Steve Manke

This is an excellent old school cold war style espionage novel. I enjoyed every minute of it!

This one goes in some in some strange directions in the beginning only to take some twists and turns that bring things back around in some unexpected ways. Then everything ends with a conclusion that I didn't anticipate.

This book was a lot of fun to read. And very unique in the way its main character is a product of our generation. He is a blogger, and a user of Facebook and Twitter. His skill set is different from many of the people he encounters in the course of his adventure because he lives and breathes an online social lifestyle. And its not just a gimmick used by the author to draw attention to his book or his character. The protagonists skills are directly related to the plot of the story and its ultimate outcome. I found that fun as well as entertaining.

I really look forward to book #2!

I fell in love with the series when I read books 1 and 2 back to back. I had impossibly high expectations when I started reading book 3. To the point where I was nervous... worried that the third installment couldn't possibly live up to my lofty expectations. Especially after waiting a year for the latest release.

All of my worries were for nothing. Book three was a smash hit that managed to surpass my expectations in every possible way. It was an action packed thrill-ride from beginning to end. But maybe even more impressively, the way book three ties into the events and characters from the earlier releases actually managed to pull at my heartstrings. While the book was an action thriller, it had more than a few touching moments that were brilliantly written.

Five stars. Bring on book #4! I can't wait!

This book had just the right mix of thrilling adventure and nail-biting suspense. Throw in just a dash of the paranormal and you have Magic Mirror, a book that I can't recommend highly enough. This is one of those books where the plot grabs you and makes you take note while characters pull you into the adventure in a way that makes you hope the story will never end. To go into any greater detail would risk giving away critical parts of the plot. Put simply, read this book! You won't regret it!

Cursed Blessing by J.M. Leduc: The Endowment, a responsibility passed down through time to protect what we known as the fountain of youth. This was a very good book with a great plot, suspense, and action. But I offer a word of warning. The book goes on something of a Jesus bender starting at about the 33% mark. All of a sudden nearly all of the characters start talking or thinking about their savior and praying a lot.

So, this would be the kind of thriller ideal for a church book club or a reader of very similar faith. For others, the shifting of gears might be a little jaring.

That said, the plot and characters are strong and a lot of fun. There is a strong backstory that grows and expands to strengthen the present day plot. Woven together, this shows J.M. Leduc's skill as an author. Perhaps best of all, this is just book one in the series. So, if you like it, there's plenty more where that came from!

Every once in a while a reader is lucky enough to find a book that grabs them out of nowhere. It maybe subject matter that is not normally in the readers wheelhouse or it might be a writer that one has simply never heard of. Taking a chance on a book, you give it a go and when finished, there is no way to imagine you were unfamiliar with the author or ever had any reservations concerning the subject matter. For a reader to find a book that strikes an almost magical cord by bringing together plot and character elements that make for a riveting read is the most rewarding of experiences. Each of these was the case when I read Indisputable Proof.

Indisputable Proof starts with the theft of the Sudarium of Oviedo, the cloth that covered the face of Jesus while upon the cross. The Sudarium's theft is initially hidden from the public by the Church and the Spanish Government at the advisement of the CIA. But time is running out. The Feast of the Cross is only days away, a time honored tradition when the Sudarium is displayed to the pias masses. Now CIA agent Samuel Tolen, Spanish Inspector Pascal Diaz, and British archaeologist Dr. Jade Mollur are in a race against time to locate and return the Sudarium to the church before the start of the Feast of the Cross. Should they fail, a religious extremist group has vowed revenge against the CIA and the United States as a whole.

What results is a fast paced, beautifully crafted thrill-ride for the reader. The details of the story and the evolving plot are crafted with precision. The characters and credible and believable adding to the suspense as the reader becomes more invested in the key players over time. And through all of this, the creative twists that take place throughout make the book incredibly difficult to put down.

Like many international thrillers, this story takes place at exotic locations spanning the globe. But unlike many, the historical significance of these locations is key to the plot, the backstory, and even the final resolution of the tale. Possibly one of the most enjoyable aspects of this book was the ultimate payoff at the end. The authors really nailed that. Right down to the final pages of the last chapter, the reader is learning new information that gives reason to possibly reconsider the significance of all that has led to the final resolution.

