Chanticleer Book Reviews

Author: W. Kendall

JUST DIE by E. Alan Fleischauer – International Mystery & Crime, Occult Horror, Thriller & Suspense

E. Alan Fleischauer’s lead character holds the power of life and death in his fingertips in the new crime thriller, Just Die.

How would you react to holding the fate of the living in your bare hand? Recovering from his own near-death experience, retired financial advisor Jake Silver attempts to understand his new powers after a stint in the hospital. When he points his bare finger and utters well-worn words, the object of his attention instantly dies.

With great power comes great responsibility. Now that Jake has this power, how will he decide to use it? And what repercussions come with his decision?

Happy to be home after a stroke, Jake celebrates a second chance at life with his fiancée Beth. He’s also made a new friend from the hospital. This man, Omar, turns out to be an idolized NFL Super Bowl winner, and he joins in Jake’s celebration.

Despite Jake’s gratitude for being home, life’s annoyances can still rub him the wrong way. When he flashes a familiar gesture at any living thing, it dies. It dawns on him that he’s the cause of the deadly results. When a particular bike rider crosses a path near Jake’s home, he suffers this ultimate, lethal punishment. An overreaction? Keep reading to find out more.

The biker’s death brings on a police investigation, exploring motive, means, and opportunity.

Witnesses come forward with motives of their own. Both Jake and his beloved Beth are questioned as witnesses – and then as suspects. How can Jake answer the cops? Concerns grow over whether this stress will force an end to the couple’s engagement, bring them closer together than ever, or put one or both behind bars.

Omar shares a provocative idea with Jake.

After seeing firsthand his friend’s extreme power, Omar shares a story with him. An all-too-familiar tale of justice denied – and the impact upon Omar’s family moves Jake. He sees that it’s within his new power to deliver justice by a covert plan to kill a freed criminal. Will Jake intentionally take on the role of judge and jury to execute what he thinks is the rightful outcome?

In the meantime, the police investigation heats up.

Jake’s power may no longer be a secret. Someone wants this power used for the benefit of the nation and tells an influential official. Now Jake faces more potential danger and critical decisions as the government has designs on his powers. Where will Jake turn? His retired life, gratefully saved in the hospital, has been interrupted by the thriller life of a hired gun.

An action-packed paranormal thriller, Just Die challenges readers with questions about the quality of life, shades of morality, and personal loyalty.

E. Alan Fleischauer masterfully creates relatable characters, including the human frailties shouldered by an NFL star. No one is immune from the limits of being human when tackling bigger-than-life issues. Fleischauer handily delivers a paranormal thriller destined to garner the attention it so rightly deserves. How will it all end? Who will survive the threats and the investigations, and who will just die? Readers, get ready for one thrill ride of a novel. This one will keep you up at night! Just Die won 1st Place in the 2020 CIBAs for Paranormal Fiction.

October 27, 2021
The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife: The Origins of Sherlock Holmes, World’s Greatest Consulting Detective (The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes, Case One) by Liese Sherwood-Fabre – International Mystery & Crime, Mothers & Children Fiction, Private Investigator Mysteries

The game is afoot! It’s years before Sherlock Holmes’ ponderings from 221B Baker Street. Sherlock is a teenager when challenged to solve his first case, The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife by Liese Sherwood-Fabre.

The stakes are among the highest. Sherlock’s beloved mother is the accused killer when he and his infamous brother Mycroft are summoned home from their boarding schools. The family reunites to a single purpose. They must prove Violette Holmes’s innocence. They soon discover that proving her innocence will not be enough to restore her standing in the court of public opinion. They can only clear her name by also finding the actual killer. That investigation involves a dangerous pursuit that requires detailed observation, logic, and action. Young Sherlock Holmes will also need to watch his back.

The adventure begins with a brief glimpse into Sherlock’s school days.

It’s an illuminating peek into his growing personality. As the men of the family come together, nerves fray with their mother and wife jailed. Sherlock’s Uncle Ernest is also anxious to help free his sister. Ernest and Sherlock visit Violette in jail, and together the three of them create a plan they hope will bring her home. If successful, they may catch the killer, an endeavor that may be an even more significant threat to them all. The determined Holmes family will need all the help they can get along the way. The killer is watching their every move.

During his analysis of the case, Sherlock encounters a most intriguing teenage girl who has perfected the execution of the enviable skill of sleight of hand.

