Recommendations and Reviews

I’ve read all Doug J. Cooper’s books in the Crystal Series and the Bump Time series. Both are excellent science fiction series and I truly enjoyed reading them. It should come as no surprise, then, that when he released Lagrange Rising (A Cuss Abbott Novel), it made its way on my TBR list. Here is my review!

Synopsis (from the author):

The bodies of wealthy seniors are being dumped in Lagrange, their ID implants cut from their skulls, their bank accounts emptied. Authorities learn that the elderly victims were snatched from Nova Terra on the Moon. Lagrange is a sovereign nation, a massive space structure orbiting between Earth and the Moon, so the chilling crimes fall under the purview of the Interworld Marshals Service. Cuss Abbott, a resourceful and tenacious investigator, starts the case with few clues, a rising body count, and politicians demanding answers. The criminals are seemingly invisible, disappearing after each heinous act. Shadowed by his partner, an enhanced human named Ygo, Cuss corners the butchers, setting in motion a confrontation with tragic results. Distraught, he bulls ahead, pursuing the killers across worlds to a suspense-filled showdown.

What I liked about Lagrange Rising:

Lagrange Rising had much to like. First, Cuss Abbott, an intriguing character to say the least. Ygo, the enhanced human helping Cuss in the background, added a lot to the story. Top-notch technology imagined for Nova Terra and Lagrange, plus the space travel was an interesting backdrop for the story. Lastly, Cuss’ romantic pursuit of Hatha put all the elements in place for an enjoyable space opera.

What I didn’t like about Lagrange Rising:

My only complaint about Lagrange Rising was that the perpetrators were revealed pretty early in the story, so apart from Cuss’ efforts to track them down, there wasn’t much mystery to it.

Overall impression of Lagrange Rising:

Lagrange Rising by Doug J. Cooper was an entertaining novel. Good characters, plenty of action, nice technology, and a bit of romance made for a good read. For those who enjoyed Mr. Cooper’s other books, this one is a good start to the new series. For those new to Mr. Cooper, add this one to your TBR list!

My rating:

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 stars)

Connect with Doug J. Cooper:

Find Doug J. Cooper on his website, his Amazon Author Page, and his Goodreads page. Find all his books, maybe pick up one or two, and learn more about the author!

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If you read my post about Lost Treasures of Alabama, you know I tried to highlight a few of the rumored and legendary treasures that may (or may not) be hidden in Alabama. This post heads to the wilds of Alaska and explores the same topic.

As you can imagine, many lost treasure stories involve gold. Add to the amount of gold mining and the rugged and remote wilderness, lost mines, hidden gold, and tragedy seems inevitable. Along those lines, then, here is the first story!

Frenchman’s Lost Gold Mine in Alaska

As the story goes, a Frenchman showed up in a remote Haida village called Howkan. The miner, who needed supplies, paid for the goods in pure gold. His appearance excited the villagers but was soon forgotten until he showed up again. He once again he purchased supplies, paying pure gold for them. This happened several times and the storekeeper and a few villagers tried to follow the miner to discover where his gold originated. Long Island is part of a chain small islands, and the Frenchman was able to elude his pursuers. The miner sailed away one day, never to return. The best guess is the gold came from Dall Island, but no one has found it or tried to mine the island. Gold may still be out there!

Northwest Airlines Flight 4422

Flight 4422 took off from Merrill Field in Anchorage after refueling and headed toward New York. It ferried twenty-four merchant marines from Shanghai to New York. The plane crashed into Mount Sanford and killing all aboard. Though the wreckage was spotted form the air, and witnesses saw the crash, snowstorms and a mountain glacier covered the plane, and it was lost for fifty years. A tragedy for the families, made worse by the fact that none of the passengers or crews’ remains have been recovered, though a piece of wreckage recovered in 1999 confirmed it was the plane. In addition, one mummified limb identified one of the passengers.

The treasure part of this horrible story is the persistent rumor that the plane carried a secret cargo of gold from China for the purchase of a tanker. Supposedly in the $3 million dollar range, the cargo has spurred attempts over the years to recover it. No record of the gold recovery exists.

