Tuesday 5 November 2024

A Killer of Influence - J.D. Kirk - DCI Logan Book 20

A Killer of Influence
DCI Logan Book 20
ISBN 9781804369425
ASIN B0CZXZG49W

A Killer of Influence - J.D. Kirk - DCI Logan Book 20

I discovered the writing of J.D. Kirk in 2022, since then I have read over 50 volumes across three different pen names. I picked the first for a few reasons, but mainly because authors Alex Smith and JE Mayhew have both recommended the author and series. I am a big fan of Smith’s DCI Kett novels and Mayhew’s DCI Will Blake Series. I have been hooked since that first read. Kirk also publishes under the names Barry Hutchison and Barry J, Hutchison. I have now read the first 20 in the DCI Logan series and all 4 in the Robert Hoon series, The first two in the DI Heather Filson series as well as stand alone VIP exclusive short story. 

I had no idea how addictive Kirk’s books would be or that like Mayhew and Smith, Kirk publishes under three different names. Kirk publishes children books as Barry Hutchison, and other adult fiction as Barry J. Hutchison. He has published over 200 books across the three pen names. If I had known that or I might not have picked up this first one. Friends call me a ‘completionist’ in that when I find an author I like, I try to read everything they have published. Being caught up now on his works as J.D. Kirk I will have to wait for each new one to come out, and this volume was well worth the weight. 

The description of this novel is:

“What price would you pay for fame?

Following a convention in the Scottish Highlands, eight social media influencers vanish without a trace, leaving their followers – and families – in a state of shock, and the police clueless as to their whereabouts.

And then, the livestreams begin.

Broadcast live from their squalid underground cells, the young influencers are forced into a sadistic battle for survival.

With each livestream, their captor pits them against each other in a twisted competition for likes. The influencer with the fewest positive reactions faces a gruesome end – live on camera.

As the likes increase and the death toll rises, DCI Jack Logan and his team must traverse both the Scottish wilderness and the darkest corners of the internet to try and save the remaining captives.

But how do you catch a killer who is always one click ahead?”

This story feels very different than many in the series. First the last case seems not to be as settled as they expected. Logan believes someone out there is still pulling strings and blackmailing people into doing things. And when a reminder of his own dark secret turns up at the station and then another at his home in his bedroom, well lets just say he is off his game for a while. The case is also different in that 8 social influencers have been kidnapped, and their captivity is being livestreamed. After one of them is killed on camera and the rest are forced to remove a finger then things really amp up.

Again, I stayed up way to late to finishing this story. I just could not put it down. This is another great read in a excellent series. I love the three series written under the pen name J.D. Kirk and they are definitely Scottish Mysteries, or Scottish Police Crime novels. This book and series would be great reads for fans of Jack Reacher, Jack Ryan, or Temperance Brennan. I state it again this is a great read in a dark and gritty series!      
      
Books by J.D. Kirk:
…

DCI Logan Series:

Robert Hoon Thrillers:

DI Heather Filson Series:

Contributed to:
Everyday Kindness: A Collection of Uplifting Tales to Brighten Your Day
…

Books as Barry J. Hutchison:
Dan Deadman Space Detective Series:
…

Space Team Series:
The Search for Splurt 
Song of the Space Siren 
The Guns of Nana Joan 
Return of the Dead Guy 
Planet of the Japes 
The Time Titan of Tomorrow 
The King of Space Must Die 
Sting of the Mustard Mines 
Sentienced to Death
The Hunt for Reduk Topa
…
A Lot of Weird Space Shizz: Collected Short Stories
…

Sidekicks Initiative Series:

The Bug Books Series:
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
…
Complete Season One
…

Other Books:
…

Children’s books as Barry Hutchison:
Invisible Fiends Series:
The Crowmaster 
Doc Mortis 
The Beast 
The Darkest Corners 
…

Afterworlds:
The Missing Remote of the Apocalypse
The Book of Doom 
...

Benjamin Blank Series:
…

Beaky Malone Series:
…

Generator Rex Series:

Living Ted Series:
Revenge of the Living Ted
Invasion of the Living Ted
…

Spectre Collectors Series:
Too Ghoul for School
A New York Nightmare!
…

Other works:
…

DCI Logan - JD Kirk Books 1-20


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Monday 4 November 2024

Praying with the First Christians - Juliette Levivier and Anna Gravier - CTS Children’s Books

Praying with the First Christians
Juliette Levivier
Anna Gravier (Illustrations)
ISBN 9781860824906
ISBN 1860824900
CTS Booklet CH10

Praying with the First Christians - Juliette Levivier and Anna Gravier - CTS Children’s Books

As of the reading of this book over the last few years I have read over 400 volumes from the Catholic Truth Society. I stumbled upon them while doing research on an author, and have been hooked ever since. This is the seventh in the CTS Children’s Book Series that I have read. It is the third by Levivier I have read. It is one of only a few books in the CTS Children's Books I have read, but I will continue to track down more.

The description of this book is:
 
“Get to know the saints who lived in the Church's early years. A beautiful little book which invites children to discover the first witnesses of the Christian faith and to pray with saintly heroes such as Stephen, Paul, Monica, Augustine and many others. These colourful hardback books are a delightful companion for young children discovering their loving friends in heaven and the story of their faith. The beautiful illustrations and the simplicity of the language lead children to a closer relationship with God. From 5 years”

Another description states:

“A little book to help you discover the first witnesses to the Faith and to invite you to pray with St Stephen and St Barnabas, St Monica and her son St Augustine, and many others … (From 5 years old..”

The sections in this book are:

Jesus sends his disciples.
The first Christians:
     St John
     St Paul 
     St Barnabas 
     St Philip 
     St Luke 

The martyrs, our elder brothers and sisters in the faith 
     St Stephen 
     St Tarcisius 
     St Blandino 
     St Felicity and st Perpetua 
     The martyrs of Abitina

The saints, our friends in heaven 
     St Anthony of the Desert 
     St Helen 
     St Monica 
     St Augustine 
     St Jerome 
     St Martin 
     St Nicholas 

A sample chapter is:

“St Paul

Saul was walking towards Damascus where he wanted to arrest the Christians: he hated them! 

But something amazing happened on the way. All of a sudden, a bright light dazzled him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him: "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" ''Who are you, Lord?" asked Paul, terrified. "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting" (Acts 9:4-5)

After praying for a long time, Saul received a visit from Ananias, a disciple of Jesus who baptised him: from then on, he was called Paul. He lived only for Jesus. He made many journeys to make Jesus Known to all men.

Like Paul, Jesus calls me to change my heart so that
I can share his love.

You are close to me, Lord,
but sometimes I cannot see you!
Open my eyes so that I can see you.
Open my mouth so that I can speak of you.
Open my hands so that I can serve you.
Open my heart so that I can love you.”

Another sample chapter is:

“The martyrs of Abitina

"Everyone, out!" The Roman centurion burst into a small house where forty-nine Christians were celebrating the Eucharist He arrested them all and led them to the forum to have them tortured.

Despite their sufferings, they continued to proclaim their faith in Jesus Christ Young Felix, his friend Saturninus and even little Hilarion, all sang with Tazclita: "Lord Jesus, we are your servants. You are our hope, you are the hope of all Christians. Glory to you, Most Holy God!"

You don't need to be very big, or wise, to love Jesus or to give your life for him. For me, giving my life can simply mean serving those around me.

God Most Great, you are our life.
God Most High, you are our strength.
God Most Holy, you are our joy.
God Almighty, you are our hope.
May your name be glorified everywhere!
(The Prayer of the martyrs of Abitina)”

This is an absolutely wonderful volume. It was great to read it and then pass it along to our kids former Catholic Grade School. The Librarian has loved many of the CTS books we have donated over the years. I hope the sample chapters give you a feel for this volume. This is another excellent volume from the Catholic Truth Society. I am very thankful I picked it up and know it is one I will use often. A great resource I can easily recommend for church, home, school, or small group use. 
 
