Zero Flux by Carol Van Natta #spaceopera #scifi #murder #mystery

Title: Zero Flux: Central Galactic Concordance, Novella 2.5
Author: Carol Van Natta
Genre: Space Opera/SF murder mystery
Publisher: Chavanch Press
Available: Kobo, B&N, Google Play, iBooks, Amazon (69 pages $0.99)
Rating: 4*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
A dangerous ice cave with a frozen crime scene, a secret lab, and the find of a lifetime—any one of them would be worth killing for... 

Luka Foxe and Mairwen Morganthur (Overload Flux) take on a very cold case, a secret lab, and the find of a lifetime. Which one of them is worth killing for? Forensic investigator Luka had gladly left his troubled past far behind, so only a plea from his old friend and mentor to investigate a violent crime scene frozen in an ice cave could have lured him back. Unfortunately, his old friend knows far more than he's telling, which could get them all killed, even with extraordinary security specialist Mairwen on their side. An unexpected icefall reveals a hidden lab buried deep in a mountain and the find of a lifetime. Now someone is trying to make sure those secrets stay frozen in time, even if it means more deaths..

What I liked:
Although I mistakenly took this mid-series side story to be a prequel, I didn't feel lost or out of depth. There was enough back story and strength of character for this to be read as a standalone/out of sequence story, though probably better read in its correct series order. I'm also a sucker for psi abilities/genetic and/or mechanical enhancements, so those elements in this novella had me hooked. The tech was a comfortable level for those who don't want a shedload of science but enough to interest me and leave me wanting more ie to read the other books.

What I didn't like:
Despite the MCs precarious position, the tension was lacking. I didn't really feel the full sense of danger and possibility of death. It also felt a touch abrupt/incomplete at the end but as part of a series I didn't have a huge problem with that particular issue.

In conclusion:
This is a murder mystery for fans of space opera along the lines of Star Trek/Farscape, and who like a reasonable level of tech but are willing to find their SciFi smexiness in the other books (since there was only a hint in this particular story). Also for those who like ice planets, and for those who want a quick SF mystery fix. While it can stand alone, I would probably recommend reading it in correct sequence.

Caught In Amber by Cathy Pegau

Title: Caught in Amber 
Author: Cathy Pegau
Genre: science fiction romance
Publisher: Carina Press
Available: Amazon $1.99 (Kindle)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Rater: Pippa 




Blurb:
Recently out of rehab, Sasha James is determined to keep her head down, complete her parole and never touch amber again. The chip in her neck controls her cravings for the highly addictive drug, but also tracks her every move. Not that she goes anywhere other than work and the halfway house she calls home—a far cry from her luxurious former life as lover of the mining colony's top drug dealer, Guy Christiansen.
Agent Nathan Sterling has no desire to see Sasha fall back into amber, but his sister has become Guy's latest conquest and the unexpectedly attractive Sasha is the key to getting her back. So in exchange for an introduction, he offers Sasha the one thing she can't refuse—her freedom. From the chip, her parole and even the planet if she wants. Though he would be sorry to see her go…
Torn between her growing attraction to Nathan, fear of Guy and the allure of amber, Sasha accepts. But who will save her if Guy refuses to let her go a second time?

What I liked.
Sasha, despite her dark past, is an immediately likeable and sympathetic character. Even after being broken and having to rebuild herself from the drug-addicted shambles she's become, she's strong, intelligent, and a warm human being who doesn'twallow in self pity but lives with her regrets. She had every reason to tell Nathan Sterling where to stick his request (and frankly I'm not sure what he was offering was good enough a prize), yet she knows what Nathan's sister is heading for and wants to help.
I liked the world building and the idea of Amber, but felt that it wasn't as in depth as I'd like. It was the character and plot that prompted the five star rating for me.

What I didn't like.
Nathan - despite his good intentions and desire to protect Sasha, I'd like to give him such a slap. He still put her in serious danger for his own ends, and ultimately I found that a little too selfish. I felt he used her, no matter how sorry he was about it and how he fretted over her. From a personal perspective, I really hate to be used. Guy - I've no doubt he was a bad man, but I found myself conflicted over him. He genuinely appeared to care for Sasha and *potential spoiler* dealt with the real creep of the piece, so I actually found it hard to hate or understand him.

In conclusion.
This reminded me of a Humphrey Bogart thriller/detective story but in a futuristic setting. Not something I'd normally go for, but the author won me over with Sasha and the lovely dark, slightly Bladerunner-esque feel. The tension was good, both romantic and plot-wise, and the one sex scene was done well. I'd like to have seen more on the world building side. If you like spy thrillers along the lines of James Bond in the future, this is for you.

