Cutting the Bloodline

by Angeline Trevena is a great novella about a crime-free society and the chaos and repercussions it causes.’

It’s an inventive storyline, set in the future 2052 England, a society that decides that a crime-free environment is worth the segregation of certain types of people, based solely on a DNA test that hasn’t been fully studied in an honest effort. Today as a modern society, we’ve already been exposed to political agendas that have turned out horribly wrong. We’ve seen affected factions of society, who are left in dire consequences because of faulty policy and laws. Think of the leprosy colonies and their segregation from normal society over the centuries, as an example. In this plot, the agenda for power creates a struggle between sides, some calling for a revolution.

The turmoil comes to a head when the protagonist, Journalist Kenton Hicks, decides to write a tell-all book. This story thread, of course, has my full attention at this point.

The author did a great job with the characterizations. Kenton’s personality is fleshed out well, and we experience his struggle as a writer, and his ability (or lack thereof) to accept his work as merited and needed. He interviews the lost generation, those shunned by mainstream society. He questions how far society should be allowed to go—using advanced technology to label babies as criminal before they are even born.

The characters feel authentic, the situation defined. More development and transition in the relationship between Kenton and Amie would have been nice, since both characters are so wonderful. They went from a hostile first interview to Kenton becoming too involved. The growth of the relationship between them is implied, and because it’s a novella, less words available for it to evolve. The reader needs to embellish the love interest a bit. Fair enough, this is not a romance but a Sci-Fi Utopia story, after all.

The plot thickens and as policy makers are challenged, they react as if threatened. Soon Kenton’s life is in danger. The people who follow his cause are also vulnerable.

The scenes are action packed and will keep you reading . . . This is a refreshing plot and begs us to question—that bad things will develop if we are not careful about the policies we back. I enjoyed reading this story and found the characters engaging, and hope to read more about these characters and more stories from Angeline Trevena. Well done!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cutting-Bloodline-Angeline-Trevena-ebook/dp/B00W3AP0VY

#dystopian #scifi #thriller #indieauthor

Find Angeline's other great stories here:

https://www.amazon.com/Angeline-Trevena/e/B00BK9UVYU/


Including the series

The Paper Duchess Complete Series Box Set Nov 22, 2017

and her newest story
The Notary of Gotliss Street 

Quick Review- Letters To The Damned by Austin Crawley

Letters To The Damned by Austin Crawley

This book is an old fashioned creepy tale that will immerse you into the world of an old village and pumps the imagination with pictures that move, disappearing sounds, magic ceremonies and vague threats by bulls.

The author brings dimension to the character Cris Lopez, not the usual type to be venturing into an English village alone on vacation. There's charm in the details of the village, and definitely loads the atmosphere with mystique.

The story has an authentic Gothic feel to it for those who like the old fashioned tales. It doesn't have a fast pace but it didn't lag either.

A few elements in the story were confusing, and maybe they were meant to remain that way, or maybe a follow up book - perhaps. In my opinion, there were some chances missed in the story to build up the suspense. The characters' emotions could have been shown more intensely, and then this would have been a terrifying tale. At times the small everyday minutia became a little redundant and took the focus away from the protagonists emotional pull, but not long enough for me to give up on the story. I wanted to finish the book and find out how it fleshed out.

Over all, a good read. If you enjoy pondering what lies in the mist, and don't worry about perfection with an author, then this story is for you. I think this author is someone to watch for future books.

Keep reading - Keep writing!

Series Review of Beck Casey Thrillers: Fallout, Final Epidemic and more-by author Earl Merkel

Wonder what makes a series successful?

Me too, so I read as many series as possible. Here's a great political spy series - Beck Casey Thrillers!



Fans of the TV show 24  you'll love Beck Casey! 

Check out my review and visit Amazon if you think you'll enjoy the thrills too.

Fallout (A Beck Casey Thriller)

Kindle Edition

by Earl Merkel (Author)

Always on the move. . .

