Marcia's Kindle Corner

Title: Widow’s Tale
Author/website: Maureen A. Miller
File size: 310 KB/Print: 316 pages
Publication date: March ‘08
Genre: Ghost/suspense/romance
Sample size: Prologue, Ch. 1-2 & the 1st pg. of Ch. 3
Price: $2.49

Serena Murphy was losing her mind.

Every night Serena stood on the deck of O’Flanagans Tavern, searching Maine’s rugged coast for a sign of her husband’s body. Though he was pronounced lost at sea, Alan Murphy still haunted her as only his malevolent spirit could. In the loft above her tavern, Serena hears footsteps pace across her living room floor, yet when she turns, no one is there.

Alan would not let a little thing like death stop him from tormenting her. If she could just find his body, surely this torture would stop.

It had been ten years since Brett Murphy saw his sister in-law, although the separation was by design, to avoid temptation. Now Brett was in Victory Cove, not to declare his feelings for Serena, but to discover the truth about his brother’s death. In doing so, he must battle Serena’s ghosts, both real and contrived.

Another decent sized sample giving me a good idea of writing style and story line. I waffled about buying this book only because August has been a roller coaster ride of books that appeal to me and those that don’t. There definitely was enough at the start to capture my interest but will there be enough to keep it? The answer so far is yes. I’m about a quarter of the way through as I write this. So far it’s been all ghost story and suspense with just a hint of romance around the edges.

Title: Attorney’s Run
Author/website: R.J. Jagger
File size: 379 KB/Print: 418 pages
Publication date: May ‘09
Genre: Fiction
Sample size: Ch. 1-8
Price: $4.76

Fresh out of law school, London Vaughn discovers there’s no room in Denver’s prominent law firms for a middle-of-the-class graduate. While barely making ends meet as a waitress, she encounters a beautiful woman who engages her services irrespective that she has no experience, no office and no reputation. Almost immediately, London and her client are thrust into the deadly throes of a high-stakes international thriller of unimaginable scope.

It’s nice having the first 8 chapters available as a sample. A reader gets a good feel for the writing and story telling style of the author. I expect this isn’t going to be a typical legal suspense/thriller. It has a bit of any edgy side to it – we spent some time already learning about seamy Bangkok sex trade. We’ve meet an attorney who waits tables for a living, a private investigator who believes she’s been set up by a law firm (abduction & white slavery), a police female/male detective team and a rock climbing hit man. This should be quite a ride. I’m interested to see where I end up.

Title: The Walk
Author/website: Lee Goldberg
File size: 327 KB/Print: 235 pages
Publication date: May ‘09
Genre: Fiction
Sample size: Ch. 1-2
Price: $1.99

It’s one minute after the Big One. Marty Slack, a TV network executive, crawls out from under his Mercedes, parked outside what once was a downtown Los Angeles warehouse, the location for a new TV show. Downtown LA is in ruins. The sky is thick with black smoke. His cell phone is dead. The freeways are rubble. The airport is demolished. Buildings lay across streets like fallen trees. It will be days before help can arrive.

Marty has been expecting this day all his life. He’s prepared. In his car are a pair of sturdy walking shoes and a backpack of food, water, and supplies. He knows there is only one thing he can do … that he must do: get home to his wife Beth, go back to their gated community on the far edge of the San Fernando Valley.

All he has to do is walk. But he will quickly learn that it’s not that easy. His dangerous, unpredictable journey home will take him through the different worlds of what was once Los Angeles. Wildfires rage out of control. Flood waters burst through collapsed dams. Natural gas explosions consume neighborhoods. Sinkholes swallow entire buildings. After-shocks rip apart the ground. Looters rampage through the streets.

There’s no power. No running water. No order.

Marty Slack thinks he’s prepared. He’s wrong. Nothing can prepare him for this ordeal, a quest for his family and for his soul, a journey that will test the limits of his endurance and his humanity, a trek from the man he was to the man he can be … if he can survive The Walk.

Love it! I’m half way through and only put The Walk down to write this post. The BIG ONE has rocked California. It grabs you from the very first page and doesn’t let up. I was immediately drawn into Marty’s devastated world. So far it’s been one situation after another, after another, after another. I feel like I’m right there with Marty, in the middle of the hell and maybe even beyond. Even though things are seriously out of control and looking rather bleak this story has some humorous moments. Mr. Goldberg is a gifted writer and tells a great story. This is one I’ll be highly recommending. Worth every penny of the $1.99 I paid.

Title: At the Stroke of Midnight
Author/website: Karen Michelle Nut
File size: 98 KB/Print: 104 pages
Publication date: August ‘08
Genre: Fantasy
Sample size: Ch. 1 and the very start of Ch. 2
Price: $2.99

Tricia Lancaster, a reporter for a small time newspaper volunteered to cover the story of Dean McCloud’s life. Even though the actor died before she was born, she felt a connection to him. She thought if she wrote the story, her curiosity would be satisfied and she could move on with her life. When she’s miraculously transported back in time and she finds out it’s a few days before Dean killed himself, she realizes she has a chance to save him. However, after meeting the overconfident movie star, she’s convinced he didn’t kill himself. Someone else pulled the trigger.