Praying with the First Christians - Juliette Levivier and Anna Gravier - CTS Children’s Books Sample 1

Praying with the First Christians - Juliette Levivier and Anna Gravier - CTS Children’s Books Sample 2

Praying with the First Christians - Juliette Levivier and Anna Gravier - CTS Children’s Books Sample 3

Praying with the First Christians - Juliette Levivier and Anna Gravier - CTS Children’s Books Sample 4

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.


Books by Juliette Levivier:
Francis: the Poor Man of Assisi
Prayers Around the Crib
Praying at Mass
Praying with the Friends of Jesus
Praying with the Holy Spirit
The Rosary
…

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Sunday 3 November 2024

The Merchant's Curse - Antony Barone Kolenc - The Harwood Mysteries Book 4

The Merchant's Curse
The Harwood Mysteries Book 4
Antony Barone Kolenc
Loyola Press
ISBN 9780829454277
eISBN 9780829454284
ASIN B0B2VSQQX6

The Merchant's Curse - Antony Barone Kolenc - The Harwood Mysteries Book 4

This is the fourth of five currently available in the Harwood Mysteries that I have read. I have also read the three short stories in the same were published as the Lucy Mysteries and greatly enjoyed them. The author has indicated the series will conclude with a sixth volume due out in 2024. This story is historical fiction set in medieval England in the middle of August A.D. 1186. This story takes place nearly a year after the previous novel in the series. The description of the volume is:

“In this thrilling installment of the award-winning Harwood Mysteries series, Xan leaves the Abbey for far-away Lincoln to apprentice with his uncle. But he quickly learns that all is not well. Uncle William has fallen in debt to a heartless moneylender called the Master. Nigel, the reckless nephew of William’s business partner, has put them in danger by befriending an enemy of the King.

Why are the Master’s thugs lurking near Uncle William’s shop?

Does the disfigured woman in the marketplace really have power over life and death?

Will Nigel stop his dealings with a known traitor?”

This particular novel has won numerous awards including:

2023 Illumination Book Awards Gold Medalist, Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction
2023 Independent Press Awards Distinguished Favorite, Middle Grade
2023 Independent Press Awards Distinguished Favorite, Book Cover Design Fiction
2023 Catholic Media Association Book Awards, First Place, Books for Youth
2023 Association of Catholic Publishers Excellence in Publishing Awards, Third Place, Children's Books: Teens

If you have already read the other Harwood Mysteries you will be familiar with many of the characters. I must admit this volume gets even darker than some of the others. The challenges Xan faces are more numerous and at a number of points his life is in danger from three different directions. But I am getting ahead of myself.

I will be up front I had figured out the main culprit fairly early in this volume, and even how the crime was being committed. But the two subplots took me by surprise. And Watching Xan struggle to put the pieces together and even to figure out his own future was a greatly entertaining read. 

As the previous volume ended Xan has chosen to return to his uncle and work as a merchant’s apprentice. His uncle William has also gone into partnership with a wealthy man, and Xan has suspicions from the beginning about this partner, the partner’s nephew Nigel, and even his own uncle going into debt again. Some of those prove valid and some now. There is a lot of action in this volume including a witch who curses the partner and his immediately taking ill. Xan being cursed, but pushing through to try and solve the mystery even if it is the last thing he does. A surprising turn with the legendary ‘Master’, and even an old foe returned using a new name and causing even more problems than previously. 

Tony did another masterful job of finding balance between telling a new tale and staying true to historical fact and places. This volume is very well researched and the author’s historical note at the end is well worth reading. The characters are well written, it is a soiled plot with several twists and subplots woven well into the tapestry of the story. And it moves at a great pace. It was a hard book to put down. 

