Tampering with Genetics

So much happens in this book that I hardly know how to review it. It takes place thirty-five years in the future, where gene therapy is making great inroads into better health. Genetic companies are supposed to abide by the Marshall Dictat: make no changes in genes that could be inherited by the next generation. The genetic miracles were the result of a desperate attempt to help a powerful family’s unborn child.

This is a very long book, and it takes a while to get the bigger picture of it. First, we see it just from the perspective of a genealogist who is been commissioned by a secret sponsor to look into the history of the family I mentioned above. At the same time, a man has been brought in to try to help a dying child. But other forces are at work, and this book takes you on quite a ride that certainly makes you question where we are going with all of our current research into genetics. Knowledge is good, but what we do with that knowledge can be wrong.

If you don’t mind long books that take a bit to pull it all together, you might enjoy this immersive read about the possible future misuse of genetics.

Love and Support Through Tragedy

The third installment of Stonehill series centers on Annie, Paul’s sister (who was the hero of the previous book of the series) and her relationship with Marcus, who has worked in her realty office for five years. Marcus has had an attraction to the boss for as long as he’s worked for her, but only recently does he think that the feeling might be mutual. Annie is starting to come to appreciate him more in that regard but is hesitant to do anything because of their professional relationship since she is his boss. He’s willing to quit and work for someone else so the furthering of their relationship can happen. They have only just begun this shift when tragedy strikes. I won’t detail what it is here because it is heart-stopping and dramatic, and you should read it yourself if you choose this book. This tragedy affects everyone in the sphere of the book, and it is heart-wrenching.

As I have come to expect from this author, this is an amazing book. In the first part, it helps the reader understand the complexity of Annie’s character because of her troubled past that has made her a slightly prickly person. It was not easy for these characters to come together for a variety of reasons, and the author showed that with emotional honesty on both the characters parts. The tragedy is a surprise, seeming to come out of nowhere–as tragedies often do–and while it is not an easy read, the author has made the characters’ reactions to it so real and so very human. You won’t want to do anything else so you can watch the progress and transformation of the plot unfold. Marcus is an amazing hero to watch as he stands by the woman he loves during this most difficult time even when it is not easy for him. The way he acts is the way that love should be, so it is beautiful to read even though it is tragic.

This is the third book that I’ve read by Marci Bolden. I hadn’t read any of her books before, and I am definitely a new fan. Each book I have read so far in this series has had such an emotional depth and breadth with characters who are so human in their actions and reactions to what happens in the stories. It is rare to read books with such emotional honesty, deep characterization, and a plot that will keep you turning the pages as you root for the characters–and love–to triumph.

Paranormal Investigations Hampered by Gross Grammar Errors

The book starts dramatically as we see the murder of one of the Moretti brothers through his brother Valentino’s eyes. A bullet should not have killed this demon. The remaining brothers call in the PIA, a paranormal investigations unit, to look into this. In this group of investigators is rookie Laura who didn’t do well in all parts of her training, but her unique talent of being able to touch someone and see and sense what they know is an ability that will be of much use to the organization. Her attempt to do this with Valentino gives results she’s never experienced before. Instead of seeing or feeling anything, she is dropped into a void from what she has a hard time returning. Laura has awakened his inner demon who has been dormant for a long time; the demon within desires her as does Valentino.

Why are the demons susceptible to bullets now? Who killed the brother? Are the other brothers in danger? Why does Laura have this strange reaction to Valentino? What will come of this strange pull between the two of them?

This book is written in an engaging and accessible manner. Unfortunately, the book is rife with errors in grammar, punctuation, and usage that far exceed the amount normally found in self-published books. Comma rules seem to be mostly unknown to the author; she forgets them around names, between independent clauses in compound sentences, and after introductory phrases. Periods at the end of sentences were sometimes omitted. There are so many errors that it is distracting. Too bad, because I did find this paranormal tale that had the fate of a race at stake to be interesting.

Fantastic Story, Bad Grammar

Here’s the latest installment about Bethany, James, and their friends at Dusk Academy. James was hoping for a romantic getaway, along with some friends, but he and Bethany are the subject of a magical attack in Aspen. She wants nothing more than to head right back to the safety of the academy. Or is it so safe? Something’s happening with the vampires that’s making them rabid, and their attacks on witches aren’t helping relations between the two groups. Will Bethany and James be safe? What can they in the teachers do about this latest difficulty?

I have enjoyed the stories about Bethany, James, and the rest of the crew at Dusk Academy. Bethany’s and James’s relationship is very sweet. I like how they are supportive of each other and how they try to bridge the gap between vampires and witches at their school. Unfortunately, this book had quite a few grammar and punctuation errors, both run-on sentences as well as the particular flavor of run-on that is too common, the comma splice. There were also issues with spacing around punctuation.

if you enjoy their previous adventures, you’ll like this latest addition to the series.

