Required Reading

Life is complicated enough without getting into hotwater with federal agencies so: TAKE NOTE Many things I review I got at no charge in exchange for an honest review. Consider this as informing you that ALL things I review may have been gotten at no charge. Realistically about 60% but in order to keep things above board just assume that I got the stuff free. I do not collect information on my readers. If cookies or other tracking stuff is used on my blogs it is due to BLOGGER not ME. Apparently the European Union's new rules state I need to inform you if cookies are being use. If they are it isn't byu me, consider yourself INFORMED.
Words like, “sponsored,” “promotion,” “paid ad” or even just “ad” are clear ways to disclose that you’re being paid to share information and links so BE AWARE that some of what I write can be described as an AD by the government. BTW I will NEVER say a product is great, super or even acceptable if it isn't, whether I got it free or NOT!

Books I have authored.

Many times I receive books for FREE to give them an honest review. I do not get paid to give a good or bad review. Spotlights are promotional and should be regarded as advertising for the book spotlighted. Regardless of where or how I got a book, my review will be as honest as I can make it.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

The Deadly Trilogy by R. E. McDermott



This is a bargain at list price but the collection is a great deal.  All three of the "Deadly" books for one low price at Amazon. 


Deadly Straits by R. E. McDermott
When Bob emailed me and flattered me into reading his book I thought I was doing both he and Jeff Edwards author of Dome City Blues; Sea of Shadows and The Seventh Angel, a favor.  Little did I realize I was doing myself a favor by reading this compelling book.  Many authors grow in statue as they polish their skills and hone their talent, Bob McDermott has hit a home run with this book and it is his first!  A marine consultant finds himself immersed in international intrigue involving terrorists, oil trade and international complications.

Tom Dugan is the main protagonist and one wonders if he might be R. E. McDermott’s alter ego.  Dugan is not a young stud hero, he is an older more thoughtful protagonist.   Dugan demonstrates very believable behavior with his emotions and behavior.  He is not a professional spy or action figure, he is a normal human being thrust into intolerable circumstances.  McDermott does a super job with his characterizations.

Now the plot, as you may well know I work diligently to avoid spoilers, so I will be circumspect.  Needless to say intricate hardly suffices, Byzantine seems far more appropriate.  Just when you feel like you have a good handle on what will happen next you find yourself pin wheeling on a curve ball.   The most Machiavellian of you will find suitable plot complexity in this book.

Action doesn’t really describe the depth of excitement infused to the bones of this book.  It oozes excitement while forcing the reader to contemplate the plausibility and consequences of the story line.

In short, I really enjoyed this book.   Thank you Jeff Edwards for pointing Bob in my direction and thank you Bob for this excellent read!

I highly recommend it!


Deadly Coast by R. E. McDermott
Tom Dugan, a partner now with Alex, his former employer in Deadly Straits, is a marine consultant who finds himself immersed in terrorists, pirates and a haunting legacy from World War II.

I was pleased to see Tom Dugan back.   He is an older and more thoughtful protagonist who does not rush in with blazing guns to save the day.   He does have a Machiavellian streak that serves him well when he is dealing with international miscreants.  There are a few carry over characters from Deadly Straits but this book can certainly be read as a stand alone novel.  The characters are eminently likeable or vilely despicable.  Once again, McDermott has done a super job with his characterizations.

The plot could be lifted from the daily news.   It has roots in reality and that may be one of the things that makes it so captivating.   There is plenty of action and emotions are more realistic and perhaps less noble than the run of the mill stylized protagonist.  Frankly Bob purposes some solutions to some international problems that seem extremely sensible.   This is another must read from a terrific new author.
I highly recommend it.

Deadly Crossing by R. E. McDermott
 
I am lucky enough to be an advanced reader for Bob.  This simply means I got the book before it was published and devoured it with rapidity.   Bob asked me to hold off on my review until the book was actually published which made sense.   So, in conclusion, this is a darn fine book and if you enjoy action and adventure, you should really buy it.  (Again, no compensation what so ever was received for this review and there isn’t a whole lot of resale value in a .mobi file. Oh, and we aren’t related by blood or marriage, don’t play golf or bridge together and never have met face to face.)

Tom Dugan is a marine consultant who finds himself immersed this time in the Russian mafia and the sex trade.

I was pleased to see Tom Dugan again, he is an older and more thoughtful protagonist who does not rush in with blazing guns to save the day.   He does have a Machiavellian streak that serves him well when he is dealing with international miscreants.  There are a few carry over characters from Deadly Straits but this book can certainly be read as a stand alone novel.  The characters are eminently likeable or vilely despicable.  Once again, McDermott has done a super job with his characterizations.

Anna, his main squeeze and deadly in her own right, is once again on the front lines with Tom.  Major Andrei Borgdanov and Sgt. Ilya Denosovitch, formerly Russian Spetsnaz, come to Tom for aid in tracking down Ilya's missing niece.   Anna's MI5 and Tom's CIA contacts are crucial in finding the missing girl.  

The despicable human trafficking trade is the major theme of the book.  How Tom jumps in with both feet provides the action and plot line.  Once again, the plot could be lifted from the daily news.   It has roots in reality and that may be one of the things that makes it so captivating.   There is plenty of action and emotions are more realistic and perhaps less noble than the run of the mill stylized protagonist. 

I find myself being some what redundant in my review as, once again, I am thrilled with McDermott's work.
I highly recommend it.



 This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Game On by Gabra Zackman



This is a detective story featuring a motley crew of misfit operatives.  Susannah "Legs" Carter is the main female protagonist. 

This smacks more of romance novel than detective novel.  Legs is second guessing her feelings all the time.  There are some very bad, terrorist types and a revenge driven "hottie" that is keeping Legs hopping.

Although the humor of Jackson is a refreshing, the agonizing of Legs draws away from the action.  Overall it was a good story but perhaps mis-characterized as a detective novel and might better be in the romance genre, well violence oriented romance.

Site: http://www.gabrazackman.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Great Nanny Can't Remember Me by William G. Bentrim





If reviewing a product, it may have been received free of charge. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Ghost on The Lake by Alex Alexander


This novel started out with the feeling it was going to be about death and ghosts. Michael finds himself out of body and ghost like.  He is mourned by Laura, the love of his life, and his family.

Struggling not to slip in a spoiler from that point on, the book's plot becomes a bit more devious.   Things are not always the way they seem.   The author alternates chapters from Michael's perspective and then Laura's. (He doesn't adhere strictly to that.) 

Without providing details there are paranormal experiences, world wide travel, drug lords, special ops folks, thugs, submarines, giant sharks, aborigines, high tech toys, secret rooms and much more.  If that doesn't pique your interest, I don't know what will.  

This was a very interesting book and I recommend it.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Ryder:Bird of Prey by NIck Pengelley



Ayesha Ryder is a back.  She is, in many ways, damaged goods.  The terror she underwent as a child has molded her into the competent but some what demented person.  The author, once again, looked at a contemporary world situation, the dissolution of the United Kingdom.  This book is again, more of a urban Indiana Jones with references back to the previous books. This book stands alone just fine though.

Ayesha Ryder is a protagonist of deep feelings.  She has great regrets, great angers and a love that will forever be unrequited.  Lady Madrigal, a beautiful but elderly former operative serves as a mentor and resource for Ryder.  Ryder finds a librarian with surprising skills.  

Ryder has a dark side that struggles for ascendancy.   There is plenty of action and the plot has some surprising twists.

I highly recommend.

Site:  http://www.nicholaspengelley.com/#!ryder

http://bookrevues.blogspot.com/2014/12/ryder-american-treasure-by-nicholas.html
http://bookrevues.blogspot.com/2014/12/ryder-by-nicholas-pengelley.html

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Rogue Goliath by John R. Monteith



This is the seventh  novel in a series of naval action thrillers. Here are links to my previous reviews: Rogue Crusader and then Rogue Avenger and finally Rogue Betrayer

This novel again pulls from the headlines of the world.  North Korea is once again the main villain in the story.  Jake Slate and Pierre Renard are hired to save a South Korean submarine.   Jake and Pierre are somewhat nefarious characters.  The previous books explain how they met and how a one time died in the wool patriot (Jake) became a mercenary. 

Jake is a troubled soul.  He is in need of anger management.   His anger stems primarily from an incident in one of the first books that seriously undermined is physical well being.   Since them Jake has struggled to find balance.  

This book seemed as much about Jake's mental state as it did in the submarine work.   Monteith gives an Aussie, Terry, almost equal billing with Jake.   Terry is the captain of the Goliath.  The Goliath, a hybrid warship,  is an intriguing ship and the use of a rail gun prompted me to Google it as a reality check.  I have read about them in SciFi but this was my first exposure to it in a near future scenario.  The link is for a video of the USN rail gun.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyoaOOAtDI0)


 The book read easily and held my interest.  There were intriguing concepts used that based on the author's biography suggest the concepts are feasible.

I recommend the book.

Web Site: http://www.subthriller.com/


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Solitude Creek by Jeffery Deaver





When I read other reviews I am often astonished that we are discussing the same book.   This  book has some stomach rending scenes and abhorrently demented personalities but it was captivating and engaging. 

Kathryn Dance is a kinesics (body language) expert at the CBI (California Bureau of Investigation.  On a daily basis she battles criminals and the sexual bias of her law enforcement peers.   A widow, Dance, prides herself on her talent and her ethics.  The bipolar plot centers around a gun running, drug selling cartel and a sociopathic mass murderer.

Deaver does a great job fleshing out the character of Dance.   He provides motivation and color for her personality and her ethical mores.   Her family is shown with realistic behavior. 

Deaver's intricate plot has some surprising twists and turns.   That deviousness glues you to the story line trying to outguess what insidious curve Deaver will throw next.

This is an excellent plot with plenty of action and devious twists and turns.
I highly recommend it.

website: http://www.jefferydeaver.com/novel/solitude-creek/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.