Circus of the Dead (Circus of the Dead #1) by Kimberly Loth | ARC | A Book Review

It's been a while since I last read a Kimberly Loth. I have missed her stories. They've always been so fascinating and intriguing. Waiting for the next book in the series was a pain and a form of torture. But it always ends up all worth the effort because it's always full of surprises that come from nowhere. I will always be an avid fan of her stories. And with this new book, I was reminded of how I have always enjoyed her stories. How her characters have made me hopeful and inspired in spite of all the hardships and stresses in the world. 

Circus of the Dead is just what it says. A circus full of horrors. Nasty clowns whose goal is not to make someone happy but miserable. A real deadly circus where there's always someone who ends up dead. There are ghosts and vampires too. It's not a place of fun, not unless you're a masochist or a sadist or think that seeing blood is fun. It's a place for the morbid and people who have a death wish. How Callie ends up in this horrible place is unfortunate. What was supposed to be a fun summer vacation with his Uncle in New Orleans, turned out to be a living nightmare she might not get out alive. 

This story reminds me of Stephen King's Bazaar of Bad Dreams. The only bright spot in the whole story is Callie who is full of spunk and will never give up. I guess, if it were someone of lesser strength and personality than she is, that person would have succumb to all the temptations already just to end everything. But not Callie. I root for her. Every attempt that she tries to get out of the island, I totally want it to succeed. Unfortunately, some greater magic is at work here that Callie has yet to understand in order to beat it and get out of the island and back to the loving arms of her family. 

I think the story is a bit relevant in this current time because with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are all like Callie, trapped in an island in New Orleans and finding a way to get out back to sunny California. And like some of the visitors of the circus, sadly, some people did not know that the time they spent at the circus, whether they were there out of curiosity or due to peer pressure, is actually their last time on earth. And like Callie, we try our best to stay alive in this forsaken island while biding her time until she can think of a way to get out for good.

The Circus of the Dead, just like the current pandemic reminds us of what's important in life. Family, friends and just the basic necessities. All else are unnecessary and we can do without. We will survive if we keep our wits and take one day at a time. And just like Callie, learn about the surroundings, the people and never lose hope. For Callie, she has to stay alive to get out of the island. She can't lose sight of that goal. She has to remind herself of that every day. 

I did enjoy the story even though it's a bit morbid and gruesome. But then again, every reader is forewarned. The title itself tells you that. Read at your own risk. But even so, as I have said, Callie's character is just so strong and she's a fighter. I think she was purposely lured to this place because there's something in her. I am not sure if she has a certain special ability of supernatural kind but she is special. And I would hate to say it but Samuel would rue the day he met Callie. I have faith that Callie will beat all odds and get out of the island and maybe bring back sunshine and hope to all the cursed inhabitants there also. But that's just me looking so far ahead. 

I give the book 5/5 gutsy fire dancers. This book is not for the faint and chicken-hearted. If you are a fan of Stephen King, you'll definitely love this story. If you've been following Kimberly Loth as I have, this is another story to be excited for. This type of story coming from Loth does not surprise me at all. With her talent of coming up with incredible and fascinating tales of adventures, I, in a way have expected she will likely come up with this one. I am excited and psyched as to what other horrors and blocks Callie has to go through in order to finally be back to the real world and be with her family again. I am also sure that Callie, with her mindset and attitude, will never let anything defeat her. She will find a way. I know she will. I guess, the best thing about Loth's stories are her characters. They're simply not to be messed with. They would find a way to beat the enemy or find a way to go around the obstacle. And I have a feeling that Callie's the type who can think out of the box. With that kind of thinking, I know she will outsmart Samuel. I bet on it. Watch out Samuel!

He's got that look that is dangerous but devastatingly handsome. The kind of guy who is sure to treat you like crap and yet, you run back to him because his kisses curl your toes. 

Not very good clowns unless their mission in life is to make everyone else as grumpy as they are.  

- Kimberly Loth, Circus of the Dead #1 - 

Thank you again, Kimberly Loth for the advanced review copy. I have missed you. I'm looking forward to the next books in the series. 

