Book Review: Seven-Sided Spy by Hannah Carmack

Title:  Seven-Sided Spy

Author: Hannah Carmack

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: January 15, 2018

Heat Level: 1 - No Sex

Pairing: Female/Female

Length: 75800

Genre: Suspense Thriller, abduction, historical, spies, revenge, gay, lesbian, secret agents

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37562881-seven-sided-spy

Synopsis:

In the midst of the cold war, the CIA’s finest and most fatal female agent, Diana Riley, vanishes. Kidnapped by the KGB and taken to the backcountry of North Carolina, she and her team of unsavory partners are forced to undergo illegal experimentation.

But, when the experiments leave them horribly deformed and unable to reenter society without someone crying monster, the previously glamorous and high-maintenance spies must escape KGB captivity, and avoid recapture at the hands of Nikola, a ruthless KGB agent with an intense and well-justified grudge against her former flame.

  

My Review:

I’ll be the first to admit history is not something I excelled at, so the time frame of Carmack’s Seven-Sided Spy – the Cold War – isn’t something I have any familiarity with. Having said that, Carmack’s use of slang and descriptions of fashion plunged me into the early 1960’s.

I’m also not a huge espionage-thriller type of guy, that’s more my husband’s shtick. But living with someone who loves that genre means I have had the opportunity to watch every single one of the James Bond movies, and let’s face it, when we’re talking Spy stories, everyone immediately thinks of 007.

What drew me into reading this story was a description I had seen, promising spies with X-men like abilities. Being a huge fan of the X-men, I had to give this a go.

Seven-Sided Spy is laid out quite different in that it follows Diana Riley, Codename: Hera, also known as “the goddess” through a rather tumultuous and dangerous job, fighting off Russian KGB agents, using all her feminine charms and deadly hand-to-hand combat skills. But Diana isn’t the only character that’s given page time. In fact, there are seven different spies, each with their own backstory. Carmack’s ability to create detail-oriented scenes is spectacular, which is surprisingly adept considering this is her debut novel. I got lost in the richness of the stories as they unfolded, and I was completely immersed in each of them. These sections of the book were by far, my favorite. Of note, I totally enjoyed Rigan Hevel, Codename: Marco and Sergei Durova, Codename: Kal’s histories. Not exactly sure why perhaps they felt more relatable to me? Regardless, definitely spots in the book I savored.

There’s a constant struggle back and forth between all of the various characters. Small victories and then followed with earth-shattering losses. Our heroine and her colleagues are captured by the enemy and then experimented on, which ultimately ends in our heroine and her associates developing super-human abilities. Unfortunately, it also means that their physical appearance is altered into inhuman forms making them unable to return to life amongst the regular population.

From there, I’m not saying much more, otherwise, I’ll ruin the twists and turns that this book takes.

There’s a decidedly steep learning curve while reading this book. Each of the characters goes by not only their given name, but also their codename, and some even have nicknames. I found myself flipping to the front of the book where the author has laid out each character and their codenames. At times, it was difficult to keep them all straight.

I also had some mental backflips to do as the timeline of the story not only occurs in the early 1960’s but also jumps further back into history as snippets of the characters former lives are revealed. If you like flashbacks, this is the book for you.

All in, the story is steeped in characters and lively with action, but sometimes a bit of a brain twister to keep everything organized.

Rating:

Available at:

NineStar Press: https://ninestarpress.com/product/seven-sided-spy/

Amazon: http://hyperurl.co/nwcqdf

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/772934

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seven-sided-spy-hannah-carmack/1127744317

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/seven-sided-spy

Meet the Author:

Hannah Carmack is a writer and spends most of her time connecting reluctant readers and bookworms alike to the world of literature and science. Although living with an auto-immune disease is difficult, she finds power in using her writing as a way to convey the world that people with disabilities live in to people who may not fully comprehend it. Her debut novel, Seven-Sided Spy, will be hitting shelves this January with NineStar Press.

Author Links:

Website: http://hannahcarmack.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HannahCarmackAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/manlyhamm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manlyhamm/

Book Review: Beneath the Surface by Rebecca Langham

Title:  Beneath the Surface

Series: The Outsider Project, Book One

Author: Rebecca Langham

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: January 15, 2018

Heat Level: 2 - Fade to Black Sex

Pairing: Female/Female

Length: 93700

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Sci Fi, interspecies, captivity, teacher, politics

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37648481-beneath-the-surface

Synopsis

When a change in collective conscious sends the Outsiders, a group of aliens, to the shadows below the city, humans reason that the demonization of their peers is simply more “humane.” There’s no question, nor doubt. Just acceptance.