Beautifully Photographed Book with Possible Recipe Issues

If you’re an American and have an interest in Eastern cuisine, including not-so-common Singapore and Malaysian recipes, you might find this vegan exploration fun and interesting. If you’re looking for quick and easy recipes or recipes that require only ingredients easily found in the standard American supermarket, these recipes will not meet your needs.

The author tells us a little about herself (from Singapore but has lived much of her life in the UK) and goes on to explain pantry and equipment requirements needed for the recipes. The book is divided by country: India, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, China, and Japan. Each country’s (or countries’) section starts with a short essay about the author’s thoughts about the food of the region(s). In general, Eastern cuisines are vegetarian- and vegan-friendly, so a lot of the recipes are ones that are traditional within the culture already. But the author also plays around with making nonvegan recipes into vegan ones, like a version of Thai basil chicken. The recipes in each chapter include appetizers, condiments, side dishes, main dishes, and desserts.

Some of the recipes look to be potentially problematic. For instance, at least one recipe had the proportion of sauce to other ingredients completely wrong.

The book is sumptuously photographed. We see both pictures of the countries and photos of the recipes. When needed, the author also gives diagrams of how to fold certain foods, like samosas and summer rolls.

I received a free advance copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

Romance and Adventure on the High Seas

When the book opens, Captain Charlie Colt is on the right side of the law as a ship’s captain for the East India Company. Upon returning to England, his boss offers him a promotion to lieutenant, but to accept this promotion, he must traffic in slaves. He refuses, as he is morally opposed to this. His boss is unwilling to let him remain simply a captain within the company, and brands him as a pirate and fires him. In that moment, Charlie comes to a variety of realizations and ultimately does decide to become a true pirate to seek revenge. The book resumes a few years later when he meets up with a young woman whom he met when she was a young girl while he was still on the right side of the law as he and his crew are pillaging her father’s house.

Brooke is not a girl like most young ladies. Still unwed at twenty, much to her father’s chagrin, she finds her life to be mundane and actively tries to dissuade suitors. When she finds a treasure map, she and Charlie decide to go off in search of the treasure.

Will Brooke and Charlie find the treasure? Do others know about it? What dangers await them? Will their lives be in jeopardy? Will they fall for each other?

I quite enjoyed the humor in this story. Brooke is a fascinating character. The glimpse of her as a child was quite revealing, helping us understand her and her actions better when we meet her again as a grown-up. It was interesting to watch Charlie in that morally defining moment that caused him to become branded as a pirate. He does change dramatically afterward, and some of it seemed a little hard to believe given what we had seen of him before. I think, too, the author should have used the term “kohl-rimmed” less often to describe his eyes; we get it; he wears eyeliner!

If you enjoyed the other books in this series of pirate romance, you will most likely enjoy this installment of the series.

Gifts and Magical Realm

In this young adult fantasy, Lorelei has a talent for singing given to her by a fairy and a gift for healing that she hides as suggested by her grandmother. Her world is set on end when she meets Adrius who introduces her to the world of fairies and elves. Lorelei has a mutual attraction with several of the magical beings she meets in the realm he takes her to. Her mother has a mysterious illness, and Adrius seems to understand it better than others.

Will Lorelei become comfortable with her gifts? What will Adrius want in return for his help? Will she have to choose between the men who are interested in her, and if so, which one will finally triumph? What will happen to her mother?

I found the magical realm created by the author to be a fascinating and complex one, but I wasn’t enamored with the female lead, Lorelei. She was a bit too whiny and made stupid mistakes that had me shaking my head. Too, it got a little tiresome to read of her attraction over and over to these various magical men. The book was very long as well, especially for a young adult fantasy even with the required worldbuilding. I think the story could have been tightened up, and it would have made a more compelling read.

Jack Sparrow in 21st Century

Isabelle (Izzy) is planning a surprise for her boyfriend, and she ends up with two surprises herself. Someone claiming to be an 18th-century pirate shows up at her door, soon followed by her boyfriend and a young woman he is clearly more than friends with. She breaks it off with the boyfriend but can’t seem to get rid of the pirate. Until graduation, she helps Johnny, the pirate, learn about life in modern times.

Is Johnny truly a pirate from the past? If so, how did he turn up in modern times? Why did he and Izzy cross paths? At some point, will they be going back to the past together, or will he just go back alone?

After having read the first book of the series, I was surprised when this book I started off in the present. The cover, too, had me thinking that we would be back in the pirate past right from the get-go. but it certainly works in this context to have a contemporary section. This book had a surprising amount of humor, and it kept me turning pages just to see what silly thing would be said or done next. Johnny is definitely a pirate along the lines of Captain Jack Sparrow, though he sounds to be a little bit more attractive. This book does have violence and steamy intimate moments.

If you enjoy pirate romance, time travel romance, or romance with humor, you might enjoy this book.