It was great to watch Xan’s growth in this story and his interactions with Lucy and Father Andrew through letters. This story and the main Harwood series is marketed for Middle grade readers but would also be great for tweens and teens. I am in my fifties and I loved them. This is a well written story and one that will leave you excited for more stories set in this world that Kolenc has created. Antony ‘Tony’ Barone Kolenc is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps. He currently teaches law. In this story, he has shown that he has great skill as a story teller in both long and short form fiction. It is a story guaranteed to entertain, readers young and old alike. It will leave you desperate for the next volume. It is a great story in a wonderful series. I can easily recommend it. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Antony Barone Kolenc:
The Harwood Mysteries:
Shadow in the Dark
The Haunted Cathedral
Murder at Penwood Manor
The Devil's Ransom
…

Harwood Short Stories:
The Lucy Mysteries:
…

The Chronicles of Xan:
Shadow in the Dark
The Haunted Cathedral
The Fire of Eden
…

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Saturday 2 November 2024

Gapman - Karina Fabian - DragonEye, PI Book 9

Idol Speculations
DragonEye, PI Book 8.0
Karina Fabian
Laser Cow Press
ISBN 9781956489224
ASIN B0DJV4K531

Gapman - Karina Fabian - DragonEye, PI Book 9

Every time I read a book by Fabian, no matter the series, I think ‘it can’t get better than this’ and yet somehow it almost always does. This story blew my socks off. It is an amazing read in a wonderful series. But I will get back to that in a minute.

I read this volume over a few days during a very busy time at work and home, otherwise it would have been devoured in a day. I had a hard time putting it down. It is such a fun story. The way Fabian pulled it off was masterfully executed. 

I believe that with each new book I read from Karina Fabian’s masterful pen I am more and more impressed with her writing. To date, I have loved all the books and all the series I have read by her. And this marks the 34th time I have read a book by her. This new story is another excellent offering. 

I have been reading stories from Karina Fabian since 2008. But in the last three years I have read or reread over 40 books and stories published by her. In that time I have read stories across most of her series, some a few times. I usually read her books and then often listen to them a second time using adaptive technology. My understanding is that this is the order of the series at least at the time of writing this review:

9.0 Gapman
10.0 Magic, Mensa and Mayhem (Revised edition forthcoming)
11.0 Live and Let Fly (Revised edition forthcoming)

But back to this story. The description of this book is:

“Some men are born greatness. Others have greatness thrust upon them. And others fall into a vat of toxic waste.

When Ron Engleson wakes up with superpowers, he’s determined to do good for the city of Los Lagos. Being the first superhero in the world is hard enough—but on the border town of the Faerie and Mundane worlds? Forget gang fights and bank thieves—he’s also fighting murder hornets and possessed geese. On top of that, he’s adopted by the local dragon, Vern, who’s under orders to train him up and keep him out of the police’s way. At least there’s a chance for romance with the local reporter—but does she want the man, the hero, or the story?

Join Gapman as he defends his mom against sleezy exes, rescues an ill-tempered chihuahua, and faces mortal danger on the Conveyor Belt of Doom!

“Yes, I’m in this book, but it really is about my padawan. Enjoy.” --Vern”

The chapter tiles in Fabians books are often very important, the chapters in this volume are:

Call Me Ron
Gapman Falls Into His Role
A Hero Rises
Gapman’s First Rescue
Vern Gets a Super-headache
Gapman Stops a Shooting
Vern Comes Up Empty
Gapman Stops a Seduction
Gapman Gets His Supersuit
Gapman’s Baby Buggy Rescue
Vern Gets an Assignment
Gapman Gets Shadowed
Gapman Meets His Lois Lane
Gapman Gains a Mentor
Gapman Begins His Training
Gapman Gets a Lunch Date
Gapman vs the Queen of the Midsummer Court
St. George Sides With Gapman
The Self-Made Gapman
Gapman Squashes a Bug
Gapman Does a Podcast
Gapman Gets in a Fight
Gapman Charges Up
Gapman and Vern Get Pucked
Gapman & Vern Vs Cobra Chickens
Gapman’s Left Hanging
Gapman Makes a Decision
Gapman’s Identity Confession Fail
Gapman Gets the Girl
Gapman’s Kryptonite
Gapman’s Red-Hot Rescue
Gapman Gets Monologued
Gapman and the Conveyor Belt of Doom
Gapman and the Femmes of Phi Epsilon Phi
Gapman Deals With U
Gapman Begins

