Book Review: Isca - The Roman Fortress by Ceri Bladen

Isca, by talented author Ceri Bladen, is one of those wonderful tales that sweeps you effortlessly into the world she has created.

That often quoted line 'the devil is in the detail' rings very true here. The world building is impressive. You are left with no illusions with regards to the historical setting. You can literally smell the sand, feel the heat from the sun, and, as befits a story set in Roman times, you are never far from the clashing of swords and severing of heads. And yet, this is not Tunisia, or Rome, or Greece. The story takes place during the Roman's occupation of Britain.

At Isca's heart is a romantic story between Branwen and Marcus. I really loved much of the dialogue between these two. The characters were well drawn and the interplay never came across as syrupy. I even thought some of the exchanges were humorous. It's uncertain as to whether this was the author's intention. Lines such as:-

"Egypt?"
"Yes, it is another land far off."
"Have you been there?"

Marcus shook his head. "No, Italy and here really. I have marched through other countries, but we don't have time to look around because we are off marching again the next day."

I could understand Marcus' frustration. But couldn't help but chuckle at that. If not for all the marching and fighting, Marcus could go sight seeing :)

I have to say I was not a huge fan of those big budget Hollywood films like Ben Hur and so on. But Isca, given a budget and a great director is one film I could see on the big screen.

There is scope to develop this tale still further, but it is complete story in itself. Jump in, you'll love it!

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Dream the Crow's Black Dream - Major Cover Reveal!

Hi all. Well here is the front / spine / back cover of the new book, out 1st May or you can pre-order the Kindle version now!

Pre-Order on Amazon here

Let me know what you think of the artwork, and of course, the story, when you've read it!

This is the fourth in my Tale of Vampires series, if you haven't checked out 

• Murderous Little Darlings
• The Blood and the Raven
• Innocent While She Sleeps

I advise you try these first!

Good Reads Giveaway

Yes, there is one for the second in series The Blood and the Raven. Enter and try to win!

Book Review: Corridors of My Mind by Angel M. B. Chadwick

Well. Sit yourselves down. Maybe I haven't read much poetry in a while, though I read Tennyson quite a lot, or as I like to call him "The one who plays all my favourite tunes at once".

The beautifully titled Corridors of My Mind, by Angel M.B. Chadwick, has created a collection of poetry that is, to be blunt, a quite astounding piece of work. Some of the chapters hit home runs more often than others, but Hurt Me is a stand out piece, I literally bled every line - so if anyone is thinking of writing poetry, and would like to refer to it in a modern life context, you really should read this book. It towers above anything I have read in years. I don't sugar coat books or authors - truly, if I like something, they'll know about it!

That's not to say you'll enjoy everything about it. Some of it really hits you like you woke up one day and decided to headbutt a rhino.

I don't wish to make light of this collection. It's a great literary set, and anyone who has never known anything from life probably won't glean anything from this collection. But, if you're like me, a repeat offender from the school of hard knocks, you'll take something from this book.

It will beat you, pummel you, make you want to submit. Don't read it fast - make sure you take your time, because there is a lot to absorb. Don't move onto the next poem until you have taken in the previous one. In the end, you will read it all. And you'll be grateful for the experience.

Teaser Poster: Stormling II: The Curse of Avonwych

Stormling was my first attempt at a full length novel. I started putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) in 2011, and in 2014, I finally released the book.

It went through a number of changes, as did I, and yet it remains my most ambitious project to date.

With this new story, I think the foundation of Book One will give readers much excitement with the impending release of the second in the series. I certainly hope so anyway!

Through the Dark Winter and A Tale of Vampires series, I have learned so much. It's my ambition and my duty to give you the very best story that I can. You, dear reader, give me your time - so it can hardly be said you give me, the author, something for free.

In 2016, this book will see the light of day. As I am working on other projects at the moment, I cannot offer you a firm release date. But I won't let you down, that much I promise you!

