Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Author Updates #Reviews – #Fantasy Julia Benally, #Romance Linda Bradley, #Mystery Lizzie Chantree

Welcome to the Friday edition of the Cafe update with recent reviews for authors on the shelves.

The first author with a recent review is Julia Benally for the fantasy novel Pariahs (Ilinga Book I) – Julia is also a contributor to several anthologies that are available on her Amazon Author Page.

About Pariahs (Ilings Book 1)

In a land of monsters and soulless creatures, there is a secluded compound terrorized by a fallen demon-killer, the Grand Apwor. He’s claimed its youngest occupant Vijeren as his son. The Grand Apwor can’t be killed, he can’t be escaped, and his punishments are severe and horrific. Somehow, he knows where Vijeren is at all times. When a law enforcer named Zhin appears like a living flame, a family war that’s been sizzling for decades finally ignites. It drags Vijeren in, revealing secrets of a long-forgotten past and a family torn asunder in recesses of lost memories. Only Zhin knows how to kill the Grand Apwor, but the answer rests on the love between a father and son–something that Vijeren doesn’t have…

One of the recent reviews for the book on Goodreads

Dec 04, 2019 Antara Roy rated it Five Stars

A very engaging read! The world of Vijeren and his brothers is so vividly described, and the scenes of terror made me cringe, and yet I longed to read more. The author creates a complex universe and just as deftly and expertly weaves in the elements of terror and suspense. The fight scenes were amazingly described and what I loved most about this book was the heart and soul of the characters who faced every danger and obstacle with a spirit similar to ours. They may appear to be physically different from us, but I could see a great deal of humanness in them. Great read!

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US

And: Amazon UK

Judith Benally is also a contributor to several anthologies: Amazon US

and on: Amazon UK

Read the reviews and follow Julia : Goodreads

Connect to Julia via her blog: Sparrow Incarnate

The next author is Linda Bradley with a recent review for Maggie’s Way (Montana Bound Series book 1).

About the book

Middle-aged, Maggie Abernathy just wants to recuperate from cancer during the solitude of summer vacation after a tiresome year of teaching second grade. Maggie’s plans are foiled when precocious seven-year-old Chloe McIntyre moves in next door with her dad, John. Maggie’s life changes in a way she could never imagine when the pesky new neighbors steal her heart. With Maggie’s grown son away, her ex-husband in the shadows, her meddling mother’s unannounced visits, and Chloe McIntyre on her heels, somehow Maggie’s empty house becomes home again.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Feb 13, 2020 Mary McCormack rated it it was amazing

Linda Bradley’s writing is so realistic and alive. The humour gets you laughing. I have read the 3 books plus the Christmas story. The way the 3 main characters develop individual relationships and friendships but then all become bound together in deep love and trust. I love this series and have read it about 4 times. I would like Linda to write a sequel of where their lives are now.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US

And: Amazon UK

Also by Linda Bradley

Read all the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US

And on : Amazon UK

Read more reviews and follow Linda on : Goodreads

Connect to Linda via her website: Linda Bradley Author

The final book is If You Love Me I’m Yours by award winning inventor and author Lizzie Chantree.

About the book

‘If you love me, I’m yours…’

Maud didn’t mind being boring, not really. She had a sensible job, clothes, and love life… if you counted an overbearing ex who had thanked her, rolled over and was snoring before she even realised he’d begun! She could tolerate not fulfilling her dreams, if her parents would pay her one compliment about the only thing she was passionate about in life: her art.

Dot should have fit in with her flamboyant and slightly eccentric family of talented artists, but somehow, she was an anomaly who couldn’t paint. She tried hard to be part of their world by becoming an art agent extraordinaire, but she dreamed of finding her own voice.

Dot’s brother Nate, a smoulderingly sexy and famous artist, was adored by everyone. His creative talent left them in awe of his ability to capture such passion on canvas. Women worshipped him, and even Dot’s friend Maud flushed and bumped into things when he walked into a room, but a tragic event in his past had left him emotionally and physically scarred, and reluctant to face the world again.

Someone was leaving exquisite little paintings on park benches, with a tag saying, ‘If you love me, I’m yours’. The art was so fresh and cutting-edge, that it generated a media frenzy and a scramble to discover where the mystery artist could be hiding. The revelation of who the prodigious artist was interlinked Maud, Dot and Nate’s lives forever, but their worlds came crashing down.

Were bonds of friendship, love and loyalty strong enough to withstand fame, success and scandal?

One of the recent reviews for the book

Jan 28, 2020 E.J. Bauer rated it it was amazing

I thoroughly enjoyed this slightly quirky romance. It did not always follow the classic format, the characters were believable, slightly flawed and were not always nice to each other. The descriptive writing was wonderful. I simply wanted to jump into each of the scenes as they were described and I certainly covet a pair of shoes with red roses on the heels. I include no spoilers but it was a perfect holiday read for me. I will definitely be exploring more of this author’s work.

Also by Lizzie Chantree