A Song of Shadows by John Connolly - A Book Review

Still recovering from his life-threatening wounds, private detective Charlie Parker investigates a case that has its origins in a Nazi concentration camp during the Second World War.

Parker has retreated to the small Maine town of Boreas to regain his strength. There he befriends a widow named Ruth Winter and her young daughter, Amanda. But Ruth has her secrets. Old atrocities are about to be unearthed, and old sinners will kill to hide their sins. Now Parker is about to risk his life to defend a woman he barely knows, one who fears him almost as much as she fears those who are coming for her.

His enemies believe him to be vulnerable. Fearful. Solitary.

But they are wrong. Parker is far from afraid, and far from alone.

For something is emerging from the shadows . . .


MY REVIEW:




A Song of Shadows by John Connolly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Song of Shadows by John Connelly is a 2015 Atria publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

I kept putting this one off until I was more in the mood for a little supernatural tone with my detective stories, and there's no better time than in the month of October for a good ghost story. So, I settled in on a dark and stormy night, hoping Charlie was still the guy I have come to know and love.

I have to say, this story was absolutely incredible. A small community in Maine with a large German community is where Charlie has moved temporarily in order to continue his long physical, mental and emotional healing. It's just his luck that a couple of Nazi war criminals have recently made headlines, and a body has washed up on the shore, a case that is all but screaming at Charlie to get involved. It seems, for Charlie at least, there is no rest for the weary.

Charlie's daughter, Sam, is staying with him for a while, and reveals her own talent for seeing dead people, and maybe a little more than that, which has Charlie worried sick. But, thankfully, he has Rachel, and his old friends Angel and Louis are there to watch his back.

This story is sort of like a 'time out' for Charlie, who is outside of his usual elements here, and is hampered by his injuries. The plot is intricate and there were some rather long winded passages here and there concerning the history of the town, the war, and the reminder that some people who committed atrocities during world war two managed to escape justice, and have been living quite comfortably to boot. There were several heart stopping twist along the way with some shocking developments I never saw coming. I was completely immersed in the story involving war crimes and the puzzling mystery behind why certain people were now being targeted.

But, the storyline with Sam and her 'dead sister' was one that literally had the hair standing up on the back of my neck and chills running down my spine! The dark and sinister undertones here are going to have you on the very edge of your seat.

One thing about long running series is that the stories go through peaks and valleys, with some installments either falling flat or just barely managing to break even, while others are simply mind blowing. With thirteen books in a this series, I would say Charlie was due to take stumble, especially after the climatic conclusion of book twelve. But, this was one of the best of the lot, in my opinion. The plot was crisp and fresh, very clever, intense and sharp, offset by some humor and poignancy.

I highly recommend this book for fans of this series for sure, but even if you haven't followed the series, you can still enjoy the detective story is this one and I know once you get a taste of Charlie's otherworldly life you will want to know more. Just be sure not read it alone on a dark and stormy night!

GET YOUR COPY HERE:

http://www.amazon.com/Song-Shadows-Charlie-Parker-Thriller/dp1501118285/ref+sr

John Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 and has, at various points in his life, worked as a journalist, a barman, a local government official, a waiter and a dogsbody at Harrods department store in London. He studied English in Trinity College, Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University, subsequently spending five years working as a freelance journalist for The Irish Times newspaper, to which he continues to contribute.

He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.

This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.

Soul of a Man by Jamie Begley- Re- Release Sale Blitz- October 28th- 30th- Only 99 cents

$0.99 for a LIMITED TIME!

SOUL OF A MAN

Dark Souls #1

Jamie Begley

Re-Released Oct 28th, 2015

Young Ink Press

Cara, a powerful Moirae, finds herself stranded on Earth made human by an enemy of her mother, Fate. Lost and alone, she is forced to accept the reluctant help of Jericho Hawk. Jericho is determined not to become involved with Cara, even as their sexual attraction for each other cannot keep them apart. When Cara's Cousin Grimm appears and proves Cara's crazy stories are actually true, he must overcome the horrors her mother is responsible for to gain an eternity with the woman he has come to love. 

BUY NOW ONLY $0.99

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"I was born in a small town in Kentucky. My family began poor, but worked their way to owning a restaurant. My mother was one of the best cooks I have ever known, and she instilled in all her children the value of hard work, and education.

Taking after my mother, I've always love to cook, and became pretty good if I do say so myself. I love to experiment and my unfortunate family has suffered through many. They now have learned to steer clear of those dishes. I absolutely love the holidays and my family puts up with my zany decorations.