Her name is Constance, and she is the most talented pickpocket he’s ever met. A handy tool to have on your team if you can, but there’s more about this girl that attracts Sherlock. He wants to strike up a friendship. Is this the start of young love, a first crush? Of course, there are complications. If Sherlock can save his mother from conviction and the gallows, then someone very close to Constance risks becoming the main suspect in the murder of the unfortunate midwife.

Author Liese Sherwood-Fabre paints a lively, historical setting that draws the reader immediately into a curiosity about the social conventions and people of the story.

Crafted to perfection, the Sherwood-Fabre offers several suspects and a crime scene clever enough to engage the reader at every step of the investigation. The investigation takes unexpected twists and turns that will keep a reader guessing until the end. The most outstanding achievement is the author’s skill in creating her characters, including one of the most famous mystery characters of all time. She paints the most credible portrait of him in his youth. The characters’ motivations and family dynamics are revealed in due time, throughout the adventure, with some surprises. Situational and character humor delights as they race to solve the mystery. And so, the adventure begins.

The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife by Liese Sherwood-Fabre won 1st Place in the CIBA 2019 M&M Awards for Cozy and Not so Cozy Mystery novels.

August 26, 2021
UNTIL MORNING COMES by Jonathan Epps – True Crime Thriller, Vigilante Justice Thriller, Conspiracy Thrillers

Jonathan Epps pulls from the darkest corners of our headlines a tale most despicable in his latest novel, Until Morning Comes.

Young girls seldom know the dark, wicked places awaiting them in the world, but they do have real problems. They come from hard-scrabble backgrounds and make destructive decisions because they want something more for themselves. These girls don’t know how to get what they desire, only without a doubt, each one understands they need something so much bigger – so much better than what life currently offers, and they will believe anyone – and do anything – to attain it.

In short, they become targets for predators.

The very rich and the celebrated take what they want from these girls and leave them worse off than ever. It’s those people who should know better but don’t care. They hire people to hunt down these girls, profit from them, and promise a future that never comes to fruition, then discard them like trash.

The girls participate in sordid parties for the uber-wealthy, famous, even celebrated elite who enjoy perpetrating illicit and disturbing actions upon the underaged and vulnerable. They take their pleasure in places where drugs never run dry, and consent is deemed optional. Lots of money changes hands, and some of it even makes its way to a few girls. But at one of these events, Ava witnesses a most deplorable act, and instead of helping the girl, she runs away. She can’t forgive herself. Ava’s haunted by the sights, sounds, and smells of that night, and her hatred grows for the people who perpetrated these offenses.

Ava forms friendships with two others, and they all try to move on. Each one deals with the lingering trauma in different ways. The other two begin to piece together plans for the present, hoping they can eventually set goals for happy futures. But Ava fails in all her attempts. She can’t move on from her past. She can’t move on from the horrific scene she ran from, and so she puts together a plan for revenge.

Ava Rose Anderson decides to put an end to the group.

Why? Simple. She has nothing left to lose. Ava seeks revenge for herself and for all those who suffer the aftermath of the life they once lived. She challenges the offenders with exposure of their crimes – and she’s determined to fight that nightmare to the bitter end.

Revenge may give Ava closure, if not peace. Ultimately, she wants to face the man who ran the trafficking operation. She wants to see him dead. Also, she wants to face off with the woman who recruited her – and so many like her. Ava hunts her targets through media and across a couple of major cities to trap the human trafficking ring. She doesn’t know it, but Ava is not the only person on this trail. Who will reach them first, and how will it all end?

Jonathan Epps masterfully develops his latest thriller with public figures we all recognize from today’s headlines. True crime and thriller fans alike will find Until Morning Comes riveting and simply impossible to put down.

May 27, 2021
A DIVINE WIND by Norman M. Jacobs MD, MS – Technothrillers, Literature and Fiction, Environmental Thrillers

A Divine Wind by Norman M. Jacobs MD, MS is a technothriller that will keep readers glued in their seats until the last page is read.

Working in secret, one government experiments with technology that allows them complete control over the weather. If the user guides the technology with a heavy hand, the weather will strike like a weapon; likewise, if those at the control wield compassion, calm weather that nourishes the land will result. Calculated strategies could deploy storms against one’s foes. Of course, any intentions to channel the weather for good may produce scattered, unintended, and deadly consequences. There’s an old saying, “An ill wind may blow nobody any good.” However, a divine wind may unite people if they don’t kill one another first.

