Mind Fog Review's Marilyn Thompson Gives 'Hard Winter' 5 stars

Hard Winter
N.W. Davies

"Hard Winter" by N.W. Davies is a tale of survival. Set in England in the year 2118. An apocalyptic winter has occurred due to a nuclear war over oil in 2062. The nuclear winter that followed caused glacier ice to move south at an unprecedented speed.  The survivors must not only battle frigid temperatures and the threat of starvation, but the things that are far worse moving ahead of the ice toward them, things that once were reserved for nightmares.

With "Hard Winter" N.W. Davies created a story that read like a full-length novel. So much was said with so very few words. Watching as Norman transformed from a selfish self-serving individual to a caring and possibly heroic figure was a fantastic journey. I was captured by this tale from the first sentence and was unable to pull myself free until I had finished. A well crafted tale. Absolutely one of the best I have ever read.

***** 5 Stars
Author/ Reviewer Marilyn Thompson
Mind Fog Reviews

Prisoner and Survivor: William's Story by Brian Kittrell

Prisoner and Survivor: William’s Story is the third tale of four in the “The Survivor Chronicles” by Brian Kittrell that I have had the pleasure to read. This book tells William Merris’s point of view on the events of the biological bomb with the virus Revelation a/k/a Kemper A.  The story starts when William escapes from jail before the zombies can turn him. Once he escapes he meets Tiffany and Edgar who travel west with him because Wiliam sees a vision of a girl telling him to go west. Will all of them get to the west where it is safe or will the zombies get them?

In reading “Prisoner and Survivor: William’s Story” I realized again how much work Mr. Kittrell has put into this series.  I love the history that Mr. Kittrell has put in William’s character and in fact there were times where I succumbed to the feeling that I was William. I also like how Mr. Kittrell has started to show how all the characters are going to come together.  I am impatiently waiting for the last book. 

4 Bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

Blood Clay by Valerie Nieman

Blood Clay by Valerie Nieman is an interesting kind of story that tells how Tracy Gaines, who just relocated to Saul, North Carolina, watches a little girl get maulled by a pack of dogs. As she tells the truth of what happened on that fateful day, most people don’t believe her because she is an outsider. The only one who truly believes her is a fellow teacher, Dave Fordham, who has his own problems with people accepting him. As Tracy struggles with fighting for her principles of right and wrong, she finds friendship and love with Dave. Will the truth of what happned to

Lakesha heal the wounds of the people involved or will it tear families apart.

Ms. Nieman’s book “Blood Clay” is a book that shows characters that have principles and that it’s hard when you have to stick up for yourself. In fact the characters felt very real to me. One of the things I loved is it also told some of the history of North Carolina. I also loved that the relationship between Tracy and Dave starting out as friends and then become involved with each other. I think women of the south no, make that all women, would like see more books where the characters started out as friends instead of hopping into bed at the first scene.

“Blood Clay” should be on everyone’s “to read” list.

4 Bookmarks

Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer

Mind Fog Reviews

Review for Hunting Season

Hunting Season by J.E. Taylor is the sequel to Vengeance. Steve William is doing everything he can to find Kyle Winslow, the man who killed his baby daughter and put his wife in a coma. After the death of his partner and boss Steve receives help from the partners father, Chris Ryan, who is a former criminal. Chris uses his expertise in hacking and knowledge of the underworld to help track Kyle. Can Chris and Steve find Kyle fast enough or will Steve’s wife and Chris’ wife be killed before they can?

Sequels are not usually as good as the first book. I am very pleased to say that Hunting Season is as good or even better than Vengeance. Ms. J.E. Taylor finishes the story completely, however she left herself some wiggle room for another book if she should chose to do so. I loved the characters in Hunting Season, especially Chris Ryan’s wife and son C.J. I can honestly say that it will be a shame if people don’t read Vengeance and Hunting Season by J.E. Taylor as it’s a fantastic read to escape the bad news of the world.

4.5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

The Forget-Me-Nots by Ginger Simpson

The short story The Forget-Me-Nots by Ginger Simpson is a delightful story of a woman named Sarah who, while going through her mother’s things after her death, finds a keepsake called The Forget-Me-Not with her mother’s name, a date and a man’s name she does not recognize. She embarks on a journey to find out more about this keepsake.
This is one of the better shorts I have read in a long time. It has a well written plot, believable characters and a wonderful ending. It isn’t like many of today’s short stories where you find something missing like a plot or character development. If you need a small break from a long day and want a book with a feel good ending, The-Forget-Me-Nots is a keepsake of a story.

5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

The Officer’s Journey by Eric J. Obmann

The Officer’s Journey by Eric J. Obmann tells us a fantasy that came to life for Captain Lloyd Players, Commander of the 37th Calvary Division of the British Army. In a middle of a battle he suddenly finds himself being pulled into another dimension/ world called Holihand, where the people are fighting someone from the future of Earth’s time. Will Commander Players be able to help them? Will he be able to return to Earth and his own time?
The Officer’s Journey, I felt was a different take on time travel. Captain Players didn’t just time travel, he traveled to a different world, which I thought was interesting. Another thing I liked was the character of Captain Players was true to himself throughout the whole book. He didn’t change who he was in a different world/time.
The one problem I did have was with the second half of the book. I don’t want to give away the ending of the book as it does have merit. I felt the second half went way to fast and could have been more developed.
I know some hard core fantasy readers that would love this story and I will be recommending it to them.

3 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

The Locket by Ginger Simpson

The Locket by Ginger Simpson centers around a locket that seems to cause people to murder. The story starts in 1940 with a woman giving it to a priest after she killed someone and the story follows the locket through the years. Can a simple locket cause all these women to kill or is it just a coincidence?
I am a big fan of Ginger Simpson and I am surprised to find a different type of book from her than her romances. I have to say she shows with The Locket that she can write just about any genre. I found this to be as enjoyable as or maybe more than her other books. She definitely has talent.

3.5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

Ghost Ship’s Cry by Dawn Luedecke

In Ghost Ship’s Cry by Dawn Luedecke we find that Laura’s brother’s ship wrecked and he didn’t come back with the rest of the crew that survived. All of Laura’s pleadings to the Lighthouse Keeper Alston to keep looking for her brother has fallen on deaf ears. Her mother comes up with a plan to make Lighthouse Keeper Alston look for Laura’s brother. Does the plan work and is Laura’s brother still alive?
Ghost Ship’s Cry was a fast read and at times it went a little too fast. Don’t get me wrong it has a good plot and the characters are well written. I did, however, feel the need to have a little more romance in this storyline. Being that this is a short story this is to be expected and one hopes to see characters more developed in a novella should the author make more of this storyline. I would have liked to have more time with Wade Alston and Laura in a romantic situation. Also I would have liked to have seen more scenes with them finding Laura’s brother.
Still it’s a great escape for 20 minutes when you are overwhelmed by your day and need a break that is enjoyable. I would not sink this author’s ship as she did not leave us high and dry with this short story.

3 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

The War of the Dead: Andy’s Story by Brian Kittrell

The War of the Dead: Andy’s Story is the second in “The Survivor Chronicles” by Brian Kittrell. In this story we get Captain Andy Mackenzie’s view of the events leading up to warlord General Mumbatu sending missiles with the virus Revelation a/k/a Kemper-A. Andy’s point of view is from the beginning of when the crisis started, from the Army getting samples of the virus so they can find a cure to the actual missiles landing on US soil.

I was fortunate to be the one who reviewed the first in this series The Dying Times. As with the first novel, Mr. Kittrell does a large amount of research in this story. The characters are well formed and the background given helps the story come alive. You can actually feel the dislike the Captain has against General Sparey and how much he hated it when his country started gunning down a person in a helicopter who was trying to escape the virus that turns the dead into zombies.
It seems lately all I have been reviewing is zombie stories. However, I feel that out of all that I have reviewed, Mr. Kittrell’s’s stories out do them all. I can’t wait for the third book in the series called Prisoner and Survivor: William’s Story.

4 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Review

I Heard the Bells by Dawn Luedecke.

I Heard the Bells is the second in a series by Dawn Luedecke. Abigail lives at the Lighthouse and Gavin is part of a lifesaving station where he saves lives to those lost in the “Graveyard of the Pacific”. Both love each other but can’t force themselves to tell each other. When Abigail’s brother is lost during his boating trip she and Gavin begin to realize that they love each other.

I found I Heard the Bells to be a delightful short story. It had a “Hallmark” feeling to it and was just a romance story not a sexual one for which I applaud Ms. Laedecke. She knows how to write an awesome short story without sacrificing the plot or character development. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author.


