Judas: The Iscariot Warrior Series (Book 1) – Roy Bright

Disclaimer: This book has grammatical and punctuation errors throughout. I talked to the author personally, and the book is currently undergoing a 2nd edit. It is nothing unbearable that does not allow you to read the book; I have seen far, FAR worse than this. I loved this book so much I am recommending you read it before the 2nd edited version gets uploaded if you have the time.

I am not sure where to even begin. Have I ever insisted you buy a book? I do not recall that I have. Well; I am now. This book is f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c! I would label this story as an action and adventure novel. I am also going to try to avoid giving away any spoilers, while at the same time describing just how great this book is.

Judas Book 1 cover image Roy Bright

The plot and descriptions are well written: you get the right amount of descriptions to see the scenes in your mind, without any areas that feel long-winded, drawn out, or just way more descriptive than necessary. There is plenty of action, it is fast paced, and keeps you from wanting to put the book down. I’ll give you fair warning that there is plenty of foul language throughout the story, but it suits the story and is a necessary part of the theme throughout. I also have to add that this is not a “religious” book as you might expect it to be. Hopefully I’ll be able to explain that in the following paragraphs 🙂

Judas Iscariot, thee Judas who was responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, has been alive and wandering the world for all of these centuries. He did attempt suicide as we are all aware, but was cursed by God for his sin to live forever, never being able to benefit from anything good, enjoy anything in life, or experience love.

While he has performed various tasks for God throughout the years, he is tasked with the most important one of his life. Charlotte Hope, the 2nd child God is sending to Earth, needs to be protected from Lucifer and his armies until she turns 7 years old, and saves the world from their path of destruction. Luckily for Judas (or unlucky?), this is happening in a time frame of hours versus weeks or months.

Judas is told that the usual restrictions he has been bound with have been lifted, and he can protect this child by whatever means necessary. Also; that if he succeeds he will no longer be punished as he has been for the past centuries. 2000 years of pent up frustrations are about to be let loose, and with the help of a few key characters along the way, Judas is literally in for the ride of his life.

I will say no more, as this truly is a book you need to read for yourself. I have put some important links below, and if you are lucky enough to read this story, I hope to hear what you thought of it!

You can purchase this book at the following links:

From Amazon US: Judas Book 1 (USA Customers)

From Amazon UK: Judas Book 1 (UK customers)

You can visit his personal website here: Author Roy Bright

 

Happy Birthday to the King of Horror!

I wonder how many of us Mr. King has put on the path of reading, that we may otherwise had not found without his writing?

Were you reading Carrie, or It, or The Shining, when you knew if your parents had any idea of what was in that book, they would hit you upside the head with it?

Which book by Stephen King made you decide you absolutely had to be a writer?

And which book have you read over-and-again?

I’m going to spare you the biography on him, as I see there are a lot of posts in honor of Mr. King today. I will say I have read many of his books, but not all of them; yet.

My favorite:

From a Buick 8 Cover Image

I cannot explain what it is about this book that makes me love it so. It could be the actual story; it may be something that was going on in my life at the time I first read it that it gave me an escape from. There really is no other connection within the characters, plot, or even environment where it takes place that would connect with me. But I absolutely love this book the most!

The time Stephen King made me cry:

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Yes, this book made me physically, ugly-sob cry, and I would never have thought he could do that to me, and it came out of no where! Some of his best writing, in my humble opinion. I have not read this one in quite some time, so I am thinking a good reread over the  Thanksgiving holiday is due.

My Favorite Series:

Yes; I devoured this series by getting each book the day it was released, and having it read within 24 hours. I am currently experiencing extreme sadness that I have no access to the station showing the television show.

So Stephen King, I sincerely wish you the happiest 70th birthday, and cannot thank you enough for the countless hours of joy you have brought me for the past 33 years since I discovered your writing. 

Oh: and for scaring the shit out of me on many occasions where I sat up in bed for the night, with the lights on, and my tv playing loud so I couldn’t hear the noises inside my house. You are truly a master at your art, and for that, I am forever grateful!

 

Night Mask – William W. Johnstone

Well, I know for a fact I have never read this horror story by Mr. Johnstone. When I bought it, I noticed many of the reviews discussed the high level of violence and depravity in the story. I was expecting it to be much worse than it was. It was right in line with most of the other horror novels he had written. I am guessing that those reviewers have likely not read anywhere near as many of Mr. Johnstone’s horror novels as I have.

Night Mask Cover Image

It is a rather lengthy story, but it certainly engages you right from the get-go and keeps those pages turning. I will not get into too many details since it really is quite graphic, and I always try to avoid spoilers whenever possible.

The main thing to remember about these stories is that they were written before there were computers in every home, DVD players, and cell phones. It is definitely part of the charm of why I enjoy these books.

Lani and Leo are police officers who are put on a case that will change their lives. What seems like one gruesome incident is just the tip of the iceberg. They are about to discover a killing club that has been active for decades.

As more and more bodies are discovered, more help gets brought in to assist the two officers. They soon realize there are people everywhere whom they should not trust, even in their own department.

Someone is using the local radio station to introduce subliminal messages to the listeners, who in turn fall under the control of a very evil pair of twins. What begins in one small town takes you from the East Coast to the West Coast, with a body count so high, it is the worst in history.

There are many characters involved in the story, so you definitely need to pay attention to all the different angles going on. In the end, it all comes full circle, and everything is tied together.

Definitely an intense read, but well worth the efforts!

If You Could Have Dinner With an Author?

