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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November 2006
AT
HER COMMAND
Marcia James
Cerridwen Press,
August 2006
eBook, $6.49
Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) ISBN #1-4199-0704-2
CONTENT WARNING: High Erotic Sex plus S&M Domination themes
Nothing is out of context in AT HER COMMAND; however, I would call this
e-book a erotica not romance. Sexual content has never been a great reading
pull for me; it's Ms. James' characters that make for a strangely seductive
story and a quirky love story.
Dominique "Domino" Petracelli is a DEA agent. When a dominatrix
from a local "club" explains how one of her "clients"
was killed, a bizarre change is unleashed in Agent Petracelli's life.
There's undercover assignments, then there's UNDERCOVER!
Police Detective Dalton "Bull" Cutter's partner has been killed
all in the line of duty. A duty that was Dalton's originally, now he's
out for payback.
Then there's the drug sniffing Chinese Crested dog (think bald Chihuahua
with a really bad fizzy wig) named Smokey. Don't even ask, but it is a
unique character.
Okay, there are a few ideas that you need to overlook to thoroughly enjoy
AT HER COMMAND: I didn't think law enforcers got naked on the job. There's
also a touch too many legal angles--DEA, Metro PD, FBI--all working different
cases without each knowing.
However, there is something original about AT HER COMMAND. An entirely
new blend of romance and police genres. I really didn't want to ask, but
Ms. James either researched this type of "exercise" very well
or has a very interesting imagination. Either way, I've been reminded
of an Anne Rice novel that left me just as bewildered and satisfied.
Enjoy.
Christine I. Speakman
LOST
IN THE CORNFIELD
Joseph A. Domino
Chippewa Publishing,
October 2006
eBook, $4.00
Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) ISBN #1-933400-24-2
WOW! A Must Read!
This novella is jam packed with fright. Whatever your fear, do not--I
repeat, do not--go anywhere near Center Lane and the big white
house surrounded by the cornfield, in the Earthly Delights development
site. Stay away.
Whoever said fears are not real, never visited Center Lane. Dr. Helen
Fleize and Father Henry Oliver Pauley moved there.on Halloween night.
Their loud, argumentative, brass neighbours--The Peregrines--shattered
the illusion of a quiet cul-de-sac living. Little did these two unsuspecting
souls realize just how much The Peregrines would shatter their lives.
Want a good thrill? Read LOST IN THE CORNFIELD.
Available formats: Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF), 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),
HTML
THE
HAMLET MURDER
THE SHAKESPEARE MURDERS, VOLUME ONE
John Paulits
Chippewa Publishing,
August 2005
eBook, $4.00
Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) ISBN #ISBN 1-933400-31-5
Encore! Encore! Encore!
Don't let the name Shakespeare scare you, The Master's work is woven into
a backdrop for Mr. Paulits' theatrical world. Guilty of not knowing the
fullness of HAMLET, any missed subtleties are my own fault. However, with
that said, and after reading THE HAMLET MURDER, I'm dusting off my copies
of Shakespeare.
THE HAMLET MURDER takes place during the rendition of the play "Hamlet."
Our cast of characters/suspects include:
Mark -amateur mystery solver, Don's friend, plays Horatio
Don - eager and desperate to impress major agent with his portrayal of
Hamlet, not Lawrence's choice.
Lawrence - director, womanizer, tortured lover of Ashley Warrington Brunner,
plays Claudius
Ashley Warrington Brunner - indulgent wealthy lover of theatre, suspects
Lawrence's own indulgences, plays Gertrude
Karen - Don's ex and Lawrence's current secret, plays Ophelia
Brockton - shunned actor, eager and desperate to be Hamlet, Lawrence's
choice
Carl - owner of friendly rival theatre company, financially helped by
Ashley, ready to be Lawrence's understudyOur scene: Poor Lawrence dead
on the theatre couch, killed by Hamlet's sword.
A classic 'whodunit.' Very well written and enjoyable. Reading the e-book,
I couldn't help but picture a "Murder She Wrote" or "Columbo"
type movie running in my head Although I don't like to compare, in case
I scare off other readers, once this happens to me I know I've found a
winner.
This is a definite 'can't put down, read through the middle of the night'
book. Being a volume one means more.
Thank You!
Encore! Encore! Encore!
Christine I. Speakman
NO
BULL
Kelsy George
Cerridwen Press,
October 2006
eBook, $6.49
Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) ISBN #1-4199-0745-X
Dangit! Kelsy George, will you please stop writing stories that keep me
reading till 2:00am!
NO BULL is another winner!
Finally, a romance story where I don't want to kill the leads. Nope,
no silly-willy heroine in NO BULL. And our hero isn't a jerk who refuses
to see his own stupidity (okay, he has his stupid jerk moments).
Diane and Josh are smart, stubborn, tough-hide, and honest about their
strengths and faults. What a blessing. Thank you, Kelsy George!
Life hasn't been easy for Diane. When Diane's sister ran off and died,
both Josh, the man her sister stood up, and her parents blamed her--a
little girl of 12 years of age. Josh by screaming in her face. Her parents
by forgetting she existed.
Now, 19 years later, Diane and Josh are again facing off. A simple vet
and powerful rancher/rodeo star wanting the same thing--just not from
each other (or so they think).
But why does someone want to blame Diane for cow rustling? Why destroy
her life? Why is it so important to keep Josh against her? Why hasn't
Josh's ranch been hit?
From the opening scene, NO BULL is fantastically written throughout. Kelsy
George has out done herself.
Christine I. Speakman
THAT
WHICH SURVIVES
Ciana Stone
Cerridwen Press,
November 2006
eBook, ISBN #1-4199-0752-2
In Ciana Stone's THE WHICH SURVIVES, the past becomes the future where
greed threatens to destroy everything mankind holds dear. But we will
endure any torture, all lies, and face every wondrous mystery in the name
of love.
Dr. Senna Laserian is such a person. She witnessed her home explode, killing
her father. Fleeing Iraq, she survived while her mother was gunned down.
She lives with 2 years missing from her memory; how did she escape Iraq
and make it home to her Aunt Minora? Now as a University teacher
of physics, life is pretty good.
That is, until Konnor Chase walks into her life. Saying the earth moved
when their eyes met may sound corny, but Ciana Stone's words bring the
emotions of two destined people alive. For Senna and Konnor there's only
a couple of minor roadblocks: her
boyfriend Detective Ryan Dalton, Ryan's partner Detective Paige Landers,
Konnor's clandestine life, multiple murders all linked to Senna, and the
secret buried deep in Senna's lost memory.
A secret everyone wants.
Deceit left, right, and centre. Did I say minor roadblocks?
THE WHICH SURVIVES is a roller coaster of intrigue, romance, lies, murder,
and discoveries of the unknown. A vastly enjoyable read, one of the best.
Thank you, Ciana Stone
Christine I. Speakman
Christine's Archived Reviews
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