Review: Scepters & Scrolls: A Cozy Fantasy (Illyrian Tales) by S.R. Meadows

Rating: 3.25🌈

In Scepters & Scrolls, S.R. Meadows has , unfortunately, set herself up for criticism and anticipatory story attacks by the inclusion of the word “cozy” in the title. Scepters & Scrolls is many things but a cozy read it’s not.

Meadows’ on a cozy. Each book in the series gets a similar note.

“Author’s Note: This is a full length cozy fantasy novel with a low stakes adventure and a sweet romance. Get cozy and escape to the world of Illyria where contentment is key and coziness is a must!”

That’s not a cozy. Not by definition at least. A cozy , often a mystery or murder mystery, is a long beloved trope, defined by several elements. It’s lighter in atmosphere, is comedic, and is often comforting in tone. Its focus is on the relationship between two people with the drama being outside of their dynamic, usually the mystery. If it happens in a quirky village, all the better.

But the author seems to think a cozy is about having cozy feelings after or during your reading experience. Hmmm, no. That’s Dr Phil not The Oxford English Dictionary.

This story is a fantasy adventure. It has a bored librarian who goes in search of a missing book, find orphaned children in need, a not so lovely Prince who does some nasty things because they are necessary, and tons of political stuff that is layered on. There’s some cool maps, one that shows planets, which, curiouser. Portals, ghouls, and things which did not make any sense.

The relationship between the magical librarian, Sanev, a character I thought had promise, and the Prince, Hamon, who wasn’t well developed. Hamon was too one dimensional. He had one personality until the end where he made a complete switch in his attitude and actions, all off page.

From rigidity in his beliefs and behavior, which we witnessed, to someone who was completely comfortable with his change of heart and where it left his position within the kingdom . A sea change that the author had laid zero foundation for. This was a very shaky part of the story.

Meadows has some very interesting things going on but keeps bouncing around, unable to find a narrative thread that fits or one that flows well through the story. The girls are cute and we started to get to know them but then we switched off to another area. Then it’s espionage and a moonstone we have no idea what it does. Then apparently Sanev is able to portal around places like a lively baby goat so is dangerous situations even a thing? No idea.

Like I said, it’s more a series of questions attached by nice elements and some characters that have potential. All of which ends on a cliffhanger of sorts.

No, definitely not a cozy. Someone please explain it to the author.

Maybe not even a fantasy romance as they don’t seem to have a relationship but hold hands at the end. What is this? Fantasy/scify adventure series. That’s the closest thing I can come.

There’s 4 books written within this universe but I’m not invested enough to go check them out.

Illyrian Tales:

◦ Potions & Pints – m/m

✓ Scepters & Scrolls -m/m

◦ Talismans & Tailors – m/f

◦ A Snug Sanctuary – f/f

Buy Link:

Part of: Illyrian Tales (2 books)

Blurb:

The open road calls our name, but home is always waiting.

Sanev, a magical librarian’s assistant in the south, embarks on a journey to retrieve a lost book. It just so happens to be with northern Prince Hamon, who is embarking on the scariest journey of all: parenting three orphaned water elves with a penchant for trouble.

When their two paths intertwined, Sanev finds himself teaching a reformed goblin how to cook and training the three girls how to tame their wild powers.

But in the evenings, he finds himself drawn to the lonesome, brooding Prince Hamon…and wondering if he should help him too – in conquering his siblings and claiming the throne.

Sanev’s first journey away from his library in the small town of Sunfall brings more than he could have ever imagined, and a choice he isn’t sure he’s brave enough to make.

But more than that, it brings a family he’s never known.

Author’s Note: This is a full length cozy fantasy novel with a low stakes adventure and a sweet romance. Get cozy and escape to the world of Illyria where contentment is key and coziness is a must!

Review: Death On Denial (Quest Investigations #4) by E.J. Russell

Rating: 5🌈

Death on Denial is an absolutely fabulous fantasy romp! Not quite a romantic tale, though it has its elements, it’s a humorous, warm-hearted, wildly entertaining, paranormal caper!

Russell’s Mythmatched novel reaches out successfully to all branches of mythology for its characters and storylines, ranging from Herne the Hunter, to the Loch Ness Monster to a Slacker Death whining about work loads. It’s got everything you need! Murder, mystery, communication fails, and, unmet family responsibilities. Spooky stuff too.

A new character introduced here quickly became a huge favorite, Miss Pennymaker. So did a new young werewolf.

Russell’s characterizations are so amazing and memorable. Each one is so well layered and beautifully crafted that they come alive within Russell’s books. We entrust our hearts to them and become invested in the outcome of each plot that involves them.

Especially those who are the most vulnerable.

I adore how this one evolves and where the author left Hugh and his situation with his Kelpie King. Along with everyone at Quest Investigations.

There’s many wonderful stories left here, including a young group of werewolves so close to my heart. This series needs to investigate onward!

I’m hoping E.J. Russell’s listening. Please pass the word.

In the meantime, I’m highly recommending this and all the books already released in this series.

Grab them up and start reading in the order they are written for plot and character development.

Quest Investigations Series:

✓ Five Dead Herrings #1

✓ The Hound of the Burgervilles #2

✓ The Lady Under The Lake #3

✓ Death on Denial #4

https://www.goodreads.com › seriesQuest Investigations Series by E.J. Russell – Goodreads

https://www.amazon.com › Death-D…Death on Denial: A M/M Paranormal Mystery (Quest Investigations Book 4) – Kindle …

Synopsis:

DOA becomes BRB when this client goes MIA…

When I agreed to accompany my selkie boyfriend on a private boat trip, I didn’t realize the invitation included a swim. In the Pacific. In November. Naked. And I certainly didn’t expect to have our swim derailed the instant I got in the water—holy crap, that’s c-c-cold—by a literal boatload of selkie clan leaders.

Climbing out of the water in front of them—did I mention naked? Yeah, way to make a brilliant first impression. Then things get worse: I get served. Not in the metaphorical sense, either. Nope, I’m being sued.

By Death.

Well, not Death precisely, but an Ankou—a Celtic psychopomp who escorts the departed to their final destinations. This guy is miffed that his workload has increased exponentially, which he blames on my actions in Sheol on an earlier case. I’m not about to take the heat when eons of shady demon shenanigans finally come home to roost, but here at Quest Investigations, we aid any and all supernatural folk in need—especially if they’ll drop their specious lawsuits against the agency’s lone human.

When the Ankou skips out on us, though, all hell breaks loose. Because without anyone to lead them on, the dearly departed become nearly departed and stick around to party hearty. Now it’s not just the selkie leaders complicating my love life—it’s the ex-living as well.

And when one of the ex-living decides not to remain ex? Things get really complicated, not to mention deadly.

Dammit.

Death on Denial is the fourth in the Quest Investigations M/M mystery series, a spinoff of E.J. Russell’s Mythmatched paranormal rom-com story world. It contains no on-page sex or violence, and although there is a romantic subplot, it is not a romance. The series is best read in order.

Review: The Lady Under The Lake (Quest Investigations #3) by E.J. Russell

Rating: 4.75🌈

There’s just so much to love about this third installment in Russell’s Quest Investigations series! It’s even more convoluted then ever with all the supernatural laws and politics involved, that’s not even looking at all the individuals who have major parts to play at the drama here.

This is mega supernatural melodrama… with all that entails. Some comedy, usually supplied by the antics of Jordan and his Hellhound Doop. But here there’s also some real tragedy and trauma to digest. The characters who have come to Matt as well as those around him, are dealing with incredibly painful memories and emotionally damaging issues.

Domestic violence and spousal abuse that’s an assumed right due to tradition and species. Child abuse, abandonment, and kidnapping are major elements of this tale.

Note: descriptions of past events for the above.

From one request to find a child, sets off an explosion of old traumatic memories and new repercussions that effects so many Matt has ties with.

The writing is crisp, the action swift paced, characterizations outstanding, and a tale packed full of the full range of emotions.

The humor is there. But so many scenes that will move you. One of a dust filled room, tiny cradle will surely have you in tears.

As always, I’m left wanting more. I’d probably be thrilled if these stories were 300k longer as I’d linger in each room, wanting more dialogue and exposition.

