jbronderbookreviews

The Sixth Sense (Brier Hospital – 3) by Lawrence W. Gold

5 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) Brier Hospital Series: Arnie Roth, a family practitioner, develops viral encephalitis. He awakens from the near-death experience with a new appreciation for life and an unexpected talent, his sensitivity to smell has increased a thousandfold. The Sixth Sense is highly entertaining, thought provoking, and touching journey through a world that influences us every day, but one that we know too little about.

Arnie Roth is a physician that has a rash of people getting deathly ill. This progresses as usual until Arnie falls sick too. He goes into a coma but miraculously wakes up. Everything seems to be normal except the super human ability to smell. This helps when he can tell if people are lying, determine if they are sick, and if they are taking their medicine.

But he starts noticing that people that are ill and should have a particular smell, that of medication, but don’t. Arnie has to fight with his own abilities to stay sane and to fight those that seem to be more interested in making money than actually helping sick people.

This is a great book. There are a lot of medical terms that I did have to look up, but makes this even more realistic. Giving Arnie the ability to smell anything was a good twist since most people don’t think about the downside of smelling and how it would affect us. And the ending, I didn’t expect that.

This is my first book by Lawrence Gold but it will not be my last. If you like medical mystery/thrillers, you need to read The Sixth Sense.

I received this book a long time ago in exchange for an honest review.

For more information about the Brier Hospital series or to purchase The Sixth Sense check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Goodreads.

Read Full Post »

Enfold Me by Steven Greenberg

5 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) Fear. It remains a constant focus of life in the Middle East. What we have, what we could lose, what others might or did take away from us.

Together with George Farrah, a figure from his past, Daniel journeys deep under the Carmel mountain, through Egyptian-controlled, quake-ravaged Tel Aviv, and ultimately to the ruins of a secret government research facility. Haunted, Daniel strains the bonds of duty and family as he confronts a world he no longer understands, discovers unintended consequences of his actions, and plumbs the true depth of his loss.

Israel is gone. An earthquake followed by a military take over has completely destroyed it. Now, Jews and Christians are shunned, ridiculed, abused, and killed. They are not allowed to have necessities like electricity and running water, they cannot travel on foot, and they must wear arm bands like the Jews in Nazi Germany. The story takes place around Daniel. He is barely surviving on a garden that he started before the fall and sneaks using the electricity he has from his solar panels.

Daniel is looking for some way to get out and back to his family. He is discovered by an acquaintance he has bad history with. Although he is told that George can help him get out, George has other plans for Daniel and his knowledge.

This is a well written story with a scary ring of truth. I admit that I do not keep current on all of the news so I don’t know everything that is happening around Israel. This story definitely opened my eyes to the basic situation. Then you throw in an earthquake then military take over. I really feel this is a grim but accurate take on what could very easily happen to Israel.

This is a moving book that is painful in how people are treated for being different. I think people should read this. Although the story is based in Israel, I could see it happening anywhere in the world.

I received this book a long time ago in exchange for an honest review.

For more information on Enfold Me or to purchase this book check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Goodreads.

Read Full Post »

Deadroads by Robin Riopelle

4 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) Lutie always wanted a pet ghost—but the devil’s in the details.

But tragedy serves to bring them together. When Aurie, while investigating a series of ghastly (and ghostly) murders, is himself killed by a devil, Sol, EMT by day and traiteur by night, Baz, a traveling musician with a truly spiritual voice, and Lutie, combating her eerie visions with antipsychotics, are thrown headlong into a world of gory sprites, brilliant angels, and nefarious demons—small potatoes compared to reconciling their familial differences.

This story follows the Sarrazin family. They live in the Bayou and have various abilities to interact with ghosts to get them to move on. But a situation years prior broke the family apart. Lutie is the daughter that was separated from her brothers Sol and Baz. Each has continued using their abilities in the mean time.

