Turning the Tide: A Mystery, Thriller, Sci-Fi, and Urban Fantasy Charity Anthology for Ukraine

Special Agent Ricki James #5.5 (The Silent Brother)

by Anthony M. Strong, Carissa Andrews, Paul Austin Ardoin

Authors coming together to help Ukraine. Over 1,300 exciting pages to keep you entertained all summer!

Turning The Tide is a limited-time mystery, thriller, science fiction, and urban fantasy anthology featuring more than thirty-five stories, many of them never before published or only available as limited releases, from a selection of fantastic authors including New York Times and USA Today bestsellers. What's more, 100% of the profits will be donated to charities helping the humanitarian effort in Ukraine, with each author directly donating their share to the charity of their choice.

Turning The Tide will only be available for a short time, so click to buy your copy today, and help us help the people and animals of Ukraine!

Featuring New York Times Bestselling authors Jonathan Maberry, Erica Spindler, Cheryl Bradshaw, and Sheldon Siegel. USA Today Bestselling authors Nick Thacker, D.N. Erikson, Paul Austin Ardoin, Kyla Stone, and Rhett Bruno. Also, Alex Bledsoe, Anthony M. Strong, C.R. Chandler, Carissa Andrews, David Berens, David J. Gatward, Dominika Best, Dwight Holing, Erik Henry Vick, James Rosone, Jason Parent, Jodi Burnett, J.C. Ryan, John Conroe, J.S. Morin, Kevin Tumlinson, Lisa Herrington, LynDee Walker, Michael McBride, Michaelbrent Collings, Paul Heingarten, Rachel Mclean, Renee Pawlish, Ryan W. Fox, Sally Rigby, S.M. Boyce, Sonya Sargent, Stuart Jaffe, T.L. Payne.

We are not affiliated with any charities or organizations. We are individual authors doing what we can to help. Each author has agreed to donate their portion of the proceeds to the charity of their choice to benefit Ukraine.

Discover a new author, or enjoy a new story by an author you love!

Genres: Science Fiction, Anthologies, Mystery Thriller, Fantasy, Short Stories

1367 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2022

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've only read five of these stories so far, namely:

The Girl With All The Swords - Alex Bledsoe (5 stars);
Welcome Earthling - J S Morin (4.5 stars);
Sin Eater - Carissa Andrews (5 stars);
Picture This - Paul Heingarten (5 stars); and
Apocalypse U - John Conroe (4.5 stars),

but if the writing and storytelling of the others is of the same standard as these stories, I will be a very happy reader, indeed.

I understand that quite a few of these stories fit into series that the authors already have, but they can also be read as standalones. I had no problem understanding the storylines.

I've read almost everything that Carissa Andrews has written, and I am a huge fan of her work. The story included here, Sin Eater, fits in so beautifully to The Windhaven Witches series and almost had me in tears. A lovely tale of the Angel of Death and his concerns regarding the main character, Autumn Blackwood.

Purchasing this anthology is also helping the people and animals of Ukraine. Why are you hesitating?

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turning the Tide - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

2022s Turning the Tide is a Mystery, Thriller and Dark Fantasy Charity Anthology in Aid of Ukraine, by a galaxy of writers you're sure to get to know and love - if you don't already.

It's hard to choose a favourite from amongst the small literary jewels twinkling within this wonderful collection, but here are brief highlights to hopefully tempt you to buy a copy:

1) Seven Minutes by A.M.Strong
& Sonya Sargent.
In New York, FBI Special Agent Patterson Blake races, Dirty Harry-like, against time to save the latest victim of the so-called Countdown Killer, other agents having failed the first four...can she prevent it becoming five?

2) Devil's Forest by Anthony M Strong.
Is the Sasquatch really hiding in the forest - please sleep well and don't have nightmares!

3) Random Acts by Erica Spindler.
Transferred to a new unit, Detective Micki Dare teams up with a new partner, to try to solve three gruesome and random murders, where the killers have confessed and been jailed.
Who connects the victims - and the murderers?

4) What I Did on my Summer Vacation
by Jonathan Mabery.
Dylan's the newest recruit to his family's bodyguard dynasty - and outshines them in most unexpected ways - then it's off to college.

