Illusions by Steven Spellman

https://hubpages.com/literature/Book-Review-on-Illusions-by-Steven-Spellman#_=_

Trelloran Seduction by Georgia Carter Mathers book review

The 458-page Trelloran Seduction (The Making of a Goddes #1) is the first book in the series written by Georgia Carter Mathers. The book was published on the 16th of December in 2016 by Painless Editing and Publishing. Georgia has also written another book, The Devil Inside. The author writes paranormal romance, not for the faint of heart. She was born in Sydney, Australia. She is a writer, editor, mother, and a wife. She has an Associate Degree in Creative Writing, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Graduate Certificate in Publishing. Georgia writes about issues that touch her heart and from a woman's viewpoint.

The Author

The following are links that will enable you to keep updated with Georgia Carter Mathers:

website: https://georgiacartermathers.com

Twitter: RomanceGeorgiaC

URL: https://www.goodreads.com/GeorgiaCarterMathers

Hero and Heroine

The two main characters are Kaitlau and Pietah. Kaitlau is a Princess Nymph from Trellora. She can change into anything at will. She has been kept a prisoner in her home for 200 years by her vampire parents, King Ganim and her Queen mother. Kaitlau is repeatedly raped by priests who impregnate her so her mother can feed on them.

Pietah is a rebel who lives on Volen. All he wants to do now is kill all priests because of them, his wife, Diatra and his daughter, Nia is dead. He is obsessed with killing them all until a chance encounter with Kaitlau. He wants to show her that she deserves to be loved.

Will someone save the planet of Volen?

The people of Volen are not humans but units in which the female is sacrificed on her 30th birthday. The males outlive their counterparts. On their 30th birthday, they are taken away, raped before the priests kill them for their brain fluid. Then the priests drink it which is called the Cleansing. This is how Pietah loses his wife.

Kaitlau doesn't want to save anyone, she just wants revenge against her father, who she thought loved her. He might not have been in the room but he knew what the priests were doing to her and did nothing to save her.

She escapes her home of Trellora by going through the charmed window. When she goes through she ends up in Volen, where she witnesses, Pietah killing a priest and trying to save a female from being killed and murdered. They both have reasons to want the vampire, King Ganim, dead. Along the way, they start to fall in love. They both of issues to work out but she doesn't want to be touched and he still loves his dead wife but wants to show Kaitlau that she deserves to be loved.

This is my first time reading a book from Georgia Carter Mathers. It took me a few days to get through this book not because it is bad but because of the violence and rape. At times I had a hard time reading it because it dealt with issues that happen today in some countries which are that women are killed, beaten, and raped. Overall, the novel was great. It is a much darker novel than I usually read because I am more of a historical romance reader without darkness in it. But I am glad that I read it all.

Recommendations

If you are looking for a sweet romance novel, then I would not recommend this book to you. This is not a book for the faint of heart. This book is for mature adults. There are scenes here not suited for young adults. This book deals with violence, brutality, rape, assault, sacrifice, and much more.

I would recommend this book for readers who love to read paranormal romances with strong characters that hope for a better life even when there doesn't like there is any hope left. If you love fantasy, paranormal romance, strong and broody characters, then this is the book for you.

Immortals' Requiem by Vincent Bobbe

The BooK

Title: Immortals' Requiem

Author: Vincent Bobbe

Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Myths, and Legends

Length: 550 pages

Publishing Date: June 29, 2018

Publisher: Jump Start Publishing

Plot Summary

Evil was vanquished in 500 BC when the tattoo man killed the giant, Cu Roi. Cu Roi was once considered the miracle child but he became too evil so his life was linked to that of the tattoo man. When Cu Roi died so did the tattoo man. Then in 82 AD, there is Marcus, a son of the Roman Governor, desecrating the circle of stones when the Maiden of Earth and Water appears. To prove her power to Marcus, she grants him a wish and Marcus's wish is to live forever so that he can see the Roman Empire's destiny for himself.

We are now in modern time, when we come across Camhlaidh, an elf, drinking in The Green Man bar. Across town, Samuel is on his way home when he is attacked and left for dead. While laying on the ground dying, Samuel watches as the tattoo man, Grimnir comes back to life. The return of the tattoo man means only one thing and that is that evil is back.

