(Book Tour) Son’s of Darkness – Gail Z. Martin

What’s it all about?:

“We are the Night Vigil.

We keep the Vigil, looking for the ones who can still be saved, the ones who aren’t too far gone. We’re the misfits and the muck-ups, unwanted by Heaven or Hell, given one last chance to atone for all the mistakes and missed chances, the pain we’ve caused others and ourselves, the good things we were afraid to do, and the bad things we embraced with open arms.

Unfinished business ties us to the mortal world, to make atonement, find absolution, satisfy retribution, get things right. You won’t find a sorrier group of halfway-house heroes. No illusions left – about ourselves, humanity, or what’s really out there in the darkness. Just a purpose, to go down fighting the good fight. Because this is our last chance.

One final chance to make it right, the thin red line of humanity against the evil that goes bump in the night, your best hope to make it through the hour of the wolf.

When a series of disappearances, suicides, and vengeful spirits cause havoc and death along a remote interstate highway, demon-hunting ex-priest Travis Dominick teams up with former special-ops soldier and monster-hunter Brent Lawson to end the problem with extreme prejudice”

My Thoughts:

After taking a rather longer than expected break from blogging, I am back and I bring you a book tour stop that I decided to take a chance on, and I can say i was not disappointed.

Welcome to the book one in an exciting new series Night Vigil. Not had much exposure to urban fantasy so this is a fairly new genre to me, so as little as i have to compare this too i really enjoyed this first in the series.

A fairly easy to follow storyline, mixed in with believable action and if there was music I could hear a rock soundtrack from start to finish

Both leading characters were troubled but very well written and although we find out a little about each man, I would love to know more and hope than we learn more back story as this series progress.

As you all know I’m a very visual listener and this was a journey , the scenes and locations all came alive in my imagination as I listened along.

Let’s talk about the artwork for a second, so vivid as you can see from the banner and picture, it’s a visual feast.

Let’s welcome the narrator of this fine tale , a new name to me but someone I will definitely want to hear more from, Jeffery Kafer, his tone and way he reads the story and characters, every word sets the scenes perfectly.

Gail is a new author to me , but I like her writing style is straight to the point and weather the research was real or fictional a lot of work went into the background and characters and creatures . If you are looking for something that bit different to distract you from wherever your head may be then I recommend this as a good starting point.

You can buy it here:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sons-Darkness-Night-Vigil-Novel/dp/B08L43C7YV/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

You can find Gail here: @GailZMartin, and here: https://ascendantkingdoms.com/

Queen of The Warrior Bees – Jean Gill

Book Blurb:

“Epic eco-fantasy from the award-winning author of The Troubadours Quartet 
One misfit girl and 50,000 bees. Together they must change the world. As the Mages of the Citadel fight amongst themselves and prepare for war against the Forest, Mielitta, a despised servant, has her own battle to face. Bastien and Jannlou, the boys who terrorised her as a child, have grown into their status as Mages and she cannot escape them forever. 
   In desperation, she flees to the forbidden Forest and its dangerous attractions. Her scent angers thousands of bees and, although she survives their attack, she has changed. A strange bee symbol glows on her thigh and her senses are altered. She learns that her connection with bees enables her to summon their aid and gives her the power to shift shape. 
   This new-found bond works both ways and the bees need Mielitta’s help as the rift widens between Forest and Citadel. Can one girl and a colony of bees reunite Man and Nature, or is the split irreversible? 
Block Nature out and she’ll force a way in.”

My thoughts:

Welcome back dear listeners and readers, anyone who knows me will know that I am not a fan of anything yellow and black and striped that stings.

But I was completely engrossed by this book, yes believe it or not , I was listening to it every chance I got, I loved everything about this enchanting, and beautiful story.

I want to start with the cover art, it’s mystical and magical, draws you in and makes you want to discover what lies within the forest, but shows enough as not give too much away.

The characters were another strong point in this book, our leading lady is Mielitta a servant with a secret but this servant turned unlikely saviour , i instantly connected with, as I did with all of them, even minor characters had a big personality in this story.

The story is also strong , man versus nature, man thinking they can bend nature to his will, and well nature saying , “eh no” (pick any accent here you like). You will have to listen to it to see how it ends.