It can be hard to summarize such a complete story without giving away the details and ruining the fun. Is it enough to say that there is action, suspense, intrigue, and more than a little well crafted historical religious reference? Maybe it is better to explain that the story doesn't leave the reader hanging, makes good on the questions posed along the way, and is nothing short of a fun and fulfilling read. No matter how I try to describe it, I believe this book was time very well spent!

That was one hell of a good book. It is virtually impossible to finish this book and not want to pop the cover on book three immediately!

I love the idea of this short! Rise of the Dark Angel was so visceral and gritty, telling the story from the antagonist's perspective was a great idea. Knowing what motivated the “Evil Man” brings added depth to the first book of the series. It's depth that wasn't missing in the first place, but the trilogy is so much stronger for the inclusion of this short!

Like science fiction? Are you a fan of old school action/adventure stories? If this is you, Haywire is a must-read book. This story is science for the sake of fiction, and that's what makes it shine. It's a fast paced novel that doesn't get bogged down in the technical aspects of space travel or try to sell you on the plausibility of technology that exists in this futuristic look at our world. The story doesn't spend time explaining the politics of the future or try to tell a less that subtle cautionary tale of what's to come. Haywire is, from page one, a quick moving story about interesting characters. Space is the setting for this book. There's no dull, heavy handed lesson in science or technology to slow the pace of the story. If you're looking for an in-depth explanation of space travel, or how wormholes helped humanity reach out into the stars, you won't find it here. That's not what this book is about. It's far more grounded in the lives of the characters, and that's what I loved about it.
When an alien race attempted to invade our solar system, the people of Earth created an army super soldiers who were powerful enough to drive them back to where they came from. What happened after that is entirely unknown. 100 years passed and no one on Earth knows what became of the aliens or Earth's super soldiers. At least, until one of those soldiers returns home. She is sick with an alien infection, and she is the only one with a chance of stoping the next great threat to Earth.

This is a brilliant and fun premiss for the novel. It's well executed, character centered, and high octane. It's the kind of book you're sort of sad to see end because you feel invested in the characters and the world. But there's good news. Rumor has it that Mr. Macumber is starting work on a prequel to Haywire. And after reading this book, I can see how that is absolutely a story worth telling. I look forward to the new book because Haywire feels like only the beginning of a much larger story. I can't wait to read about the events leading up to all that we read about in this book.

I really enjoy the change in the point of view in episode two. Seeing things through Jacob's eyes is a great twist! There's a lot to learn from this perspective and it's really amping up the tension as we realize Pia is not infallible. What greater mystery to solve than trying to find your missing boss and save her butt? Add some high quality a$$ kicking... I call it a win!

The wise cracking Tallent and Lowery return for their second adventure. And while their relationship has changed, the trouble they find has not. I love how the mystery of this book builds on the events of the first while setting up book number three. From the truth behind Shakespeare, to hidden secrets of the bible, the couple manages to uncover incredible hidden truths even while Leah searches for a decent cup of coffee.

This was a very interesting look behind the curtain of an American dynasty. Scandalous and disappointing, they could have done so much more if they had tired. This was worth the read. A full book on the subject would have been far too depressing. This gave me just what I need to know without making me wallow in the miserable end of an American icon.

By the end of the first chapter, I was digging the book. The by end of the second chapter, I didn't even realize that I was already starting the third. Things never slowed down from there. Not only did I love this book, I drank it in. There was a solid mystery to keep things moving, and there was enough action and suspense to satisfy fans of that genre as well. But the heart and soul of this book is, as it should be, its main character: Sinclair O'Malley. That's alright, everyone just calls her Sin for short.

Sin is a powerful female protagonist who's just dripping with character. She's written with a sharp wit, a strong moral campus, and a propensity for harsh language. Add that up and you've got yourself a commanding female lead character that will leave you wanting more.

So back to the human traffic element of the story... It's there. It's a big part of the story. But it wasn't at all what I expected. Mr. LeDuc has done a masterful job of crafting a fast paced, plot driven story that deals with a horrible subject mater, while at the same time not getting mired in the what might have been otherwise crippling detail. The key is the tasteful way that this part of the story has been written. Nothing is needlessly graphic—a method used by some authors to horrify the reader. This is not the case when J.M. LeDuc is at the wheel. Sin sees things but the reader is spared the unnecessary description at key times. I believe that was a careful choice on the part of the author, and a big win for the book overall. It opens it up to a wider range of potential readers—perhaps a slightly younger audience—but certainly any reader who is concerned about horrific detail when it comes to the more sensitive subject matter has been spared.