Chronicles of the Anti-Christ by J.M. Harrison | A Book Review

I actually had a hard time starting this post. It's not that I don't know what to say about the book but it's more of saying something that will eventually lead to the story. What recent event would somehow relate to the story? I could actually think of one. The recent incident in the sea involving a local fishing vessel that was allegedly intentionally hit by another fishing vessel but albeit bigger and belongs to a foreign nation who's not supposed to be fishing within our territorial waters. This is currently a very hot issue since our head of the nation clearly stated in his interview that we should just let them be if we don't want another world war. Who wants one, right? But there should be other ways in which we can insist our sovereignty and rights without resulting to firearms and violent means. It doesn't have to end in a war. Anyway, there's a lot that could still be said about this topic but it's also causing me headaches. So, I'd rather not delve deeper into it and it's probably more suited to another platform. But I am thankful to those who are standing up and protesting in front of the embassy of that foreign nation. Go on and never stop until they hear our voices. We are done being ignored and treated like we are insignificant. And to all those lawmakers who are also fighting for our government to make a stand, please don't ever tire of fighting. If there's a need for every Filipino to rally and make a stand, then let's do that. 

Chronicles of the Anti-Christ, how does the above relate to this book? Well, it's about fighting for what's right and just. Fighting for what's good, even if you are pitted against a very powerful opponent. Never lose hope. Just keep fighting! 

This book talks about the anti-Christ. And guess where that anti-Christ would come from? From whose seed would that person rise from? Make a guess. If you thought of Hitler, then you are on the right track. From all the conquerors, dictators and villains that have ever lived, I think Hitler is hailed the most vicious, greedy and evil. He killed millions of Jews and more. So, this story's proposition that the next anti-Christ would likely come from his bloodline is not too far out. It's actually the mostly likely possibility. I do agree.

I can't exactly remember if I read this book in one go or I stopped somewhere. All I could remember was how the story held some truth and the likelihood of it really happening. I hope never. That possibility ever becoming a reality is very grim, even if this was set in the US. The likelihood of another dictator and lunatic plotting world domination as his life goals is a very dark future. I hope it doesn't ever come true even if it won't happen in this lifetime. I hope the world would never again know of any dictator or megalomaniac dead set on having the world for his own or for any other self-serving purpose. It's dreadful to just even think of it and this story clearly paints that horrible picture. 

But with the way things are happening, especially with my country, it's not going to surprise me if another dictator comes into the open and proclaim his life's mission. At the same time, I'm also hopeful that there will be brave men and women, just like in this story, who will resist and find ways to outwit the Goliath and foil his grand plans. There will always be people who will risk their lives to expose the conspiracies and evil plans just to save many more. My country is a land of heroes, from Lapulapu to Dagohoy, to Bonifacio, to modern nameless Filipinos, who are fighting for justice and equality every day. This little and may be insignificant country to some, will never run out of fearless men and women who will risk everything to keep our freedom and sovereignty. Even if we are beset by countless problems from all directions, our faith, our hope even in the hopeless will continue to give us the strength of character to fight. Don't ever underestimate your enemy. Remember, the littlest ants sting the most.

So, again, this story painting the possibility of an anti-Christ is not far from reality. It's very believable. Harrison paints a dystopian America in this book but also very remarkable and very brave characters who will also stop at nothing to keep this new anti-Christ's plan from ever coming true. This is a very engaging story which will make you fear the worst but also hopeful because there are people who will save the day. And like most stories, the good always wins. No matter how battered and wounded, the hero will keep rising to his feet. He will fight to his last breath. This story also illustrates that no matter how formidable the enemy could be, but if all people, no matter how common or lowly, if they band together and stand up for one common goal, then the possibility of defeating the enemy is not impossible. There is always strength in numbers. And when more than two heads are working, then better and brighter ideas are likely to come out. 

I give this book 3.5/5 phoenix. The two main characters here - Jacob and Arianna represent real people. Jacob, who's too close to Martin Voors refuses to believe that he could be the evil incarnate hiding behind a very charismatic persona. Arianna, a fearless reporter who survived a rape and still, she never let that deter her from getting to the truth. These two characters made the story hopeful and I root for them. Sometimes, beating the enemy also requires beating him at his own game, breaking the rules and sometimes even a gentle persuasion or blackmail would do. Desperate situations call for even desperate and crazy measures. 

I cannot consider myself a true Christian.  I have done  too many things that cannot be forgiven even by Christ, but I sympathize with them. 