You can catch up  with Book One, here:

Stormling: The Legend of Mordana: I

Pre-ordering Dream the Crow's Black Dream (A Tale of Vampires, #4)

If you were thrilled by Murderous Little Darlings, spooked by The Blood and the Raven, and turned inside out by Innocent While She Sleeps, you might just be interested in my fourth-in-series Tale of Vampires, which is available on Kindle pre-order now, with the paperback to follow close to the release date of 1st May 2015.

Pre-order on Amazon here

This Tale is is the longest of the four to date, and serves more like a mini-novel than a novella. We are reintroduced with a favourite protagonist, and a wicked antagonist.

Expect spooks, chills, gore (in context!) and thrills, which will give you an ending you are not expecting.

Make my day, keep the vampires at bay, and hit that pre-order button now!

Book Review: Karnage (The Phoenix Ashes, Book One) by AJ Leigh

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 

Karnage is the second fantasy book I have read this month, and I have to say that from page one, I could hear voices (not a good sign!) saying 'You don't know what you're getting into.'

That's the beauty of great fantasy writing. I want to get lost in a new, different and thrilling.

Book One of the Phoenix Ashes Trilogy, Karnage, is a beautifully detailed world with a myriad of characters that at times, threaten to overwhelm the reader.

However, this being a trilogy, it would not work with a handful of characters.

What the author has done - brilliantly in my opinion, is give her characters tremendous abilities that within the confines of her world, are believable and well constructed.

The author has gone to great lengths to make us understand what the different characters charms and abilities are. Her way of describing things is way above many fantasy writers, and I can only see this growing in the next two books.

There's lot's of fun and thrills along the way, but there is one absolutely gobsmacking moment, about five or so chapters before the end, that makes this tale so captivating.

Lucas, who is main character no2, is one of those Marmite type characters - you'll either cheer for him, or want him to fall down a very long flight of stairs.

The drama is balanced well with the humour. Lines such as the ones below made me smile:-

The next day, Professor Lyle worked us hard to build our stamina. I would make sure to thank him when I was being chased by a stampede of animals, but right now it was not what I needed.

The ending is pretty much perfect. I know there is to be a second book, but you'll close the page and think 'hmm, I feel good about this.'

AJ Leigh - very talented author. I look forward to the next in the series!

Book Review: Venus Lionheart - The Witch and the God

With every adventure, comes a great risk, otherwise it wouldn't be an adventure. Let's find someone who knows a little about that:-  

 For 12 year old Venus Lionheart, things are pretty normal at first. She's at school, has geeky friends like Sebastian and Eric, and yeah...it's fine, until she finds herself in Freaksville, Shropshire (well no, it's

 Helmsmere, Shropshire)  

 Fortunately, our Vee is not without help, and she soon finds herself on a mission (yep - a mission, not a quest, I think that implies she might just fail!) and has friends like Galahad (I kid you not) and a really special guy whose name begins with M (but I can't tell you who it is because it will give all the choc-covered treats away in one go but I can say it is not M from the 007 movies).

 

With this band crew of hardened warriors (and not so hardened, in some cases) Ophelia traverses time, visits stones before they became a tourist attraction (yeah, Wiltshire Council, all your bus tours and spoken guides are way less interesting than the Stones themselves, okay?) But let's not forget that Venus has some powers of her own. And they don't go down too well with a man who may or may not be a man of the cloth...

Overall, Venus Lionheart's first adventure won't be her last. This is a fun and thrill packed debut novel, which will have you chuckling at one moment and cheering at others. In the best tradition of my all-time favourite children's novel, Rebecca's World, this book can hold it's head high. The reason why debut novels are enjoyable is because the author can write not knowing what the world will think of their book. Write fearlessly, and you never know what you'll be capable of. I think you'll be hearing a LOT more about Dino Costi in the not so distant future.

Buy on Amazon.com

Buy on Amazon.co.uk