Ah well, guess I’ll have to be satisfied with the next novel coming in March!

I’m happily recommending this story but read the entire series in the order it’s written for relationship development and overall series arc plot line. It’s amazing.

Plus it’s all part of the author’s Mythmatched universe. So it helps to have read those stories beforehand for some background knowledge if possible.

If not, there’s an entire universe to explore as well.

Quest Investigations Series:

✓ Five Dead Herrings #1

✓ The Hound of the Burgervilles #2

✓ The Lady Under The Lake #3

◦ Death on Denial- March 2022

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Lady Under the Lake by E.J. Russell – Goodreads

Synopsis:

This client is all wet…

After receiving a hot tip on the whereabouts of my almost-boyfriend’s nearly-ex-husband (hey, I told you—it’s complicated!), I thought my love life was finally coming up for air. But when we stake out the remote lake, it’s not the ex who surfaces.

It’s the Faerie King’s long-missing mother (and I mean really long, as in double-digit centuries), and she wants to hire Quest Investigations. Since one of my bosses is the king’s brother, he has a tsunami of…feelings about her as a potential client, and refuses to take the case. Instead, he passes it to me.

Yes! However…

Should I be thrilled at the vote of confidence or suspicious that he’s tossing me in the deep end without a life preserver, the better to punish the woman who abandoned her kid all those years ago?

You know what? It doesn’t matter. I may be Quest’s token human, but I’ve proven I can get the job done, so I dive right in. Then the lady explains what she wants me to do: find her missing child.

Seriously? I expected more of a challenge. All I have to do is introduce her to the king and bingo, case closed. But when she says, “Not that one,” this little family drama threatens to send ripples throughout the supernatural community—especially with my boss in over his head as the prime suspect in a fae kidnapping.

As if things weren’t complicated enough… Remember that nearly-ex? When he shows up and muddies the waters, I’m faced with a choice: I can solve this case or I can finally hook my almost-boyfriend.

Dammit.

The Lady Under the Lake is the third in the Quest Investigations M/M mystery series, a spinoff of E.J. Russell’s Mythmatched paranormal rom-com story world. It contains no on-page sex or violence, and although there is a romantic subplot, it is not a romance. The series is best read in order.

A MelanieM Review:The Deafening Silence (The Yakuza Path #4) by Amy Tasukada

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

An unproven alliance. A broken promise. A mafia boss must shed blood to secure peace…

Nao Murata is on the verge of brokering peace between his syndicate and the rival Mafufgumi mob. To seal the deal, he’ll need to pick up Russian prostitutes to appease his newest ally. When the exchange goes sour, both sides draw blades and Nao has no choice but to care for a blood-soaked enemy. If the man doesn’t make it through the night, Nao and his crew will pay with their lives.

Outnumbered and stranded in enemy territory, Nao is forced to fight his way out before the Mafufgumi Godfather takes the deal off the table. As his wounded enemy’s heartbeat slows, Nao must act fast or condemn his syndicate to a brutal war.

The Yakuza Path: The Deafening Silence is the third book in a series of Japanese mafia thrillers. If you like twisty action, authentic settings, and a touch of gay romance, then you’ll love Amy Tasukada’s pulse-pounding series.

Since my first introduction to Nao Murata in the bloody and absolutely brilliant first story in this series, Blood Stained Tea, I’m almost confounded by my deep emotional involvement in the welfare of someone who is admittedly a murderous psychopath, one who’s barely contained rages have seen him want to spill the blood of dozens, often by his bare hands or any implement nearby.

But this is Japan, centuries old with ancient traditions and a culture to match. All built with such subtle nuances and layers that can shield or hide behind. Just as its many characters demonstrate with their personalities. Tasukada clearly loves and understands Japan in all it’s natural and historic beauty to the gritty darkness of the Yakuza underworld. It has all figured in greatly in this series as both the foundation, setting, and emotional framework for it’s characters. Kyoto, Nao’s personal passion can stand in as another character all its own.

