Imminent release: 'Nix Romipen' by Lyz Russo (The Solar Wind series, Book 6)

This book is scheduled to be released on 1 November on Smashwords.

 For a preview, click here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/626032

Nix Romipen

Series: The Solar Wind By Lyz Russo

 

Romania. A place of harsh contrasts; dangerous and beautiful wilderness; a silent invisible people. This is where Federi was born; and this is where he takes Paean in their breakaway from the Solar Wind, their bid for freedom.

But Federi is hunting big game now. He is going after the Unicate, once and for all. The old gypsy curse of Falco is singing loudly in his blood, and he has to finish it. Whether it meets with Paean's approval or not. Too many have died; and despite Captain's politics, the Unicate still exerts its rule of terror in this remote, half-forgotten country.

As he goes after the Unicate, tracing the secret of the Hounds, something larger is tracing him, though. The trip of the Solar Wind into space has alerted some ancient forces. Federi and his best partner, Paean, trade places as he follows Captain back into space while she finds herself in the depths of a Unicate mound, with an unexpected ally, a Unicate "Other"...

For readers who loved the Solar Wind series, this sixth book closes off the first cycle.

We also would like to thank Roughseasinthemed, who has already posted a review of this book on Goodreads.

Here is her review:

Sep 13, 2016 Roughseasinthemed rated it "Really liked it" (4 stars)

This is another great read in the Solar Wind Series by Lyz Russo.

Although the sixth in the series, Russo manages to continue developing the original characters, introduces new ones, and adds unpredictable twists and turns to the plot.

Add to that, the location is always changing, on the earth, on the sea, in the air, in outer space. In Nix, Paean and Federi face their troubled pasts, visiting Paean's former home in the poor parts of Dublin, and Federi's homeland in Rumania and try to unravel further what the Unicate is up to as the pair realises their former neighbours' lives are at risk.

There is, as ever, plenty of tough action, and thoughtful, reflective moments, combined with some lively dialogue.

One aspect that stands out is, who are allies and who are enemies? Who can the crew trust when they meet new people, aliens, immortals, and 'Others'? But, the doubts and uncertainty just add to the suspense. I decided not to guess, just settled in to enjoy the read.

Russo continues to create a good story with every book and leaves us wanting to read more about the crew of the Solar Wind and their wonderful pirate captain Radomir Lascek. I'd join his ship!

To view this book, click here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/626032







For the rest of the series, click here (first book is free). https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/24238

Reviews: "From My Cold Undead Hand" (Marie Marshall) and "The Family Pool" (Lyz Russo)

Two more of our books have recently been reviewed:

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Roughseasinthemed's Reviews >

From My Cold, Undead Hand

From My Cold, Undead Hand byMarie Marshall

Roughseasinthemed's review

Aug 31, 2016

really liked it

I will confess, I was not impressed with the start of this book. Too busy, rushed, and my head was swirling with the action. What's the classic advice? Slow down on the action, speed up the slow parts.

But, when our vampire-hunting heroine, Chevonne, starts to includes extracts from the chronicles of a nineteenth century vampire hunter, the story improves no end.

Chevonne's character is well-drawn and so is the character of her predecessor, Anna Lund, the supposed author of the chronicles. While we don't get so much insight into the other secondary characters, some of them play a pivotal and dramatic role in the plot, affecting Chevonne's future in the vampire-hunting Resistance.

The setting is futuristic, ie some time further on in the 21st century than the present day, so vampire-hunting has moved on somewhat from just wooden stakes and garlic, and the Resistance members have fancy weapons. Even the vampires use guns too.

What makes the book interesting, the deeper you get into it, are the unexpected twists to the plot, and the build-up to the climax. I was totally taken by surprise. From a book that starts with a Buffy-type clone, kicking and killing vampires in high school, the story takes a totally different turn.

It was well worth sticking with past the first couple of chapters. And, a pretty rare occurrence, I started off thinking I'd struggle to give it three stars, and ended up thinking it easily merited four. It's imaginative, unpredictable, well written, with some nice contrasts and similarities between the past and the present vampire hunters.