Doron Ben Avrahim suffered significant losses in his life. At just eight years old, his parents died in the 9/11 Twin Towers attacks. The young and devastated Doron journeys to Israel, becoming a ward of his relatives. Now Israeli army lieutenant Doron is captured in Iran. It happens just one week before his wedding. On the day of the arrest, Sarah, his beloved fiancé, tried on her wedding dress. Life offered Doron nothing except Sarah. All joy had forsaken him as a child, and six months into his captivity, if not for Sarah, he didn’t care if he lived or died. Then a tornado sweeps into Iran and changes everything.

Everyone wants to know what happened and why.

High-ranking officials in the United States, including the President and Vice President, develop curiosity about the strange weather events in the Middle East. Governments around the world press for information. What happened? Was it an artificial event? Who did it? Can the technology be duplicated? And, how can we get our hands on it? Israeli officials, driven by their people’s plight of living under constant threat of annihilation, want to keep the technology secret. It makes no sense to share it with the world.

Can there ever be peace?

As governments of the world do what governments do best – investigate, interrogate, and spy on one another, the world’s citizens learn of a unique family that crossed borders. These people have learned about what can unite them and how they can all dream of a better world. Once they envision it, they believe they can create it. Can a foundation be built on a dream, or will it crumble under the winds of change?

Author Norman M. Jacobs, a physician/scientist, builds his plot on a most intriguing premise: the ability to alter weather patterns and control specific storms at will. The theoretical science, including its eventual and significant butterfly effect, develops in a most fascinating and approachable way, leaving readers imagining the likelihood of such a tool’s viability in our world today.

A Divine Wind begins at a heart-pounding, thrilling pace, as any technothriller should. Jacobs then weaves historical events into his characters’ lives, bringing depth and empathy for what shapes their actions. Here, Jacobs allows us a glimpse into the communities and destinies of two cultures and questions their futures. In the end, we ask the all-important, sobering question, can there ever be peace? Ultimately, Jacobs delivers an intelligent technothriller far too close to home to be anything else but highly recommended!

May 22, 2021
SCEPTER of FLINT (The Lord Hani Mysteries, Book 3) by N. L. Holmes – Historical Mysteries, Historical Mystery, Historical Thriller & Suspense Fiction

The yearning for justice is a heartfelt sentiment that has stirred people through the ages. The price for justice can be high, and it’s not always predictable who will pay. In this third Lord Hani mystery of ancient Egypt, Lord Hani is confronted with a puzzling dichotomy. It’s a pool of two truths that cannot coexist. And for Lord Hani, neither truth has the desired outcome. Yet, the King has assigned him to solve this mystery of the stealthy tomb robbers. They have broken into several sacred resting places and stolen valuable contents meant to sustain the spirits of those who passed on. Lord Hani must uncover the secret leader to stop these villains, the one determined to wield a Scepter of Flint to spark fires of division, suspicion, desperation, and greed.

As Lord Hani begins the investigation with his reliable assistant and son-in-law Maya, longtime enemy Mahu the police chief continually shows up looking for trouble and looking to get Hani off what Mahu sees as his case. However, Hani continues to puzzle out the mystery of the tomb robbers, why their crimes have started now, and where they may strike next. As he follows the clues, he finds more to this spree than robbery – much more. And now, it’s not just property that is threatened. Now lives are at stake.

Interviewing suspects and witnesses keeps Hani busy between the political new capital and the beloved old capital, a boat ride apart. He and Maya are not alone in their pursuit for the truth; generations of his passionate family, including his father, brother, dear wife, and daughter, join in. From their diverse interests and work Hani gleans insightful information. To make matters even more dire, a terrifying plague sprouts in the capital. So extra care must be taken, and their days are surrounded by the tragedy of the illness.

What Hani ultimately uncovers is shocking, and in the end, the reach of the scepter will put his family and many other innocents at risk. Hani’s trust in others – even his boss – will be tested. If he makes the wrong choices, more innocent victims will suffer. If Hani can’t complete his fight for justice in time, will they all succumb to the Scepter of Flint?

While tomb robberies serve to remind all that nothing on this earth is guaranteed to last, and political forces are turning intolerant toward divergent views, those connected to Lord Hani have the company of a true and trusted friend. Hani and his wife keep a house that is as busy as ever with family and friends coming and going. It often feels like a safe harbor, where all are welcome.