5) Mr Sandman by E.H.Vick.
FBI Special Agent Profiler Meredeth Connelly is fresh from the success of her last investigation, to the resurfaced case of the Sandman.
Exposing the killer brings triumph, but no relief of her physical issue... what's next?

6) The Riverside Murder by Rachel McLean.
A man missing for 12 years is found murdered, but finding proof as to his killer is proving a tough task for Detective Lesley Clarke...how is a thimble relevant?

7) The Griffith Park Girl by Dominka Best.
A body's located in the eponymous park by the victim's keening dog...but who's the killer?

8) First Trial by Sheldon Siegel.
It's Deputy Public Defender Mike Delaney's first case - a down on his luck ex-boxer, who's been arrested multiple times to get necessary health care etc., before being released. What's next?

9) Low Tide Tango by David Berens.
Anti-hero Troy Clint Bodean heads off for a beach picnic, with his new hairdresser girlfriend Jessica. Things seem to be going well for Troy, until he makes an unexpected find...

10)Silent As the Grave by Cheryl Bradshaw.
While out walking her dog Boo, PI Sloane Monroe meets the father of a young woman mysteriously drowned in a lake...but was it murder, suicide, or a tragic accident?

11) Stranger Child by Michaelbrent Collins.
A gruesome tale - definitely not for the faint-hearted - tells of a murderous paedophile's fate at the hands of a potential victim...ironically, as he begins a solitary retreat, that turns out not to be a redemptive one at at all...

12) Sex, Lies and Traffic Cameras by LynDee Walker.
They say the wife is always the last to know -but not in this case - as 'the female of the species' (proves she)'is far deadlier than the (serial-cheat), male'...and '...nor Hell a fury like a woman scorned', with her triumphant revenge!

13) Carnival by Jodi Burnett.
An incontinent K9, two young, abducted sisters and a terrifying experience at an 'abandoned' carnival site, all lead to Deputy US Marshall Caitlyn Reed missing her own engagement party...or has she?

14) The Coroner and the Walk-in Freezer by Paul Austin Ardoin.
Coroner Fenway Stevenson gets more than a cup of coffee at a local deli/bakery, when she's called on to examine a woman's corpse that's been found in the eponymous freezer there.... but who put her body inside, and was it murder?

15) A Dish Best Served Cold by Renée Pawlish.
Revenge nearly proves fatal for Detroit Homicide's Sarah Spillman, when long past events stir up more recent ones...with the outcome to be decided by Death!

16) Ithaca by Ryan W. Fox.
Abused at home by both father and brother, 11 year old Otis makes the decision to flee for good - but what happens when he tries to save someone else at the local carnival first?

17) F9 by Michaelbrent Collins.
A prisoner at a secure facility under medical supervision 24/7, is attended by a psychologist, attempting to analyze the reasons for such seemingly inexplicable slaughter.
Nature or nurture - which may be responsible?

18) Edge of Survival - Kyla Stone.
Ex-Delta Force's Liam Coleman gazes down upon the desolation and destruction of Tuscola, Illinois caused by an EMP, from a hillside...why is he looking for the Brooks family?

19) The Silent Brother by C.R. Chandler.
A quiet Army veteran attends his Mom's funeral and returns home a changed man, inexplicably going on a rage-fuelled rampage, that ends in his own violent death...but why?

20) The Badge by Nick Thacker.
Young Isa wakes in a snowy landscape, not knowing how he got there, but somewhat relieved to realise he has basic survival skills and knowledge, despite never having been in such a situation before...but why is he there?

21)The Templar Tunnel by Kevin Tumlinson.
Dr Dan Kotler - an 'incarnation' of Indiana Jones or Dr Robert Langdon, takes a break from the Historic Crimes unit, only to find himself in a life-or-death situation in the eponymous tunnel...will he have faith and return to the light?

22) Whistles by Stuart M Jaffe.
Marshall Drummond's a psychic private eye, called to investigate a haunted house that wasn't...but whose ghost's on the train home?

23) Akin by Jason Parent
A very dark tale about a young boy, his Hannibal Lecter-like father and his mother, who turns a blind eye to the way their home's defended.

24) Digger: The Beginning by J C. Ryan.
Rex Dalton and his 'wonder dog' Digger get free beers and hot dogs respectively, while spinning what the locals in the bar are convinced is a yarn to achieve his aim...can Digger and Rex make the sceptics eat their words?

25) Brink of Destruction by T.L.Payne.
After an EMP causes mass panic and violence,
Maggie Russo grabs her kids from her in-laws' home and with help from an unexpected source makes the journey to her sister Lindsay's prepper compound - and sanctuary.

26) The Cactus Rustler by Dwight Holing.
Ex-Marine Borrega, the eponymous rustler, makes a living by garnering wild cacti from the nearby desert, to get money from rich locals to decorate their landscaped grounds with...who's the boy he meets and what connects them?

27) The Making of a Monster
by Lisa Herrington
Unexpected heiress Tenille is distraught at the sudden death of her beloved Aunt Sally - after the earlier loss of first her parents, plus her dearest Uncle Ed at the age of only 59 - then shocked to the core, when the police seem to think she murdered her aunt too - but who's Peter and what's his involvement in events?

28) This Long Vigil by Rhett C. Bruno.
Orion is the personification of Major Tom in the David Bowie song, whose 50 years as Monitor of a W.A.L.L-E-like spaceship draws to a close, and he chooses his own fate, rather than the one pre-programmed for him by A.I. Dan.

29) The Ganymede Project by James Rosone.
Weird and wonderful, the eponymous programme sees a, team of exploratory astronaut settlers undergo a transformation after taking core samples, whilst Jess, the solitary inhabitant of the Lewis and Clark 'mothership' looks on in rising apprehension!

30) Welcome Earthling by J.S Morin.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind meets Alien Abduction in a civilised way, for Adam, when his work colleague Keevon turns out not to be from Botswana after all! ill his alien counterparts help save Earth from the coming invasion? Adam, it's up to you to persuade them.

31) Picture This by Paul Heingarten.
Distraught by the murder of his wife, of which he's being accused, Blaine tries to 'see the bigger picture'!

32) In Shadows by Erik Henry Vick.
Alonzo can't stand it any longer in his prison cell, tormented by the dead and afraid for his sanity takes matters into his own hands

33) Origins by S.M.Boyce.
Aged just 5, Mel starts to see a ghost, whom she names Hazel. Friendly at first, he becomes frightening to her, then reacts badly to her reaction. What happens when Mel marries and has a son of her own, forgetting Hazel?

34) The Road Home by D.N.Erikson.
Tess Skye is a psychic private eye, liaising with Ragnarok PD and doing pretty well on her own investigative business, when she's hired by Dane, proprietor of the local supernatural museum to investigate a looming death...that turns into a deadly reality game!

35)The Girl With All the Swords by Alex Bledsoe
Paula, the eponymous girl, has betrayed her arms-dealer crime boss father, by giving the paid-for swords to the rebel forces.
When LaCross is hired to retrieve her, what's Prince Alan's response?

36) Sin Eater by Carissa Andrews.
What potentially Apocalyptic events link young Angel Blackwood and the Angel of Death?

37)Apocalypse U by John Conroe.
Iris inherits Rikki - her hero Dad's war drone - and seriously impresses her would-be Prom date/boyfriend, Mark!
If you're reading this, please consider buying this outstanding selection from 37 amazing writers, who've covered every kind of subject and genre in sparkling gems of wit, terror, happiness, love and all to support such a worthy cause too.
Grab an absolute steal of a bargain today...they're sure to sell out fast!

[Anna Kļaviņa]

Anthology of short stories whose authors are donating the profits to humanitarian aid for Ukraine

[Tawnya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Turning the Tide
3.05 Actual Rating


I was unfamiliar with most of these authors, but the idea behind the anthology was something I supported. I wish I could say this gave me new authors I’d like to read. That is the main reason I enjoy anthologies. Occasionally I will find an author’s story so compelling that I search out the rest of their work. I didn’t realize how dark some of these stories would be. That is on me. If I feel the need to bathe after reading something you can be sure I will never read anything else by them. I have enough nightmares. I don’t feel the need to add more ammunition to them. Usually I try to read every story in an anthology. The section on “Mysteries and Thrillers” had stories that were neither, just a look at heinous characters. There is too much evil in the real world. I read to escape it. I was surprised that the average rating was so high. The stories that I disliked were so vile that I thought the book as a whole had more ick than it did. This is why I review each story as I read it. I also took me four months to get through this one. Granted I read almost 20 other books in that time. Still an anthology of this size should have taken me 2 months tops. I started to dread what was coming next. The fact that there were no 5 star ratings is weird. This is the first anthology I’ve read that nothing totally grabbed me.


Seven Minutes: A Patterson Blake FBI Mystery Thriller Short Story
A.M. Strong & Sonya Sargent
3.5 stars
A serial killer is sending texts to FBI agents giving them a description of who it intends to kill. Each time the agents have arrived too late. Now Patterson Blake has received one. This is the first time I have heard of this series and it was a good introduction.


Devil’s Forest: A John Decker Supernatural Thriller Series Novella
Anthony M. Strong
3.5 stars
John Decker and some colleagues from CUSP search for a Bigfoot after it attacks a camper whose friend saw it as a child. The resolution was something that I did not see coming. Again the story was fine.


Random Acts
Erica Spindler
3.5 stars
Michaela Dee Dare or “Micki” as she goes by has recently made detective. She is paired with a more experienced detective Carmine Angelo. Someone is killing “queens” in New Orleans. Micki and Carmine are able to arrest each of the killers, but why they “snapped” is something that Micki intends to find out. Story must take place before 2014 and the Obergefell v. Hodges decision. The story had an old-fashioned mystery feel to it. The notes after say this story is a prequel to “The Lightkeepers” series.


What I Did On My Summer Vacation
Jonathan Maberry
3.5 stars
Seventeen year old Dylan Quinn isn't sure he wants to be a bodyguard like the rest of his family. They have decided for him. He has been charged with protecting eleven year old Carlo. This should be easy. After all they called it a "vacation job". There appears to be a couple of other books with Dylan, but the links are faulty. Also there are no ISBNs listed. I going to hazard a guess and say that they are stories in other anthologies and whoever listed the “series” didn’t fill out the correct info. It is too bad because I would have like to read more about Dylan.


Mister Sandman: A Meredeth Connelly Mind Hunt Thrillers Short Story
E.H. Vick
3.5 stars
Meredeth Connelly and her partner Bobby Van Zandt are in Florida after a serial killer dubbed “The Sandman” resurfaces. With all of the discussion about her headaches I concerned that her life is in jeopardy. Since I haven’t read the series I don’t know if this is an on-going condition or not. I liked Sheriff Maarten and that the story didn’t have the local versus feds malarkey that TV & movies like to have. As long as someone is searching for the killer who cares who gets the collar. Saving lives is all that matters.
For some reason the books are not listed as a “series” on goodreads, but are on Amazon.


The Riverside Murder
Rachel Mclean
3.5 stars
Lesley Clarke and her team in Dorset must discover who killed a man found in a creek near his old home. His family had thought he died twelve years ago, so where has he been in the meantime and is that what led to his death? Overall the story was good. I liked the mystery of it. There were numerous language errors that even accounting for the difference between “British” and “American” English happened too often. I was also disappointed that some of the questions brought up were never answered. This is from the “Dorset Crime Series”.


The Griffith Park Girl: A Harri Harper Thriller Series Prequel
Dominika Best
3 stars
Harri has just made detective and bought her first house. One of her new neighbors invites her to a search for a missing hiker. I wish there was a reason given for the crime. Also it seemed as if something occurred between two of the characters, but it was left dangling. I cannot say more without somewhat spoiling the ending. It was telegraphed, but a climax is still a climax. The changing voiced was somewhat odd. The story started off in first person from the point of view of the hiker. It then transitioned to third person and had us seeing what Harri saw. I've seen authors have the main character be first person and secondary ones or antagonists be third. This is the first time I can recall it being the opposite.


First Trial: A Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez Story
Sheldon Siegel
3.5 stars
Mike Daley is an ex-priest from a family of cops. He has left the priesthood to become a defense attorney. This is about his first trial. The author did a great job of describing what was happening. It is set in the early eighties, so there was an “oldness” about it. The fact that the era of my teens is now “old” is weird. Anyway Terrence is an ex-boxer and small-time criminal who needs Mike’s help. I liked how much realism was put into the trial scene.


Low Tide Tango
David Berens
2 stars
I am sorry to say that this was fairly boring. It starts with us reading a soon to be murderer's thoughts. We then spend a day with Troy and some others in a small community in South Florida. There seemed to be a disconnect. I wish I could better articulate what put me off of the story.


