Hi, Julie here. I always try to challenge myself to a reading goal each year. I feel this important since writing is a practiced skill and a huge part of writing is reading. Also, I love to leisure read.
I read many great books this year. It is always hard to pick a favorite, but I do have to say one that stuck with me was NO GHOSTS HERE by Karen J. Mossman.
REVIEWED BY J.M. NORTHUPSad & Haunting
What a striking short story! The premise is sad, but the truths revealed haunting. Such a well-devised tale.
When asked to edit this title, I didn’t know what to expect. Certainly not what I got!
Cassie is such a fascinating character with so much potential. I can’t wait to learn more about her and undergo more adventures with her. With emotions that are both hers and those around her, Cassie is also able to be quite disconnected. It makes her an enchanting conundrum. What creates her bonds or blocks her senses?
As the story is unveiled, so is Cassie. This is a lovely way to step into her world. It’ll make you want to return again, and again!
When asked to edit this title, I didn’t know what to expect. Certainly not what I got!
Cassie is such a fascinating character with so much potential. I can’t wait to learn more about her and undergo more adventures with her. With emotions that are both hers and those around her, Cassie is also able to be quite disconnected. It makes her an enchanting conundrum. What creates her bonds or blocks her senses?
As the story is unveiled, so is Cassie. This is a lovely way to step into her world. It’ll make you want to return again, and again!
Sahara Here. I didn’t read as much as I wanted this year, but what I did read was enjoyable. My favorite was The Burning Tree – Power (Part 2): Book 7 by Christopher Artinian.
REVIEWED BY SAHARA FOLEYWow, what a way to end a series. Or is it? There are some threads left at the end that makes me think, hmmm. Maybe not? 🤔🤔 Guess I’ll have to see.
There wasn’t too much about book 7 that I didn’t like. It has plenty of action as we bounce between Redemption, Infinity, and Salvation. People who we thought might have turned their backs on the freedom fighters didn’t. Of course, how could you see all the horror going on around you and not want to change it. Salvation is a nightmare.
There were also a lot of heart-wrenching moments and I had tears in my eyes several times as I read along. Some were tears for people we knew who ended up dying, and some were happy tears for the people who found their way to a better life.
What I didn’t like was mostly editing issues. Like not knowing when the subject matter changed and it should have been a new paragraph. There’s a lot of that in this book. I don’t remember it being this bad in the other ones. There isn’t mention of an editor inside the book, so I think it’s self-edited. Maybe he needs to get a proper one next time.
If you love dystopian stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat with heart in your throat, you need to read this series. I give it 5 stars.
There wasn’t too much about book 7 that I didn’t like. It has plenty of action as we bounce between Redemption, Infinity, and Salvation. People who we thought might have turned their backs on the freedom fighters didn’t. Of course, how could you see all the horror going on around you and not want to change it. Salvation is a nightmare.
There were also a lot of heart-wrenching moments and I had tears in my eyes several times as I read along. Some were tears for people we knew who ended up dying, and some were happy tears for the people who found their way to a better life.
What I didn’t like was mostly editing issues. Like not knowing when the subject matter changed and it should have been a new paragraph. There’s a lot of that in this book. I don’t remember it being this bad in the other ones. There isn’t mention of an editor inside the book, so I think it’s self-edited. Maybe he needs to get a proper one next time.
If you love dystopian stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat with heart in your throat, you need to read this series. I give it 5 stars.
Cheers from Karen. My favorite book this year was Community Conclusions by Anne Roberts. Please see my post about it HERE.
REVIEWED BY KAREN J. MOSSMANThis is the fourth book in the DI Huws Crime Triller series and is also available to read on Kindle Unlimited.
Last year I read book one, but couldn’t get into it. When I saw Community Conclusions on the author’s Facebook page, and it was a crime thrillers, I thought I would take a look. I didn’t expect to absolute love it!
It starts out with two detectives going on holiday after a gruelling case. They rent a cottage in Scotland and it was beautifully written as the two men enjoyed each other’s company, the solitude of the area, and the stunning views. It was a great start and it immediately drew me in.
When they returned home, they are plunged straight into a new case. This one is personal as someone is targeting their own team.
It was an ‘edge of your seat, couldn’t put it down’ type of story from that point on. The emotion of the story was beautifully handled by the author. It sucker punched the reader and it made me feel exactly what they felt.
As with any group of people who know each other very well, there is a lot of humour as well knuckle biting tension as they dealt with the unthinkable. I also loved how they all pulled together when the case took a turn for the worst.
I particularly liked that it was based on Anglesey where I live. I’m sorry now I didn’t read the earlier books, as this is not a standalone. Although somethings were explained, others weren’t and I had to work it out for myself. There were also a few of errors, but I could overlook them because the story was so good.
Overall, this is a fantastic crime thriller, with loveable characters who take their job seriously whilst still finding humour in what they do. The camaraderie between them really draws you in. When they hurt, you feel it. When a book touches you like that, it’s done its job. I highly recommend it.
Last year I read book one, but couldn’t get into it. When I saw Community Conclusions on the author’s Facebook page, and it was a crime thrillers, I thought I would take a look. I didn’t expect to absolute love it!
It starts out with two detectives going on holiday after a gruelling case. They rent a cottage in Scotland and it was beautifully written as the two men enjoyed each other’s company, the solitude of the area, and the stunning views. It was a great start and it immediately drew me in.
When they returned home, they are plunged straight into a new case. This one is personal as someone is targeting their own team.
It was an ‘edge of your seat, couldn’t put it down’ type of story from that point on. The emotion of the story was beautifully handled by the author. It sucker punched the reader and it made me feel exactly what they felt.
As with any group of people who know each other very well, there is a lot of humour as well knuckle biting tension as they dealt with the unthinkable. I also loved how they all pulled together when the case took a turn for the worst.
I particularly liked that it was based on Anglesey where I live. I’m sorry now I didn’t read the earlier books, as this is not a standalone. Although somethings were explained, others weren’t and I had to work it out for myself. There were also a few of errors, but I could overlook them because the story was so good.
Overall, this is a fantastic crime thriller, with loveable characters who take their job seriously whilst still finding humour in what they do. The camaraderie between them really draws you in. When they hurt, you feel it. When a book touches you like that, it’s done its job. I highly recommend it.
J.M. NORTHUP 
Great post, Julie, and that you for choosing my book. I’m going to reblog this.
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Thank you! I love that entire series, but I was really haunted by NO GHOSTS HERE. It was so good.
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