Beneath and Beyond Lavender Isis Press

REVIEWED BY:

SCORE:

Author: Debbie Mumford
Publisher: Lavender Isis Press

REVIEW:

Dr Erin Carstedter joins her colleagues in their bid to un-ice a lost city. Hidden beneath hundreds of feet of Arctic ice, the team’s job is arduous. The access point to the lost city is via a door inside an icy cavern. The cold surroundings are depicted well right from the start.

Despite being quite warm sitting here, I did indeed feel a chill go down my back. Good storytelling, or what? Yes, I’m a Debbie Mumford fan and proud of it. If I’m challenged and told I’m not her biggest fan, I will stomp my feet, retreat to my bedroom, and cry my eyes out upon my bed.

Enough with the dramatics! On with the review…

Matt Davidson, one of Erin’s colleagues, goes through the icy door. Erin follows, and they find themselves in a whole new world. Lush greenery surrounds them—vivid images that are well portrayed here. And it’s summer on the other side of that door. Dressed in clothes more appropriate for Arctic conditions, Matt takes off some of his winter clothing. Erin worries that they are hallucinating, seeing a glorious summer’s day that doesn’t really exist, so she opts to keep her winter attire on.

They investigate the new world in an attempt to find civilisation. Could people have survived here even though their city was hidden beneath vast amounts of ice? To further confuse the pair, after making their way through woodland, they spot a mythical creature by a stream. It turns out the creature is the Keeper of the Gate. Erin and Matt can return to their own world, or try to advance to the next. However, it’s up to this little creature, a sphinx, as to whether they will be allowed to reverse their steps or not.

A charming little tale, one that took me back to childhood, but also sated my need for cheering on a man and woman to love one another. A wonderful world, great imagery, and an exciting plot, all make for a top-notch read.

Gotta love Ms. Mumford.

And, I’m telling you, I’m a fan. The biggest one. Please don’t make me have to fling myself on my bed and get puffy eyes from crying now! Just let me live in my illusion…

Love to Behold Lavender Isis Press

REVIEWED BY:

SCORE:

Author: Sammie Ward
Publisher: LavenderIsis Press

REVIEW:

Wedding planner Valencia Hill has it all – a lovely home, a fulfilling job, lots of money. But the one thing she lacks is a man. Devastated by her ex-fiancé, who jilted her at the altar, Valencia has avoided romantic entanglements for the past two years, instead throwing herself into her work.

At a party hosted by Autumn, one of Valencia’s clients, she meets Michael Gomez, a baseball player with a national team. When a beautiful model named Kendall arrives at the party, Autumn introduces Valencia as Michael’s girlfriend. Michael plays along with it, glad to escape Kendall’s clutches.

He explains to Valencia that he and Kendall were just friends – but the reality is a bit more complicated than that, and soon enough Michael is going to have to tell Valencia the truth.

A simple, straightforward plot that nevertheless manages to entertain, Love to Behold’s strengths lie in its cast, particularly the two romantic leads. I liked how they didn’t just jump at one another with the first glimmer of mutual attraction, but reacted true to character. Valencia takes her time in learning to trust herself as well as Michael, and Michael is so keen to make a good impression that he glosses over a few teensy little issues in his past. Many readers can probably empathise with Valencia’s situation and I’m sure we all know a man who’s been economical with the truth in order to win the heart of a woman.

Not that Michael is a sleaze – he’s a good guy who made a mistake, but he’s not sure how to deal with it, and so he deals with it by hoping it’ll go away. I think this was my favourite thing about this story. The author really manages to show a typical male attitude in a way that the reader will understand. On the face of it, Michael is an alpha male, but he’s also got a lot of beta in him, too – making him an ideal romantic hero.

Valencia and Michael are backed up by a great supporting cast, particularly Simone and TC, whose exchanges and reactions are funny as well as wise.

Favourite line: Although he hadn’t physically touched her, Valencia felt as if he stroked her with his words.

The negatives: Some dodgy editing and typesetting in places, but the story was good enough to keep me wrapped up in it.

If you’re in the mood for a sweet but sassy romance, take a look at Love to Behold. While the plot is tried-and-tested, the sheer charm of the characters makes the story sparkle.

The Red Storm Lavender Isis Press

REVIEWED BY:

SCORE:

The Whole Bottle and an extra glass to sup from!

Author: Zinnia Hope
Publisher: Lavender Isis Press

REVIEW:

Jordanne Saunders is on her first voyage as the admiral of The Red Storm. Conscious of doing things right, she feels under pressure as the ship sets sail on the oceans of Sister Earth. She has the job of transporting members of one of the two governments—this particular one is named Whiteshores—including their president, Gart.

The trip proves to be difficult—Jordanne’s previous training hasn’t prepared her for what is to come. Delphs, huge beasts in the sea, prowl round the ship when storms approach, and the storms! Zinnia Hope has created a world that is similar to earth as we know it, but with delightful touches that bring excellent imagery. The different storm levels make the sky turn different hues. The lightning matches the storm sky colour—oh, such richness in these images that I honestly felt as if I were aboard The Red Storm.

Wesley, a crew member, is the ‘Delph killer’. Jordanne feels an affinity with him but she can’t understand why his pull is so enchanting. All becomes clear as the story unfolds.

Each character in The Red Storm is rich and well developed. I especially liked Bernice, the chef, and the arrogant presidential aide, Roman. We get to meet the sweet cabin girl, Dot, the ship’s doctor, Rhona, and many other crewmembers.

Now, something is afoot on The Red Storm. Jordanne’s grandmother was also a ship’s admiral, and upon her tragic death, she left her journal in Bernice’s care, only to be given to Jordanne when she became an admiral of her own ship. After reading the journal, unease grows within Jordanne. A mystery needs to be solved and she isn’t sure she has the knowledge or ability to unravel it. She wonders who she should trust on The Red Storm (if anyone at all).

Growing closer to Wesley with each passing day, Jordanne learns things she never thought possible about herself and her parents. Along with having to digest and accept these revelations, she also has the mystery to deal with, plus terrible storms that batter the ship, Delphs that threaten the crews’ lives, illegal aliens that board the vessel, a rather petulant group of government officials, and a disease outbreak.

Each sub-plot runs alongside one another and wind through the tale, making it one of the most exciting reads I have had the pleasure of reading in a long time. Fast paced, exciting—whoo is this book exciting—breathtaking, fabulous, and very well written, The Red Storm is a book I will read again and again. Though easy to digest each sub-plot and understand exactly what is going on at all times, I suspect upon my next read of The Red Storm I will find things I didn’t see the first time around. Cleverly weaved, intricate clues are smattered throughout, culminating in a gobsmacking ‘whodunnit’ reveal.

I suspected EVERYONE in this book. Picking each crewmember off one by one in my mind, I tried to work out who the baddie might be. When I found out who actually did the dirty deed and caused all the problems, I cursed out loud. The scene where the baddie and Jordanne face off is gripping to the point I nearly ate my fingernails.

The thrilling aspects of The Red Storm are so well done that I experienced a range of emotions from sadness to fright to happiness. And yes, I even shed a tear at one point.

What are the strange rumbling noises that fill the air at random moments? Why do the storms arrive without much prior warning? How can Jordanne cope with mystery, murder, odd activities, strange events, as well as control the entire ship and ensure it runs smoothly? Wow—Jordanne is one strong woman, though she isn’t as hard nosed as she first appears. She has a wonderful soft side that I liked, a vulnerability that endeared her to me.

I also mustn’t forget the brilliant touches in The Red Storm. Jordanne’s hair gadget, the mist cubicles and, the best image by far—Jordanne ‘trying on’ new outfits.

There really is so much in The Red Storm that I could write about, it’s that rich and full. I’m in awe of Ms. Hope’s imagination. The Red Storm is one of those books where little touches make it unique from any other book I have read. A strong main plot, superb sub-plots, and a rip-roaring culmination scene that ties everything together—in my opinion, The Red Storm is quite simply a MUST READ. You won’t understand what I mean unless you read it for yourself. And I strongly suggest you do that.

Stunning. Absolutely wonderful.

The whole bottle and an extra glass.

The Big Payback Lavender Isis Press

REVIEWED BY:

SCORE:

Author: Betty B. Byers
Publisher: Lavender Isis Press

REVIEW:

I really got in to this! It was very well written and had all the elements I love in a book: love – twists – and wondering what would happen at the end.

Whilst I found the ending slightly disappointing (it seemed to just come to an abrupt halt), it did not detract from the overall story – which centred around some lovely characters, Jaunita, Michia, and Pepper.

Pepper had been violently beaten by her boyfriend, Edmund. He is without doubt a horrible man who had been neglected of love (or so he thought) during his childhood and killed his parents because of this. He wanted Pepper to be his mother look alike and love her with venom and abuse.

When he beat her beyond recognition, her friends became involved and did everything they could to stop her going back to him. This further enraged Edmund, and what follows is his determination to get her back at all costs.

The characters have to learn to protect themselves from what they hear is to come from Edmund, and whilst doing this, all fall in love respectively.

I loved it and give it 4 flutes

A Wild Love: Escape Lavender Isis Press

REVIEWED BY:

SCORE:

Author: Rose Paisley
Publisher: Lavender Isis Press

REVIEW:

Neela was forced to marry the nasty Harold to pay off her father’s debt. Harold humiliates and hurts Neela, alone and in front of witnesses, uncaring of her upset. Knowing she has no choice but to stay with this man, she resigns herself to her fate. This guy is a pig, people! Prepare to hate him.

While out in the gardens that surround Harold’s huge house, gained by lies and deception, Neela senses someone close. Mindful of the rumours she’d heard of a huge cat that stalks the area, she calls out.

Hajj is that huge cat; a man born centuries ago who can shape-shift into a feline. In his human form, he had lived in Harold’s house, nurtured the gardens. The tribe Hajj belongs to lives in a cave in the jungle that surrounds the house.

Neela is not afraid when she feels Hajj’s fur as he nudges her hand. She is accepting of his touch, had sensed him on many occasions, and as he settles against her, she tells the feline about her wicked husband and all she endures. Hajj is devastated, realises that he has strong feelings for Neela, and the urge to protect her grows inside him.

Footsteps can be heard, along with Harold asking a female where Neela is. Neela tells Hajj to remain hidden, and then she makes her way over to the part of the garden that houses the fountain. She sits there innocently, and waits for Harold to find her.

Harold, thin and spiteful, shouts at Neela, grabs her and takes her into the house. His intentions are despicable (I won’t reveal them, if I write out my feelings on this guy I’ll be here all day. P.I.G, he’s nothing but a P.I.G!) and Hajj follows them…

The door to the house barring his entry, Hajj hears Neela’s cries of distress. Intent on saving the woman he now realises is his lifelong mate, he springs into action.

A slight twist to the tale ensures it is possible for Neela and Hajj to be together, and I was glad. The description of the cave is especially good, I was able to visualise everything inside as if I were there myself. When the human version of Hajj emerges, be prepared to swoon ladies!

A Wild Love: Escape, is written very well, with lush wording and great visuals. I would read more from Rose Paisley, and recommend her to others.

The only thing I found to pick at was the POV switches–though there are scene breaks, there are a couple of instances where the POV switches occur within the same scene. Thankfully, the switches aren’t confusing.

A good read, one I enjoyed a lot. Are there any more of these super little tales, Ms. Paisley?

 More please!