But Sol is on the hunt for a ghost killer that is targeting railroad lines. This ghost seems to be extra powerful and very determined to keep killing people. Thus all three siblings are going to have to work together, like they did as kids, to banish this ghost. But at the same time they have to get used to working with each other.

There is two parts to this book. The main part was what the siblings went through when they were younger. They have to learn to work together and get over the past. This is the heartwarming part of the story. The second part was the ghosts. I really liked these ghosts, they were very violent and not good for people to be around, especially if one is killing people. It was a refreshing take on ghosts since they seem to have become watered down in most stories.

I admit the beginning of the book is a little touch and go because the narration is a bit stilted between the siblings. Also the use of French, all though I understood why, made the book a bit challenging to get through. But everything smoothes out and starts flying from there.

This is a great ghost story or dark urban fantasy. I can’t wait for more books from Robin Riopelle.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

For more information about Deadroads or to purchase the book check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Goodreads.

Read Full Post »

Oppression (Children of Gods – 1) by Jessica Therrien

4 stars

By Jessica Therrien4 stars (Excerpt from Goodreads) Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She’s been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than average people, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she’s well over eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal. For Elyse, these things don’t make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she’s been careful to keep her secret as closely guarded as possible. Now, only one other person in the world knows about her age and ability. Or so she thinks. Elyse is not the only one keeping secrets. There are others like her all over the world, descendants of the very people the Greeks considered gods. She is one of them, and they have been waiting for her for a long time. Some are waiting for her to put an end to centuries of traditions that have oppressed their people under the guise of safeguarding them. Others are determined to keep her from doing just that. But for Elyse, the game is just beginning-and she’s not entirely willing to play by their rules.

Elyse ages slower than normal people and her blood has the ability to heal. When her family is killed, she learns that she is not the only person with special abilities like this. There are others like her and they are the decedents of the Greek gods. She is brought to a school for these kids.

The thing is there are so many gods with both good and evil that there are a wide variety of students. And just as she is learning how to help with her abilities, there are those that want to destroy and rule the world. And if Elyse is the one that is prophesied about, she is the one at the top of the hit list.

I love Greek mythology about as much as I love zombies. The minute I see mythology I snag the book and I am glad I got this one. Children of various gods are not a new concept, but I liked how it was portrayed in this book. It was a little Like Percy Jackson but older teenagers. Elyse was a great character. She was strong, witty, and seemed to take the explanation of her abilities with stride, even when she is the one to fulfill a difficult prophecy.

The only thing that always gets me is the insta-love. Will was a good match for Elyse but I am not a fan of them falling into mad love so quickly. Plus Elyse’s pining over Will did get a touch annoying when she had bigger things to worry about.

I really liked this book and can’t wait to read Uprising. This is one book that young adult book lovers will not want to miss.

I received this book from the Book Rooster Program in exchange for an honest review.

For more information about Oppression be sure to check Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.

Read Full Post »

Desires Revealed by Rebeka Harrington

5 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) Escape from the religious war leads Nicole and her family to the most unlikely rescuer, a vampire. Nicole discovers love and a new life, but finds herself inexplicably drawn in to a private war between her protector and an extremist faction of vampires.

Rejoin “Vampires Revealed” narrator Bektamun, in Paris 1572, at the height of the religous war between Catholics and Hugeunots, the day of the St Bartholomew’s Massacre. Discover the story behind her rescue of the Gervais family. How Nicole became her Avetser and was made vampire. Desires Revealed will also introduce you to Oskar, leader of the Eleiveb.

This story starts in Paris in 1572 with a family caught in the middle of the St. Bartholomew’s Massacre. Nicole and her family are running away from religious prosecution and run straight into the arms of a 2,600 year old vampire. Nicole is about 5 years old and becomes fascinated by Bektamum, Bek, even though the rest of her family clearly doesn’t like or trust Bek.

