Bunny's Reviews: spy thriller

Showing posts with label spy thriller. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Hot Ash Review Spotlight

Angela Hardwicke is back and this time she's taking on her toughest mystery yet! Read on for more info about Hot Ash by Russ Colchamiro!

Camille Enquist is on a quest for answers. What has recently happened to her is just too hard for her to believe. So the truth must be something else...anything else than what it actually is. So, in her bid to find the answers she’s looking for, she seeks out and hires Angela Hardwicke, intergalactic private eye. Will she be able to handle the answers that she gets as Angela digs deeper into all that surrounds the Enquist family? Will Angela manage to survive the dangers that she’ll face along the way?

Hot Ash is an Angela Hardwicke sci-fi mystery novel that will grab you from the beginning and keep you page-turning to the end. While this book is part of a series, rest assured that this novel can be read as a stand-alone. Angela thinks that this case with Camille Enquist is simply family drama. A widow angry because her step kids are the ones who solely inherited their father’s business with her being cut out. Camille cries foul, and the signs point to something unethical having happened, but is there more to the story? She feeds Angela the information that she feels will benefit her, but beneath the surface the story goes deeper.

Hot Ash is an intriguing sci-fi mystery novel from beginning to end. Brace yourself for some shocking moments, but the author uses those to keep you coming back for more. Angela is tough as nails in this book, but with her protege, Eric Whistler, growing up on her, she’s having to learn to let go of the reins a bit. Of course, there is growing pains between the two. Eric is ready to step out of Angela’s shadow, but is he really ready?

Whistler (Eric) has made some major steps in his life, but as you’ll see as you read this book, that he’s still got a ways to go. The thing is, in certain moments – when he’s solid, he’s solid. But when he stumbles? Boy does he stumble hard. It’s a bit funny and infuriating at the same time. Especially when he’s quick to read Angela the riot act in how she handles things with him. You’ll sit there and think “I get it, you want the training wheels off, you want to be treated as an equal. Then own your shit, too man!” Trust me, you’ll applaud Angela when she holds her tongue in a couple of situations.

There are going to be some scenes that are going to have you literally on the edge of your seat. You’re going to be rooting for success only to slump when failure seems to be the only path they’re on. Just try not to pull out your hair. LOL! It won’t do you – or the characters any good.

Angela really shines as the main character in this book, but Bernice and Dolores really threaten to outshine her at times. Bernice especially in my book. Bernice is a riot and a half. She’s one of those characters that you have to look out for, because before you know it you’ll be owing her half your life savings. LOL! Dolores is another character who really pulls no punches either. Especially when it’s date night...and it is.

The twists and turns in this book add another level to the overall suspense levels. This case is complicated and in more ways than one. The truth that Angela is digging up isn’t what she’s expecting, but it’s also leading down a dangerous rabbit hole. There are somethings that – if you’re not ready for, you just shouldn’t go probing into them.

Readers of sci-fi novels are going to enjoy the amount of tech in this book. The author really pulls you into a futuristic world brimming with advanced technology. There are, of course, familiar elements, but things have really progressed. The bigger surprises come off-world. It’ll be awhile before you get there, but the wait is worth it.

*** Trigger Warning*** Mention of Suicide

Now, there are some shocking situations in this book, so this book might not be for every reader. There is a mention of suicide by one character in this book. Then there is an actual suicide that happens on page. If suicide is a sensitive subject for you, you might want to either skip this book or steel yourself for the situations. They don’t happen until later on in the book though so you can still enjoy the majority of this story. There isn’t a “trigger warning” but the author does give you some warning in the storyline before the incidents happen.

The final chapters in this book are going to have you all over the place. You’re literally going to be on the edge of your seat with amount of tension ahead. Try not to fall off your chair. Apparently the author decides to remind us that nothing is what it seems, but the truth is out there – if you’re willing to dig for it.

I’m rating this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to the author, Russ Colchamiro, and R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Hot Ash

Publication Date: September 6th, 2022

Genre: Sci-Fi Mystery

Intergalactic private Angela Hardwicke is Eternity’s most daring spy for hire…

Following the mysterious and ill-timed death of her elderly husband, Camille Engquist was set to inherit the family’s real estate development company. But her stepkids stole it from her first. Or so she claims.

As Hardwicke and her protégé Eric Whistler dive into the world of affordable housing, synthetic concrete, and corporate succession planning, their investigation put them face-to-face with the haves and have-nots, a new form of cocaine, a boundary-pushing neurobiologist, a majestic domed city and a violent conspiracy that stretches farther and deeper than they ever could have imaged. But the most insidious betrayals are sometimes closer to home.

In Hot Ash, Russ Colchamiro’s most action-packed Sci-Fi mystery yet, Angela Hardwicke must grapple with the worst pain of all—that the people we love are the ones we should fear most.

And don't miss the first two books in the series, Crackle and Fire and Fractured Lives!

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Here!

About the Author

Russ Colchamiro is the author of the rollicking space adventure, Crossline, the zany SF/F backpacking comedy series Finders Keepers: The Definitive Edition, Genius de Milo, and Astropalooza, and is editor of the SF anthology Love, Murder & Mayhem, all with Crazy 8 Press.

Russ lives in New Jersey with his wife, two ninjas, and crazy dog Simon, who may in fact be an alien himself. Russ has also contributed to several other anthologies, including Tales of the Crimson Keep, Pangaea, Altered States of the Union, Camelot 13, TV Gods 2, They Keep Killing Glenn, Thrilling Adventure Yarns, Camelot 13, and Brave New Girls.

Russ Colchamiro | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Book Tour Schedule

November 14^th

R&R Book Tours (Kick-Off) http://rrbooktours.com

@accio_mischief (Review) https://www.instagram.com/accio_mischief/

@latishaslowkeylife (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/latishaslowkeylife

On the Shelf Reviews (Spotlight) https://ontheshelfreviews.wordpress.com

Stine Writing (Spotlight) https://christinebialczak.com/

@alexis.reads__ (Spotlight) https://instagram.com/alexis.reads__?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

November 15^th

@ashe_and_ink (Review) https://www.instagram.com/ashe_and_ink/

Bunny’s Reviews (Review) https://bookwormbunnyreviews.blogspot.com/

@readingwithwrin (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/readingwithwrin/

Rambling Mads (Spotlight) http://ramblingmads.com

Sophril Reads (Spotlight) http://sophrilreads.wordpress.com

November 16^th

@amanda_coffee_books (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/amanda_coffee_books/

Breakeven Books (Spotlight) https://breakevenbooks.com

@beastreader (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/beastreader/

@definitelynotreading (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/definitelynotreading/

@calmstitchread (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/calmstitchread/

November 17^th

@amber.bunch_author (Review) https://www.instagram.com/amber.bunch_author/

@books.and.salt (Review) https://www.instagram.com/books.and.salt

The Faerie Review (Spotlight) http://www.thefaeriereview.com

Freelance Writer, Janny C (Spotlight) https://freelancewriterjannyc.com/

November 18^th

@hazels_bookstagram (Review) https://www.instagram.com/hazels_bookstagram/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

I Smell Sheep (Spotlight) http://www.ismellsheep.com/

Books Blog (Spotlight) www.booksblog.co.uk

@mandioyster (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/mandioyster/

Book Tour Organized By:

R&R Book Tours

Thursday, October 20, 2022

The Unlikely Spy Spotlight

Welcome to the book tour for The Unlikely Spy by Sophie Schiller! Read on for more details!

The Unlikely Spy

Publication Date: August 21st, 2022

Genre: Spy Thriller/ Historical Romance/ Historical Fiction

Casablanca meets Notorious in a Hitchcock-style thriller of espionage, romance, adventure, and intrigue.

1917. Emma Christensen is a young widow who returns to the Danish West Indies to reclaim the life and the villa she left behind. When she discovers her husband has disinherited her in favor of his young heir—an illegitimate son—she turns to the one thing she knows, gambling, and soon finds herself deeply in debt.

Emma is approached by Cornelius Smith, a representative of an American shipping line, who offers an alternative: infiltrate the suspicious Hamburg-American Line and spy on its nefarious leader, Julius Luckner, to gain valuable business intelligence for his firm.

It doesn’t take long for Emma to realize that both Smith and Luckner are not as they seem. Close to the Allies but even closer to the enemy, Emma bravely engages in missions that could blow her cover at any moment. But with the Panama Canal at stake, how far will she go to help the Allies?

A gripping and suspenseful World War I spy thriller from an accomplished thriller and historical adventure writer.

Add to Goodreads

Excerpt

From the moment she left the telegraph office, Emma had an eerie feeling that someone was following her. It stayed with her all the way back to the hotel. She felt as if someone was watching her every move although she was quite certain she had slipped past the German in the lobby.

When she returned to her hotel, waited impatiently for Smith’s cable. She called down to the front desk numerous times to ask if any message had arrived for her, but the answer was always no. With no other recourse, she went to bed, tossing and turning half the night, fearing that something terrible had happened to Allendorf and now she was all alone. This was completely unexpected. For several agonizing hours she pondered what she should do, but couldn’t come up with a viable plan. The Germans were watching her every move. She was basically trapped in her hotel room, and Smith was counting on her to complete her mission. But no one could have foreseen such a reversal.

As the hours ticked by, she had an ominous feeling she couldn’t shake, that her life was hanging in the balance. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she had an unsettling feeling that would not quit.

When she could no longer tolerate her insomnia, she picked up the phone and ordered a chamomile tea from room service, hoping it would calm her jangling nerves. When the drink arrived, she splashed a bit of rum in it from her trusty flask. Yet she still had a nagging feeling that something was wrong.

Her eyes fell on her purse. It sat on the nightstand near her bed, just within her reach. She opened it, took out the pistol, and rehearsed priming it so she could use it in a tight spot. She needed to have the movements go like clockwork. There was no room for failure in this business. Luckily it only weighed two pounds. That made slipping it into her pocket easier. The magazine was already loaded with seven bullets. Seven chances to save her life. She gripped the pistol in her right hand and racked the slide, then added a bullet to the barrel. Now it was ready. She flicked the lever to “safe” and set the pistol down on the nightstand. Perhaps now she could sleep.

She lay down, pulled the sheet around her, and turned off the light. She closed her eyes and tried to relax, but she could not fall asleep.

Outside, the moon cast a luminous glow on the surroundings. Crickets croaked their nightly serenade and the stars lit up the heavens. The palm fronds billowed in the breeze. The waves crashing on the rocks sent an ominous warning. Emma found it difficult to sleep in a different bed, and impossible to relax when she had so much on her mind, so much responsibility on her shoulders.

She got up and peered outside. Despite the late hour, there were still people milling about, laughing and heading to restaurants and casinos. Horse carriages trotted past while motorcars meandered down the streets, their glowing lights like the eyes of a puma. Sounds of amusement echoed from the restaurant below. Lights shone from the ships in Manzanillo Bay, creating a scene that was idyllic, almost peaceful. Further out, she could see the lights on the ships waiting to enter the canal. There was a long line of them that suspended off to the horizon. Each one had its own purpose and destination. Each one could be sunk at any time by German torpedoes or hidden bombs. She shivered. An explosion along the canal would cause chaos for the Allies. The Kaiser would gloat in his victory. His generals and their underlings would launch even more attacks. Emma could picture Luckner in his office toasting his triumph, patting himself on the back even as the embers of the canal still glowed.

She went back to bed and covered herself with the sheet, trying to block out her worries. But it was impossible. She had a sense of impending doom. And for some strange reason, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up.

Suddenly she heard a scratching noise near her door. A man’s footsteps shuffled just outside. She froze and listened, not daring to move. Someone was fumbling with the lock, trying to break in. She sat up in bed, listening. She felt her heart stop. Yes, somebody was trying to break in.

She fumbled in the dark for her pistol. She grabbed it, flicked the safety to “fire” then eased herself off the bed. Crouching down on the floor, she listened as the noise continued ever so slightly that it was barely detectable. She sat behind the bed, aiming the pistol, not daring to breathe.

The latch turned and the door opened, allowing just enough light from the hallway to illuminate the figure of a man entering her room. When he was inside, he closed the door behind him and latched it. Her eyes widened. He tiptoed toward the bed and raised his hands as if to attack. Emma’s heart pounded as she released the pistol break and held her breath.

Available on Amazon!

About the Author

Sophie Schiller was born in Paterson, NJ. She is a novelist and a poet. She loves stories that carry the reader back in time to exotic and far-flung locations. Kirkus Reviews has called her “an accomplished thriller and historical adventure writer.” Publishers Weekly called her novel, ISLAND ON FIRE, “a memorable romantic thriller”, her novel RACE TO TIBET, “a thrilling yarn,” and her TRANSFER DAY, “a page-turner with emotional resonance.” Her novel, THE LOST DIARY OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON, was called, “an engaging coming-of-age story of heartbreak, bravery, honor, and triumph” by Kirkus Reviews. She graduated from American University, Washington, DC and lives in New York.

Sophie Schiller | Facebook | Twitter