Review: The Experiment by Alicia Nordwell

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Humans have poisoned the Earth and are desperate for other worlds to colonize. Now at war a rich world, Caeorleia, whose resources they covet, Earth forces will use anything and anyone to reach their goal. Human Ryker has lost family and home as the war has raged on further depleting Earth’s final resources. Seeing an advertisement for volunteers for a science project on an alien world, he agreed, thinking that it was just a benign experiment to see if humans could live peacefully with Caeorleians.

But the reality was a 5-year horror in which he became an unwilling scientific experimental subject, tortured and surgically altered by sadistic scientists until he was changed into something less than Caeorleian but no longer human. Then the scientists had one more surprise for him. Aboard the science ship with Ryker is an alien, captured Caeorleian, Seral Iorflas. By injecting Ryker with Seral’s blood, the scientists hope to finish the transformation and use Ryker as a spy against the very aliens he now resembles.

But Ryker isn’t human any more and his treatment as an experiment has shattered his loyalties. A blood bond forms between Ryker and Seral that grows increasingly stronger when they join together against the scientists that hold them. As the war between Earth and Caeorleia intensifies, where will Ryker’s heart and loyalties lie?

The Experiment is the first story in a new series by Alicia Nordwell and it is one guaranteed to hold your attention into the second story and beyond. Nordwell sets the stage by bringing the reader into the horror that Ryker’s life has become as an experimental animal aboard a medical ship headed towards Caeorleia. The ship journey has taken five years, during which Ryker was tortured, experimented on without anesthesia or any other humane medical protocol, starved and raped repeatedly by his captures and guards. At first there were 12 of them but we seen through Ryker’s memories, their numbers dwindle, unable to stand the abuse and experiments. Told from Ryker’s pov, the unrelenting pain and horror that Ryker has gone through and is currently feeling is brought immediately home to the reader. And although the excruciating details are mentioned in passing, we do not have to actually “be there in the moment” during the actual operations, thankfully. The descriptions we are given are enough to bring up the worst of Nazi Germany and Mengele’ notorious experiments.

One of the best things about The Experiment is Nordwell’s world building. She has come up with some ingenious and wonderful creations and rituals for Caeorleia and its denizens. I was charmed by the yellow flowers that moved at will, looking like a golden carpet floating over the landscape. So too the Sampanga trees, unmoored by roots, taking trace bits of energy from beings around it and fleeing if someone or something hurts them. Even the food Nordwell created for the various Caeorleians to eat sounded quite marvelous. Nordwell makes it extremely plausible that someone from a ruined Earth would want not only to conquer it but to stay there, amidst fresh air, lush foliage and clean water, no matter how strange.

Nordwell’s aliens too are fascinating. They are covered with swirling designs and are drawn to partners with similar patterns as well as pheromones, much like many species around us. Once matched up, the bond is cemented through a blood exchange which changes each partner’s chemistry and initiates a final change in pattern for both beings, although in different areas of the body. I don’t what to reveal too much more about their physiology but the author’s ability to tie in a reasonable explanation for Ryker and Seral’s bond through the Caeorlian physiology and the events that happen on board the ship really make this emotional bond between Ryker and Seral work for me. No instant love which would have harmed her story. No unbelievable romance but a clear scientific explanation that works and waits for the rest to follow.

Nordwell’s characters are appealing, accessible and fascinating. It’s not just Ryker and Seral the reader will love. but Seral’s large family, including his birth mother which just happens to be one of his “fathers”, again the explanation of which follows along several natural history examples of species either switching genders when needed or the several scientific speculations on male child bearing abilities. Plus all the rest of the sisters, brothers, and extended families that swirl around a royal compound such as Seral’s. The author used every bit of her 270 pages to lay out her world building along with her characters and plots while never forgetting to fold in the background science that supports some of her most basic building blocks.