Dean McCloud thinks Tricia is trippin’ when she tells him she’s from the future. However, when Tricia’s predictions start coming true, Dean realizes maybe she’s not a crazy chick after all. Someone murdered him and they have until the Stroke of Midnight on New Years Eve to find out who wants him dead.

This sample was just long enough to give me a good idea that this was going to be extremely ‘light-weight’ reading w/o much substance. I didn’t find anything here to hold my interest. And I thought $2.99 for a short story a bit expensive, especially when compared to my other recent Kindle purchases from samples.

Title: When Lightning Strikes
Author/website: Meg Cabot
File size: 374 KB/Print: 272 pages
Publication date: January ‘04
Genre: YA fiction
Sample size: 1/2 of Ch. 1
Price: $3.99

Jessica Mastriani walked two miles home from high school straight into a huge Indiana thunderstorm. And straight into trouble. Not that Jess had never been in trouble before. But this trouble was serious. Because somehow on that long walk home, Jessica acquired an amazing power that can be used for good… or evil.

I rarely read YA fiction, the Harry Potter series being the exception to the rule. Its not at I don’t find it interesting, its that I don’t have much exposure to those authors as there are no tweens/teens in my life. So I was surfing Kindle samples and came across When Lightning Strikes. It sounded like a promising read and had 60+ reviews, most them 4 and 5 stars. Unbeknownst to me it was penned by a major author using a pseudonym – Meg Cabot writing as Jenny Carroll. And it’s the first in a 1-800-Where-R-You series of 5 books. As I write this I’m almost 1/2 way through reading When Lightning Strikes. Even though the sample was very short, 1/2 of the first chapter, I was intrigued by our main character, Jess. She’s your normal, average high school sophomore whose family is your normal, average neighborhood family. She runs in the middle of the pack – she isn’t trying to be something she’s not, her best friend has some weight issues and she’s just figuring out boys. And that lightning strike gives her a unique ability to locate missing children on the back of milk cartons. When I left off last night Jess had reported the locations of 6 missing children and the FBI has just shown up at her school for a face-to-face. Not only am I looking forward to finishing When Lightning Strikes but reading the rest of this fun YA series.

Title: All the Pretty Girls
Author/website: J.T. Ellison
File size: 325 KB/Print: 416 pages
Publication date: September ‘08
Genre: Suspense/thriller
Sample size: Ch. 1-3

The body of a young girl discovered by the side of a Nashville highway puts homicide detective Taylor Jackson and her lowdown boyfriend, FBI Agent John Baldwin, on the trail of the Southern Strangler, a playful, brutal killer who likes to carry his victims across state lines before murdering them and removing their hands. Before long, however, Taylor’s reassigned to the suspicious death of a prominent TV personality, leaving John struggling to keep ahead of the Strangler’s mounting body count. Meanwhile, Taylor is still recovering from a near-fatal neck injury earned in her last case and worrying over her own demons—not the least of which is John’s threat to marry her.

It is difficult sometimes to find books by relative unknown authors to feature here that appeal to my reading tastes so I’m also going to include some better known authors who I’ve been meaning to try and just haven’t gotten around to yet. J.T. Ellison would be one of those authors. She writes suspense/thriller with a hint of romance. In this case the romantic relationship is between a female police Lt. and a FBI profiling agent. The sample was the first 3 chapters which is enough to give me an good indication of whether it’s a buy or toss. In this case it was a ‘buy’. I actually eat up mass market suspense/thriller genre books so I’m hoping she’ll become another author to add to my already large stable of authors.

Title: Moonlight
Author/website: Keith Knapp
File size: 394 KB/Print: 472 pages
Publication date: October ‘07
Genre: Suspense/Horror
Sample size: Ch. 1-5 and the start of Ch. 6

It began with a power outage. A power outage that went beyond lights and televisions. Clocks stopped telling time. Cell phones no longer received signals. Cars became dead relics that wouldn’t start.

As the world around them becomes darker, so do the inhabitants of the small town of Westmont, Illinois. A mysterious and evil presence has taken a hold over the village, making the once peaceful town a place of violence and despair.

A small group of individuals, untouched by this presence, must uncover the mystery of why they remain normal and discover what (or who) is taking control of their town, one soul at a time.

Because the Man in the Dark Coat is out there. Hunting them.

And not everyone can remain untouched forever.

Nice sample size up to Ch. 5 and the very start of Ch. 6. It gives the reader a good indication of the what the story is about and the writing style of the author. As I write this post I’m a 1/3 of the way through the book so I’m far beyond the sample size which also means I purchased this book. And shopping from the Amazon $1 menu so far for me has been a pretty good deal. So far it’s been a satisfying read with a very few so-so parts. I can’t say that it’s keeping me awake tonight but I’ve read much, much worse books than this and DNF’d them. I’m nowhere near DNFing Moonlight. Just when the sample was finished power, phones, cars, etc. were starting to fail big time and we’d just been introduced to The Man in the Dark Coat. I’m getting the sneaking suspicion that he’s not going to be someone I want have a lot of face time with. Now that I’m a 1/3 of the way through the story line is picking up and things are happenin’. The Man in the Dark Coat is starting to be a bigger influence on the plot line though I have yet to come across any real gore. There was one scene but I barely noticed it. There is swearing so if that’s not your thing stay away. Otherwise spend 99 pennies and have yourself a good time.

* Other readers have complained about formatting issues. I read on a Kindle DX and it’s formatted perfectly.

Here are the July highlights. All of these books are recommended reads and have both print and, of course, Kindle editions. If not for sample chapters from Amazon for Kindles I wouldn’t have discovered these new-to-me authors and their wonderful books.

Title: Soul Identity (Kindle link) / Soul Identity (print link)
Author/website: Dennis Batchelder
File size: 528KB/Print: 268 pages
Publication date: November ‘07
Genre: Fiction
Sample size: Prologue, Ch. 1 except for the about the last 2 or 3 paragraphs
Soul Identity is a touch rough around the writing edges but not by much. This is a debut novel for this author and the first in a trilogy. I really enjoyed Soul Identity and I’m looking forward to reading his 2nd book, Soul Intent.

You can’t take it with you…but what if you could? Most people believe their souls outlive their bodies. Most people would find an organization that tracks their souls into the future and passes on their banked money and memories compelling. Scott Waverly isn’t like most people. He spends his days finding and fixing computer security holes. And Scott is skeptical of his new client’s claim that they have been calculating and tracking soul identities for almost twenty-six hundred years. Are they running a freaky cult? Or a sophisticated con job? Scott needs to save Soul Identity from an insider attack. Along the way, he discovers the importance of the bridges connecting people’s lives.

Title: Footfalls (Kindle link) / Footfalls (print link)
Author/website: Eddie Gresham
File size: 556 KB/Print: 402 pages
Publication date: Jan ‘08 (paper edition Dec ‘07)
Genre: Suspense/horror(?)
Sample size: Prologue and Ch.1-10
If you hear the unexplainable when you lay your ear against your pillow at night you’d better be prepared for what comes next! I loved it start to finish. A really good debut novel for this author.

Jimmy Culver is a computer technician who moves back to his hometown to start a new phase of his life. He has a new job working alongside his best friend, and catches the eye of a pretty divorcee in his neighborhood. Everything seems to be going well for Jimmy – but looks aren’t everything. One night, as Jimmy is falling asleep, a soft, familiar sound creeps into his ear. It is a sound from Jimmy’s childhood – one he had long-forgotten, as his mind pushed the terrifying events of a cold winter 30 years in the past deep into the recesses of his memory. Jimmy’s life is suddenly turned upside down as he races to figure out the secret behind the sounds. He is pushed to the edge as he struggles to keep up with his new job, a new love interest, and a new nightmare that is making its way down his street, toward his house. Jimmy finds some kindred spirits who are willing to help, but they too have secrets. Secrets that may endanger his life. Jimmy needs to figure it out – fast. The sounds are getting closer…and death follows.

Title: The Blue Mosaic Vase (Kindle link) / The Blue Mosaic Vase (print link)
Author/website: Christie Shary
File size: 498 KB/Print: 352 pages
Publication date: January ‘02
Genre: Fiction
Sample size: Ch. 1-8 & most of Ch. 9
Another hidden gem lost among the thousands of books at Amazon. An unexpected wonderful love story.

Left with only the beautiful blue mosaic vase, a gift he once gave his mother, Mohammad begins his quest for identity, love and belonging. And just as the fragile and intricate pieces of the vase fit together, so Mohammad’s “coming of age” intertwines with the lives of these women, set against the ancient rhythms of Tehran’s bazaar, the desolate mud-brick villages of turn-of-the-century Persia, the impact of Islam upon their lives. Mohammad first explores his world in the footsteps of his mother, Pargol, victim of the bazaar’s harshness and disease; next through his brother’s child bride, Feredeh, bound by ancient religious tradition; and by the suffering of the harlot, Leila, shackled by hunger into a life that has few options. He experiences life within the dark, liquid eyes of his first love, Sherine, forced by the solemn promise of her father to marry another; through his wife, the beautiful Amira, driven by gold and lust for one she cannot have; and from the pain of the little servant girl, Batool, imprisoned by her society and left with only one choice–to buy her disgrace in the murky waters of the jewb. Although disillusioned by the unfairness and cruelty that reign in his world, Mohammad is determined not to give up. His journey finally leads him to the widowed village weaver, Najmeh, who brings real meaning to his life. Filled with love and compassion, yet free and unbound as the shifting desert sands that surround her village, she answers only to herself. But will Mohammad find the strength to break the bonds that bind him? He knows he must.

The Blue Mosaic Vase is a Fresh Voices and EPPIE Award winner

Title: Haunts of the Heart (Kindle link) / Haunts of the Heart (print link)
Author/website: Barbara Scott
File size: 421 KB/Print: 268 pages
Publication date: May ‘09
Genre: Historical/contemporary ficiton
Sample size: 1/2 of Ch. 1
Don’t let the first couple of chapters turn you away. There is more depth to this story than meets the eye. Once our ghosts start telling their story things heat up. I was more than pleasantly surprise by this one.

Haunts of the Heart features one woman’s search for why two ghosts inhabit her childhood home. The ghosts, Anthony and Neal died during the American Civil War, each under circumstances that neither fully understood. Deanna attempts to discover what is keeping them tied to her home and in doing so falls in love with Neal. But Neal’s secrets are as deep as those binding Anthony and while the truth will set each free, the truth is also what will tear their friendship apart and hurt them deeper than their own deaths have.

Title: Haunts of the Heart
Author/website: Barbara Scott
File size: 421 KB/Print: 268 pages
Publication date: May ‘09
Genre: Historical/contemporary ficiton
Sample size: 1/2 of Ch. 1

Haunts of the Heart features one woman’s search for why two ghosts inhabit her childhood home. The ghosts, Anthony and Neal died during the American Civil War, each under circumstances that neither fully understood. Deanna attempts to discover what is keeping them tied to her home and in doing so falls in love with Neal. But Neal’s secrets are as deep as those binding Anthony and while the truth will set each free, the truth is also what will tear their friendship apart and hurt them deeper than their own deaths have.

Usually 1/2 of Ch. 1 as a sample wouldn’t be enough to induce me to buy a book but Neal is such an engaging ghost with a charming sense of humor that I didn’t want leave him quite yet. Plus I’m a big fan of stories set in and around the American civil war that I’m usually inclined to take more of gamble on the book than I might otherwise. And lastly I couldn’t resist the cover. I’m a sucker for beautiful cover art and southern mansions call to me.

Title: The Blue Mosaic Vase
Author/website: Christie Shary
File size: 498 KB/Print: 352 pages
Publication date: January ‘02
Genre: Fiction
Sample size: Ch. 1-8 & most of Ch. 9

Left with only the beautiful blue mosaic vase, a gift he once gave his mother, Mohammad begins his quest for identity, love and belonging. And just as the fragile and intricate pieces of the vase fit together, so Mohammad’s “coming of age” intertwines with the lives of these women, set against the ancient rhythms of Tehran’s bazaar, the desolate mud-brick villages of turn-of-the-century Persia, the impact of Islam upon their lives. Mohammad first explores his world in the footsteps of his mother, Pargol, victim of the bazaar’s harshness and disease; next through his brother’s child bride, Feredeh, bound by ancient religious tradition; and by the suffering of the harlot, Leila, shackled by hunger into a life that has few options. He experiences life within the dark, liquid eyes of his first love, Sherine, forced by the solemn promise of her father to marry another; through his wife, the beautiful Amira, driven by gold and lust for one she cannot have; and from the pain of the little servant girl, Batool, imprisoned by her society and left with only one choice–to buy her disgrace in the murky waters of the jewb. Although disillusioned by the unfairness and cruelty that reign in his world, Mohammad is determined not to give up. His journey finally leads him to the widowed village weaver, Najmeh, who brings real meaning to his life. Filled with love and compassion, yet free and unbound as the shifting desert sands that surround her village, she answers only to herself. But will Mohammad find the strength to break the bonds that bind him? He knows he must.

The Blue Mosaic Vase is a Fresh Voices and EPPIE Award winner

So as I write this post I’m far beyond the sample provided by Amazon. I’m almost 1/2 way through this book in my first sitting. Obviously I knew well before I was done with the sample that I would be reading this one. The sample took me almost to the end of Ch. 9 (within a page). I was captivated from the start where the reader is introduced to Mohammad as a tiny infant. At the end of the sample Mohammad is a teenager of 15 and life hasn’t been particularly easy but he’s made the best of his circumstances. In chapters 10 and on I’ve watched Mohammad mature into an adult, become a police officer, marry, and father a child. His world isn’t ideal but his story is one that won’t let go of me. I find this culture most fascinating and once again I’ve been given a glimpse of what it’s like to live behind and beyond the veil of Islam. It’s definitely worth the $5.98 price.