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Silke Butters was just your average twenty-year old until the father she barely knew left her something she never expected.
Upon her father’s sudden death, Silke is suddenly endowed with strange powers. As Silke learns more about her unique gifts, she discovers the dangerous secret that comes with them.
She is the product of genetic tampering giving her superhuman abilities.
The revelation puts Silke in the cross-hairs of a ruthless, terrorist organization known as The Sin Squad, enhanced with powers of their own. Silke invents the alter-ego Karma and joins an unlikely group of allies to combat the dangerous threat.
Will Silke learn to control her superpowers as Karma? Or has she taken on more than she can handle?
A genre-blending roller coaster ride, Karma will delight both superhero fans and fantasy readers alike!
Book 1 in Silke's Strike Force.
Upon her father’s sudden death, Silke is suddenly endowed with strange powers. As Silke learns more about her unique gifts, she discovers the dangerous secret that comes with them.
She is the product of genetic tampering giving her superhuman abilities.
The revelation puts Silke in the cross-hairs of a ruthless, terrorist organization known as The Sin Squad, enhanced with powers of their own. Silke invents the alter-ego Karma and joins an unlikely group of allies to combat the dangerous threat.
Will Silke learn to control her superpowers as Karma? Or has she taken on more than she can handle?
A genre-blending roller coaster ride, Karma will delight both superhero fans and fantasy readers alike!
Book 1 in Silke's Strike Force.
- GenresSuperheroesFantasy
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2017
46 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Vespia
40 books113 followers"Original Cyn" Cynthia Vespia is a multi-award nominated author. She writes fantasy novels with bite including urban fantasy vigilantes and heroic adventure fantasy. Her books have featured a secret group of superhero renegades; the dark underbelly of Las Vegas; and a duo of demon hunters fighting supernatural beings. Cyn's latest is an exciting new fantasy adventure series about a slayer of dragons who has a change of heart.
Rayna the Dragonslayer was a Top 5 Finalist in The Next Generation Indie Book Awards and ranked #1 in Amazon’s fantasy adventure fiction category. She’s previously received a "Best Series" nomination for her fantasy trilogy Demon Hunter. Her novel Karma ranked #1 on Amazon twice in several distinct categories including superhero urban fantasy, science fiction adventure, paranormal & urban fantasy. She has been published in anthologies such as Skelos Press and Dark Eclipse.
Cyn's characters are outcasts and anti-heroes with depth and real vulnerabilities. The worlds Cyn creates are a gritty mix of fantasy, magic, and the supernatural while exploring the theme of “success through struggle. Every plot is designed to give heroes a challenge and villains a purpose. It's escapism entertainment at its best keeping pages turning and hearts pounding.
Cyn has also written content for Microsoft, UFC, WWE, HBO, Netflix, and more. As a former fitness competitor she still enjoys keep active through training but can also be found getting lost in a good story. Cynthia is available for conventions, interviews and workshops.
Sign up for the newsletter and receive a FREE e-book:
cynthiavespia.com/free-story
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Rayna the Dragonslayer was a Top 5 Finalist in The Next Generation Indie Book Awards and ranked #1 in Amazon’s fantasy adventure fiction category. She’s previously received a "Best Series" nomination for her fantasy trilogy Demon Hunter. Her novel Karma ranked #1 on Amazon twice in several distinct categories including superhero urban fantasy, science fiction adventure, paranormal & urban fantasy. She has been published in anthologies such as Skelos Press and Dark Eclipse.
Cyn's characters are outcasts and anti-heroes with depth and real vulnerabilities. The worlds Cyn creates are a gritty mix of fantasy, magic, and the supernatural while exploring the theme of “success through struggle. Every plot is designed to give heroes a challenge and villains a purpose. It's escapism entertainment at its best keeping pages turning and hearts pounding.
Cyn has also written content for Microsoft, UFC, WWE, HBO, Netflix, and more. As a former fitness competitor she still enjoys keep active through training but can also be found getting lost in a good story. Cynthia is available for conventions, interviews and workshops.
Sign up for the newsletter and receive a FREE e-book:
cynthiavespia.com/free-story
Follow on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cynth...
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 3, 2017
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
Looking for an action packed book, full of gorgeous and courageous superheros, jam packed full of superpowers, anticipation and adventure, then "Karma" is a MUST READ!