Now the fate of mankind is in the hands of Camhlaidh, an elf who is drunk most of the time, Mark, who is immortal, Grimnir, and other humans and elves. Can they put their differences aside and fight as one to vanquish pure evil one last time?

My Thoughts

This is a fast-paced adventure book from the start to end. I read this book in one day. This book is for the mature reader because it is full of people dying and violence. If you don't like violence then this is not for you. What I love is that Vincent Bobbe has divided this book up. It starts out in 500 BC then goes to 52 AD and then the rest of story of is finished in 5 days, Thursday to Monday. While reading this book, it felt like I was there by the way Vincent had written the story. He is a great storyteller. He makes the book come alive. Another thing that I loved about this book, is that it was told by the characters themselves so that we could see their view.

Recommendations

This is the type of book that anyone who loves horror, fantasy, myths or legends would love to read. I am a big fan of fantasy and I really love this book. I hope that this book is turned into a movie one day. I would definitely recommend this book to other readers who love this type of book.

Tormented by Susan Clayton-Goldner

Information on the Book

Tormented by Susan Clayton-Goldner

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Ebook Length: 281 pages

Publishing Date: May 2, 2018

Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing

Plot Summary

Father Anthony is a priest at the St. Catherine's Cathedral in San Francisco. Father Anthony wanted to be a priest since he was young. Everything changed when Rita Wittier came in and he heard her confession.

Two years later, he is still obsessed with her to the point that he is contemplating giving up being a priest. He goes to see her to tell her how he feels. After he tells her, he leaves. Six hours later, Rita is found dead by her nine-year-old daughter, who tries to save her by calling the ambulance. Detective Paul Stanwick and his partner are the ones who answer the call. At first glance, it looks like suicide. But who would wear their wedding gown to commit suicide and how about the daughter saying that her mom would not leave her.

Then the medical examiner rules her death as murder. Now it's up to Detective Paul Stanwick to catch the murderer. The lists of suspects are the husband and the brother, who was having an affair, the priest, who was the last person to see her alive and was obsessed with the victim and the woman, who was seen leaving the crime scene. No one wants it to be the brother or the priest. It looks like it's the husband or the woman. The ending will surprise you.

Recommendations

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery, thriller or suspense book. This is a wonderful who done it book and it will surprise you when you find out who is the murderer is.

My Thoughts

The author, Susan Clayton-Goldner, has written another great novel. Her way of writing is so real that you don't want to put the book down. It is easy to read and follow from the beginning to the end. I didn't want to put the book down. When you think you know who did it, you are proven wrong.

JavaScript by Joseph Connor

Introduction

Joseph Conner, the author of JavaScript: Computer Programming for Beginners: Learn the basics of JavaScript, has a background in IT Companies, which is why he is sharing his experiences with everyone. He wants to share his expertise so that everyone can the know the basics and extend their knowledge of computers. The author has also written the following books with IT: Programming: Computer Programming for Beginners: Learn the Basics of Java, SQL, and C++ (2018); Python: Python Programming for Beginners: Learn the Basics of Python Programming (2015); Hacking: Hacking for Beginners: Computer Virus, Cracking, Malware, IT Security (2015); and HTML 5, JavaScript, and CSS: Computer Programming for Beginners: Learn the Basics of HTML 5, JavaScript, and CSS. These are just a few of his books.

Purpose and Audiences

The author wants to help everyday people to achieve more than what they thought they could do in regards to computers by teaching them the basics of JavaScript. If you want to make your own website then this is the book for you. Joseph Conner teaches the reader that JavaScript is an easy language to learn, that it is faster when you upload your code on a webpage and that one is working with HTML in JavaScript. In this book, you will learn the following:

*What is JavaScript and how to write your first code

*Understanding the basic code

*Where and how to place variables and JavaScript code on your web page

*How to use operators and functions

*Events and page redirection

*How to create and use objects in JavaScript

*How to debug JavaScript

These are just some of the things you will learn.

Strengths and Challenges

While reading this book, the reader has a chance of looking at some of the things one can do with JavaScript. Joseph Conner takes his readers through the very complex and in-depth world of coding in a logical and straightforward way. This book is easy to read and follow along.

Recommendations

I would recommend this book to readers who are interested in JavaScript as a language to learn or if you want to learn how to write code on your website because the author teaches the readers how to do this with examples.