- J.M. Harrison, Chronicles of the Anti-Christ - 

Thank you again, J.M. Harrison for the paperback copy. Sorry, it took 48 years to post this review.

All the Hidden Pieces by Jillian Thomadsen | A Book Review

It's halfway of May already. It's summer here in the Philippines and it's scorching hot. We haven't been to the beach yet. My summer did have a good start. I went to Korea last April and it was spring there but it felt like it was still winter. The air was still freezing cold. I had a blast though. I had a lot of first experiences in South Korea which I will treasure for the rest of my life. I felt so alive and it's been quite a while since I've felt like that. 

So, this book is a suspense-thriller. At first glance, you may think that it's a bit of drama. I thought so. The title seems to suggest that some secrets are about to be uncovered. Major drama, right? Well, not too far out. This book is really a revelation. There's family drama, I give you that. Yes, secrets are about to be revealed and more.

I know I've said in my previous posts that I am a mystery, suspense, thriller fan. It's my favorite genre. The guessing game and the excitement keeps me glued to the stories. And being such a big fan, I have become familiar with some of the things that come with thriller stories. I then start to formulate my own theories as to how the rest of the story will unfold or who the killer is or what the big mystery is about. Unfortunately, in this book, my experience and great affinity with mysteries wasn't very helpful. This is a very riveting story and a few suspects were thrown in but were actually too far from what really is going on. And that's the best part. I love that a story could throw me out of my wits and keep me wondering. And at the end of it all, I was flabbergasted because it was totally different. It's a satisfaction every reader loves, to be thrown out of the loop, yet the ending is way way much better for it. I crave that kind of high. This story delivered it all with much gusto and much more.

Nothing could have prepared me for this story. The blurb may have been a bit longer than usual but there's more to it. You would think that it has summarized the story in all its essence but you are very very wrong. There's more and much more. I love it! That's why it's good to read blurbs to at least know what you're walking into. But it's much more satisfying, like ice-cold water after a parching walk under the sun, to read each page and find out that there's a great deal more to know. It's an adventure in itself going through each page and be more confused and horrified that all your theories had to be scrapped. It's a great satisfaction to realize that the author is a master and has played you cruelly in her hands. Cruel because you can never figure it out for yourself. 

I had the time of my life reading this book. I never put it down. I had to finish it if I wanted to maintain my sanity. I need to find all the hidden pieces and where each character fits into the story. The ending was so far out of my thoughts that it was a relief and really satisfying to finally know. Ah, what a great adventure it is having to accompany Detective Hobbs and be as astounded as she is when the truth finally hit her. It was wow! 

I can't say enough how I have enjoyed this story and how I was confused and bewildered by the turn of events. I was actually happy to be confused and be out of my wits figuring it out. It's one of the best things about this book. You will never know. So, I gave this 5/5 puzzle pieces. Everything just fits perfectly.

There was something about accepting an apology so many years after the fact that made it insufferable. It was like the nominal payment of a library fee many years after the book had been destroyed in a horrible fire - long after the fine was written off.

- Jillian Thomadsen, All the Hidden Pieces - 

Thank you again, Jillian Thomadsen for the review copy. I'm looking forward to your next stories that would make me confused yet satisfied at the end.

The Night by Matthew Murphy | A Book Review

I have been behind in my reviews so I thought of finding a way to be able to catch up, even just a few posts. I came up with an idea that it would be a lot easier for me to come up with reviews if I start with the stories that I can easily recall from the top of my head. So, I wouldn't be writing the reviews as to the order of how I received the books or what I read first but rather which one I can remember very clearly and easily. So, this story is one.

I was actually almost tempted to give up on this book - The Night. The start was so slow and so sleep-inducing that I'd wanted to just write it off. Good thing, I didn't because halfway through, the book started to get really interesting. New characters were introduced which gave life to the story. Exactly what I have been waiting for. Something to get me out of my near stupor. I was glad, I did not just stop when I was so tempted to. 

This story is about Chicago. The old Chicago. The dangerous neighborhood and where the whites and the black people don't mix. The blacks are still treated as lesser people. And like in most cases, in times of trouble and difficulties, some courageous soul rose up and stood up against the cruelties and injustices. In this story, there are actually two and then the whole neighborhood of blacks made a united front to stand against the person who took advantage of them for the longest time.

