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!

Review: Six Celestial Swords

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six_celestial_swordsSix Celestial Swords by T.A. Miles

Inspired by the rise of dark forces in Sheng Fan, the mystic Xu Liang, officer of the Empire, servant of the Song Dynasty, leaves his homeland in search of four ancient magical blades to unite with two sacred weapons already in the possession of the Empire. It is his plan to unite these weapons against the chaos rising in Sheng Fan. What he does not plan on is uniting the swords’ bearers as well, nor the many forms chaos has taken throughout the world.

Six Celestial Swords is the first book in the Celestial Empire series, and the first published in the larger Dryth series.

Purchase Links: www.amazon.com.

Six Celestial Swords on www.goodreads.com.

Review

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review*

Rating: 5 Stars

When I first began reading this novel, I was expecting to read an oriental tale but instead I found myself quickly immersed in an epic fantasy adventure.

Mystic Xu Liang sets out to retrieve the four missing celestial swords which have the power to save his empire. With his loyalty to his empire and empress driving him, Xu Liang is determined to complete his mission no matter what. His journey across realms sees him forming alliances with others who possess the swords that he has been searching for.

Six Celestial Swords is an incredibly well-written and gripping fantasy novel. It is full of wonderfully detailed and beautiful descriptions that really bring the story to life and many memorable characters. The novel kept a steady pace with plenty of action and twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Six Celestial Swords and can’t wait to read the next book in this amazing fantasy series.

Review: The Poppet and the Lune

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The Poppet and the Lune

The Poppet and the Lune by Madeline Claire Franklin

A lyrical, original fairy tale for all ages, with a cast of characters you won’t soon forget.

The witch who made the patchwork girl died before she could give her creation a name. Stitched together from the remains of the villagers’ dead children—whose memories still live in her flesh—the patchwork girl is a spell as yet unfinished, held together by nothing more than a ring made of moonbeams. She can never be what her parents want her to be: a replacement for the children they’ve lost. So when the poppet grows up, and grows tired of being a disappointment, she decides to embark upon a journey through the Everwood Forest in search of her real name.

In the forest she meets Faolin, a newly made wereman (a man trapped as a wolf except during the full moon) running from the beasts who made him. Wanting nothing more than to become human again, and to return to his fiancée, the patchwork girl promises to help him in his quest is he will help in hers. Together they face the dangers of the forest, forming an unlikely bond as their paths wind together: Faolin running from his destiny, the patchwork girl in search of her own, and both of them bound by moonlight.

But Faolin, afraid of the beast he has become, has known all along what he must do in order to lift the curse and return to his fiancée-in fact, it is the very reason he sought out the patchwork girl to begin with. But now, his cure has become the very reason why he must leave her: to protect her from himself.

Purchase Links: www.amazon.com, audible 

The Poppet and the Lune on www.goodreads.com

Review

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review*

Rating: 5 Stars

The Poppet and the Lune tells the story of Elizabeth, the patchwork girl who wishes to find her own place in the world.

The patchwork girl was not born, she was created by a witch on the demands of the grieving villagers who had just lost their own children. The witch died before she could finish or name her creation and so the villagers called her Elizabeth; a name that did not feel was her own. As time passes and the women of village have more children, Elizabeth begins to feel outcast and so she leaves the village behind.

The Poppet and the Lune is a delightful modern fairytale telling of Elizabeth’s journey that will appeal to children and adults alike. The style and description used in the novel flows beautifully, although in a couple of places it could have been shortened in favour of moving the story forward at a slightly faster pace. The characters are very imaginative and each one is memorable in their own way.

This is a review of the audio version of The Poppet and the Lune and I would also like to comment on the narration read by Elizabeth Basalto. Elizabeth did a wonderful job of bringing the story of The Poppet and the Lune to life. She demonstrates her immense talent in the role of each character and the narrator’s part perfectly.

I would recommend the story of The Poppet and the Lune to anyone who enjoys a modern fairytale that does not shy away from the darker sides to life.

Adam by Shari Sakurai

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My new novella ‘Adam’, which is part of my Perfect World series is going to be released later on this year.