All those layers are built into the labyrinth personality of Nao as well. Part of the reason for his murderous rages and psychotic breaks? That can be found in the horrendous death of his first lover, perhaps his only love, at the hands of a rival gang boss. It broke him, and whatever way he mended was not rational. Of course, it doesn’t help that he was the son of the rival Yakuza gang and was already familiar with a brutal way of life. But the dichotomy here is that the author shows us repeatedly another man. One who loves his cat, and his tea, and who once wanted only to flee with his lover….

That is the one still seen occasionally, one the reader is still privy to his thoughts, when the rages are quiet. Nao is a narrative tour de force. Scary, memorable, everchanging, especially since he become the head of the family. He needs to navigate the Korean crime families constant infiltration of Kyoto, manage his Yakuza’s many businesses and shaky alliances, all while reporting to the very top of the Yakuza boss who doesn’t trust him. All while his mind seethes and surges like a red tide within him calling him to kill.

And at his side is another character who has shown incredible growth over the series,Aki Hisona, Nao’s personal secretary. Aki loves Nao, a terrible fate as everyone who has cared for Nao has died, horribly. The reverse has also held true. Everyone Nao has loved has died as well. Nao has become convinced that the city of Kyoto has killed them. A jealous mistress indeed.

This is not a romance. Don’t even begin to look for one. This is a brutal, bloody, gritty tale of crime, murder, culture, and a Yakuza crime family you can’t turn away from, starting at the top.

Amy Tasukada writes so beautifully, so skillfully here that just a twitch, a slip in a conversation sets off an avalanche of foreboding. Everyone here is playing a game, some are merely good at it, some are masters, you have to read the story to find out who is playing the long game. There is betrayal, untold amounts of bloodshed, and complexities beyond belief. I expect nothing less from Nao and his gang and from this author.

I was astonished at Aki.

The author informs us at the end it will be a while until the next release as she wishes to “get it right”. She has never, ever, gotten it wrong yet. I would wait years for the next in this series if I had to. It’s troubling, brilliant, and there’s no way I can predict the path going forward. For any of them. So yes, I’m obsessed. So hopefully it won’t be terribly long for the next installment, maybe end of next year.

I absolutely recommend this story and all the others in the series but they must be read in the order they were written. Line them up like the narrative finds they are, and then devour them. Just don’t expect any romance, unless it’s Nao’s love for Kyoto and even that comes with it’s own layer of pain and angst.

Cover art by Natasha Snow. I’m in love with these covers. Simple, bloody, perfection.

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 228 pages
Published December 1st 2018 by Macarons & Tea Publishing
ASIN B07KKFK1XB
Series The Yakuza Path #4 setting Hokkaido, 2015 (Japan

Blood Stained Tea

Better Than Suicide

One Thousand Cranes

The Deafening Silence

An Ashlez Review: Murderous Twins by Edward Kendrick

Rating – 4.5 out of 5

Blaine Ayers and Lloyd Thomas are identical twins — separated at birth, reunited by accident, and serial killers by choice. Two men, posing as one.

Steve Cooke is a private investigator married to Gary Drake-Cooke, an interior decorator.

The four men’s paths cross when Blaine and Lloyd move into a house across the street from Steve and Gary. What happens next has the potential to change their lives forever — for better or for worse.

Warning: This story contains scenes of graphic violence.

You know, what, as short as this book is I think it was great – I think it had more potential if it were a bit longer and more in depth on the past of each of Blaine and Lloyd, I would have liked to see a bit more in that aspect.

It’s typical reasons serial killers exist – anyone who has seen criminal minds will understand. I liked the neighbor detective and his want to find out what’s going on – I enjoyed reading about his husband.

If you want a hot and heavy romance this is definitely not the book for you – there’s none of that in this book and honestly I was OK with that – it fits more with the story than if it had a steamy romance.

Once you get to about halfway things really start to get interesting, and I really couldn’t put it down. Not going to go into much detail due to the nature of the book – hello thriller – but I enjoyed it immensely it was exciting and kept me engaged. I do think it reads like an episode of criminal minds which, of course, who would hate.Nature vs Nurture.

Cover Art: Other than the cover being twins it really doesn’t lead to the story – not mad at it though, perhaps a bloody item would make it more dynamic!

Sales Links: JMS Books LLC | Amazon

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 112 pages
Published August 11th 2018 by JMS Books LLC
ASINB07FP6G9DV
Edition Language English

A Lila Review: Object of Desire by Dal Maclean

Disclaimer: If promiscuity, open relationships, or perceived cheating are deal breakers for you, this isn’t your book.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Tom Gray is one of the world’s top models–an effortless object of desire.

Self-contained, elusive and always in control, he’s accustomed to living life entirely on his own terms.

But when Tom comes under suspicion in the gory death of his employer, his world spirals into chaos.

Someone’s framing him. Someone’s stalking him.

And as old secrets come to light, Tom finds his adversary always one step ahead.

Will Foster is the only man Tom trusts to help. But Tom brutally burned all bridges between them two years before, and Will paid a bitter price.

If he wants to survive, Tom must prove his innocence to Will–and to the world.

Object of Desire should not be confused with a romance novel. It is a well-written mix of police procedural and a thriller with romantic undertones. I used the same disclaimer than above when reviewing Bitter Legacy and it applies here quite well. By the way, I didn’t make the connection between the two books until I was done reading. And to be clear, there’s no need to read them one after the other. They just complemented each other.

In this story, we don’t get to see Will and Tom falling in love and having a fairytale HEA. We get to accompany them in their search to uncover the reasons behind the collapse of Tom’s life and are witnesses to all the machinations and actions that resulted in a new path to their worlds. There’s a lot of exposure at the beginning of the story and it doesn’t stop until the end. I would have been happy with a bittersweet ending too.

Dal Maclean knitted a wonderful set of characters with deep backgrounds and interrelations. We are given enough information to make our own conclusions and to switch those conclusions with every new piece of information presented. There’s not one single suspect or lead to followed. It is a complex web of possibilities that keeps the reader guessing until the last minute. Only to have them question if they arrived at the right conclusion.

The plot leads change often enough to make the story engaging. The reader is always trying to figure out if they have the right players and set of events right, or if they have been misled. Trying to figure out the end gets harder with each page, and there’s no way to know until the last part of the story. Anything before that would be wrong, and even then, it’s hard to know if you are correct.

All the descriptions, from clothing, decorations, smells, locations, food, etc. added to the flavor of the story. Cars, traffic, day & time, weather, and many other items make Object of Desire more than a tale and more of an experience. I’m glad to see the author didn’t Americanize this book either. There’s no need to provided comparisons about the two country systems or explain terms or phrases. It makes the whole package credible and authentic. I would love to hear the audiobook to be further submerged in this world.

The characters were marvelous, sophisticated, and intricate. I do have a sweet spot for Nick and I need to accept is due to the great work the author did to bring him to life. He’s definitely my favorite. At the same time, it was hard for me to warm up to Tom. Which is also due to a great characterization by the author. Unfortunately, it’s the reason why this is not a perfect five stars’ book for me; even if the overall book is stellar. Every other character in between has a purpose, a story, and is more than a generic name on a page. I’m still impartial about Will.

If you are not used to complex books with intense psychological turns, this book can be overwhelming. But, at the same time, it’s rewarding to get to the end to understand how everything comes together. It would definitely make a great TV movie or show. It has the potential to be more than a once read.

The cover by KaNaXa matches the previous book by this author and it has the same issue. At first glance, it’s hard to understand the content of the cover. Especially if looking at a thumbprint. When taking the time, all the elements are present in the story.

Sale Links: Blind Eye | Amazon | Nook

ebook, 396 pages
Published: May 22, 2018, by Blind Eye Books
ISBN: 1935560549 (ISBN13: 9781935560548)
Edition Language: English

Come on, Muse! Give Me a Break By Nancy Stewart (author of Beulah Land) (guest post and excerpt)

Beulah Land by Nancy Stewart

Duet Books, an imprint of Interlude Press
Release Date: November 16, 2017

Cover Artist: CB Messer

Purchase Links: Duet | Amazon

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Nancy Steward on her Beulah Land tour. Welcome, Nancy!

✒︎

Come on, Muse! Give Me a Break

By Nancy Stewart, author of Beulah Land

What is it about muses? I know they take their work seriously, and yet conjuring up mine can be quite a chore at times.

