Literarily Speaking

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

First Chapter Review: SILENT LITTLE ANGELS by Jennifer Chase #firstchapterreview

thewriterslife August 31, 2022 0 Comments

Thanks for visiting Literarily Speaking! Today's post is a first chapter review for SILENT LITTLE ANGELS, Jennifer Chase's latest crime thriller. First, a little about the book....

The water ripples as the girl’s body escapes the reeds and floats silently upwards. Her beautiful face—blue eyes frozen open, skin as white as snow—breaks the surface. But it’s too late, this innocent soul has taken her final breath…

When camp counselor Carolyn Sable’s body is found floating in a lake beside Eagle Ridge Summer Camp, Detective Katie Scott must dig deep to stay focused. As a child, Katie spent many happy weeks at that camp toasting marshmallows on the fire with her best friend Jenny… until the day Jenny disappeared. The loss will always haunt Katie, but Carolyn’s inconsolable family need answers.

Searching the area, the devastating discovery of two more bodies sends the case into a tailspin. Suddenly on the hunt for a serial killer, Katie’s blood turns to ice when she finds newspaper clippings about her own past cases planted near one of the bodies. Was this twisted killer banking on Katie taking the lead? And why?

Carolyn was adored by children and staff at the camp, so Katie thinks her sudden resignation is key to cracking the case. Uncovering a tragic accident involving a group of children in the weeks before Carolyn left, Katie knows she’s getting close.

But when the carefully laid trap Katie sets to catch Carolyn’s killer backfires, Katie finds herself in unthinkable danger and unable to even trust her own team. Can she stay alive long enough to crack the toughest case of her career, and how many more innocent lives will be lost before she does?

An absolutely unputdownable crime thriller from a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. Fans of of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh will be sleeping with the lights on!

Everyone is talking about Silent Little Angels:

“I still have goosebumps! Omg……… amazing…I flew through the pages with Olympic speed. I was hooked from the very first page.” NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars

“One hell of an unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way… I almost had to read through my fingers… A brilliant, and highly recommended read.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

“It kept me guessing right until the end. There is plenty of action, suspense, and tension. I’ve become so invested in these characters. I was glued to this one and up way past my bedtime. I couldn’t put it down.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

“I read this in one very short sitting, I couldn’t put it down. It was well written with well-developed characters and a gripping storyline that was full of mystery, tension and twists… a thrilling read.” NetGalley reviewer

“All-time favorite… I was shouting in my head, don’t go back there… wow!” I Spooky’s Maze Of Books, 5 stars

“There was no way I was putting this book down!!!!!… I was literally holding my breath… I HAD TO KNOW!!!!! As for the explosive ending: WOW definitely not what, or who I was expecting.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

Book Information

Release Date: April 19 2022

Publisher: Bookouture

Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1803142319; 402 pages; $11.99; E-Book, $3.99; FREE Audiobook with Audible Trial; eBook FREE with Kindle Unlimited Membership

Amazon: https://amzn.to/38HWeJ2

FAVORITE QUOTE FROM FIRST CHAPTER:

The water ripples as the girl’s body escapes the reeds and floats silently upwards.

BOOK COVER:

I don't know about you all but every cover that comes from Jennifer Chase's camp is above superior. Jennifer is no stranger to penning books and the cover for Silent Little Angels goes beyond my expectations as it should do for you. I wonder if the dragon fly has any significance?

FIRST CHAPTER REVIEW:

Immediately we are taken to the scene of the crime. A young girl lies motionless in the reeds. You can feel the power of the author's wordsmanship (is that a word?) as we visualize the scene in front of us as it has already kabolted us into the story. As it turns out, the young girl was the camp counselor at a camp that Detective Katie Scott used to attend as a young girl herself. Talk about too close to home. Then two more bodies show up. And here's the weird part. Clippings from Katie's past cases shows up beside the dead girls. Weird huh? It's like the killer is teasing the detective and wanting her in particular to be involved with this case. Chilling!

KEEP READING?

I will definitely definitely definitely definitely keep reading!

Pick up your copy!

Amazon → https://amzn.to/38HWeJ2

Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and USA Today BestSelling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology & criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent psychopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells. In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling. She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists, and member of the International Thriller Writers.

Her latest book is the crime thriller, Silent Little Angels.

You can visit her website at www.AuthorJenniferChase.com or connect with her on Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.

