Tag: Thriller

Garden of Fiends: Tales of Addiction Horror

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I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I love horror; the creature features, zombie books, creepy music, and Halloween!  I introduced our children to the classic monsters all the way through Halloween, Friday the 13th and the Chain Saw Massacre.  I also enjoyed reading about serial killers and their twisted minds but I was in no way prepared for the horror of Garden of Fiends.  Stories told from the perspective of addicts – alcohol, drugs and sometimes both, were much more than even I could handle.
Sometimes true horror lies in the truth and with addicts, their truth is true horror.  Having a daughter who has dabbled in Vicodin and more, having seen the results of a child impacted mentally by an addict mother, her withdrawal, and daily struggles, well this hit close to home.  There does not seem to be an end and each of these stories builds on that horror.
This is not a collection of stories for the faint of heart.  There are aspects of each story that is gritty and real.  I found this a difficult audiobook to finish because it was brutal and too realistic in portraying human nature and its frailty and selfishness.
The narrator, Rick Gregory provided an extra level of creepiness with his narration style.   His voice was smooth and emotionless.  You knew something horrible was coming but he never let the listeners know it until it happened.  The flow was flawless and did not rely on unnecessary dramatic flair.
There were no issues with the audiobook or quality of production.
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Caged Minds by David Pyle

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Five people, all trapped in a five-star hotel doing the bidding of an anonymous host. Threats of blackmail, physical harm to family and promises of success keep these five participating in a deadly game. The five are key figures in the journalism world; different levels but nonetheless, important in their own right.  Toss in some secret agencies, a hostile take-over by men in ski masks and suits and you have the beginning of one roller coaster thriller ride.  Not everyone gets to leave alive!

Trust does not come easy but the ticking clock helps to build some bonds while exposing others.  There is more going on than meets the eye!

A cleverly crafted thriller, David Pyle, takes his readers deep into the underbelly of terrorism, greed and secrecy.  Nothing is left to chance, each step a character takes is choreographed with precision, each word has a meaning … Pyle has woven an engrossing book that prevents the reader from putting it down.  A long but exciting read.  There is not a dull moment – if there’s no action going on, then there is intrigue that begs full disclosure.

The characters are well developed and from the first moment you don’t know who to trust but Pyle leads you to the truth.  The characters are perfectly constructed fitting expertly into the story.  Each step of the storyline and character involvement is thorough and intensely intriguing.

A must read for all lovers of thrillers and mysteries.

Pyle has a true knack for laying the groundwork for long, detailed and intense thrillers.  WordsAPlenty gives this book a five-star rating for suspense and uniqueness.

 

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Between Life and Death by David Pyle

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WordsAPlenty received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

James Earl Williams has a fresh start, finally. Having lived through the gangs of New Jersey protecting his younger brother best he could, he met his legal problems head on and now he is finally free to go to college and begin his adult life. Somehow, his new beginning is not at all what he envisioned. He meets Jolie – a beautiful young woman who is just as attracted to him as he is to her. All could be good with the world still … but then there’s the persistent click click click sound… the grave robberies … the evil being lurking in his dreams … an old woman … and epic battle!

James doesn’t know which way to turn and finds himself fighting not only for his life but for his very soul and the souls of his loved ones – both past and present. It will take him and his entire family to face this evil; some will live, some will die and some … will be between life and death!
David Pyle has created a southern world filled with familial ties, supernatural beings, action, mystery, voodoo and even the walking dead! Between Life and Death has something for everyone.

Pyle very smoothly walks us through a complex story with lots of people who are integral to the story. Each character plays a pivotal role in the upcoming deadly battle of wills and good vs evil. Although there are some soul-searching and transformation of a couple of key characters, the story flow is slow and natural. No character is extraneous or useless, but rather each one enhances the transformation of James or another main character leading them into the final battle.

Character development was solid. Each character was strongly developed leaving no doubt about where their loyalty lay. The reader could not help but grow to know and love some characters and despise others. Pyle executes vivid imagery in character and plot development. This is not a story to be read at night, alone or during a storm. Pyle strikes fear in the reader that goes deeper than the physical world – he takes fear to much deeper levels striking at one’s core beliefs.

Epic in length, this is a solid read that resonates with the reader long after it is over. There were several plot twists and character discoveries that shock the reader. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I could not put it down. I look forward to reading more by David Pyle.

WorldsAPlenty gives this book, Between Life and Death, a five-star rating for its story line and ingenious blending of several genres into one story.