Before I post my author, and I will tell you, I was arguing with myself for days; if you could have dinner with one author, living or not, who would it be?

I am expecting some familiar names, and please do not let that stop you from posting, because I would honestly love to have dinner with JK Rowling, Stephen King (hold the meal), or Mr. Patterson.

I would have loved to have had a face-to-face with Mr. William W. Johnstone, whom stoked my fire for writing when I wrote to him as a young teenager, obsessed with his books, and he replied, and we had a friendly relationship for several years.

That book right there; Sweet Dreams, put me on the path to loving books for the rest of my life!

And now I have a personal library in my house, and I am constantly hunting for the books I loved as a child. Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators? They are gold now, because I cannot find a single one under $30.00, and my local library does not even carry them anymore 😦

So about that dinner…..who is it?

Friday Funnies!

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So True! I have been very good so far this year and only bought one book when I took my girls to Barnes and Noble. But I have to say; they have another library puzzle that I will be buying. Other than books, puzzles are my favorite thing EVER!

I have 3 framed puzzles of libraries in my bedroom, and cannot wait to add this to the mix! For my new personal library, that is.

I am so happy that my girls have been reading non-stop, and I started a new fantastic book that I cannot wait to review.

When you buy a new book, how long does it take you to open it, and ignore everything around you?

Me? About 10 minutes!

What are you reading right now?

Gingerbread Cookie Murder – Joanne Fluke

Another great series I love; and this one includes recipes!

Okay; I have not tried the recipes, but they sound amazing! I have my staple of Christmas goodies I make every year, but I really need to hop outside of that small, boring box!

So, for the good stuff. A Christmas story full of murder and mayhem. What more could you ask for?

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Hannah Swenson seems to be the most unlucky person you could ever meet. Unlucky at work, unlucky at love, and very lucky at finding murdered people. But, she has more than one suitor at any given time, so really; how unlucky is she?

This story has multiple murders, and multiple suspects. What more could one ask for on a negative-zero-wind-chill day?

Sorry; that is just my Michigan-me talking 🙂

While Hanna tries to run her cookie store, everyone else tries to run her life.

Have you read it? Do you love it as much as I do? Let me know! And if you ever tried the recipes, I have got to know what you thought!

Murder on the Half Shelf -Lorna Barrett

Out of all the books I have read in this series so far, this one has been my favorite! I know some people do not like reading a series about a small town person who always seems to find the murdered body, but I really like these stories.

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The characters are familiar, and you are a part of the small community. Stoneham, New Hampshire in this case. A small tourist town that has made its mark with various bookstores that the vacationers love.

Case in point: one Tricia Miles, owner of the “Haven’t Got a Clue” mystery book bookstore. Her sister Angelica is close by, running her own cookbook bookstore, as well as a lunchtime diner. You can really relate to these characters, and will definitely find your favorite town character to love or hate.

Unfortunately for Tricia, a long lost lover, aka faked-his-own-death-20-years-ago, is back in town. His wife is murdered, and that leaves only two main suspects.

I prefer to not divulge too much in my reviews,  but I definitely want to hear from anyone who has read these stories as well! I will be more detailed in future reviews of this series, but do not want to be the one who posts the spoilers.

Did you love them, or hate them?

 

Darkly the Thunder – William W. Johnstone

This is not a book I read before, and it has a published date of 1990. I am very surprised I never read it, as I graduated in 1990, and I spent my middle school and high school years reading everything he published.

darkly-the-thunder

Anyhow….It was a great story, along the same lines as all of Mr. Johnstone’s Horror genre.

A little bit of supernatural, a lot of hometown-feel-good-connections. A whole lot of creepy things going on; blood and gore included.

People acting strangely, hearing thunder that shouldn’t be rumbling. The Fury, as it came to be known, was an evil presence that was controlling a town. But several deceased persons were fighting the fury on the other side. Sand and Morg and Joey. Howie is young, but he knows his stuff, and finds ways for them to communicate with Sand. His sister Angel is a strong force as well. Their parents are done for, as is most of the town.

One thing I loved the most about Mr. Johnstone’s stories is that young kids always played a major role. They were not dismissed for their age; but respected for their abilities. (Maybe I got pushed down one too many times for being who I was???)

I enjoyed the book, but it is not one I would read again. It was definitely worth my time, and I do not just say that because I had a personal communication with the author 🙂

william-w-johnstone
I could never express how much I miss this man!

 

What are your favorite horror stories that still keep you awake at night? I will be reviewing mine very soon!

Finally! My Etsy Store

I have many things to add, and many projects in the works. But with the help of a WordPress technician, my store finally shows up! Top of my page, click on “store”.

I am currently working on some amazing pine book boxes, painting book covers, and spines, of some classic novels.  I am also painting book covers on canvas, 11×14 to start, until I get a good idea of what everyone is interested in buying.

I am homeschooling a 10th grader, have another going to public school in 7th grade, and another MBA class starting for me on September 22. I am editing a fantastic book that I cannot wait to introduce to the masses, and still reading for enjoyment to post some book reviews.  Oh, and I work about 45-50 hours a week; did I forget to mention that?

I have the most understanding boyfriend ever, because my life is just crazy busy, and he accepts it! I am looking forward to Autumn, the most awesome time of the year! I will be holding a raffle for a couple of book bags with a great Halloween story, mug, hot cocoa or tea, and a smelly pumpkin type candle. Stay tuned!

Thank you for your support, your kind words, and your amazing stories!