FROM THE DESK OF
DONA PENZA TATTLE, ESQ.
AND
ASSOCIATE WRYE
BALDERDASH
March 2017
Greetings,
Wrye
Balderdash entered the office dressed in tails and popping open his top hat as
he took a spin, balancing on a silver-tipped can. “A trampoline is perfect for
what season, m’literary snoop?”
Tattle
snatched up her parasol and bounced to her feet. “Spring-time! And I know a blooming oak tree that told
spring… what a re-leaf.”
“Corny
to the core, madam.”
She
batted her lashes. “And proud of it.”
“Ready
for a spring time stroll?” He crooked an elbow for her to grab.
“Not
til later, first our Love of Literature Leap Review.”
“Ah,
then our attire must be more sophisticated than ole time.”
Upon
changing into matching suits with Fedoras, the two leaped into a new review.
DIVIDE AND CONQUER (Champions
of Elonia, #1) by Carmen Fox, an urban fantasy.
This
story hooks you on the first page, no foreplay, just direct, intense action
with the Shades attacking Nieve, warrior and Royal Champion. Nieve had one last
mission before the King would finally release her. And the Shades weren’t going
to make it easy. They used their magic, which forced Nieve to use her own.
Despite not enough sun to refuel, she did what she had to do. Getting Lea back
to the Elonian world and persuading her she was part of the prophesy was
paramount.
Lea,
an intelligent scientist, intended to shine in her chosen field but wasn’t
expecting to be snatched from her routine life and tossed into a world of magic
or into the arms of a man who appreciated her quirky bent. Though knowing life
held more than being a translator, Lea wasn’t convinced she was the chosen one. Having to battle Shades, who
had their own plans for Lea, and learning to become a warrior under Nieve’s tutelage,
wasn’t in Lea’s quiver of hopes and dreams. Neither was the friendship that
soon bonded the two women.
Nieve
does her duty, and despite emotional attachment being alien to her nature, she
identifies the benefits of having Lea as a friend. At the same time, however,
she meets a kindred warrior soul who makes her question her allegiances.
The
gods had created a divide between earth and the Elonian world. Those with
powers of light and air wanted to preserve the divide and Lea was pivotal to
that success. Those with powers of dark and earth planned to have the divide
fall. But despite prophesy, the past could be rewritten and the future had yet
to unfold and memories were slowly erased with each moment that passed. Lea and
Nieve were pawns in a dangerous and possibly lethal game, where all might be
losers.
“This
action stuffed urban fantasy refuses to release you from page one til the last
page.” Wyre had the look of one who had been up the entire night. “Each
character has its own unique style and definition while the worlds’ backdrops
are edgy and crisp. Carmen Fox created a unique universe and a storyline that keeps directing the reader one
way only to snap you back and force you in a different direction. Every snag is
remarkably placed with every foothold disintegrating. It leaves you dangling
and desperate for what comes next. This author displays a forward thinking
literary style that hasn’t been experienced before. This is a must-read!”
“Having
read other books in this genre, I was prepared for a shadowy reflection of
stories I previously read. Instead, I was smacked upside the head with Fox’s
new, unique voice.” Tattle tapped the back of her head for emphasis. “The magic
and action scenes have their own defining qualities that unfold so vividly it
is as if you are watching a movie rather than reading words. The dialogue
indentifies each character’s individualism while the sprinkling of humor is
much appreciated in this otherwise intense tale. The dual heroines with their
own POVs gives the story extra dimension as they tackle secrets, romance, and
betrayals. This brilliant debut novel will make an urban fantasy fan out of
anyone. Don’t pass it up.”
UNTAMED (Duty
Bound #3) by J.S. Marlo
Living
in her grandfather’s Newfoundland cabin in the outskirts of nowhere, Hannah
Parker defended both herself and her young son by using simple tenacity and
persistence. Many would consider being deaf a weakness, Hannah ignored it, not
allowing the disability to define her any more than she allowed her damaged
reputation to brand her. Still, troubles followed her. Deceit stalked her. A
killer lurked in the woods and she anticipated no one will believe that truth.
Then again, she oft suspected most who come across her path. After all, she
didn't even report the local constable’s sexual harassment, believing they
would take his statement over hers.
Having
been tossed into the remote Newfoundland detachment, the irresistible, slightly
knavish Constable Avery Stone immediately delves into unraveling the truth
behind unsolved crimes and the death of a dishonored officer. During his
investigation, he came upon Hannah and took an interest in the spunky woman and
her young son. Knowing few things were as they appeared, he believed in her
more than what appeared in reports or what was rumored by those who only thought
they understood.
A
tangle of deceit mired with a surplus of danger has Hannah accepting Avery’s
help, and both falling for the other with instinctive trust. Only, Hannah’s past relentlessly shadowed her
in ways she doesn’t even comprehend, and death set a trap to keep the truth
hidden. Would either her or Avery be able to unravel the endless knots of deception before
Hannah and her son were destroyed?
Wrye
paced, shaking off the intensity of the story he just devoured. “Wow! Another
well-plotted, nicely paced, and mystery oriented story in the third of the Duty
Bound Series. UNTAMED has not lost
any of the steam or power of the previous two books. It is a stand-alone yet
for those who read the first two, it has a few past references to keep the
connection alive. Once again, J.S. Marlo has taken us on a journey filled with
twists and complications that leave us guessing. There is just enough romance
to make you cheer on not only the individual characters but the couple,
hopefully to be a family. Hannah, her son Rory and even the dog Snowflake are
endearing. Avery beams hero in every possible way, yet has enough tarnish to
make him real. This is the perfect read with an unexpected climax and
satisfying end. I’m looking forward to more from J.S. Marlo.”
Tattle
sipped ginger-spiced tea and sighed. “The Duty Bound Series as a whole is so
absorbing and mesmerizing. Each story is unique, and it is difficult to define
a favorite. This latest though has taken intrigue to a new level. Imagine being
alone in a far off place with a young son to protect, and then imagine you
can’t hear. Following this heroine made every shadow, every new turn, every
unexpected danger more intense. As always, the writing was tight, the
characters realistic, the plot complex and the villains were nasty even though
discovering who was villainous was left to the end. And that wasn’t the only
obscure identity in the story.” Tattle ran a finger across her lips as if
zipping up and locking. “I can say no more. You have to read to discover the reality.
And not just this story, but the whole series. You will be enthralled and
entertained.”
Hope
you enjoyed this month’s reviews. More to come in April!
Happy
Spring!
Dona
Penza Rutabaga Tattle, Esq. and Associate Wrye Balderdash
of
Blather City, Wannachat
Created and written by: Angelica Hart and Zi
Books by:
Angelica Hart and Zi
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DOLLS ~ SNAKE DANCE ~
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