The main character here, Clive Baxter, a soldier who just came from war, comes home hopeful for a new start. But instead, found that there are worst things happening aside from the war. Worst of all, it's right in his home. 

I was disappointed with Clive's character on the first few pages. He started as a very strong character, full of hope and ready to live the rest of his life far from the war zone but he ended up with the wrong crowd and doing things against his convictions. He knew that what he's getting into is wrong but he still did them. I know his conscience bothered him and I am just relieved that he managed to get out and tried to change things. That is the Clive Baxter that was introduced in the beginning of the story and I wanted the same person to be able to come out of the chaos, if not stronger, even if the odds were so much against him. I think that's the true measure of a strength of a man. A real man.

So, even if I was partially disappointed of how the first few chapters of this story went, the ending had saved it. It was a real struggle for me getting to the end. I had to keep telling myself to keep going. I had to. I had to finish the book because even if it seemed that it might not go anywhere, I still have to get to the end to be sure I give it a fair review. With that said, I give this book 3/5 German World War II coats. The ending was the saving grace and if not for it, I would have totally given this a one or two rating. Add the fact that I can easily recall the two most interesting characters in this story. Being able to do that is a big plus for me. It means that the story or the characters in the story made an impression on me. The story gave me an experience that could not be easily forgotten or have drawn real emotions out of me which is what every reader is looking for in every story.

I didn't know him any more than any son knew his father. You look up to him. You never realize his faults until he's gone.

I know they say being in a war makes a man a believer and all that, but I saw first-hand what religion can bring. All those bodies of dead Jews piled in them holes in the ground. What if they don't believe? What if their religion didn't exist? I don't know. I guess, another reason to kill them would've been found.

You leave the army, then realize you never can. The war follows you. The war reminds you that it managed to control your soul. It continues to cling, gripping you.

-Matthew Murphy, The Night - 

Thanks again, Matthew Murphy, for the review copy. 

Starr Gone (Starr Fall #3) by Kim Briggs | A Book Review

This is the third part of the series and it is far from over. More revelations have sufficed which is a surprise both to Starr and her friends. It seemed like the General have more pawns in the game. Now, what would Starr do? What would her friends do?

I am not yet sure how I feel about all the things that happened in this installment. There were some good things and some parts which I am not too happy. I did suspect that some of Starr's old friends may make a comeback because their disappearances were very suspicious. True enough, they're back. In as much as I may have suspected it but then I was still surprised when they showed their faces. It turned out, they were not really her friends. In fact, they were so jealous of her. Yes, those fake friends are very common in real life too. But don't worry, Starr has a solid set of very loyal friends who will scour the ends of the earth to find and rescue her. They will never abandon Starr.

At this point, I'm not sure who's using who when it comes to the people after Starr. Between her family and the General's group, each party seems to have their own agenda and Starr is in the middle of it. Talk about the proverbial "between a rock and a hard place." It's definitely where Starr is. But I'm guessing, Starr is just waiting for the best opportunity also to make her move. I know she will come up with something. Also, her friends are not just lying around helpless. They are planning her rescue also. So, it's a wait and see for the next book. Hopefully, the General's evil plans will finally be exposed and he would be punished for all his crimes and Starr would finally be able to stop running for her life and be a carefree teenager again.

With regard to the part where I was not too happy, well, there was a part that annoyed me. Of course, with the way the story has turned, not all of them are really in Starr's favor and it's a bit frustrating because I thought everything is going good for them. Also, some of the villains are really annoying and I can't wait to see if some of them will change their loyalties. It seemed like, some are not too happy where they are and may just be the key that Starr needs to get out of her current prison. We'll see. 

All in all, it's a surprising turn of events. I did not totally picture it but as I said, I did have an inkling that something like this may turn out. But then again, it was still a shock. Hopefully, good things are going to happen in the next book. So far, I have no idea or any theory as to how Starr and her friends are going to outsmart the General but I know they will come up with something. I hope it's going to be as surprising as what happened here. Something that would be totally unexpected.

I give this book 3/5 guns. 

I'm a china doll to be placed in a vacumm-sealed glass case on the very top of the tallest shelf to collect dust and grow fragile from lack of use.

- Kim Briggs, Starr Gone - 

Thank you again, Kim Briggs for the review copy.

Serenity (Shelby Alexander #1) by Craig A. Hart | A Book Review

Serenity

Shelby Alexander #1

by: Craig A. Hart

Publication date: October 14th 2016

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Crime

Do You Love Thrillers? The New Shelby Alexander Thriller Series Is Here! Don't Forget To Breathe... A woman dies in his arms...a drug dealer offers him $10,000...a gunman is determined to kill him. And then everything goes to hell.
 
Shelby Alexander is an aging ex-boxer and retired fixer, whose activities often flirted with the wrong side of the law. Looking for a little peace and a slower pace of life, he moved to Serenity, the small Michigan town where he grew up. But trouble follows men like Shelby, and he finds himself embroiled in an underworld of drugs and violence that may prove to be his undoing. The first book in the new Shelby Alexander Thriller Series, Serenity is an action-packed read with a lovingly rendered cast, witty dialogue, and a main character who doesn't know when to quit.

I got this  from the  author. He  was  featured in  one of the  newsletters that  I signed  up for. The newsletter said to just email Mr. Hart if I was interested to review his book. And I did and here I am reviewing it. This review just took a while  to come out  because I  only got the  chance to read the book last month.

This is  the first of a series. And of course, my first to read a book by this author. Shelby Alexander  is  obviously  the  main  character in  this story. He is a  retired boxer. This is how, by some unfortunate event, a  dead   body  was  found on  his  yard  to  be  precise, got   him  started  on  being a  private  detective.  Serenity  is the name  of the town  which to me is a contradiction. It is in no way serene. First a dead body, then a  turf  war between  two  drug-dealing cartels. What's serene in that?

I think  I stumbled on a gem. Craig A. Hart is a good find. I was fortunate that I listened to my instincts to sign up to review this book because this was such a suspenseful read. I felt sorry for Shelby being a greenhorn in private investigation and be  constantly  shot  at. He only just started and it seemed like people  are out  to  terminate  him.  Not a  good omen for a starting PI, right?  Not to mention, he did not on his own volition  decide to be a PI.  He was approached to dig and ask around to find the killer of the dead boy and how it ended up on his property. What's more, he  is now  in close  contact  with  very   shady  characters. The  very same  people who  trusted  him  to   find  the   people   responsible  for  the  death of their sister. Yes, the  dead body in his yard was the sister of the major drug-dealing family  in  Serenity. With  the  danger  he  is  in  becoming  more real  and  deadlier, Shelby  used  the  resources available to him, like his girl friend who works at a bar and a friend who is not from Serenity.

 In the end, it turned out a lot of interests are playing this deadly game. Selfish, very deadly and high stakes are involved and Shelby has to outwit the unknown and faceless enemy to stay alive and save those that are caught in the crossfire.

I give this 4/5 one-cup coffee makers. Though, this was kind of melancholy and dark, I enjoyed reading this book. Mr. Hart is shaping up to be one really good mystery writer. And my favorite author's list has a  lot of  space  for more   mystery  writers  since it's  my favorite  genre. I am  looking  forward to read Serenity Avenged. Another book of  the same   author and also part  of this series. What  other deadly situations will Mr. Alexander get entangled in?   
 

Thank you Mr. Hart for this  worthwhile read.  Looking  forward  to reading  more of  your books, whether in this same genre or not.

There was a hunger inside humanity, a craving for conflict. It was how it pulled itself out of the ooze and rose to rule the planet. It was biology.

- Craig A. Hart, Serenity -

 

Wolf in the Shadows (Sharon McCone #14) by Marcia Muller | A Book Review

Marcia Muller is one of those authors who is married to another author. Amazing, right? Her husband also writes mystery, suspense and thrillers. In fact, I have read one or two of his books and they were really good. Which makes me wonder, does being married to another author who writes the same genre make Miss Muller's writing process easier or not? Does she discuss with her husband her plots and how to improve them? Do they steal ideas from each other? Or borrow? I am just curious how it's like being married to another talented author.

I have read a Sharon McCone mystery before. There are 32 books in this series. I have read Pennies on a Dead Woman's Eyes and A Walk Through the Fire. Or I think I might have read more. I am not sure. I have a thing for lady detectives or PI. I just love them. Mrs. Pollifax is right on the top of my list. I just love strong and talented women making it big in a man's world. I would like to be one--not a PI or detective but make it big in a world dominated more by men like business, baking and leadership. I would like to be a successful businesswoman, a talented pastry baker and a strong and fair leader worthy of emulation.

