jbronderbookreviews

Beyond the Frontiers (Deuces Wild – 1) by Ell Leigh Clarke and Michael Anderle

When Nickie accidentally activates her special functions and finds herself with a stolen ship full of hostile Skaine, she has no choice but to figure out what to do with the cards she has been dealt.

A by-product of her activation, her internal computer system also finds her Aunt Tabitha’s diary in her memory banks. In these accounts, Nickie finds a long-desired link back to her favorite aunt, whose recounted stories help them both to accept the trauma they’ve survived.

Join Nickie, and The Kurtherian Gambit’s original Ranger 2, Tabitha, on a rip-roaring, bar brawling adventure to save the frontier from slavery, arms dealing and the ‘Skaine’ of the universe.

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About the Author

Recovering theoretical physicist, professional geek, newbie sci fi novelist, and die hard Doctor Who fan.

Though she is originally from England, she is mostly what her friends call a “digital nomad”, hanging in whichever country calls to her… as long as it has good wifi, and coffee.

Website

My Review

4 stars

Nickie Grimes has always felt like the odd man out in her family except with her Aunt Tabitha. She has spent the last five years getting drunk and fighting until the night before where her enhancements come back online when she is almost killed in a bar fight. As she is on a stolen Skaine ship with the crew locked up throughout the ship, Nicki is trying to figure out what to do next. She is surprised to find her Aunts journal entries on her enhancements and she reads through them as she figures out what to do next.

This is my first time into this universe so I have no idea what is going on. It’s clear Nicki has some serious issues in her past if she has spent the last five years drinking and brawling. But I liked following her as she decided to take care of the Skaine crew. She is a tough woman that doesn’t take any crap from anyone. I loved her snark and how she was just looking for the good fight.

I didn’t know what to think about Tabitha at first. She is the infamous Ranger Two but this didn’t mean anything to me. I did enjoy her adventures and how although she is this huge legend she is very human, well for the most part.

I think this was a good read. It has peaked my curiosity of this universe. I would like to learn more about Tabitha and about Nicki’s past/family. Kate Rudd does an amazing job narrating this story and I would also like to listen to other books narrated by her. This is a great audiobook to check out.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily listened to and posted an honest review.

I would like to thank Michelle Cobb for the opportunity to listen and share this book.

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Dorothy and the Glass Key by Christopher Finn

14-year-old Dorothy Alston had to grow up fast when her father’s alcohol-induced carelessness resulted in a house fire that claimed her mother’s life. She finds a new life on her uncle’s farm in Florida…but not for long. Now, thirty-four years later, Dorothy’s in a permanent vegetative state and it’s up to Ellen Steward – the hard-working, slightly jaded administrator at an upscale rehab facility – to unravel the mystery that landed Dorothy in this condition. With some unexpected help, Ellen unwinds Dorothy’s fantastical narrative. It begins with a strange glass key that leads Dorothy to worlds that exist between time and space. She awakens a dark creature who feeds on the pain of the young. Ellen discovers that even she is wrapped up in Dorothy’s strange saga. If she wants to save her, Ellen will have to give up everything. But if she fails, much more is at stake than anyone could have imagined.

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About the Author

Christopher J. Finn has long been a fan of things that are quirky, odd and dark, believing those aspects make for the best stories. Dorothy and the Glass Key, his debut novel, falls right into those categories.

Christopher J. Finn lives in Missouri with his wife and three kids. When he isn’t writing his next novel, he is painting, woodworking, playing PS4 with his pre-teens or watching the latest supernatural thriller show with his wife, his dogs, and pet leopard gecko.

Dorothy and the Glass Key 2nd edition is now available.

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My Review

5 Stars

We start this story at a mental health facility where rich Ragesh Dutta has brought his ward Dorothy. Ellen is the administrator but figures if Ragesh is willing to pay she has no problem letting him. Then Ragesh starts telling Ellen Dorothy’s story. When Dorothy was 14 years old a fire killed her mother. Together her father and she move to Florida to live on her uncle’s farm. Things are strained between the two since Dorothy blames her mother’s death on her father.

When Dorothy discovers a key that will transport her to other worlds she is excited for the escape. At first Dorothy loves her new friends and the escape but as time goes on we learn that there is a dark side to these worlds, one where a creature feeds off children.

Oh my, where to begin? The first thing I want to say is not to think this is a Wizard of Oz type story, yes I made that mistake. This is a whole new world of wonders and darkness. Dorothy has lost her mother and blames her father. It was hard to read this part because both have lost someone and Dorothy wants to blame someone. Of course she is going to jump at the escape, I didn’t blame her. The fantastic worlds he found herself in along with Charlie and Ragesh make the adventures more and more addicting. When we meet Spintwister I was creeped out. He was clearly insane, the perfect bad guy, and I hoped that they three friends could find a way to stop him.

This is a great read and has many things that teens will relate to. I loved the story and all the twists and turns. Dorothy and the Glass Key is a first book from author Christopher Finn and it is executed wonderfully. This is a book I recommend checking out. I can’t wait to see what else Christopher is going to come up with.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

I would like to thank Smith Publicity for the opportunity to read and share this book.

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