Review: Convergence

Convergence by Ginny L. Yttrup
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I have tried and tried to read this book that is written in present tense. I wish I'd know it was present tense before I ordered it, because I wouldn't have. It takes a special type of author to write in present tense well so that you don't notice that it's present tense. This one shouts, "Hey, I'm present tense. Pay attention to me and not the story."

So here's the warning, if you have a problem with present tense--don't read. If you don't mind present tense then you might have a problem with this book because the editor did not understand that all the verbs should not be present tense because of the nuances of dialogue and narrative. It takes lots of practice writing in present tense to make it unnoticed and part of the story structure. Present tense in this story isn't a foundation but a red flag waving in the breeze of the story. Therefore it makes getting into the story hard, and concentrating on the story harder.

View all my reviews

Review: An Unexpected Redemption: Book One of the Romalo Legacy Series

An Unexpected Redemption: Book One of the Romalo Legacy Series by Emily Hamsher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The premise of this book is as old as jealousy and the ache for love. Well developed characters with believable flaws.

It is a worthy read. There are some eyebrow-raising words that don't add anything to the storyline. I don't mind an author using foreign words, They just need explaining in the text, and some of these are not, so what good are they?

Hamsher does a very good job in helping the reader to feel Lucian's pain, and understand his need. There is a lot of reason given for why Lucian falls head over heels for his brother's betrothed, but no reasons for why she should return his love. I have a problem with that. Huge problem. Just because a man has great shoulders and a handsome face and a bad-boy attitude/lifestyle doesn't mean that a girl should fall in love with him. The spiritual gift of mercy usually confuses the compassion raised by another's hurting heart with love. I'm not sure Hamsher did a good enough job with that. It's troubling.

However, there is a lot of good to be said about how Adelina reacted to anger from another. It's a complicated issue and Hamsher did very well with that.

View all my reviews

Review: Plains of Exodus

Plains of Exodus by Robert J. Burnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read sci-fi every time I can get my hands on one. This one was a nice surprise.

Fairly well written, some typos etc. I received and read an ARC from Netgalley so hopefully those were fixed before the pub date.

Jonah, the main character was very well developed. The supporting cast, not so well developed. But that is how the trends are going these days. I do hope if there is a sequel, the other characters are given a bit more body.

The premise of this story is great. Earth is gone, but gone for so long it is rather an afterthought. Then the chance for not just one planet home but several. There is a whole new galaxy to explore. Cool.

This is an exciting read because it isn't the general, usual fare for sci-fi. Nicely done. Looking forward to more from Burnettt.

View all my reviews

Review: The White City

The White City by Grace Hitchcock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of those books it is really hard to rate. The story is very good, it is romance with some thriller/suspense with that old-fashioned detective work thrown in. However, the detective work is rather slapdash, and the back cover blurb gives a totally wrong impression. This is only based, or rather, inspired by true crime. Some writers and make true suspense and true romance work well together. This one fails on the suspense "promise" but delivers on the romance promise.

The serial murders were committed by the person depicted in this story, but I'm quite sure they were more heinous than depicted here. Frankly, if one wants to read Christian romance then that's what one picks up to read. If one wants to read true crime, then that is what one picks up to read. This was hyped as true crime and wound up being romance with a little mystery thrown in. There was no build up to the very real danger faced by our little heroine.

Winnefred is a fun leading lady... a rather plucky well-developed character. Jude, the police detective assigned to protect her is only slightly less well developed. However, I do believe the writer character, Percy, was well done. Percival is a defined character that has some excellent quirks, but on the whole, some of the situations in this story feel/read a bit contrived.

However, I did enjoy the story and because of that I give it four stars.

View all my reviews