# First Chapter Reviews

First Chapter Review: THE URBAN BOYS: DISCOVERY OF THE FIVE SENSES by K.N. Smith #firstchapterreview

thewriterslife August 31, 2022 0 Comments

Thanks for visiting Literarily Speaking! Today's post is a first chapter review for THE URBAN BOYS: DISCOVERY OF THE FIVE SENSES, K.N. Smith's latest science fiction thriller. First, a little about the book....

A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five friends. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become super-gifts that forever change the world. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand their sensory super powers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and mysterious strangers complicating their plight, will the boys defeat the evil Druth before it’s too late? Get prepared for the twisting and grinding of this award-winning, action-adventure story — an edge-of-your-seat narrative for young and mature readers alike.

FAVORITE QUOTE FROM FIRST CHAPTER:

A dark contrast to the bonds being made in Danville Heights, where the sun appeared to believe it had a multitude of friends on which to rely for the next stretch of time.

BOOK COVER:

Loved the cover. Gives you a visual of the characters and shows their empathy toward one another.

FIRST CHAPTER REVIEW:

The book's first chapter does an excellent job of giving us first impressions of Danville Heights and its main characters. We are introduced to Kinsu Yamada, the mysterious Mrs. Perkins, Chase Freeman and his sister, Diane. I'm already in love with the characters.

KEEP READING?

I will definitely keep reading!

Pick up your copy!

Amazon → https://www.amazon.com/Urban-Boys-Discovery-Five-Senses-ebook/dp/B015ZS01MI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&geniuslink=true

K.N. Smith, winner of the “Best of” in the category of “Outstanding Young Adult Novel” at the Jessie Redmon Fauset Book Awards, is an author and passionate advocate of literacy and arts programs throughout the world. Her lyrical flair sweeps across pages that twist and grind through action-adventure and urban fantasy in edge-of-your-seat narratives. K.N. has over twenty-five years’ experience in communications and creative design as an award-winning consultant. Reading is still her foremost hobby. K.N. inspires people of all ages to reach their highest potential in their creative, educational, and life pursuits.

Her latest book is the YA Action Adventure/YA Thriller/Urban Fantasy/Mystery/Thriller DISCOVERY OF THE FIVE SENSES (The Urban Boys Book 1).

You can visit her website at www.KNSmith.com or connect with her on Facebook.

# First Chapter Reviews

Sunday, August 28, 2022

5 Things You Should Know About Later by Colette R. Harrell #5Things

thewriterslife August 28, 2022 0 Comments

5 Things You Should Know About Later

By Colette R. Harrell

1. You can watch the trailer for the book on YouTube, at https://youtu.be/zae2FGV-MMI

While it begins in the pre-civil war period, it is also being told in the present. Twice the fun!
There are twists and turns. It’s an unpredictable, fun ride through the pitfalls of settling and letting go.
Forgiveness is the only key to a love-filled life absent from hate. How can two dwell together unless they agree?
It’s well worth the read; take the time to curl up and enjoy it.

About the Author

Colette R. Harrell made her debut as an author with the book, The Devil Made Me Do It. As a published author, she has enjoyed meeting her readers; for her, it’s all surreal. She holds a master’s degree and worked as a director of social services, which allowed her a front-row seat to the conflict and struggles of everyday people.

Her day is filled as an Author, Playwright, Story Editor, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and child of God. She wears many titles allowing twenty-four hours a day to meet the challenge.

Her goal in writing is to engage readers and provide them with golden nuggets of wisdom that feed and titillate. Her biggest lesson is that it takes a village to raise a dream. She loves and appreciates her village.

She prays everything God has for you manifests in your life. And that you stretch and reach for it!

Colette’s latest book is the historical/interracial/supernatural/paranormal Later.

You can visit her website at Coletteharrell.com or connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads or Instagram.

Book Description:

Title: Later
Author: Colette R. Harrell
Publisher: Intentional Entertainment LLC
Pages: 204
Genre: Historical / Interracial / Supernatural / Paranormal

Blurb:

In 1859, Junie Benson was a twelve-year-old genius and enslaved. His older sister, Sari, had her own difficulties, including being auctioned to the highest bidder. She was also beautiful, flighty, and had a repetitive dream about a hazel-eyed white stranger.

Everybody with the good sense God had given them knew even her dream was forbidden.

