Review of Blazing Upheaval by Karen Charles (#Contest-Win a Copy of the Book.)

 

Books R Us wants to welcome Karen Charles to our blog. Karen is the author of Blazing Upheaval and Fateful Connections. She is surfing the blogosphere with Pump Up Your Book. Enter below to win a copy of her book. Thanks for stopping by.

Book Title: Blazing Upheaval

Author: Karen Charles

Publisher: Book Baby

Publication Date: July 25, 2024

Pages: 172 Genre: Thriller

About the Book:

 

In the heart of the tumultuous Rodney King riots in Los Angeles, a dedicated teacher finds herself thrust into a hazardous situation. Struggling to navigate the chaos and reach safety on the freeway, she faces dangerous obstacles that jeopardize her life. An unexpected rescue during a brutal attack plunges her, her family, and two other families into a chilling series of enigmatic events and escalating violence.

As the city grapples with unrest, they are entangled in a web of mysteries swiftly building in intensity. In the turmoil, their bonds of family, loyalty, and love are put to the ultimate test. The tension mounts relentlessly until an unforeseen revelation, coinciding with the cataclysmic Northridge earthquake, irrevocably changes their lives forever.

This gripping true-story thriller delivers suspenseful twists and heart-pounding moments, weaving a narrative of family resilience, solidarity, and enduring love in the face of daunting circumstances. It is a tale that illuminates the strength found within the human spirit when confronted with extraordinary challenges.

Blazing Upheaval is available at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMM6BXLG. 

 

About The Author:

 Karen Charles transforms real-life narratives into gripping fiction thrillers. Her novels intricately weave the threads of truth into a tapestry of suspense, intrigue, and riveting storytelling. An educator by profession, she is renowned for her thriller “Fateful Connections,” which unfolds against the backdrop of 9/11. “Blazing Upheaval” promises to deliver another chilling, heart-pounding experience. Karen and her husband reside on the serene shores of a beautiful bay in Washington, where she draws inspiration for her compelling narratives. Explore her insights and musings on the writer’s life through her blogs on “My Life As A Writer” at www.weaveofsuspense.com.

Website & Social Media:

Website ➜ http://weaveofsuspense.com 

Twitter ➜ http://www.twitter.com/karenra24229683 

Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/karen.rabe.7/

 

My Thoughts:

I want to introduce you to Tiffany, an Elementary School teacher who was traveling home during the Rodney King riots and ended up in an altercation. Three young men attacked her car. She was assisted by one of her student's father and his friends. One of the attackers was severely injured. This incident sets up a series of events that affect Tiffany and her entire family, making the book a compelling read. All the characters were well developed, each with unique and intriguing traits and struggles, making them relatable and adding depth to the story-line. The author had a way of describing the events happening at the time that kept me engaged. The author included an epilogue that listed the events chronologically, including the earthquake that affected everyone in the story. The author's thorough research while writing this book made me feel like I was amidst the chaos.

 

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Disclaimer: The author has given me a free copy of the book for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

Review of They Will Kill You Next by Tim Kizer and James Rice

I want to welcome Tim Kizer and James Rice to Books R Us. Tim and James are the authors of the thriller They Will Kill You Next. This is the third book in the Detective David Hudson series. Thanks for stopping by

About the Book:

Four years ago, a plane disappeared without a trace. Now someone is killing those who know what happened to it.
As David Hudson investigates the murder of suspected CIA assassin Charles Harris, he finds that the killing might be connected to the mysterious disappearance of a passenger jet that occurred four years before.

Harris had a hit list with five names in his wallet when his body was found. Days before he was murdered, he tried to warn the targets that a very powerful man wanted them dead.

As David tries to figure out how the people on the hit list are connected, he comes to suspect that someone is killing those who know what happened to the missing plane.

Digging deeper, David uncovers a conspiracy involving some of the most powerful men in America.

About the Authors:

Tim Kizer:

Mr. Kizer is an author of suspense and mystery fiction. He resides in Southern California. He is currently working on his new suspense novel.

James Rice:

 Mr Rice is an American author that writes suspense thrillers with twisted plots. He loves to travel and discover new cultures. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife.

My thoughts:

I had trouble keeping track of all the characters in the story due to choppy dialogue that distracted me. While I usually can determine who the killer is, it took me a while to figure it out. Nonetheless, the many twists and turns kept me engaged, and I was able to finish the book. However, I wish the author had developed the characters more to add depth to the plot. I have not read any of the other books in the series; perhaps if I had, I would have been able to relate to the characters better.

Books in the series:

Book 1: I know who Killed Your Daughter

Book 2: Don't Tell Them I am Alive 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of the book through Voracious Readers only for my honest opinion and I was not compensated for my review

REVIEW OF MURDER TOWN BY SHELLEY BURR

I want to welcome Shelley Burr to Books R Us. Shelly is the author of an international best seller Wake and she has returned with her novel Murder Town. To be published 11/5/24 by William Morrow. This is a thriller set in the Australian Outback that was originally published in Australia as Ripper.

 About the Book:

 Gemma Guillory has lived in the Australian Outback enclave of Rainier her entire life. She knows the tiny, red-dust town’s ins and

outs by heart, knows the people like they are her family, their quirks as if they were her own.

She also knows her once charming town is now remembered for one reason and one reason only: three innocent people died there at the hands of a serial killer. The last stop on the Rainier Ripper’s trail of deaths fifteen years ago was her picturesque little tea shop. She knows that the consequences of catching the Ripper still haunt her policeman husband and their marriage to this day, and some of her neighbors are desperate enough to welcome a dark tourism company keen to cash in on Rainier’s notoriety as the “Murder Town.”

When the tour guide is killed by a Ripper copycat on Gemma’s doorstep, the unease that has lurked quietly in the original killer’s wake explodes into the light, and Gemma is drawn into the investigation. Unbeknownst to her, so is a prisoner named Lane Holland, a former private investigator who earned a living cracking cold cases before he ran afoul of the law.

Gemma knows her town. She knows her people. Doesn't she?

 

About the Author:

Shelley Burris the author of the international bestseller, WAKE. She
works at the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment in Canberra, Australia. She grew up splitting her time between Newcastle and Glenrowan.

 

 

 

 

Connect with the Author: 

 https://www.shelleyburr.com.au/

https://x.com/ByssheShelley

 

My Thoughts:

I have always been a fan of thrillers, but I found this novel to be a bit confusing. Many characters were involved in the story line, and I had trouble keeping up with them. I had to reread some chapters to figure out what was happening in the story. I found the beginning of the book a bit slow but it picked up near the end. There were times that I wanted to stop reading but I pushed myself to finish the book. The ending was not impressive and disappointing. I hope the author's next novel will be more engaging and interesting.

 

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of the book for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review

REVIEW OF DECEPTIVE CALM BY PATRICIA SKIPPER (BARNES AND NOBLE EDITION)

 ABOUT THE BOOK:

Against the turbulent backdrop of declared martial law in South Carolina, a stunning light-skinned beauty, Vanessa, lives in a Catholic orphanage for Blacks. After a series of racial traumas, Vanessa obtains the birth certificate of a deceased white baby and uses this document to assume the child's identity. She moves to California and enrolls at UC Berkeley under her newly acquired name.

Vanessa marries into one of California's wealthiest families. Her charmed life abruptly ends eighteen months after the birth of her first child who is diagnosed with sickle cell trait. Discovering that the woman he married is Black, as is his toddler son, Vanessa's ruthless husband plots his revenge but they both survive. The police investigation that follows seems pretty clear-cut until a curious, young detective uncovers some clues to her private life where nothing is as it appears. The aftermath of the discovery brings down a pillar of San Francisco society.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Patricia Skipper's life journey began on a California Marine Corps base. After fighting in World War 11 and Korea, her father retired in South Carolina. Patricia was only 9 years old in 1961 when she saw her first "Colored Only" bathroom and water fountain signs in downtown Charleston at the Sears Roebuck. That sign scarred Patricia because on Marine Corps bases everyone ate at the same clubs, swam in the same pools and used the same bathrooms. That sign would have a major influence on her writing career as Patricia obtained a master degree in Broadcast Journalism. She reported internationally for the Charleston Evening Post from Leningrad and Moscow. Playing a key role, she supported a a brand new "Mothers Against Drunk Driving" and helped them get PSA (public service announcements) on every television station in the country. Earning accolades for her television commercial writing, Patricia has won numerous Addy Awards.

My Thought: 

I found the book very informative, well-written, and engaging. The themes included politics, racism, civil rights, and romance. The main character, Vanessa, is naive but very intelligent. She was a light-skinned black woman who was mistaken for a white woman in a very turbulent society. She lived in an all-black orphanage and had the support of her friends Trisha and Sister Rosalie. Sister Rosalie was like a mother to Vanessa and helped her while she was living in the orphanage. She obtained the identity of a deceased white baby and took it as her own so she could move on with her life. She traveled from South Carolina with her new identity to attend college in California with her friend Trisha.

Trisha, a character I deeply connected with, played a significant role in the novel. She was Vanessa's pillar of strength, providing her with the emotional support and guidance she needed. Their journey together, filled with trials and triumphs, will resonate with readers.

Post-graduation, Vanessa ventured into the broadcasting industry, where she met her husband, Tod. His family was affluent and esteemed, but when her son was diagnosed with Sickle Cell disease, her life took a drastic turn. She had to endure numerous hardships, including the societal challenges of the time and the wrath of her husband, who felt deceived by her actions. Tod's reaction, a reflection of the societal norms of the time, adds a layer of complexity to the story, making Vanessa's struggles even more poignant and relatable.

The book's narrative is driven by the characters' development, particularly Vanessa's, as she navigates the societal challenges of her time. While the book contains sexual content that may not be suitable for all readers, it is integral to the character development and the story's progression. The author's meticulous research and incorporation of historical details bring the period to life, creating a compelling read.

Purchase the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

 

Disclaimer: I will be compensated for my honest review of the book by the sponsor.