Chevonne isn't perfect, and makes some prize mistakes. Through her perspective we come to realise that the whole vampire issue is much bigger, more organised and far more dangerous than it originally appeared to be.

The ending? Nicely contrived, and like Chevonne thought, the last significant kill (dock) seemed too easy. But at least it gives the author an opportunity for a sequel. It did however, tie the story up neatly without leaving the reader hanging over the cliff.

 A vampire story with an interesting kick. It's a short book, with few typos, and recommended to anyone who likes vampire tales.

Click here to buy book on Amazon

Click here to buy book from P'kaboo

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The Family Pool

by Lyz Russo Fiction - Short Story 29 Pages Reviewed on 08/29/2016

Email the author

Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite

Mary Jenkinson’s marriage to John Adams was more than she bargained for. The Family Pool by Lyz Russo is an excellent short story of family drama, mystery, and intrigue. Mary found out that once you married into the Adams family, all that glittered was not gold. Even though John appeared to be the man of her dreams, his family legacy held a deep dark secret. On the outside the family possessed wealth, but on the inside there were rules and regulations that all family members obeyed in order to maintain their lifestyles. The family ruler and patriarch, Uncle Daniel, called all the shots in the family, from where the members would live to that of the in-laws. Mary reveals to the family, by mistake, that she's pregnant and begins to wonder upon this announcement what all the whispers and disdain are about. What Mary did not realize is that by her being pregnant she was violating the family's laws of order.

I enjoyed reading The Family Pool by Lyz Russo because not only was it a great story, but Lyz was able to deliver the story, plot, and ending all within this short read. If Alfred Hitchcock was alive, I believe that The Family Pool by Lyz Russo would be one of the stories that he would chose for his mini movie series collections. If you do not like the original ending, Lyz has offered an alternative ending that you may enjoy. I personally liked the original ending because it added an element of suspense to the story. However, the alternative ending can be used as a sequel. If you like family drama, mystery, and suspense tales, get a copy of The Family Pool by Lyz Russo. I am sure that you will enjoy it.

Click here to buy book on Smashwords - coupon code JL54Y for a 100% discount

Click here to buy on Barnes & Noble

 

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  Enjoy! :)

"The Mystery of the Solar Wind" and "The Assassin" (by Lyz Russo), Reviewed!

Thank you to Roughseasinthemed for these two great reviews on Goodreads, of the "Solar Wind" series by Lyz Russo:

Roughseasinthemed's Reviews 

The Mystery of the Solar Wind

The Mystery of the Solar Wind by Lyz Russo (Goodreads Author)

Roughseasinthemed's review

Aug 27, 2016

really liked it

 

I really enjoyed this imaginative, creative, futuristic pirate story. But it's so much more than just a pirate story: dark governmental controlling forces, relationships, genetics, and a total sense of adventure. Russo's characters are great and totally credible. I was surprised how long it was, and there were very few errors for such a long book, so I just dove right in and enjoyed the ride, or, sail.

Buy book from Amazon (paperback)
Download from Smashwords

 

Roughseasinthemed's Reviews 

The Assassin

The Assassin (Solar Wind #2) byLyz Russo(Goodreads Author)

Roughseasinthemed's review

Aug 27, 2016

really liked it

 

This was a fantastic sequel to The Mystery of the Solar Wind. Action-packed may be a cliché but this book was full of action, emotion and nail-biting moments. Loved it from start to finish. Our favourite characters develop more, and happy endings for good people don't always win out so there is gritty realism.

Why not five stars? Well, if you are going to write in Spanish, it's a good idea to get it right. There were errors. And, there was some repetitive phrasing that should have been tightened up. And some silly little proofing errors. Understandable in a long book. Also, I got lost with the assassination targets. The numbers seemed to change. What happened to the ones in Hong Kong? Otherwise, it was a top notch read, recommended.

Buy book from Amazon
Buy from Smashwords

Review for the 8-author shortstory compilation, 'Mercury Silver'

Thank you, Nikki Mason of Bestchicklit, for your sweet review of P'kaboo's 'Mercury Silver' :

What they say:
 
A quirky compilation of short-stories by 8 individualistic authors with very differing styles. Enjoy!

