I stepped away from my normal fantasy books for a romantic suspense with hints of paranormal. The author, Chariss K. Walker, is also new to me, but she is a fellow recipient of the BRAG Medallion. Here are my thoughts about Kaleidoscope (The Vision Chronicles Book One)!
Synopsis (from the author):
Mike Lewis is a man with a secret that he doesn’t want to share. The life of the 44-year-old geophysicist is one that most would envy. He’s handsome, well-paid, and well-traveled, but he can’t tell anyone about his psychic ability. Such an admission would put him and anyone he told in harm’s way.
He has always wanted a loving relationship like the one his parents had, but he refused to enter into a committed relationship like that without being completely honest. Can he find a woman to love who will accept his paranormal ability and keep his secret? He wants that more than anything else, and his biological clock is ticking.
After spending fifteen years denying his gift of visions in silence, he can no longer cope with keeping this secret. While home after his latest job assignment, he decides to confide in Nelson, a psychiatrist friend of 25 years. Nelson recommends that Mike keep a journal and passively observe the visions rather than being part of them. This exercise allows the pair to explore the visions in a controlled setting. However, shortly after confiding in Nelson, all hell breaks loose! Mike learns that his home and electronics are bugged. His friends are in danger. A young woman dies. After two failed abduction schemes, and not knowing what else to do, Mike decides he must learn to protect himself. He studies close combat fighting techniques with the determination to fight as long as he can, and then run!
What I liked about Kaleidoscope:
I liked the premise of the story, and the plot was well done. Mike Lewis’ journey to accept his gift and use it made for interesting twists and turns, and figuring out who to trust added a lot of mystery. I thought the characters were well-developed and believable. Mike’s dedication to defending himself and his friends plays a critical role in the story (no spoilers from me), and the romantic developments round out a nicely paced and entertaining novel!
What I didn’t like about Kaleidoscope:
Though I enjoyed the book, there were places where the dialogue didn’t flow well. I understand this is the first of eight books in the series, but I didn’t enjoy the cliffhanger ending.
Overall impression of Kaleidoscope:
Kaleidoscope by Chariss K. Walker was a well-paced, character-driven novel and the first book in an eight-book series. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and most have issues that are explored in the book. The premise was unique, the action almost non-stop, and Mike Lewis’s exploration and acceptance of his gift lent a paranormal feel to the story. Overall, I enjoyed the book (except for the cliffhanger ending).
My rating:
4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 Stars)
Connect with Chariss K. Walker:
Find Chariss K. Walker on her Goodreads page and Amazon Author Page, and discover more about the author and her many books. If you’ve read one, consider leaving a review. If you haven’t, Kaleidoscope might be a great place to start.
Connect with me:
Find me on X, Goodreads, Facebook, and Pinterest. Say hi and let’s connect!
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