N.L. Holmes arms her fascinating characters with motives and dreams that tug at the heart and places them in a world of highly relatable circumstances. Because Holmes masterfully lays out the unique story and situation of each character, there are no real minor characters. She contrasts the very human foibles with the stunning descriptive passages of the natural beauty surrounding these characters, if only they appreciate it. The reader certainly does. The author’s poetic depictions capture the spirit and renders us helpless in her grasp, then she draws us back to conspiracies, machinations, and perilous plot twists that spark fears of the Scepter of Flint.

The third book in the Lord Hani mysteries, Scepter of Flint, will keep readers glued to the page – and dying for the next book in the series, The North Wind Descends. Those who are new to the series will undoubtedly want to read the first two books, Bird in a Snare and The Crocodile Makes No Sound.

March 5, 2021
LEGACY of LIES by Janet K. Shawgo – Suspense Action, Mystery Action, Action Thriller

The question is not if history will catch up with you but instead, when will it attack with a vengeance. Characters with a Legacy of Lies discover they can run, but they can’t hide from past actions. When Caren Johnson sees her family and life literally explode in flames, her uncertain future falls into the hands of a mysterious Irishman. His name is Declan Malone, and he claims he’s been sent by her brother to save her from assassins determined to kill her too. How can that be when her brother’s death was reported ten years ago? Declan’s reasons for a hasty departure from Ireland appear suspect and put a target on his back too.

A sequel to Archidamus, the intrigue thickens. Aaron Caydon made many enemies in his life, and some are highly motivated for revenge. Declan claims he’s hired to go to Boston, Massachusetts, and save Aaron’s sister and her suburban family. When he arrives, things go terribly wrong, with tragic and deadly results. The plan to make it to the protection of Aaron Caydon blows up right before Declan’s eyes. Now Caren joins him in a race to somehow find this ghost man, her brother, and hope for safety. Declan and Caren are on the run from unknown and hidden enemies. It’s a fast-paced pursuit from Maine to mysterious cemeteries in New Orleans, and on to the lone state of Texas, with imminent danger lurking around every plot twist and turn.

Declan is happy to find that Caren has many useful skills of her own, including fighting strengths and an eidetic memory. As they battle forward together, they realize one person who might be the missing link to Caren’s brother. Bevan Benjamin was the last man they know of to have seen Aaron. It’s a long shot and a long journey to reach Bevan. If they can get to him alive, will he even believe their story or agree to put himself and his own family in danger to help them? As Declan and Caren run toward this destination, they find a growing attraction between them, igniting a new threat. Can they trust each other completely?

This tightly paced thriller is full of mystery and fueled by very worthy opponents who match wits ruthlessly against skilled protagonists. It’s a chess game played on steroids that stretches across the cities and countryside of small towns across the USA. The vivid settings provide unique and haunting clues to the intrigue that the reader discovers in the characters. Surprises and setbacks encountered by both the protagonists and their enemies bring out the best skills and cunning in each. It’s fascinating to read the motivations that bring together people to fight for a cause, both for good and for diabolical. “The mistakes men make in their younger lives tend to return at some point and demand retribution.”

No wonder author Janet K. Shawgo’s settings are so skillfully described and play such an integral role in this well-developed and intricate plot. As a travel nurse, she’s worked extensively across the United States for twenty-three years. She shares a great imagination in her books that plots a spellbinding story, with characters who show great heart and courage.

Legacy of Lies won First in Category in the CIBA 2019 Clue Awards for Thrillers and Suspense novels.

February 24, 2021
HEART of the FEW by Jon Duncan – WWII Historical Fiction, WWII Thriller, 20th Century Romance

It is said that all is fair in love and war. In this wartime historical romance, young love is put to the ultimate test, and the love of family is strained to the breaking point. During World War II, the occupants of a ravaged England understand that all can be lost in a moment’s hesitation or in a hasty decision. Here, love is under attack by enemies seen and unseen. It’s the uncommon courage of many and the Heart of the Few that can hope to turn the fate of England during these dark days.

Passion drives both sides in this wartime mystery/thriller about people who are determined to make a difference in the outcome of World War II. Like all powerful forces, passion has two sides. It’s a wondrous and beautiful emotion when applied to good purpose, but it becomes horrific and deadly when twisted and corrupt. The question author Jon Duncan asks amidst all the turmoil, treachery, death and desolation of war is: can love find a way?

