THE JUDGMENT by D.J. Niko

Publisher:     Medallion

Published:     May 10, 2016

ISBN:        978-1942546221

Genre:      Historical Fiction

Format:     Print  

Obtained via:  Publisher

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com

THREE -1/2 HEARTS

 

Solomon’s daughter, Basemath, finds herself in the middle of a battle unlike any other on the heels of her father’s death.  Adored by her father, as much as she adored him political intrigues swirl around her—intrigues she has no idea about.  At the root of these machinations is her mother, Nicaule, a minor daughter of Pharaoh Psauennes II.  Some 40 years ago as a young king Solomon journeyed to Egypt to negotiate for both Israel and Egypt’s mutual futures.  In the midst of the negotiations Solomon first lays eyes on Nicaule and in an instant he knows he must have her. Nicaule, however, is not flattered by the Israeli King’s attraction—she is in love with another.  One she has promised herself to.  And so begins forty years of subversion to the goals set by Solomon, subversion that will ultimately pull apart his family and perhaps destroy the future of his beloved country.

I’m such a huge fan of D.J. Niko that the moment I saw her newest book, THE JUDGMENT, I requested it for review.  I was anticipating another addition to her fantastic Sarah Weston Chronicles which, if you haven’t’ read them, you really need to check them out.  THE JUDGMENT is a new venture for Niko and she does not disappoint.  Admittedly I’m a fan of well written and particularly well researched historical fiction.  Niko relates her historical facts with an intriguing story, one that draws you in and keeps you turning the pages. 

Once I realized this was not a Sarah Weston book it was easy to fall into Basemath and Nicaule’s story.   There were points when I had a little problem following and some of the religious-based dialogue did not appeal to me.  I felt at times it was almost like reading a religious tract or the Bible which is no problem if that’s what you are looking for. The well-known wisdom of Solomon isn’t seen the pages of the story but because of his place in history it isn’t necessary.  What Niko does really well is showing how love or infatuation can color our ability to see reality or follow what is really the best path.  Given what we mostly hear about Solomon his weakness when it came to his first wife was an eye opener.

Parts seemed to drag a points but always picked up.  THE JUDGMENT isn’t a bible story per se but it does factor in, but the story wouldn’t be the story it is without that aspect.  It is historical fiction and while the elements of betrayal in love and intrigue in relationships is part of the story it could not really be told in any other time period.

What would be very cool is for Niko to tie this story into one of her Sarah Weston books….now THAT would be a story to tell and read!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

THE ORACLE BY D.J. Niko

Publisher:     Medallion

Published:     November 15, 2015

ISBN:        978-1605426273

Genre:      Thriller, Romantic Suspense

Format:     Print – Paperback ARC

Obtained via:  Publisher

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com

FOUR HEARTS

393 CE a woman flees her captors, seeking sanctuary in a hidden cave.  This is no ordinary woman—she is a seer, a priestess of Apollo. But despite evading her captors she still cannot evade her death.   In one final act she tries to leave a record of her story.

Recovered from a horrific plane crash, one caused by human design rather than accident or act of nature, Daniel Madigan is back doing what he loves best—working on an archaeological dig.  But his partner and the woman he loves, Sarah Weston, knows something is wrong.  Despite all they have been through together, Daniel simply will not confide what is going on to Sarah.  Instead he turns to Valium and endures sleepless nights.  Such is the price to pay for a deal with the Devil.

When part of that unholy deal takes Daniel away from the dig Sarah is angry, yet determined to find out what is going on with him.  While Daniel takes instructions, following a path to an object he knows only has minor historical significance, but one several powerful people want.  Sarah too looks for the item.  Seeming at cross purposes they pursue the same object, always missing each other, keeping their knowledge from each other when they do find themselves together.

Each is taken prisoner by a madman—but a well-connected one who is determined to bring about the destruction of the world as we know it.  Can they trust each other to find the object and stop the man behind the pending carnage?  Or will they find themselves as the young priestess did…writing their stories on the walls of a cave before they die?