Sharon McCone is a very successful PI in California. She has solved a lot of cases and is one of the most successful women who penetrated this manly business of detecting or investigation. This story is more personal than any cases she has handled. Too personal because this involved the mysterious disappearance of her environmental activist boyfriend Hy Ripinski. With the danger of losing her job for going off to the unknown without telling her boss, so much more is at stake here for McCone. She had to listen attentively to her instincts and fully trust her gut. Will she succeed?

Like all PI's stories, it would not do without dead bodies dropping or a person missing. This time, McCone had to rub elbows with the lowlifes and goons. She had to play on the wrong side of the court to be able to get the information she needed to find her boyfriend. She had to play dirty also in order to survive. She had to outwit and outplay the enemy without them having any clue. And true to all her successes in her job and her persistence, with help from some shady characters, she was able find what she was looking for and get to the bottom of the whole deal. 

I think there was a part in the story where there was a lull. A sort of part that was not so engrossing to read. I might have stopped reading or I have might brushed through it just to get to the next chapter. Fortunately the speed picked up and all hell broke loose. It was good all after that. The hint of danger was so alive throughout the story which was even more intensified by the desert landscape and the baying of the wolves in the background.

I give the book 4/5 desert cacti. This was an enjoyable read. Like any books by Murcia Muller or any of my favorite mystery authors, I have always been filled with excitement every time I have any of their works in my hand. I am so fortunate to have discovered these great authors that not many in my generation or the current one have come to know. I hope younger people will come to love their stories as much as I do. This is my way of letting them know that there are a lot of great authors who are not the contemporaries of Colleen Hoover and other YA authors that they need to meet. And that mysteries never grow old or will I ever tire of them.

Well, we all harbored wolves in the shadows of our psyches, didn't we? And mine were bound to be fiercer, more bloodthirsty than most. But  what happened when one's wolf assumed human form?

- Marcia Muller, Wolf in the Shadows -  

Help the Poor Struggler (Richard Jury #6) by Martha Grimes | A Book Review

It's been years since I last read a Martha Grimes book. As far as I can remember, the last I read was The Five Bells and Bladebone (Richard Jury #9). I can't exactly remember the first story of the author that I read. As I scanned through the titles of her books, only The Five Bells and Bladebone was familiar. It may seem that I have only read two of her books but I felt like I had been reading her works a lot more than that. As far as I can remember, I may have met the the author through an issue of The Reader's Digest Condensed Books. I have enjoyed her books so much that she had been on my favorite authors list.

As I noticed, Martha Grimes has a penchant for naming her books uniquely. For this book for example, I kept asking when will she reveal why she called this Help the Poor Struggler. I was so curious why and fortunately, it was explained almost on the last of the story. I was actually surprised where the title came from but it did make a lot of sense and in fact summarized the whole plot. I think one of the reasons why I got drawn to her was because of her very intriguing titles. And her writing is very suspenseful and riveting that you will keep wanting to read her books. Finding her books in a second-hand bookstore is like a discovering a treasure. I made sure that I hold on to the copy very tightly so no one could take it.

I didn't realize that most of the author's books or almost all are part of the Richard Jury series. I didn't event realize it's a series. It only dawned on me now. Richard Jury is a Scotland Yard detective and is the main character in this story. In here, Jury is asked to help solve a series of murders of three kids. 

As the story progressed, I started to have my list of suspects and started eliminating them as soon as it was proven wrong. When all of the names on my list have been eliminated but one, I started having doubts if my hunch was correct. I was unsure until the true murderer was revealed. I was astonished because my hunch was correct but I had my doubts. The author's writing was just so unexpected and things were so uncertain until they slowly unraveled. It seemed that things could go any way possible. Anything can happen. I was really riveted to how Jury tried to leave no stone unturned. In the end, his instincts and keen attention to details paid off. He caught the killer and removed suspicion on the person who was purported to be doing all the killings. 

This was a superbly done story and the suspense and uncertainty was almost too hard to take. This was pure good old-school detective work at its best. I give the book 5/5 mugs of beer. This book just reminded me of why I came to love suspense, mystery and thrillers. 