As the only daughter of the widowed Lord Ashford, Livy Ashford feels compelled to volunteer – a valiant calling of which her father wholeheartedly disapproves. War is too dangerous for a young woman. And, as one of Churchill’s trusted Intelligence officers, he’s well informed about the war news; Ashford knows of what he speaks. He wants Livy to remain protected in the upper echelons of London’s upper-class life.

Jamie Wallace is a butcher’s son who has trained to become one of the new RAF pilots. He is highly skilled and very nervous about his new profession. Regardless, Jamie vows to contribute to the war effort, especially on behalf of his brother, who is badly injured and fortunate to return home at all.

One day, Livy and Jamie stumble across each other on the edges of an airfield. Love strikes at first sight. Do they dare to follow their heartfelt feelings at a time when air raid sirens and bombings prove that tomorrow is not promised? There are many barriers to happiness. Even if there was no war, they come from very different backgrounds, and each is painfully aware of that fact. But not all dangers Livy and Jamie face wear the enemy’s uniform. In the heat of battle, class differences, and unwelcome attention, the young couple wrestles with how to make sense of their situation, remain focused on the war effort – and stay alive.

Author Jon Duncan presents a story with spellbinding, spine-tingling action, with romantic scenes of breathtaking tenderness. Duncan paints a vivid and well-researched picture of England at this critical time in history, packed full of plenty of intrigue. Duncan has a background in the movie and television industry, which is reflected in this novel. Research for this novel enlists many primary sources, including conversations Duncan had with people who lived the history in the time of The Battle of Britain. Some historical romance novels are read, Heart of the Few is one that will live with readers long after the book is put down. Highly recommended.

December 17, 2020
The CROCODILE MAKES NO SOUND (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 2) by N. L. Holmes – Political Fiction, Crime Thrillers, Ancient Egyptian Political Thriller

Danger surfaces like a crocodile, sudden, unavoidable, and with deadly consequences in N.L. Holmes’ latest novel, The Crocodile Makes No Sound.

Politics now touch the lives of Lord Hani’s cherished family members, dear friends, and, ultimately, the society of this fragile Egyptian New Kingdom. But it’s Lord Hani’s diplomatic skills that hang in the balance and are put to the test.

Trusted allies are few and hard to recognize. The winds of change sometimes blow apart past loyalties, or so it may appear. Hani must rely on his wits and ingenuity, but will that be enough?

Hani’s beloved hometown of Waset has eerily emptied as much of the population has migrated to the highly acclaimed sparkling new capital. With his conflicting beliefs, Hani attempts to keep a low profile with his new government and urges his family to do the same for their own safety.

These are perilous times. But when his brother-in-law goes missing after being interrogated, the family fears he’s dead. In a move that Hani sees as suspicious, the king orders him to host a delegation at his home until the king can prepare to receive them. Are Hani and his family under increased scrutiny?

Under this cloud, Hani is summoned to the Beloved Royal Wife at the new capital, who entrusts him with her dark secret and pleads for his help. She is being blackmailed, and the clock is ticking before her fears will be realized. Hani is cautious, knowing he must not take any action that could stir the king’s ire. Yet he can see not only the danger to this young princess but also the broader implications to the new society if these revelations surface. He is compelled to investigate. When his suspect turns up murdered, Hani plunges deeper into a dark and menacing scheme.

Fun and memorable characters highlight the artful books by this author. While Hani probes the politics, he’s also surrounded by fascinating adventures driven by others. His daughter studies with a curious doctor in the capital. The trials and tribulations of her internship are, at times, concerning. Hani’s son follows in his father’s footsteps as a scribe, but discontent with his work suggests he may pursue a new life goal, but is that a wise decision? Beloved and trusted assistant Maya, and Hani’s daughter are newlyweds adjusting to married life and their dreams together. And longtime friend Ptah-mes and his wife struggle to choose sides in this politically charged time. They each work to decide what it is they truly believe.

N.L. Holmes blends extensive knowledge of this period in ancient Egypt and vivid imagination into a page-turning mystery spicy enough to capture any mystery and historical fiction lovers’ attention. Here we have an author who understands human nature and how that drives motives and actions to create an extraordinary story.

The captivating plot is punctuated with Hani’s delightful and insightful aphorisms. The Crocodile Makes No Sound, and there’s nowhere to hide.

October 15, 2020
BIRD IN A SNARE (The Lord Hani Mysteries, Book 1) by N.L. Holmes – Political Thriller, Ancient Egyptian Mystery, Family Drama

Politics is a deadly game in the days of Kings and their competing 14th-century B.C. Egyptian factions. Official diplomat, Lord Hani, is on a royal assignment when he discovers even the king’s motives are suspect. Hani begins to fear for the welfare of his family and himself, as he gets a sinking feeling that the hunter has become the hunted. He’s the live bait, the Bird In A Snare.