Add all of this up and you have a killer new protagonist in Sinclair O'Malley. This is a great launch for what I expect to be a very successful series of novels. I eagerly anticipate the second release. I understand that it is already in progress, and personally can't wait!

This episode is more hard-core! Pia proves that she can make mistakes and she may have gotten herself into a little more trouble than she can deal with on her own. This release is darker than the first part of the series, and I like that. The series is driving awareness of child adduction and trafficking. Doing that shines some light in some dark corners that are inhabited by some very shady characters.

This episode has it all, the dark corners, hard choices, desperation, and one heck of a really nasty antagonist running it all. It's a pedal to the metal ride that leaves you wanting episode 4 really, really bad!

An action packed conclusion to the Trench Coats episodes. This episode hits the ground running and maintains the same breakneck speed right till the end. And it's another edition that's told from Jacob's point of view, which really works! It's first person and edgy, told from the perspective of someone who is flawed and interesting.

Episode 6 makes for a great conclusion for this part of the series. I'm looking forward to the next novel.

This book breaths new life into modern vampire fiction. It puts a new spin on many of the classic vampire elements and creates a rich history that leads to modern day confrontation with worldwide consequences. Perhaps most exciting of all, it turns out that this is the first book in a three part series that, by the conclusion of Shadows Of The Midnight Sun, the series is virtually guaranteed to be a crowd-pleasing success. The characters introduced in this book are so rich and engaging that the reader can't help but want to spend more time in their world. Bring on the second book! I can't wait!

This is a fantastic launch for a follow-up series. Episode one has all the action I hoped for after the first novel, and the overall mystery has me guessing. Particularly the parts involving the State Department... And, child trafficking is exactly the sort of case I would expect Pia to sink her teeth into with ceaseless remorse.

The way Pia conducts herself at the meeting is brilliant! I can't wait to see where things go from here!

I'm a major fan of Graham Brown's thrillers, but the description for this book put it solidly in the sci-fi genre. I'll admit to wondering how he and his co-author would approach such a radically different theme. In short? They nailed it! All of the action/thriller punch, just set to a futuristic, semi-apocalyptic, space-faring, Mars terraforming, mech-warrior plot that races along like a freight train.

If you're a fan of sci-fi, read this book. If you love thrillers, read this book. I couldn't put it down.

Episode 5 brings a lot of plot points together and accomplishes a great deal. So many questions are answered and there are hints at even greater revelations to follow. Also, where earlier episodes were told from either the first or third person point of view, book 5 brings those perspectives together and makes for a rich reading experience that is very natural given everything that has happened.

13 is a fantastic adventure that weaves together different historical events and personalities in fascinating ways. I couldn't wait to see where the story took the characters next, or which historical figure was tied into the tale. It all combines to form a thrilling first book for a series I can't wait to read more about. And the characters? I couldn't get enough of them! By the end of the book, I just wanted more. What happens to them next? Where do they go from here? I can't wait to start the next book.

Like the really great short stories I've read in my life, this one left me with a lot to think about once I was finished. The story consumes you, but if you really pay attention, it's entertaining on more than one level. There is a deeper meaning to Mr. Phantom's work. This one's a must read!

There is a visceral tension to this book that starts at page one and doesn't let up until the end of the story. The plot focuses on a force that is overwhelmingly dark and malevolent, but is offset by strong characters who manage to keep hope alive in even the most desperate of circumstances. Justin Macumber's writing style is perfect for this type of story because he manages to immerse the reader in the horror that is the town of Stillwater. You come to understand the place and its people, what fuels and drives them, even at it tears the town apart.

What results is a very effective horror novel that is incredibly difficult to put down.

I loved the first Rewinder book and was left wanting more. Destroyer is a great second book. It uses everything we learned in the first and leaves us anxious for book #3. Bring it on!!!

So many secrets revealed, the truth behind the lost city of Atlantis, and so much more. If you're a fan of the series, you will love this book. Book #3 is another home run!