Month: June 2020

Fireside Tales of A Knight by David Kaemmerer

Review - Submitted

David Kaemmerer is a unique man –  he has played paintball, been a medieval knight, a samurai, a sniper, a friend, a supporter, and so very much more!  This book details his passion for adventure which has left him lying on the ground, lost in the darkest, coldest, and most isolated woods, to facing enemies that outnumber him 100 to 1!

He takes everything in stride with a sense of humor that will leave you laughing until the tears roll down your cheeks.  Some might cringe at the injuries he has suffered but overall, this is one of those books that once you start you cannot stop listening to … I can guarantee you will miss something!

Kaemmerer tells his life story in this biographical fictional tale broken down into short stories that will leave you wanting more.  His need to be in the middle of everything strategizing and helping is fun and endearing.  He always stands ready to fight the good fight, support his friends, and those that might become his friends.

Although, I would not want to get on his bad side … he is downright evil (in a fun way).   I cannot imagine what his wife goes through each time she gets a phone call or answers the door!  Seems Kaemmerer has a knack for getting into trouble i.e. falling off horses/mules, getting thrown, nearly breaking bones, fighting with bottle rockets, and … the list goes on.

As a child, Kaemmerer did all the things the kids of today would never consider … fighting with bottle rockets, riding bikes without a helmet, going off in the woods without equipment, or a map.   I can only imagine what he would have done on a skateboard!

Kaemmerer is vividly rich with details and communicates his passions clearly.  He takes the time to develop each character fully and clearly.   Given this is not my usual genre of book, I have to confess … Kaemmerer had me snagged from the beginning – I wish I knew this guy personally; he made the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) and paintball sound fun!

Nate Marble, the narrator, was perfect for this book.  He became Kaemmerer; the words rolled off his tongue as if he himself were Kaemmerer.  His tone and ease of narration were satisfying and smooth.

This is one of those rare finds!  I have considered pointing out my favorite short story but they all are!

5-Star Rating

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Disclaimer: The audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

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Succession (The Sandstone Trilogy Book 3) by Michael Beashel

Review - Submitted

John Leary has finally achieved the level of success he has dreamed of all his life.  After having lost his first wife, John has remarried and had more children.  Leary’s latest project, the Imperial, is brutal involving hundreds of employees and competition between his two sons.  He must name one to lead the company into the next century and continue its evolution into greatness.  However, Leary is faced with his most destroying betrayal as it comes from within his own family … will Leary be able to overcome it, or will all be ruined?

As with each book in this series, Beashel’s skill at storytelling is amazing.  Not only are the details and descriptions vivid and compelling but the raw emotion is there as well. One cannot help but feel the pain and sense of impending loss that each character experiences based on their own doubts and abilities.  This book tackles the emotional drive that parents feel in regard to their own legacy and handing control over to their children.

This too is a book of his children coming into their own – a coming of age tale.  The similarities between his sons and how Leary felt at that same age is reflected clearly.  As with all grown children – can they make it on their own?

Once again, Beashel successfully captures and holds the reader’s attention, drawing them in.  The dialog, character development, plot twists, and storyline are impeccable.  This historically based series gives the readers an inside look at Sydney and Australia as the 1900’s come to be.

I am delighted to have read this trilogy; however, I am sad it is over.  I enjoyed Beashel’s writing style.  I look forward to reading more by this author, he is truly gifted.

5-star rating

 

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Disclaimer: The book was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

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Unshackled (The Sandstone Trilogy Book 2) by Michael Beashel

Review - Submitted

The second book of the Sandstone Trilogy is just as amazing as the first.  Everything John Leary has worked for has worked out well including his wife Clarissa expecting their first child and his construction company has not only built some of the city’s most remarkable buildings, but he has paved the way for new techniques and ways of running a business successfully.  Like with all successful endeavors, ill will develops and sabotage ensues.

The love story between John and Clarissa hit a couple of major snags that could derail everything. In this book, Leary is faced with devastating treachery that nearly breaks him and his business as well as a tragedy at home.

New characters added to this book are just as well developed as those in the first book.  The existing characters continue to evolve as the story moves along.  Michael Beashel continues to be a powerful storyteller who keeps his readers hooked from page one to the end.  He continues to be vivid in his rich descriptions and details.  His dialog moves the story at a good steady pace and is realistic.

Like book 1, this book is engaging and keeps the reader captivated from the first page to the last.  I have enjoyed this series so far and have grown to understand Leary’s drive, Clarissa’s love, and more.  I cannot wait to see where book 3 takes the Leary family.

 

5 Star Rating

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Disclaimer: The book was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

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Unbound Justice: Volume One of The Sandstone Trilogy by Michael Beashel

Review - Submitted

Unbound Justice: Volume One of The Sandstone Trilogy begins the journey of young John Leary as he boards a ship from Ireland bound for Australia in the 1850s.  Unbeknownst to him, his sister is brutally raped by a William Baxterhouse.  Baxterhouse plays a significant role in the business and life of Leary.

Leary is ambitious and a hard worker.  Aboard the ship as a laborer, he finds himself falling in love with a female passenger, Clarissa McGuire.  Unfortunately for Leary, he is way beneath her station in life so he must prove his worth to Clarissa’s mother and father who move in the upper echelon social circles.

Leary’s ambitions and the unlimited growth opportunities in Australia allows him to begin to build the empire and success he has longed to have.  Along the way, he encounters many unsavory people who try to beat him down.

First, in a series of three, Unbound Justice is well written with rich characters who are fully developed.  The storyline is smooth and flawless with several plot twists.  Rich with vivid details of Sydney in the 1850s, readers cannot help but picture the beauty yet realize the rugged hardness to be found there.

Michael Beashel, the author, uses the story to emphasize the importance of family, one’s responsibility, love, revenge, and the hardness one will need to succeed.  Beashel is a master storyteller.

I enjoyed this book immensely.  It has something for everyone – drama, tragedy, love, intrigue, and action.  Its historical accurateness is thorough and helps to move the story forward as well as engaging the reader.  I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

5 Star Rating.

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Disclaimer: The book was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

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Extinction Darkness (The Extinction Cycle: Dark Age Book 4) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony Melchiorri

Review - Submitted

Extinction Darkness (The Extinction Cycle: Dark Age Book 4) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony Melchiorri is AMAZING!  Beckham, Horn, Kate and Team Ghost have fought for freedom from the monsters – both human and non-human and everything in between!  The Prophet and his Scions are just one step away from annihilating the entire race of humans.  That step seems to be mighty large … he must first beat Beckham, Horn, and Team Ghost.   Bent on revenge, the Prophet wreaks havoc.  Death comes to several characters in this last book, but they die with honor and dignity fighting for what they believe in.  Will it be enough?  I won’t spoil the story, but I will tell you, that I just finished the book not 15 minutes ago and I felt compelled to write this review while tears stream down my face!

As co-writers of this story, it is impossible for me to tell differences in the writing styles, they are blended so completely that the story is seamless.  The characters (beloved ones and hated ones alike) are so well developed that the mention of their names will create a reaction.

The story is solidly written with nothing left to question except what comes next after all the carnage and death and … plot twists are excellently executed.  The deaths are dealt with well and the new characters added to the story are impressive and the same care and attention to detail is present.

I will say that there were several times I sat in shock, not believing what I had just read … and disliking both authors to a small degree. Their skill in storytelling is vivid and engaging.  Readers cannot help but be sucked into the story and react to the words and images they create.  While I am sorry to see the series end, it finishes with a solid ending, no questions.

To Nicholas and Anthony … well done!

 

5 Star rating

 

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The audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias review.

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