“Dare” by Abiola Abrams

SEXY AND SEDUCTIVE

Maya Hope was hopeless. After she left her fiancé, her world and her life seemed doomed to failure. Then a chance meeting with the biggest name in the hip hop industry thrusts Maya into the national spotlight.

Going undercover to expose the playas and the hatas in the business, what Maya didn’t expect was to lose herself in the music. Can Maya survive, or will Maya Hopeless fail yet again?

The debut novel from Abiola Abrams is sleek. Her expose of the hip hop world is entertaining and intriguing. Each character is interesting and colorful, making the reader to learn more about them.

Abrams’s book is a fantastic first attempt. Readers are not going to be able to put it down. They will become lost in the behind-the-scenes world of hip hop and will never want to leave. -4 Stars – Reviewed by Leigh O’Donovan, Authors on the Rise Book Reviews.

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (December 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416541667
• ISBN-13: 978-1416541660

“Gateway of the Gods” by Craig Hines

SQUARE THE CIRCLE

Using science, technology and a little bit of logic, historical myths and religious parables are called into question. This book will make readers rethink everything they’ve ever known. Everything from angels, demons and the paranormal will be addressed. Nothing is safe, and everything will be cast in a new light.

First-time author Craig Hines challenges readers to look beyond what they have been taught and accept a new reality. His interest in using scientific methods to investigate history sheds interesting light on everything we thought we knew.

Hines’s apparent fascination with questioning history through science will appeal to readers who yearn for the truth. Readers will become entranced in the “new” history that Hines is telling. – 3 Stars – Reviewed by Leigh O’Donovan, Authors on the Rise Book Reviews.

· Paperback: 432 pages
· Publisher: Numina Media Arts (January 9, 2007)
· Language: English
· ISBN-10: 097855910X
· ISBN-13: 978-0978559106

“What’s Done In the Dark” by Avah LaReaux

SECRETS ARE MADE AND KEPT IN THE DARK

On the outside, Marcus and Lynette Clayton appear to be happy. A former NFL player, Marcus has turned to broadcasting to support his wife and two beautiful children. And, although Marcus and Lynette have strayed in the past, they have made the commitment to their family and are making it work. Or, are they?

When Marcus finds out about his son from one of his hook ups, Lynette is thrown into a tail spin. Hurt, she finds comfort in the arms of her lover, Eric. So, what happens when Lynette finds out she’s pregnant, and she doesn’t think it’s her husband’s baby? Only Marcus can learn to forgive and forget. Will he?

This is the first book in the Lost and Found series, and Avah LaReaux does an excellent job relating the interactions of the people in a southern city. The emotions and feelings of the characters are real and raw, making them relatable to the readers.

This quick read is interesting and straight forward. Readers will be wondering what decisions the characters will make, and how that will affect their lives. In the end, it will make readers think before they do anything in the dark. – 4 Stars – Reviewed by Leigh O’Donovan, Authors on the Rise Book Reviews

“Star Dragon” by Mike Brotherton

WITHIN THE STARS, A SERPENT APPEARS

The crew of the Karamojo seeks the star dragon for different reasons. But, for Fisher, it is an all-consuming obsession. He must live the dragon, breathe the dragon, know the dragon. And, as the crew members begin to pair off, Fisher must not let his feelings for the captain Fang interfere with his true quest of capturing a dragon.

But, the dragons prove to be smart and catching one seems impossible. If Fisher and the crew are to succeed, they must set aside their feelings for one another and work as an unselfish team. If they can do this, they may just accomplish their mission.

Mike Brotherton expertly weaves a tale of sex and science. A rookie science fiction reader may be overwhelmed by the astronomy jargon, but the story pulls through, and anyone can appreciate the plot.

Brotherton is to be commended for his imagination. His attention to detail paints a picture of the future that is not only believable, but also realistic. Brotherton should continue to churn out more novels for the science fiction aficionado. – 3 Stars – Reviewed by Leigh O’Donovan, Authors on the Rise Book Reviews

The Two by Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc

EVIL, TIMES TWO

Pressley Barclay was a well-known horror author looking for some inspiration. When he bought a foreboding gothic, country estate with a checkered past, he thought he found exactly what he needed.

But, when he finds the mirror that was meant to be kept hidden, he is transported to another world. This world is dark and mysterious and inhabited by the two. Can Pressley solve the centuries-old mystery and free the two from their purgatory?

Award-winning writer Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc creates a dark and sinister tale that strikes fear into even the most seasoned horror reader. Her attention to detail is unparalleled and paints a world of despair.

Van Scoyoc does a masterful job in shocking the reader. Her in-depth narration of the murderous deeds of the two will astonish the reader to his or her core. “The Two” is truly evil and will be a favorite in any horror connoisseur’s library. -4 Stars

The Ghost of Governor's Bridge - Skip Stover

Sarah’s friend tells her the story of a girl, Sally, who lived in her house almost 30 years before. Sally’s story is one of love, betrayal and the struggle of a sheltered girl coming into the age of maturity. When Sarah finds out that she is pregnant, she can’t help thinking that her life is mirroring that of the unwed mother Sally. And, when she begins to see a man in black, much like Sally, Sarah knows her demise is not far off. But, one can only hope that Sarah’s family, boyfriend and sanity can pull through before her young life is taken from her.

REVIEW OF THE GHOST OF GOVERNOR'S BRIDGE BY SKIP STOVER BY LEIGH O'DONOVAN

The storyline behind Skip Stover’s “The Ghost of Governor’s Bridge” is clever. Two girls, who existed decades apart, have their lives run parallel creating a deja vous effect for readers. And, the reader can only hope that Sarah does not repeat Sally’s tragic mistake.

However, it appears that research is not Stover’s forte. Many elements with in the ghost story are out of touch with 70s time period. He also quickly divulges the fact that Sarah is pregnant in the first chapter, but then addresses it again later in the book. Having it revealed so early leads the reader to anticipate what the ending is going to be almost immediately.

Stover could have a good book on his hands if he would just pay more attention to detail and not give away so many facts at the start of his novel. Tighter and better research writing must be executed to make this a winner. – 1 STAR

Dangerous Love - Skip Stover

After losing her parents, Krista’s life finally began to get back on track. She just graduated with her doctorate, was hand chosen for a position at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and had just landed herself a new boyfriend, Al. But, could he be too good to be true?

Al’s associates were suspicious at best, and they certainly weren’t entirely trusting of him either. But, they desperately needed him to get close to Krista, earn her confidence. The information she had would aid them in their terroristic plans. Memorial Day 2011 would be a day of testing loyalties – to friends, love and country. Which one will prevail?

BOOK REVIEW FOR DANGEROUS LOVE BY SKIP STOVER BY LEIGH O'DONOVAN

Set in Washington, D.C., 2011, Skip Stover does an excellent job in making his novel futuristic without being over the top. It is conceivable that a car could drive itself while you slept. Or, a cloud of gas could wipe away your memory. These details made the book interesting but believable.

“Dangerous Love” was a thrilling read riddled with historical and geographical references that made the book come to life. It is conceivable that the guy in your favorite coffee shop could bring the nation’s capital to a screeching halt with a dirty bomb. That is what makes this book good. It’s so real, it’s scary. - 4 STARS