Author: sharisakurai

Shari Sakurai is a British author of paranormal, horror, science fiction and fantasy novels that almost always feature a LGBT protagonist and/or antagonist. She has always loved to write and it is her escape from the sometimes stressful modern life! Aside from writing, Shari enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to (loud!) music, going to rock concerts and learning more about other societies and cultures. Japanese culture is of particular interest to her and she often incorporates Japanese themes and influences into her work. Shari loves a challenge and has taken part and won the National Novel Writing Month challenge ten times!

What Day is it Anyway? Thursday, 9th July 2020

~ sharisakurai ~ 2 Comments

My day: For much of the duration of lock-down I’ve been more or less able to keep track of the days, but for some reason I have been losing track of the last few weeks. No idea why but I woke up this morning convinced it was Saturday. Checking my phone and seeing Thursday left me very disappointed.

My sister and her husband have a seagull family nesting on their roof and she’s been telling me how one fell off! He’s fine luckily and landed in their garden, but he’s now stuck down there until he can fly. The RSPB said to leave him alone as the parents will still look after him but they haven’t been that much as they have two more on the roof. So my sister has been giving him some food too as she was worried he wasn’t getting enough. He’s been named Steven (after Steven Seagal!) and now waits outside the backdoor for her to come out and feed him. And if she doesn’t he starts squeaking until she does! She also been leaving her guinea pig hutch open at night (she brings the guinea pigs inside overnight) so he has somewhere to sleep! I think his siblings are jealous that they didn’t fall off the roof too!

Steven

Linda G. Hill came up with this great idea to keep track of the weeks and months ahead. For those who already are, and will be isolated in the coming weeks, it is important to all come together and support each other.

Book Review: Warrior’s Way (Coulter and Woodard #1) by M.J. Calabrese

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Hello, tall, dark and handsome.’ Out and proud gay Albuquerque Homicide Detective Eagle Woodard studied Dr. Adam Coulter, criminal profiler, with a clinical eye. ‘Slender build…narrow waist, but nicely muscled underneath that Hugo Boss suit. People think you work out, Kemo, but you don’t.’ Eagle’s dark eyes narrowed. ‘You know I hate that day old beard look, but you were probably too wasted to bother. Nice eyes, green when they aren’t blood shot. Flawless tanned skin except for that tiny scar through your left eyebrow.’ The former Army Ranger grinned. ‘I gave that to you accidentally when we were 8 years old. When you stood up for this Navajo kid in an all white school. We both got our asses kicked.’ Eagle sighed and shook his head. That was the day he’d fallen in love with 4 times married, 4 times divorced, current roommate, Adam Coulter.

Eagle and Adam are faced with their toughest challenge yet. They must find an active serial killer before he strikes again. With the powers that be not cooperating and the killer proving to be elusive, will Eagle and Adam be able to stop the murderer while navigating their changing relationship? 

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Warrior’s Way (Coulter and Woodard #1) 

Review

*I received a copy of this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

Rating: 3.5 stars

When Detective Eagle Woodard and criminal profiler Dr Adam Coulter pose as a gay couple with an upcoming fake wedding in order to catch a serial killer, it reawakens feelings that they both struggle to leave in the past. Eagle has always been in love with Adam, but Adam’s always insisted that he’s straight. However, as their fake relationship involves into something more real, they must put their feelings to one side in order to catch the killer or risk becoming their next victim.

I was very undecided as to how to rate this novel. There were parts I liked and parts that I didn’t like as much. I enjoyed the characterisation throughout the novel. Each character was well-crafted and had likeable and not so likeable traits as all good characters do. Eagle and Adam definitely had chemistry between them, however there were times when the relationship seemed a little forced, which was a shame as it really didn’t need to be.  It also felt quite rushed. One moment Adam was adamant that he was straight and the next minute they are flirting, kissing…it just seemed way too random how he’d change his mind so quickly, especially after getting so upset that the majority of his work colleagues already thought that he was gay.  More time could have been taken to develop the relationship naturally whilst properly exploring Adam’s denial.

The other trouble I had with this novel was how the author jumped back and forth between calling characters by their surname and then first name or nicknames. There was no logic to this and it just confused me.

The serial killer plot was great. The parts written from the killer’s point of view were quite graphic, but it was good to get inside the killer’s mind and their reasoning for doing what they did. The confrontation between the killer and the main characters took an unexpected twist which really took me by surprise.

Overall, I did enjoy it and I do want to read further books in the series as I am curious to see what happens next.

Series Review Tour and Book Review: Serial Investigations by Rhiannon D’Averc

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SERIES REVIEW TOUR

Serial Investigations by Rhiannon D’Averc

Serial Investigations follows a private detective duo, Will and Ram, through tricky cases, mortal danger, and the horror of (maybe) unrequited love for your best friend – with plenty of demons to battle along the way.

The stories need to be read in order.

Overall Heat Rating for the series: 2 flames

Goodreads Series Link

Warning: All books contain depictions of alcoholism, anorexia, and violent crime/murder.

BOOK 1

Book Title: Bloodless

Length: 70 000 words/ 240 pages

Release Date: April 29, 2019

Genre/s: M/M Crime/thriller

Trope/s: Slow burn friends to lovers

Themes: Identity struggle, murder, unrequited love

Goodreads

Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited

How do you solve a murder…

… When you’re the prime suspect?

Blurb

A body cut up into pieces and left in Highgate Wood. It sounds like the most exciting case that private detectives Ram and Will have had to deal with since leaving their FBI training and returning to London.

As each new body is piled up amongst the trees, the stakes get higher – and Serial Investigations London embraces their first real challenge.

But Ram’s lifestyle – staying out all days of the week, drinking too much, and having sex with a different man every night – soon catches up with him when the police realise there’s just one link that connects the bodies.

And it’s him.

Will faces a battle around the clock to prevent his best friend from being put away for life – and while the two of them face their own demons, there’s a secret hanging over their heads that might just bring it all crashing down.

If you’re a fan of BBC’s Luther, Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole, or sharply witty gay men, you’ll love Serial Investigations. Jump into the action from the very beginning with Bloodless, the first book in a series you won’t dare to put down.

Continue reading “Series Review Tour and Book Review: Serial Investigations by Rhiannon D’Averc” →

What Day is it Anyway? Wednesday, 1st July 2020

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My Day: I feel as though I’ve stopped writing these as much as I used to. I think its really because I’ve been waiting for something interesting to happen that I can share and also I’ve been doing quite a few book reviews recently. I don’t like posting multiple posts on the same day, especially for book reviews as I don’t want to limit exposure for the authors by knocking the review off the top spot in the same day.

I have had plenty of time on my hands to write and finally the muses are cooperating enough for me to make some serious headway in Perfect World 3. By serious headway I mean it is now halfway done. I officially hit the halfway done mark last night. I know I keep saying it, but it really is a lot darker than the previous books in the series. Even more so than I thought it would be! I think that just happens sometimes, once you get writing you go in a direction that you perhaps weren’t quite expecting but find it just feels right that it took that path. Anyway, its halfway done and I’m hoping that a release for early next year isn’t too ambitious but we’ll see. I have also been inspired to write a little side project to do with the series. If that comes together I’m planning on making it a freebie that you’ll be able to download on the Perfect World website.

 

 

Linda G. Hill came up with this great idea to keep track of the weeks and months ahead. For those who already are, and will be isolated in the coming weeks, it is important to all come together and support each other.

Book Review: Blood Sucker (Serial Investigations #4) by Rhiannon D’Averc

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A dead body posted on social media. A vampire stalking the streets of London?

