Author Archives: karenjvjohnson

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Winter Promises

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This was a strange place to start but I wanted a Christmas-themed story. That was given in the slimmest of ways. I also had not read anything by this author before this either but did like what I have read so far. The characters seem a little thin to me, but that could be because I have not read the previous book where they were set up originally. I do like the story itself though.

Holly Ellis has never liThis was an unusual place to start, but I wanted a Christmas-themed story. My request was fulfilled in the slimmest of ways. I hadn’t read anything by this author before, but I liked what I have read so far. The characters seem a bit underdeveloped to me, but that could be because I haven’t read the previous book where they were originally introduced. However, I do enjoy the story itself.

Holly Ellis has never liked Christmas, and after being shuttled between foster care homes for so long, who could blame her? Now, at 22 years old, her feelings about the holiday remain unchanged. But this year, things might be different as Arie concocts an exceptional scavenger hunt for her.

I appreciated the story’s presentation; it wasn’t overly explicit but still enjoyable. The BDSM elements are quite light and well-executed. This is intended as a standalone novella and seems to work that way, as it doesn’t reveal anything about the novel itself. Overall, it’s a decent short story. ked Christmas, but after being shuttled between foster care homes for so long who could blame her? And at 22 years old that has not changed one bit. But things may change this year as Arie concocts a very special scavenger hunt for her.

I did like the way the thing was done and it was not super hot but still good. The BDSM is pretty light and well-played. This is intended as a standalone novella and seems to work that way since it does not give anything away about the novel itself. Decent short story.

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟

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Antique Bed

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This was my first encounter with this author’s work, and I found this short story exceptionally well-crafted. It has piqued my interest in reading more of his works. The narrative is engaging, with several intense moments that are effectively executed. The characters are surprisingly developed for the story’s brevity.

The local children have always whispered that the old hardware store was haunted. But do ghosts really exist?
After being left by her boyfriend, Sandy needs to find affordable housing and stumbles upon an apartment above the newly renovated hardware store. Disbelieving in ghosts, she’s thrilled to find such a bargain. However, as odd occurrences unfold, she begins to question her disbelief.

Try reading this story and form your own opinion.

My rating: ⚝⚝⚝⚝

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The Ghost of Normandy Road

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It simply didn’t resonate with me. Despite its high ratings and popularity, it failed to capture my interest. Perhaps I’ll reconsider it in the future if the opportunity arises. However, the inability to connect with any of the characters was a significant drawback for me, even though I persisted well beyond the usual stopping point.

My rating: 🌟

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Mom, I’m Scared

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The narrative took a while to resonate with me, which diminished my enjoyment. Initially, I felt disconnected from the protagonists due to their lackluster backstories. As a short story, the failure to captivate from the start is a critical flaw, given the brief window to engage the reader. Although the pace improved towards the end, the story struggled to reach a satisfying conclusion. The lack of explanations for the events left the resolution feeling incomplete.

Allison Bright, a single mother, sought a new beginning. She and her teenage daughter relocated to a dilapidated farmhouse on Maryland’s eastern shore. Soon, they began to realize the reasons behind its affordability.

Moreover, the story lacked any element of horror.

My rating: ⚝⚝

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The Long Sunset

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I’ve been captivated by this series and the character Priscilla Hutchins from the very first book, and my fascination has only grown. Watching Hutch evolve as an individual, a mother, and a pilot has been a delight. The best part is knowing that whenever there’s an incident in the depths of space, Hutch’s extensive experience makes her the likely candidate to be called upon.

During a class, Dr. Derek Blanchard receives a transmission featuring a waterfall and a musical score through the telescope they’re observing. His initial instinct is to investigate whether it originated from an extraterrestrial civilization. It’s been 7000 years, and the majority of Earth’s population is reluctant to engage with potentially hostile, advanced aliens.
Nevertheless, Dr. Blanchard is eager to seek out these beings to verify if the signal indeed came from an alien planet, rather than a terrestrial interference. To this end, Derek recruits Priscilla to navigate a ship seven hundred light-years away in search of answers. However, they encounter far more than they anticipated.

The story doesn’t revolve around action, which is perfectly acceptable as it allows for a deeper understanding of the characters through their interactions. The science is sound, and the aliens, while imaginative, bear a resemblance to terrestrial fauna. I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates science fiction that focuses more on exploration than combat.

