Stuck on what to buy for Christmas? 2 Here some more recommendations.

Hi all:

As you’ll remember last week I brought you some of the books I had reviewed recently that I though you might find inspiring if you were looking for something to buy for your nearest and dearest (and of course, who’s nearest and dearest than your good selves?). As I’m a writer and an avid reader, I’ve always loved to have books as presents, so…

I started reviewing for BTS-e Magazine a few months back. The deal is that the reviews belong to the magazine although we can share bits of them and links. I’ve read now a few books and thought that although I wasn’t going to share the reviews (or only a bite-sound of it) you might find something interesting there. I’m also sharing the description of the books for more info.

Here is the link to the magazine where there are many more reviews (you can also click on the button down for up-to-date numbers of the magazine). Some of my reviews will be still pending, so consider this a preview:

http://btsemag.com/magazine/

For horror lovers:

The Devil’s Woods by Brian Moreland

Fear wears many skins.

Deep within the Canadian wilderness, people have been disappearing for over a century. There is a place the locals call “the Devil’s Woods”, but to speak of it will only bring the devil to your door. It is a place so evil that even animals avoid it.

When their father’s expedition team goes missing, Kyle Elkheart and his brother and sister return to the abandoned Cree Indian reservation where they were born. Kyle can see ghosts that haunt the woods surrounding the village—and they seem to be trying to warn him. The search for their father will lead Kyle and his siblings to the dark heart of the legendary forest, where their mission will quickly become a fight for survival.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Devils-Woods-Brian-Moreland-ebook/dp/B00DUB258Q/

http://www.amazon.com/Devils-Woods-Brian-Moreland-ebook/dp/B00DUB258Q/

Just a snippet of my review:

Written in a direct style, with vivid descriptions that make you live the action, psychologically complex characters you get to care for and a good rhythm that never lets you off the hook.

And I did like it so much that I repeated with another one of the author’s books:

The Vagrants by Brian Moreland

Beneath the city of Boston, evil is gathering.

Journalist Daniel Finley is determined to save the impoverished of the world. But the abandoned part of humanity has a dark side too. While living under a bridge with the homeless for six months, Daniel witnessed something terrifying. Something that nearly cost him his sanity.

Now, two years later, he’s published a book that exposes a deadly underground cult and its charismatic leader. And Daniel fears the vagrants are after him because of it. At the same time, his father is being terrorized by vicious mobsters. As he desperately tries to help his father, Daniel gets caught up in the middle of a war between the Irish-American mafia and a deranged cult of homeless people who are preparing to shed blood on the streets of Boston.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vagrants-Brian-Moreland-ebook/dp/B00K1WUCIC/

http://www.amazon.com/Vagrants-Brian-Moreland-ebook/dp/B00K1WUCIC/

This is seriously scary read (and I love my horror!). Don’t say I didn’t warn you and come crying back to me!

Here a brief snippet of my review:

The story is shorter and tighter, graphically rendered and truly terrifying. Prepared to be scared.

If you like thrillers that keep you guessing:

In His Eyes by Nina Pierce

*** SECOND PLACE WINNER in the suspense category of the 2014 INTERNATIONAL DIGITAL AWARDS ***

It’s always wonderful to be noticed … or is it?

To those around her, Maggie Callaghan appears to have the perfect life…a handsome husband, three beautiful children, and her own business. But beneath her thin veneer lies a dark past and self-doubts. When evidence of her husband’s infidelity surfaces, Maggie leases a cottage on the Maine coast and prepares for her inevitable divorce. But a serial killer is on the hunt–and he’s marked Maggie as his next victim. Now her beachside retreat is the focus of an undercover FBI investigation targeting the murderer who’s left a trail of bodies across two states. As lies and secrets are revealed, Maggie realizes her life depends on knowing who’s protecting her–and who’s got her in his sights.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/His-Eyes-Nina-Pierce-ebook/dp/B00H2BBPNG/

http://www.amazon.com/His-Eyes-Nina-Pierce-ebook/dp/B00H2BBPNG/

I must admit this books wrongfooted me from the very beginning. It is written in a very intriguing way, and it goes to show how point of view can be put to excellent use.

A brief extract from my review:

Red herrings, confusing clues and creepy guys with secret identities will keep you guessing throughout. A gripping read.

And, if you need something gentle and relaxed for all ages try this romance:

Firecracker Queen by Cat Shaffer

A NEXT DOOR Category Romance

How can one small town cause Betsey Jones such big problems?

Betsey Jones has one simple desire: to spend a peaceful summer in her hometown of Milford Falls, Michigan, while she decides what to do with the rest of her life. But Betsey hadn’t figured on being blackmailed into competing in the Miss Firecracker contest, mentoring a teen who didn’t want a faux big sister or coming face to face with Quentin Hayes, the cocky jock from her high school years.

Quent knew his editor wasn’t happy with him, but he never expected to be banished to Milford Falls to report on a beauty pageant as punishment. Once there he realizes his past wasn’t quite as he remembered it, Betsey is far different than the usual beauty queen wannabe and that everything he’s always wanted may not be what he really needs.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Firecracker-Queen-NEXT-Category-Romance-ebook/dp/B00LAGEJHS/

http://www.amazon.com/Firecracker-Queen-NEXT-Category-Romance-ebook/dp/B00LAGEJHS/

Although it’s set during the summer, I think it might be the ticket for Christmas when sometimes things can get quite stressful. No big surprises, just a gentle ride, full of characters you’d like to have as neighbours in real life.

Comfortable as an old pair of slippers….It will make you smile but it won’t rock your world.

I hope you might find something of interest to yourself or one of your loved ones. But don’t worry, I’ll keep bringing you more ideas and suggestions on Fridays. 

Thanks to all the authors who’ve worked so hard to bring us these awesome books, and thanks to you for reading. And you know the drill: like, share, comment and CLICK!

Ah, and as a bonus, you’ll have noticed Sally Cronin kindly featured one of my selected carols in one of her posts in the series of the 12 days of Christmas. When reading the comments I remembered this parody of the 12 days of Christmas by Frank Kelly (Father Jack in the series Father Ted). I had to share. It always makes me howl with laughter. Do click!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQkF7fpw-wI