Book Review: The Killing Beach by Skyla Dawn Cameron

The Killing Beach by Skyla Dawn Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm not usually a fiction reader. But I couldn't pass this one up. I'm so glad I read it!

Waverly has a past that was in the spotlight... when her sister went missing with a serial killer in her home town. It's something she's not really gotten over. Especially when the Detective working the cases, and one that Waverly was attracted to, went missing as well.

Waverly became a private investigator and has never forgotten her sister or the detective.

When dead mean start washing up on the coast of her home town lake, Waverly is drawn home. Even to just make sure the detective she was drawn to all those years ago wasn't one of them. Or was, to close out that mystery. Then, when she stumbles across a body on the beach...

Waverly places her cards and information where it's to be seen and hopes to be hired to investigate the cases. Waverly gets drawn into the case more than she expected. Can she solve the case or will more men wash up on the beach?

I have a main character type, and Waverly hits all the points. She's damaged, determined, and independent. Strong woman on her own. Even though she won't admit it, she does care.

I enjoyed Waverly's interaction with her family. Families aren't perfect and when there's a tragedy as big as theirs, it's hard to continue as things were. The dog was a nice touch. That was a little fun.

I'm looking forward to reading this series. I've already received the next two books! :D

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Audio Book Review: Dungeon Lord: Otherworldly Powers by Hugo Huesca

Dungeon Lord: Otherworldly Powers by Hugo Huesca
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There's always something new to do in games, especially if you're a Dungeon Lord. And Kharon has deals with others you can help with...

Ed is working on upgrading his haunt when Kharon asks...throws him through a portal to help a female thief. And comes face to face with undead and a wraith along with other thieves that now want him dead. This side excursion will bring bigger troubles to Ed's doorstep, and threaten those that have become his friends.

Everyone thinks that Dungeon Lords are bad people. But Ed is one of the exceptions, most of the time. Ed's creating new bonds with creatures and people that aren't usually associated together, and more than not are enemies. This is interesting to see how they can work together and become stronger.

It's something to see how Ed, unlike other Dungeon Lords, is showing his people how to grow and be better and even defend themselves. It all comes to fruit in the end too.

Kharon returns in the epilogue to give us the breakdown on a few things that happened. This is interesting.

I enjoy the adventures Ed and his minions go on and what they've created. Ed has a creative mind and does things a little differently. In listening to the audiobook I feel like I get a feel for Ed's personality along with all the characters. I look forward to listening to more books in this series. I'm looking forward to more of Ed's craftiness.

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Audio Book Review: Space Academy Miscreants by C.T. Phipps

Space Academy Miscreants by C. T. Phipps
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How far will others go to get Vance to help affect politics on other planets with his new promotion to High Protector?

We are back in the saddle with Vance as we venture on. Others have moved on or moving on to great places. In doing so, we have the whole crew back together fighting with Vance. Darn, they are all such loyal friends, or...they want to see what crazy Vance will pull off again. lol

We learn A LOT in the first few paragraphs and through the first chapter! Case Gordon has a mess for Vance to take care of and... Vance learns of his daughter, who is very likely in trouble. This sparks Vance into action, which might also be a trap. But he's going.

Even though this series is set in the far future (fantasy future) in space, I love that Vance has an attraction for pop references and space and more for the 1980's, 1990's, and more. Vance loves the oldies! And so do I. There's many here I get and some I think I miss. lol. There's even a reference drop to another of C.T. Phipps's series, a universe where guys named Gary are single most important person. lol. And, Major Tom.

As always, action, fun, and quick funny lines are to be had with the book. A little drama mixed in too.

In the end, there was more to the story than I expected. I should know that by now, but still taken with the whole ending with the how and who.

BONUS:
We have a short story added to the end of this book! :D Thank you!

NOBODY'S FOOL
Vance's mission, to golf in a golf outing. And win.

When Vance and Shelly get here, Vance suspects something more is happening. Especially with the lifeform that appears to be sentient and yet it's in slavery positions. Vance's crazy notions bring us to a quick mystery to be solved. Always fun seeing the view Vance has of things...making something where others see nothing. And it's usually right.

