Multiverse Review: Soul Cypher

Planet Fruitcake! Yes, indeed, this is exactly where one goes when delving into the pages of Soul Cypher! I read loads of Poppet books, but this one is different, this one is a laugh a second, a snort of surprise every moment. From ‘teletubbies’ and purple alcohol to Reaper the guard ‘dog’ and insane gods, this is a crazy adventure.

Love Taniya’s voice! Really, really wish I have the gumption she has, the ability to totally speak her mind and never mind the consequences! Understand, though, folk will be looking at you as if you are utterly mad when you begin to giggle … never mind, Amrak will zap them!

Seriously folks, looking for something different? Soul Cypher is it. Loads of laughs, hugely clever, and an awesome quest also. Brilliant!

Amazon

Multiverse Review: Over Exposure

Another good one from Poppet!

5 stars!

This is the third book in the Darkroom series, and it is as vivid and thought provoking as the first two! In Over Exposure we resume Shauna’s tale after she has lost both husband and baby, and is ‘rescued’ by God himself. It is now time to condition Shauna to the ways of a vengeful God…

The torture this poor woman endures! It’s enough for this reader to wish herself right into the pages themselves to capture and torture this fool who calls himself ‘God’, to rescue Shauna myself!!!! Argh, how furious I got while reading this!

Yes, this engenders high emotion, and it’s a well-structured tale, too. The story moves onward swiftly … and there are a few surprises along the way to keep you guessing. Will Shauna overcome her conditioning? Will Seth find his inner strength? Will Jude be successful in restoring the Angel of Vengeance to life? Will God receive his comeuppance?

A mixture of the high-tech present and ancient lore, this is a story that makes you think, but beyond that it also makes you feel. Highly HIGHLY recommended!

By the way, there’s a lovely twist in the end, and I wonder which finale you would choose. Read Over Exposure to find out what that means!

And then, together, we can look forward to Sinnergog, the next book in the series…

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Multiverse Review: Satanarium

Satanarium

By Troy Lambert and Poppet

Holy Hades! This is quite the read! An insane cult of bible-pushing bastards bent on ‘saving’ the sinners out there, with extreme emphasis on women as the ultimate Satan.

It’s graphic and violent, and every page causes a gut reaction. This is the literal Word, and as you read you wonder if you’ll be the same in the aftermath. 

Definitely not for the faint-hearted, and certainly not for the narrow-minded. Read it only if you dare, if you are able to see around the corners of curves, if you are prepared for total onslaught! 

This reader is awed by the knowledge of the bible displayed by the writers- this is clever work, a well-structured tale of torture and manipulation that certainly makes you think. The author notes at the end of Satanarium gift readers some food for further thought also!  

Well done to the writers for daring this, because it’s bound to be controversial … but don’t you just love a bit of controversy??!!

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Multiverse Review: Ascend in IUS

Another brilliant and imaginative work from Poppet!

Well…wow! Poppet’s vivid imagination leaps off every page here! A decidedly paranormal type romance that keeps you flipping pages.

Choose you colourful drink…and ascend the stairs into another realm! Your choice of drink determines destination- don’t you just LOVE that! Some serious eye candy in Shane, the hero of the night who comes to the rescue of a damsel in distress…

A must read. Poppet fans won’t think twice…and if this is your first time reading Poppet, you will be a fan after!

Amazon

Yes, Multiverse gives IUS 5 stars!

Multiverse Review: Twisted Tails

From my publishers, this awesome read!

The title of this anthology is apt, for these are twisted tails indeed, each different, each surprising. Well done to every contributor for creating an intriguing read, and well done Wild Wolf for putting it together for the rest of us to enjoy.

Here’s a quick take of each ‘tail’:

Gabby by Rod Glenn: A lesson to all men!

Stormy Weather by Jo Reed: Beware the man who says he’ll make the sun shine just for you

The Voice by Kevin Tomsett: No getting away from the voice, even when you think it silenced

Cooking Without Onions by CW Lovatt: A warped outlook on marriage

Klingsor’s First Summer by NA Randall: Don’t trust the big talkers!

Mad Mary by Tony Wright: Boys will be boys…until time catches them

Freedom’s Wings by CW Lovatt: You’ll be mesmerized by the masterful spliff rolling…!

In Nomine Patris by Poppet: How the Word is twisted and betrayed- remember, forgiveness is earned

The Rat-catcher by Scott Stanford: A father tries to save money and loses more than he bargained for

Scato – Illogical by AJ Kirby: Oh…crap!!!!

Sceptres de Délicatesse by Poppet: Touché! Life’s a bitch!

Waiting… by Ricki Thomas: Be very careful where you smoke, someone may be watching

Best of Show by Asher Wismer: Roses and death, a powerful little story

Happy Now? by David Rogers: A final solution to unhappiness

Everything Must Go by Kirsty Neary: Junkies looking for a fix? Or something more? Love the colloquial language!

Handling Snakes by IS Paton: A twist in the snake’s tale!