What we say – review by Nikki Mason:

This is a wonderfully eclectic mix of short stories including fairy stories, modern fables and touchingly emotional pieces. If you’re the sort of person who prefers a box of assorted truffles over a bar of dairy milk – this is for you.

For me the stand out stories were Betwixt and Between by Lucy P Naylor, which was disturbing but delightful and charmingly written and Going Home by Lyz Russo, a chilling little tale that uses the short story genre to its full potential. Both had the air of the supernatural about them, which appealed to my gothic tastes. Having said that, all the stories have an air of magic and mystery, even if it’s just the funny little circumstances that life can throw up.

An easy book to dip in and out of and a crazy mix of writing styles, Mercury Silver is totally worth a punt.


Click Here To Buy This Book – UK
Click Here To Buy This Book – US

Reviewed: "Freedom Fighter" (Solar Wind 3)

Thank you, Colleen from Silver Threading, for this lovely review of "Freedom Fighter", the third in the "Solar Wind" series by P'kaboo author Lyz Russo. 

 

In her review Colleen focuses on the teenage relationships in the story, one of the main themes of "Freedom Fighter", inbetween freak waves, terrorist attacks and flying UFOs.

https://silverthreading.com/2016/06/11/silvers-book-reviews-freedom-fighter-solar-wind-3-by-lyz-russo/

 I have to tell you all, I am hopelessly in love with this series. The characters have found their way into my heart. I feel pained every time I come to the end of another exciting installment because I want to know more! I think I must have some gypsy blood running through my veins!

   

What happens next? I’m dying to find out!  

Freedom Fighter finds Captain Radomir Lascek up to his neck in negotiations with the Unicate and other warring factions as he tries to carve out a peaceful treaty to the new world order that has taken over the earth. So much so, that he has no choice but to make his daughter, Rushka Donegal, the captain of the Solar Wind.  

 (Click here to read the whole review at Silver Threading.) 

           

There are currently a few give-away copies of "Freedom Fighter" available at Smashwords: 

 https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/619116 

     

Reviews: "From my Cold, Undead Hand"; "Pink Wish Ice Cream"; "The Assassin"

Three P'kaboo books received great new reviews in the past time:

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From My Cold, Undead Hand  (by Marie Marshall)

Reviewed by Anastacia Zittel for Readers' Favorite

From My Cold Undead Hand (Where the Vampires Are, Volume 1) by Marie Marshall is the first book in what promises to be a thrilling, interesting take on vampire legend and lore. Chevonne Kusnetsov is a teenager living in the near-distant future, a world that you will recognize but it is subtly different from our own. Chevonne is like any other normal teenager - she goes to school, has friends, has a mother who worries about her, stays home alone after school reading books, but her "job" is not the job of normal teenagers - she researches and kills vampires. This isn't a Buffy the Vampire Slayer world, where the vampires are all beautiful, but our world where the vampires just want you dead. Chevonne is a Resistance fighter, and she's out to save mankind.

Marshall does a fantastic job with creating an alternate world for us, where the action happens at a breakneck pace. From using technology that isn't developed yet, to using weapons not designed yet, to using language and phrases not spoken yet, she creates a universe that is strangely familiar to us, yet it's a place where you have to watch your back or you'll be dead. Vampires aren't glamorous, it isn't romantic to meet a vampire in the alley behind the school, and they most certainly don't sparkle. Marshall also does a remarkable job of tying in the classic vampire novel, Dracula, but makes you believe that it's all real. This is a book that will leave you breathless for more!