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Poison Heartbeats by Temple Emmet Williams

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In the war plagued Afghanistan, there are two twins – a girl and a boy who must come to terms with their destiny.  One is a holy warrior or better known as a terrorist of ISIL while the other is removed and adopted into an American family.

Ahmed Khan sets about to poison the well of America; Holly Smolkes (his sister) has some unsavory connections with a “mob boss” and a romantic link with Mac McKlane the team leader within Homeland Security as well as a sibling link to her terrorist brother.

The careful weaving of the story in and around the twins, Homeland Security and the intricate methods of ISIL to recruit American ‘infidels’ into their ranks is gripping.

Temple Emmett Williams’ writing style is clear and masterful.  He has the ability to weave the story and history into a captivating tale in a compelling manner that is both powerful and entertaining.  While I enjoy thrillers, this was beyond that.  This brought the “war on terrorism” home in a realistic and terrifying manner.

His plot was well developed and executed with twists.  His characters were also developed and complex but not overly confusing – rather intricate and more evolved.  I found I could not put the book down and kept reading it during my free moments and well into the night.

I enjoy reading Williams’ books as they are refreshing.  All too often books in this genre become confusing and utilizing words that mean nothing until you look them up.  It is refreshing to have an exciting book such as this maintain its excitement and clarity because of the writing style as well as the plot.  Williams is a strong and commanding story teller.

I understand this is book two in a series; while I prefer to read books in order, this is truly written to be a stand-alone as well as one in a series. Not reading book 1 did not add any confusion to the story.

WordsAPlenty gives this book a 5-star rating for its refreshing writing style and intriguing plot.

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Deadly Circumstances: A Mary O’Reilly Paranormal Mystery (Book 16) by Terri Reid

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I purchased this book as part of the series I have been reading.

 

Mary O’Reilly has her hands full this time with several ghosts from the past, a case of mistaken identity and a murderer!

Mary O’Reilly is seven months pregnant and discovers she has an active and angry poltergeist in her house.  Ghosts standing in her closet waiting to speak with her and her husband’s friend who has changed completely.  Mary’s hands are full as she goes about solving the mysteries to each case while also discovering the thrills of being pregnant – like hiccups at a most inopportune time!

Joining Mary in her quest are Stanley, Rosie, Mike, Ian and of course her husband, Bradley.  However, we are treated to a new person – Ann Charles’ mom!  Yes, the mother of the well-known author of the Deadwood series.  Together they sleuth and solve each case with some very surprising twists and turns.

Mary questions the choices she will be faced with at the end of this book when her son is born – what will she have to give up?  Does she have to give everything up?

Very well written with reliable and solid characters that bring the reader into the O’Reilly family.  At the end of this book, more than any other (probably because my father’s death is still too fresh) I cried.  I read with tears streaming down my cheeks because Terri Reid GETS IT!  She knows her audience very well and she knows that they will feel the sadness AND joy of her characters.

This series is one I have faithfully followed from day one.  I wait for each new one because I know it will be exciting, interesting, engaging and most of all – I can become a part of the story.  Reid’s writing style allows the reader to jump in and go along for the ride; and most importantly to feel what the characters feel.

One last item that fascinates me with Terri Reid.  Each of her covers features a tree – each tree symbolizes what happens in the book.  This cover shows a full tree, growing and branching out still full of life – that is what this book is about as well: growth, life and fulfillment.

Not one to be missed!  Can be read as a stand alone, but why?  Read the entire series and don’t miss out on the excitement and thrills of each book!

A full 5+ star review due to creativity, mystery and excellent writing style.

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The Heaviness of Knowing (The Conscious Dreamer Series Book 1) by Sharolyn Brown

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Trapped in a world with her gods, Roxal knows what they are asking her and others to do is questionable.  Each movement, thought and breath is monitored; if she wanted to, could she warn the earth girl Lauren of the danger?  Connected through their dreams, Roxal on planet Trebor and Lauren on Earth, they must work together to right the wrongs.

A well written science fiction thriller with action, emotional moments, strong women and heroic escapades, the author Sharolyn Brown captivates the reader.

Brown sets the tone of Trebor’s totalitarian styled dystopian world with descriptive details that place the reader into the book easily.  Brown develops the characters realistically, the plot is well written with details that has the reader experiencing the same emotions and feelings as her characters – fear, trepidation, annoyance, loss, love. The decisions that the main character, Roxal must make are ones that impact far more than herself.

Skillfully, Brown creates her worlds, plot and characters so that her readers can’t help but start to examine their own lives.  For some of the readers, they are ones we ask of ourselves everyday – do I get involved?  What will I do? How can I not help?  Like her characters, her readers will begin to question, if they too are experiencing a “Heaviness of Knowing” in their own lives.