For now, my days are spent writing, writing, and writing. I have two children who both graduated this year from college. My daughter does my book covers, and my son just tries not to blush when someone asks him about my books.

Currently I am writing five series of books- The Last Riders, The VIP Room, Predators MC, Biker Bitches, and The Dark Souls.

All my books are written for one purpose- the enjoyment others find in them, and the expectations of my fans that inspire me to give it my best.”

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Vivid by Jessica Wilde- Blog Tour- Feature and Spotlight

 

Title: Vivid 

Author: Jessica Wilde 

Release Date: Oct 11, 2015 

Book Tour: Oct 15-Oct 28 

Hosted by: Always Behind A Book

Merrick Thatcher went through a hell that no one could possibly imagine. He fought to protect his country, his family, and the men standing at his side, but it wasn't just being a soldier overseas that changed him. He watched his friends die in front of him, felt indescribable pain, and lost his sight in the very same moment.

Badly injured, blind, and angry, he's done with war, but now he’s fighting his own battle. So, he’s waiting for it to end, spending his days and nights in a thick darkness no light can penetrate. Until Grace walks into his life and his broken eyes open to a woman that changes everything for him. A story about two flawed souls finding love amidst the grief. A love that shines vividly, even in the dark, and discovering that sometimes being broken is how the light gets in.

For readers 18+ due to language, violence, and sexual situations

EXCLUSIVE AUTHOR INTERVIEW & CHAPTER REVEAL

w/ Panty Dropping Book Blog

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

READ CHAPTER ONE

Like many other foundations, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides assistance to injured soldiers as well as their families. SOWF also focuses on one of the most important challenges those families face; 'getting to their hospitalized loved ones as quickly as possible'. With grants immediately provided to the family, they can travel to be bedside with their loved one, especially for those crucial first days. SOWF also provides a scholarship program, family services (including clinical social workers, scholarship counselors, and family services counselors). With on-going support and helpful counseling to all families of fallen members in every branch of the military, they are able to help in all the ways that count. The SOWF was highly recommended to me by a recent veteran who served in Iraq. Therefore, I am thrilled to be able to help them in any way possible. Every little bit counts.

       

Grace moved closer, shifting her body so she could reach my face more easily. She ended up practically standing between my legs, brushing up against my injured one whenever she rinsed off the razor.

"Take a breath, Merrick. I haven't cut you. Not yet," she chuckled.

I breathed in her sweet scent, my head swimming with arousal. She had no idea what she was doing to me. All those months shaving with a tiny mirror stuck to the wall in my CHU had been frustrating as hell. I couldn't see shit in that thing. Now I very literally couldn't see shit and she was in front of me smelling like she did, being as gentle as she was, and all those memories didn't seem like such a horrible thing.

Because now I was experiencing something even more torturous.

She positioned the razor under my nose and expertly removed the coarse hair above my lip. What would she do if I just leaned in and devoured her mouth? Would I miss her lips completely or would she meet me halfway?

She gently turned my face and started on the other side. I didn't think having her shave my face would be this intimate. In fact, I was planning on it being annoying as hell since I thought she wouldn't really know what she was doing. Asking my mother had been an option, but I didn't want her leaving Mitch either.

"Almost there. You need a haircut, too." Her voice was rough and sexy, and I had to hold back a groan when it sent blood rushing straight to my groin. "I can style it for you so it stays out of your face, but I'm no good with cutting hair."

"That sounds good," I replied. God, if she didn't finish soon, I was going to do something stupid.

She raised my chin and carefully shaved my neck. When her fingers stroked my skin to check for any areas she missed, I swallowed thickly and lost the battle completely.

My injured and stiff hand found her wrist, slowly pulling the razor away from my skin. Her gasp sent my semi-erection shooting straight up to painfully hard. The skin of her wrist was like silk under my fingers, the tiny bones so fragile. I worried that if I was too insistent, I would hurt her with just a touch.

"Merrick?" she breathed, her sweet breath caressing my chin.

"Grace ..."

I felt her racing pulse under my fingers and pulled her forward until I could feel the heat of her face so close to mine. I raised my other hand to her waist and made a cautious path up, until I gripped the back of her neck. She didn't struggle or protest, and I hoped her accelerated breaths were telling me that she was feeling the same intense pull I was.

My dry throat finally found the strength to speak, even if it was just a whisper. "I would give anything to be able to see you right now." I pulled her face closer, until the tip of her nose touched mine. The sound of the razor falling to the floor, briefly registered in my mind.