The Lost Mata Hari Ring by Elyse Douglas

Do you love a good time travel novel, if so, then you need to read this 368-page novel, The Lost Mata Hari Ring by Elyse Douglas? This novel was published in May of 2018 by Broad back.

About the Authors

This amazing book is written by a wife and husband team, Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. They live in New York City where they pen their novels.

Plot Summary

Actress, singer and dancer, Trace Rutland, has been plagued by childhood, nightmares about a tragic past. She has trouble functioning in her everyday life which is why she went to see a hypnotherapist. It is there that she reveals her past life as Mata Hari and what happened to her in 1917 during World War I.

Trace goes to visit a wealthy man who has a Mata Hari collection. It is there that she sees the ring and is compelled to put it on. When she slides the ring on, she ends up in the home of Mata Hari on June 28, 1916. There she meets herself from the past. Can she change the past? Or if she does, will it change the future?

It is there in the past that she meets and falls in love with Captain Edward Kenyon Bishop, a pilot for Britain. Dare she tell Edward, who she is? In the midst of war, danger and espionage, love blossoms which ends up them being married. Can she save herself from the past, will she be able to see her daughter and can she return to her world?

Trace doesn't know why she is there but she is compelled to see her daughter, Nonnie from the past. What will happen when she is accused of being a spy and thrown into a women's prison? Who will rescue her? Will she survive in this world? Will love last forever? Read the book to find out.

Other Books Written By the Authors

If you enjoyed this book then try their other novels:

* The Summer Letters

* The Other Side of Summer

* The Christmas Diary

* The Christmas Women

* Christmas for Juliet

* Christmas Ever After

* The Christmas Town, a Time Travel Book

* The Christmas Eve Letter, Book 1, a Time Travel Book

* The Christmas Eve Secret, Book 2, a Time Travel Book

My thoughts

This is the first book that I have read from Elyse Douglas. I am so glad that I read it. This book captivated me from the beginning. It was hard to put it down. It has the elements that I love to read about. Personally, I don't believe in time travel or past lives but finding out how Trace reconciles herself as Mata Hari was intriguing.

Recommendations

I just finished this book and I would definitely recommend this book. I firmly believe that if you love novels that include history, time travel, danger, espionage, historical romance then this is the book for you. This book has a little bit of everything to interest readers.

This is an excerpt from the book:

