Gone to Ground by Morgan Hatch

Gone to Ground by Morgan Hatch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gone to Ground by Morgan Hatch is a well-written, gritty, suspenseful urban thriller set in Panorama City, Los Angeles. Javier Jimenez is college-bound and determined, but his brother Alex is drawn to street life and local gangs. Both are quickly involved in the dark schemes of George Jones, a ruthless developer whose vision of urban renewal hides violent relocation. Hatch's work, which kind of reminded me of the Harry Bosch series, brilliantly blends plenty of action, suspense, and social satire. The pace is fast, the stakes are huge, while the overarching themes of gentrification, community, and identity ring true. It's an absorbing, character-driven story with real emotional depth. Recommended.


https://bookshop.org/a/114440/9781685136345 View all my reviews

Smuggler's Rebellion: Dawn of Defiance: A Military Sci Fi Political War Thriller (Wild Frontier Chronicles Book 1) by Daniel P. Douglas

Smuggler's Rebellion: Dawn of Defiance: A Military Sci Fi Political War Thriller by Daniel P. Douglas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Smuggler's Rebellion: Dawn of Defiance kicks off the Wild Frontier Chronicles with a fast-paced, high-stakes plunge into a galaxy teetering on the edge of chaos. Daniel P. Douglas blends classic military sci-fi with political intrigue and a rebellious spirit that keeps you turning the pages.

At the heart of it all is Calvin Kantari, a seasoned smuggler who finds himself reluctantly pulled into a growing rebellion against the oppressive government known as the Regime. What starts as a personal vendetta quickly snowballs into a wider fight for freedom—and Kantari, despite his gruff, lone-wolf nature, becomes an unlikely hero.

Douglas does an excellent job building a gritty universe that feels lived-in and dangerous. The political themes never overwhelm the action but instead add a thoughtful layer to the writing, making you think while getting swept up in orbital battles, espionage, and backroom deals. The pacing is crisp, and the tension ramps up nicely, with every chapter ending on a note that makes it hard to put the book down.

What stands out, though, is the character work. Kantari isn’t your typical bulletproof action hero. He’s complicated, scarred, and smart-mouthed—but incredibly driven. The supporting cast is strong too, with allies and enemies that blur moral lines, adding to the tension.

This book will hit the sweet spot for fans of The Expanse, Firefly, or Battlestar Galactica—anyone who loves rebellion, starships, and moral gray areas. The writing has a cinematic feel, like you're watching a gritty sci-fi series unfold episode by episode.

If you're in the mood for a hard-hitting, character-driven sci-fi war thriller with just the right dose of political edge, Smuggler's Rebellion delivers. Here's hoping the next installment continues the momentum—because this one earns its place on the shelf.

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Nash Falls by David Baldacci --- COMING-November 11-2025

Book Review: Nash Falls by David Baldacci – Small Town Secrets, Big-Time Suspense

Nash Falls by David Baldacci is an intense, fast-paced thriller that blends small-town charm with razor-sharp suspense. From page one, Baldacci pulls you into a seemingly quiet community where everyone knows your name—and your business. But beneath the surface of Nash Falls lies a web of secrets, betrayals, and danger that unravels with every twist.

The story follows a seasoned investigator sent to this picturesque town to look into a mysterious disappearance. What starts as a routine case quickly turns into something much darker. Baldacci masterfully teases out the layers, introducing a cast of complex, compelling characters—some likable, some deeply disturbing—all of them hiding something.

What I loved most about Nash Falls is its balance. There’s grit and emotional depth, but also moments of levity and warmth. Baldacci’s dialogue is sharp and natural, and his pacing is perfection. Just when you think you’ve figured things out, the rug gets pulled again.

The town itself is practically a character—moody, beautiful, and just a little bit claustrophobic. You can almost smell the pine trees and hear the gossip at the diner.

If you’re a fan of thrillers with heart, Nash Falls delivers in a big way. It’s a story about truth, trust, and the scars we carry, all wrapped up in an unputdownable mystery. Baldacci proves once again why he’s a master of the genre.

Highly recommended for fans of suspense, small-town noir, and character-driven thrillers.