I almost always search for her at the computer. She’s usually there, but not today. Sometimes she hides in my Favorites List. But not today. How about the Homepage? Nope. One more try my lists of guest posts. Occasionally, she will transform herself into a bright new post from an old one. Today, no such luck.

Not one to give up, I go to the gym. Strangely enough, she hangs out there quite a bit. And usually her gym ideas are good ones, full of life and vigor. She particularly likes the elliptical. Actually, so do I. But after 25 minutes of trying to coax her to visit, I give up and move to other machines where I’ve never seen her ply her magic. One lives in hope.

On the way home, I stop by the bookstore and congratulate myself on a stroke of genius. She can’t not be there. It’s a muse kind of place, after all. She’s not there. Not even in the Young Adult books section. She’s always in the Young Adult books section. “Getting great ideas,” I usually tell her, but she sometimes rejects that notion.

Ah, well. I give up. I’ve learned there’s no future in sleuthing after a muse that does not want to be detected. So, home I go.

I consider the computer a lost cause, so I opt for a glass of iced tea and a comfy chair. And then, like a tiny bee buzzing in my brain, my muse appears. She speaks of Violette Sinclair, the brave and determined, and single-minded heroine of my new Young Adult novel, Beulah Land. She worries over Junior McKenna, Vi’s best friend, who puts himself in harm’s way to keep her alive in her own home town. My muse whispers the book’s ending to me, then smiles and says she loves it.

My muse is such a tease. But when she gets down to business, there’s no stopping her! Today, I’m only happy she visited, threw out a couple of notions then left me to ruminate.

What is it about muses? I still haven’t figured out that answer. But though they are fey and capricious creatures, this author is grateful to have one.

If you haven’t met yours, don’t worry! Give her the time and opportunity to make an appearance. Carry that little notebook. You know. The one that everyone says to take with you? It’s crucial for dealing for a mischievous muse emergence. Read lots of books, particularly the genre you’re most interested in writing. It’s amazing how she can virtually pop off the page to infuse you with a brilliant idea.

Above all, while you wait for her, keep writing. I’ve found that most muses appear when one writes and writes and doesn’t give up. Taskmasters they may be, these little creatures know their stuff. You’ll be delighted when yours finds you.

Beulah Land Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Vi Sinclair’s roots run deep in the Missouri Ozarks, where, in some areas, it can still be plenty dangerous to be a girl who likes girls. Her greatest wish is to become a veterinarian like her boss, Claire Campbell. Fitting in at school wouldn’t be so bad, either. Only one obstacle stands in the way: She may not live long enough to see her wishes ful lled.

With help from her only friend, Junior, Vi unravels a mystery that puts her in con ict with a vicious tormentor, a dog ght syndicate, and her own mother. Vi’s experience galvanizes her strength and veracity as she overcomes the paradox of mountain life, in which, even today, customs and mores seem timeless, and where a person can wake up dead simply because of being who she is.

Excerpt

“I don’t buy it,” my sister says, after not interrupting for a change. “There’s no way some random guy would be after us. I mean, for what reason? I don’t even know this Dale whatever his name is. You sure, Violette?”

“After listening to his rant? Yes, and that means you gotta be extra careful. I don’t want to scare you crazy. Don’t go places alone. You hear?”

Her gaze shifts away from my eyes, and she gives a tiny nod, but I’m not convinced she believes me or I believe her. “I have a suspicion there are secrets, Jessie, dark ones. And you and me? We’re being dragged in because of Mama.”

She picks up a plastic cat that Seth won for her at the county fair, examines it like it’s a priceless treasure and gently sets it back on the table. “So what can we do?”

“First, we gotta work out the real reason Dale’s after us.”

Jessie puts a smirky smile on me. “He’s after you because you’re not like us. Lots of folks around here’s downright vicious about it.”

I’m gonna ignore her nasty attitude. “Don’t think it’s that simple anymore, Jess. I got a pretty big notion what’s going on circles right back to Mama.”

My sister sighs, gathers her hair in a hunk, and moves it to her other shoulder. “If what you’re saying is true, Vi, we gotta go to the police.”