The narrator for this magical tale was Jannie Meisberger new name to my ears but defiantly someone I want to hear more from.

So if you want a break from crime stories (and why would you?) I highly recommend this little gem, this is book one so who knows one day you might see book two on here , keep your eyes peeled.

You can buy it here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Queen-Warrior-Bees-misfit-Natural-ebook/dp/B07PZ212M8

And find out all about Jean Gill here:

https://jeangill.com/

The Clock Keeper – Melissa Delport

Book Blurb:

“Since the beginning of life on Earth, seven powerful families have protected time. From within their bloodlines, one person is selected every decade to make the ultimate sacrifice. 

When Anna Kennedy is selected by the Tempus Guild as the new Clock Keeper, she commits a crime so heinous that it could cause time itself to unravel. Now, it falls to her sister, Clarke, to right the wrong and restore honor to the Kennedy family. The only problem is that in order to do so she must send her best friend to his grave.”

My thoughts:

This was a wonderful wibbly wobbly, Timey wimey story.

It was so well written and fast paced. Without losing any of it’s written beauty.

The main character Clarke is a brilliant well rounded lead with an attitude of don’t cross me but with a heart of gold, and the bond with her sister Anna is so real that I actually felt sorry for the two of them.

Enter the maybe villain of this tale Fletcher I say maybe because he isn’t intentionally being mean more misguided, but I enjoyed how it all worked itself out in the end, the slight romantic element usually puts me off but it was done in such a way that it actually weaved through the story largely to me unnoticed.

The narrator for this story was Vivian Swain, did an excellent job narrating the very twisty subject of time travel, but she made it a joy to listen to and the time flew by, her pace was good and it made me invest more in some characters than I probably would have.

So if time travelling adventures are your thing or if your looking to dive into a new genre then I would give this a look and a listen, you won’t be disappointed.

You can buy it here:

https://www.amazon.com/The-Clock-Keeper/dp/B07NSBN3Q5#productDescription_secondary_view_div_1552817010960

And follow Melissa here: @melissadelport

Also her website: http://www.melissadelport.com

A Looming of Vultures – Richard Storry

Book blurb:

“While an ugly war with its neighbouring realm continues to rage, the insulated members of Ruritania’s upper class laugh and dance their way through their superficial lives. Some people, increasingly disillusioned by the pointless conflict, start to consider how the King might be persuaded – or forced – to end it.
Meanwhile, an increasing number of items of great value are going missing from those attending these high society gatherings. At whom will the finger of suspicion point? Who can be trusted? With so many competing, yet intertwined, agendas, what will be the outcome of this looming of vultures? “

My thoughts:

Let your imagination run free through this brilliant story of fiction. I love how the characters interact with each other and if you want a tense, edge of your seat tale, then listen to this.

The land of Ruritania is laid out in vivid and colourful descriptions, showing both the good and bad sides, even the upper classes aren’t as safe as they think they are, even from their own kind.

The narration is brought to us by the gifted Jake Urry, who I’m convinced can turn his vocal talents to almost anything, even intriguing animal sounds.

A tale of thievery, deception, trust and friendship awaits you, and yes you’ll even meet a vulture.

You can find it here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=A+looming+of+vultures

Harvest Festival – Karl Drinkwater

 

 

 

Book blurb:

“How Far Would You Go To Save Your Family?

First the birds went quiet.

Then the evening sky filled with strange clouds that trapped the heat below.

Now Callum wakes, dripping in sweat. Something has come to his isolated Welsh farm. If he’s going to keep his family alive during this single night when all hell breaks loose, he’ll have to think fast. And when he sees what he’s facing, he suspects even that may not be enough.

This blast of a book can be read in one nail-biting session.”

 

My review:

How much fear, action and horror can you fit into 2 hours and 5 minutes? If this book is anything to go by rather alot.

Callum an ordinary family man with a wife and 2 teenage kids, his life on his farm is about to be turned upside down.

I liked the fast pace of the story, it grabbed you by the scruff of the neck and dragged you right along till the end.

The descriptions of the narrator R J Alldred are detailed and terrifying, you do not want to meet one of these things on a dark night.

I really hope there is a sequel as I want to know more about the origin of the “things”.

If you want a scary, sci-fi, short story then I highly recommend this one.

You can find it here: