when he inadvertently rescues a different woman from sex traffickers, his life is again in the spot light. Unaware that he is being tailed, he heads home to determine his life going forward. When the girl of his dreams is murdered before his eyes while he is Skyping with her on line, he is mortified. To make matters worse the murderer now has a better way to track him. As people begin to die, Darby finds himself deeper in trouble than he ever thought possible.

Can he get himself out of the mess he is now in without losing any more friends and still keep his secret intact. He is on the road to destruction, but he still has hope. If he can only make it through the danger just one more time, he is ready to change his life. But is it too late to make such a commitment?

Hutchinson has given us his usual fare of fun with Darby, but this time he has put in some teeth. The murders are vicious, and the murderer is both cunning and ruthless. Yet much in the way of the Pink Panther, Darby stumbles himself out of danger time and again, and the bad guys look like fools.

This time however the fools are more dangerous and deadly. The descriptions of the murders cause chills. There is a marked menace in the way that Darby is stalked by the murder. Darby’s character is just annoying enough at times that you can understand why the bad guys get crazy when going after him, and this time is no different. Darby has gotten a bit smarter and his luck keeps him from being killed, but those around him are not protected by that umbrella.

If you enjoy crime thrillers and suspense novels you will enjoy this book. The scenes and action seem real and draw you in. The story is over before you know it, and leaves you wanting more.

Rating 5/5

This book was received as a free copy from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Loco Moco by Ty Hutchinson

Article first published as Book Review: Loco Moco by Ty Hutchinson on Blogcritics.

Doing the wrong thing for what seems to be the right reason is usually the first indication that trouble is on its way. With a mindset that often runs contrary in such a fashion, it is easy to see where the expression, "trouble is your middle name," came into being.

In Loco Moco by Ty Hutchinson , Darby Stansfield again determines that he will give up his unsavory clients and go straight. With his plans to spend some time in the beautiful paradise of Hawaii with his girlfriend Izzy, he is ready to settle down and he is confident that she is the girl for him. Convincing her to take time away from work so they can spend some quality time in the island paradise is the easy part. Even as he begins to relax in his new accommodations trouble is brewing. Little does he know that eyes are on them––hot and angry eyes? Someone is desirous of everything he has, but Darby is still unaware of the danger.

Surfing is in their blood and Darby and Izzy find they must get the permission of the island surfing gang in order to invade the waters for their own surfing fun. As they receive the okay, Darby finds himself again in a situation where he needs to decide right from wrong. He is known for his sales to the mob, and this group is aware of his fame. The money is more than he can make himself give up. However, this small gang of thugs is more than meets the eye. Trouble is brewing, and when Izzy is attacked, Darby is not sure where to turn. One of her new friends on the island gives her some advice, while a few of Darbys friends have their own ideas.

When a young girl goes missing and ends up murdered, and then their bungalow is broken into, Darby takes matters into his own hands. Hiring a P.I. and installing a state of the art alarm system, they begin the task of tracking down leads.
When Izzy accepts his proposal of marriage, Darby finds out for the first time that her father is in the FBI. He is no long quite so enamored of his own choices. Can he keep his involvement with the mob from her and her family? Can he safely leave Izzy in their Hawaiian retreat as he treks back to the U.S for his business meetings, or is the danger closer than they know? When Izzy disappears, Darby finds that he is under suspicion. Can he help decipher the clues before it is too late for her?

Hutchinson has a canny way of taking desperate situations and finding the humor in them. His character of Darby Stansfield is quite cunning in a somewhat shady and slapstick way. He is easy to like and while he certainly plays in the big leagues, he has a charm that takes away the sleaziness. Certainly from the time his character was introduced in Chop Suey, he has evolved from a lowly bottom feeder of a salesman to one of the top contenders. His charm and cunning has grown as well, but there is that bit of naivety that keeps him honest. (In an odd sort of way)

His stories are well thought out, and the action is quick and easy to follow. The interesting element of this series it the fact that you rarely figure out the solution until it is there before you. The characters that interact with Darby are well composed and his friendships are deep. He has a compassion that keeps you trusting him even though he is quite a bit of a rogue.

If you enjoy action and comedy this is a great series, one that will keep you entertained. If you love suspense with just a bit of the absurd, this is the work you are looking for. This would be a fun book for a reading group, one where you could discuss the odd merits of the decisions that are made throughout.

Ty Hutchinson just keeps getting better.

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

On The Bayou by Sean Patrick Bridges

Article first published as Book Review:On The Bayou by Sean Patrick Bridges on Blogcritics.

In a situation where you find that you may be one of the good guys, but that those that would have your back in the usual course may be on the take, how do you move forward? When your entire team is killed and you are the survivor, how do you make others understand, rogues in law enforcement are often hard to spot. Yet when your career is on the line how would you move forward, when proof is beyond your grasp?

In On the Bayou by Sean Patrick Bridges, we follow that path of Special Agent Jennifer Nash as she finds herself in such a situation. After her entire team is killed in a shootout she is put on leave. Given an opportunity to redeem herself as a ride along with a DEA group in the Swamps of Louisiana, she is out of her depth quite quickly. Not only is her team attacked again, the villains from her first stake-out, where her partner and group were killed, appear to be involved in this situation as well. She is forced to rely on men that do not trust her, and are not aware of her background. Fleeing deeper into the swamps in an effort to save themselves and put an end to the killing, they only find themselves deeper in danger. The killers live amongst the swamps and use the creatures that lurk there as their toys and tools of punishment. Not knowing who to believe in even as each of her new team are killed and mutilated; she takes a stab at Corey as someone she can trust. But even he has his secrets as they begin the long journey to freedom.

Will they survive another day, or will the cartel win in the end. Can they find and stop the corruption from within or is it too late for them as well?

Bridges has given us a slow build up to a frenetic showdown. The action is palpable and keeps you turning the pages. The killing in the beginning is not as climactic as expected—much too soon to get close to the characters. But as Agent Nash moves through the bayou with this new team of defenders you find your favorites and hope they are not the bad guys.

Surprise is evident at every turn as you find courage where you least expect it, yet you also find madness and despair. Some of the action is brutal and deadly, and often just plain cruel, yet the story keeps bringing you back. How will it end, who will survive? Who is really the rogue that turned on the team?

If you enjoy danger and suspense you will enjoy this work. I found the buildup slow and was not sure of my reaction, but once the action starts you find the background to have been necessary to guild the lily––so to speak. Bridges has a talent for bringing in the unexpected and for finding the cruelty that exists in those special few individuals. This is the second work I have read of his, and he often borders on horror, with the madness and ideas that his characters create to keep themselves amused.

There is no lack of action or questions as you delve into the darkness and passions of the Cajun life. The darkness and secrets of the bayou make their way into your view with the depth and depravity that seems just short of horror.

If you worry about swamps and gator country, don’t stop now.
This is one that will keep you holding on to those fears.

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.