Will and Ram’s private detective partnership seems to be unravelling. After they ended up sleeping together, the tension between them is at an all-time high – and the unsolved Simon Shystone case is haunting them and their police contacts.

DI Alex Heath normally wants their help, but when a murderer posts images of his victim on social media, the chase is on to trace his digital footprint. With his superiors breathing down his neck, he might not be able to bring Serial Investigations London in on one of the biggest cases of their career.

They should be focusing on the artist who seems to have disappeared without a trace from his home studio. Could his latest commission have something to do with it? And will they be able to handle finding another client turned up dead?

Things are spiralling out of control for Will and Ram – and this time, they might not have each other to rely on. 

Purchase Link: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Blood Sucker (Serial Investigations #4)

Review

*I received a copy of this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

Rating: 5 stars

Will and Ram have another missing persons case to solve when local artist and recluse Jack Motterhead goes missing. His older brother Ben hires them to look for him and they are both hoping for a better outcome than their last missing person’s case. There is also the possibility that the so-called London Vampire is another serial killer when he posts about his murder online. Frustratingly Will and Ram find themselves shut out of this investigation, however it still manages to distract them from their original case.

Ram is finally getting some help with his drinking and is doing really well, despite one or two setbacks. Will’s eating disorder is getting worse as things between him and Ram continue to deteriorate. Both of them are filled with conflict over their night that they spent together and instead of talking about it, they just push each other away at a time when they need each other the most.

Book 4 definitely has a darker tone than the previous book in the series. Will’s problems are getting much worse and I really felt for what he was going through. He truly believes that he is worthless and has convinced himself that Ram couldn’t possibly love him, which is so sad as it is obvious just how much Ram cares for him. Ram in comparison is getting better, but he’s convinced himself that Will isn’t interested in him romantically. Several incidents occur which drive them further apart and by the end of the novel it looks as though they are going their separate ways for good.

The main case itself was not as bleak as the ones that they’ve undertaken in previous books which was a nice change and even though their relationship was in tatters Will and Ram still came together to solve it.

It looks like Coda is now ready to reveal his true plans for them and I cannot wait to read book 5 to find out who he is, what is going to happen and if Will and Ram can reunite after everything that has happened.

Book Review: Blood Alcohol (Serial Investigations #3) by Rhiannon D’Averc

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A horrific torture case with a ticking clock.

All he can see is the bottle.

Private detectives Ram and Will thought they’d wrapped everything up when they found Ray Riley’s body in Sevenoaks. But it turns out that things aren’t what they seemed – and Riley may be the latest victim of a torture-happy murderous duo.

For the second time, Serial Investigations London are called in to assist as civilian consultants with DI Alex Heath’s team at the Met – but they have their own personal problems getting in the way of clear thinking.

Will has something to get off his chest, and it’s related to that kiss they shared – the one they both tried to forget. But Ram can’t stop drinking to push away the confusion, and this time he’s going to land himself in more trouble than ever before.

Can they get over their issues for long enough to stop another murder – or even keep themselves alive?

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Blood Alcohol (Serial Investigations #3

Review

*I received a copy of this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

Rating: 5 stars

When Will and Ram are brought in by the met police to consult on the murders of Ray Riley and Simon Shystone from the previous novel, they are soon drawn into a much bigger case than either of them expected.

Ram’s drinking is getting more and more out of control and puts him in serious danger. It also blinds him somewhat to just how unwell Will is becoming. The two of them are trying to move on from ‘that kiss’ between them however forgetting about it proves more difficult than either of them could imagine.

As with the first two books in the series, I really enjoyed reading Blood Alcohol. This time the murder mystery continued from the previous book and they are also working a possible infidelity case alongside it. When events spiral out of their control, Will and Ram finally talk about San Francisco which has only been hinted about up until now. One of my favourite scenes in the novel was when Ram wakes up to the consequences of his latest night out and he finally admits he has a problem. From Will’s reaction and how he handles it you can see just how much they care for each other.