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Orbs IV

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I had been eagerly awaiting a continuation of this story, as the last novel’s cliffhanger led me to believe it would be a trilogy. Initially, the story seemed slow but quickly gained momentum and captivated me. The characters have been consistently excellent since the series began and have only improved. Even the newer characters evoke empathy and connection. The narrative doesn’t resolve just one plotline but three, detailing the survival struggles of those fighting from the outset.

Although Operation Redemption was unsuccessful, the Sunspot was launched and is en route to Mars to join the colony there. The team from Cheyenne Mountain, along with a few others, has embarked on the lengthy journey with hope in their hearts. Meanwhile, survivors continue their fight for life; Captain Nobel is captured but alive aboard an Organics ship, and Alexia is working to evacuate everyone from the planet if possible.

The story is replete with action, adventure, and intense emotion. For those seeking a journey that stirs the full range of feelings, this story is an excellent choice. I highly recommend it!

My rating: 🌠🌠🌠🌠

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The Afterlife of Abdul

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I have never read this author before. The story was a bit slow moving considering how short it is. The characters are bland and do not really draw you in. They are more just snapshots of their personalities without any real depth to them. The language that is used by them seems to fit with who they are as far I can tell.

Azrael, the Angel of Death comes to collect the souls of Abdul and those who die with him. Abdul does not die alone and Jenny, a six year old who is asleep in her mother’s back seat also dies. What happens next is something they could not have seen coming.

This was alright but not worth another read. I have not decided whether to red the next in the series yet. I will be reading another book from this author and decide what to do. While I found it rather dry someone else might not.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐

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Mountain Man

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I adore this author and usually relish the tales I read, but this particular story didn’t fully meet my expectations. Initially, I could predict the plot from the first chapter and character introduction. The characters were well-developed, to the extent that I genuinely disliked one of them for her lifelike portrayal. However, I missed a sense of the town and its inhabitants, as I enjoy rich backdrops. The main characters received some background, but it felt insufficient, providing just a skeletal understanding of their identities before they came together.

William Black relocated to Marshall Heights to escape what he viewed as unforgivable failures, believing he didn’t deserve to be part of society. Living reclusively on the mountain, he’s the subject of much speculation, yet the truth of his past remains hidden. Delilah, a bank employee, encounters William during his biweekly visits to cash checks. Despite the rumors, she senses they’re unfounded. Her admiration turns to affection after witnessing an act she deems heroic. Complicating matters is Janet, the proverbial thorn in the side, who seeks to rekindle a relationship with William for less than noble motives.

The romance was endearing and somewhat steamy. I would suggest it to others, as the author’s talent shines through, and fans of this book are likely to appreciate their other works as well.

My rating: 💖💖💖

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Conquest: Angels of Chicago

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I had never read this author before, but I was open to giving their work a chance to captivate me. Initially, the story didn’t grab my attention, but as I delved deeper, I became more engaged, only to lose interest again towards the end. The book was riddled with grammatical errors, including missing or superfluous words. The characters were decent, yet I wished for a deeper exploration of their identities, despite the book’s brevity.

Sam Black, a private detective in Chicago, is burdened with a psychic ability he resents. He views it as a curse and believes he’s alone in his suffering until an angel named Alleam appears, heralding a series of extraordinary events. A cosmic battle between Heaven and Hell ensues, with Sam caught in the crossfire. Alleam enlists Sam’s help to avert the apocalypse, signaling that things will worsen before they improve.

Although this story wasn’t a favorite, I persisted to the end.

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟

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The Haunting of Harper House

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The book was a swift read, lacking extensive character or setting development, yet it provided some entertainment. This was my first experience with the author’s work, and despite not being an impressive introduction, it has piqued my interest to explore more of their writings. The pace was so brisk that I scarcely had time to form an opinion about the characters, living or dead. The prose was competent; however, I anticipated more suspense and events within the house.

Wyatt Harper resides in a house constructed by his father. Tragically, at the age of 20, Wyatt lost his parents in an accident. Marrying a local woman, he devoted his love to her, aspiring for a lengthy life together. His ominous final words pledged an eternal presence in the home. Years later, Blake, a 22-year-old embalmer, acquires the house, oblivious to its prolonged vacancy’s cause. Uncovering its past compels her to contemplate fleeing.

Although the narrative is somewhat terse, it manages to deliver a modest thrill and kindles curiosity for similar tales. It’s a satisfactory haunted house story, fitting for a late-night read.

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