Another great Beck Casey story that pivots in various directions, until multiple strings meet and intertwine for an explosive conclusion. Followers of the series would expect nothing less. The story melds many political threads, foes and allies. The reader will get a close look at the threats and motivations of the characters as the plot pushes forward. Never a dull moment, from assassinations, buildings blown up, to computer viral threats. Even though a genre spy story, there are some unique characters in this book, using friends to fill in the ranks needed to pull off this complex story; like mine, a bomb tech, shows up in chapter 63! The plot uses all forces, from CIA, FBI, Mossad, MI6 and more . . . Definitely an insane political ride with surprises at every step. A great political thriller for the serious reader.

My Review of:

Fire of the Prophet

Swept Away! Suspenseful Story

Fire of the Prophet: A Beck Casey Thriller Kindle Edition

Pow! The opening chapter is a shocker, and you are immediately swept into a scenario that keeps the reader wanting to know more. Vivid scenes, like in an action film, take you into the story that is relevant to current topics of today.

Earl Merkel brings the reader close to the action, of what could be real life situations, and your worst nightmare come true! He uses his words to paint realism into the story, a candid and raw picture, entirely human.

The characters are developed with great insights into the daily life and business of journalism, politics and the military. Tense, suspenseful, nerving, and nail biting action, fill the pages. The author uses powerful words, and visual symmetry, while keeping the story timeline organized and easy to follow along, with multiple viewpoints and plots that are all part of the bigger picture. The flow from place to place, person to person, is done well.

Merkel brings unique flavor when he writes about the military side of the equation. A clear picture of the trauma and urgency, the men and women in active duty must endure every day, brought a new appreciation for our brave soldiers. Touching scenes of families reaching out to each other are emotional and heartfelt.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes action, spy plots and a good look at the humanity (or lack of by terrorists) behind the scenes. I thank you Earl Merkel for writing this wonderful tale. This book will surely be a story you will remember.

Also look at the rest of the series:

Final Epidemic  
(A Beck Casey Thriller) 
(Volume 1)  by Earl Merkel 

 This is how the world ends...

An invisible killer has returned. The last time it raged, upward of forty million died—in a matter of months. Now it's back, released to prey on an unsuspecting, unprotected world.

Also check out this detective book:

Dirty Fire: A Thriller Kindle Edition

by Earl Merkel (Author)

  

Police detective John Davey once had everything—until bribery charges destroyed his career, his marriage, and his life.

Now he's been given a second chance. Davey is pressured into joining an investigation into the baffling murder of a wealthy Chicago couple savagely murdered before their North Shore mansion was set ablaze. To the city, it's a scandal. To Davey, it's overkill.

In the charred ruins, Davey finds clues to something more sinister than deadly premediated arson: a criminal maze threading back through history, and a connection to billions of dollars in artwork that disappeared during the Holocaust. As more victims emerge, Davey begins to suspect the motives of those he is forced to trust, with betrayal layered on betrayal, until he has no one left to believe in but himself.

 

Check out the newest on Earl Merkel's bookshelf:

The Law Of Unintended Consequences: A Faulk Carpenter Thriller 

(The Faulk Carpenter Thriller Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Earl Merkel (Author)

 

I have this on my reader and will get to reviewing it soon. It's so exciting to read a first book in a new series.

Below is the blurp - 

Pick up a copy if it interests you and we can discuss the story as we read it!

 

A college student, missing for three decades. The scion of a Miami crime family, infuriated and sworn to bloody vengeance. A deep‐sea research vessel, blown to atoms by a dynamite bomb, placed by faceless persons who prefer the sea to keep its secrets forever.

And a visiting stranger, the unwilling nexus of this ever‐widening web of intrigue and violence, who arrives on the evening tides to seek out the resolution to long unanswered questions—that is, if he survives long enough to unravel it.

These are the elements that combine into a suspenseful narrative in The Law Of Unintended Consequences, and serve to proclaim an exciting new entry in the annals of today’s pantheon of reluctant heroes.

The Law Of Unintended Consequences is set in the scorching sun and sparkling shorelines of Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast, where a tourist-playground façade scarcely conceals the ominous undercurrents of crime and violence both past and present.

For Faulk Carpenter, the quest for closure in Spanish Bay becomes its own odyssey: an often dark voyage that forces him to face his own demons, all the while he becomes prey to the law of unintended consequences throughout the obstacles, entanglements and dangers he encounters—both from others, and from himself.  