Clara Nevada and an Alaska Tragedy

Another rumored treasure is also part of a tragedy. The SS Clara Nevada was originally a survey ship for the US Revenue Service. Near the end of its life, the ship was sold to the McGuire Brothers. The brothers, who purchased the ship at a fraction of its original cost, quickly refurbished it, and put it into service sailing to Alaska from Seattle. Beset with problems on the first voyage, the ship tied up at Skagway, Alaska on February 4, 1898.

On February 5, 1898, the ship headed south with passengers and crew onboard. For reasons unknown, the ship collided with Eldred Rock, and very quickly sank, killing everyone on the vessel. Along with the loss, a rumored $165,000 in raw gold. With the gold price at the time at $18.98 per ounce, that equals about 8700 ounces of gold. In today’s dollars, that’s about $14.3 million. The wreckage lies in less than 40 feet of water, and no one has claimed to find the gold. If it was there, it might still be lying on the bottom, protected by the ghosts of those who perished.

There you have just a very small sampling of the lost treasures in Alaska. I don’t know if any are true, but it is fun to speculate!

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I recently read Brag Medallion winner Thane (Everknot Duet, #1) by Travis Daniel Bow and gave it 4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 Stars). I added the second book (also a Brag Medallion recipient) King’s Table (Everknot Duet, #2) to my TBR list. Here are my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

Becoming a Thane—an elite rebel spy trained to deceive, manipulate and kill—was Timothy’s life. He was driven. Obsessed. Fanatical. Then, in a moment, he lost everything.

Now Timothy fights for survival and revenge in the Huctan death rings. When his recklessness and skill take him all the way to the Huctan capitol, he finds himself enmeshed in a deadly game of lies and deception. While his brother leads a last desperate rebellion in Botan, Timothy must rub shoulders with the Huctan princess, match wits with the man who betrayed his country, and navigate the plots, duplicity, and tests of loyalty that could decide the fate of his nation.

What I liked about King’s Table:

As I mentioned when I reviewed the first book, I enjoyed this fantasy book even though it doesn’t have magic, elves, or any of those typical characteristics of fantasy. The use of a more military air, plus the different directions Timothy and Robert took, made this an entertaining novel. I liked the way all the characters interacted, and the ending was very satisfying. Overall, an excellent end to the duet!

What I didn’t like about King’s Table:

The only issue I had with King’s Table was trying to keep up with the various subplots in the book.

Overall impression of King’s Table:

King’s Table (Everknot Duet, #2) was a well-written, well-plotted, and an enjoyable and entertaining book. With none of the traditional fantasy elements, it nonetheless fits well in the genre. If you enjoy fantasy, add this series to your TBR list.

My rating:

5 Stars

Connect with Travis Daniel Bow:

Find the author on his website, his Amazon Author page, or his Goodreads page. Discover all his books, maybe buy a couple, and consider leaving a review or a comment!

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Visiting a different genre for this review. I’ve read a few of Diana Febry’s books and enjoyed them all. I particularly like the Chapman and Morris Mystery Series (Trouble at Clencher’s Mill and Trouble at Fatting House). I added Trouble at Suncliffe Manor to my TBR list. Here is my review.

Synopsis (from the author):

 After a tough winter, Kate is excited to receive a new house-sitting job in a clifftop manor house. As soon as they arrive, she experiences feelings of insecurity and the increasing sense she is being watched. Her sense of vulnerability is escalated by the paranoia of a young groom who does little to hide her attraction to Simon while persuading him to investigate the death of her grandmother. She believes her relative was murdered after seeing someone whose funeral she attended years earlier. While Simon chases ghosts in the shadows a very real threat is looming ever closer.

What I liked about Trouble at Suncliffe Manor:

The cozy mysteries Diana Debry write are like a visit from an old friend. Kate and Simon’s relationship continues to slowly evolve, but their penchant for danger is ever present. The story moves along nicely, with plenty of twists and turns along the way. Add to it the quaint setting of the story, and all the elements for a nice read are in place.

What I didn’t like about Trouble at Suncliffe Manor:

My chief issue with the book was the backdrop of Covid and its restrictions. I understand we can’t avoid the impact of the disease, but it was a bit of a distraction to the rest of the story.