It is 36 chapters of fun, adventure, and an epic battle. Though there are more than a few mishaps with a new superhero, infused with power in the Gap back home in the mundane trying to figure this all out. This story ties in well with the series and sets up the Superhero, and Vern and Grace being at Mensa convention, elements in the next volume. In this one Vern and Sister Grace must take on a new challenge, training up someone to live their potential, to become the best version of themself. It’s bad enough that Grace is encouraging and challenging Vern to do so but when Saint George makes an appearance things change in a huge way for both Vern and for Ron aka Gapman. 

Gapman’s debut causes way more harm than good, he just doesn’t realize it yet. When the chief of police commands Vern and Grace to get things under control it is a task that maybe not even all of Vern’s wit can handle. Throw in a side trip to the summer court and trick to become the champion and we are in and an excellent epic adventure. 

This story is yet another masterfully written tale of Vern and Sister Grace, and our introduction to Gapman. The three of them must work together to help forge Gapman into an effective agent for good. Gapman needs to learn from the dragon and accept the assistance of Sister Grace. They need to navigate the nemesis who’s each encounter appears to up the ante.  And we get to watch Vern have such fun playing with the new hero as he trains him and pushes himself in ways he had not been in a while. 
  
This book is another greatly entertaining read, in an excellent series. It is another wonderful offering from Fabian’s pen. Even if you have not read any of the other DragonEye PI stories I can easily recommend this book to you. I have said it before, and I say it again in many ways it reads like a catholic version of Robert Apsrin’s MYTH series and his Phule’s Company and also the works of Tom Holt, especially Holt’s Nothing but Blue Skies. Give this book or the series a try; I am certain you will be entertained. Another fantastic read in a great series that I can easily recommend.     

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan!


Dex Hollister Series:
The Old Man and the Void
Dex's Way
...

Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator Series :
Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator
I Left My Brains in San Francisco
Shambling in a Winter Wonderland
…

DragonEye PI Series:DragonEye PI Short Stories:
DragonEye PI Novels:
9.0 Gapman
10.0 Magic, Mensa and Mayhem (Revised edition forthcoming)
11.0 Live and Let Fly (Revised edition forthcoming)
...

DragonEye PI Original First Editions:
Live and Let Fly
...

Space Traipse Series:
Space Traipse: Hold My Beer, Season 1
Space Traipse: Hold My Beer, Season 2
Space Traipse: Hold My Beer, Season 3
Space Traipse Stories
…

Mind Over Series:
Mind Over Mind
Mind Over Psyche
Mind Over All
Hearts Over Mind
…

Edited by: Karina Fabian:
Infinite Space, Infinite God I
Leaps of Faith
Infinite Space, Infinite God II
...


Contributed to:
Firestorm of Dragons
The Zombie Cookbook
The Book of Tentacles
Twisted Fayrie Tales
FRIGHTLINER: And Other Tales of the Undead
Mother Goose is Dead
Word by Word: Slowing Down with the Hail Mary
Image and Likeness Literary Reflections on the Theology of the Body
Corrupts Absolutely? Dark Metahuman Fiction
Weird Noir
The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal Novels
Manifesto UF
Avenir Eclectia
Planetary Anthology: Jupiter
Planetary Anthology: Pluto
Planetary Anthology: Luna
Planetary Anthology: Uranus
FlagShip Science Fiction and Fantasy v2i5
My Little Book of Headdesks
To Be Men: Stories Celebrating Masculinity
...


DragonEye PI Books 1-9


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Friday 1 November 2024

Plant Life - Cedar Sanderson

Plant Life 
StonyCroft Publishing
ASIN B008BMBF6W

Plant Life - Cedar Sanderson

This is the twenty-sixth volume from Sanderson’s masterful pen that I have read. To start at the beginning I first encountered the works of Cedar several years back in Cracked: An Anthology of Eggsellent Chicken Stories, and after reading her piece there knew I had to track down and read more from her pen. I was asked recently why I keep mentioning this anthology in my reviews of Cedar’s books, in part it was just an excellent anthology, in part there are several contributors whom I am trying to read all their books now, and in part because I am so thankful to have stumbled upon Cedar’s works in it! 