Where to buy this book:
P'kaboo pdf ebook (Paypal)
Amazon Paperback / Kindle

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Pink Wish Ice Cream (by Andrea Kaczmarek) 

Reviewed by Jean Brown (on Reader's Favourites):

This is a gentle and engaging story and an excellent resource for teachers of younger children to use in the classroom as well as parents at home. The story begins with a clear explanation of the witches to set the context plus, when reading the book to children, they can join in the fun by coming up with ideas for pink objects! There is a carefully crafted build-up so that the children are quickly ‘hooked’ wanting to know what the children are going to wish for and whether or not their wishes will be granted. The text also engages with the children asking them questions linked to recognising good manners – a lovely way to help children learn good manners. Finally, the children are asked to think about what they would wish for which again could lead to lots of discussion linked to thinking of others before yourself. I wonder what Mrs Polly Pink-Witches’ friends (Mrs Scarlett Red-Witch and Mrs Marigold Yellow-Witch) are going to be famous for? More food for thought for the children! Jean Brown

Where to buy this book:
P'kaboo pdf ebook (Paypal)
Amazon Paperback / Kindle Fixed-Layout Children's Ebook

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"The Assassin" (Solar Wind 2) (by Lyz Russo)

Reviewed by Colleen Chesebro from Silver Threading:

The author provided me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review which follows...

Captain Radomir Lascek and his band of unruly pirates, sailing upon his ship, the Solar Wind, continue to hide from the Unicate and their evil associates. However, there is more at stake now. Two data capsules in the Captain's possession explain that the Rebellion is on a similar path as the Unicate, and both forces could spell the end of the world if the Captain doesn't act soon.

When the Captain's secret station in Antarctica is attacked, he is forced to take matters into his own hands. He employs Federi, the part-time gypsy chef/master assassin and Paean, a ship's musician and budding genetic scientist to embark on a mission to assassinate as many of the top Unicate Officials as they can. Reluctantly, Federi teaches Paean the art of killing, something the fifteen-year-old finds to be a necessary evil in this futuristic world they are forced to survive in.

Struggling to deal with the burgeoning feelings he has for Paean, Federi confronts the "killing animal" that dwells within his heart. He knows he has the soul of an assassin. His greatest fear is that he will lose the love and admiration from the young girl, a certain loss he knows he could not endure.

As the story unfolds the reader discovers Federi and Paean share a type of gypsy intuition, a mystical connection that belongs only to them. This psychic ability blossoms into a deep love between the two, even though Federi is much older than Paean. This is gypsy love at its finest, and I was bewitched by the touching love story that drew me deeper into the adventure.

The book is long but filled with so much intrigue and suspense you gladly read on to unravel the various mysteries that are part of the whole adventure aboard the Solar Wind. For me, this book delves deeper into the characters and gives you a glimpse into the mechanics of their personalities. I like these pirates. Their humanity speaks to me. I can't wait to dive into the third book in the series, Freedom Fighter. Stay tuned…

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 4
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars

 Where to buy this book:
P'kaboo pdf ebook / paperback (Paypal)
Amazon Paperback / Kindle
Smashwords ebook

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We thank our reviewers for their time, trouble, and wonderful reviews!

Bookseeker tells of new poetry for Spring

A little touch of haiku in the spring…

April 1, 2016 by bookseekeragency

We have heard from our client Marie Marshall that the Spring 2016 Showcase of the zen space is now published. the zen space is of course the e-zine for haiku and other short, in-the-moment writing. This issue appears to be shot through with paintings by Vincent van Gogh. When asked why, Marie shrugs and says “Why not?” Can’t argue with that! Click on Vincent’s selfie to be transported to the zen space.

By the way, Marie also tells us that the editing process has begun for her novel KWIREBOY vs VAMPIRE, the sequel to From My Cold, Undead Hand, with publication due later this year. Good news – we’re looking forward to it greatly!

Bookseeker Attends International Poetry Festival in Scotland

Stanza 2016

March 6, 2016 by bookseekeragency

Here are some visual memories of this year’s StAnza at St Andrews. As always, the main venues for this exciting poetry festival were the Byre Theatre and the Town Hall, each place having rooms enough for simultaneous presentations, readings, performances, and exhibitions.

Will Philip

I got the chance to meet and chat with several interesting people and to catch some of the excellent poetry sessions. I had a long chat with Scottish poet Will Philip, in which we explored everything from the concept of art, through the poetry as communication, to theology. My good friend and colleague Damo Bullen was there, and we had a chinwag – when he wasn’t checking the Burnley v. Blackburn score on his smartphone – and caught the performance by Jemima Foxtrot together.
Helena Nelson and I, along with another visitor to the HappenStance stall at the Poetry Market, had a long discussion about lip-reading as part of the reception/interpretation of spoken performances. Helena gave me a copy of her book How (Not) To Get Your Poetry Published – thank you Helena, that’ll come in very handy – and told me I should style myself a ‘literary secret agent’ because it sounded much more glamorous.