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Lamentation by Ken Scholes

Lamentation by Ken Scholes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a re-read for me. It's been a number of years since I read it and I wanted to get back to the books so I can read the last one, which I've had on my shelves for far too long.

I have loved diving into this world and being reintroduced to the characters. The ones that are in the wrong are found. And those who have good intentions are found too.

But...are they created by another? Influenced into who they are and what they do?

There's an interesting play in the background of this book that has me curious and searching for what's related and connected.

The world is just opening up to us and there's so much more to come. We have just started to peel back the layers to learn what's happening. And many characters are seeing this is going deeper than they ever could have imagined.

Neb is one of my favorite characters. Along with the strong Jin Li Tam. These two overcome some great events and knowledge, all to grow into stronger people. Petronus is one who sees and knows more than we could imagine. I'm looking forward to seeing what he will share with us in the coming books. All the characters really. They all are starting to put things together and there's more here than meets the eye.

Such great writing. I love the crafting that's gone into creating these characters and world. This is the first book and I look forward to digging in deeper with the characters.

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Audio Book Review: Echoes of the System by Carrie Summers

Echoes of the System by Carrie Summers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Devon has a number of things happening in game, like finding Stonehaven and then a new boss arrives that only she can solve, while also dealing with people in person. Emerson has asked if she wants to move to his area, she has a surprise visitor that's not really welcome, and her friends want to meet. A lot for someone that's not really a people person.

I love the beginning! I took a break between books and the author did a great job of weaving past events into the story happening. Because the characters are all still a little shellshocked. Great catchup with not retelling the story. It all plays into what's happening now.

The game world and characters created there are amazing. I love how the NPC's have become friends and important in everyone's life, especially for Devon.

This is a great story of events and happenings for the characters in game and in life. I loved the way it was all done. This book ties a lot of things up. Almost a finally, as there's not another one. (Yet?) We still have the looming possible threat of more demons, but in a game there's always something to come.

This series is definitely worth a listen or read.

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Audio Book Review: Outcast by Lindsey Sparks

Outcast by Lindsey Sparks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is Kat in hiding yet drawing attention from the Senate to find her. She learns about a disease that's been released on the humans by the kids that were in the lab she and her clan destroyed. Can she find a cure for those that are sick?

This book had more to it that felt like the story continues. There feels to be one direction with the story, not much in side stories to fill things out. We do have Kat finding "love" and happy for a moment. This is tied to the overall events and in the end felt convenient to me. Or maybe it's leading to a love triangle... That feel is potential as well.

The fight scenes felt a little better in this one as we get to see more in fights.

I felt there was something that happened that was a convenience for the characters.... Like how did one character get sick and another that is sick can be around people then... Again, I have to go listen to these sections again (if I can find them) to get answers. It's kind of vague whether one character touched anything or not to get sick.

I wanted so much to enjoy this series, but it just doesn't feel like it's for me. I'm sure others are loving it though.

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Audio Book Review: Ink Witch by Lindsey Fairleigh (Sparks)

Ink Witch by Lindsey Sparks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm going to try the next book too. The book is good. The main character, Kat Dubois, is in essence my kind of main character. She's a loner and has a past that....well, could land her in jail if she was human and people knew.

Kat's a Nejeret, which is a demi-god(dess). She has done work for the Shadow Senate that she's trained for and used as a weapon. Her and her kind are long lived and don't age. With that, she's going to be around for a long time remembering her past.

So why is the book just good?
I felt like Kat came to a couple quick realizations that didn't seem to be lead up to in the events that happened. They were talked about, but didn't feel like the events in her life really made her see what someone else was telling her. Just like she was taking that persons word as her a-ha moment.

I'm one who enjoys a good fight scene. I felt like the fight scenes weren't detailed out enough or last like they should for someone who's to have her experience. I'm hoping more will come and this first book, being short, is the beginning to lead us into what's to come.

I did learn this is a series spin off from another. I'll have to go pick up that other series and see if it helps place some things that Kat was talking about in her past in this book. Though, I'm afraid that series is more a romance urban fantasy.... We'll see in the future.

This book does start the series arc for what's happening to her clan people and children. This is going to lead to so much more.

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