Cynthia Vespia is a new author to me, as is the genre of superheroes, and after reading her novel "Karma (Silke Butters #1)", I am now a huge fan! Cynthia Vespia captured me with her skilled writing, full of creativity, fantasy, action and adventure. From the first page to the end, I read with anticipation, not wanting the story to end. Prior to reading "Karma", I had only ever watched superheroes in movies and series, but now I'm very addicted to reading this series.
The lead superhero Silke Butters has grown up in a world without any knowledge of her true ability. When her enhanced abilities come into play, it's where the story line gets exciting. Super model Silke becomes known as Karma, which I think is a great name for a superhero, being that she will have monumental impact in the new superhero world. I liked that Cynthia Vespia has portrayed a female superhero in a lead role, who is portrayed as a strong, take on everything that comes her way woman, who will go out fighting to the end. It's her energy and strength as a woman that makes "Karma" a powerful character.
I also really enjoyed reading about the superhero team that Cynthia Vespia developed to support Karma. First, Joe Riggs, also an enhanced and an ex, plus very gorgeous, which makes for a complicated, and great read, with lots of very strong tension growing between the two. Secondly, her best friend Maki, who Karma can depend on to be by her side as always, plus has the skills of an IT hacker. These three characters band together to fight all the evil that is trying to steal the "enhanced" abilities. The adventures and struggles this superhero team face make for an adventure packed and all encompassing read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the fantasy world created for the superhero's in "Karma" (Silke Butters #1), and can't wait for the next installment.
Looking for an action packed book, full of gorgeous and courageous superheros, jam packed full of superpowers, anticipation and adventure, then "Karma" is a MUST READ!
Cynthia Vespia is a new author to me, as is the genre of superheroes, and after reading her novel "Karma (Silke Butters #1)", I am now a huge fan! Cynthia Vespia captured me with her skilled writing, full of creativity, fantasy, action and adventure. From the first page to the end, I read with anticipation, not wanting the story to end. Prior to reading "Karma", I had only ever watched superheroes in movies and series, but now I'm very addicted to reading this series.
The lead superhero Silke Butters has grown up in a world without any knowledge of her true ability. When her enhanced abilities come into play, it's where the story line gets exciting. Super model Silke becomes known as Karma, which I think is a great name for a superhero, being that she will have monumental impact in the new superhero world. I liked that Cynthia Vespia has portrayed a female superhero in a lead role, who is portrayed as a strong, take on everything that comes her way woman, who will go out fighting to the end. It's her energy and strength as a woman that makes "Karma" a powerful character.
I also really enjoyed reading about the superhero team that Cynthia Vespia developed to support Karma. First, Joe Riggs, also an enhanced and an ex, plus very gorgeous, which makes for a complicated, and great read, with lots of very strong tension growing between the two. Secondly, her best friend Maki, who Karma can depend on to be by her side as always, plus has the skills of an IT hacker. These three characters band together to fight all the evil that is trying to steal the "enhanced" abilities. The adventures and struggles this superhero team face make for an adventure packed and all encompassing read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the fantasy world created for the superhero's in "Karma" (Silke Butters #1), and can't wait for the next installment.
December 15, 2017
3.5/5.0
Readers who love superhero movies will enjoy this one!
Read full review in the 2017 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Readers who love superhero movies will enjoy this one!
Read full review in the 2017 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.
January 27, 2022
Silke Butters is a supermodel. She’s also Indian-American so her way to the top wasn’t easy. She was often dismissed because she’s not blond and fair-skinned. But with determination, she clawed her way up and is now finally the face of Candy Girl Cosmetics
Now, she finally has what she wants. Then she starts getting strong headaches and seeing strange visions. One of them is of her father whom she hasn’t seen in many years. The next day, her adopted brother Joe comes to her and tells her that her father is dead.
Silke has mixed feelings, mostly regret. Her father was strongly against her modeling career so she hasn’t really talked with him after she left for New York when she was fifteen. Her father, Duke, was a soldier and after retiring from the Army, he started a private security firm, the Enforcer Factory, which is now doing extremely well. Joe is Duke’s partner in the firm. Joe also has secrets from Silke. For example, Joe himself is an Enhanced, person with superpowers.
And now, Silke has strange feelings and visions. Also, her attraction toward Joe is surfacing.
The ruthless, super-powered Sin Squad is targeting the Enforcer Factory. They’ve even infiltrated it. Now, they won’t stop for anything to get what they want.
This was a very interesting beginning to a series. It introduces us to a world where superpowered beings are mostly secret pawns in a larger game. Silke has no idea about them and the revelations in the book are a shock to her. It’s also her origin story; she’s learning about her powers and learning how to use them.
