Review: A Single Light by Tosca Lee

Last year the first of this series came out, The Line Between, and I thoroughly was enraptured by it. I am a fan of Tosca Lee and this series is not a disappointment.

A Single Light picks up right where The Line Between leaves off.

The writing is detailed and researched out. There is detail that one may not of realized needed to be there but after reading, you couldn't imagine it any other way. This Thriller, keeps you on your toes. There is suspense that builds and sometimes it surprises you. The kicker? Since this series has been published, there have been science based articles concerning similar events.

READ THIS SERIES!

Wynter Roth once again finds herself struggling to survive.

There are spoilers after this line, please keep that in mind. I am not trying to spoil this series at all, but frankly if you have not read the first book stop reading now.

The group of 63 people are in the silo. As one can imagine after living together for any matter of time, tension can mount and boy does it. 

Is Wynter in danger with these strangers?

Will she make it to "opening day"?

How many will they lose while locked in?

What will they find once they get out?

These are all important questions that Wynter and the others ask themselves.

Is the virus gone? Are there people? What happened to ____?

This sequel is equally as captivating and a complete thrill in following Wynter's further journey in trying to save humanity. There is loss and there is reunion. This book will make you cry. I honestly do not know how to give a better review without giving away the ending. 

Review: Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill

I received this book as an Advanced Reviewers Copy from Revell Reads for an honest review. This is my honest review.

A Saturday breakfast disrupted by what appeared to be a domestic disturbance between a husband and wife pulled Detective Amara Alvarez into the middle of a mystery. 

Three years ago there was a horrific bus accident where 17 kids and 3 adults were killed, or were they? This story is a captivating and suspenseful story that is paced well with good writing, great character development, and a truly gripping story.

I usually don’t read mysteries, especially not ones that feel like they could actually happen. Heh... I really enjoy books that are in the fantasy and sci-fi genres. This book though, it grabbed me. Once I started reading, I could not stop. The pacing in the storytelling was great. It did slowdown towards the climax, or it felt like it did. I believe this is because the way everything started tying in that the story needed to take a breath.

I enjoyed that it was a good book all around. There are themes included concerning family and humor, there is also some sexual tension between characters. This is appreciated so that the characters seem real. The book is from a Christian Publisher, but it does not fall into a “preaching” category. Clean language, maybe allusion to an intimate relationship, solid writing.

Rated 5/5

Review: The Memory Thief by Lauren Mansy

The Memory Thief by Lauren Mansy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kicking the new year off with a new set of books to read, I started with The Memory Thief by Lauren Mansy. This book was chosen because I wanted a one shot, simple read that was interesting. (Rachel at Reading Rock Books recommended it.)

The writing style of this book is simple. I appreciated it. I was most definitely not in the mood to read a dissertation. The genre is YA or Young Adult, I would agree with that because of the content. The actual writing I would place in between YA and Juvenile. Again, it was welcomed.

The character development was interesting but not heavy. There could have been more, but I believe that would have made the book an introduction to a series rather than a one-shot. There could be more world building, more explanation of how we got to where we were in that time, but again... it is a one-shot.

As a one shot, it is handled well.

The relationship building is slow and methodical. There is no foul language. There is no sex. The focus of the books seems to be the value of life and most importantly the value of memories. The theme that runs solid is forgiveness.

Story-wise. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Etta. Her story is captivating. Etta finds herself in a position he does not like but is obliged to because of her actions in the not so distant past. Because of this, Madame, the ruler of Craewick that is power obsessed, tries to control Etta. It isn't until later on into the story that we understand the real reason why.

In this world, the currency is memories, ability determines class, and the Gifted are the haves while the rest are the have nots.

Because of Etta's actions, Madame decides to put her mother on the auction block. This is reserved for criminals and the torturous removal of memories is done for the highest bidder. Etta refuses to accept this fate for her mother and finds herself facing her past. Does she rejoin the Shadows? Can she save her mother?

This book is not perfect. It is exactly what I was looking for in a one shot though. 4/5

View all my reviews

2020 ... A New Chapter

This is not your "oh hey! It's a new year so I am going to make all kinds of promises" post.

This is a reality post.

This past year has involved a lot of changes. Most I am embracing. A couple I wish didn't have to happen.

I have discovered a few things about myself. Mainly that I can stand up for myself and I don't have to just go with the flow. There is absolutely nothing wrong with following dreams.

Perhaps the romantic in me, I believe that a dream is a wish your heart makes. I also believe that "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Ps. 37:4)"

I am not partnering up scripture and Disney. Just seeing a pattern and embracing it.

My dream for most of my life is to write books. Ultimately that was my motivation behind going to college. (That got confusing for a few years.)

I was shifted off track because like most starving artists, I felt that I needed to be bringing money into the home and not leaving everything on my husband.

But now.

Now.

I am the Library Director at the rural library in my town servicing a population of roughly 3600. It is part time at the moment. I am also teaching a couple courses online for my alma mater.  As I am getting things organized and proficient, I will have room to pursue my dream.

I am not promising myself that I will write. I am not promising you that I will write. I AM being deliberate in my actions.

The main thing most writers will tell you is that in order to write well, you have to read. So, I have upped my reading challenge to 50 books this year. That is double of what was last year.

I am also hoping to get some writing workshops going at my library. It may just be me, but it is deliberate thinking.

As for the other stuff going on? Eh... it doesn't really belong on the internet. Plus, I might use it to spice up a novel and I wouldn't want to be accused of just writing about myself. :D

Expect to see book reviews.

Expect to see some landscape photography.