DEAR MRS. BURTON… by Giles Richard Ekins: *shiver* my computer knowing the truth before I do would really creep me out!

New Beginning by Troy Lambert: A tale of perseverance and hope despite terrible odds

Preacher Man by IS Paton: Wow, beware the fanatical!

Semana de Fuego by Jacob Rayne: It’s Fire Week, when the locals burn idols…but that fire cooks up something too tasty…

The Study in Blue by Jo Reed: Revenge is sweet…pea!

The Room by Mark Sinclair: Be very careful of what you wish for…

The Trojan Curse by Poppet: Get them from the inside! Gender war with a twist…

Definitely worth reading, deserving each one of five stars! A gasp, a grin, a head scratch, a snort…yes, chances are, you will react in some manner! 

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Multiverse Review: Master of Umbra

Master of Umbra

by

Poppet

Blown away! That’s what I am after reading Master of Umbra! The second book in the Valhalla series is just brilliant, and I thought it couldn't get better after reading Master of Miasma (book 1). Let nothing take away from book 1, though, because it sets the scene needed for Umbra to work as well as it does and you have to read it first.

Ewan, Eagle clan chief, possesses the kind of strength that drives a story, and yet has an astounding moral core one completely falls for (astounding, because, come on, he’s meant to be a berserker!!!).  Yes, reader, you will LOVE Ewan! And you will wonder a bit about his side-kick Gunn…

Deliah has a terrible past and is lost until the Eagle clan brings her into the fold, but, boy, does she cause waves to rise and crash against those walls of darkness and muscle!

When Emma and Macala from Miasma join with the larger-than-life characters in Umbra, know sparks are about to become infernos. The Eagles and Ravens are kin…can they work together to defeat the real enemy, the Wolf clan???

You will love the ancient legends and histories brought to life, and the amazing and imaginative settings. Mostly, in my opinion, you will love the author’s brilliant imagery; this is poetry on every page.

The answer lies in Master of Skadi…and I cannot wait to find out what happens!

5 stars! Well deserved. 5 stars for the entire series! Well done, Poppet!

Amazon

Multiverse Review: Ye Mistress of Baphos Hall

Ye Mistress of Baphos Hall

by

Poppet

In Ye Mistress of Baphos Hall, Poppet outdoes herself! This is a fairy-tale with a difference. Definitely for adults, it still retains the elements of a child’s tale, such as talking creatures, quests and adventure – and every adult loves it, no matter how old and jaded! Love the old language, the ancient concepts, and there is something strange at every turn.

This has an ‘old’ feel and is also very otherworldly, while time as a concept is toyed with. A strangeness, a darkness, and one is hooked. It's punchy, as tales of this nature should be - perfect!

The moment I read about the scribe with no arms, I began thinking of the dilemmas writers face daily and when Anne tries to find the story behind the myth, the importance of words, voices and tales become evident. There are lessons here, but read Ye Mistress of Baphos Hall first because it’s an excellent tale…and then delve them hidden messages!

Worth every moment spent reading it! 5 stars!

Amazon

Master of Miasma

The Multiverse review of Master of Miasma by Poppet

This is a WOW! adventure into Norse legend brought to life in our current age. Meet the Raven clan, go into battle with Eagles, know the enemy in the wings as Wolf, and delve through snow and forest into a mountain enclave created from the wonderful imagination of author Poppet.

Meet Emma, who finds her true self and destiny when she is taken to a safe place by Macala…and Macala, reader, is definitely worthy of discovery, a delectable, powerful being with a moral code and a romantic streak. He takes on the task of bringing Emma into the fold, to teach her about her true past…and sparks fly indeed.

Master of Miasma isn’t merely a great tale and, make no mistake, it is a great one. Beyond the story is fantastic imagery, every line is poetry, and the plot is cleverly woven. Ancient legends and magical spaces and objects of power and imagination takes one from page to page actually holding one’s breath. The Book of Life revealed in Master of Miasma is to die for, if you’ll excuse the pun. How I wish we (us humans) possessed such a magical thing, sigh. This is a brilliant and beautiful read, as if one’s soul recognises a past time of pure enchantment.  This is profound…and it’s also an adventure to get lost with.

I cannot wait to read what comes next. FIVE STARS ALL THE WAY!

Get your copy here!

'I'm addicted!'

Review: Shades of Shadow

by

Poppet

Wow! This installment of this series is jam packed with endless battles, calamity of apocalyptic proportions, and so much tension you'll find yourself gritting your teeth a lot. I loved it!

This book is truly the battle waged, it is edge to edge strategy, trying to outdo ones opponent - on both sides. And it was riveting reading! This is such a series that you just never ever want to stop reading. It's a truly long series but the pace is in no way marred by the length of each installment.

This author has a way of dunking you under so that you are sodden with the action, caught up and unable to stop reacting to the compelling nightmare unfolding across the page.

There is one section in particular that I was struck by, when a lost pet comes back in a dream, and the guilt swallowing the dreamer was enough to make me never want to stop reading. This author nails human reactions and emotions, yet the enigma that was Rain continues, and you'll find yourself rooting for him and desperately needing answers to all the riddles he is.

I love this series. I'm addicted!

Shades of Shadow is a fitting...

Read more: Amazon and Smashwords

(Thank you again, Poppet! xx)

'I may need therapy after this'

Review: House of Valla

by

Poppet

It has been a while since I read the first book in this series. I must admit I procrastinated because of time constraint, as these books are long, and I'd forgotten just how long.

It was with enthusiasm that I started reading, sucked back into the drama of the humans and golden glowing lumin Vallorians fighting the dark evil of the Darak Or.

In book 1, we met Rain, and it's around him that this entire tale pivots. he is gorgeous, otherworldly, and in this installment he comes to his full awareness. In this book we find out just how potent Rain is (haha that sounds like such a pun). I wish I could tell you so much more but I hate spoilers. But I do think the blurb for this book doesn't do it any credit at all. This is an epic novel, so alike to the first fantasy author Tolkien, in that it leaves nothing out. It is a vivid construction of alien landscapes, races, sorcery and magic, all blended to help you fall into the hologram and live this book while you read it. And I am horribly emotionally invested in Rain's future and all that haunts him.

This is a book sizzling with magic, both dark and light, the unveiling of holy site after holy site in a bid to...

Read more: Amazon and Smashwords 

(Thank you, Poppet!)

Review: Indigo Vamporium

Indigo Vamporiun by Poppet

Have you read Poppet’s work? Then you’ll know why I jumped at the opportunity to read Indigo Vamporium!  

In IV we meet Seithe as a teenager and discover what drives him to become the super-being he is, half-vampyre, half-angel. Here we find a more ‘innocent’ side to Seithe and his siblings, but don’t be fooled: there’s darkness and power and the supernatural and all those factors that serve to underscore Poppet’s work.  Seithe and his kind seek love from humans- salvation for vampyres- and when he meets Tasmin…well, I’d love to explain it all, but won’t reveal more…

IV is set in beautiful Cape Town and Poppet uses stunning Long Beach, the mystery of Tokai forest and the majesty of Table Mountain to great effect as the backdrops for Seithe coming to grips with his power in order to shoulder his responsibilities.  As a Capetonian I have to admit I particularly enjoyed these nuances.

I also enjoyed reading about the Flying Dutchman, a local ghost ship legend we Capetonians simply love holding forth about, and the ninjen we learn about in IV will have you tapping into your search engines. Are they myth or not???

Now forget setting and legends…and delve into Poppet’s brilliant imagination for action, romance and emotion, and vanish for a time from the world.

And here are the links: 

Amazon Paperback

 Kindle Edition 

Smashwords

Indigo Vamporium (heads-up!)

Indigo Vamporium by Poppet

I have read and reviewed this (how lucky am I?), and will post my review tomorrow after the Kindle edition goes live! 

Elaina's Writing World: Zauran by Poppet (review!)

Elaina's Writing World: Zauran by Poppet (review!)

Trailer: Ryan

Ryan...!!

Blinking hard, I realize I'm bloody perving at him again. What the hell is wrong with me.
Immediately I chase the cold cocktail down my throat, surprised at how delish it is. Facing him as I lower the glass from my lips, he's giving me one of those intense moonlit stares. Glancing behind me, I notice it is full in the sky, illuminating him just enough to look like a god stepped out of a dream.
“Refill?” he asks, proffering the bottle my way with a dip of the neck.
I nod, strangely self-conscious.
We drink in silence this time, and the breeze reminds me that I am lonely. There's just enough wind to chill my bones and clatter my teeth, to remind me of the crumbled walls around my heart and the blown out windows which can't hold in heat, or happiness.
He lifts my hand off my leg, kissing the back of it softly, “It's okay bambina.”
He holds onto my hand, and it's warm and solid, reassuring and strong... safe. Guilt slaps me up the side of the head and I turn back to stare at the midnight view, wondering how I can extricate my hand from his without being rude and hurting his feelings.
I can't. It's too raw. He's sweet, and thoughtful, and on any other planet, in any other time, he'd be perfect, but just looking at him makes me feel like I'm cheating.
“You're not cheating. It's okay Phoebe, I understand.” 
His hand tightens, the grasp warm and solid, sturdy and supportive. Staring out over the lake, he exhales heavily, using the shadows to mask his face... to hide his eyes.
“We all fall in love, and we think this is it, this is going to last forever.” His tone thickens, deepens. “You're so naively happy, you believe nothing in the world could ruin the bond... the depth of understanding you share, without saying a word.”
His mouth tightens, I see it in the way his silhouette grimaces.
“But, that's not the way life works. Life has a nasty habit of taking the one thing you'd die for, the one thing you can't function without, and leaving you hollow,” he continues.
Hollow. That's exactly how I feel.

RYAN by Poppet

Available now from Amazon