Lydia had embraced that sense of “truth” for as long as she can remember. The daughter of a powerful governor, she has been able to live her life with more comforts than most. Comforts can be suffocating, though, and when the opportunity to teach Outsider children in their private, “humane” community becomes available, she takes it.

What she finds beneath the city is far from the truth she had grown to know. There she meets Alessia, an Outsider with the knowledge and will to shake the foundation of all those who walk above ground. The two find a new and unexpected connection despite a complete disconnect from the technological world. Or perhaps in spite of it.

Still, it takes a lot more than an immutable connection to change the world. Lydia, Alessia, and a small group of Outsiders must navigate a system of corruption, falsehoods, and twists none of them ever saw coming, all while holding on to the hope to come out alive in the end. But it’s a risk worth taking, and a future worth fighting for.

My Review

Beneath the Surface, Rebecca Langham’s debut novel, nicely falls into what I would call Soft Sci-Fi, in that the nitty-gritty aspects of science aren’t explored, rather the social sciences are.  As someone who studied Anthropology for several years in University, I was pleasantly surprised to see that this entire novel is a reflection of exactly that: a social experiment gone horrendously wrong.

The story unfolds slowly, eloquently, almost softly if I could put texture to it. The main character, Lydia, the daughter of a powerful politician, is a teacher in a society where being constantly connected to the “Hive” is a direct equivalent to our current modern day reliance on the internet and social media. Lydia, who could have chosen to do or be just about anything given her privileged family, selects a most unusual contract of going into the underground community where an alien race has been placed; a sought-after refuge and sanctuary.  She teaches the alien children a very sterile and prescriptive curriculum all under the guise of protecting them. But security and shelter equate to nothing less than ensuring Earth’s human population maintains its own cultural standing as the prominent species.

There are some not-so-subtle comparisons that can be made throughout this story to the many refugee crises that have occurred in recent years in our own timeline. Not to mention how we as a society treat those we might consider ‘Outsiders’.  Who belongs and who doesn’t? How do we identify those who are different than us? How do we treat anyone else who doesn’t resonate with exactly what we are? What are those differences? Skin tone? Sexuality? Gender? Nationality?

The number of times I read passages from this book and then thought about the news I had seen the night before often sent shivers down my spine.

We as a species simply need to do better – and this story amplifies that.

I still haven’t captured all the complex and underlying themes that were covered in this novel, and I’m sure that I could read it again and uncover more terrifying parallels. Of course, there’s a hook at the end of the book, setting up the story for a sequel. I can’t tell you what that is, but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I had it figured out about halfway through the story – and yet, when it is revealed, it still comes off as shocking and abhorrent.

Langham has told this story in a crafty way. None of the themes explored in this novel point out where our own humanity is desperately failing, nor does it come off as abrupt or in-your-face. Instead, they are hinted at, even glossed over, and I found myself thinking about them pages later.

Shameful things we do to each other are like that though, aren’t they? We so often see the blunt and horrifying stories told on the Ten O’clock news. Stories that shake us, repulse us and draw immediate reactions. However, I think it’s the casualness of our faults, be it racism, homophobia, sexism (and certainly this is not an exhaustive list), that are our most hideous stains upon humanity. And that’s exactly how I felt as this story progressed. How easily we are manipulated as a society by media, how numb we become to bad behaviour and accepting what everyone else considers ‘the norm.’

I would be remiss if I didn’t say that I wanted more. More details about the alien race, how they were different, where they came from, how the technology in this world worked, but then it would have altered the flavour of this book. This is really an insidious exploration of how terrible we are at being human. It truly is a glimpse beneath our own surfaces.

Rating:

  

Available at:

NineStar Press: https://ninestarpress.com/product/beneath-the-surface/

Amazon: http://hyperurl.co/egei88

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/772940

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beneath-the-surface-rebecca-langham/1127744319

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/beneath-the-surface-65

Meet the Author

Rebecca Langham lives in the Blue Mountains (Australia) with her partner, three children, and menagerie of pets. A Xenite, a Whovian and all-round general nerd, she’s a lover of science fiction, comic books, and caffeine. When she isn’t teaching History to high schoolers or wrangling children, Rebecca enjoys playing broomball and reading.

Author Links

Website: http://www.rebeccalangham.com.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RLanghamAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rlangham85

Instagram: https://instagram.com/Beckles1985

Book Review: The Calling by M.D. Neu

Title:  The Calling

Author: M.D. Neu

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: January 1, 2018

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 108300

Genre: Paranormal, paranormal, gay, dark, immortal, magic users, psychic ability, vampires

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36990715-the-calling

Blurb:

Being a nobody isn’t Duncan Alexander’s life goal, but it’s worked for him. He has a nondescript job, a few good friends, and overall he’s content. That’s until one fateful trip to San Jose, California, where he is “Called” to meet the mysterious Juliet de Exter. Juliet is a beautiful, wealthy, powerful Immortal who is undertaking The Calling—a search for a human to join her world of Immortals. Inexplicably, Duncan’s calling is more dangerous than any of the Immortals, even Juliet, ever thought it would be.