Sunday was a washed and shining morning.  After breakfast on the patio, Trace and Edward walked in the sunshine across the spreading green grass, looking off into the soft blue distances.  
“Won’t you please come back with me tomorrow, Trace?  Won’t you please stay in Paris?  I’ll take care of you.  I’ll take care of everything.  I’ll give you anything you want.”
“No, Edward.  I’ve decided to stay here.  I don’t know anyone in Paris and I don’t even know you.  We’ve just met.”
“No, we haven’t, Miss Rutland.  You and I have known each other before somewhere.  Sometime.  Perhaps on this earth or perhaps in some kind of a dream.  I don’t know, and I don’t care, but I’m sure of it.”
“And I’m sure that you’re a total romantic.  Anyway, I’m not going to Paris to live in a hotel.”
“But it’s a beautiful hotel, and it will be easier for us to see each other.  Don’t you see?  Vadime and I will be flying near Vittel, not so far from Paris.  It’s a resort area, but there’s an airbase nearby.  I can get away sometimes and meet you in Paris.”
Trace sought to change the subject.  “When did you start flying, Edward?”
He placed his hands on his hips.  “Are you deliberately trying to change the subject, Trace?”
“Yes, Edward, but I still would like to know.”
Resigned, he gave a little shake of his head.  “I received my wings in May of this year.  I joined the 13th Squadron RFC in France, and I flew reconnaissance missions before I was posted to the 11th Squadron, a fighter unit.  There you have it.”
“And what kind of airplane do you fly?”
“Does that really interest you, Trace?  I don’t know any woman who gives a good tinker’s damn about what sort of airplane I fly.”
“Does Miss Pemberton give a tinker’s damn about what airplane you fly?”
“Are you jealous of Miss Pemberton?” Edward asked, a hint of a smile forming.  “I hope you are.  Please say that you are.”
“I’ll bet you’re not quite as forward with Miss Pemberton as you are with me, Captain Edward Bishop.”
“And you would be right.  When I am around you, I have great difficulty keeping my eager hands and my thirsty lips off you, Miss Rutland.  I will tell you truthfully—though you may not believe me—that I have never felt quite so anxious, nervous and bold around any woman, until now.  Until I met you.”
“And when you’re around Miss Pemberton, Captain Bishop?  Do you feel the same about her?”
Edward’s features brightened.  “Then you are jealous of Miss Pemberton,” he concluded with a broad, sunny smile.  “How delightful.  How splendid.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
He turned playful, giving her a teasing smile.  “And what question was that?” he said, searching the sky. “Now, let me see.  Oh yes, what air machine do I fly?  That was it, wasn’t it?”
“You know it was.”
He lowered his gaze on her, a humorous glint in his eye.  “Well, if you must know, it’s a Nieuport 1, with a Lewis gun mounted on the upper wing.”
“Oh, well, a Lewis gun.  I’m quite speechless, Captain Bishop, not that I know what a Lewis gun is.”
He became animated, acting out his words. “Now picture this, Trace.  When you attack an enemy airplane, you must have finesse.  You must be tender, yet fully engaged.  Do you understand?  You see, I, personally, get below and behind the thing, and when it feels just right, I fire my Lewis machine gun, which is a .303 caliber weapon, upward, into the enemy’s underside.  It is quite effective.”
Trace felt the rise of sexual heat.  She knew he was being boldly suggestive, but she didn’t mind.  She found it a delicious turn-on.  Trace’s rational mind told her that the last thing she needed—at least for now—was to fall into a hot, sexy affair with Captain Edward Bishop, although her body was crying out for it.  
And then Edward moved in close to her, and she caught her breath.  Was he going to kiss her again?  She hoped so.
Edward looked deeply into Trace’s eyes, the sunlight bright and bold on her face and hair.  He saw a dark-blue rim around her iris, and a blend of pale blue and white rays inside the iris.
He sighed out his words.  “My dear Miss Rutland, you do me in, absolutely.” 
A minute later, he drew back, as if startled.  “Are you betrothed to anyone?  Not married, I know.  But are you betrothed?”
Trace laughed at his formal choice of word.  “Betrothed?”
“Yes?  Are you?  Tell me you’re not.  Please tell me you are not.”
“But you are, Edward… that is, betrothed to Miss Pemberton.”
“Not that again,” he answered, petulantly, throwing up his hands in frustration.  “Why do you keep bringing that woman up?”
“That woman?” Trace said, batting her eyes, mockingly.  “Why Edward, Captain Bishop, may I remind you that you are, after all, betrothed to her.”

Book Review on Be Careful What You Joust For by Ryan Hauge and Ivy Smoak

Do you love to read or watch movies on knights, ladies, and tournaments? If so, you will enjoy this book by Ryan Hauge and Ivy Smoak, Be Careful What You Joust For (Pentavia Book 1). It was published on April 17th of 2018 and sold by Amazon Digital Services LLC. This book includes genres like science fiction, fantasy, and epic.

Ryan Hauge and his wife, Ivy Smoak lives in Wilmington Delaware, where they do everything together. They wrote this book together. Ryan gets his inspiration from the video games he played growing up and from his toy business.

This book is easy to follow and understand. The one thing that this book is and that is unpredictable and full of surprises. It keeps you on your toes. What I love is that each character has their own chapters throughout the book. So you know who the chapter is about.

Knights from all over come to compete in a jousting tournament to win Arwin's Lance. Whoever wins this lance, can either keep the peace or start a war. For the House of Hornbolt, which is hosting the tournament, this is where the elder son is expected to win, the second son will become a priest and the daughter will marry the most eligible man. What happens when the second son wants to be a knight instead of a priest and the daughter loves a thief? Then you add another mystery and that is who killed the late king?

I would recommend this book to any reader who loves to read about ancient times, knights, jousting, tournaments, drama, suspense, and fantasy. This is a book that captivates from the first moment you start to read and doesn't let go until the end.

According to wikipedia.org, "Jousting is a martial game or hastilude between two horseman wielding lances with blunted tips, often as part of a tournament. Jousting is based on the military use of the lance by heavy cavalry" (en.m.wikipedia.org).