I cannot wait to read the second book, as I am sure it will be just as exciting as the first one.  I enjoyed the growth of both Roxal and Lauren in book one, I am curious to see whether their paths cross in “one of their realities” or if they forever remain dream pals leading a resistance.

WordsAPlenty awards this book with a five-star rating for Brown’s amazing skill at drawing the reader in and making the connections to the characters realistic as well as challenging her readers to look more closely at their own actions and beliefs.  Well done!

 

Click here to purchase your copy.

 

 

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The Girl from Berlin: Standartenfuhrer’s Wife by Ellie Midwood

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WordsAPlenty was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Annalise Meissner, a young woman living in Berlin had it all:  wealth, loving family, a career as a Ballerina and a sheltered and protected life.  That is until the Night of Broken Glass (Kristallnacht) when violence against Jews broke out across Germany.  Then she discovers a secret her parents have kept from her, one that will change her life.

Alongside her husband, Standartenfuhrer Heinrich Friedmann, they must survive the development of the Third Reich and all its political traps.  Will her secret come out?  Can she continue to love her husband knowing he is a Nazi?

Everyone has a secret but for Annalise witnessing the oppression against the Jewish begin, she cannot sit idly by and let the innocent die or suffer.  She must do something!

Then he finally said, “You just came back from the Gestapo jail. You’re lucky to be alive.  Don’t you understand that you would be taking a risk and may go there again?”

Single-minded and single-handed, Annalise becomes a force that may just take down the Third Reich!

A historical novel, The Girl from Berlin: Standartenfuhrer’s Wife is spellbinding and told from a woman’s persepective.  I found that once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down.  Ellie Midwood weaves an intricate storyline in and out of the historical information smoothly and expertly.  She completely develops each character through dialog, description and emotion.  Midwood skillfully wrenches your heart and plays your emotions like a virtuoso, pulling every ounce of emotion from her readers.

Readers cannot help but become pulled into the action packed story with romance and thrilling espionage.

If you enjoy historical novels, this is a wonderfully written book.

WordsAPlenty gives this book a five-star rating for its flawless blending of history and creative story.

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The Boy Who Drew Monsters by Keith Donahue

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I decided to try eStories.com for a free audiobook download.  I found the membership allows me to choose from over 80,000 bestselling titles with new releases.  For my free audiobook trial, I selected The Boy Who Drew Monsters by Keith Donahue.

Absolutely riveting!  Jack is a gifted young artist with Asperger’s with a deathly fear of the outside.  Trapped in his home by his deep fear, he struggles to keep himself safe from the noises on the outside and the monsters that want in – they want him!  As strong as his fear is, he is also harboring a secret that is tearing him apart – a secret with a responsibility that no one can comprehend.  Although he must put an end to the secret, it could be deadly to those around him.   No one knows what happened three years ago, but Jack does!  That’s when it all started … the evil … the fears … the noises.

His unsuspecting friends and family are captive to the same monsters; they just don’t know it yet.  A supernatural tale with a psychological twist or two.

Donahue takes heartbreak, fear, and childhood nightmares twisting them into dark, evils that lurk just outside the edge of reality.  It is a book that will haunt you from day one.  Donahue is a wordsmith that vividly paints with words in dramatic detail drawing the listener in and putting them through the same fears.

The narrator, Bronson Pinchot was excellent.  He spoke clearly and became each of the characters.  His performance was pitch perfect and captivating with his strong yet soothing voice.  I thoroughly enjoy listening Bronson Pinchot’s performances.    He never disappoints!

The audio production was excellent; I had no issues.

WordsAPlenty rates The Boy Who Drew Monsters with a 4.5 star rating for exciting, creative and captivating.

 

 

eStories.com gets a 5 star rating for their excellent service, opportunities and membership opportunities.

I have been a fan of audiobooks for a long time.  Imagine my excitement when I found that eStories.com works on all my devices through a free app; about 80% or more of the audiobooks downloads are DRM-free leaving you to do what you want with them; unlimited cloud storage; and at $11.95 a month, it’s extremely affordable.     And at least for now, anyone who signs up is given an audiobook for free.

To receive an audiobook for free or to purchase this audiobook, go to eStories.com

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Shattered Angel by Carrie Beckort

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WordsAPlenty obtained a copy of this book to review.  The review is entirely based on the opinion of the reader.  

