RS: Cozy Mysteries and Chick Literature: Ashley King, Nicola Sanders & Andrea Lochen

 

The Imperfect Psychic by Ashley King

A Cosy Mystery with a number of twists. This story is capable of holding the attention and creating a few shivers. I liked the main character, and found her easy to identify with and sympathise. 

This book was complete in itself, and didn’t end as a cliffhanger, but if it is part of a series, I will definitely be reading the rest. I would like to know more about the heroine, her life and loves. The town full of quaint characters is also a fictional somewhere I would like to be spending more time.   

My copy was a review copy supplied by Book Sirens.

All The Lies by Nicola Sanders

It was easy to feel sympathetic towards the primary character, a lady evading an injurious spouse. This made the ploy and lie that she utilized to guarantee her physical security acceptable. Without good reason, the dishonesty would have seemed dodgy, but in a dire situation, it was justifiable.

I think the book truly functioned as a spine-chiller. I am keeping the analysis short and spoiler free, with the goal that you can appreciate the book as well, which I truly suggest. And the revelation near the end – whoa!

I was glad to get a review copy through Book Sirens and was captivated by the tale.

https://www.amazon.com/All-Lies-gripping-psychological-thriller-ebook/dp/B08GZ3SQBW/

Versions of Her by Andrea Lochen

Thoroughly enjoyable chick-lit time travel story. I like the cover, but I nearly missed this one because the blurb implied it would be too extreme, asking whether they “knew their mother at all”. But of course they did. Not as an individual, but in the selfish, possessive way offspring do. 

The journey back to view their mother as a person, not a mother, was thought provoking. 

I didn’t go for Kelsey’s choice, (although I won’t describe it as a spoiler). I felt that the experience should have freed her up to “let go”. Generally, sentiment is great, and I expect 90% of readers will love it. I’m just hmm… that’s been done a lot… and material things do weigh one down in life.

Now you may be asking why I gave a five, if I didn’t agree with everything? Well – the writing was honestly worth it. I slowed down to enjoy every word. Unusual for me, I’m a speedy reader. So, yes, it held my attention. 

My copy was provided free of charge by Book Sirens. 

https://www.amazon.com/Versions-Her-Andrea-Lochen-ebook/dp/B07TF4YBBH/

RS: Young Adult and Fantasy: Melissa Koberlein, Elizabeth J. Rekab & Alexandra Sharp

 

Ashwater by Melissa Koberlein

The Young Adult voice is done well. Cyborgs are the new minority, a symbol of intelligence, power and strength, which is also hunted. Learning to be more human provides a metaphor for socialisation. 

There was enough romance to appeal, and yet allow space for action and adventure. A couple twists and turns, with characters not being what they seem – for good or bad. A reasonably satisfying ending that could lead to more, either as a series, or in the reader’s imagination.

A well created setting and unique little town. I read a copy advanced by Book Sirens.

https://www.amazon.com/Ashwater-Melissa-Koberlein-ebook/dp/B07VYKZTRJ/

Everhaven by Elizabeth J. Rekab

The cover is plain, but the story is great! 

Featuring a teenager with a specific calling, who is harassed at school, it is ideal for the Young Adult audience. The characterisation is complex enough to appeal to the troubled teen that lurks inside me too, although I’m supposed to be more mature!

Some mystery surrounds the town and its situation. The limited social circle is well constructed, and the implications seem to be thought through. Although simple, and supposedly situated somewhere in the real world, the township constitutes a good piece of world building. 

Now I must finish the story and see whether the culmination delivers all the thrills. Troubles are gathering and the plot is getting darker… much darker.  The quest does involve a few surprises and some more world building. 

The book was better than the average zombie or ‘I see the dead’ genre fare, involving some originality. I read a copy supplied by Book Sirens, especially for review. 

https://www.amazon.com/Everhaven-Book-One-Reaper-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B08C69JWDN/

Witches of Wherewithal by Alexandra Sharp

I was looking for a good paranormal romance, but I appear to have found a political fantasy with a touch of mystery thriller. I liked the setting, a mystery island, where the witches retreated when they saw a vision of the mainland in distress. I also liked the fact that the main characters got together without a lot of miscommunication and infighting. Moreover most of the main characters seemed good at heart, which dissipated a lot of potential problems. 

However, some of the other plot threads remained untied. Where had her mother disappeared to, and why? Was the one spell we learned about meant to provide the answer? Where did the husband go after all that – and was he really dead? Was it my eyes, or did a paragraph repeat somewhere, and the misprint place the wedding before the heroine was declared a widow? 

So a bit of this and a bit of that, leaves the reader wondering. I had a review copy through Book Sirens.