“Won’t do any good. I hear Sheriff Fletcher’s real close to the Woodbines. Best friends and all. If that’s true, nothing’s going to touch Dale.”

“Then we need to talk to Uncle Gray. With him being the clan head of us Sinclairs, it’s his sworn duty to protect us.”

“Not Uncle Gray. No. Not yet.” “Vi—”

“NO! I can take care of this on my own.”
“Why are you so stubborn if we’re in this much danger, Violette? People in these parts get

dead for a whole lot less than being gay. But since you are and everybody knows it, you got a real head start. You want that?”

“No, I don’t. But Uncle Gray, he’s got no respect or liking for me. Don’t you understand that, Jessie?”

“Yeah, and dead’s dead a long time. And you’re saying my life’s in danger now, so that’s something you should understand.” She flounces her hair back on both shoulders; a punctuation mark for being through with this conversation.

“I’m going out to get some air, Jess.”
She doesn’t answer, even when I slam the front porch door.
A lightning bolt zigzags between Bald Knob and Scoggins Ridge, as I settle on the top porch

step. Thunder growls like those Greek gods we studied battling over some old-timey feud, and a few fat raindrops splat on my head, chilling the tops of my legs.

Jess and Junior are pretty much right about me taking too many risks. I almost wish for once Mama would caution me on that. I long hard for her to love me for who I am. Mama, she always lays heavy on my heart.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A professor of education specializing in Children’s and Young Adult Literature, Nancy Stewart is also the award-winning author of several bestselling books for young readers. The original manuscript for Beulah Land received the 2015 State of Florida Rising Kite Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives with her husband and an adopted Bichon/Shih Tzu pup, Louie, in Tampa, Florida.

Beulah Land will be published by Duet Books on November 16, 2017. Connect with author Nancy Stewart at nancystewartbooks.com and on Twitter at @stewartnancy.

A MelanieM Review: Calloway by Thad J.

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

Welcome to the Township of Calloway! Home of the world-famous Daddy Cains’ Foods Company, a staple for the local community.

No one knows this better than James (Jimmy) Cain, heir to the family business, and his father’s pride and joy. With his limitless resources and a family that is always there for him, his life could not be more perfect. But that changes when he meets Benjamin Rei.

A determined and intelligent man, Benjamin is a junior acquisitions officers eager to close his first major purchase. His company has set Daddy Cains’ between its crosshairs and will stop at nothing to get it. Although Benjamin has a simple enough task, people and forces outside of his control will test the limits of just how far he is willing to go to make it to the top.

First of all, I’m well-versed in Southern small town living, having parents who both grew up in small southern towns and scads of relatives (whole States worth) who never left and send invitations to family reunions regularly. So I always look forward to books that have that theme or location going for them. Calloway certainly seems to fit the bill.

However, don’t go looking for this to be a romance, as it’s not really. More like a family drama, southern style. In Calloway, author Thad J. lays down his foundation of town history, complicated intertwined relationships going back decades (or further), current explosive family dynamics, and the power struggle going on for control of the world-famous Daddy Cains’ Foods Company. If that sounds like a lot of exposition, it is. Calloway is crammed full, so much at times you might just need a notepad to keep all the players straight.

It helps that the dialog is lively, the characters interesting… like James (Jimmy) Cain who is both constant sexdog and crafty businessman, ditto his father. However, I found Benjamin less than charming. I suspect I’m supposed to like him and connect more with him as an outsider, however, given my background, I saw him more as an interloper and his acts self serving or worse. No matter where I was in the story, my vision of Ben never really changed, that includes the ending.

There are many twists and turns here, some really neat ones, some you see coming. And the end is, depending upon how you look at it either a nonexistent or a total cliffhanger, which is my way of saying you have no idea of how it ends. Not my favorite here or elsewhere and it brought the rating down.

If you’re a fan of southern literature, snappy dialog and surprise twists, Calloway might be the book for you. Just don’t way I didn’t warn you about the ending.

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow. I like the cover. BBQ contests and pop. Very appealing.