There are some issues here that stood out, the first of which is her overuse of certain epithets. “Small male, small man” to reference Ryker is found over and over again until their constant appearance becomes irritating. Less numerous (although not by much) as well as vexing is Seral’s “little tziu, small tziu”, the term tziu being a Caeorlian word for mate. Although it might have several meanings as Nordwell throws in segments of the Caeorlian language she has created for the series as well. That language is both a positive and negative element for me. Ryker has been fitted with a “translator” of sorts by the scientists so he is able to communicate with the Caeorlians. But not all the words translate, including tziu, which have to be explained. That makes complete sense. Not so later on when Ryker uses the word “love” and get its back in return. The Caeorlians have no translator nor has Ryker explained human love or its terminology so why is it being repeated back? And why is it understood to begin with? Sigh. Oh the problems that can arise in world building if not all the elements are accounted for.

But all those issues are blanketed by the emotional impact of Ryker’s story and the challenges he, Seral and the rest of the Caeorlian world face against the warships and armies of Earth. We are gripped by their defiance as the Earth forces attack. And as they race to find some weapon, some plan that can be used to stop the war and the armies, we are there with them, holding our breath to see what will happen next.

The author has many twists for the reader here in her story, none of which I either anticipated or will reveal. That pleasure I leave to you. The second book in the series will appear this Fall 2014. I will be happily awaiting the release date. I will keep you informed. In the meantime, if you are a lover of science fiction or romance, then this is the book for you.

Cover artist Christine Griffin. I love everything about this cover, from the colors to the design. One of the best I have seen lately.

Author Alicia Nordwell can be found at http://www.ciasstories.blogspot.com

.Book Details:

ebook, 270 pages
Published January 27th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press (first published January 26th 2014)
ISBN 1627983546 (ISBN13: 9781627983549)
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4625

Review: Enigma by Lloyd A. Meeker

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5

Single, fifty and gay Rhys “Russ” Morgan is also a psychic empath, something that both helps him in his job as a Private Investigator and hurts when the contact is with someone whose thoughts and actions are less than honorable. And his latest job is making those hidden gifts twitch and ache.

Russ has been hired to find out the identity of a blackmailer. The blackmailer’s target is the high-profile televangelist whose son was supposedly “cured” of his homosexuality fifteen years ago in front of the televangelist’s congregation. Now the blackmailer, using the songs from an Enigma’s album, The Cross of Changes, is sending notes and demands to the televangelist and the law office representing him thinks that “vengeful homosexuals” are behind the scheme. Their solution? Hire a homosexual to catch a homosexual.

Russ takes the case but not exactly for the reasons his clients think. Justice wields a two sided sword and those cut by its blade are not always the ones you would expect.

The book Enigma was a lovely discovery for me. I found a new author, new publisher and hopefully a new series to follow. Lloyd A. Meeker is a find, and according to his acknowledgements, he is new to the mystery genre as well. In my opinion, he did a great job.

I really enjoyed the character of Russ Morgan. Older, currently sober and a psychic empath, he clearly has a huge story to tell. I found him fascinating and the “voice” given to him by the author is intriguing. Its perfect in tone and vocabulary, as Russ’ age and experience just rolls off his tongue. This holds true for Russ’ inner monologue, the reader’s companion throughout the story. In fact, I liked Russ Morgan so much that the tantalizing bits of information that we are offered about his past and his gift left me a little frustrated and wanting more, a good thing when laying out a series.

The other characters involved in the mystery are nicely fleshed out, very realistic human beings. I believed in them and others will too. Colin, James, even the parsimonious Andrew Kommen capture and keep your interest as Russ winds his way through a labyrinth of lies fabricated by the reverend to protect himself and his interests.

As a huge fan of the mystery genre, I will admit that I guessed the identity of the blackmailer early on. However, that did not take away from my enjoyment of the story and the final reveal. And I loved, loved, the use of songs from that Enigma album. That was such a great element and it should send anyone not familiar with that band and their songs scrambling to iTunes for a listen to the compelling melodies and lyrics.

I recommend Enigma and Lloyd A. Meeker and can’t wait to see where he takes this series and detective next.

Cover art by Adrian Nichols, Art Director of Wilde City Press. Beautiful cover.

Book Details:

ebook. 18.000 words

Published August 28th 2013 by Wilde City Press

ISBN13 9781925031409

url http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-mainstream/enigma/#.Uh_qQz9dAks
Series: A Russ Morgan Mystery

Review: The Hanged Man’s Ghost (Night Wars #1) by Missouri Dalton

Rating: 4.75 stars

Fynn Adder’s life is on a downward spiral and he is doing his best to speed it up. Since the murder of his longtime lover, Flynn has spent his free time in a drunken haze, the alcohol contributing to his frequent sexual hookups and increasingly disastrous personal decisions. Only his professional life is currently stable, but that is due more to the efforts of his partner, Jack Winchester, than to his own discretion. Flynn Adder is a detective with the Chicago Police Department, and a son of a famous Chicago irish police family. And because of his family name and reputation, Fynn’s actions and career are under greater scrutiny, a fact not lost on Fynn.

When a girl is murdered, the case is muddied immediately when the trail of clues point in the direction of Fynn’s family and the death of his lover. That case went unsolved and now it appears the two are connected. With his Captain,partner and family expressing their concerns about his erratic behavior and drinking, Fynn tries concentrating on the strange clues he is unearthing, they just aren’t making sense.

As more murders occur, all the clues point to a supernatural rather than rational explanation. Then Internal Affairs agent Daniel Voight enters the picture. Voight is determined to prove Adder a dirty cop and will let nothing, even the truth, stand in his way. The only aspect of Adder’s life that brings him happiness is his relationship with his police partner, Jack. Fynn has had a crush on his married partner for years and been happy to just be included as a friend in Jack’s life. But even that aspect of Fynn’s life is undergoing a major change.

With all the clues pointing back to Fynn’s past and the murderer taunting him with mysterious messages he can’t decipher, the stress and unnatural events push Fynn past the breaking point. If the murderer is to be caught and the killings stopped, Fynn will need to reach out for help and support in places he never expected and soon before he and those he loves are caught in the Hanged Man’s noose.

I loved this book and fell under its spell immediately, as I should have. But I didn’t come to this series in a straightforward manner. I started with The Night Shift (Night Wars #2), than the 3rd installment, The Hellfire Legacy, and by doing so, did this series a real injustice. Trust me when I say this is an addicting, enthralling series with something for everyone to love. And I would have known that sooner had I read them in the order they were written and should have been read. Mea culpa indeed. But let’s get back to the beginning and The Hanged Man’s Ghost.

Missouri Dalton’s characters are a wonder. Fynn is especially surprising. He comes from a large irish family in Chicago whose members have always been part of the Chicago PD rank and file. But unlike his father and brother, Fynn is not your burly Irishman but rather a slender blond with a penchant for knitting and booze. He is also gay, out with a large supportive family behind him. Not that it seems to matter when we first meet him. The author has created a back history for Fynn that is incredibly complex and is only slowly revealed over the length of the book, both to the reader and to Fynn. He has been existing in an alcoholic fog since the murder of his longterm lover. Dalton’s treatment of Fynn’s alcolholism is realistic and grim without giving up any of the character’s wry, and sometimes caustic personality. It’s a personality you will come to love as much as for it’s power of survival as it is for its wry, self effacing facade. Here is a taste of Fynn for you:

“You need a lift to the station?” Jack raised an eyebrow.

I shook my head. “Nah, I see my bike.” It was parked three feet from a hydrant. Jack eyed the bike. It was sort of a death trap.

“You were at the club last night.”

“Yeah.” I backed out of striking range.

He stepped closer and grabbed my arm. “Were you drinking?” I looked away. “Damn it, Fynn, were you?”

