Book Review: Rib Bone Jack: Smuggler’s Pride by John Williamson

A Powder Keg!

Set during the Napoleonic War, the series follows Jack Bones, a rogue spy in the King’s service. As the title suggests, Jack is ordered to investigate a large smuggling ring in Wales which could allow the French Army to invade England from its own back door.

Well researched and written, the story gallops along at a fast pace. There is enough suspense and action to satisfy any fan of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series.

Book Review: If it Bleeds by Stephen King

This is a collection of short stories although If It Bleeds might be considered a novella. I did not know this as I began to listen (audiobook) and was taken back a bit as the first story changed abruptly to another storyline that had me confused as I missed the fact that it was not a separate tangent of the main piece of work.

However, when the third story began, featuring the return of Holly Gibney who first appeared in Mr. Mercedes and most recently, The Outsider, I finally and excitedly figured it out. I love the Holly character and have followed all her exploits. Although King’s writing is flawless, If It Bleeds was my favorite. But the other stories are just as riveting.

Book Review: Firestorm by William Stacey The Awakening World: Book #3

Bullets, Elven Magic and Dragon Fire!

With the death of Quetzalcoatl, the great dragon, all hope to stand against the last of the Dragons has disappeared. Angie the Source Mage, Tec the Jaguar Knight and the Seagrave family of werewolves must fight a running battle in an attempt to get far away from this indestructible monster and her human armies. But they are closing on all fronts.

This spectacular battle-filled ending to the trilogy pays off in dividends. Stacey is at the top of his game!

The Augmented Man by Joseph Carrabis

Set in the future, this is a story of a high tech solider that has become redundant to the world after they have fought the wars. This story is so familiar in today’s world and the past, as governments the world over treat their returning soldiers with callousness and the lack of appreciation. Once the fighting is over, the government wants nothing more to do with those who have done their duty. It also brought up the memory of Ozzie Osborne’s Iron Man.

But what to do with a super soldier that cannot be destroyed. As the ex-soldier tries to find a place in the world, the government wants to get rid of its deadly secret. They draw battle lines, only to find that there is a more dangerous enemy on the battlefield.

The story is an exciting and thoughtful look at how soldiers are treated after the fighting stops.