Overall impression of Trouble at Suncliffe Manor:

Despite the issue I had with the Covid inclusion, I enjoyed the Trouble at Suncliffe Manor. Interesting and familiar characters, nice twists and turns, and a satisfying end kept me entertained. If you like cozy English mysteries, add this one to your own TBR list!

My rating:

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 stars)

Connect with Diana J. Febry:

Visit Diana Febry’s Amazon Author page or her Goodreads page to find all her books. If you’ve read one or more, consider leaving a review. If you haven’t pick up a book or two (and then consider leaving a review when you finish reading them).

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I’ve been a little behind on my reviews and it’s time to get back to them. This installment is another BRAG Medallion award winning book, Thane (Everknot Duet Book 1) by Travis Daniel Bow. Read on for my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

A young fanatic, a cadre of elite rebel spies, and a betrayal that will change everything.

Timothy is awkward, angry, and itching to fight. When he is kidnapped and conscripted into a secret army—and when a girl with a strange set of skills sets him free—he throws himself into the rebel cause. Igniting years of pent-up frustration into an obsessive drive to fight, spy, and deceive better than anyone else, he loses himself in the Band. But a bigger game is afoot, an old enemy is on the hunt, and everything Timothy has come to live for is at stake.

What I liked about Thane:

One of the most interesting aspects of this fantasy book is there isn’t any magic. That’s right, no mysterious spells or even magical creatures, yet the novel captured my attention and held it. The characters, especially Timothy and Robert, were well-developed, and the intrigue the pair find themselves part of kept the story rolling. Add to that the cast of supporting characters and their various adventures, and you have a tale that kept me turning the pages.

What I didn’t like about Thane:

The only complaint I have about Thane is the use of narrative versus dialogue. While I understand the need for a narrative viewpoint, I thought that dialogue in certain places might have moved the story along better than the narration did. It’s a minor point, though.

Overall impression of Thane:

I enjoyed Thane (Everknot Duet Book 1) by Travis Daniel Bow! While not a typical fantasy trope, with magic and magical creatures, it didn’t need them. Lots of action, intrigue, and good characters, this well-written novel is a good addition to fantasy fans’ TBR list.

My rating:

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 Stars)

Connect with Travis Daniel Bow:

Find the author on his website, his Amazon Author page, or his Goodreads page. Discover all his books, maybe buy a couple, and consider leaving a review or a comment!

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I found The Woodcutter King by Aerick Graham on bragmedallion.com and, after reading the blurb, added it to my TBR list. Here is my review.

Synopsis (from the author):

The whilom Wardens of Wudelic woods are watchers and sentinels of the wild. Their roots run deep like the oaks and elders. Proud as towering pines. Their history is as an old language etched into ruins, they are now known as the Woodcutters.

Eerie for their Ghost-lights, glowing orbs that sit on their brow, folks are not sure what to make of them. The patriarch, Alaric, is a descendant of the first Warden, having the ear of the woodland goddess, Lhodyn. She is the embodiment of all that is wild – capricious at best, vindictive at worse.

War descends over Alaric’s village as borderland marauders murder and enslave all. In reaction, Lhodyn seizes the village children and hides them within her woodland realm. Alaric is now faced with a hard choice, to remain and endure certain brutality while he searches for the young ones or flee with the remainder of his family, their best chance for survival.

What I liked about The Woodcutter King:

I enjoyed the way the author wove the story around the lives of the Wardens. To me it made the story not just your usual fantasy novel, but one that was truly rooted in family and what it means. The characters were nicely fleshed out, and the plot move along nice progression. Overall, an enjoyable book!

What I didn’t like about The Woodcutter King:

At times, the book moved a little slowly at times, and oddly-placed plots points detracted from the tale.

Overall impression of The Woodcutter King:

The Woodcutter King was an enjoyable book. The story wove nicely around the Wardens’ lives and the sacrifices family makes for one another. The only weak spots were a few slow moments in the story and some oddly-placed plot points. If you like fantasy, though, put this one on the TBR list!

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with Aerick Graham:

Find Aerick Graham on his website, his Goodreads page, or his Amazon Author page. Visit and find all his books. Please consider leaving a review, too!

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