What a novelty it is for me to review Darkest Sunlight, a poetic narrative by Xtina Marie. “The heart was made to be broken.” – Oscar Wilde To allow your heart to soar, you must risk the depths. Darkest Sunlight is the third poetic narrative from Xtina Marie. In this journey, readers will begin inContinue reading “Book review: Darkest Sunlight by Xtina Marie”
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Book Review: Ghosts Like Us by Inez Baranay
I’m delighted to share my review of Ghosts Like Us by Inez Baranay (originally published by The Newtown Review of Books, June 2016) ‘the air of the present moment here’ This puzzling opening line embodies the essence of a fine literary work: a little obscure for some, fresh air for others. Ghosts Like Us requiresContinue reading “Book Review: Ghosts Like Us by Inez Baranay”
Book Review: Columbine’s Tale by Rachel Nightingale
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Harlequin’s Riddle, the first in the Tales of Tayra series by debut author, Rachel Nightingale, it was with much anticipation that I opened the second, Columbine’s Tale. “For three hundred years the travelling actors of Litonya roamed the land entertaining crowds, but secretly leaving devastation in their wake. Is Mina theContinue reading “Book Review: Columbine’s Tale by Rachel Nightingale”
Book review: Her Name is Mercie by Chris Roy
The joy of writing book reviews is stumbling on good stories, well told. When the stories take your breath away, all the better! Here is my review of one Her Name is Mercie, a collection of short stories by Chris Roy. “Mercie Hillbrook lives a simple, quiet life working as a gas station attendant. Then her parentsContinue reading “Book review: Her Name is Mercie by Chris Roy”
Book review: The Torcian Chronicles: Defiance by P.J. Reed
I very rarely dip into dark fantasy, so it was a treat to read P. J. Reed’s debut. “Mesham sits dejectedly in a tiny garret above an inn, as the lands of Torcia fall to the magically-enhanced army of the infamous Mivirian Horde. One of the last surviving ancient warlocks of Torcia, Mesham knows heContinue reading “Book review: The Torcian Chronicles: Defiance by P.J. Reed”
Book review: The Erotic Odyssey of Colton Forshay by James H Longmore
What a naughty and absurdly dark novel this is! “Colton Forshay dreams himself into a bizarre sexual dystopia, a world in which nothing is as it should be. Sickening sex acts and sexual violence are the norm and in which the currency is deviant sexual acts. At first disturbed, then intrigued – and aroused –Continue reading “Book review: The Erotic Odyssey of Colton Forshay by James H Longmore”
Book review: It’s a Bright World to Feel Lost in by Mawson
I could not resist reviewing this charming picture book for adults by the irresistibly cute Mawson bear! “Are you feeling a little lost? Got that ‘left in the spare room’ emptiness about you? Mawson does too. He sits atop his cushion and ponders about baffling things. The world is a baffling place for a curiousContinue reading “Book review: It’s a Bright World to Feel Lost in by Mawson”
Book Review: The Keeper of the Way by Patricia Leslie
I’m delighted to share my latest review. I’m a fan of this author after reading a previous work, A Single Light, which inducted me into Urban Fantasy. Her latest, Keeper of the Way (Crossing the Line Book 1), is historical urban fantasy. “After news of grave robbing and murder in Dún Ringall, the ancientContinue reading “Book Review: The Keeper of the Way by Patricia Leslie”
Book Review: Last Year, When We Were Young by Andrew J McKiernan
Here’s my review of yet another terrific collection of horror shorts, this time from award-winning Australian horror writer, Andrew J. McKiernan. “WINNER: 2014 AHWA Australian Shadows Award, Collected Work ‘Last Year, When We Were Young’ brings together 16 tales that defy conventions of genre and style, every one with an edge sharper than a razorContinue reading “Book Review: Last Year, When We Were Young by Andrew J McKiernan”
Book Review: Crow Shine by Alan Baxter
I’m delighted to share my review of this short story collection by Australian horror author, Alan Baxter. “The dark fantasy collection features 19 stories, including the Australian Shadows Award-winning “Shadows of the Lonely Dead”; and original title story “Crow Shine” in addition to two other never before published stories. “Alan Baxter is an accomplished storytellerContinue reading “Book Review: Crow Shine by Alan Baxter”
Isobel Blackthorn 