T-H-B

When you look at the state of the world around us, it can sometimes be difficult to imagine a future. Even more so is to imagine a future with religion in it. For as long as we can read throughout history there has been religion in it. Some might even argue that if religion were removed from every social and racial group, the world might just be a better place, since so many wars seemed to have been founded on religious interests. Move the world forward to the year 2089 and imagine a world without religion. That is the setting for Randy C. Dockens novel T-H-B. It is the first in the Coded Message Trilogy and it all begins when a confetti-size piece of paper falls at the feet of astrophysicist, Luke Loughton. All it contains on it is the letters T-H-B. Another man quickly appears as if looking for that same paper and as Luke intends to offer it to him, as if he lost it, the man quickly vanishes.

Thinking nothing of it, he places it in his pocket and continues to head on it to work at the Houston Aerospace Engineering Center working on tasks for an upcoming Mars mission via his holo-computer which removes the screen as a feature and instead projects a 3-D hologram to work from. He anticipates a way to date a fellow co-worker Sarah, a physician and fellow neighbor out to dinner. The date is set for after work but before he can get a chance to follow through on his intentions, two federal agents show up to arrest Luke, based on the evidence they find on him containing the T-H-B message. Despite his arguments of just randomly finding it on his was into work, he is physically detained and tossed into a holding cell.

A woman enters, that Luke refers to as the Ice Lady, who questions him about what he knows about T-H-B, which is essentially nothing. A man enters to room to provide him with a purple fluid to be injected into him and promises that they will know everything momentarily. When Luke wakes up, he still vaguely remembers why he is still in a holding cell, but can't remember what he told the investigators. Sarah shows up to bail him out and take him home, where his entire apartment has been ransacked. Further more, when he arrives at work, no one can remember anything except that Luke was taken from the facility by two EMT's and they are all concerned about his apparent illness. It seems that Sarah and Luke are the only ones not affected by the circumstances because these people truly believe what they saw. This only leads to the investigation now that Sarah and Luke will begin to discover what exactly T-H-B means, and what is someone hiding that can affect an entire population.

I received T-H-B by Randy C. Dockens compliments of Clovercroft Publishing. This is a unique blend of Science Fiction and Mystery as you find yourself like me, wondering just what is T-H-B and what does it mean? Why are so many working to prevent others from discovering its secret? Join our characters along for the ride as a silent observer and get prepared for the sequel slated to be launched in early 2018. When you look into the authors' background, you get a clear sense that he is writing from experience and that is what makes this novel believable. I  would give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars in this readers opinion.

For more information about Randy C. Dockens, T-H-B, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

T-H-B by Randy C. Dockens

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Firstborn

It is hard to put into words what The Descendants of the House of Bathory Series by Tosca Lee is about. In fact, my husband asked me what Firstborn was about as I was reading it. I said, it's hard to put into words exactly because it is unlike anything I have read before. Even trying to decide what type of genre it fit into was a bit challenging. Firstborn is the second novel in the series, with the first being Progeny. I would highly recommend that you read these novels in order or you will be completely lost if you pick up Firstborn and read it first.

The best thing that the Tosca Lee did in Firstborn is not only provide you with a list of the characters, since there are two main factions at war with one another, is also giving you a little bit of recap of Progeny since there has been some time between the novels, and for someone like me that reads a lot of books, I had a hard time remembering about the story line and even going back to my review on Progeny didn't help much because I don't want to give away too much of the exceptional novel. The best way to describe it as the Progeny's are a class of humans that descended from the bloodline of Elizabeth Bathory, known throughout history at the Blood Countess. Audra Ellison is her direct descendant. The progeny are endowed with special powers of charisma and persuasion which they can use on humans to achieve their goals. Audra is the most wanted progeny but those who are hunting her, especially her hunter assigned to her, Luka Novak.

Each hunter or Scion is given 5 years to hunt down and kill their progeny. Once they kill them they have powers that enable them to transfer or "harvest" their memories into the hunters own, but it must be completed at the time of their initial death. There is the head of the hunters known only as the Historian who controls and manipulates the hunters on their tasks in an effort to rid the world of all progeny and assume total control over the human race. Scions however can't be persuaded so a progeny's powers are limited to humans only, which enables them to tell who are humans and who are Scion hunters. Progeny have the unique ability to connect with one another so they know at an instant their own kind, who dwell underground in what are known as courts. They try to hidden at all times and are constantly on the run from those hunting them.