The Color of Greed by Jack Thompson

Title: Color of Greed
Author: Jack Thompson
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: Crackerjack Publishing (July 29, 2012)
Available: $4.99 at Amazon
Rating: 5 stars
Rater: Dihanna

From the publisher:

When the young husband of a wealthy heiress is found dead on his yacht floating off the California coastline, his death is ruled an accident and the case is closed. The grieving widow, certain her husband was murdered but getting no help from the police, turns to Raja Williams, a wealthy Oxford-educated private investigator, who has dedicated his resources to help those in need of justice. When Raja arrives in Los Angeles and more bodies begin to pile up, he suspects a coverup that may go as high up as the governor. With the help of his partner Vinny, a highly skilled hacker, Raja must unravel the case before everyone involved, including the two of them, winds up dead. 

What I liked: “Wow” is all I can say. The name of this book fits perfectly - it was a story about greed – greed – greed. I loved the characters. They came alive for me, most especially Raja and Vinny. Their struggles touched me. The story flowed easily – like water - and was so riveting that I was unable to put it down.  I read to escape, and this book was packed full of everything you would expect a mystery to be and then some more.  A great read and look forward to reading more.

What I didn’t like:  Nada.

In sum: I’m keeping this one.

Deadly Obsession by Kristine Cayne

Title: Fit to Kill
Author: Kristine Cayne
Genre: Mystery/Romance
Publisher: Self-published (January 1, 2012)
Available: $0.99 at Amazon
Rating: 4.5 stars
Rater: Lauri

From the author:

When an Oscar-winning movie star meets a department-store photographer...
Movie star Nic Lamoureux appears to have a playboy's perfect life. But it's a part he plays, an act designed to conceal a dark secret he carries on his shoulders. His empty days and nights are a meaningless blur until he meets the woman who fulfills all his dreams. She and her son are the family he's always wanted--if she can forgive a horrible mistake from his past. 

A Hollywood dream...

Lauren James, a widowed single mother, earns barely enough money to support herself and her son. When she wins a photography contest and meets Nic, the man who stars in all her fantasies, her dreams, both professional and personal, are on the verge of becoming real. The attraction between Lauren and Nic is instant--and mutual. Their chemistry burns out of control during a photo shoot that could put Lauren on the fast track to a lucrative career. 

Becomes a Hollywood nightmare

But an ill-advised kiss makes front-page news, and the lurid headlines threaten everything Nic and Lauren have hoped for. Before they know what's happening, their relationship is further rocked by an obsessed and cunning stalker who'll stop at nothing--not even murder--to have Nic to herself. When Nic falls for Lauren, the stalker zeroes in on her as the competition. 

And the competition must be eliminated.

What I liked: This is a great story. It rocks, it rolls, it hits highs and lows, and it pulls you along like a caboose. And truth told, I enjoyed the ride. In fact, I sat in my favorite chair and read most all of it in one day.

What I didn’t like: I would have liked to have seen more character development. Not with plot, or revelations of a tumultuous past, because this story has both, but of a very distinct voice for each of the characters. Sometimes the two mains sounded too much alike in dialogue.

In sum: A fun, fun read, and well worth picking up.

Fit to Kill by Donnie Whetstone

Title: Fit to Kill
Author: Donnie Whetstone
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Publisher: Self-published (March 3, 2012)
Available: $4.99 at Amazon
Rating: 5 stars
Rater: Dihanna

From the author:

How do you stop a personal trainer, who fantasizes about killing his clients, then carries out his gruesome desire on someone else? Making matters worse, how do you stop desires for your own trainer, jeopardizing your marriage, more troubling, do you want to? That’s what Detective Tara Tanner must solve in this crime thriller. 

La Flore is renowned for its elite personal trainers. This model city however, faces a crisis. Someone is on a killing binge. The killer is vicious and cunning. He harbors a profound irony for one of the nation’s fittest cities, and the way he selects his victims makes him untraceable, but this predator has a weakness.  

Tara Tanner is a wife, mother, and a crack detective whose record is blemished by a tragic case that leaves her feeling she has lost her edge. Tara has other demons. She dreads becoming like her mother, a temptress and philanderer, made worse by her uncontrollable attraction for her own trainer.  

Fit to Kill is a non-stop thriller of fantasy, temptation and redemption, a deadly game of chase, in which the line is marred between predator and prey, a game that reveals how far one will go to kill, and how far the other will go, to survive.