Over the years, Bek helps Nicole get through life and teaches her things she has learned. But as Nicole learns and grows up, Bek is starting to love again. Although humans have short lives, Bek is starting to love Nicole. But just as Bek is good, there are other bad vampires out there that want to get to Nicole. The question is if Bek is strong enough to protect her.

This is a great book. I instantly got wrapped up in Nicole’s story. Bek was a great character; I really like strong female characters that don’t go swooning for a guy to save them. And Oskar, I hope he dies in a slow and painful way.

This is a great paranormal story. Don’t let the title fool you, it’s not a bodice buster. Now I need to read Vampires Revealed.

I received this book a long time ago in exchange for an honest review.

For more information on Desires Revealed or to purchase the book check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.

Read Full Post »

Swan Point (The Sweet Magnolias – 11) by Sherryl Woods

4 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) Determined to build a new life for her family after her divorce, Adelia Hernandez has bought a home in the historic Swan Point neighborhood of Serenity. Promoted to manager of Main Street’s most fashionable boutique, she feels revitalized and ready for a fresh start as a single mom. But barely into this new independent phase, she crosses paths with the sexiest man to hit Serenity in years. 

Gabe Franklin, back in town to make amends for past mistakes, has no intention of settling down, but Adelia’s proving irresistible. Cheered on by their friends, “the Sweet Magnolias,” Gabe is bringing long-absent passion and laughter into Adelia’s life. To his surprise—and hers—sometimes a rolling stone is just what it takes to build the rock-solid foundation of a family.  

Adelia has moved back to Swan Point to start over with her four kids after her divorce is finalized. After the abuse of her ex, she has no self confidence and is surprised to get a job so quickly and to be welcomed back into the Sweet Magnolia gang.

At the same time Gabe has decided to grow up and return to Swan Point. He is hired by his cousin for construction and meets Adelia while renovating her house. He has eyes for her but he doesn’t know if he really wants all the baggage of his past, her past, and her four children that are wary of him.

This is a sweet little story that would make a great vacation/beach read. I liked how Adelia is starting over after the whole headache prior to the divorce. I loved seeing how she could grow past all the grief from her ex. The same goes for Gabe, he is so hard on himself that he doesn’t really see how far he has come from being the bad boy.

This is a great story that I think anyone will like.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

For more information on this book or others the in the series or to purchase Swan Point make sure to check Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.

Read Full Post »

The Voice of Waterfalls

By Natasha A Salnikova

4 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) Inga manages to escape from a “house of terror” where she was held as a captive along with other girls who were kidnapped. She is chased into the woods and runs onto the road, almost falling under the wheels of an approaching car. She thought, it would be better to die that way than to return to her captors. The driver of the car, to her surprise, saves her. He brings her to his house and introduces her to his family: his mother, his father and his younger sister. He gives Inga a key to a separate room and brings her food. She appreciates his help and calls him her knight from the road. All she needs now is a phone to make a call to her mother. Her savior, Alman, says they don’t have one in the house. He’s also not in a hurry to take her from his house in the woods to the town where she can talk to police. And Inga began to doubt the noble intentions of her savior. After some time she starts to think this house is worse than the one she was imprisoned in before, if that was possible.

Inga is like most girls in the world; she is naïve and goes to an audition then gets kidnapped and becomes a sex slave. Then one day she takes a chance and escapes. As she is running away from her captures, she comes across Alman. He fights off the captures and takes her to his home, but refuses to take her to the sheriff. Inga realizes that she has just left the frying pan and jumped into the fire, Alman and his family are a whole new terror worse than what she just left.

Anthony is an attorney that just finished a rough case and has decided to visit his grandma in Quiet River. But something is going on; everyone is watching him and waiting for him to leave, even grandma. But Anthony is the one chance that Inga has to escape. The question is if he is strong enough.

This is one creepy story. I felt for Inga, she reminds me of so many women currently that just float along not really paying attention to their surroundings. Of course she is kidnapped and made a sex slave. But when she escapes she finds herself in a worse situation. It’s really bad when she escapes that one and gets to the sheriff just to be returned to Alman. I loved how Anthony comes into play in the story.

This has been translated from Russian. You can tell that there is a little something off about the writing, but it’s nothing that really takes away from the story.

This is a great story. Those that like thrillers and horror stories are going to fall in love with it. Now I want to read more books from Natasha A Salnikova.

I received this book a long time ago from the Library Thing Early Reviewer Program in exchange for an honest review.

To purchase The Voice of Waterfalls make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.

Read Full Post »

American Woman by Robert Pobi

5 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) A stifling heat wave rolls into New York City, amplifying the already critical level of tension in the fragile concrete ecosystem. The air tastes of electricity—the negative charge of bad things to come—but everyone hopes it’s just the temperature. Then, on the morning homicide detective Alexandra “Hemi” Hemingway finds out she is pregnant, a twisted serial killer makes his debut. And the heat goes up.

Alexandra Hemingway, Hemi, is a detective in New York. The story starts with her kayaking around Manhattan trying to get her thoughts together. Earlier that morning, she learned that she is pregnant and doesn’t know if she could bring a child into this world. When she gets to work she gets a new case, a 10 year old child found in the river with his feet missing.

Another child goes missing, his driver brutally killed, and a tip gets called in about a guy that had in front of a judge years prior. Although they find evidence of missing children in his apartment, he can’t be the killer that they are looking for. Hemi finds a link between the children and a local fertility clinic, but it’s not going to be easy to figure out all the information when their best lead ends up dead too.

I really liked this story. Hemi is a tough as nails cop that is still trying to work around some major drama in her past. But she is quick and won’t let anyone stand in her way. There are some great twists and some brutal killings. I couldn’t put this book down. The only thing that I didn’t like was the title doesn’t seem to fit the story. It also looks like it is part of a series but I didn’t see any indication if this was true or not.

This is a great mystery that you won’t want to put down. Now I’m going to have to find other books by Robert Pobi.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

For more information about this book or to purchase it please check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.

Read Full Post »

The Brotherhood of the Red Nile: America Rebuilds by Dan Perkins

5 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF A NUCLEAR BOMB WAS DETONATED NEAR A CLUSTER OF OIL REFINERIES? From the president’s airplane window, he sees oil refineries lie as white-hot glowing rubble in what was the Texas City of Texas City. Cracking towers lie toppled on pipelines above the ground now carrying radiation contaminated energy toward all parts of the United States. The fires are being fed by row after row of massive storage tanks. One of the tanks explodes, sending the massive roof thousands of feet into the air and then the one next to it explodes because of the heat from the one that just exploded. As the president watches, the next one blows like another domino falling. As the pilot veers to escape the heat from the blast, a third explosion sends a shock wave, hitting the plane. General Maxwell will save the plane from the bomb aftermath. But as he brings the president back to Washington, the millrems gauge reading threatens disaster that they all may…

This story starts with a nuclear bomb being detonated in one of the main oil refineries in Texas. If course you have the basic destruction of things being blow up, people being killed, and high levels of radiation. But the master mind behind this plan, all of the contaminated oil is still being pumped through the various pipelines for the country.

This oil is only a couple miles away from the main hubs where the pressure is going to blast all that oil through out the whole country contaminating everything within a couple miles of each line. The real problem is there is no way to for sure stop that flow of oil, no main kill switch. And even if they could stop the flow of oil, what are we supposed to do without oil and the by-products.

I have not read the first book but that has not affected this review at all. This book is amazing! Just the concept of such a planned out attack, I never even would have thought about that as something that we faced. There is so much detail about what is happening that you just get sucked into the story. And if that wasn’t enough, at the end of each short chapter you learn how far the oil has to go before getting to each major point in the pipeline.

This book is scary good. You have to read it!

For more information about The Brotherhood of the Red Nile: America Rebuilds or the first book A Terrorist Perspective make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Goodreads.

Read Full Post »