To date everything I have read has been entertaining and some have just been amazing stories. I since found out that she is friends with a number of authors I love and respect. I am working my way through her back catalogue. This is another great story in a classic Science Fiction story. 

The description of this volume states:

“If a being can appear human and act human, how alien is it? When an entire planet has a voice, what does it speak for? A quartet of planetary scouts must make the call — but judging another’s humanity means evaluating their own. A novella.”

About Cedar at the back of this volume we are informed:

“Cedar Sanderson, mother of four and aspiring author, grew up without television in the Alaskan bush. This and learning to read at age four have skewed her world toward books. A house full of books and a part-time librarian job keep that going to this very day. She writes what she wants to read herself, and hopes someday her children will like her books. Until then, they all live together on a farm in New Hampshire and read late into the night. She writes because she can't help it, gets a story stuck in her head and has to write it out or it bothers her. Which has led to enjoying the crafting of stories over the years, but she didn't seek to become published for a long time - she was content just to write. Now, she'd like to share some of her work. She has been published in the ezine Something Wicked.”

The chapters in this novella are:

Feeling Watched
Plant Princesses
Verdant Ambassadress
Incorruptible Body

I always enjoy when stories, books, and novellas have chapter or section headings. And in this case they lay a clear map for us of where the story is going. After starting it was possible to predict some of what was about to happen and some was a surprise. It is a first contact with an alien species, and one that has powers well beyond our own. But one that appears to have never left its planet. It is open to cooperation with humans, but it has some expectations of us as well. It is a story about love, friendship and not realizing what we have right in front of us. It is wonderfully written.

I can easily recommend this story, especially if you like it a story told in a classic science fiction manner. In some ways in reminds me of Frank Herbert’s The Green Brain or The Eye's of Heisenberg. But in others it feels a bit like a mashup between Solaris and Blade Runner. In it Sanderson has delivered another masterful story! I can easily recommend this novella for fans of science fiction, or to be honest anyone who just loves a great story!

Books by Cedar Sanderson:
Warp Resonance
The Dwarf's Dryad
One-Eyed Dragon
Snow Angel
Inktail & Friends: A Coloring Book
Voyageur's Cap
Fairy Little Sister
Milkweed
Mindflow
Crow Moon
Zombie Maggots
Poor Gregory
…

The Groundskeeper Series:

Pixie for Hire Series:
Dragon Noir
…
Pixie for Hire: Omnibus Edition

Children of Myth Series:
Vulcan's Kittens 
The God’s Wolfling
…

The Tanager Series:
Jade Star
Tanager's Fledglings 
…

Witchward Series:
Possum Creek Massacre
… 

Illustrated by Cedar:
Something Wicked #15
Jormungandr's Venom (Fenris Unchained Book 3)
Hunted Behavior
A Time To Die
Legion
…

Contributed to:
The Hearts' Enchantment
Calexit- The Anthology
Supernatural Streets
Something Wicked Anthology, Vol One
Something Wicked #15
Mythic Delirium Magazine Issue 0.4
The Haunted Library Anthology: Volume 1 
But Not Broken - Hope and Healing Book 2
Postcards From Mars - Postcard Stories Book 1
Space Cowboys - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 4
Space Cowboys 2: Electric Rodeo - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 5
Twisted Tropes
Steam-Powered Postcards - Postcard Stories Book 2
Space Marines - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 6
Fanta-Fly Postcards: A Micro-Fiction Collection
Postcards from Foolz: A Micro-Fiction Collection
Falcons of Malta
Space Marines 2 - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 9
Single Servings of Liberty - Postcard Stories Book 5
Tales From The Occupation: A Fae Wars Book 4
…

Books as Lilania Begley:
Slice of Pie
...

Sumire Series:

Bluehills Series:

Contributed to as Lilania Begley:
He Was Dead When I got There
...

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