Blog Archives
Moonlight Cruise: Murder and Magic
Moonlight Cruise is a dark and twisting thriller that takes the reader from the dusty desolation of the Mojave Desert to the serene yet deceptive beauty of a cruise ship gliding through the Panama Canal. The story follows Jessica Ascher, a woman on the run from the demons of her past, both human and supernatural. Her journey is woven into a larger tale of fanaticism, greed, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. As Jessica tries to protect her daughter, Zamzam, from a cult seeking divine power through blood and sacrifice, the book paints a vivid, unsettling picture of how madness can hide behind devotion and how faith can both save and destroy.
Reading this book was like stepping into a fever dream. The writing grabbed me right away. It’s gritty, raw, and full of heat. Yurie Kiri doesn’t shy away from horror, but the violence never feels random. It’s purposeful, meant to unsettle and make you think about the darker parts of human nature. I found myself both fascinated and disturbed, flipping the pages faster than I meant to. The story moves like a storm, quiet at first, then violent, full of lightning flashes of insight. Sometimes the dialogue feels rough around the edges, almost too real, but that rawness adds to the tension. It’s messy in the best way, like life when it’s at its worst and most honest.
What really got me was the emotion beneath all the chaos. Jessica’s fierce love for her daughter feels like the heartbeat of the story. It’s what keeps you rooting for her when everything else starts to rot. There’s also a haunting sense of mystery, of forces too big to understand. Kiri blends crime, horror, and spirituality into something that feels unique, almost mythic. I did find myself tripping over the sheer number of characters and subplots at times, but I think that’s part of the experience. It’s a labyrinth of sin and faith, and you’re supposed to get a little lost.
I’d recommend Moonlight Cruise to readers who like their thrillers dark and their mysteries layered with moral questions. It’s not a light read, not something to skim before bed, but it sticks with you long after the last page. If you enjoy stories that make you question what’s real, what’s holy, and what’s just human madness, this book will pull you in and keep you there until the end.
Pages: 396 | ASIN : B0DYJZW6SS
Crossed Lines
Crossed Lines, by Colin Danks, presents an engaging tale of resilience and intrigue as we follow the journey of Zak Taylor. Battling against the odds of divorce and a financial conspiracy, Zak’s life takes an unexpected turn when he becomes embroiled in a drug smuggling operation. This rollercoaster of events sends his world into a whirlwind of chaos, and it’s a testament to the author’s storytelling prowess that we are compelled to keep turning the pages.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Cornwall, the novel vividly portrays this picturesque region, creating an evocative atmosphere that enhances the unfolding drama. From the coastal landscapes to the tempestuous sea, the setting comes to life and adds depth to the narrative. The story boasts an intriguing plot with various subplots interwoven, creating a complex tapestry of events. While some readers may have hoped for more substantial development of the main plot, the initial premise is undeniably captivating. It’s clear that there’s potential for a potent and gripping story here. Throughout the narrative, moments of tension and suspense keep readers on the edge of their seats. The unexpected alliances, secrets, and treacherous waters make for a thrilling journey.
While I enjoyed the story, I think it would make it more enjoyable if the story delved a bit deeper into its narrative, but fans of intriguing and multi-dimensional characters will enjoy it. It would also be more enjoyable if the character development consistently complimented the progression of the plot, but I think fans of intricate plots will appreciate the narrative’s focus.
Crossed Lines, by Colin Danks, is an intriguing story with a narrative that remains thoroughly captivating and consistently entertaining. It’s a journey worth taking, filled with suspense and unexpected twists, and offers a unique blend of smuggling, conspiracy, and the quest for redemption set against the captivating backdrop of Cornwall.
Pages: 300 | ASIN : B0C5JTNSK2
Coyote: Pursuit and Terror Across the Border
Coyote: Pursuit and Terror Across the Border is the fourth book in Ana Manwaring’s thrilling crime series. It follows the events in book three, where JadeAnne is attempting to bring Lily, a young, trafficked girl to safety. Senator Aguirre is dead and her nemesis, Anabel, is trying to re-kidnap her and Lily to complete the sale to Los Zetas, forcing JadeAnne and Lily to flee to the U.S. border. When they find no help from the U.S. government, JadeAnne calls on the help of her new friends Rosi and Dafne along with her boyfriend, Dylan and her father, Quint. But every move they make puts her and those around her in danger.
The author has sent her characters on a heart-pounding mission in the fourth installment in her series. The ensemble cast and suspenseful story remind me of the consistently entertaining Fast and Furious series. Because this story picks up right where book three ended it was not hard to follow along, so longtime fans will enjoy the blazing speed of this story. For newcomers to the series, I would recommend reading the series in order since the author drops us into the fray without a preamble.
JadeAnne felt very fleshed out as everything is coming from her perspective. While I enjoyed the deep dive into her character I didn’t get to know the other characters as well. Ana Manwaring has a strong narrative voice in her novel which helps guide the reader through some high-octane scenes. I always enjoy Manwaring’s novels because of the detailed scenes. I could clearly imagine it all and there were some fantastically cinematic scenes to read through. There is palpable tension throughout the story which always had me wondering what was going to happen next. Manwaring does an excellent job of keeping the reader on their toes as action strikes at any moment in the story.
The author successfully brings together action and adventure in this explosive thriller set against the unique backdrop of Mexico in Coyote: Pursuit and Terror Across the Border.
Pages: 368 | ASIN: B0BJGZRTGP
Hero Haters
Hero Haters by Ken MacQueen is not your typical heroic tale. This suspenseful book begins with a short passage, followed by a prologue that grips and holds the reader, drawing them into the storyline before everything starts. As the reader, you’ll quickly find yourself entranced with the haunting story about heroism and tragedy, summed up by Scott Fitzgerald’s quote, “show me a hero, and I’ll write you a tragedy.”
This crime story is chilling, with an air of suspense that captures the reader from the beginning. MacQueen skillfully presents the reader with a clear image of the scene without giving away too much at once, creating an intense atmosphere that’s provocative and thrilling.
The flow of the narration is impressive, with smooth passages keeping the reader in the dark while building momentum until developments become revealed. I found the style and pace ideal, and I never felt rushed or that the storytelling could have been more cohesive. The book’s overall theme, overcoming fear to become a hero, is an unlikely topic that many people can relate to on one level or another. MacQueen presents his perspective on heroism in a refreshing way while pushing the question, what does it mean to be a hero, and how does it involve tragedy?
Hero Haters by Ken MacQueen is a riveting crime thriller mystery. A suspenseful story with an original take on a common theme that has an added personal touch giving readers a deeper connection to its characters. I enjoyed the main character’s predicament and how he must decide if risking everything is worth a heroic act or if he’s destined for an ordinary life. It’s a great read that poses meaningful questions for the reader, especially about how becoming the hero can lead to someone’s tragic end and if this brave act leads to tragic consequences with certainty.
Pages: 329 | ASIN: B0B6T12613
INTO THE STORM
Roger Boggs is a local sheriff in Circlegold county. Haunted by past traumas, Boggs dedicates his life to policing the small town he lives in. When a group of local boys goes missing, it starts him on an investigation that will change him forever. Aided by the mysterious Sears, a major in the Air Force, they must contend with a town hellbent on serving their own kind of justice. And when one of the missing boys shows up claiming that the person they are looking for may not be of human origin, it sends Boggs on a journey into the unknown.
From the start of the first page, I was intrigued by the plot of this book. Author D.J. Adamson immerses the reader into the suspense making this one book I couldn’t put down. Being a fan of sci-fi mysteries, this book had everything from the aliens, and the interesting characters, to wondering what would happen next. I enjoyed that the author didn’t stop describing each character. Instead, throughout the chapters, she provided bits of information about the character as the story progressed. This allowed me to get to know the characters without slowing down the story.
The author seamlessly switches between characters in the chapters without confusing the reader or interrupting the flow of the story. While I kept reading, I was mesmerized and kept in suspense. The author’s descriptions of places, especially when describing the aliens, are so vivid that I was creeped out while reading. The scenes where people start disappearing also kept me in suspense, and I felt like I was alongside the characters hiding from the alien. The icing on the cake is the ending of the story; it was not what I expected, but it was even better than I expected.
I highly recommend the science fiction thriller, INTO THE STORM: Aliens Among Us to readers that enjoy the unknown and want to be on the edge of their seat.
Pages: 319 | ASIN : B092RD6Q7Z
LITERARY TITAN 