Trafficking: (Powell, Book 1) (Volume 1) by Mr Bill Ward

One thing I love about being a reviewer is just picking up books without knowing anything about it, apart that it is from an indie author. I've not read anything mainstream or of the best seller list for a long time. They do say variety is the spice of life and I certainly got some spice in this thriller. The last book I read did not have anything more racy in it than a kiss. This one had your reviewer blushing a number of times. Not for the fainthearted and I give it 4 stars.

Trafficking: (Powell, Book 1) (Volume 1) by Mr Bill Ward on Amazon.com

Trafficking is a gritty thriller that highlights the plight of women that get lured to Britain with non-existing jobs and end up in the sex trade. We meet Afina, a young Romanian women who goes to Brighton with the promise of a well-earning bar job. She finds out the brutal truth as her passport is taken off her and she is raped. This book is also an introduction to the character of Powell a man drawn into Afina’s dangerous world when his daughter becomes a tragic victim of Afina’s escape attempt. Powell is a man with a tragic and dark past. He has worked for the government in the past and his training kicks in when he decides to trace his daughter’s assailant. There are so far 3 books in the series and I think this is a promising start to a series for fans who like their thrillers fast paced and are not averse to graphic scenes of sex and violence. Powell is a man with a number of different facets to his character that will make him a good lead for a series. I think Afina will feature in the next book. She seems plucky enough as she didn’t just accept her lot; she tried to get away from her gangsters. I wasn’t too sure about the other characters in the book and could have done without the lesbian frolicking. It seemed a little too flippant for the rest of the story. Book 2 is going to take us to Saudi Arabia and a different story line and auxiliary characters will be a good thing. All in all a fast pace and thrilling read.

 

Shell Game: A Contemporary Thriller by K.H.Bixby

As I had a couple of days holiday and a 4 hour train journey, I had time to read. So here is the review of one thriller and I'm halfway through the next. This one was quite innocent in its tone, no sex or swearing. But it did have some scenes of torture which came as a bit of a shock considering how the rest of the story was handled. I gave it 4 stars.

A young boy loses his closest family and is taken to New York by his uncle. They are Jaharin, a fictional ethnic group without statehood. When oil is discovered on the land they inhabit; their powerful host is ethnic cleansing without the world noticing. We catch up with the young boy Sami many years later and he now works in finance.

This story has many elements which make this thriller seem eerily familiar; one group of people oppressed by a more powerful group, the world turning a blind eye to a small ethnic group. And the all-powerful oil and financial companies that put money before people. Sami is a sympathetic character; he has made a success out of his life despite difficult beginnings. Money and a cosy life has not made him immune to the plight of his people and I can understand his need to help the Jaharin, even though the way he does it isn’t legal. The romance between Sami and Sarah is developed slowly and with a somewhat innocent touch. (Rather refreshing to not have any sex scenes!) The pace of the book is slow and steady but keeps the reader engaged. The only criticism I have is that the scenes of torture come as a bit of a shock (I had to skip a few pages as I can't stomach animal cruelty even if it is fictional), it contrasts sharply against the innocent romance of Sami and Sarah and the warm relationship between Sami and his uncle. It does however illustrate that even though life might seem comfortable and cosy, brutal reality (like the Syrian conflict at the moment) is never far away.

Protecting William (Litmus book 2) by Kayla Howarth

A writer never stops, not even on holiday in Milan. Hope this fine Italian city will inspire me to write, however the weather is not very inspiring and the grey and wet day is more suitable for curling up with a good book. Talking of good books, just finished Protecting William, which is the second book in the Litmus series. (I reviewed Losing Nuka a few months ago) I liked this one a lot and gave it five stars.

Protecting William by Kayla Howarth on amazon.com

Of all the illegal fight joints, William had to walk into Litmus.  It’s not how either Nuka or William had hoped to see each other again after four years. What started out as a sneaky lad’s night out has consequences no one could have foreseen. So starts the next instalment in the exciting Litmus series. I was hooked from the first page and grew to like the main character, William, Nuka’s younger brother, very much. He is one of these good guys, but without being smug or annoying by being a holier than thou saint. If you’ve not read the institute series I would recommend you do, as the same characters feature in the Litmus series and it is nice to see them have grown up in the books. The book is narrated in the first person so we see the world through William’s eyes. It’s always a hoot to be part of somebodies thoughts and insecurities, especially if they are the opposite of the actions he takes. Great work again Kayla, I loved protecting William. (And I’m glad you went easier on him than Nuka, I guess you have a soft spot for him too.) Look forwards to reading saving Illyana which came out a few months ago.

Vikings: Taken (The Great Heathen Army series Book 1) by Ceri Bladen

Vikings get a bad rap and initially I wasn't happy with how brutish they were made out to be. Some reading was required and I'm shocked to admit that the Vikings probably did deserve their reputation. One of their main incentives was to 'Harvest' slaves and especially women! So the fact that our young Heroine is carted off back to Denmark as a thrall (the Nordic word for slave) was very likely.
If you're interested here is an article on National Geographic about it:
Vikings, slaves, thralls and archaeology

Viking: Taken by Ceri Bladen on Amazon.com

It must have been a terrifying sight to medieval Britons to see the Viking longboats appear on their shores. News of their raids must have spread and the local population could only hope that they would have some property and their lives left at the end of the day. This is what a twelve year old Rosfrith has to endure at the start of this book. These were brutal times for the ancient Britons, when tribes from Scandinavia saw their lands as easy pickings. Ceri Bladen describes this well and we feel the fear and hardship this girl suffers after her father has abandoned her in an attempt to safe his own skin. I always appreciate when a writer does her research and uses the political wrangling of the time to give their story an extra dimension.

Amongst all this chaos, Rosfrith finds an unlikely protector. Ubba, a chieftain in his own right but here on his brothers command, notices the spirited girl and after his clairvoyant brother tells him their destinies are linked he keeps an eye on her. As the spoils are divided, Rosfrith is claimed by Ubba and is taken to their lands as a thrall (a slave). Years pass, but as Rosfrith blossoms into an attractive woman, Ubba’s eye is once again caught. Love can be ignited under the most difficult of circumstances, but will it flourish? Glad there is a second part in the writing so I we can find out.

Soul Survivor (Spirit Shield Saga Book 0) by Susan Faw

I read the first in this series a little while back. Thought it would be nice to take in the prequel as well before continuing. A five star for lovers of fantasy.

Soul Survivor (Spirit Shield Saga book 0) by Susan Faw on Amazon

I read Seer of Soul by Susan Faw first. When the prequel; Soul Survivor, (Spirit Shield Saga Book 0) came out I wanted to read that first before going onto; Soul Sanctuary, book 2 in this saga. This book takes you quite a long way back in time and stands therefore perfectly well on its own. It does explain a bit more about the magical world we find ourselves in. This is a time when godlings were still very much involved with earth and mortals. Sisters Artio and Helga create havoc when they start messing with the natural elements. Love, jealously and hatred are a dangerous combination when Godlings are involved. As in Seer of souls Ms Faw is poetic with her description of her magical world, but it doesn’t get in the way of a fast pace and exciting action. I’m glad I read the prequel and look forwards to continuing with Soul Sanctuary.