#Book Review: Viral Blues by Craig Boyack @virgilante, and Finding Hunter by Marcia Meara @MarciaMeara

Hello everyone. Today, I’d like to share two book reviews with you, both from indie writers whoom I respect. The first book is by my friend and fellow Story Empire writer, Criag Boyack, and features many old-favourites character-wise. The second work is from Marcia Meara, and is the second book in her Riverbend Series. I greatly enjoyed both books. From here, I’ll let my reviews and the book descriptions tell you all you need to know >>>


Viral Blues

Someone knows about the hat. The creature from another dimension that helps Lizzie fight against the creatures of darkness.

They are summoned to a cryptic meeting with a secret society, where they meet other people with enhanced skills. It turns out someone, or something, has been tampering with the world’s vaccine supply. The goal doesn’t appear to be political or financial, but biblical pestilence.

Can this group of loners come together in time to make a difference when even the proper authorities are obstacles?

Check out Viral Blues, for your dose of paranormal adventure, with a strong sample of dark humor. And in recent superhero style, don’t miss the secret last chapter after the back material.

 

 

 

 

My Review:

 

 

I greatly enjoyed reading The Hat, and the two main characters from that book feature largely in this one. As do lots of old favourites from C S Boyack’s fiction. As ever, I loved the humour that the author injects into his writing, and this book kept me highly entertained.

A few technical issues in the writing interrupted the flow sometimes, mostly around using the word ‘sat’ when what is called for is ‘set’, and then the complete lack of using ‘had’ when it is desperately needed to put the sentence into the proper time frame for when things are happening or have happened. A lot of times, I found myself having to re-read something to get the sense of it because the author had omitted ‘had’, which changed the whole perception of the thing.

Other than those hiccups, this was a fantastic read with a great plot and storyline, as well as brilliantly written characters that never fail to amuse and entertain. As the book description promises, you get a good dose of paranormal adventure, with a strong sample of hilarious dark humour. I’ll be eagerly awaiting more books from this author. Viral Blues gets a solid 4 stars from me.

 

Finding Hunter (Book 2: Riverbend Series)

 

Before, I never thought about taking a life. Not once.
Now, the thought fills my mind day and night, and
I wonder how I’ll hide that terrible need,
As an old car swings to the shoulder,
And stops.

~ Traveling Man ~

Hunter Painter’s darkest fears have shaped his offbeat personality since he was a child, crippling him in ways invisible to those unable to see past his quiet exterior. In a sleepy Florida town known for its eccentric inhabitants, he’s always been a mystery to most.

Only one person sees beyond Hunter’s quirky facade. Willow Greene, the new age herbalist who owns the local candle and potpourri shop, has secretly loved him since they were in high school. When, sixteen years later, she discovers Hunter has loved her just as long, Willow hopes her dreams are finally coming true.

Soon, Willow learns that Hunter fears happiness at her side isn’t in the cards for him. With her natural optimism and courage, she almost convinces him he’s wrong—that they can really have that life together they both long for—but even Willow can’t stop what Hunter knows is coming.

One by one, his worst nightmares become reality, culminating in an unthinkable tragedy, which devastates everyone it touches. Willow’s battle begins in earnest as Hunter is plunged into a bleak, guilt-ridden despair, threatening to destroy not only their love, but Hunter, himself.

Finding Hunter is the story of a lost man’s desperate struggle to make his way home again, and one woman’s unshakeable faith in him and the power of their love.

My Review:

 

 

 

 

 

After thoroughly enjoing book one in The Riverbend Series, I went on to read book 2, Finding Hunter. While there isn’t a serial killer or any other type of outside threat to the happy couple in this story, there is most certainly a threat, and one all the more perfidious because it’s an internal threat, and a triple whammy to boot: depression, lack of self esteem, and PTSD.

The author writes fantastic character-driven fiction, and this read brought tears at times because I got that involved. I particularly liked the poems that opened each chapter, and for a while told one of the character’s stories in his absence.

As ever, this writer delivers strong characters, great fiction, and a compelling setting in Florida. I will be reading book 3 in this series just as soon as I can. Finding Hunter gets a resounding 5 stars from me.


NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

 

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.

4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.

3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.

2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.

1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

 

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