I’ve enjoyed D.J. Niko’s Sarah Weston books from the beginning with THE TENTH SAINT.  Niko combines non-stop action against a fascinating historical backdrop.  To that she adds a hint of romance between Daniel and Sarah.  They love each other.  There is no doubt about that.  But time and circumstances keep pulling them apart.  In her latest, THE ORACLE, Niko puts them through the ultimate test of trust—the secret Daniel is keeping from Sarah is perhaps the most painful of all.  I found myself practically yelling at the character “Tell her, just tell her!”  But if he did, he would no longer be the Daniel readers have come to know. 

While the series is the Sarah Weston chronicles, THE ORACLE is very much Daniel’s story.  Switching focus is not an easy thing for an author and reader to do, but the way Niko does it is seamless.  There is no way Sarah’s story in this book could be told without Daniel’s being in the forefront.

Both Sarah and Daniel are smart, professional and above all ethical.  They seek historical objects to preserve, not own them.  And they would never use them for their own gain yet in THE ORACLE Daniel is put in the position of having to perhaps compromise his very value system.  Niko does a fantastic job showing how he battles not only that demon, but his own inner fears in the aftermath of the plane crash that almost killed him in THE RIDDLE OF SOLOMON. 

I also enjoyed the inner weaving of what is in many ways a parallel story with the events of the fourth century with Sarah’s in the modern day.  It is almost as if Sarah is righting the wrong done centuries before.

This series makes me want to go on an archaeological dig myself or at least take a class in the subject.  I can’t wait for the next instalment.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

Riddle of Solomon by D.J. Niko

Publisher:    Medallion Press

Published:   July 1, 2013

ISBN:       978-1605425290

Genre:    Suspense

Format:   Ebook   

Obtained via:  Publisher

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com

FIVE HEARTS

In the midst of an archaeological dig in Saudi Arabia Sarah Weston and anthropologist Daniel Madigan, stumble on a rare, ancient scroll.  When local Bedouins attack the dig site, take demand the scroll and threaten their lives if they don’t leave, Sarah and Danny do what any self-respecting scientist would do—they start digging into the history of the object.

They turn first to a specialist in ancient languages—an Israeli working at King Saud University.  While she offers some help, the puzzles of just where the scroll came from remains.  When Danny and Sarah return to the dig site it is to find it in flames and raiders intent of destroying everything in their path.  Determined more than ever to solve the puzzle of the scroll they venture beyond the Saudi desert and make their way to Israel. 

But their mission is not without missteps and intrigue.  A man by the name of Briton, Trent Sacks is also looking for the scroll.  He believes that he is, in fact, the last descendant of the House of David in the line of Solomon.  He is determined to prove he is the Jewish Messiah.  Step by step he dogs Sarah and Danny’s steps…or are they following in his?  With danger at every turn and death following them where ever they venture next, Sarah and Danny are more than ever convinced that the scroll holds the key to more than just a buried treasure.  Can they find the truth before Sacks finds them?

I read D.J. Niko’s THE TENTH SAINT a few years ago and really enjoyed the story as well as the characters.  Sarah and Danny aren’t fresh out of college kids off on an adventure—they are mature adults, approaching their 40’s.  They are intelligent, creative, strong willed and perfect foils for each other.  In THE RIDDLE OF SOLOMON, draws on Biblical and historical lore and knowledge to weave a fabulous story.  I’m glad I started the book while on vacation because I pretty much sat for two days straight reading the almost 500 pages, unable to put it down except when I was just too tired to stay up and read any longer. 

Archelogy and anthropology fascinate me, but readers do not have to be fans of either to really enjoy the RIDDLE OF SOLOMON.  All you need is to be looking for a good story with well-drawn characters.  Niko doesn’t just tell a good story—her scenes are fleshed out with marvellous descriptions of the locales the characters find their way in to.  When the story wends its way to India, and Niko describes the litter, debris and treatment of the Ganges, the reader knows exactly not only what it looks like but how it smells.  When she describes the fine sheen of sand covering Sarah’s arms in the desert, you know just what it feels like.  Niko knows how to evoke visceral responses in her readers and does a fabulous job bringing them out. 

