by Jasmyn | Jan 29, 2019 | Book Reviews, Readers, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Heart of Destiny introduced me to a very interesting and new world. A world that has been split into separate realms by a magical wall where they only meet in the middle at the Citadel. This was supposed to bring peace, but it seems to have only brought about petty squabbles instead, especially with a corrupt emperor ruling them all.
When children begin to disappear – everyone wants to blame their neighboring realm. And here is where I wish there had been more to the story than a novella can hold. Being introduced to so many characters – one from each realm – was a bit confusing, and I still wasn’t sure who was who and where they came from by the end of the book. I’m hoping they separate themselves a little more in future books of the series, because I see a lot of good possibilities ahead.
The djinn and the dragons were a great spin on more traditional creatures, and the concept of them having a triad merger of beings with girls that were taken was a fun new element.
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Title: Heart of Destiny (Heart of the Citadel #1)
Author: Susan Faw
Genre: Fantasy
Content Rating: PG-13
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Magic suppressed. Magic exiled. Magic murdered.
During the Great Purge, all magic was destroyed and those who could wield it were driven into exile. From that time on, the world of Gaia churned on in relative peace and prosperity.
When the emperor of the central Citadel suddenly dies, his apprentice takes his place. Benevolent and loved, the new emperor is a benign ruler, bridging the age-old conflicts between the provinces. The citadel is a symbolic as well as a physical barrier to maintaining the fragile peace.
However, the brazen kidnapping of ten young women shatters the accord, and the councillors of the provinces gather at the Citadel to demand that justice be served. It is a flame dropped into dry tinder. Rife with suspicion and hatred, each province accuses its neighbour of treachery.
But the emperor has other plans. He alone knows who is responsible for the kidnapping of the young women, and he has no intention of sharing that knowledge. Where magic is involved, there can only be one conqueror. The fight for ultimate control of magic has begun.
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by Jasmyn | Jan 25, 2019 | Book Reviews, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Readers
Mourning Express is my favorite in The Funeral Faker series so far. I loved Rosie and her determination to do a job well. With a bad rep following her as a diva, she’s struggling to find a job when she takes on the role of a professional mourner.
Her first job highlights her past and bad reputation when she’s asked to give a eulogy for a man she’s never met. A man that everyone seems to hate. But as she digs deeper into the man’s past as research for her role, she finds out that his death was no accident at all.
With the help of her best friend – who just happens to be a stellar make-up artist – and her roommate, she takes on several really fun roles to try and find out the truth. While she hates her reputation as a diva, she finds that having made a name for herself isn’t all that bad sometimes – and actually helps on occasion.
A great mystery with some of my favorite characters.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
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Title: Mourning Express (The Funeral Fakers #3)
Author: K.M. Waller
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Content Rating: PG
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C-list actress Rosie Collins’ name is making headlines… unfortunately it’s only with the tabloids. Now, with a freshly minted reputation for being a troublemaker, not even the local Dollar General store will hire her to twirl their sign.
Problem is the job offers stop, but the bills don’t. Rosie needs cash fast, like, express-lane fast. Might Professional Mourning be the answer? Sure, yeah, whatever.
Never one to mince words, her first job is to deliver the eulogy for the most hated man in all of Asheville. Now she’s got a new problem. Namely, that the newly deceased’s slip-and-fall accident seems like it may have been more of a push-and-fall murder.
Will Rosie find a way to solve this deadly mystery, or will her next role be as Harold’s replacement in the coffin? Find out whodunit in this hilarious mystery series filled with fake tears and a very real body count… Order your copy and start reading today!
Mourning Express is book three in The Funeral Fakers series. Each book stands completely on its own, but you’ll have more fun if you read them all together!
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by Jasmyn | Jan 23, 2019 | Book Reviews, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Readers
Another solid cozy mystery in the Funeral Fakers series. Mourning Commute is a stand-alone mystery that I had a hard time guessing exactly who-dun-it and why. Sam Cheever laid the clues out beautifully without giving too much away until the case was solved.
The characters may have been a little over the top, but they were more lovable because of it. Our funeral faker, May Ferth, really pulled out all the stops to make sure her grieving clients got what they needed – including a little shoulder to cry on and an ear willing to listen.
There’s a touch of romantic possibility between the P.I. investigating and May that I really enjoyed. They both had moments of quick thinking and worked well as a team to solve the case and catch the bad guys. The cases in the Funeral Fakers have all been quite involved and intricate, and I’m impressed at the authors’ abilities to fit so much into a novella and bring all the pieces together in a very satisfying conclusion.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
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Title: Mourning Commute (Funeral Fakers #2)
Author: Sam Cheever
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Content Rating: PG
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Restrained Crying: $50
Banshee Wailing: $100
Crying & Rolling on the Ground: $150
Threatening to Jump in the Grave: $250
Uncovering a Murder Mystery: PRICELESS
May Ferth was born with stars in her eyes, but apparently not her future. Never able to break past the community theater, she’s overjoyed to finally land a role that comes with a paycheck: Professional Mourning for the win!
And in her first performance, she shines as the fake girlfriend of a professional crime scene cleaner. Unfortunately, this time she shines just a bit too bright. Now everyone suspects that she might have played more than a bit part in her pretend boyfriend’s death!
Luckily for her, May comes from a family of cops. And, despite her talent for acting, she has a lot more Detective in her than Diva. Unluckily, however, the threats become all too real as May gets closer to shining a spotlight on the real villain.
Can May rewrite the ending of this staged play or will this be her final bow? Find out whodunit in this hilarious mystery series filled with fake tears and a very real body count… Order your copy and start reading today!
Mourning Commute is book two in The Funeral Fakers series. Each book stands completely on its own, but you’ll have more fun if you read them all together!
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