Reviewed for Readers' Favorite.

*****

The very word “betrayal” evokes strong emotion. The knowledge one has been betrayed can also evoke serious action. Such is the case in Albatross: Birds of Flight by J. M. Erickson. The story opens as Alex Burns, a member of an elite military-style group that helps to fight terrorism, discovers something his superiors would rather he did not know. Within a day, the helicopter in which he rides while on a mission over foreign soil, goes down and Alex is left to die. But, things are not always what they seem. Thus, we next meet Alex in the present day, five years later. Though it took time, Alex’s memories returned — and someone wants to know what he knows. But Alex, a changed man, is a step ahead of the game and has other plans. With the assistance of Samantha, a nurse with a chequered past, Samantha’s sister, Becky, a troubled young woman, and David, a psychologist blinded by an explosion meant to take him out, Alex creates a unit of mere civilians that pays a terrorist visit on his old unit.

J.M. Erickson has drawn tragic and needy characters in Alex, Sam, Becky and David. Each is scarred physically or emotionally — or both. Yet, while they all seek some form of justice, they choose not to bring harm to others. To meet their goal, every detail is attended to and possible required changes to their plan are anticipated and prepared for. Together, this unusual “family” strikes an unexpected community. As readers briskly turn pages, they will find it surprisingly easy to feel for these characters and even to root for them.


Albatross, Birds of Flight is available on Amazon here.

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite.

****
Hera Hunter is a military trained sniper gone rogue. In Haunting Memories from a Troubled Past, by Ellie DeFarr, Hera takes it upon herself to assassinate Clyde Pettipher, a man who could not be convicted of child molestation and murder because the star witness against him went missing. This is not Hera’s first such kill, but from the opening pages, she is haunted not only with nightmares from her past, but also now with a new fear. She fears her vigilante ways have become known by the Bond Street Alliance, a secret group operating in the city of Centreville to get things done where the ordinary legal and political machinations do not work, a group that would like to enlist Hera’s aid. 


While Hera investigates the murder of Ida Bunce, the story introduces a wide array of colorful characters. We meet her drinking buddy, Gwen, a thief; her best friend and a police detective, Letty; her “foster” sister and the madam of a local brothel, Billy; her assistant, a computer specialist whom she brought into her enterprise rather than turn into the police, Toby; and her love interest Mac McDuff; among others.  Throughout, Hera seeks to determine the connection between Ida’s murder and the Bond Street Alliance.

Ellie DeFarr has painted a seriously pained and tragic figure in Hera Hunter. While she is a fully functioning private investigator, she is flawed personally and psychologically. Perhaps it is this that keeps Hera from facing some truths set before her, though the facts suggest on several occasions that not all is as it seems. Some may even find it odd that Hera is willing to take serious action against some criminals, while she befriends and protects numerous others, even going so far as to purchase their services. With the unusual mix of personalities and justifications that grace these pages, readers are sure to want to see Hera successfully unravel the mysteries and may wonder if she ever second guesses her own mission.


Find Haunted Memories of a Troubled Past on Amazon here.

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite.

*****

There is something deeply satisfying about settling into a story created by a man of military training and insight as is the case with Tempest of Fire by Steve Wilson. Bringing back Lieutenant Michael Neill from an earlier story (Red Sky at Morning), Wilson weaves a careful tale of political intrigue and espionage on an international scale. When a Chinese submarine goes down near Hua Shan, an island about 100 kilometers from the Chinese mainland, an island shrouded in mystery according to folklore, the U.S. suspects it is the work of a rogue element of the Chinese military led by Admiral Xian Lee. Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence identifies an American who has set into play, events that could give Lee a decided advantage through cyber warfare. Following the leads, Lt. Neill and a specially selected crew, including Lt. Simon Chau, a gifted computer analyst who also has synesthesia, visit the island. What they discover there could have a serious impact upon international relationships. Everything comes together when Lee determines it is time to take back the wayward Taiwan by opening events with the use of a torpedo dubbed the “Tempest of Fire.”

Tempest of Fire comes with a setting that is unique, a fast paced story that is believable, and it is packed with easy to read and understand information about the military and its dealings with political leaders as well as private commercial interests. The characters are well drawn, each challenged in his or her own way. In Lt. Neill, Steve Wilson has created a man of integrity and faith, a man others respect. Chau was an interesting addition, with his ability to “sense” location. Sec. Lt. Nathan Crockett, a “man’s man,” adds elements of both focus and humor. Add in Ensign Kelsi Pressman, incredibly talented at breaking code, Captain Zhu Ling, Lee’s chief of staff (who comes with a few surprises of his own), and additional high ranking government and military officials, and you have a story that continually draws you in. Tempest of Fire reinforced the profound gratitude I have for the men and women who serve. It is a fitting tribute to their sacrifice.


Find out more about the author on his GoodReads page here and his website here.  Tempest of Fire is available on Amazon here and on Barnes and Noble here.

Also posted on GoodReads and on BookLikes, added to my FaceBook page and to two Google+ review groups, and tweeted. Cover pinned.

Reviewed for Readers’ Favorite.

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