I also love how Will’s friendship with Harry is developing. Ram painted a rather negative picture of Harry but he’s actually a genuinely sweet and nice guy who really cares about Will. I look forward to seeing more of Harry in future novels in the series.

Their relationship progresses somewhat in Blood Alcohol although from how the novel ends I have a feeling it’s just going to lead to more regrets and hurt.

The two-novel mystery wraps up at the end as well however it uncovers more questions than answers. I really want to know what kind of game the mysterious Coda is playing and I’m really looking forward to reading book 4.

Book Review: The Muse: A Novel of Unrelenting Terror by Arjay Lewis

~ sharisakurai ~ 2 Comments

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His pen and his sword are both mighty. When he loses his inspiration, he’ll drench the town in blood to get it back.

Hugely successful horror author Jack Court has a chilling secret. When he’s not writing bestsellers, he murders the innocent to satisfy the twisted whims of a symbiotic creature who lives within him. But after a sheriff out for justice chases him into the path of an oncoming car, the beast escapes the writer’s injured body in search of another host…

Harry Goodwine’s words have never supported his family the way he knows they deserve. Just when he’s given up hope, he suddenly receives inspiration from something new inside of him. Harry’s unexpected success may just mean a new life for the ones he loves, as long as he can ignore the unfamiliar internal voice and the endless dreams of blood…

Without the symbiont to maintain his vitality, Jack becomes something different. Something not quite human. Something that’s willing to kill anyone in his path to reunite with the creature who will help him fulfill his darkest desires…

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: The Muse: A Novel of Unrelenting Terror

Review

*I received a copy of this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

Rating: 5 stars

Successful horror author Jack Court is living a double life. Whilst writing countless bestsellers he is also a prolific serial killer who murders to satisfy the cravings of the creature living inside him. However, when Jack is hit by a truck and hospitalised, he not only loses his muse but the county Sherriff, who believes that Jack is the man who murdered his wife, uses the opportunity to investigate.  When aspiring author Harry Goodwine finds himself the new host for Jack’s muse, Trajan joins forces with the FBI to track down Jack, who has absconded from hospital with the intention of reclaiming what he believes is rightfully his. However, Jack Court is changing as the monster on the inside begins to truly show itself.

The Muse is an excellent horror story. The chapters are written from different characters’ perspectives which I really like as you get a feel for what they are all going through. As well this paces the novel extremely well and moves it along in a way that has you hurriedly turning the page for more.

This has to be one of the best stories in its genre that I have read all year. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and is a genuinely chilling story. Jack’s gruesome metamorphosis into the beast that he would become was horrifying yet done believably so. The entire story was crafted this way. The author set out plausible reasons for events that the characters otherwise would never have been able to explain.

If you are looking for an incredibly chilling and terrifying read, I definitely recommend The Muse. It really is a novel of unrelenting terror!

Book Review: Blood Evidence (Serial Investigations #2) by Rhiannon D’Averc

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A missing person’s case…

… A murder investigation?

Private detectives Ram and Will got their name in the news by catching a high-profile serial killer, and now they’re getting more clients. When they’re hired to find a missing person, all they’re worried about is having to spend a night away from home. They go to check his last known sighting in Kent, staying in a quaint country inn.

Little do they expect that Serial Investigations London are about to get thrust into a new murder investigation – one that happens right under their noses.

A confession seems to solve the case, but is it genuine? With suspicions running high, the duo still have to find time to sniff out the whereabouts of their client – and avoid getting arrested themselves.

With Ram hitting the bottle harder than ever and Will fighting to stay in control, they might be about to lose more than just the case.

Purchase Link: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Blood Evidence (Serial Investigations #2)

Review

*I received a copy of this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

Rating: 5 stars

When Will and Ram are hired to find a missing fiancé, they assume that the groom has just got cold feet. However what looks to be an open and shut case soon takes a sinister turn as they find themselves in the middle of a new murder investigation. The both of them are still battling their inner demons and Will’s feelings for Ram are becoming harder for him to ignore.

I really liked book 1 in the series and was excited to start book 2 and it didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed the murder mystery at the hotel and the shifty bunch of guests all with their own secrets. They were all hiding something so at one point I thought any one of them could have done it.

Ram and Will are still struggling with what happened in San Francisco and their different coping mechanisms threaten to drive a wedge between them. Added to this is Will’s difficulty in accepting he’s gay and also that he has feelings for Ram. I liked how the author has addressed the anxieties that he feels about coming out. It was portrayed as very realistic and I liked Will’s new friendship with Harry – even if Ram didn’t!

I think my favourite aspect of the series so far is the bond between Will and Ram. They already have a great rapport and I’m looking forward to seeing how their relationship progresses further in the series.

What Day is it Anyway? Sunday, 21st June 2020

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My Day: I signed off the proofs of Demon’s Blood and Demon’s Life today! I’m so excited to have finally have print copies and cannot wait to see them live in the Amazon store! I’m going to start working on the print copies for my Perfect Word series next. I think I will start with Adam as the print copy is already live it just needs the new publisher logo added to the cover.

I feel like I have achieved so much with my novels in the last few months and I cannot decide whether it is entirely due to the lock-down or whether I am finally getting organised with my free-time. Either way I intend to continue it when lock-down has ended.

I’ve spent most of today working on Perfect World 3. Things are starting to get quite dark now. Its making writing it quite heavy going so I need to have more breaks and do something happy like play Animal Crossing!

Linda G. Hill came up with this great idea to keep track of the weeks and months ahead. For those who already are, and will be isolated in the coming weeks, it is important to all come together and support each other.

Book Review: Caligation by Brhi Stokes

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A city of the bizarre and the unfamiliar, inhabited by monstrous beasts and people with unnatural gifts. A city of tall glass spires mingling with old gothic architecture, where wild animals roam alongside the populace.

This is where Ripley Mason finds himself.

University dropout, casual drinker, and newly fledged hitchhiker, Ripley is tired of the daily grind of study, drink, repeat. Only halfway done with a degree he never chose, Ripley heads north to see if life won’t throw him something less monotonous.

Early into his journey, Ripley suffers a brutal car accident and awakens in a rundown hospital. Nervous, he ventures into dark, unfamiliar streets and comes face to face with horrific beasts. Thrown into a world of supernatural fantasy, Ripley fights to discover where he is, how he came to be here and, most importantly, if he can even get home.

All he knows of this place is a single word: C A L I G A T I O N

Purchase: Amazon.com

Goodreads: Caligation

Review

*I received a copy of this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*

Rating: 4 stars

When university dropout Ripley hitches a ride, he is involved in a serious car accident. Upon waking in hospital he finds that he has somehow been transported to the city Caligation. A city filled with supernatural beings and a reality that Ripley does not believe can be real. As he navigates his new surroundings, Ripley finds himself reluctantly drawn into a world that he is trying to leave.

Caligation is an extremely imaginative and clever urban fantasy novel.  The author creates a dark and complex world full of shifters, vampires and other supernatural beings. The characters are paired with an animal that they can talk with telepathically and I very much enjoyed the banter that Ripley had with his owl, Athena. Each different supernatural species has their own politics and agendas, and Ripley finds himself put in the middle of all of this as he is trying to find his way home. I really liked the character of Ripley. He’s not a bad person, but he never set himself up to be a hero either. He does his best with the situations that he finds himself in.

The writing style is quite heavy and I had to read it in smaller chunks so not to miss what was happening. Whilst the style suited the novel and the tone perfectly, it was something that I did struggle with at times, but not enough that it detracted anything from my enjoyment of the novel.

I enjoyed reading Caligation, and whilst I had my ideas about what the place really was for Ripley, I never saw the end coming.