Unlucky Charm by Aidan Lucid

Jared and Maybelle are back helping others once again.   Two friends are haunted by past experiences provoked by the inadvertent acquisition of a voodoo charm.  Cursed they find themselves spiraling into despair.

Lucid, again, bares characters to their soul and then offers them a chance at redemption.  Less than innocent acts lead to fatal consequences.  

Jared learns to accept that there will be failure in his interaction with the supernatural. 

I enjoyed the book and recommend it. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Spotlight on KIRINS: The Seer of Seron

Spotlight on KIRINS: The Seer of Seron

Whimsical fantasy series featuring tiny magical beings returns with a new spellbinding adventure

Kauai, HI –The author of the KIRINS trilogy returns with a fourth novel to continue the epic tale of tiny, magical beings who live throughout Earth today. Introducing: KIRINS: The Seer of Serone. (Beaver’s Pond Press, January 18, 2022).

Author James Priest created a race of tiny magical beings called kirins that live on Earth today. Due to ancient frictions, kirins have magically concealed themselves from humans for millennia.

In the fourth installment of this action-packed fantasy series, a disgruntled kirin high magician interrupts the global invisibility spell and kirins everywhere are momentarily visible to humans. Exploiting this breach, a vicious Alaskan fishing boat captain, Jeremy Bailey, captures a kirin named Till and, under threat of torture, exploits Till’s magical abilities for Bailey’s benefit.

A kirin party fights back to deliver Bailey to The Seer of Serone, an esteemed kirin wizard who brings the infamous human to trial. Peering into Bailey’s mind, The Seer will show mercy only if Bailey is a truly changed man.

 This lovingly crafted story in the classic fantasy tradition explores the power of empathy, friendship, and forgiveness to heal the rifts that divide.

 

About the Author:

James D. Priest, M.D., majored in English at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. He studied English in the masters program and received a Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Minnesota. He spent three years in Japan as a physician in the Army of the United States caring for casualties from Vietnam, and four years in orthopedic residency at Stanford University. He practiced orthopedics in Minneapolis for twenty-one years. He has authored or co-authored approximately thirty medical articles, and received the Minnesota Medicine Outstanding Writing Award.

 

Follow James on social media:

Goodreads: James Priest | Twitter: @KIRINS_Author | Website: KirinBooks.com

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

The Scavangers by Aidan Lucid

Jared, Jessica and Adrian are teens with teenage problems.  They have each other but as teens they find it impossible to solve the problems they face until they change their lives by wishing on an unfriendly well.  

The author places teens in situations that are normal for today.  Not necessarily good but sadly often normal.  Jared is bullied because he is gay.  Even worse his torment is by a girl which limits his ability to retaliate.  Growing up in a steel town, early on you found bully defense was often giving them a smack in the mouth.  Obviously I’ve matured since then and a physical response is no longer acceptable.  As a teacher I found that many of the bullies had issues that if addressed could change their behavior and I digress.  

Adrian lacks self esteem and wants to be loved, preferably by an attractive female.   Who hasn’t felt that on an occasion or two. 

Jessica is in a dysfunctional home with a mother who is using alcohol to deal with her anger and loss.

The three kids are ripe for abuse and get it in a supernatural manner.

Luckily Jared has an aunt that helps them deal with their issues.

Lucid portrays his teens with compassion.

 I enjoyed the book. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

The Gods Return by David Drake

This is the third volume of the Crown of the Isles.   Once again, wizards, monsters, evil gods and war.   The cast of country bumpkins thrust to greatness continue to fight the evil trying to break their land.

Each of the characters finds the task that they are uniquely qualified to handle.   The accept that they may die and are willing to do so for their nation.   Drake shows the willingness of ordinary people to die due to loyalties.  

I like the sentiments that Drake evokes of honor, loyalty, duty, perseverance and love.

I recommend the book and enjoyed the series. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

The Misfit Soldier by Michael Mammay

NOW AVAILABLE

Gas is a reincarnated Sgt. Bilko but with more skill and courage.  Google Bilko when you don’t recognize the reference.   Gas tries hard to portray a hard, uncaring character but fails.  Inadvertently one of his schemes turns out to be both philanthropic and noble.

The characters in his squad are willing to follow Gas anywhere because he supports them and looks out for them. He does not see them as mere cannon fodder.  His squad is a power armored squad which gives them more protection and greater firepower.  

Gas looks beyond combat to conflictual roots and takes action.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Hero Code by Lindsay Buroker

This wraps up the first three books of the Star Kingdom 9 book (so far) series.

Casmir gets a more definitive clue as to his origins.  The identity of the terrorists that are using his crushers to try and kill him, is discovered.  He meets some royalty and helps some friends.  

Once again I find myself highly appreciative of Buroker’s awesome productivity and how much I enjoy her characters.   Qin is a good example of making a dangerous character lovable.  

Casmir still doesn’t know if the royals are friend or foe.

This is a good series and I recommend it.

 This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned