Beacon of Vengeance by Patrick O’Bryon Review

http://www.amazon.com/Beacon-Vengeance-Germany-Corridor-Darkness-ebook/dp/B00MU7PSXA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411225348&sr=8-1&keywords=Beacon+of+Vengeance

This is the second installment in a trilogy by Patrick O’Bryon. I read Corridor of Darkness (book one in the trilogy) a few months ago and fell in love with it. Beacon of Vengeance is again set in Nazi Germany (and France) with enough history to satisfy, but plenty of intrigue as well.  Ryan Lemmon, an American college professor turned spy, returns to find that his friends and his son need him to help them. One tragedy after another provide the twists and turns necessary to keep the reader engaged. We also get more in-depth with the characters and meet some new ones.

I loved this book and give it a firm five out of five stars. I’m anxiously awaiting the final installment in the trilogy. In fact, truth be told that is my only complaint about this book – the cliff hanger at the end that we must wait to see what happens in Fulcrum of Malice.

Read Corridor of Darkness first in order to get the full understanding of the story (although the books are written in a way that they could be read without reading them all). But definitely read Patrick O’Bryon.

Corridor of Darkness Review

http://www.amazon.com/Corridor-Darkness-Novel-Nazi-Germany-ebook/dp/B00GLFIS0W/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391910486&sr=1-1&keywords=corridor+of+darkness

I really like books set in historic times. I particularly like Civil War era and Nazi Germany books. Nazi Germany books are before my time. However, not too far. And we have all heard and read about the atrocities inflicted by Hitler and his regime. This book was set in Germany but at the beginning of the horrible things that were about to happen. While I love books set in this time period, they also frighten me. I think it is because it isn’t a fantasy story…it really happened.

So, back to this book. It was well written (and edited) and the storyline was well thought out and crafted. It was the story of an American boy who fell in love with a German girl. He goes home to America and becomes a professor at a small university. After he is called upon by the government to become an undercover operative (I think spy is too strong a word), he returns to Germany. That is where the story really takes off.

I won’t go into any further plot descriptions because I’m not sure I could do it without giving too much away. But the American makes the decision to save his former German lover.

The story made my heart beat faster in many places, even requiring me to take a break. But not because it wasn’t well written, but because it was a little too real and disturbing. The book ended in a way that there was clearly a sequel. And, in fact, there was a teaser for the sequel included. I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read the next one as well. It was well worth five stars.

Winter Woes? Read a Book

I haven’t mentioned lately all the good books that are available (and some that are on their way). The ones I’m going to talk about today are all indie authored books. Support your indie artists – download a book and curl up to escape this weather or football (if you aren’t a football fan).

Let’s start with a great series:

Legends of Windemere – this series starts with Beginning of a Hero. Luke Callindor is introduced to us as he travels through Windemere looking for adventure. He attends (under false pretenses) a school to give him the training to be an adventurer. And adventures he does have. But then Prodigy of Rainbow Tower and Allure of the Gypsies continue the adventures. Charles Yallowitz spins a great tale and you could spend your time reading a great series – all for less than $5. These are well written and edited books that will change your mind about indie authors. And while you are at it, be sure and follow Charles’ blog

Another awesome series:

The House of Crimson and Clover – Sarah M. Cradit has crafted a paranormal romance series that is delightful and engaging.  The Deschanel family is a bit, well, different from most families. But you’re drawn in to their world. There are many different family members and their interaction with each other is unique. The book is set in New Orleans and offers great word pictures of the world they are living in. Follow Oz (not a Deschanel), Nic, Ana, Adrienne and many others throughout this series. St. Charles at Dusk is the prequel, followed by novella Anne: Beyond Dusk, Book 1 The Storm and the Darkness. Book 2 is Illusions at Eventide. Beyond Darkness: Shattered and Beyond Eventide: Bound are both novellas that will be released soon. I have read all of the books in this series and I have to say that they just keep getting better and better and I’m anxious for the next book. I don’t typically read from the romance genre but these books are so good that I forget about the genre and just relish the good writing. You will also find Sarah’s blog and her website informative and entertaining.

Red Clay and Roses by S. K. Nicholls  – here is the description from Amazon:

“A fictionalized true story of life in the Deep South during the time of Jim Crow Law, and before Roe vs. Wade. Women were supposed to keep quiet and serve, abortion was illegal, adoption difficult, and racism rampant. The discovery of an old ledger opens a window into the dynamics of the 1950s-60s. Unspoken secrets are shared between Beatrice, The Good Doctor’s wife, and Moses Grier, their black handyman. The Grier’s daughter, Althea, suffers a tragedy that leaves her family silent and mournful. Her brother, Nathan, a medical student, looks for answers from a community that is deaf, blind, and dumb. A summer romance between Nathan and Sybil, an independent, high-spirited, white woman, leaves more unresolved. Nathan is thrust into the center of the Civil Rights Movement. Sybil is torn between living the mundane life of her peers, or a life that involves fastening herself to a taboo relationship. Witness social progress through the eyes of those who lived it!”

This book introduces you to the times and troubles of the 60’s in the south. If you are as old as me, you remember these events, even if not personally. If you are younger, then this will show you how it really was (and times were much different then). If you followed Susan’s blog, you can learn more about the locales within the book. She certainly has done her research. Another well written book with a tight story that I recommend.

 

Other books are highly recommend are:

Yesterday Road by Kevin Brennan

Book of Lost Doors – Catskinner’s Book by Misha Burnett

Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen

Poe by J. Lincoln Fenn

Mr. Churchill’s Secretary by Susan Ella MacNeal

The Rockin’ Chair by Steven Manchester

The Whisky Tide by M. Ruth Myers

Fly Birdie by Jo Robinson

The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tesarro

Notes from a Small Dog: Four Legs on Two by Sue Vincent

And I am currently reading Corridor of Darkness: A Novel of Nazi Germany by Patrick O’Bryon and it is looking like an excellent book so far.  So many books, so little time (darn job keeps me from reading as much as I would like).

I could go on and on about a lot of really good books. The important thing is that you are reading and supporting authors.