If you are looking for a truly outstanding read, RIDDLE OF SOLOMON is definitely one to check out.  You do not have to have read book 1, THE TENTH SAINT to be up to speed but I’d recommend picking it up if for no other reason it too is a great read.

This is an objective review and an endorsement of this book.

 

THE TENTH SAINT by D.J. Niko

Publisher: Medallion
Date published: January 25, 2012
ISBN 9781605422459
Thriller, Paranormal
Paperback
Reviewed by Gina
Obtained by Publisher


Archeologist Sarah Weston has been trying to leave her family legacy behind and carve out a career that is all her own. On a dig in Ethiopia she stumbles on something very curious—a body in a plain wooden box buried in a cave. Something tells her this is an incredibly special find and despite admonitions from her university and the local authorities, Sarah continues on the site. Much to her chagrin television personality, pseudo archeologist in her book, Daniel Madigan arrives at the dig. Despite her best efforts, Daniel undertakes the investigation with her—just who is the man in the coffin and why was he such an odd fashion? With the death of an Ethiopian national, the dig is shut down and Sarah and Daniel told to leave.

But Sarah does not comply. Rather she heads to a monastery where she believes she will find the answers to why, among other curious things, a Coptic cross was found at the site. Sarah cannot reset until she learns just who the man in the coffin was. There are tales of nine saints, was this man perhaps a tenth, saint? If so, why has he been hidden away? Someone doesn’t want Sarah and Daniel to find out and their research explodes before them in more ways than one.

Meanwhile, a man known only as Gabriel finds himself rescued by a group of nomads. They take the blond haired man who remembers nothing of his life into their tribe, they teach him their ways and shelter him until one day Gabriel wakes and finally remembers his own past. There are things Gabriel knows that he cannot explain to the tribe and one day he knows he must leave. It is when his journey and Sarah’s intersect that Sarah’s life is in danger. But how could a simple man, once lost in the desert, be the instrument that could eventually end Sarah’s life?

When I first picked up D.J. Niko’s THE TENTH SAINT I anticipated a thriller. Plain and simply an action packed thriller. D.J. delivers on that and then goes a step further. She weaves a second story, that of Gabriel’s, into Sarah and Daniel’s story. But she does it oh so subtly. Reading the two stories, in a sense side by side, you are drawn into Sarah’s dig and quest as to who the man in the coffin was and at the same time, mesmerized by Gabriel’s journey. You ache for Gabriel and his lost love and for the life he had. Yet are inspired by the life he now leads. What you don’t see coming is what happens when Sarah and Gabriel’s stories intersect. It certainly blindsided me! When I read it I went back to several other chapters, still reeling from the revelation of their connection. I didn’t miss anything but at the same time Ms. Niko drew me so deeply into both stories I never saw the answer coming. What a brilliant twist! There are hints along the way and you think “maybe, just maybe” but you just don’t expect that final outcome.

I was pleased to see that Sarah Weston will be back in another thriller before too long—I wonder how Ms. Niko will surprise me then.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

IN ENEMY HANDS by Michelle Perry

Publisher: Medallion Press
Date published: April, 2006
ISBN: 978-1932815474
Contemporary Romantic Suspense
e-book/paperback
Reviewed by Tammy
Obtained by publisher


Michelle Perry’s IN ENEMY HANDS takes readers on a journey of discovery where appearances deceive and action is paramount.

Bounty hunter Dante Giovanni has been hired by Gary Vandergriff to bring home his estranged daughter, Nadia, who he claims is in danger of being kidnapped by her drug dealing step-father’s enemies. When Gary’s story appears to check out, Dante goes in search of Nadia and foils an attempt on her life. He then falls hard for Nadia and after handing her over to Vandergriff realizes he has been duped by the real enemy. Does he take the money and run or find a way to save Nadia after all?

Michelle Perry has penned an interesting and at times outlandish romantic suspense based on deception and trickery. The hero of the story, Dante Giovanni, knows the pain of losing a child and sees the chance to return Nadia to the safety of her “father” as an opportunity to right a wrong. Nadia is a brazen and daring young woman who takes life by the horns. My problem with these characters was that Nadia came off as extremely young and naïve while Dante has been married, divorced, has a young child he doesn’t see, has served in the armed forces, lived and worked all over the world and earned a reputation as a bounty hunter that has clients seeking him out. Are they really supposed to be only a few years apart in age? They just didn’t fit together very well. Even though Perry describes Nadia as “a little younger than himself (Dante), probably in her early twenties”, this reader had to go back to the beginning of the book to search for a description to find out just how old she was supposed to be after she notices Dante in a restaurant, walks up and starts flirting with him, seductively bites his ear and then sits back down “in a corner booth with another girl and two boys who could’ve been pinups in a teen magazine.” Her behavior from that point until the last 2-3 chapters of the book did nothing to alter this teenager playing at being an adult image. It may be a minor sticking point, but it is one that festers throughout the story.

The other character that this reader had a problem with was one of Nadia’s bodyguards, Waynie. What kind of bodyguard, or even man for that matter, goes around with a name like Waynie? Why Perry didn’t simply call him Wayne this reader cannot imagine. Every time the name came up in the story, the pace of the story seemed to stutter because of the strangely ill-fitting and childlike name. That said, the evil Gary Vandergriff character was really well written and readers have no doubt Nadia is in real trouble when she finally meets him face to face.

On the plus side, the action in this story was fast, furious and plentiful. Although it is near impossible to imagine any woman in her right mind, no matter how desperate, jumping out of a plane without a parachute simply because the man she has the hots for tells her he will catch her. Still, the scene was totally engrossing and worked in the story as did many of the over the top action scenes described as the action escalates. Had the romance between the characters been more believable, this story would have been a real page turner. However, once Gary has his hands on Nadia, she does seem to mature and come into her own, so the story did end up working by the end.

All in all, Michelle Perry’s IN ENEMY HANDS was a fast paced and action packed romantic suspense that this reader found enjoyable. Perry’s writing style takes a lot of chances, is unique and is bound to improve in future books. This reader really looks forward to seeing what Ms. Perry releases next.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

A KNIGHT’S PERSUASION by Catherine Kean

Book 4 in the Knight Series
Publisher: Medallion Press
Date published: May 2010
ISBN: 978-160542096-7
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Author


Edouard de Lanceau made a mistake years before-he made a bet to steal a kiss from the Lady Juliana de Greyne-which lead to a bitter misunderstanding and no match between Edouard and Juliana. Years later, Edouard finds an unconscious woman lying on the side of the road and is shocked to recognize her as the Lady Juliana. Determined to keep her safe, he struggles to find a safe haven for Juliana as enemies of his father return to Moydenshire who are determined to make Lord Geoffrey’s family pay. Can Edouard find a way to save not just him but Juliana as well before it is too late? Lady Juliana de Greyene wakes up with no idea who the man is beside her or what happened to her. All she knows is that Edouard insists he knows her but how does he know her-are they lovers or something more sinister-a murderer?

A KNIGHT’S PERSUASION is a wonderful historical romance that will completely captivate you from beginning to end. Ms. Kean is a talented writer who knows how to make any setting come alive and her characters are multi-dimensional. Her characters fairly step off the pages and sit beside you as you read this latest Knight’s installment and you feel like you know them by the time the last page is read. Fast paced storyline, rich in details and tight writing make up this new addition and I was blown away by the sheer enjoyment you get inside the book.

Meet Edouard de Lanceau, the son of famed Lord Geoffrey de Lanceau of Moydenshire. A youthful bet had left him out in the cold after Lady Juliana rebuffs him and now years later, he is surprised to find her hurt and unconscious on the side of the road. Trying to find a safe place for Juliana and himself, he finds himself at the mercy of the enemies of his father. Now chained in the tower, Edouard has to convince Juliana he is the good guy while trying to get them both out alive. Julliana fell for Edouard years before when they first met but finding out about the bet against her was a shock and a bitter pill to swallow. Years later, hurt, no memory of what happened and her feelings for Edouard run deep-deeper than even she realized. Who is this man who insists he knows her and is he the killer who is after her? These two main characters are perfect for each other. Both have foibles that make them more real to me and very intriguing. Both are interesting apart but together make for an explosive combination. You could literally feel the sparks and tension between them amid the pages and I was rooting for them to finally find their “Happily Ever After”. Some wonderful secondary characters keep the pace flowing smoothly and I am looking forward to see if they are included in future books of the Knight Series.

A KNIGHT’S PERSUASION is a wonderful historical romance that will literally transport you to the time of King John, sexy yet vulnerable heroes and the feisty heroines who tame them. The best thing about this series is that you don’t have to actually read them in order to get the back-story of the other Knight books. I do recommend doing so as some events mentioned in A KNIGHT’S PERSUASION and may be a little confusing to you. If you enjoy a well written historical romance, then grab Ms. Kean’s Knight Series and her latest installment, A KNIGHT’S PERSUASION. Then settle in for hours of reading pleasure. I look forward to seeing what comes next from one of my favorite writer.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

DARKSCAPE: REDEMPTION Book 2 in Darkscape series by R. Garland Gray

Publisher: Medallion Press
Date published: December 2009
ISBN: 978-1933836553
Futuristic/Science Fiction/Action Adventure Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Obtained by Publisher
Reviewed by Dawn




Declan de Douglas is given a second chance at life when he is made into what his half brother, Lachlan is-a human with matrix infused inside him. Even though he has family and friends, he feels he needs to regain their trust and forgiveness for it was his help that almost destroyed his brother, his new wife and their clan. Now on a mission to Planet Forest to negotiate trade alliances, he finds himself not able to deal with the peril that haunts Braemer Keep. He wakes to find himself collared and a slave. Princess Fallon didn’t want to be an ornament for any man but doesn’t know what to do about it until Declan walks into her life and touches her heart. Can Fallon find a way to save Declan from the life of a slave and accept who he is now?

REDEMPTION is a wonderful story full of action, adventure, romance and mystery all tied up with a big red bow by author R. Garland Gray. This is an author who continues to amaze me with her masterful storytelling. Each book by Ms. Gray continues to be better and better. I can honestly say this is my favorite Futuristic series to date and the story is rich with historical information as well as wonderful characters to enjoy. If you enjoy a high speed story set in space, then get ready for DARKSCAPE: REDEMPTION.

Meet Declan de Douglas, a man who was given a second chance at the end of Rebel Lord, and is infused with the matrix like his brother, Lachlan. Determined to win their trust and forgiveness, he goes to Planet Forest to try to broker a trade alliance with Clan MacKendrick, only to find himself collared and having no memory of his life before. Enter in Princess Fallon, a woman who grew up in lap of luxury yet finds her life is empty of something that even she has no idea of what….that is until she meets and falls for Declan. Chaos arrives as both find themselves stuck in peril as clans erupt and a third party watches as his evil plans become known. Can Fallen help Declan regain his memory and accept the man he is now? These two are very relatable characters and kept me glued to the computer screen till the very end. With some great secondary characters to keep the story flowing smoothly, Ms. Gray delves into Declan’s story with gusto and I loved how she redeemed the man we all met in Rebel Lord, book 1 of the Darkscape series.

Tight writing, fast paced storyline and lots of twists will keep you on the edge of your seat as you read the next installment of the Darkscape series, REDEMPTION. Ms. Gray is a wonderful storyteller who captivates her readers from the first page to the last. If you enjoy a high energy story, then I highly suggest you grab REDEMPTION and the first book, Rebel Lord. I do recommend reading Rebel Lord first to understand Declan’s back story and the events that played there. The Darkscape series is one you can read a multitude of times and still be blown away by it all. I just hope we won’t have to wait long for the next adventure in the Darkscape world.


THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW