I decided recently to read more in my genre so I looked at the top 100 in romantic suspense (which is as near as I can get to defining what I write) and chose this, Holy Island from the Queen of Kindle herself, L J Ross. By chance I also then heard her interviewed on the Self Publishing Formula podcast – The Three Million Book Woman, L J Ross. She came across very well, and her rise to success, by her own admission, has been the stuff dreams are made of. However, since buying this book I have seen it, and her others, everywhere, so someone somewhere has got the marketing very, very right.
When I started reading however I did a double take and went to check the categories the book is listed in – Detective, Conspiracies and Action – Adventure – okay then, romantic suspense must be one of its smaller categories. So, onto the review.
I enjoyed the setting for this story. There is something incredibly intimate about an island, and one that gets cut off from the mainland at certain times each day lends itself to infinite possibilities for story lines.
The story itself starts with death and the discovery of the body. DCI Ryan, a character I liked very much, becomes involved, even though he is not on active duty, but because of his proximity to the scene he’s soon back in charge. I wondered for a while where the romantic element was going to come from but then the lady did indeed appear and settled in well having links with the island anyway. (I should add the sex eventually happens behind closed doors for those that like it that way.)
The bodies soon begin to mount and with them the rise in the belief that they are connected to some type of pagan ritual. Indeed, we see conversations between those involved, without ever finding out their identities, which adds to the intrigue.
This story does have a clearly defined ending, thank goodness, however, there are enough mysteries left unsolved and a delicious twist in the epilogue that will encourage you to continue on with the series if you’ve enjoyed the ride so far.
Needless to say I haven’t followed any of the advice given in it thoroughly or properly, yet. However, I have felt a little lost in this writing world recently. I’ve questioned what I’m doing, and why, for example, and this episode made me jot down a few things about what I want as a writer and I have to say it has really helped clarify my thinking in several aspects.
However, this sudden self-awareness doesn’t stop me getting a little frustrated at times. I got feedback from a reader this week. She is reading Parallel Lies and told me she is loving it. It is so interesting, she added, a thousand times better than a book she’d just read by an author everybody knows. Gahhh, the frustration of struggling to get your work out to a wider audience!!
I chose to read this short story, Christmas Once Again, when it was submitted to Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team. I received a copy from the author but this does not alter my review in any way.
… signed, wrapped and ready to post out to one lucky winner. Keep them yourself or give as a gift 😀
The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories was my latest pick from our mobile library.