“Yeah.” He usually managed to make me feel guilty about these things. He shook his head and let go of my arm. “He could suspend you, take you off this case.”

“I know.” At least he didn’t hit me, but from the ache in my arm, I’d bet it was bruising. Sometimes it sucked to have pale Irish skin.

“At least tell me you’re still seeing the shrink.” My silence was answer enough. “If you want to kill yourself, Fynn, that’s your business. But don’t you dare think it doesn’t affect the rest of us.” He stormed off. Good old Jack, still trying to save me from myself.

The weariness of that voice gets inside of you, and the force of the personality behind that voice makes the reader want to help him out of the gutter he has tossed himself into. And this is just the beginning.

Dalton starts bringing in Fynn’s large family, each a well drawn character, and the mystery that surrounds them. We also get to know Jack, his wife and his precocious daughter too, and come to care for at least two of them just as the author intends. And as Dalton grounds Fynn with his family and Jack, she connects the reader intimately with them and we become invested in their survival. A survival that becomes increasingly precarious as the murderer starts targeting people around Fynn. Piece by supernatural piece starts to position itself in the story, as the plot lines start to crisscross, and some surprising and chilling twists arrive around each plot corner. Make no mistake, there are some truly haunting and suspenseful aspects to this story, beautifully conceived and written.

The tough thing about this story is that it is so complex and every little nuance will take on greater import as the story and the series progress. Things I would have overlooked as inconsequential here had I read this book first, now took on a larger role because I knew what lay behind the slight descriptions so casually thrown away inside this book. The narrative reminds me of that magazine Hidden Pictures. There are clues and small stories to be found everywhere as the author is constructing a much larger story outside of The Hanged Man’s Ghost. This just absolutely delighted me with its complexity while never forgetting that the story and the series has a very human heart, that of Fynn Adder and those he loves.

Another thread that weaves itself through Fynn’s life and the story is his knitting, a subject near to my heart as a knitter as well. Here is a little taste of Fynn the knitter:

Cassie’s knitting was in a basket on the left side of the chair I had claimed and I needed a distraction from the tension.

A half-finished pink scarf. Probably for Tara. Cassie would likely not finish it in time for Tara’s birthday.

I picked it up and started a new row. It looked like a simple purl knit purl. Jack raised an eyebrow, I kept knitting. He couldn’t knock my knitting; I’d fixed his sweater the day it got caught in the drawer. With pencils no less.

I intend to track down the author and ask about a certain pattern for a scarf that Fynn knits for himself. It’s perfection but not one that can be included in this review. It is just one more insightful and delightful element that is incorporated into a story that just keeps surprising the deeper into it you go. The Hanged Man’s Ghost is a cop thriller, a supernatural mystery and a love story. It chilling, and humorous, and filled with angst. And for the many angles and subject matters that are being juggled here, Missouri Dalton does them all justice and then some, pulling them together for a terrific ending that will leave the reader looking for more.

The editing could be a little tighter and the narrative gets away from itself a tad towards the middle, otherwise this would be a 5 star rating, My love for the characters and plot far outweigh those issues, so it really comes close to being perfect. Now the series has become a new favorite of mine. It will become yours too. Just don’t make my mistake and start in the middle. Go right to the beginning, and succumb to the many charms and chills of the Night Wars series and Missouri Dalton’s characters. You won’t be sorry.

Here are the books as they were written and should be read:

The Hanged Man’s Ghost (Night Wars #01)

The Night Shift (Night Wars #02) – please note revised rating and additional comments at the beginning.

The Hellfire Legacy (Night Wars #03)

Alessia Brio is the cover artist for this book and the series. I think the artist did a great job in branding the series while keeping each cover true to the story within. Great job.

Book Details:

ebook, 276 pages
Published February 1st 2012 by Torquere Press
ISBN 1610407091 (ISBN13: 9781610407090)
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=3507
seriesThe Night Wars #01

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