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The After Dark Reading Nook

Reviews, Interviews, Releases, and More

Month

September 2015

“Deadly Messengers” by Susan May

Book Description:
Kendall Jennings usual work is fluff magazine pieces, but when a terrifying mass killing occurs, she’s the one with the survivor exclusive, and the go-to reporter for the crime.
Detective Lance O’Grady and his partner are concluding the open and shut case, when another horrific massacre occurs. Then another. How can evil strike so many times? And why do none of the killers have a violent profile?
Pulled inside the investigation, Kendall clashes with O’Grady even as she’s drawn to the aloof detective. Both will discover somebody’s sending a message, and if the meaning is not deciphered, soon many more will die.
Deadly Messengers, an unputdownable thriller, poses the question: Does a killer lurk inside everyone? The answer is more frightening than the crimes.

When I was offered “Deadly Messengers” to read in exchange for a review I was excited, but hesitant. I hoped that it wasn’t a thriller than had the same theme that had been already done. Once I began reading, I quickly realized it was a theme and story completely out of the box.

Susan May brings the book to life with her intense and suspensful descriptions. The scenes that contain the murders are so poetically written that the words just flow. When reading you can expect goosebumps.

The plot and story are complexed and constructive leaving the reader practically begging to know who done it. She shows her creativity and her talent for writing such vivid imagery in this spectacular written thriller. It absorbs the reader pulling them deeper into the book.

Susan May is without a doubt an author to follow. I have to recommend this must read to any reader.

Reviewer: Kristin

Click here to see more about “Deadly Messengers” by Susan May

“March to November” by Byddi Lee

I received a copy of this book from the author and After Dark Reading Nook in return for a fair and honest review. Thank you for this opportunity.

March to November is about love and loss, betrayal and trust, happiness and despair and the cycles of grief. It details the events of Tracey Duggan and her friends and family lives during the months of March to November, hence the title. The book is set in modern-day Belfast, Ireland. There are 4 predominate characters in this novel. Tracey Duggan, Molly Duggan, Dermot Duggan and Tommy O’Brian. It deals with the doomed marriage of Molly and Dermot, Tracey’s best friend and brother. Molly must accept that her love and obsession has left her for another woman and their impending “love child.” It details past abusive relationships and the terror that comes back to haunt Tracey in her budding relationship with Tommy. The author does an excellent job getting the reader to fall into the lives of these characters and make you feel like you are a fly on the wall watching or as a friend. I fell into despair with Molly at first and in love with Tommy as if I were Tracey. I had a love hate relationship with Dermot because I understood the betrayal Tracey felt but the lingering hope she had in this messed up situation they were in.
I never really fell for Sheila, Dermot’s new girlfriend. She seemed as cold as her apartment, all white and clean lines. She seemed distant and reserved yet at times showed her humanity when she thought of losing Dermot. She never seemed to connect with the pregnancy so the twist at the end was accepted as real.

Molly’s heartache was so real until it became almost too much. Her obsession with Dermot and her demented revenge set the pace for the downward spiral that her life took. I was so happy to see her get to the stage of acceptance and was hurt by the twist that spiraled to a bombshell for everyone to deal with near the end. I was happy to see the growth in Tommy and Dermot by the end of the book.

Out of the minor characters, Orla is probably my favorite. I love her no nonsense “grab life by the balls and hold on tight” personality. I laughed at so many of her comments. She really brought out the Irish setting with her way of saying things such as:

“F*** off! No way did I lead him on. He was drunk as a skunk.”

Fury pummeled Molly.

“Well, he’d have to be. Look at you!” she screamed and jabbed her forefinger at Orla. That slut always threw herself at men, Dermot couldn’t help it!

“Jesus Christ, that’s a bit low. I might not be Scarlett Johansson, but that randy f***er would poke a hole in the wall if the wall let him.”

I would recommend this to anyone looking for bit of romanticism with a twist.

Reviewer: Amanda

Click here to find out more about “March to November” by Byddi Lee

Read our interview with Byddi Lee!!

“Azurite: Daughter of the Mountain” by Megan Dent Nagle

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When I was first sent the book description “Azurite: Daughter of the Mountain Book One” by Megan Dent Nagle, to see if I was interested in reviewing it, I quickly found myself intrigued. Magic, imagination, fantasy and a twisting complex plot. I just couldn’t keep myself from wanting to see where the author would take the story and just exactly how it all would turn out. Because of my interest in just the mere description I had high hopes for this book and I wasn’t let down at all.

The author is remarkably talented and describes every detail in a well thought out story. She creates a fantasy world that yet seems so real to the reader. It was a read that kept me completely absorbed all the way through.

