Melissa Meeks Reviews "One Wild Ride"

Title: The Call
Series: Time Masters Book One
By Geralyn Beauchamp
Cold Tree Press (October 8, 2007)
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
ISBN 9781583851982
588pp
$18.95

Reviewed by Melissa Meeks
See more reviews at Bibliophile’s Retreat

Rating: 5/5


Describing this book is an interesting endeavor. Rather than ask the usual questions it actually makes more sense to ask what Time Masters isn't. In this case the answer is … Nothing!!! Beauchamp has managed to intertwine all genres in a coherent manner that I have yet to find elsewhere. At the same time she’s also managed to work in all the elements of a good story with a superb quality of writing.

The hero - Dallan - is not only a hunk, but he's got the Romance factor going on big-time. If Shona hadn’t already claimed him and he was for real, I'd certainly be first in line to do so myself. I’ve read quite a pile of books before and since first picking up Time Masters and still have to say over a year later that I've not seen much out there to rival the writing of this debut author. She’s crafted an excellent plot and characters that leap off the page into the reader's imagination as if real and remain vivid even after putting the book down.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll even be frightened at times. As the cover says this is One Wild Ride. If you just have to find the best roller-coasters – this one delivers and you can even experience it from your favorite reading nook. So hop on and enjoy as the story goes from a "comedy sketch" due to characters being out of their accustomed environment on one page to fight scenes with action, adventure and suspense on the next. These fluctuations come at you often and fast in this book, as full of emotional power as a minefield of explosives. Of course the intense emotion is part of what makes the book so riveting. I could have stayed up all night reading just to find out what would happen on the next page, in the next chapter or even how the book would end. I have rarely found another author who can evoke such intense responses with the written word.

This book is one that I can’t bear to lend out and risk losing as it’s worth rereading many times. I had to buy an extra copy just for sharing so I could horde one to get my fix of satisfying reading anytime. Geralyn has put so much meat into her story that with every read I still find new details and thoughts popping up. Before it was even released, I quit trying to count my “reads” and still hope to squeeze in time to read it again and again. I am so glad this is only the first in a series and am already chomping at the bit for Time Masters Book Two: The Prophecy.


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Reach the reviewer at forest_rose@yahoo.com.
She blogs at Bibliophile's Retreat
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, founder of Authors' Coalition (www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews and reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page.

Conor and the Crossroads: At It Again!

Title - Conor and the Crossworlds: Book Two: Peril in the Corridors
Author - Kevin Gerard
ISBN - 9781583852385
Genre - Young Adult Fantasy
From Journal - Front Street Reviews
Publisher - Cold Tree Press
Reviewer's Rating - Top Shelf!

Reviewed by Mary Aycock for Front Street ReviewsConor and T


This second quest into the Crossworlds brings us into our main character’s life two years after the first story. The Lady of the Light appears in Conor Jameson’s bedroom and asks him to accompany her back into the Crossworlds to assist with a problem that was actually created when our young hero and his mentor, Purugama, had their first adventures together. Completely by accident, Purugama and Conor unknowingly created a situation whereby the Crossworlds corridors have been weakened and are now in danger of being destroyed by the Circle of Evil. Many horrible and treacherous evildoers had escaped their bonds when the corridors were weakened and could no longer hold them captive. Now they are on a vengeful drive to destroy all forces of good and all means of traveling through the Crossworlds corridors.

Conor decides to accompany the Lady of the Light to the Glade of Champions, where he meets Maya and the other Crossworlds Champions, Eha, Ajur, Surmitang and Therion. All of the Crossworlds Champions are amazing and endearing but GIGANTIC members of the cat family, just as Purugama was. Anyone who is a cat lover, including myself, would give their left arm to be in Conor’s position, meeting and being mentored by a giant Panther and Cheetah and Tiger and Lion, not to mention Maya, who has the outward appearance of a gigantic domestic cat, but is the Lord of the Crossworlds Champions. All are vested with special powers, which Conor gets to feel and enjoy and practice, as he accompanies Maya on several perilous quests to repair the Crossworlds corridors. Maya is the only one of the huge cats who can travel with Conor through the Crossworlds, but the other cats are able to lend Conor their powers and magical abilities to help him fight the many terrifying foes that are trying to prevent the corridor repairs. In order to give Maya the time he needs to work the repairs on the corridors, Conor must battle and defeat a human-dragon mutant, a formless entity and a shape-shifting master of darkness. Oh, the deliciously scary things we come face to face with on this journey!

The action-packed fast pace will have you turning page after page as fast as possible to see what comes next, because this author holds nothing back in his quest to show you every corner of the Crossworlds and all the dangers that lurk within. As Conor battles each wicked foe, your heart beats faster as you try to think past what is happening to all of the possible outcomes, only to be surprised by the turn of events.