Silent as the Grave: A Sloane Monroe Prequel
Cheryl Bradshaw
3 stars
Sloane Monroe has been hired by the parents of Rebecca Barlow to find out what happened the day she died. The police detective in charge of the case is a hothead who doesn't want Sloane to touch his case. It's too bad for him that even though this is her first case involving a death Sloane ii making more progress in a few days than the police have made in weeks.


Stranger Child
Michaelbrent Collings
1.5 stars
I’m not sure why this was under “mysteries and thrillers” since it was neither. A serial killer with a predilection for children doesn’t get to commune with nature. It was like “Dexter”, but ickier.


Sex, Lies, and Traffic Cameras
Lyndee Walker
2 stars
It wasn’t a story but rather a quick “this is how I did it”.


Carnival
Jodi Burnett
3.5 stars
Caitlyn Reed is on her way home when her police dog Renegade takes off into some woods. She runs after him eventually finding him in a creepy abandoned carnival.


The Coroner and the Walk-In Freezer
Paul Austin Ardoin
3 stars
Fenway Stevenson has to figure out who killed Grace. She was found in a freezer of the restaurant owned by her lover. Her husband also owns a restaurant. Which of the chefs is guilty?


Saturday Night Special: A Sarah Spillman Mystery Short Story
Renée Pawlish
3 stars
Sarah Spillman is a detective with the Denver police. A series of murdered prostitutes turns personal when the killer starts calling Sarah.


Ithaca
Ryan W. Fox
3 stars
Eleven year old Otis is at carnival searching for someone called "The Dove". I hope Otis has a second chapter somewhere. There seemed to be a slight paranormal aspect to the carnival. At one point he doesn’t remember how he got a churro. In the same tent he finds of friend of his also enchanted by the lights. It was creepy, but there was never any explanation given.
(I think this is the author’s first published work.)


Nowhere to Hide
Sally Rigby
1.5 stars
I read the first two chapters and had to quit. The lead character "Birdie" is ridiculous. This is supposed to be her first day as a DC having spent three years on the beat. She doesn't come off as stupid, but she is highly unlikable. Birdie starts with an attitude towards her new partner and then proceeds to tell her boss she doesn't want to do the job assigned to her. Taking a statement from an elderly homeless man is beneath her. Nope. Life is too short to read about someone whom I would never wish to be in the same room.


F9
Michael McBride
1.5 stars
I just can't finish this. It isn't a mystery. A survivor of a mass shooting is trying to find out what makes the perpetrators different from the rest of the population. BTW throughout the subject is called F0 as in zero, not 9. I’m guessing the editor mistook the 0 with a slash for a 9. If someone is only skimming I can see how the font that was used could seem to be a 9.


Edge of Survival
Kyla Stone
3.5 stars
After EMP attacks take out half of the US’s power grid former Delta Force operator Liam Coleman travels to Illinois to make sure his baby nephew is safe. What he finds is a modern-day ghetto run by mercenaries. The story is part of the “Edge of Collapse” series.


The Silent Brother: A Special Agent Ricki James Thriller
C.R. Chandler
3.5 stars
After arriving at a campsite where a man named Randy has the town's deputies pinned down Ricki tries to take him down without killing him. He does wind up dying, but Ricki didn't kill him. Now she has to find out who did.


The Badge
Nick Thacker
3 stars
Fourteen year old Isa wakes up alone in a forest with no memory of how he got there. He knows his name, but nothing else about himself. Now he just has to survive long enough to figure out what happened.


The Templar Tunnel
Kevin Tumlinson
4 stars
After events from earlier books Dan Kotler is told to take a vacation. After trying to figure something that interests him he decides to go to Israel. A colleague had invited him to a dig there. Now that man is dead and Kotler is running from the killers. He wanted something exciting to do...This is my favorite story so far. It has nice pacing with a “da Vinci Code” vibe. This is what a “thriller” should be and not some torture crap like a few of the earlier stories.


Whistles: A Marshall Drummond Case File
Stuart Jaffe
3 stars
The story takes place in the 1930s. It seems like a Sam Spade novel with a bit of the paranormal thrown in. While on a train Marshall Drummond encounters a glowing green ball of light that only he can see. I feel like this story should have been in the “Urban Fiction/Fantasy” section of the book.


Akin
Jason Parent
2 stars
This is another story that should not be in “Mystery and Thriller”. The anthology really should have had a section purely for “Horror”. Jesse seems like a sweet kid. Too bad his parents are cannibalistic hillbillies.


Digger: The Beginning A Rex Dalton Thriller Short Story
JC Ryan
4 stars
This is a story about Digger. He is the dog that Rex’s friend Trevor has. Digger is a Dutch shepherd who was trained as a military working dog. Animals always make stories better.


Invisible
David Gatward
3.5 stars
Homeless war vet Steve Hurst sees the woman who had just given him money run from several men. He thought he could no longer do anything. None-the-less Steve decides to help her. I would like to know what happens next to Steve.


Brink of Destruction: A Survive the Collapse Novella
T.L. Payne
3.5 stars
Maggie Russo’s neighbor is left without any power at all. All vehicles are dead as well. Her best friend’s house is destroyed by fire. Nobody knows what caused all of the mayhem. Maggie’s main concern is for her children whom her ex has taken. She is determined to find them. I wasn’t going to read this since I don’t like post-apocalyptic literature, but this starts immediately after the event, so I gave it a shot. It was enjoyable, but since it is literally the beginning of the fall of civilization I won’t be reading the series it leads into.


The Cactus Rustler
Dwight Holing
2.5 stars
Borrego is on his way home after stealing protected cacti to replant for his clients’ fancy yards when he comes across a youth whose father is away at war. The boy is lonely and acting odd. This story didn’t turn out like I feared it would. It is sad, but there is some hope at the end.


The Making of a Monster
Lisa Herrington
2 stars
Tenille Sims’ aunt dies and the police think she may have murdered Sue for her inheritance. Immediately after meeting with the police Tenille meets a man named Peter who raises all sorts of bells. This has an almost Harlequin romance feel. Aside from two summers as a teen I didn't really read them since romance bores me and the whole “woman needs big strong man” is outdated. I kept hoping I was wrong about were the story was going, but nope. Think any Lifetime movie dreck and you’ll have the story line. This may have felt fresh in the 80s, but kids of today have more resources than we did. They are not nearly as naïve as we were.


This Long Vigil
Rhett C. Bruno
3.5 stars
On the spaceship Hermes a man named Orion aides the AI in keeping the sleeping residents alive. Orion is on his last day as caretaker. The story appears to connect with the author’s “Children of Titan” series.


The Ganymede Project
James Rosone
3.5 stars
In the year 2051 scientists and whatever we are calling “Space Force” members (not soldiers, nor airmen, astronauts are all about the science of space and not the defensive capabilities) are the first earthlings to land on Ganymede-one of Jupiter’s moons. The descriptions were well thought out. Of course the mission has some hiccups. Fair warning! The story ends on a cliff hanger and it is not part of a series.


Welcome Earthling
J.S. Morin
3.5 stars
In Austin Adam Nathaniel Darnell finds out his coworker Keevok is an alien. Not only that, but when Keevok tells Adam that he has to advocate for Earth. An invading force is on the way and Keevok’s people will only help in Adam can prove that Earth is worthy of it.


Picture This
Paul Heingarten
3 stars
After Blaine Monteaux’s wife is murdered he goes to desperate measures to find out why. It seemed more urban fiction than sci-fi.


In Shadows
Erik Henry Vick
2 stars
Alonzo is just a kid who has been in prison for over a year awaiting his trial. Whether his was guilty or not is immaterial. What he endures is heinous. Some of it is in his head-but not all. This wasn’t UF. It felt more like the novels I read in college. My low rating should not be construed as a knock on the author or this story. I will never read the story again. That is my criteria for a 2 star. I am too emotional of a person to subject myself to more pain without some sort of happy ending.


Origins: A Ghostly Paranormal Horror Short Story
S.M. Boyce
3 stars
As a child Mel made friends with a ghost. Then she ignored him. Years later as an adult he has returned and now Mel worries about the safety of her son and husband. The author’s note says that Mel appears in a series “To Each His Ghost”. To date there is only one book, so I guess the author decided not to continue it.