I seem to not find any marked page or highlighted lines in my paperback of this book. So, Instead of the usual quote from the book, let me just give you an observation or trivia. It seemed that this book happen have a lot of covers. Per Wikipedia, a movie (in behalf of Austrian and German broadcasters) has also been made based on this story and two other stories by the same author such as The Man with a Load of Mischief and The Deer Leap.  

Trafficked (A Mex Anderson Novel) by Peg Brantley | ARC | A Book Review

This book is about human trafficking, specifically sex trafficking of minors. And the setting is not in some third-world country but in the land of milk and honey-the US.

The hero of this story is Mex Anderson. A private investigator who was tasked to find three girls. Jayla is fifteen. A smart kid from a poor family. Her mom can't survive without a man. Alexis is seventeen. A daughter of a rich businessman and a drunk mother who can't even take care of herself. Olivia is twelve. A middle child who is hungry for attention. These three will tell their horrendous experiences under their horrible captors. Mex, along with his smart girlfriend Cade and his friend, Darius, who is a writer with a lot of useful connections, will find these girls and get them home.

This story implied that this is not Mex, Cade and Darius first rodeo. They have done this assignment before but the difference is it was not human trafficking. Saving girls from sex trafficking is a total different playing field which they found is very dangerous and very rampant. These three people will come to deal with a totally different specie of human evil. Good thing they are a lot smarter.

Oh, what horrors this book has divulged. No one is safe from human trafficking. Boy or girl, white or black, rich or poor. And you can't trust anyone. These three girls trusted the wrong people which led them to a nightmare they never even imagined. What saved them was their belief that even if their bodies and will were broken but their souls are still intact. Their souls belong only to them. They refuse to surrender everything to their captors and those that violate them. 

Books like these are what everyone should be reading. I think teens and those unsuspecting kids who are most likely the target should read this book so they will be aware. So they won't fall prey to those people who are likely to take advantage of their innocence and trust. Parents should read this too. This is a very educational story. It is not a bedtime story but I guess we are all better aware than sorry. It is indeed a difficult and scary time that we live in. We can't even trust some of those we call friends just like what happened to one of the characters in this story. 

I give this book 5/5 stars. This is a very brave undertaking.  Taking on stories of this subject is dangerous. You have to balance both fiction and reality to make the story believable and credible. Putting in the news article excerpts added in the weight of truth and stab of reality to the whole thing. Reading this did not feel like reading fiction at all, it was like listening to a painstaking recounting of a very traumatic experience. I was like praying each time that Mex will find these girls before they totally give up and lost it. 

Congratulations Miss Peg Brantley. A very well-written and scary tale but is a good doze of very hard facts. I hope this story will serve as an eye-opener to those who are still unaware of these unforgiving and indiscriminate traffickers. That parents and kids will always be very vigilant and aware of their surroundings and of the people around them. That those who were unfortunate victims of these soulless traffickers and pimps will have more strength and hope that whatever happened to them was not their fault and they should not blame themselves. They were victims and these devils deserved to be hanged over and over again for the nightmares and evils they have done. They are unforgivable.

I feel like that every day. It's like I work toward this one life and then a gust of wind comes along and pushes me towards another one, scraping off a part of me every time.

- Peg Brantley, Trafficked - 

Release Date: May 23, 2017

Starr Fall (Star Fall #1) by Kim Briggs | A Book Review

I also got this book a few months back and in some way, it has slipped my mind and never gotten to read it until this month. I am sluggishly catching up on my mounting TBR, like a turtle's pace but I'm getting there.

I did not read the blurb for this story. The author is familiar but I have never read any of her works. When I found on Instagram that she is giving away copies for this book, I hastily downloaded the free copy from Amazon. I was scared they will run out before I got my hands on one. The unfortunate thing is, I did not read it right away, nevertheless, here it is. So, back to the blurb. I thought that this story had a paranormal hint to it, like mermaids probably, because of the cover that was taken underwater. Hahaha. Shame on me. My impression was wrong and way too far. The best thing was that I understood the reason for the cover now and the relevance of the title.

