The Machinist by Erik Robert Nelson

Essie Gray just wanted to be a thief. And she was damned good at it.Issington is a city under a century-long siege from the air. A curfew and blackout have driven many citizens underground  for business and pleasure. Automatons originally designed for war patrol the dark streets of the city at night, now used as a means of keeping the uneasy domestic peace.

When a job goes horribly wrong, Essie finds herself on the wrong side of both the criminals she once thought allies and the law. Now Essie faces a difficult task: to find out what she stole, and who hired her.

That may be wa more daunting task than she realizes. With the criminals, the constabulary, and a major corporation leveraging power against her, the chance of success appears thin. But then she might find allies in unexpected places....


  This was one of those book I was glad having read. Mr. Nelson crafted a world that hope will never be. A worl ravaged by war. People have passed the age of technology and now live in the era of the machine. Where electricity is a thing of the past and everything is built with cogs, springs and steam. Where "blackout" is actually the only way to live and the light of a single candle can mean the distruction of a whole city block and the death of many.

  It is a smarty mystery story, filled with suspense and dark humor. Essie, the main character is likeable and entertaining. The friends she has helping her get out of the mess she's in, add there own charm to the tale and the backdrop adds flare and flavor to it all.

Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews

 
Annajane Hudgens truly believes she is over her ex-husband, Mason Bayless. They’ve been divorced for four years, she’s engaged to a new, terrific guy, and she’s ready to leave the small town where she and Mason had so much history. She is so over Mason that she has absolutely no problem attending his wedding to the beautiful, intelligent, delightful Celia. But when fate intervenes and the wedding is called to a halt as the bride is literally walking down the aisle, Annajane begins to realize that maybe she’s been given a second chance. Maybe everything happens for a reason. And maybe, just maybe, she wants Mason back. But there are secrets afoot in this small southern town. On the peaceful surface of Hideaway Lake, Annajane discovers that the past is never really gone. Even if there are people determined to keep Annajane from getting what she wants, happiness might be hers for the taking, and the life she once had with Mason in this sleepy lake town might be in her future.
This was the first novel of MKA that I've read and it was a perfect weekend read. It was fun and easy going and exactaly what This Reader needed after a hard week at work.
  Mrs. Andrews tale of second chances and do overs was delightful and charming. Annajane, the main character is both smart and likeable. Celia is the bitch we all love to hate. and Pokey is the best friend we all had at sometime in our life and if lucky still do.
  You take these three women add romance, small town gossip, adorable kids, a little intrigue and a huge family secret and you'll end up with Spring Fever.

Talion by Mary Maddox

Two victims. One sociopath. Lots of terror.
Serial killer Rad Sanders has big plans for his teenage victims:

Lu will watch as he kills Lisa and be offered a choice – become his slave or share the fate of her friend. Then Rad will get so deep inside her that she will no longer know where he ends and the pathetic remnants of herself begin.

But Lu has a little surprise for Rad . . .

When I read the summary of this book, I found myself fascinated by a story that mixes suspense with a bit of the supernatural. So of course I had to read it. And I have no regrets what so ever.
  Mary Maddox captures the readers intrest with fast pace dialogue and a keen eye for detail and a scenery so beautiful one can easily forget that the most beautiful of places can sometime hide the ugliest of monsters.I felt both disgusted and captivated by Sanders. The author did an effective job of showinghow muchof a monster Sanders actually is and how he had come to be a serial killer. Both Lisa and Lu interesting in their own way. One spirited and the other abused.
  Although the story may be about two teen girls make no mistake this is an adult book. And one I recommend to all.

A Soul To Steal by Rob Blackwell

 


 This Reader enjoyed this read til the end and I loved every minute of it.

  Could this book be considered a horror story? Or a mystery? YES!!! This story may read like a mystery but don't be fooled, read it only if you're not afraid of the dark. If the things that go bump in the night don't make your heart race and your imagination go wild.

  It's a story that mixes one of american horror literature classic's with a whole modern twist. If Mr. Blackwell's intention was to remind us that there are darker things in this world the mere serial killers, then he has succeeded very well.

  Rob Blackwell blend of "whodunit" with classic horror is one every reader of both generes will love. He keeps you guessing who the killer might be 'til the end. And at the same time keeps the reader at the edge of your seat wondering about the Headless Horseman.

  So read it only if you dare.