CHRISTINE I. SPEAKMMAN - MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEWS
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Christine Speakman is addicted to books. She's returned
to the writing and reviewing arena after a four year hiatus. |
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July 2006
ALEXANDRU
(A VAMPIRE'S LEGACY LIVES ON)
Rebecca K. Rhodes
Chippewa Publishing, 2004
eBook, $5.00
ISBN 1-933400-06-4 (PDF)
Would you give up your mortality for the one you loved? Nikki did and
ended up with immortality and a dead lover--literally.
So starts a vampiric Romeo and Juliet story. However, things go completely
haywire when Alexandru (our Romeo) is killed, leaving Nikki (Juliet) alone
to figure out her new life as a vampire. Which leads to a mess, right
in the middle of San Francisco.
Talk about a new definition of blood-sucking lawyers. Or even blood banks.
Never mind the need for birth control.
Ms. Rhodes writes beautifully about San Francisco. The love between Alexandru
and Nikki rivals any historical romance. If you were hearing a 'however',
you would be right. Although I did enjoy ALEXANDRU, I felt that maybe
there was a bit too much going on in the story. Enough that it felt a
bit jumbled at times. I would have preferred shorter stories centering
on the different sub-stories; therefore, allowing more time for a deeper
look at some noteworthy ideas.
With its new spin on vampire lore, romance, slight comic moments, and
danger ALEXANDRU is a light-hearted read for a summer evening.
Christine I. Speakman
Other available formats: Palm Doc (PDB), Rocket/REB1100 (RB), Pocket PC
1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB), hiebook (KML), iSilo (PDB),
Mobipocket (PRC), OEBFF Format (IMP), Microsoft Reader (LIT)
BEYOND
THE FOUR WALLS
Pamela K. Kinney
Printed Chapbook, $6.50
www.nakedsnakepress.com/
Creepy. Can't stop. Have to read faster.
No don't. Being silly, nothing's behind me. Checking, checking again.
Really should turn on the lights. What was that!
Nope, not buying any old books ever again.
Who needs old theatres anyhow?
Wonder where my manual typewriter is?
Never did like caller ID.
A short chapbook of 28 pages spooked me. And that's no easy task.
I'm not going to tell you anything about any of the stories. Why spoil
your fun? Just go order Pamela K. Kinney's BEYOND THE FOUR WALLS sit back
and have a haunting good time. Now!
I do have one favour; let me know how well you sleep afterwards.
Christine I. Speakman
DEAD
HEAT
Pam Champagne
Electronic book Publication, $5.99
ISBN - 1933471-69-7
www.triskelionpublishing.com
Looking for an e-book along the lines of a Harlequin Intrigue, but with
a tad more sex (low-medium graphic), then DEADHEAT is for you.
Looking for a story that could be a movie of the week, then DEAD HEAT
is for you.
The phrase "dead heat" refers to a race where two or more finish
at the same time. Throughout DEAD HEAT both Rye and Jenna, and their respective
horses (Tsunami and Rising Sun), are neck and neck. It's only a matter
of time before they collide, and when they do, look out!
Jenna was raised on the backside, moving around horses was second nature.
Now, since her father's death, she's out to prove herself in the male
dominated world of horse training.
Rye is a self-made success, owner of a large stable and breeding farm.
He's also a rogue, a good time hay roller.
Is it murder or race fixing on the FBI's mind when Rye's asked to keep
close watch over Jenna? Doesn't hurt that Jenna's easy on Rye's eyes,
either.
DEAD HEAT is an enjoyable summer read. The racing track/stables background
is extremely real; Pam Champagne knows her stables and horses.
The story, though in small places slightly too much to be really believable,
is as edgy as any thoroughbred race and just as exhilarating.
Looking for a good mystery to read on a summer day, then DEAD HEAT is
for you.
Christine I. Speakman
DEJA
YOU
Kelsy George
Electronic book, June 2006, $6.49
ISBN #1-4199-0650-X
www.cerridwenpress.com
Paranormal Romance Mystery. Don't be fooled by the Cinderella-like routine
romance start to DEJA YOU. There's nothing typical about DEJA YOU. Just
when you've got it figured out, something or someone pipes up, as does
the body count.
Three years ago, Charli Robertson's day started like any other until her
husband was killed. Now she spends her days working for Seattle's number
one bachelor, Ethan Harwood. Her nights are spent worrying about the debts
left behind as her husband's insurance money went to his mother. Doesn't
help that her once newlywed apartment is now a slumlord's dream. But that's
life and Charli, being the black sheep of a half empty type family, only
saw possible hope on the horizon.