In Firstborn, we pick up the story between Audra and Luka' quest to find out who the Historian is, while keeping their child Eva a secret. Neither of them knows the location of their child and are doing everything to ensure that no one knows that they have had a child between them. It is a race against time with a ragtag team of characters that works with Audra, other progeny that are doing all they can to stay one step ahead of the Historian and her Scion hunters. Audra and Luka know they must find her before she can kill the progeny or even worse kill Audra and take the very memories away that would expose the Historian to the world.

I received Firstborn by Tosca Lee compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers and Net Galley. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise.  I absolutely LOVE this series because the action never stops. There is honestly never a dull moment in the book. If you look at those who are rating this series with less than favorable results is that the probably didn't understand the complexity of the novels back story and character motivation. Think of it like the Divergent Series, only in this case it involves a bit of history as well as there are only two warring factions at odds with one another. That is possibly the best way to describe it but I love all the historical and complex details Tosca provides. You feel like you have traveled the entire globe by the time you finish this one breathless. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars and I enjoyed this one much more than the first novel. Can't wait to see the final one in the series!

For more information about Firstborn, Tosca Lee or where you can pre-order a copy of this novel due out in May of 2017, please click on the links below:

Firstborn by Tosca Lee

You can find Tosca Lee on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Firstborn, please visit Howard Book's website.

Killfile

"I know what you're thinking. Most of the time, it's not impressive. Trust me."

Dozen of people move around me on the sidewalks in L.A.'s financial district, all of them on autopilot. Plugged into their phones, eyes locked on their screens, half-listening to the person on the other end, sleepwalking as they head for their jobs or their first hits of caffeine. The stuff inside their heads can barely even be called thoughts; slogans and buzzwords; half-remembered songs; the latest domestic cage match with whomever they left at home; dramas and gossip involving people they'll never meet in real life. And sex. Lots of sex."

That's what I live with constantly, all around me like audible smog. Most of the time, it's just annoying. But today, it makes it easy to find my targets. They're fully awake, jangling with adrenaline and anxiety. They stand out, hard and bright, a couple of rhinestones glittering in the usual muck."(pg 2).

John Smith can so more than simply read your thoughts. He can alter your actions and bring to mind anything he wants to you believe or imagine. It is why the CIA wanted him to work for him and also the reason why he left. Now as a private consultant, he decides whom he'll work for and also how much they can pay him. There isn't anything he doesn't know before they begin negotiations. When billionaire mogul Everett Sloan makes him an offer he has desired his entire life, silence to those ongoing, never-ending thoughts, it is simply too good of an offer to pass up. Sloan believes that a former employee of his, Eli Preston has stolen an algorithm that he has developed and now is employing to make himself untold amounts of wealth for his clients. Sloan wants his memory erased before he can become a serious threat to his company and John Smith is just the man to do it.

During a scheduled meeting with Preston, Smith's identify is compromised and now he becomes the hunted along with Preston's young associate Kelsey Foster and it will be a battle of intelligence, cyber terrorism and mind control that they have never faced before, and ultimately it may in fact cost John more than he ever imagined or thought possible.

I received Killfile by Christopher Farnsworth compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this novel in exchange for my fair and unbiased review. I absolutely LOVED this edge of your seat psychological thriller and it is truly non stop action. What I loved the most about this novel is that is vastly different from anything I have read and makes you wonder what would stand in the way of a man who could read your thoughts and could kill you without you even realizing what is happening. How would he be used by our own government and even worse his enemies if they found out what he could do? I only hope, that this novel is considered for the big screen because it is fresh, innovative and definitely worth the price of a movie ticket to see this played out in theaters. For me, this was a definitive 4 out of 5 stars and only wanes from the final star based on sexual content and language that some readers might find offensive according to my review standards. All in all, a definite addition to my must read by Christopher Farnsworth in the future.

For more information about Killfile, Christopher Farnsworth or where you can purchase a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Killfile by Christopher Farnsworth

You can find Christopher Farnsworth on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

To see more reviews on Killfile, please visit William Morrow's website. 

The Eden Tree

I love reading debut novels because it truly gives me a chance to meet new authors who are living their dream of putting their love of writing out there for the world to read. Peter Worthington is one such author as he debuts The Eden Tree. Combining a sense of adventure and archaeology of religious artifacts, the search begins. As two brothers locate a ancient box buried beneath a home in the basement in Joppa, they find it holds something amazing and miraculous. Truly the find of the century if it is in fact genuine. A wooden box bearing a design on the lid of a tree surrounded by golden angels. Within the box contains the last will and testament of Simon Peter, follower of Jesus Christ, some maps and a white bag containing some crushed leaves.

After taking it to their uncle, an expert in museum antiquities, he advises them on what it contains and who must be the one to possess it. The only person who can take possession of the box is the man with a tattoo on his hands that bear the same picture the lid has on it. He is the only one and they must hold onto it until he contacts them. It might be in this lifetime or after theirs but it must be kept for the one who can wield the power of what the chest holds.

John Wesley is that such man living in England but unaware that the life sentence given to his grandson Wesley John Morgan who is facing terminal cancer at age 7. They have exhausted all options and now there is only time to make him comfortable until God calls him home. But when John stumbles upon a man in a flower stall, who convinces him that he is destined to receive something of value that only he can possess, John is more than curious. Since he possesses the same said tattoo on his hand, the contents of the ancient box is now been released to him. It contains the crushed leaves from the Tree of Eden, which will provide miraculous healing to those who receive them. Along with detailed maps and the last will of Simon Peter, describing the location of the Tree of Eden in the Garden mentioned in the Bible that no one has been able to find. When John uses the leaves on his grandson, he is miraculously healed without any medical explanation and sets off a warning to those who have been looking for this box for their own means and purposes.

I received The Eden Tree by Peter Worthington compliments of Authoright and Clink Street Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this novel in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion. I think the premise is wonderful, but we know based on biblical text, the Garden of Eden can never be found. But it is fun to imagine what might happen if it could. This is a fictional account based on the author's own experiences with his son, John Wesley, who underwent treatment for cancer but sadly passed away shortly after his seventh birthday. The Eden Tree has allowed Peter to give his much-loved son, a happier ending. A sequel is coming which readers get a small sneak peek at in the conclusion of this one. For me, this one rated a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about The Eden Tree, Peter Worthington, or where you can pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

The Eden Tree by Peter Worthington 

You can find The Eden Tree on Facebook to stay up to date on all Peter's latest news.

You can pick up a copy of this book from your favorite online retailer such as Amazon in both paperback and eBook formats. 

The Glass Castle

The best part of any novel in my opinion is one that can hold your interest and keep the plot line concealed so well you can't figure it out until you're in the final stretch and Trisha White Priebe and Jerry B. Jenkins do just that in their series, Thirteen with the first novel The Glass Castle. The cover is what initially drew me into this one as well as the success of Jerry B. Jenkins, (Left Behind). This is one I will definitely be following all the way to the conclusion. This is written for young adults and teens, but anyone who loves a bit of fantasy and medieval history will want to pick this up as well.

The greatest fear for any child is to be separated from your family and yet that is just what happens to both Avery and Henry who are abducted while exploring the woods outside their family home. All Avery knows is when she wakes up, she is kept caged in a box, making preparations to move her to another location, with only an old woman to answer a few of the questions she has. Avery knows she simply has to buy her time before making any plans for escape. Plus the threat from the old woman that if she attempts to escape, she will never see Henry again.

She arrives to a golden castle which her mother used to spin tales of during her time with them but suddenly vanished one day. "Every fairy tale has its dragon." is what she used to remind Avery and it seems this might be very true. She is set free in the midst of other young teens just about her age, locked away within the very walls of the castle. She is given a brief tour with a stern reminder never to open or look out the windows and when the bell sounds, they must retreat to their safe rooms, a sign adults are coming.

It appears that the teens work for the king and soon to be queen without their knowledge only that the staff do their bidding when asked. They never appear and remain hidden at all times. Those that are discovered are sent away to the Forbidden City, a place where no one ever returns and one that keeps the children to the set of standards imposed on them. But why can't Avery seem to find her brother, and where is he being kept. All she knows is that her one ally is a girl named Kate who takes a true liking to her and helps her to keep from getting into trouble. All they know is that the king is dying and must produce an heir from the future queen so that the kingdom will remain within her control and rumors circulate that the kings first born might still be alive, but then again it is only a rumor or is it?

I received The Glass Castle by Trisha White Priebe and Jerry B. Jenkins compliments of Net Galley and Barbour Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside for a free eBook copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion. This is going to be such a grand series when it is finished because as I stated earlier you don't know what is going on until almost the conclusion of this one and I can see where the Christian theme will come into play in a wonderful light. Readers get a bit of a sneak peek at the conclusion of this one of the sequel The Ruby Moon which will release in the fall of 2016 so readers don't have long to wait to see what happens next. Those fans of C.S. Lewis and Tolkien will absolutely love this coming of age medieval fairy tale and in my opinion this one garners a 4 out of 5 stars.

For more information about The Glass Castle, Trisha White Priebe, Jerry B. Jenkins or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Glass Castle by Trisha White Priebe and Jerry B. Jenkins

You can find Jerry B. Jenkins on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.