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Death Be Told (Terra Vane #5)
Death Be Told (Terra Vane #5)
Katie Carys | 2021 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
97 of 250
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Death Be Told ( Terra Vane book 5)
By Katie Carys

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

My name is Terra, and I’m a Psychic. I have visions, but my gift is getting more dangerous and I’m starting to worry. Though the team are continuing the pursuit of the escapees, my own hunt has taken a different course now a psychopathic serial killer has taken an interest in me.

Obsessed with fairytales, he’s kidnapped a young woman, and I've seen what he intends to do. I can’t let it happen – I won’t let her go through that pain. But I need to address my own pain too, and that means confronting the hard truth of who I want to be with, face-to-face.

Right now, I feel like both the predator and the prey but one thing’s for certain, I won’t be letting the killer have his happy ending.


These books just get better and better! I think the characters and story are just so good.Karen is just all man! He’s finally getting his girl! Fingers crossed. I adore Terra too. This story was so good and creepy with one of their demon prisoners possessing the soul of a serial killer it was just so interesting watching her work with Grady and hopefully he will say yes to the job! He will definitely be an asset to the team. Plus for some reason I don’t think we have seen the last of Cole and his jealousy.
  
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.

Somebody's Daughter is the 7th book in Carol Wyer's Detective Natalie Ward series. If you have read my reviews of her earlier works, you know I enjoy her series. Somebody's Daughter is no exception.

This time, significant changes have shaken up and changed the dynamics of the team. Detective Natalie Ward has been promoted to DCI and Lucy Carmichael is now the DI for the team.

The new team's first case finds Natalie not sitting behind the desk as much as she should. But would anyone expect anything else from her? At first, the killings seem unrelated, and Lucy is unsure if it is even one murderer or two. The bodies pile up, and the team begins to doubt themselves and feel pressure from the top to close the case.

Wyer's police procedurals are well-written with relatable characters. She focuses on solving the crime but also on the police team's interactions with each other and with their home life. By now, they are so familiar they feel like old friends.

No future books are listed on Goodreads, but Wyer recently tweeted she completed the first draft of her 25th novel! Of course, I will be on the lookout for it.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/15/20 and updated on 8/24/20.
  
TI
Tune In: The Beatles: All These Years
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you don't know by now, I am a huge fan of the Beatles. Both of my children have their own Beatles song (Hey Jude and Help), however my general knowledge of their history is not so great. So when I saw Tune In, I didn't hesitate at the opportunity to read it. Being born in the late 80s I can only imagine what it was like to live in the world of Beatlemania, endure the sorrow of their breakup, and all the years in between. Which is why I am so excited about this book. Something else about me, is that I value history, learning the facts and details about people and time periods. Tune In is an extremely in depth look at the men that changed music forever.

Beginning with their family histories, we learn everything there is to know about the background, the life, the creation of the Beatles. Each chapter covers a few years to a few months, and a single day in some cases, beginning in 1845-1945 with the histories of their families, going through their childhood years in the next chapter (1945-1954), and taking us through to the end of 1962.

I have only begun to scratch the surface of this book and I think it is safe to say...Mind...Blown. So much detail, so much history. I love it! With about 80 pages of Notes and another 10 for Credits Mark Lewisohn has definitely done his research to give us such an in depth account of Beatles history. If you are a fan of the Beatles, you are sure to love reading Tune In. Now to wait for volume two...

I received a free copy of Tune In (The Beatles: All These Years) Volume 1, from the publisher through Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
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David McK (3562 KP) rated Tarkin in Books

Jan 28, 2019  
Tarkin
Tarkin
James Luceno | 2014 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
4
7.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
"That's impossible! How will the Emperor maintain control without the bureaucracy?"
"The Regional governors now have direct control over their territories. Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this battle station."

That exchange, from the original Star Wars film, pretty much sums up what would become known as the Tarkin Doctrine: that of rule by fear.