Grab your copy of Nash Falls on Bookshop.org and support indie bookstores!

Extraterrestrial Noir by Rich Leder

Extraterrestrial Noir by Rich Leder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you’re looking for a genre mashup that actually works, Extraterrestrial Noir by Rich Leder is the offbeat, fast-talking sci-fi crime novel you didn’t know you needed. This book is equal parts space oddity and hard-boiled detective story, with a heavy dose of sarcasm and absurdity that somehow pulls everything together in the most entertaining way possible.

Our protagonist, Galahad, is a grizzled ex-cop turned alien bounty hunter with more baggage than a broken star cruiser. He’s got issues, and they only get weirder as the story spirals into a cosmic caper involving crooked extraterrestrials, murder, double-crosses, and tech that feels both futuristic and oddly noir. Think Blade Runner meets The Big Lebowski, but with more slime and sharper dialogue.

Leder’s writing is crisp, cinematic, and brimming with attitude. His characters leap off the page—even the non-human ones—and his worldbuilding strikes a great balance between gritty and bizarre. You’ll encounter jelly-bodied informants, sultry AI bartenders, and a shady interplanetary underworld that feels oddly familiar (because corruption is universal, apparently).

This is a book for readers who love their detective fiction served with a side of interstellar chaos. It’s unpredictable, a little bonkers, and wildly original. If you're into sci-fi with noir vibes, or if you're just tired of the same old tropes and want something fresh and funny, Extraterrestrial Noir is your next must-read.

Verdict: 5 stars for originality, voice, and sheer entertainment value. Rich Leder has created a one-of-a-kind story that punches through genre boundaries and takes you on a ride that’s equal parts strange and smart.

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Upstanding Young Man by Sharon Doering

Book Review – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Upstanding Young Man” by Sharon Doering Sharon Doering does it again. Upstanding Young Man is a sharp, suspenseful, and surprisingly funny ride through the minefield of family expectations, reputation, and the terrifying gap between who we think we are and what we’re capable of. From page one, I was hooked. The main character, a charming high schooler with a clean-cut image and everything going for him, is suddenly wrapped up in a mystery that threatens to blow apart not just his future—but his identity. It’s not your average whodunit. This is psychological suspense at its finest, with moments so painfully relatable you almost want to look away. Doering masterfully explores themes of pressure, privilege, morality, and those tiny decisions that spiral into huge consequences. What I loved most? The voice. There’s a wicked wit running through the narrative that balances out the darker material. It’s deeply human, with characters who feel authentic—flawed, confused, trying to do the right thing but not always sure what that is. You’ll root for the protagonist even when you’re not sure if you should. It’s that tension that kept me turning pages late into the night. Doering doesn’t spoon-feed the reader. She trusts us to sit with discomfort, with uncertainty—and that makes the payoff all the more satisfying. The twists are smart, not gimmicky, and the emotional core hits hard. If you're into thrillers that make you think, question, and feel, this one's for you. Upstanding Young Man isn’t just a great book—it’s the kind that lingers. Highly recommend. 5 stars. Absolutely gripping.

The Girl I Was by Jeneva Rose

Jeneva Rose’s The Girl I Was is a heart-tugging, time-travel-meets-self-discovery tale that somehow manages to be laugh-out-loud funny and quietly devastating all at once. It’s like having brunch with your past self—and realizing she might not like who you’ve become. The story centers on Alexis Spencer, a burnt-out corporate worker who wakes up one morning to find herself back in her teenage body… with her adult memories intact. Think 13 Going on 30 in reverse—but instead of bubblegum dreams, Alexis is confronted with acne, awkward school dances, and the terrifying freedom of youth. What starts as a quirky trip down memory lane quickly turns into a deeper exploration of regret, resilience, and second chances. Jeneva Rose keeps the tone brisk and witty—there are plenty of moments where Alexis’s adult cynicism clashes hilariously with the over-dramatics of high school life. But just beneath the humor is a soft ache: the quiet realization of how many things we let go of—dreams, friendships, versions of ourselves—without even noticing. There’s a particular scene involving a childhood friend that sneaks up on you emotionally, the way old songs sometimes do. What makes The Girl I Was stand out isn’t just the clever premise—it’s the emotional honesty tucked between the lines. Rose reminds us that while we can’t rewrite the past, maybe we can learn to forgive the girl we once were… and give her a little grace. It’s a breezy read with unexpected depth, perfect for anyone who’s ever looked back and wondered, “How did I end up here?” Nostalgic, funny, and tinged with the bittersweet truth of growing up, The Girl I Was might just leave you wanting to write a letter to your younger self.