I live in Morgan, Utah with my husband, beautiful daughter, and a couple of spoiled pups. If I'm not deeply involved in writing my next book, then I'm probably reading in the safety and quiet of my closet. I love yoga – which I now practice regularly – playing hide and seek with my daughter (only to have my hiding spots revealed by one of the pups), and I love Fruit by the Foot, Twizzlers and Peace Tea. These are great ways to bribe me into revealing secrets about what's to come.

I have an unhealthy obsession with Supernatural, The Walking Dead, and The Big Bang Theory. I also enjoy talking about them, so if you like them, too, come find me.

Writing has become an enormous part of my life and every book I write holds a special place in my heart.  If you read one of my books, I hope you have the same experience.

        

Hosted by Always Behind A Book

Men of Mercy by Lindsay Cross- Book Blast + Giveaway

Enter to Win a

Gifted Ebook Copy of 

RECKLESS RIVER (Book Three)

REDEMPTION RIVER

Men of Mercy #1

Lindsay Cross

Releasing Oct 21st, 2015

Cypress Bend Publishing

Hunter James didn’t want or need redemption.

Until one mission turns his world upside down.

He left Mercy to fight for his country and escape a broken heart. Years later, he is hard. Cold. A man without mercy.  Part of an elite Task Force, he tracks a brutal terrorist to his home town. And runs into the woman who betrayed him…

 Evangeline Videl was destroyed when Hunter left. Determined to move on, she finds another man, but discovers too late the monster hidden beneath his smooth smile. Struggling to find the conviction to live, Evie finds her life spinning out of control.

Then Hunter returns…

Forced to band together to find the terrorist before its too late, Hunter and Evie must learn to forgive or risk losing the promise of redemption and their lives…

 

 

 

RESURRECTION RIVER

Men of Mercy #2

Lindsay Cross

Releasing Oct 21st, 2015

Cypress Bend Publishing

Ranger James accepted his best friend’s death like a good soldier. With guilt. Regret. Vengeance. But a forbidden desire keeps pulling him from his mission…

Desire for his best friend’s widow.

Killed in Action. That’s why Rachel Carter’s husband wasn’t coming home.

A war widow, alone and broke, Rachel struggles to revive her family’s crop dusting service to survive. Now she takes to the skies to find escape. Escape from the pain. From the guilt. From the earth-shattering desire for her husband’s best friend.

Rachel and Ranger can’t fight the attraction between them any longer. But one fateful night cleaves their new found love in two...

Can they find the will to fight for true love? Or will an evil so shocking destroy their lives for good?

RECKLESS RIVER

Men of Mercy #3

Lindsay Cross

Releasing Oct 21st, 2015

Cypress Bend Publishing

They say you can’t go home again. Jared Crowe never wanted to.

Home meant facing memories of abuse and neglect. Of dark closets and evil nightmares. Of his own relatives intent on killing him. But now his brother’s kidnapping forces him to face those demons. Only this time, Jared isn’t a scared little boy. He’s a full-grown Special Forces operative bent on revenge.

As a little girl, Sparrow Pickney risked her life to free two abused boys. As a grown woman Sparrow needs to earn a place in her adopted family’s business or be forced into a life of degradation. The chance to prove her family loyalty comes when she catches Jared spying on the compound and captures him.

When Jared sees his captor, he realizes she’s the girl of his dreams and vows to rescue her from a life of poverty. What Jared doesn’t know is Sparrow may not be the savior he remembers…but the one responsible for abducting and torturing his brother.

Jared is determined to find the truth. But that truth may be more than his heart can take.


BUY LINKS:

REDEMPTION RIVER: http://www.amazon.com/Redemption-River-Mercy-Lindsay-Cross-ebook/dp/B016VJYL7Q/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1445343918&sr=1-3&keywords=Lindsay+Cross

RESURRECTION RIVER: http://www.amazon.com/Resurrection-River-Men-Mercy-Book-ebook/dp/B016VL0FTW/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1445386520&sr=1-4&keywords=lindsay+cross

RECKLESS RIVER: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016VL0PWE?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

  

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Lindsay Cross is the award-winning author of the Men of Mercy series. She is the fun loving mom of two beautiful daughters and one precocious Great Dane. Lindsay is happily married to the man of her dreams – a soldier and veteran. During one of her husband’s deployments from home, writing became her escape and motivation.

An avid reader since childhood, reading and writing is in her blood. After years of reading, she discovered her true passion – writing. Her alpha military men are damaged, drop-dead gorgeous and determined to win the heart of the woman of their dreams.

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