Notice the spelling of Starr. Two r's. It's not a typo. That's the name of the main character and she is a good swimmer. The story is the first installment of a series. When you reach the end of this book, it is obvious that a lot is still bound to happen. More revelations and more problems to overcome for our young heroine. The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger. I am saying a bit because it was not unexpected and it was not so abrupt also that will leave you screaming and hanging. It was just teasing enough to make sure you will follow and read the next book.

This started out fun and giddy until Starr took a test for a summer fellowship and then her life turned to shambles. And that's where the story got so interesting. I really paid a lot of attention from this part onward. It's not that I was not paying attention to the story, I was just getting more involved when I reached this part. If on the earlier part I was just calm and collected, on this portion I was on full alert and ready for anything to happen. And true to its promise, the author delivered. 

This is far from the other sweet and cute YA romance stories I have read. This story is filled with suspense and anticipation. I am looking forward to the next revelations and discoveries Starr will uncover. I also feel that Christian is not all that he seems. I think he still has secrets that Starr has yet to know. Ah, this is an absolutely endearing and enticing start to a series. I am looking forward to the next installments.

I give this book 5/5 swimming goggles. Just like what Dory says, keep swimming. Keep swimming and keep fighting Starr. I am rooting for you. I know you will eventually unearth and uncover the people behind the organization after you. You are smart and young. I think they will underestimate you because of your youth and that will prove to be an advantage on your part. See you on the next story Starr.

Thank you, Kim Briggs for the copy.

Is there any time more special than childhood? No worries, no pain. Then out of nowhere something happens, and bam! You life changes forever. The end of innocence.

 - Kim Briggs, Starr Fall -  

The Narragansett Files by Robert Shemeld | A Book Review

This felt like a Clive Cussler story. There were a lot of things in this book that were also found in a Clive Cussler story. The suspense, the mission-impossible task, the main character's love for boats and the ocean, an ex-marine, a threat to the US and the clever ways to outwit the enemy. Wow! I wonder if Robert Shemeld is friends with Clive Cussler. Their stories are alike in a lot of ways but also very different. One very obvious difference is that the main character is not working for the government. He is a private citizen. A businessman. 

The reason why this story felt like a Cussler is because the intensity and the level of the suspense and excitement is the same feeling I feel every time I am on a Cussler adventure. The writing is also very good. There is no telling what is going to happen next. And since I am a big fan of Cussler, it's always a good thing to find another author that is into the same genre and with the same impeccable talent. I am so glad I signed up for this book through Netgalley. Told you, I have a talent of picking really talented authors just by the book's title and blurb. Most of the time, those catchy and sometimes obscure titles are really great stories. I am always happy to be surprised and blown. All the time.

This story definitely could hold its own. This is my first time to read of this author yet I am so impressed and would want to read more of his stories. Shemeld has a good chance of ending on my favorite authors' list. This story alone has me hooked, line and sinker. I ate it all. The story was fast-paced but it wasn't hard to keep up. It was narrated with extreme clarity. There was no mistaking who was what and everything. Very well done! This absolutely deserves 5/5 USB flash drives. I wonder why I never heard of Robert Shemeld before?

One of the things about this author that stood out for me is his ability to include some trivia and very important tidbits of information about a fact that was mentioned just in passing in the story. Some examples of these trivia are the rooms in the White House like the Green Room, about guns like the AK-47, the Colt and the Kalashnikov. I also liked that the main character, whose name was never mentioned in the whole story, has a penchant for using unique words like atwitter, fortnight and purloined. This is one distinguishing characteristic of his. The main character, who is also the narrator of this tale, Liz' husband, was never named. I had to scan the book once again to double check but he never ever gave out his name. It seemed that when introductions are happening, Liz' husband is almost always already known by the other party. So oftentimes, the other party was introduced but his name never came up in any of the conversations. This is the first time that I have really enjoyed the story yet never gotten to know the name of the hero. The author has done a very good job because even nameless, his character is very unforgettable.

I am looking forward to more adventures of Liz and his husband. What other sticky and deadly situations are they going to be forced to handle and how will he (the husband) cleverly get out of them alive?

Thanks again, Netgalley for the copy.

Warfare is born of ruthless opportunism, [one must] paralyze and confound [the enemy] by quickly and aggressively exploiting his vulnerabilities and strike him in a way that will hurt him most. In short, strike your enemy with such ferocity and lethality that he is dead before he even knows you're on the field of battle.

- Robert Shemeld, The Narragansett Files -