Memory by Valery Elias- a short and creepy read

📝 What Do You Remember—And What Do You Leave Out?

Flash fiction has a way of getting under your skin.

In just a few pages, a story can tilt your perspective, ask a question you weren’t prepared for, and leave you wondering long after the last line. That’s exactly what I set out to do with my latest short story, Memory.

It begins as a simple witness account of a crime—but things don’t quite add up.

The narrator seems honest enough at first. But memory can be slippery. So can guilt.

Memory is about:

• A story told in fragments, where truth and performance blur
• A narrator you might trust—until you don’t
• The subtle unraveling of someone who may be remembering… too much

It’s a quick read with a slow-burn tension, perfect for those who enjoy unreliable narrators, eerie atmosphere, and the unsettling feeling that something important is just out of view.

If that sounds like your kind of story, you can find Memory on Amazon. No pressure—just an invitation to step into the story and see what rises to the surface.

Thanks, as always, for supporting indie fiction and short, strange tales that linger. 🖤

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore: A warm and cozy Fall read

📚 Book Review: The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore – A Cozy Fall Romance You’ll Savor If you're searching for the perfect cozy fall read, The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore is everything you want in an autumn romance. With its charming small-town setting, lovable characters, and pumpkin-spice-infused atmosphere, this book is like wrapping yourself in a warm flannel blanket—with a latte in hand. Set in the idyllic town of Dream Harbor, the story follows Jeanie, a city girl who unexpectedly finds herself running her aunt's quaint café in the lead-up to fall. She quickly clashes (and sparks) with Logan, a grumpy yet kind-hearted local farmer who has secrets of his own. What unfolds is a heartwarming slow-burn romance that feels like a Hallmark movie—but with better writing and more emotional depth. Laurie Gilmore masterfully captures everything we love about autumn: the changing leaves, cozy sweaters, baked goods, and of course—pumpkin spice everything. But it’s not just aesthetic. The characters feel genuine, the setting is immersive, and the love story is sweet without being syrupy. Perfect for fans of small-town romance, enemies-to-lovers tropes, and feel-good seasonal fiction, The Pumpkin Spice Café delivers the ideal fall escape. If you loved books like The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches or The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, this one’s for you. 🌟 Final Thoughts The Pumpkin Spice Café is a cozy, comforting romance that will have you smiling long after the last page. Whether you're sipping cider, lighting a fall-scented candle, or just dreaming of sweater weather, this book deserves a spot on your autumn TBR.

Work with Me

📚 Work With Me

Are you an author, publisher, or literary publicist looking to get your book in front of passionate, thoughtful readers? You’re in the right place.

I run a growing book review blog focused on [contemporary fiction, thrillers, literary memoirs, etc.], and I love connecting readers with stories that move, thrill, or inspire them.

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💼 What I Offer

• Honest Book Reviews: Thoughtful, spoiler-free reviews published on my blog and promoted across social media. Reviews are SEO-optimized and stay on the site long-term.
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• Beta Reading / Early Feedback (Paid Service): Private manuscript feedback focused on tone, pacing, clarity, and emotional resonance.

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📝 Genres I Review

• Preferred: [Mystery, psychological thrillers, contemporary fiction, memoir, young adult]
• Open to: Self-published and indie authors
• Do Not Review: [erotica, horror, etc.]

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🤝 Let’s Talk

If you’d like to collaborate, please email me at [valeryje@gmail.com] with:

• Book title & synopsis
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• Any deadlines or special requests

I typically respond within 2–3 business days.

Let’s get your book into the hands of readers who are ready to fall in love with it.