3.5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

Isolated by D.M. Slate

A honeymoon goes horribly wrong in the short story entitled “Isolated” by D.M. Slate. While on his honeymoon Anthony’s wife is kidnapped and he doesn’t remember how or what happened while they were honeymooning in Mexico. As the FBI gets information regarding the case Anthony struggles to remember the events that led up to Jazmine’s kidnapping. Will Anthony remember things in time to save Jazmine?
I found this story to be gripping and I think that this story could be made into a full lenth novel if not a novella. It has everything a reader could ask for including, but not limited to, mystery, suspense, and a little romance thrown in for good measure. Isolated by D. M. Slate should be on everyone’s reading list for the summer!!!

4.5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

Day 94 by D.M. Slate

In “Day 94” by D.M. Slate a meteor landed in the city of Greely and Joslin didn’t know it would change her life forever. The crash of the meteor caused an illness that turned people into zombies. How will Joslin and her family prevent nnot just getting the illness but surviving without power and food?
In my profession I read all different genres in short story and novel formats. This includes the genre of Sci-fi ones such as this which is about people turning into zombies. While I enjoyed the fact that this short story was a fast paced book, it was similar to another story that I reviewed a short time ago where an illness turned people into zombies. This makes me wonder how many ways a person can turn into a zombie. The only difference with this one is that a meteor caused this illness. In my eyes surely there are other ways that people can turn into zombies other than getting an illness?
However, for the Sci-fi fan who wants a quick read while on the beach drinking a cold beer, this would be the perfect story because like I said its fast paced and the plot keeps moving the entire time you’re reading it.

VENGEANCE BY J.E. TAYLOR

J.E. Taylor’s book “Vengeance” is a gripping novel about Steve Williams…an undercover FBI agent who is working as a lawyer working for Charlie Wisnowski…a drug dealer that no one has been able to catch. Charlie tries to get Steve hooked on cocaine and have him indebted to him for helping him protect his wife from a serial rapist/killer. Does he succeed or does Steve’s wife and Steve’s desire to catch him win?
It was fast paced but J.E. Taylor took the time to make sure the characters came alive and the plot was well thought out. For instance, she made Steve struggle with his doing his job and protecting his family just like any man would do in his circumstance. “Vengeance” had me by the first chapter and I almost had the book read by one night. This is the perfect book to read on the beach or near a pool this summer. I was amazed at this novel and know that others will react the same way. You just can’t ignore the events that captivate you from the beginning. This author has produced a genuine thriller!

5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

White Sleeper by Dr. David R. Fett and Stephen Langford

The novel White Sleeper by Dr. David R. Fett and Stephen Langford is interesting idea on how a son of a supremacist tries to seek revenge on the government that killed his parents. Dr. Dave Richards is told to investigate a series of unexplained fatal diseases, he finds more than he thought. He and FBI agent Paula Mushari seek to find the answers before time runs out.
This novel was an interesting read for me because I love what “if” stories. The story that Dr. David R. Fett and Stephen Langford spin in White Sleeper is something that can actually happen in our world today. I love how the plot slowly develops and the characters are very in-depth, they show Dr. Dave Richards as a intelligent doctor with a past, desperately seeking to reclaim his life and job. I really enjoyed this book and sincerely hope this duo of writers write another one as they make a fantastic team. I suspect that the readers that love thrillers will want to read this novel and expect to see another! The duo succeeds in catching you quickly and keeps your attention to the details making it a wonderful read!

4 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

Belonging by Nancy Minnis Damato

Belonging by Nancy Minnis Damato is the second book in the trilogy of the Taylor women. This story takes off where The Pawn left off where you follow Josie’s daughter Taylor. Taylor struggles with the lies that her mother told about her father and her need to find out who her father is. Meanwhile she uses what her mother taught her about business and makes a life for herself. As her journey continues she realizes why her mother lied to protect her.
Sometimes when you reading a trilogy you have to reread the book to figure how the 2nd book fits in. I am very happy that didn’t happen with the Belonging. It literally picked up where The Pawn left off. There was no new characters that were introduced while waiting for the main characters came back into the book. Taylor’s characters come across just as she was in book 1. I had read The Pawn for review and am happy to say that the sequel was better than original. It was like Ms. Damato came into her strive and knew where she wanted to take the characters. I hope that I get to read Separate World that ties book 1 and 2 together.

4 bookmark
Carol Langstroth, Manager, Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

MerryWeather Lodge: Ancient Revenge by Pauline Holyoak

MerryWeather Lodge: Ancient Revenge by Pauline Holyoak is the most interesting book I have come across in a long time. Set in England, Emily is visiting her uncle and aunt when she finds that the house has spirits in it. No one believes her except for a teenage boy named Jonathan. Fast forward five years and Emily is forced to finally face the evils that surround MerryWeather Lodge. Will Jonathon help Emily face the evil spirits that haunt the lodge, or will he think it’s all in her head?
I found that MerryWeather Lodge: Ancient Revenge to be unique book. It showed an interesting take on the evil spirit world. The characters of Emily and Jonathan were very thought out and their personality came alive in the story more so than the other characters. Mrs. Holyoak has an intense imagination to create the evils spirits as well. I hope to see what else Mrs. Holyoak writes.


4.5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager and Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

(RE)Making Love by Mary L. Tabor

Mrs. Tabor’s “(Re)Making Love” is a memoir taken from her blog about her experiences while she was separated from her husband. She talks freely about getting back into dating but her heart belongs to her husband.

In theory the idea of taking a blog and turning it into a memoir is a fantastic idea, however, I felt that at times this book jumped around and I, a couple times, put it down because of that. I loved the fact that she was very open about her experiences and that she compared her life at times to romantic comedies and at times used quotes from many other authors to convey her thoughts and gives them credit which most authors don’t do in this day and age.

I think women who are going through similar changes in life will get something out of this. Maybe one of the reasons I didn’t get “it” was I was not in the situation that she was in.

2 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager
Mind Fog Reviews

Liron’s Melody by Brieanna Robertson

Liron’s Melody by Brieanna Robertson is a timeless romance story in more than one way. Melody is grieving from the death of her parents in a car crash one year ago. Her friend, Nikki, finds an old scroll of music that she thinks will get Melody to play the piano again. As Melody begins to play it she sees a man there but she thinks it is her imagination but as she plays she gets sent to another dimension where she finds Liron…a muse. Will Melody get back to her own world? Will Liron help her with her grief over her parents’ deaths? What exactly does a muse do?

I have to say Ms. Brieanna Robertson likes giving romances a different twist with every book by her that I read. She has a vivid imagination and has a way with writing interesting characters that seem to come alive on paper. Liron’s character is a perfect example of a character that just jumps out of the page when you read about him being a muse and what a muse is/does. This would be the perfect book for people that are tired of the same old romance stories that have been done over and over again. Look out world, a new exciting writer just may take the lead over other romance writers.

3.5 bookmarks
Carol Langstroth, Manager
Mind Fog Reviews

New Self New World Recovering Our Senses in the Twenty-first Century by Philip Shepard

Mr. Philip Shepherd's book, which I will abbreviate as “New Self New World”, is a refreshingly encompassing look at the human sense of self and how that self connects with the universe. His central thesis has been touted by a diverse pool of philosophical and religious ideas, but Shepherd is one of few individuals who have drawn upon all facets of human experience to help others get out of their heads and in touch with the universe. Far from the usual New Age work, this opus takes the tenants of everything from anthropology to quantum physics to trace humanity's journey as we went from gut-driven children of the universe to prisoners of analysis attempting to assert dominance over the universe's harmony. We, according to the author, over analyze everything in an effort to essentially create a series of reference labels instead of experiencing our world.

Shepherd takes a unique approach to releasing the reader from her habit of over scrutiny by introducing Being. It is from Being, feeling yourself and the world in the present, which should direct humanity and the brain which should do the work. As it stands, in Shepherd's mind, humanity has cut its head off to operate independently from Being centered in the gut, as in gut-feeling, making it operate as both decider and doer.

I feel it would spoil the effect should I elaborate any more, and Shepherd does so much more eloquently than I could ever hope. If there were ever an example of why humanity should be encompassing in both learning and feeling it is outlined exquisitely in this work.

5 Bookmarks
Sara Messina, Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews

Sha'Daa: Last Call edited by Edward F. McKeown

“Sha'Daa: Last Call” is a shared world collection of stories centering on the concept of a Salesman. He offers the protagonist of each story a trade that will allow them to survive and/or defeat the horror they will soon encounter. Each protagonist must rise to the challenge to prevent the unleashing of horrific C'thulian beings. I enjoyed the writing and the characters but a few of the characters choices seemed outside the range of their suggested intelligence for better or worse. I'm not sure about the military response to a noncombatant in “Deathstalk” by Bruce Durham. I like that the authors did not put a lot of effort into trying to make all the traded items match up but left the story open to many more trades but seeing them come up was a good way to remind the reader of prior trades and leaves them wondering who is going to need the item that I being traded for and what the current hero will need their “new” item for.

4 Bookmarks
Paul Cherry II, Reviewer
Mind Fog Reviews