Silke is impulsive, but also very determined. Also, her life as a model needs her to be quite disciplined; she loves food but must restrict her diet. Also, Silke’s roots are from India which means that she’s no stranger to prejudice. However, these days she’s a famous model so she has to deal with her celebrity. There’s also a romance subplot: she was attracted to Joe before she left for New York, but never acted on it. Now, Joe has a girlfriend.
Joe is a stoic soldier who hero-worshipped Duke Butters who took Joe in after Joe’s parents died. Duke was sick for a while before his death, so it wasn’t a surprise to Joe. Joe has also promised that he doesn’t tell anything to Silke and he feels that he’s protecting her.
My favorite character, however, was Mackenzie ”Maki” Monroe whom Silke calls Mac n’ Cheese. She’s a computer expert. She’s also happily married with kids and heavily pregnant. But I feel I need to give a content warning about miscarriage.
The book has several POV characters, but Silke is the most prominent one. She’s mostly a very good main character who is trying to figure out what is happening to her and what’s happening around her. However, right at the start of the book, she makes some stupid choices: mixing painkillers and alcohol that felt out of character for her.
Also, the author does sometimes use more ”tell” than ”show”. Sometimes she just summarized the scene quickly rather than writing it out. It takes a long time until Silke gets any sort of handle for her powers. I’m also not a fan of plots where the main character is deliberately kept in the dark, especially ”for her own good”, so I didn’t really like that. Unfortunately, the book has also quite a few typos.
Still, it was an enjoyable and exciting read.
Now, she finally has what she wants. Then she starts getting strong headaches and seeing strange visions. One of them is of her father whom she hasn’t seen in many years. The next day, her adopted brother Joe comes to her and tells her that her father is dead.
Silke has mixed feelings, mostly regret. Her father was strongly against her modeling career so she hasn’t really talked with him after she left for New York when she was fifteen. Her father, Duke, was a soldier and after retiring from the Army, he started a private security firm, the Enforcer Factory, which is now doing extremely well. Joe is Duke’s partner in the firm. Joe also has secrets from Silke. For example, Joe himself is an Enhanced, person with superpowers.
And now, Silke has strange feelings and visions. Also, her attraction toward Joe is surfacing.
The ruthless, super-powered Sin Squad is targeting the Enforcer Factory. They’ve even infiltrated it. Now, they won’t stop for anything to get what they want.
This was a very interesting beginning to a series. It introduces us to a world where superpowered beings are mostly secret pawns in a larger game. Silke has no idea about them and the revelations in the book are a shock to her. It’s also her origin story; she’s learning about her powers and learning how to use them.
Silke is impulsive, but also very determined. Also, her life as a model needs her to be quite disciplined; she loves food but must restrict her diet. Also, Silke’s roots are from India which means that she’s no stranger to prejudice. However, these days she’s a famous model so she has to deal with her celebrity. There’s also a romance subplot: she was attracted to Joe before she left for New York, but never acted on it. Now, Joe has a girlfriend.
Joe is a stoic soldier who hero-worshipped Duke Butters who took Joe in after Joe’s parents died. Duke was sick for a while before his death, so it wasn’t a surprise to Joe. Joe has also promised that he doesn’t tell anything to Silke and he feels that he’s protecting her.
My favorite character, however, was Mackenzie ”Maki” Monroe whom Silke calls Mac n’ Cheese. She’s a computer expert. She’s also happily married with kids and heavily pregnant. But I feel I need to give a content warning about miscarriage.
The book has several POV characters, but Silke is the most prominent one. She’s mostly a very good main character who is trying to figure out what is happening to her and what’s happening around her. However, right at the start of the book, she makes some stupid choices: mixing painkillers and alcohol that felt out of character for her.
Also, the author does sometimes use more ”tell” than ”show”. Sometimes she just summarized the scene quickly rather than writing it out. It takes a long time until Silke gets any sort of handle for her powers. I’m also not a fan of plots where the main character is deliberately kept in the dark, especially ”for her own good”, so I didn’t really like that. Unfortunately, the book has also quite a few typos.
Still, it was an enjoyable and exciting read.
May 10, 2020
This book was certainly engaging. It was fast-moving and fun. There were many action scenes, very detailed ones at that. I appreciated the representation, with the lead an Indian American female superhero. More importantly, Silke Butters never felt like a forced representation. Her characterization was strong. She seemed real.