The Road Home: A Tess Skye Story
D.N. Erikson
4 stars
Tess Skye (who is something called a “Soulwalker”, someone who can inhabit a dead body and see the last bit before they died) receives a phone call stating that a murder is about to occur. After finding the caller dead she is forced into playing a “game” otherwise she will be the next to go. As someone who had never heard of the series I found this story a great way to introduce people to the characters. This is the first story where I fell the author was actively trying to entice people to try their work without relying on a cliff-hanger. Those actually have the opposite effect on me. I don’t know about others, but I find it lazy and contemptible when authors do cliffhangers in anthologies. If your work is good enough people will look for it.


The Girl with All the Swords
Alex Bledsoe
4 stars
Eddie LaCrosse is hired by local crimelord Gordon Marantz. Gordon's daughter Paula is missing. This is another series I had never heard of. The story feels like a 30s Noir novel, but with swords instead of guns. It is part of the “Eddie LaCrosse” series.


Sin Eater
Carissa Andrews
3 stars
An “Angel of Death” is worried that his son will be the end of all things. In this universe the “Angel” is a title certain individuals hold after dying. I’m guessing from the use of the Fates that Greek mythology will be at play. This “story” is in fact not a story, but the set-up to the series “The Windhaven Witches” and so it does not have a true ending.


Apocalypse U
John Conroe
3.5 stars
This story is a look at a day in the life of Iris Gurung. She is a sixteen year old who lives on compound full of survivors from a global calamity years earlier. This is apparently a story that links to series: “Zone War” and “Shadows of Montshire”. Although from the synopsis of Montshire I’m not really sure how that would work. Iris is the daughter of the main character one Zone. Readers of that series might enjoy the name dropping. I never read either of these series, but I own all of the “Demon Accords” series, so I know I love John’s work.

[David Pospisil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Kevin Tumlinson/Dan Kotler short story.
I love Dan Kotler and if you read this story you will too.

[Sally Kynman · Rating 5 out of 5]

WELL DONE AUTHORS

I was a bit sceptical that it would do any good and still don’t know if it was successful but it seemed like a novel (sorry) way to raise funds for people suffering in a war zone. I’d be interested to know how much the writers raised, hopefully it was a substantial sum. It was an interesting read although I gather that it is no longer available to readers. Fingers crossed they made enough to help people living in the horror that is the Ukraine today.

[gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant idea: a fundraiser for Ukrainia

An entertaining collection of mystery and sci-fi vignettes that provide an introduction to the writing styles of thirty published authors. Sales of this volume will support relief to war torn Ukrainia. Thank you to all of the contributors!

[Cmoore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally don't enjoy short stories and only buy a collection if I enjoy a contributing author, which is what happened this time! And I also got the book because the monies for the purchase was being donated to the Ukraine war effort!
So, sorry this is a review of a single story written by Alex Bledsoe about Eddie LaCrosse and I loved it! I'm satisfied and feel that I've definitely got my money's worth. Although it's meant to be read as a stand-alone and I suppose you could, but I think that it'd work better if you've already read and knew what Eddie was about.
Today's a perfect time to grab the series as they are available free on Audible with your membership?.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seven Minutes by A.M.Strong & Sonya Sargent [Patterson Blake series] - 3*
Devil's Forest by Anthony M Strong [John Decker Series] - 3*
Random Acts by Erica Spindler - 4*
What I Did on my Summer Vacation by Jonathan Maberry - 3*
Mr Sandman by EH Vick [Meredeth Connelly Mind Hunt series] - 4*
The Riverside Murder by Rachel McLean - 2.5*
The Griffith Park Girl by Dominka Best [Harri Harper series] - 3*
First Trial by Sheldon Siegel [Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez series] - 3*
Low Tide Tango by David Berens - 2*
Silent As the Grave by Cheryl Bradshaw [Sloane Monroe series] - 3*
Stranger Child by Michaelbrent Collins - 2.5*
Sex, Lies and Traffic Cameras by LynDee Walker - 3*
Carnival by Jodi Burnett - 3.5*
The Coroner and the Walk-in Freezer by Paul Austin Ardoin - 4*
Saturday Night Special by Renée Pawlish [Sarah Spillman series] - 2*
Ithaca by Ryan W Fox - 3.5*
Nowhere to Hide by Sally Rigby - 2.5*
F9 by Michael McBride - 4*
Edge of Survival by Kyla Stone - 4*
The Silent Brother by C.R. Chandler [Special Agent Ricki James series] - 3*
The Badge by Nick Thacker - 3*
The Templar Tunnel by Kevin Tumlinson - 3.5*
Whistles by Stuart M Jaffe [Marshall Drummond Case Files series] - 3*
Akin by Jason Parent - 3*
Digger: The Beginning by J C. Ryan [Rex Dalton series] - 4*
Invisible by David Gatward - 4*
Brink of Destruction by TL Payne [Survive the Collapse series] - 3*
The Cactus Rustler by Dwight Holing - 3*
The Making of a Monster by Lisa Herrington - 4*
This Long Vigil by Rhett C Bruno - 3*
The Ganymede Project by James Rosone - 3*
Welcome Earthling by J.S Morin - 2.5*
Picture This by Paul Heingarten - 2*
In Shadows by Erik Henry Vick - 2.5*
Origins by SM Boyce [To Each His Ghost series] - 3.5*
The Road Home by DN Erikson [Tess Skye series] - 4*
The Girl With All the Swords by Alex Bledsoe - 3*
Sin Eater by Carissa Andrews - 2*
Apocalypse U by John Conroe - 4*

