Alphashock, Episodes 1 - 3, by Sam Best – 4 stars

In a distant future, Chicago is a city-state in a precarious balance between order and riots. Keeping the peace are the Elite Task Forces, and the most highly effective on is Elite Task Force One. Episode 1 of Alphashock pits Task Force One against Anton Olivetti, Prince of one of the Dynasties who rule the city. In Episode 2, they take on the head of one of the Dynasties. But things aren’t quite what they seem and the team is in for a nasty surprise. This SciFi series just keeps getting better as Task Force One is drawn deeper into the political intrigues of the Dynasties in Episode 3. But this time, their mission is unofficial, unauthorized and very personal.

While quite different in style from his full-length novel, Ashes (which is still my favourite), Sam Best keeps up his strong writing style. If you’re looking for adrenalin pumping, action packed adventure with lots of creative futuristic gadgets thrown in, this series might just fit the bill. Gritty and intense, this is a great read if you’re looking for well written, high speed action and adventure. A series definitely worth following; I’ll be watching for Episode 4 of Alphashock.

Episode 1: http://www.amazon.com/ALPHASHOCK-Episode-1-ebook/dp/B0083PD5GU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1344330630&sr=1-1&keywords=alphashock

Episode 2: http://www.amazon.com/ALPHASHOCK-Episode-2-ebook/dp/B008BYSW7K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1346153350&sr=8-2&keywords=Alphashock

Episode 3: http://www.amazon.com/ALPHASHOCK-Episode-3-ebook/dp/B0092UD0H4/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1347353702&sr=1-3&keywords=alphashock

A Life Lived Ridiculously, by Annabelle Charbit: 4 stars

Maxine is your average psychotic basket case, obsessing over the light fixtures in her room, until Sam enters her life and turns it upside down. A Life Lived Ridiculously is a fun read as we follow Maxine’s madcap thoughts and misadventures. It reminded me of Bridget Jones’ Diary, but with darker humor. Annabelle Charbit could however use a better cover artist. I guess this is one of those examples of ‘don’t judge a book by the cover’. And I do recommend this one! (The book, not the cover…)

http://www.amazon.com/A-Life-Lived-Ridiculously-ebook/dp/B007R5ZXRG/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1346153481&sr=8-1