The battle scenes are huge in dimension and impact as Conor fights for his life, using his wits and the powers of the mighty Crossworlds Champions. What incredible powers he wields as he fights the best (or is that the worst?) that the Circle of Evil can throw at him. Entire worlds are involved; the span of our imagination grows with each battle. As I was reading, I kept envisioning these scenes on a big screen, wondering how the movie world would create the amazing things that come straight from this author’s incredible imagination. This mind-blowing series of battles against the Circle of Evil’s finest team of destroyers would be quite a feat to translate to the big screen, but my goodness, what an awesome thing that would be to see and to hear! Hollywood, are you paying attention here????

I was impressed with the first book of "Conor and the Crossworlds” and was wondering if the second book would be as good as the first or, as sometimes happens, not live up to the promise. Well, let me tell you, I was NOT disappointed after reading the second book in a series that is turning out to be a highly entertaining and enjoyable read. There is so much MORE in this second book for everyone to enjoy, fast paced action, close calls around every bend, tender moments between Conor and the amazing giant cats who are the Crossworld Champions, surprises, treachery, deception, battles to end all battles and foes that will curl your hair!

There is a wonderful sense of right fighting against wrong in Conor’s perilous journey and you see him grow stronger and wiser with every confrontation. I truly think that we, as readers, grow with him and learn with him and come away with the sense that we want to change our world for the better, now that we know what can go horribly wrong if we continue as we are. Three cheers to the author, Kevin Gerard, for giving us reality’s lessons disguised as enchanting fiction.

I was carried along on this journey with Conor and Maya and the other Crossworld Champions and they will always be a part of my heart. This book will have to be reread, slowly this time, just so I can savor the relationships and the experiences once more. The author has left me with a deep hunger for the NEXT book in this series and, for all the world, I have NO idea where his imagination is going to take me next time, but I am ready for the ride! Bring it on, Kevin, but please bring it on SOON!

The author, Kevin Gerard, lives in San Diego, CA, with his wife and four children. When he is not busy being a successful professor of sociology and statistics for California State University, San Marcos, you will find him doing fun things with his extended family in and around the San Diego area. The Crossworlds series provided the main impetus for his decision to pursue a professional writing career and may prove to him that he can now concentrate on writing full time, to the exclusion of all other endeavors.


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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, founder of Authors' Coaliition (www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love--and that includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews and reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page.

New Beginnings Earns Four Romantic Hearts

New Beginnings
Pat McCain
Paranormal romance
ISBN: 978-1-84728-621-5
Reviewed by Anita of The Romance Studio
Rated Four Hearts
Available from TreePress.net

After the death of Alexandra’s father some very strange things started happening. Her lights being turned on and off by themselves. She has seen what looks like a ghost of a small man wearing a kilt and a woman wearing a long dress. Her father has left her money to trace her roots in Scotland and she believes that the things that are happening around her and her strange dreams may have something to do with her family’s history.

John MacDonald is a very distant cousin of Alex. He has been experiencing some of the same strange occurrences. He believes their ancestors are trying to tell them something. As they go about researching their history and looking for the answers to their mystery they become quite close. Things are going well between them until Alex’s friend arrives to join her on the trip.

Sammy has always thought she should be the center of attention. When she does not get her way she begins making life miserable for Alex and John. Alex has always known her friend to be self-centered but her actions go beyond what is normal for her. As Sammy’s behavior becomes even more bizarre it is obvious to Alex her friend needs help.

New Beginnings is a paranormal romance that takes the readers on a fascinating adventure to uncover a mystery. Alex and John’s ancestors want their story told. Throughout the story the reader is carried back and forth through time to learn the truth about these people that lived and died three hundred years earlier. As their story of love unfolds a new love begins to grow.

Alex and John are a wonderful couple of characters. They find a love and understanding that can lead to future happiness. Their love grows slowly as they notice they enjoy the same things and that they have a common history. Their sweet story of love will leave the reader feeling warm inside as history corrects wrongs done in the past.

Drama unfolds when Sammy joins them and starts making trouble. The true strength of the characters and the love that has grown between them becomes known. John does not let anyone walk all over Alex and Alex is not about to let John be treated badly. Sammy has some serious problems that lead to some startling surprises being revealed. Readers will cheer Alex and John on as they set Sammy straight and do not let her roll over them.

This is a moderately paced story that lets the mysteries it has to tell unfold slowly. The characters draw the reader into their lives and let them share in the love that grows between them. This is a story of love that last forever even beyond the grave. I encourage readers to add New Beginnings by Pat McCain to their reading list.