[MRS G · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful collaboration by all these authors to raise funds to help such a worthy cause.

It has given me a great opportunity to try out many authors 'wares', that I may not have otherwise ever done.

I have most definitely added some absolutely cracking gems to my future reading list.

It is so heart warming how people get together and help others in time of need. Well done everyone on your generosity. 💗

[Connie Charron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starts off with a bang and for the best cause probably in my lifetime

7 minutes seems like a long time, especially if you're waiting for something to ready. Time drags on when you want it to fly by. But if that's all the time you're allowed to accomplish a task, my how time flies by, especially if a life is on the line. Great starting story can't wait to read more of them.

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling reads

John Decker goes to the forest to hunt for Bigfoot, but it is something far more dangerous. Patterson Blake is given the chance to stop a killer. Can she succeed where other agents have not? A man goes to the woods to get away from his addiction but it finds him. Can he survive? And other edge of your seat thriller's.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a mixed variety of short stories and I was able to take my time going through the various kinds. There were a few that I would never have read without it being in the book. I got the book because it was written to raise money for Ukraine. But I got a bargain in the various stories. I hope others will enjoy it as much as I did.

[Paul J · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Ukraine!

Quite the eclectic collection of stories. I can't say I liked them all ( im not a horror fan for instance) but all were high quality and and interesting.

I hope this book generates a lot of funds. Thanks to all the participating authors.

[Aimee Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly remarkable story! The writing style is elegant and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the world the author created. The characters were well-drawn and their arcs were satisfying. I didn’t want it to end. This one is definitely going on my favorite list. A perfect escape!

[John Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read 3 excellent short stories! Discovered a new writer to read so happy I brought this book. Some great stories for myself and partner and helps the people of Ukraine.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bunch of stories donated by authors to get money for the people and animals in the Ukraine. Several genres, most of the stories good to very good with only a few klunkers.

[Bonnie Oscars]

Interesting reads!

It was an interesting and enjoyable way to experience numerous authors! Great idea and love that proceeds will go Ukraine relief!

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some great stories

Some big time authors and
some s.all indie ones. All show their written skills. Most are good but a wide variety of styles and story types.

[Susan Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great collection of stories! And it's all for Ukraine.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome selection of stories to help Ukraine. Each and every author wrote a great story that will keep you in suspense until the very last page

[James L Pagano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

The authors that I had the pleasure of reading for the first time were amazing. I will continue to follow up with them as this is the same genre's that I like to read.

[Roisin Shanahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good selection of stories for a good cause. Enjoyed the short story prequel to The Creek KIller by Domenica Best

[Normand Girard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the stories are quite good - some are not my cup of tea

[William Cheney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the entire series plus his other series as well.

[AR bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Anthology.

I initially got this collection out of support for the people of Ukraine. Several of my corresponding authors have short stories in here. I’ve not been disappointed in any of the reads.

I continue nibbling away at each story as time permits.

I recommend you grab a copy while still available. It’s still available on Amazon now, but as a paperback only. For an eBook version, beg your favorite author in the collection.