In the present, three things troubled ex-Special Forces Lt. Colonel Zachary Trumble . . . his new job as director of security for Burstein Labs, his loveless marriage, and the green-eyed siren who won’t let him sleep in peace.

Then time’s fickle hand brewed a recipe for a miracle . . . Stir in three runaway slaves, an avalanche, one mad scientist, and an unhappy, in-love hero to create a dish for revenge best served . . . Later.

Book Information

Release Date: September 1, 2022

Publisher: Intentional Entertainment LLC

Soft Cover: 204 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CarIUi

# 5 Things You Should Know

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

5 Things You Should Know About Northern Echoes by Melody Ash #5Things

thewriterslife August 09, 2022 0 Comments

5 Things You Should Know About Northern Echoes

By Melody Ash

Northern Echoes is part of the historical fantasy / time travel series, Web of Echoes which takes readers on Caitlin’s journey through four centuries and countless dangers.
Caitlin is a strong-willed woman who embraces both her European and African roots. Her passion is shedding light on the past, and not just the one defined in history books.
Web of Echoes is an adventure, but also an emotional journey that explores the importance of family, loyalty, and the decisions we make when both are jeopardized.
Northern Echoes is the first full-length novel in the series, and follows the prequel short story, Deep Echoes.
Chatling Hall is modeled after a couple different British manor homes, but the majority of the inspiration for the home comes from Chatsworth Manor, the same home that was used in the 2005 film version of Pride and Prejudice.

About the Author

I grew up loving the endless possibilities Fantasy and Sci-Fi held between their pages or played on the big screen. Star Wars, Stephen King, The Neverending Story, vampires, Disney, I loved it all (and still do!) At age ten, I picked up a pencil and began coming up with stories of my own that toyed with other worlds and the mysteries of this one.
My first attempt at writing came at ten years old while, during a sleepover, I tried writing a ghost story. In sixth grade, I entered my school’s writing contest, and in college, my writing professor allowed me to work on a novel instead of following the curriculum.
But at the time, writing was only a hobby I enjoyed. I picked it up, put it down, sometimes for months or years at a time, but I didn’t think of it as a career. Instead, I majored in communications with the goal of a career in journalism. After a couple of years, I changed course and entered the travel industry. Travel had always been another love, especially to Walt Disney World, and the choice seemed the perfect fit. I opened my own travel agency and grew it from the ground up until the Great Recession of 2008 rolled in, along with the blessing of my first child.
With her birth, I left behind the office career and finally admitted what I already knew – I wanted to spend my life creating on paper what played in my head. A series that had already been haunting my dreams for months that I knew would be my first attempt to break into the publishing world.
After releasing romantic suspense under the pen name, RM Alexander, Caitlin Benoit started whispering in my ear and her story started forming. My passion for adventure and travel bled onto the pages as Caitlin was launched into the adventure of a lifetime. But because the story wasn’t focused on romance, I knew I needed a new pen name that would be focused more on UF / Sci-Fi, and Melody Ash was born.
As a complex PTSD and trauma survivor, I often write characters who often face the worse circumstances and must search for their inner strength. It is my hope readers not only connect with the characters and stories but also are encouraged, as they read the last word, that their real-world problems can be overcome.
Outside my writing world, I spend my time with my husband, two children, and Pomsky (who you’ll likely find posted on my social media) in Indiana. I still love to travel and am addicted to orange juice, Ghirardelli chocolate, and adventure.
You can visit Melody’s website at www.melodyash.com and connect with her on Facebook and Tik Tok.

Book Description:

Title: Northern Echoes
Author: Melody Ash
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 301
Genre: Scifi / Time Travel

Book Blurb

Caitlin Benoit assumed the next destination would be her time, her world. Instead, the stone thrusts her further into the past and onto a different continent.

Now in 1831 England, she’s discovered by William, the Duke of Lancaster. By sheer luck, he’s willing to allow her into his manor. While she fights to gain a footing in this new time, Caitlin discovers the stone also ripped John from Charleston.

Everything she thought she knew about how the stone worked is false, and neither John nor her understand how to escape the grip of the past. As they work to uncover the mystery of the stone, an acquaintance of the Duke plots an intricate scheme certain to destroy them all. She and John must solve the puzzle in an unknown amount of time or risk getting stuck—or buried—in 1831.