Steve's Updates en-US Thu, 01 May 2025 14:29:31 -0700 60 Steve's Updates 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Comment290129789 Thu, 01 May 2025 14:29:31 -0700 <![CDATA[Steve commented on "Need help with author dashboard listings" in Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Librarians Group]]> /topic/show/23118301-need-help-with-author-dashboard-listings Steve made a comment in the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Librarians Group group:

OK, thanks for finding the missing edition. I've still got a duplicate book on my author dashboard, however. I've sent a message to support. So we'll call it good here.

As for the missing book, right, I know about there sometimes being more than one page. It actually takes three pages to display my 16 books (with a max of six books per page as displayed on the author dashboard.)

Since I'm the only one who sees my author dashboard, I don't guess it's that big a deal. We'll just drop it. ]]> Review7524339551 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 23:06:48 -0700 <![CDATA[Steve added 'The Asset']]> /review/show/7524339551 The Asset by Saul Herzog Steve gave 4 stars to The Asset (Lance Spector, #1) by Saul Herzog
The Russians make a bio weapon from an ancient pathogen extracted from the remains of a mammoth preserved in Siberian permafrost.

Retired asset Lance Spector is called out of retirement to save the world. He is in a downward spiral after the loss of a loved one and is leading a self-destructive lifestyle as he deals with his painful past.

Laurel, who hopes to become his new handler, and Roth, his old boss whom he has not totally forgiven for his role in the loss of his loved one, succeed in bringing Lance aboard for his most important mission ever.

Along the way, Lance will need help from the other side and may need to depend on a past relationship. He is unsure who he can trust as danger and suspense escalate in this fast-paced thriller.

The book is creative and entertaining but stretches believability in many ways, some of which can be forgiven because such devices are common in this genre, but some of which feel over the top for any genre.

Several characters do actually die when they are shot but others, including the main character, brush off their wounds too easily and keep going as though their wounds were no more serious than a bee sting.

Some of the dialogue doesn't feel realistic as characters speak in unnatural ways, echoing their words on several occasions for no apparent reason. Some of the odd speech patterns could be attributed to the author's attempts to produce a Russian accent but some of it feels unnecessarily awkward and irritating.

The villains on both sides are well-done and are a strong point in the plot. The author does a good job of keeping the book from becoming too violent, especially when it comes to the torture scenes, but some of the methods used by the Russians feel too clumsy and unlikely, allowing for a means of escape.

Some readers won't like the cliffhanger ending but it is effective in inviting readers to come back for the next offering in the exciting series. ]]> UserChallenge63180499 Sun, 27 Apr 2025 18:02:33 -0700 <![CDATA[ Steve has challenged himself to read 50 books in 2025. ]]> /user/show/50566217-steve-johnson 11627
He has read 14 books toward his goal of 50 books.
 
14 of 50 (28%)
Create your own 2025 Reading Challenge » ]]> ReadStatus9360346376 Sun, 27 Apr 2025 18:00:31 -0700 <![CDATA[Steve started reading 'The Asset']]> /review/show/7524339551 The Asset by Saul Herzog Steve started reading The Asset by Saul Herzog
]]> ReadStatus9360306403 Sun, 27 Apr 2025 17:49:24 -0700 <![CDATA[Steve has read 'I Die Every Night']]> /review/show/7524312997 I Die Every Night by Steve Johnson Steve has read I Die Every Night by Steve Johnson
]]> Review7508556691 Mon, 21 Apr 2025 22:51:30 -0700 <![CDATA[Steve added 'The Orphanage by the Lake']]> /review/show/7508556691 The Orphanage by the Lake by Daniel G. Miller Steve gave 4 stars to The Orphanage by the Lake (Kindle Edition) by Daniel G. Miller
I didn't think I would identify that well with Hazel, a young Asian woman, but the gritty, determined private investigator is a main character who will grow on the reader, even if he is an older white man.

The author does a good job of developing his main character, and seeing things through her eyes is an entertaining as well as an educational experience.

Hazel investigates the disappearance of Mia, a young girl, from an orphanage by a lake. Madeline, a harsh and pushy woman who introduces herself as Mia's godmother, hires Hazel to find her loved one. Mia has a sweet voice and aspires to become a professional singer.

Madeline offers Hazel a pile of money to solve the case, but she will only be paid if she meets a tight deadline, which is only a few days.

There is no good reason for Madeline's arbitrary deadline other than the fact she believes it will make Hazel work harder. This feels off and feels like a weakness in the plot. It stretches believability but it does create tension and keep the story moving.

The early chapters move slowly, but by the final quarter, the reader may feel like they have been hit over the head with a sledgehammer. The story rocks along, and suddenly, violence and much danger erupt.

During the course of Hazel's investigation, the reader will also meet Kenny, Hazel's roommate who is studying to become a cop and is a close friend but has no romantic relationship with her; Andrew, a rich trustfund heir and handsome dream boat whom she would like to have a relationship with; Bobby, a good cop among bad cops; Thomas, the stern headmaster of the orphanage; and Sonia, a poised and stylish assistant at the orphanage whom Hazel's admires.

As the reader might expect in a whodunnit, not everyone is who they claim to be, and you'll have fun sorting the good from the bad.

You'll root for Hazel all the way as she moves closer to uncovering dark secrets and finds herself in increasing danger.

The reader will be rewarded with more than one big surprise near the end. ]]> Comment289681367 Sat, 19 Apr 2025 21:32:22 -0700 <![CDATA[Steve made a comment on Remembering what you've read]]> /author_blog_posts/25687376-remembering-what-you-ve-read Steve made a comment on Remembering what you've read

To see all of my reviews:

1.) Go to my Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ profile by clicking the link below.

2.) Choose the desktop version of the site. Options for desktop or mobile are found at the bottom of the page.

3.) Go to my profile picture.

4.) Click on the link for reviews, which will appear under my picture.

5.) Click on "date read" in the far right to see my most recent reviews listed first.

6.) Click on "view" on the far right to read each review of your choice.

Link to my Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ profile:
/author/show... ]]> Review7003525742 Sat, 19 Apr 2025 21:23:45 -0700 <![CDATA[Steve added 'The Silent Watcher']]> /review/show/7003525742 The Silent Watcher by Victor Methos Steve gave 5 stars to The Silent Watcher (Vegas Shadows, #1) by Victor Methos
A big part of what stands out to me the most in this book is the contrasts and the chemistry between the two main characters.

Piper is a lawyer and legal guardian for youths in the criminal justice system. She is a goody two shoes who continues to live with her grandmother after a traumatic childhood. She is a believer.

Lazarus is a jaded cop with a drinking problem and a troubled past. He is a nonbeliever.

Their paths cross as they work together to find a deranged serial killer, a little man with a disfigured face and an uncanny strength. He is known as the Creeper because he hides and watches his victims as he stalks them. He dabbled in cannibalism and is progressing towards becoming a full-fledged cannibal as his crimes become more gruesome.

Piper represents Sophie, the sole survivor of a gruesome attack on her family. Lazarus is the lead detective on the case. During the course of the investigation, Piper and Lazarus develop a mutual respect despite their differences. They become attracted to each other and some sparks fly but they stop short of a physical relationship.

Their lives will never be the same, however, as the danger grows. Before long, they find themselves and possibly those they care about in jeopardy.

An interesting cast of supporting characters adds depth to the story. Among them are Sophie, the only surviving victim; Lake, Piper's kind-hearted and ailing grandmother; Riley, a giant man of few words who is Lazarus's assistant; and Judge Dawson, a genius with a law degree, a medical degree and questionable morals.

The setting is Las Vegas and the reader gets a bonus look at the seedier side of the glitzy sin city.

All the characters are well-developed and the dialogue is easy and believable.

You'll keep turning pages as the story races to its conclusion. You'll want to read more about these characters in the next offering of the series. ]]> Review7494588172 Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:19:18 -0700 <![CDATA[Steve added 'The Boomerang']]> /review/show/7494588172 The Boomerang by Robert Bailey Steve gave 5 stars to The Boomerang (Kindle Edition) by Robert Bailey
This is the best book I've read in the past couple of years, maybe longer.

I was a bit concerned when I discovered it deals with the depressing subject matter of a main character battling cancer. But it's about so much more than that cruel disease.

It's also about power, political corruption, right and wrong and how far one would go to save a loved one.

You'll meet boyhood friends Lionel and Eli. They grow up to become president and chief of staff respectively. They remain close friends despite the many challenges, some life-threatening, that come their way.

Lionel is devastated when he receives a terminal cancer diagnosis. But before long, he starts doing better - too much better to be explained by modern medicine.

Eli's life is also touched by cancer when his daughter, Bella, receives a similar diagnosis but doesn't fare nearly as well.

Eli, suspicious by nature, comes to believe that the government may possess a secret cure for cancer, one that it is keeping under wraps because of the damage its release would do to Big Pharma and the nation's economy as a whole.

Is there a sinister reason for Lionel's miraculous recovery? How far is Eli willing to go to find out?

It may involve making a deal with the devil - in this case a powerful New Mexico drug lord named Nester, who just happens to be an old flame of Dale, Eli's wife.

Plenty of action and suspense keeps this thriller moving towards its exciting conclusion. The reader will be treated to some twists near the end - including one big one - which you won't see coming.
]]> Review7468204708 Sun, 06 Apr 2025 16:33:14 -0700 <![CDATA[Steve added 'Long Time Dead']]> /review/show/7468204708 Long Time Dead by T.M. Payne Steve gave 4 stars to Long Time Dead (Detective Sheridan Holler, #1) by T.M. Payne
When a new grave is dug in a family plot, an unidentified body is found hidden there. It is decomposed and has been there for years.

DI Sheridan Holler works the case with other members of her team. Sheridan is a likable character, full of courage and grit. She doesn't try to be superwoman and do everything herself. She relies on help from her team. The camaraderie displayed by her team is well-done. Several supporting characters add depth to the story and interact in interesting ways.

The body is identified as John Lively, a two-bit thug believed to be the shooter in a crime that occurred several years earlier. A man riding a motorcycle shot two women in a food market car park. Kate, a cop, was killed. Ellie was seriously wounded and sustained brain damage. She knows who shot her but is unable to communicate her thoughts in a coherent manner.

Joni, a nurse at an assisted living facility, works with Ellie, taking notes and attempting to communicate with her. She makes some progress but results are sparse and come slowly.

Jeff Nichols is an ex-cop who was having an affair with Kate, his former partner. He continues to grieve and has lost his job to mental problems and his wife and children to divorce.

Who really shot Kate and Ellie? Lively's prints were on the gun left at the scene. But Sheridan believes Lively may have been set up and she believes Jeff may know more than he says. Did the same person who killed Lively also kill Kate and wound Ellie? The team seeks a possible link in the two cold cases.

The final third of the book is the best as suspense builds and the story races to its exciting conclusion. The first two thirds are slower as multiple characters are introduced along with several side stories.

A budding lesbian romance involving Sheridan and Sam, Joni's flatmate, feels awkward. They are mature women but feel too much like giggling school girls going gaga over each other.

Maud, the cat, who lives with Joni and Sam, helps ease the tension and adds some lighter moments.

More description of the Liverpool setting is needed. With a few exceptions, this story could have taken place almost anywhere in the United Kingdom.

The ending stretches believability as the villain goes into a long-winded confession and an explanation of his actions while the cops close in. It is doubtful that a villain would take the time or feel the inclination to explain himself to his captive in such a dire situation.

The reader is denied a proper payoff when action builds to a climax and then stops abruptly. The story skips ahead several weeks and leaves the reader hanging. The answers to several key questions are delayed, which is a frustrating ploy.

The reader is rewarded with a couple of unexpected twists in the final chapters, which cap an overall positive experience. ]]>