While there have been other Star Wars novels based on the other 'bad guys' (Vader, Boba Fett, etc), this is also the first - to the best of my knowledge - based on Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin, as portrayed by Peter Cushing in the films, and the first Grand Moff of the Galactic Empire.

"Evacuate? In our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their chances ..."

While it may not be apparent in the film - particulary when he utters that line seconds before the Death Star is blown up - this also makes him out ot be a strategic mastermind - it is he who oversaw the construction of the Death Star, and he who (in this) works out the identites of those who have stolen his starship that is now cayying out strikes agaisnt Imperial installations, the pursuit of which is the main driving force of the plot behind this novel.

This also goes to show how Vader came to work with Tarkin on board the Death Star, and the defining events of Tarkins earlier life that would go to shape the character he would become.

With all that said, however, the writing style did - at times - put me off, with the novel never really getting me hooked into just what would ahppen next - we all know, for example, that he would survive and not only survive, but prosper by the end of it! It's also not the worst Star Wars book, nor even the worst of the 'New Canon' such books I've read, but nor was it the best - a solid middle-of-the-road entry for me.
  
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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Deadly Harm in Books

Nov 25, 2019  
Deadly Harm
Deadly Harm
Owen Mullen | 2019 | Contemporary, Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Mackenzie is a survivor. She has survived a brutal kidnap ordeal and now runs a refuge for women who need to escape domestic violence. But when she has to turn a young woman away only for her husband to kill her, Mackenzie blames herself and resolves that she will do anything to prevent anything like that happening again. It isn't long before she must test her resolve. She has survived before. What will she do to survive now?

Once again Mullen demonstrates his credentials as one of the best crime writers out there, throwing a couple of extra murders into the mix and once again having dogged and dog-eared policeman Andrew Geddes play a large part, not only as an upholder of the law but also as Mackenzie's potential love interest. But how can a man who lives in terms of black and white cope when his girlfriend lives in the grey areas? The moral choices made by the leading characters may be questioned by the reader, but their motivations are always clear.

And what a cast of characters. The beauty of this is that everyone - Mackenzie, Geddes, the women at the refuge and killer Malkie Boyle - are all damaged from their lives and experiences. Even when Mullen's clean-cut private investigator Charlie Cameron crops up, it only serves to cast a light that reveals the shadows around the others. Everybody rings very true and the whole plot is very believable, and could be playing out at this moment.

And speaking of the plot, as usual this moves along at a breezy pace, introducing characters as it goes without slowing its momentum. This isn't a classic 'whodunnit' - it is clear exactly who did what - but isn't without twists and surprises, several plots simmering along next to each other and coming to the boil perfectly throughout the book.

Another fantastic read from simply one of the best authors there is. Very highly recommended
  
Healing Thru Service by Sgt Q is a book filled with words, thoughts, and tools to help equip anyone who has suffered through trauma and come out the other side with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In all honesty, I think this book and the information in it can help people even if they do not have PTSD.

“Never be content with where you are…. This is a battle; therefore, the rules of war apply: If you aren’t taking ground, you are losing it.”

Sgt Q tells his story, his struggles and his triumphs intermingled with honest debriefings of life with PTSD. I loved getting to know Sgt Q and his story through this book. It helped me better understand what some of my family members live with on a daily basis. He explained the different stages or categories of PTSD in easy to understand ways and I enjoyed his “Tactical Applications” at the ends of the chapters and his biblical integration. Sgt Q dug deep into discovering your identity and who you are as a person outside of the military and I believe Sgt Q explained our need for identity in a very engaging and special way.

“No longer a Soldier, you are now a Warrior.”

From a US Marine’s daughter, this book was one I wish my dad had access to years ago and hope it will help him even now. I really enjoyed Sgt Q’s book and ministry and I am looking forward to passing this book along to more people who need the healing words inside. I highly recommend this book to anyone with PTSD, depression, or pursuing what defines you in life. 5 out of 5 stars. Thank you for your service Sgt Q, and thank you for helping Warriors have a family again.

Sincerely,

The Travelers Wife

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.