If one thing about it made me feel a little unsatisfied, I think it was because it seemed a little unfocused. At times, Silke got lost in the jumble of characters, nearly all "enhanced." As a superhero origin story, it also took a too long for my taste until she was fully in action.
All in all, I enjoyed this, and I think most superhero fans will. I found myself wanting to read more. I look forward to reading further adventures of Silke Butters/Karma.
If one thing about it made me feel a little unsatisfied, I think it was because it seemed a little unfocused. At times, Silke got lost in the jumble of characters, nearly all "enhanced." As a superhero origin story, it also took a too long for my taste until she was fully in action.
All in all, I enjoyed this, and I think most superhero fans will. I found myself wanting to read more. I look forward to reading further adventures of Silke Butters/Karma.
March 8, 2021
This was a good change of pace for me. It has been a while since I have read a Superhero novel.
This is not just supervillains and superheroes constantly fighting each other with their superpowers.
This is more about the discovery of powers and learning how to deal with them, and relating to others.
This is not just supervillains and superheroes constantly fighting each other with their superpowers.
This is more about the discovery of powers and learning how to deal with them, and relating to others.
February 16, 2023
Short review: Good solid superhero prose. Nice fights, interesting powers. No teamwork as this is the origin story of the leader.
Longer review (mostly developmental editorial observations)
Some repeat thoughts/phrases that should have been cleaned up during the editorial phrases, but not too many.
The standard don't-tell-anyone leaving the MC in the dark until she is thrust into the superhero world. I'm getting tired of this trope. It's especially tiresome here because the father is a mentalist able to see cause-and-effect; he should have let her know much sooner.
Plot is rather straight forward - one scene after another. Nothing wrong with that, but I would have like a subplot rather than everything tied to the main plotline.
Lots of bows around here - everything gets tied up cleanly. Neat bows with forgiveness, meaning, and emotional conclusions.
A very straightforward narrative, fun superpowers, but nothing to latch onto taking things to the next level. Beach read - which is fine when you want a fun romp.
Longer review (mostly developmental editorial observations)
Some repeat thoughts/phrases that should have been cleaned up during the editorial phrases, but not too many.
The standard don't-tell-anyone leaving the MC in the dark until she is thrust into the superhero world. I'm getting tired of this trope. It's especially tiresome here because the father is a mentalist able to see cause-and-effect; he should have let her know much sooner.
Plot is rather straight forward - one scene after another. Nothing wrong with that, but I would have like a subplot rather than everything tied to the main plotline.
Lots of bows around here - everything gets tied up cleanly. Neat bows with forgiveness, meaning, and emotional conclusions.
A very straightforward narrative, fun superpowers, but nothing to latch onto taking things to the next level. Beach read - which is fine when you want a fun romp.
June 22, 2017
(Warning) basically just a rant sorry.
I normally don't write a review or rate a book if I didn't finish it, but I decided to leave one anyway. I put three stars because I'm sure the book was fine other than the fact that I can't stand the main character, what kind of person takes pain pills and wine or in general thinks that doubling the dose or drinking wine in general when they're sick is a good idea. drinking doesn't solve anything, plus she only had a few hours to get some sleep before her next gig and then wasted it and is surprised when she looks at the clock and realizes she only has like 2 hours to get some sleep. obviously this person doesn't have a brain. sorry end rant
I normally don't write a review or rate a book if I didn't finish it, but I decided to leave one anyway. I put three stars because I'm sure the book was fine other than the fact that I can't stand the main character, what kind of person takes pain pills and wine or in general thinks that doubling the dose or drinking wine in general when they're sick is a good idea. drinking doesn't solve anything, plus she only had a few hours to get some sleep before her next gig and then wasted it and is surprised when she looks at the clock and realizes she only has like 2 hours to get some sleep. obviously this person doesn't have a brain. sorry end rant
December 16, 2021
Five things:
- Superpowers
- Dormant powers
- Business empire
- Famous person goes incognito
- Family secrets
Note: I usually can't stand fight scenes. I have so much trouble paying attention to them. But the ones in the book did hold my attention!!!! Exciting!
- Superpowers
- Dormant powers
- Business empire
- Famous person goes incognito
- Family secrets
Note: I usually can't stand fight scenes. I have so much trouble paying attention to them. But the ones in the book did hold my attention!!!! Exciting!
March 2, 2023
Good start
Okay, for a big firm Joe and the bad girl is the only ones there? No computer department? Nice story and powers, but many story holes
Okay, for a big firm Joe and the bad girl is the only ones there? No computer department? Nice story and powers, but many story holes
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews