Black Scorpion: The Tyrant Reborn by Jon Land

Genre: Adult, Suspense

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

From Goodreads:

The next adventure of The Seven Sins' Michael "The Tyrant" Tiranno, Jon Land's Black Scorpion is a pulse pounding action-thriller as he takes on a worldwide human trafficking cabal.

Five years have passed since Michael Tiranno saved the city of Las Vegas from a terrorist attack. And now a new enemy has surfaced in Eastern Europe in the form of an all-powerful organization called Black Scorpion. Once a victim of human trafficking himself, the shadowy group's crazed leader, Vladimir Dracu, has become the mastermind behind the scourge's infestation on a global scale. And now he's set his sights on Michael Tiranno for reasons birthed in a painful secret past that have scarred both men.

Already facing a myriad of problems, Michael once more must rise to the challenge of confronting an all-powerful enemy who is exploiting and ravaging innocents all across the globe and has set nothing less than all of America as its new victim. Black Scorpion has also taken the woman Michael loves hostage: Scarlett Swan, a beautiful archaeologist who was following the dangerous trail of the origins of the ancient relic that both defines and empowers Michael, a discovery that could change history and the perception of mankind's very origins.

With the deck and the odds stacked against him, Michael must come to learn and embrace his true destiny in becoming the Tyrant reborn as a dark knight to triumph over ultimate evil and stop the sting of Black Scorpion from undermining all of the United States and plunging Las Vegas into chaos and anarchy.

My Thoughts:

This was the first book I’d read by this author. I have to say the author is quite the writer.  Reading his book is like watching a major motion picture.  You are along for the ride of your life. It is fast paced and the adventures just keep going. To think all of this suspense is due to one small gold coin. Check out his book.  I will definitely be finding time this summer to read the first book in this series.

Auditory Viewpoint by Lilian R. Melendez

Genre: Adult, Mystery

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This was an excellent book.  I was intrigued by the idea that a blind person would be the one to step up to try to solve a crime.  When Gloria Rank interviewed Benjamin Taylor on her morning radio talk show she had no idea she would need his help.  Benjamin Taylor was an expert on identity theft.  Gloria’s younger sister Anna is a victim of identity theft.  That isn’t the only problem she has. A body has been dumped on Anna’s doorstep ad she has become the prime suspect.  It will be up to her and he sister to find out what is actually going on.

The reason this story intrigued me was because Gloria sets out to help those who are trying to solve this crime learn to use their other senses.  I was right there with her. I had to agree with her character that we don’t utilize our other senses.  About five years ago I had some severe eye problems and was actually losing my sight.  Thankfully several surgeries later and most of it has been restored.  The thing is, I had to learn to rely on my other senses.  I’m a teacher.  I used my hand to guide me down the hallway because it was so blurry.  I could no longer make out the faces of my students so I had to learn the sound of their voice, their walk, or their cologne.  When you can’t see what you are eating on your plate you learn to utilize your smell to find your food. 

This was a great approach to writing this story. It was unique and kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through.  I would highly recommend this book to those who love mystery and intrigue.

The Rise of Mallory by Roy Huff

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.


From Goddreads:
As the epic journey continues, a victorious Owen Sage stands undefeated against his enemies. His last battle in Everville gave rise to a new insidious evil, Mallory; whose determination to defeat him opens and unexplored Pandora's box. Owen's search for truth will unveil the mystery and surprising insights surrounding himself and his friends at Easton Falls University. New creatures will be uncovered and the true value of friendship will be tested, as Owen embarks on yet another battle in Everville.

My Thoughts:
As always Roy Huff has done an excellent job with this third story in his series. In this third book we find Owen Sage, the hero trying to protect both his world and teh world of Everville from Mallory.  If he fails it could mean the destruction of people, animals and other creatures in both worlds. He is not alone in this effort.  He has the help of Zee and Anika.  Like his other books this book is fast paced filled with twists and turns. His world building as always is great.  He seems to be able to create our world and the world of Everville so they flow together.  If you haven't read this series yet I would suggest you begin it.  His next book will be out very soon.