The main character, Zora, is easy to like and enjoyable. I found myself cheering her on at times. Megan Nagle is an amazing author who has potential to go far with her creativity and imagination. She weaves a story that books you in and doesn’t let go to the very last page, yet still by then wanting more.

This is a excellent start to a series and I’m sure Book Two will be just as great. I recommend this book to any reader who wants to get lost in another world for awhile and just escape.

I was provided a copy of this book by the author for my honest review.

Reviewer: Kristin

Click here to read about Azurite and find out how to get yourself a copy!

See the author Megan Dent Nagle’s Interview here!

“I Wish” by Elizabeth Langston

 

When I first Recieved “I Wish” by Elizabeth Langston I was overly excited. After reading the books description it sounded intriguing, different and tempting. I couldn’t wait. Upon reading this book I wasn’t disappointed a bit. It was exactly as I hoped and even more.

The main character Lacey is very relatable and likeable. I felt how hard she tried and how much weight she shouldered. I believe my favorite aspect of the story is when she discovers the Genie, or as called in the book Benevolent Supernatural Being (BSB). Her BSB, Grant, at first seemed stiff, but quickly he fell in place. Inbetween chapters when he submitted his reports to his boss it showed his side and how he perceives everything in Lacey’s life.
The author, Elizabeth Langston, out did herself with this one. Her creativity and outcome of the story deserves applause. I can recmend this book to every reader that wants to get lost in a great authors imagination.

I was provided a free copy of this book by the author for my honest review.

Reviewer: Kristin

“New Blood: Vampire in the City Book One” by Donna Ansari

 

Upon reading “New Blood: Vampire in the City Book One” by Donna Ansari I found that I liked the book, but I wasn’t very partial to the main character Emma. I felt as though she was a little boring and wasn’t described well enough since by the end of the book I couldn’t recall what she looked like. Personally, I thought she needed something more to make her special, besides her awesome table breaking skills. 

I found descriptions to be vague and the male characters a little dry. The plot was interesting enough and overall I would read the next books in the series to see where the storyline goes. The author is a creative writer and has a lot of imagination. 
I was provided a free copy of this book for my honest opinion. 

Reviewer: Sammie

“New Blood: Vampire in the City Book One” by Donna Ansari

 

Upon reading “New Blood: Vampire in the City Book One” by Donna Ansari I found that I liked the book, but I wasn’t very partial to the main character Emma. I felt as though she was a little boring and wasn’t described well enough since by the end of the book I couldn’t recall what she looked like. Personally, I thought she needed something more to make her special, besides her awesome table breaking skills. 

I found descriptions to be vague and the male characters a little dry. The plot was interesting enough and overall I would read the next books in the series to see where the storyline goes. The author is a creative writer and has a lot of imagination. 
I was provided a free copy of this book for my honest opinion. 

Reviewer: Sammie

Now on Twitter

After many man hours of fighting and arguing with my trusty iPhone After Dark Reading Nook is now on Twitter. Follow us to keep up with what’s happening @reading_nook

Sunday Shorts???

I have been in deep thought over what I can bring readers and authors alike that will strike some interest. Even though book reviews are doing wonderful I want this blog to be more than just for authors. I want readers, book lovers and others to stop in more. 

So to fix this I came up with Sunday Shorts. Every week I will post on the designated Sunday Shorts page and post there a theme that the short stories will center around. A theme will make things more interesting. There will be a place on the page where the short stories can be turned in at. I will post all of the stories and everyone can enjoy them while commenting. 

What do you think? 

Does it sound like something that readers, authors and bloggers would like to do? 

Leave your thoughts on the subject by commenting below. 

Book Blogger Hop: Sept 18th-Sept 24th

Book Blogger Hop

Passwords have always been something I have never been able to keep up with. So instead of using an address book, or tattoing them to my forhead I have a different method that works for me. I try my very best to keep the password for each site close to being the same, but then I find a piece of thick paper. I’m talking about something like construction paper, cardstock, or something similar. Using a thin tipped, so I dont make a mess, black sharpie I write down the website url and then the information I need to know like the password. Next I take a quick hop, skip, and a jump into my kitchen to my laminator. It’s real purpose is to laminate packages, or seal up meat. No matter it works as long as I make sure that the heat isnt so high it burns my paper. Once I have talentedly finished without burning myself, I then chase down my Velcro that has the sticky sides. Sticking a piece to the back of the laminated password paper and then another piece underneath my computer desk. Stick the password paper Velcro to it’s mate under the table and I have a password cozy that even I can’t mess up. Woo-hop never locked out of my blog again.

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