 

This is a story told in reverse, from Angel’s point of view.  She recalls her brief life in moving and emotional detail.  In life, everyone has choices to make but for Angel she’s been making them since she turned eight when she met the man, the man with the mean eyes.

“I want that doll, but to have the doll I can’t have Mommy.”

Sold by her “crackhead and prostitute” mother, Angel finds herself in a new home with continued isolation from the outside world while receiving an education that is unique to most everyone else.  She is tortured, beaten, and abused daily in order to live the life the man with the mean eyes has determined.  People have choices to make every day, but for Angel her choices mean life or death.

For years, Angel is groomed for this special life but she also learns about love and truth from Issac, the son of the mean man.  Together they hope to find a better life but in the end, Angel’s only choice is to return to her old life or death.

“I-I’m so sorry Ang.  I love you.  I don’t know how to fix this. I’m sorry.”

She has one last final choice to make but will she be strong enough to make the right one?  For too long she has been disconnected from life; today she has to make the right choice but will she be strong enough to do that? When the last knock, marking her 24 hours is up sounds, Angel has made her choice.

The author, Carrie Beckort takes a fictional story and makes it real.  This is not a book one can read in one sitting, no one is strong enough for the emotional tug of war that Beckort

Powerfully written, within the 288 pages of this book, Beckort will elicit every single emotion a person can experience in a lifetime.  The dialog is realistic and strong; the characters are fully developed including those who are briefly present.  Each character, each word is poignant and captivating.  With each twist of the story, the reader is left breathless and shaken.

Beckort is a skillful writer, taking the most basic experiences and emotions and builds on them.  She weaves a masterful story that encompasses all the emotions and heightens them in a constructive and powerful manner.  This is a haunting story and one that could be true given human nature.  One will not look at life the same again; one will not make hasty choices again without more thought.  One will be haunted by both the soft innocent eyes of Angel and the mean eyes of the man as well as the story line itself.

Beckort is an expert at tugging heart strings, teasing minds and creating gasping moments.  Nothing in this book is gratuitous; it can be very painful to read at times while other times you have hope that everything will work out fine.  In the end, we all have choices …

I look forward to more books written by Carrie Beckort, she is quickly growing to be one of my favorite authors.  WordsAPlenty awards this book with a five-star review because it is powerful, well written and haunting.  It is not a book to be forgotten anytime soon.

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The Disappearance of Anna Popov (A Jack Rogan Mystery) by Gabriel Farago

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Gripping Tale of Superstition, Fear, Love and Fast Paced Action

Anna Popov, Cassandra and Rebecca Armstrong all have one thing in common – Jack Rogan, struggling journalist and writer.  But they also have the evil and vile Wizard, a terrifying biker leader with a strong interest in the occult.  Together Jack and Wizard dance around one another like a cat playing with a mouse.

“You’re an adventure junkie, Jack, who’s got cold feet. Post-excitement blues.  Go back to bed and sleep it off,” Rebecca said. 

This is a fast paced, mesmerizing thriller that leaves the reader spinning in stunned shock as each chapter reveals more clues and twists.   The story unfolds with Jack and his friend Will discovering a bracelet and a hastily scratched message of help.  These clues lead Jack, his PR manager, Rebecca Armstrong and Will into the midst of fighters, aboriginals, ghosts and other supernatural events in the remote Dreamtime-wilderness of the outback to track Anna down.

Gabriel Farago carefully weaves each character and event into a moving and precise tale of love mixed with adventure, action and superstition with the turn of each page.  The love of a mother for her child, the love of a man for a woman, the love of family, all intertwined into a deadly tale of greed, lust and obsession.

Rogan is a strong character with a sensitive side who always keeps his promises even at the risk of his own life.   And he’s quite a ladies man whose luck may have just run its course! Using his wits and every connection he has, Jack tries to defeat the Wizard at his own game … but how do you fool the devil?

“You wanted a beautiful death – remember?  Arsmoriendi.  This is your chance to show them how it’s done.  I’ve kept my side of the bargain. I even turned on some music for you … see you in hell.”

Farago provides a well written thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their chair waiting for the next reveal.   Uniquely Farago, he draws the past into the present and writes the future.  Drawing upon heavy historical research into the lives of aboriginals and art, Farago captures the attention of his readers.

He builds his characters carefully and fully allowing the characters to become more than description.  He tweaks each one building connections between the story, character and reader making each one realistic through action and dialog.

Farago’s writing style is easy to read, exciting and gripping!   I look forward to reading more books by Gabriel Farago soon!

WordsAPlenty gives this book and author a strong 5 star review.

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