Helena Nelson

Yes, literary secret agent, I like that.
On top of that there were pieces of cake served on poem-bearing serviettes at the Poetry Market, macaroni pies and Schiehallion ale at the Studio Theatre, and blissful scones at the café in the Byre. StAnza is still in full swing as I write this, but alas my own visits are over until next year…
… when maybe the literary secret agent may even step into an open mic event. You never know.
Paul

Kirsten Luckins

Valerie Laws

Aase Berg

The Poetry Market

Jemima Foxtrot

An exciting review and a winning short-story for Marie Marshall

One of our authors, Marie Marshall is making waves with a double win:

 Firstly, she received a highly exciting review on "Readers' Favourite" for her "From My Cold, Undead Hand". 

"Book Review Reviewed by Anastacia Zittel for Readers' Favorite

From My Cold Undead Hand (Where the Vampires Are, Volume 1) by Marie Marshall is the first book in what promises to be a thrilling, interesting take on vampire legend and lore. Chevonne Kusnetsov is a teenager living in the near-distant future, a world that you will recognize but it is subtly different from our own. Chevonne is like any other normal teenager - she goes to school, has friends, has a mother who worries about her, stays home alone after school reading books, but her "job" is not the job of normal teenagers - she researches and kills vampires.

... (READ MORE HERE) "

Secondly, her short-story "The Ice-House" is a winner at the Winter Words Festival and will be read at Pitlochry; read below for more details.

 

Marie Marshall

A stretch of the Scottish coastline, though deceptively close to the port of Dundee in one direction, and the ancient city of St Andrews in the other, was a lonely expanse of sand dunes little more than a hundred years ago. Nowadays there is a pinewood and a car park near one end of it, and tracks to walk, but back then it was a solitary, almost inaccessible area. Somewhere, hidden in the dunes and pines, is an old ice-house, once used for storing salmon. A young woman, out for a day’s hike in the summer of 1919, stumbles across it, and awakens an old, dark mystery…

That is the premise for my eerie short story ‘The Ice-House’, and if you come along to the Pitlochry Festival Theatre on Friday 12th February, you will hear the whole tale unfold, as it is read out to the audience there by actor Helen…

View original post 38 more words

 

A riveting review for "Split Decision"

How could I have missed this?  Nikki Mason of BestChickLit reviewed "Split Decision" in October.  Thank you so much for this very to-the-point review!

Split Decision – Carmen Capuano

October 23, 2015 Charlotte Foreman Book Reviews, Young Adult Reviews 1

What they say:



 How was Natalie to know that the decision she was about to make between two potential dates, would forever be a pivotal point in her life? That it would mark the time where childhood innocence ended? How could she even imagine that the wrong decision would send her life spiralling into the stuff of nightmares from where she might not come out alive? Life takes a cruel twist of fate when Natalie, a completely average [almost] 16 year old, is forced to make a split-second decision… a decision that will change her future and forever alter her perception of trust, love and the realities of life.





What we say – review by Nikki Mason:
I have to say that this is one of the darkest young adult books I’ve ever reviewed. That’s not necessarily a criticism, but there were times when I felt like a little relief was needed. Having said that, the intensity and increasing sense of danger and horror were both incredible.

Natalie is a very privileged, innocent fifteen-year-old. While shopping with her best friend she is asked out on two dates and must make the choice of which one to accept. Only, she doesn’t know quite how significant that choice will be, a choice that could strip away her cosy life forever.

Natalie is a great character and it’s so interesting to follow her progress throughout one important evening in two separate scenarios. The story splits into two “what ifs” once she has picked her date so readers can see the consequences of either decision, and boy, are there some consequences! It’s a clever format and very intricately plotted but in both evenings the fear and violence never feel far away. It’s a challenging and often uncomfortable read and not for the faint-hearted but well worth a look if you’re after some true grit.


 
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