What I liked: I really enjoyed this book.  I think Tara Tanner was a great detective.  I think she had a few problems she had to work out but her husband Dale was always there emotionally which was very nice to see.  I liked the fact that she did not give up.  I think the story was very well written. The author created realistic, believable characters, and the plot moved very nicely without any hiccups at all.  I was impressed with the family values displayed in this story, and the message that a determined person can attain what they believe really resonated with me.

What I didn’t like: Nothing.

In sum: An excellent book, and well worth reading. I recommend it!

Vampire for Hire Series by J.R. Rain

Title: Moon Dance (and all others in the series)
Series: Vampire for Hire
Author: J.R. Rain
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Publisher: Self-published (August 10, 2009)
Available: Book one is free at Amazon; others are $3.99
Rating: 5 stars for books 1 and 2; 3.5 stars for the others
Rater: Lauri

From the author:

Mother, wife, private investigator...vampire. Six years ago federal agent Samantha Moon was the perfect wife and mother, your typical soccer mom with the minivan and suburban home. Then the unthinkable happens, an attack that changes her life forever. And forever is a very long time for a vampire. Now the world at large thinks Samantha has developed a rare skin disease, a disease which forces her to quit her day job and stay out of the light of the sun. Now working the night shift as a private investigator, Samantha is hired by Kingsley Fulcrum to investigate the murder attempt on his life, a horrific scene captured on TV and seen around the country. But as the case unfolds, Samantha discovers Kingsley isn't exactly what he appears to be; after all, there is a reason why he survived five shots to the head.

What I liked: I lost a family member this weekend, and I read to deal with grief. Just my deal. Anyway, so this last weekend I read all of the books in this author’s “Vampire for Hire” series. Book one hooked me in two pages. I love the main character, and her wry, intelligent sense of humor. I love that she is a dedicated mom, and that she is in her 30s. Best of all, the story in book one is better than just “well done.” The author obviously put an amazing amount of thought and blood and work into this story. It's cute and sweet and flows effortlessly. And then book two stole my heart. Several times I found myself tearing up during tender scenes, and wanting to hug one or more of the characters. The issues are horrific at times, but tastefully dealt with. I have nothing but the highest praise for these two books.

What I didn’t like: After book two, the stories become utterly formulaic. The writing skill is still there, lurking beneath the surface, but reading any of the books after one and two is like talking to someone who’s preoccupied: you just aren’t getting their full attention. The story is hollow, and stumbles here and there. Leaps are made that don’t quite make sense, or where the foundation is inadequate. A romance develops, and there the backstory is so thin I found myself annoyed. There are four main lines of tension, and they don’t really change, and that gets tiresome by about book four.

In sum: All in all, I liked the books, and I’d read them again. But even if you don’t want to put out all the money for all the books in this series, absolutely do read books one and two. Do!

The Hour of Predators by Lane Stark

Title: The Hour of Predators
Author: Lane Stark
Genre: Mystery/Horror
Publisher: Self published (March 22, 2012)
Available: $2.99 at Amazon
Rating: 4.5 stars
Rater: Dihanna

From the author:

"It was the hour of prowling bears, circling nightowls, vengeful spirits, and savage hearts. It was the hour of predators."

Two gruesome murders have shocked and divided the community of Bella Coola, a small, isolated village in a remote river valley on the coast of British Columbia. The evidence points to a teenaged Nuxalk boy, and the simmering tension between whites and tribe members heats up. RCMP Inspector Marcus Chao must sort through misleading clues, cultural conflicts, tangled relationships, sexual scandals, and even rumors of sorcery to find the truth.

Marcus is a man whose life has skidded into remorse and misery. His own infidelity has ended his marriage to the woman he still loves, and now he finds himself with only two things to keep his sinking spirits afloat: the need to serve justice and his eternal fascination with solving the puzzle of the crime. This latest puzzle, however, is proving to be a maze of intrigue, and his mettle as well as his principles will be tested.

Warning: Potential Spoilers!

What I liked: This writer writes extremely well, and she draws her characters with true skill. They’re clear, and believable. The plot is logical and well thought out. The mystery is not completely predictable. I read this in one day because I wanted to know what happened.

What I didn’t like: This story is just too grisly for my tastes. Central to the plot is the repeated rape of a teenage child. The descriptions of the murders are too graphic. I felt upset pretty much throughout the entire book. From the technical, the story jumps around far too much, and that makes it extremely difficult to understand and follow.

In sum: This book should be regenred as horror. For the folks that like those stories, this book is doubtless well worth the read.