Night Machines

/5      

Character Development          5

Editing                                     5

Sex                                          0

Violence                                  1

Romance                                 1

Readability/Flow                    5

Warning: DO NOT read this book right before bed!! 'Night Machines' is one very freaky ride. We all do it - you know we do. Those sweet dreams where we are 'involved' with someone other than our partner. No harm. Just a little nocturnal fooling around that hurts no one. Right. Well what happens if that little nocturnal nothing is more than you thought it to be? What if the dream is a shared experience? And you don't find out it is a shared experience until you are so far in, that getting out becomes the stuff of nightmares?

Kia Heavey has done what so many authors of psychological thrillers try in vain to do, and she has managed to do it without resorting to cheap tactics like sensationalized sex, violence and gore. Her story starts off benign and slowly seeps fear into the reader's mind. 'Night Machines' scared the pants off me. And I enjoyed every second of it! I was just a little disappointed in the lack of feeling in the love scenes but the psychological thrill more than made up for it.

Maggie is totally relateable. She is a loving wife and stay at home mother of two. Her life is good. Only she misses that part of herself she has put on hold for her family. She is ready to head back into the adult world of competent, working people. When the perfect part-time job is advertised, she decides to go for it. Who wouldn't? That is what draws the reader in. Maggie is just like the rest of us. Totally normal. And when she develops a little crush on her boss - again totally normal. What's not totally normal is her boss. He is creepy from the start. Creepy with a capital C. Where it goes from there ... well I don't want to spoil it, but if you like a plot that sends chills up and down your spine, this is the book for you.

When Kia first asked me to review her book, I commented to her on the title. She said that a few others had also questioned it as possibly misleading but she replied that she liked the title and was going to keep it. I totally respect that attitude. It is her book and she can title it anyway she likes. My own two cents, though, 'Night Monsters' might be more to the point.

A Taste:

His breath came fast, refused to slow, and he felt the familiar clammy fingers of panic grasping at him. Quickly, he clambered over the body to the cabinet, pulling the key from the pocket of his robe. He opened the doors with shaking hands. (pg 214)

The Second Messiah review and giveaway

Murder, mystery, secrets both ancient and modern, hot archaeologists (both male and female), old loves and new … it’s all there for the taking in Glenn Meade’s ‘The Second Messiah’.  Jack Cane is the archaeologist that makes the find that scares the Pope that lives in the house the Church built. But then the find  - an ancient scroll - is stolen and all heck breaks loose. Everyone wants the scroll and most are willing to kill to get it. 

‘The Second Messiah’ is a thriller in the true sense of the word. It had me on the edge of my seat from page one. In fact there were times I had to put the book down for a few minutes just to calm myself. What starts out as a ‘simple’ theft and murder is really only the beginning of a roller coaster ride to stay alive and discover what the heck is going on. Despite the number of players involved, all with their own agendas, it was easy to keep track of what was happening – just not so easy to figure out why.

The Catholic Church plays heavily in the book and in the mystery. There are both good and bad shown in the Vatican and it’s not so easy to figure out which is which. It was interesting to me that the church aspect added a dimension to the book that was decidedly Christian but, like Dan Brown's 'The DaVinci Code', I wouldn't classify the book as Christian literature. There is, however, a clear message about the need for truth, honesty and forgiveness.

‘The Second Messiah’ has some Indiana Jones-like humour and the violence is not excessive for the genre. Mr. Meade does try to add romance to the mix of the story but it’s a rather clumsy effort. It didn’t take away from the story but it wasn’t a solid part of it either. Although  I am a fan of romance in any story, I didn’t feel short changed in the least.

The very best thing about this book is that the publisher sent me three copies so I have two to give away and I love giving away books that I enjoy. Since I already have an international giveaway on the go, this one will be a little different. I will give one book to a Canadian address and one to an American address. No need to follow the blog unless you would like to. Just comment below with your e-mail  address and whether you live in Canada or the USA. Open until Aug. 30, 2011.

/5

Character Development          5

Editing                                     5

Sex                                          0

Violence                                  3

Romance                                 1

Readability/Flow                    5