Can Lord Hani find out who is responsible for the mysterious assassinations and the shifting armies’ alliances before becoming the one they target next?

The sands under the royal family’s feet are precarious. The investigation must be thorough but also quick. There is no time to waste in this seething era where a wave of change could bring dire consequences. Lord Hani knows he must stop the murderer to save himself and his family, but can he also act to protect the larger target, the fate of the Egyptian New Kingdom?

Lord Hani is summoned by the king to the Royal Palace and assigned a secret, specific investigation to complete on his majesty’s behalf.

The king suspects not only murder but also betrayal. He decries what he sees as political manipulations that touch pockets of power, self-serving coalitions, and religious beliefs. The king knows not all his countrymen are honest, but he trusts Lord Hani. For help, Hani turns to his young secretary Maya, who is eager for adventure and dedicated to serving Lord Hani to his utmost capability. This mystery will undoubtedly test his skills. If he impresses, will he have the courage to voice his love for his boss’ daughter, and ask for her hand in marriage?

The extensive travel required to visit scenes of crimes and associated places of interest takes a prolonged time by boat and overland, leaving Lord Hani’s family unprotected.

He’s concerned for the safety of his children and wife in his absence. There is good reason to worry. Threats arise from people of the royal court, and also people from the uprising new religion. A risk even exists from within Lord Hani’s own family, namely, his eldest son. Time is not on his side as Hani and his secretary Maya follow clues, interview suspects, and analyze motives. The action reaches a crescendo, and Lord Hani will have to confront his most dreaded fears.

Bird in a Snare by N. L. Holmes is beautifully descriptive, with details that bring the historic period and the fascinating characters to vibrant life. Suspense builds as an intricate web of intrigue is spun. Readers will be delighted to learn that this is the first of a series set in the ancient Egypt of Akhenaten’s reforms.

August 3, 2020
CELIA’s HEAVEN by Nancy Canyon – Magic Realism, Family Saga, Contemporary Literature

It’s as if a large chunk of her heart was wrenched away in an instant. Celia’s twin sister died suddenly in a terrible accident. Now Celia is haunted by this dear sister who is gone forever. Moreover, the emotional distance between herself and her parents, the only family that’s left behind, is painful. From her hell on earth, she yearns for her own, Celia’s Heaven, where all could be right again. But the road to Heaven is paved with broken promises and a shattering revelation.

Celia leads an unsatisfying life. The residents in her town are repulsed by her because she works as a stripper. Her father berates her for her life choices. She gets it, but she makes good money, and money is hard to turn down. Although Celia’s boyfriend asks her to marry him, she still likes to be with other men and acts on her impulses. Amid the emotional chaos, Celia continues to look for a miracle. The only thing on the horizon, however, is the worst winter snowstorm in years, and it could be deadly.

On the anniversary of her twin’s death, Celia reminisces about the times the two shared together. But something weird is happening, she is seeing glimpses of her twin – even hearing messages from her. What is she trying to say? Is there some warning to communicate? Or is it some secret she needs Celia to know? Her sister’s spirit is restless, and Celia is trying to understand and help. Perhaps by helping her sister, she will be helping herself as well.

Nancy Canyon’s beautifully written story has a smooth, crisp, surface tone with an underlying, pulsing energy. Fascinating, conflicted characters will grab any reader’s interest right from the start. Even the dialogue is masterful for what is said and what is left unsaid. All in all, Canyon shines at painting detailed, intense character portraits that spring to life and find their way right into the heart of the reader. Each character struggles to reconcile the choices they’ve made that affect them and those around them. But now they face fears about what is to come. The powerful writing takes the reader into the intimate journeys of Celia, her boyfriend, and others including her sister. These are women and men who live in quiet desperation, and thoughtfulness, praying for a better life and hoping to survive.

Set against a backdrop of a nightmarish snowstorm, Canyon’s characters are put to the test, trying to survive the current situation that seems to have supernatural strength and the emotional turmoil they each face. Is peace a possibility? Is happiness and love too much to hope for? Celia’s twin may know something that will change lives forever if only Celia discovers the key to unlock her message.

Celia’s Heaven won First in Category in the CIBAs 2013 PARANORMAL Awards.

July 17, 2020