However, she didn't think her life would ever get this confusing. Her
dead husband's talking to her; someone's haunting her apartment; she's
forced to live with her boss' mother; men, both living and dead, want
her; and that's only the beginning.
Kelsy George has once again captured my attention. DEJA YOU is a touching
story of love lost/love found and the gentle thought that our loved ones
never truly leave our hearts.
Christine I. Speakman
THE
FINITY CASE
Melissa Swaim
www.archebooks.com,
January 2006
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-59507-108-3, $25.99
E-Book ISBN: 978-1-59507-109-1, $3.99
Finity Chase is possibly the daughter of mob boss Big Sal, or federal
prosecutor Ed Giovanni. However, it's Big Sal who's taken Finity into
his family, and there starts Finity's life of shuffling between what others
want of her.
THE FINITY CASE is more an observation book than a story moved by action.
Most of the story unfolds when the author takes us into what her characters
are thinking, or when she has them narrate what they're doing. Sometimes
this makes for a jumble of too many thoughts, too many point of views.
And sometimes not enough.
I did find some parts too unbelievable: sex during interrogation, sex
between agent and witness during an ongoing raid. However, I presume this
story was intended to be about a young innocent woman/high-functioning
autistic caught between too many worlds, belonging nowhere.
I'm sorry to say THE FINITY CASE just wasn't a book for me.
Christine I. Speakman
GRANDMASTERS
L. E. Wolfe
Chippewa Publishing, May
2005
eBook, $2.00
ISBN 1-933400-43-9 (PDF)
Science Fiction or a glimpse into what could be our future war practices?
As I’m writing this review for L.E. Wolfe’s short story GRANDMASTERS,
the FIFA World Cup (soccer) is being played. Just yesterday I watched
Iran versus Mexico and wondered if maybe our world politicians/others
should think of this sport as their battlefield instead of turning cities
into battlefields. Or maybe even, Chess.
While keeping his thinking realistic, L.E. Wolfe takes a slightly different
turn and has designated planets as the battlefields for future wars. In
GRANDMASTERS negotiations between Epsilon Indi and the Sol system have
broken down, war has been declared. It is now up to their respective commanders…General
Robert James Fischer and Field Marshal Igor Boris Spassky…to negotiate
the rules of engagement. Right down to putting the loser’s portion
of the money generated into escrow…after all the media is slow in
paying the loser’s portion.
Although I tend to read/skip over battle details (too much detail for
me), that’s something I really can’t do here…being the
e-book is only 17 pages. However, don’t let that stop you from reading
GRANDMASTERS as this e-book is without doubt about the realities of war.
War isn’t a reality TV show. War isn’t about media ratings.
In war people die.
An interesting mindful read.
Christine I. Speakman
Other available formats: Palm Doc (PDB), Rocket/REB1100 (RB), Pocket PC
1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB), hiebook (KML), iSilo (PDB),
Mobipocket (PRC), OEBFF Format (IMP), Microsoft Reader (LIT)
IVONA
KNIGHT, VAMPYRESS
Shannon Leigh
Chippewa Publishing, 2005
eBook, $3.00
ISBN 1-933400-13-7 (PDF)
I'm telling you right now there better be a sequel to IVONA KNIGHT, VAMPYRESS.
I was mesmerized from page one. Not since Bram Stroker's DRACULA or Clive
Barker's WEAVEWORLD or even Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series have
I been so completely lost in a story. I even shocked my husband yelling
over the ending. I haven't done that since "Weaveworld."
So, what's IVONA KNIGHT, VAMPYRESS about? Not going to tell you.
It's too easy to write -- a vampyress telling her life biography to a
group
of mortals -- like having a ghost telling you a ghost story
around a campfire.
Shannon Leigh draws you into Ivona's storytelling. The pacing of the
e-book story to Ivona's story matches perfectly. The hypnotization of
Ivona's
audience mirrors that of Ms. Leigh's audience. The difficulty here is
that not only are we privy to Ivona's inner thoughts, but also to another's.
Ms. Leigh flawlessly balances two internal tales with her complete overall
story. The ending? Well, that I'm not going to tell you. Let me just
say, read my opening line to this review.
This e-book is only 71 pages but it's 71 pages of some of the best
electronic writing I've read.
Christine I. Speakman
Other available formats: Palm Doc (PDB), Rocket/REB1100 (RB), Pocket PC
1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB), hiebook (KML), iSilo (PDB),
Mobipocket (PRC), OEBFF Format (IMP), Microsoft Reader (LIT)
Christine's Archived Reviews
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