There is more to this nobody, this only child of long-deceased parents, than anyone thought. When Duncan experiences uncontrollable dreams of people he doesn’t know and places he hasn’t been, Juliet and the other Immortals worry. Soon, his visions point to a coven of long-dead witches. The dreams also lead Duncan to his one true love. How will Duncan navigate a forbidden romance with an outcast Immortal? How will he and the others keep the balance between the Light and Dark, survive vicious attacks, and keep the humans from learning who they truly are? More importantly, who is this implacable foe Duncan keeps seeing in his dreams?

The Review:

The Calling by MD Neu is an interesting romp through a new version of the Vampire mythos. Neu has created (for me) a version of the legendary creature that is reminiscent of the Fae, featuring both Light and Dark sides to this tribe of predators. As the story unfolds and the vampire lore is discovered I was reminded (fondly) of The Hunger (1983 film with Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, and Susan Sarandon), Lost Girl (TV series 2010-2015 with Anna Silk) and the infamous Twilight series by Stephanie Meyers.

The writing is unapologetically casual, and easy going. The blurb states “Being a nobody isn’t Duncan Alexander’s goal, but it’s worked for him.” And as Duncan is the narrator of the story, you quickly get a sense that his character is uncomplicated, honest, and simple.

Nothing, however, could be further from the truth. 

Without spoiling any fun, let’s just say that Duncan is anything but ‘a nobody’ and as he becomes enveloped into the world of immortals we find out how truly unique and special he is.
I suppose the one downside for me was the oddly lighthearted, and at times glamorous lifestyles of the Light side of the vampire clan where Duncan starts his journey. I had a hard time relating to Juliet, Duncan’s maker, and leader of the Light as she was more like a fairy godmother than a vampire. 

I’ve always had a penchant for dark and creepy, and it wasn’t until the introduction and more grotesque scenes of the Dark side of the immortal world, and the brilliant descriptions of Duncan’s visions where I was treated to the dank underbelly of the magical realm I so enjoy. I instantly fell for the charms of Victor, the leader of the Dark clan. He was quick to anger, prone to whim and fancy, and decidedly nefarious in his dealings – just the kind of creature I enjoy – he was charismatic, handsome, spellbinding and completely untrustworthy. I loved him, and his motley crew of dark companions.

Neu captured my attention with his main character’s coupling – a love interest from the Dark tribe. The history of Kirtus was most inventive. A vampire who through strange circumstance ended up on the wrong side and who shall remain there forevermore. Neu adds a special element to vampiric lore as each one has a special gift. Kirtus has the ability to control the elements, and is a redhead, so what’s not to love? I’m excited to see where this relationship goes.
There are little shots of humor scattered throughout this story as well, including a small dig at the current political climate – well done – that gave me a good giggle.
I was disappointed to discover that true magic with its infinite possibility and unchecked potential is not something humans can handle. I’d love nothing more than to see a clumsy witch attempt spells with this type of magic. The carnage would be spectacular.
The last few pages of the novel set this story up for a sequel and I’m already chomping at the bit to read how the next great battle between good and evil (or perceived good and evil) comes to pass.
So, if you’re interested in a new spin around the block in the Vampire-mobile, one where high fashion meets creative blood infused cuisine, masquerade parties, magic, pomp, and circumstance, tradition and ritual, then you’re in for a treat.

Rating:

Purchase Links:

NineStar Press: https://ninestarpress.com/product/the-calling/

Amazon: http: http://hyperurl.co/uhvg88

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/769919

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1127687304

Kobo: https: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-calling-80

Meet the Author:

M.D. Neu is a LGBTQA Fiction Writer with a love for writing and travel. Living in the heart of Silicon Valley (San Jose, California) and growing up around technology, he’s always been fascinated with what could be. Specifically drawn to Science Fiction and Paranormal television and novels, M.D. Neu was inspired by the great Gene Roddenberry, George Lucas, Stephen King, Alfred Hitchcock and Kim Stanley Robinson. An odd combination, but one that has influenced his writing.

Growing up in an accepting family as a gay man, he always wondered why there were never stories reflecting who he was. Constantly surrounded by characters that only reflected heterosexual society, M.D. Neu decided he wanted to change that. So, he took to writing, wanting to tell good stories that reflected our diverse world.

                                         

When M.D. Neu isn’t writing, he works for a non-profit and travels with his biggest supporter and his harshest critic, Eric, his husband of eighteen plus years.

Author Links:

Website: http://www.mdneu.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mdneuauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Writer_MDNeu