        

 

Keep reading - Keep writing!

 

 

Book Review of Delirium by J. F. Penn

A Great Story - A Great Series!

Delirium (London Psychic Book 2) (Kindle Edition)

Amazing intrigue!

The reader is immediately at the edge of their seat in the opening scene, where we witness Dr. Christian Monro's physical and emotional trauma while being murdered. We are brought into the death scene, each agonizing step of the way. The detail and the pace are excellent.


The suspense is high voltage.

The protagonist Detective Sergeant Jamie Brooke once again is challenged with high stakes. As in the first book of the series, Jamie is going through hell emotionally after the loss of her child, but she is also engaged in the case and wants to understand the true crime. The heroine strives to remain objective while gathering evidence, hoping to see the truth. Along the way many twists in the case elude her, and attempt to veer her from the true crime. She follows the leads and takes the reader down a road of unexpected horrors. Jamie is not faint of heart, but a woman who makes the tough decisions; she is the protector of her co-workers and friends. There is hope - as she is faced with danger even in her most fragile hours, yet somehow finds the strength to prevail.

The subject matter of this novel immediately jolts interest -
the history of mental illness treatment and the reminder of abuse done to the mentally ill. This is a topic I too have strong feelings about, and so this story truly hit my heartstrings. The research was done well, as to be expected by this author who always delivers well developed background.


This story is not for those wanting a light read,
because the reader will be left with some concepts to think about - maybe even choices on how to view others who may not be as fortunate as most. In this world it is too easy to forget about those who suffer with mental illness. Society has swept them from public view, but we know in our heart that more needs to be addressed.


I thank the author, Joanna Penn for writing this riveting story and bringing this topic to the forefront.


To date this is my favorite of J.F.Penn's books. I truly enjoy reading about Jamie, and this is a great series.


 Delirium is for anyone who enjoys detective horror thrillers, and is a definite must read.


If you think you like this kind of book, and who wouldn't, check out more of J. F. Penn's work at:
http://www.jfpenn.com/fiction/http://www.jfpenn.com/fiction/

Keep reading - Keeep writing!

Book Review of Catacomb by Jeremy Bates

New Book - A Thriller Loaded with Suspense

What can be scarier than wandering the catacombs under Paris in darkness? You will discover how horrific it can be below the city. The story plunges you underground with the four explorers, as they journey through the catacombs, pursuing a quest inspired by a mysterious video Pascal had found during a previous trip below.


Pascal and Daniele are both experienced cataphiles—the colloquial term for underground urban explorers of the catacombs. They guide Rob and Will through some treacherous terrain and tight conditions. The setting is described fully, and you will feel as if you are there in the tunnels as well, inching through every fissure crack. You want suspense and horror—look no further. The surprise will be not only whom they meet below, but also the shadows they each carry within themselves. As they trek, the characters naturally unfold their own stories.

The bizarre and shocking encounters underground trigger their reveries and innermost thoughts. The reader has a front row seat and glimpses into the past of Will, the main protagonist, as he reveals his nightmare while trying to come to terms with his own ghosts. The author does this with a smooth and compassionate brush.

This brings us right back to their horrendous situation that they are dealing with. We travel beside them, sharing their troubles; the deeper into the tunnels and the story, the bigger the shock becomes. Twists and turns are found not only through the catacombs, but the with each action decision the characters opt as well.

No more details told. I do not want to give anything away. Nevertheless, I have to disclose that I never expected the end as it unfolded. Not a fairytale ending but it is very much acceptable. Well done—suspenseful to the end!

This is book two in the series "A World's Scariest Places". The first “Suicide Forest” was also a great suspense thriller. For both of these stories, the series name is not enough to prepare you for what you will experience as a reader. You will learn new things about our world, and survive through our worst fears as well.

I have read both books in the series so far, and both are intense. These books have become my favorites, a modern writer surpassing King and Koontz. Jeremy Bates not only delivers maximum suspense and horror, but you are right there with the characters. The style of writing is honest, vivid, compelling and never a dull moment.

There will be no skipping parts—and no putting this book down until it has finished. I recommend this book.