Sales Links: NineStar Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 271 pages

Published July 10th 2017 by NineStar Press

ISBN13 9781947139404

Edition Language English

A MelanieM Review: Blood Stained Tea (The Yakuza Path #1) by Amy Tasukada

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

A bloody past haunts him. A devastating present calls him back…

Nao hides from his violent past in the Japanese mob by opening a teahouse in Japan’s cultural center, Kyoto. His past comes flooding back when he discovers a gravely injured man with a tattooed chest, a bloody knife, and a Korean business card.

Saehyun would’ve died if not for Nao’s help. He knows nothing of his savior’s connection with the local mafia, but Saehyun has his own secrets. He commands the Korean mafia, the mortal enemy of Nao’s former syndicate.

As Nao and Saehyun grow closer, so does the strength of the Korean mob. A shocking murder pulls Nao back into a past he’d all but abandoned. War is looming, and Nao must choose between protecting Saehyun or avenging the honor of his old mafia family..

The Yakuza Path: Blood Stained Tea is the first book in a series of Japanese mafia thrillers. If you like complex characters, blood-soaked violence, and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love Amy Tasukada’s gritty crime masterpiece.

This was undoubtedly one of the hardest reviews I’ve had to write in the past year, most of it is totally my fault. I approached this story full of false assumptions. I skimmed over the blurb and immediately assumed that it was a murder/mystery romance with a Yakusa foundation along the lines of some of my favorite romances and I could not have been more wrong. Those false expectations colored my viewpoint for two thirds of this story. Luckily, the plot, the characters and the superb writing kept taking my assumptions and drowning them in the river in Kyoto, along with many, many bodies.

Make no mistake. This is a brutal story. These characters are not some criminals with heinous crimes that occur off the page. There is torture, extreme violence that happens at once. They are in many respects, psychopaths (especially one). Tasukada does not look away from how they got to this point in their lives, the reality of both the Korean mafia and the Yakuza in Japan. Not for the soldiers at the basest level living in the worst possible conditions, gun fodder in the many battles or the people in the neighborhoods who become expendable in the gang fight for territory.

I know, some of you might be wondering. Why read this? Because its engrossing, compelling. I couldn’t put it down. Its human drama on both an intimate and huge scale. The author brings in both the ancient City of Kyoto and its past, the tea culture of Japan and so much more effortlessly folded into not only a psychological drama but a gritty crime masterpiece as it says above. Yes it deserves that in every sense that The Godfather deserves it as well. And this is merely the first story, the first step forward. What a gut cruncher, a heartbreaker and mindtwister Blood Stained Tea turns out to be. Shocking really.

And it all starts with confused Nao, hiding in his Tea shop, looking for the perfect oolong tea and never finding it.

This story is still haunting me. And yes, I need that second story. I need to read it even as I’m cringing in expectation over what I will find there. Blood Stained Tea (The Yakuza Path #1) by Amy Tasukada will top my list of Best Books of 2017. It may be the top book of 2017. Its that good. Don’t go looking for love and romance. It won’t be found in the blood stained tea. What you will find is a complex, human drama that will surprise you at every turn, make you run through the range of our emotions and emerge still hopelessly connected to this world and characters. Yes I think masterpiece is the word that belongs here.

The cover is perfect as it highlights an important element in the story.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 319 pages
Published November 28th 2016 by Macarons & Tea Publishing
ISBN139780997865318
Edition LanguageEnglish

Love a Terrific Crime Novel? Check out Blood Stained Tea (The Yakuza Path #1) by Amy Tasukada (giveaway)

Blood Stained Tea – Amy Tasukada

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 85,000 words

Blurb

The Yakuza Path: Blood Stained Teais the first book in a series of Japanese mafia thrillers. If you like complex characters, blood-soaked violence, and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love Amy Tasukada’s gritty crime masterpiece.

Author Bio

Amy Tasukada lives in a catless home in North Texas. (She enjoys cats but can’t quite make that kind of commitment yet.) As an only child her day dreams kept her entertained, and at age ten she started to put them to paper. Since then her love of writing hasn’t cease. When she’s not chasing after stray cats, she can be found drinking hot tea and filming Japanese street fashion hauls on her Youtube channel.

https://www.amytasukada.com/

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