Adam by Shari Sakurai

Adam Larimore is on a mission of self-destruct. After learning that he was genetically engineered for the sole purpose of inheriting his father’s empire, Adam has been determined to ruin his father’s life and in the process his own. When Ivan Williams, the man soon to become the Head of the London Security Agency (L.S.A), approaches Adam with the offer of a business partnership, Adam discovers the appalling truth behind the technological and genetic advancements that have come to shape England. His relationship with his father is at breaking point and when events take a devastating turn, Adam finds himself pushed further than perhaps he wanted to go.

Release date: July 2015 (TBC)

Goodreads Link

Review: Nica of Los Angeles (Frames #1)

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Nica of Los Angeles

Nica of Los Angeles (Frames #1) by Sue Perry

When rookie private eye Nica takes on a mysterious case, she enters a world of multiple dimensions called Frames, where buildings and lawn chairs can be sentient, a stray cat has great powers, books can be killers, and clouds can be spies. At home, Nica tackles missing person cases, while in the larger reality of the Frames she is swept into an escalating battle with stakes that could not be higher.

Purchase Links: www.amazon.com

Nica of Los Angeles on www.goodreads.com

Review

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review*

Rating: 5 Stars

Nica of Los Angeles (Frames #1) is a very clever and gripping novel which incorporates two very different genres (mystery and fantasy) and combines them perfectly.

Nica is a rookie private investigator who, by two mysterious clients, is drawn into the world of Frames where different dimensions exist alongside each other. Whilst trying to get to grips with her altered reality, Nica is also trying to solve a missing person’s case in her own Frame.

I greatly enjoyed reading Nica of Los Angeles. Nica’s wit and sense of humour (even in dangerous situations) came across perfectly in the writing style and had me smiling on more than one occasion. Nica’s a very strong and capable female lead, who is very likeable and does express moments of vulnerability. The new dimensions that she visits are very detailed and well thought-out, creating perfect imagery in my imagination.

I highly recommend Nica of Los Angeles (Frames #1) to anyone who enjoys fantasy, mystery or a combination of the two!

Review: Kronos Duet by A.H. Richards

~ sharisakurai ~ 2 Comments

Kronos Duet

Kronos Duet by A.H. Richards

Psychic ‘astronaut’ Gareth Pugh and daughter Adrianna leap through time-space through the minds of others; dead others. Gareth’s mission, to reach the beginning of earth time, and confront God. He’s just not too good at getting there. Dead people can be unpredictably dangerous. Will they slingshot Gareth to God and the chance to undo a heinous murder? Can Adrianna protect him and fix their long-damaged relationship? Can she protect herself in alien psychic dimensions?
Brutal Dr. Buckleigh pursues them, missioned by the elitist Foundation to eliminate Pugh and Adrianna, and any evidence of God and time travel. His sadistic mercenary Cabot takes up the hunt, lustful to own Adrianna in a space/time of his choosing…
… But nobody factored in Rasputin, the hidden power of Stonehenge, or Black Holes.

Purchase Links: www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.com

Kronos Duet on www.goodreads.com.

Review

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review*

Rating: 5 Stars

Kronos Duet is a novel of great depth which explores the idea of time travel in a unique way; using the mind rather than any invention of mankind’s.

With the help of the plant Anis, Adrianna joins her father in traveling back in time in search of God, whilst attempting to heal the rift between them along the way.

Kronos Duet is an extremely well-written novel and one that should be read at least twice to fully appreciate the dark yet beautiful style and meaning in which it is written. This is not a light read, but it is an engaging one, which invokes so many questions and emotions as the novel progresses.

Kronos Duet is a brilliant novel which I thoroughly enjoyed and I look forward to reading more by A.H. Richards.

Perfect World on smashwords.com

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Throughout December my novel Perfect World can be purchased on smashwords.com for $1.99 using code SS27E.

Perfect World by Shari Sakurai

London, 2115

It is the year 2115 and the world is very different. With climate changes, natural disasters and war shaping the landscape, England has become a nation made up of several super cities and wasteland in between.

Eric Rawlins is a genetically engineered superhero created by the London Security Agency (L.S.A) to defend and protect the city against both national and international threats. With his superior abilities, celebrity status and beautiful girlfriend, Eric appears to have the perfect life. However, it is an illusion created by the L.S.A in order to control him.

Eric’s nemesis is the charismatic Adam Larimore. The only son of billionaire business tycoon Victor Larimore, Adam is gifted with a genius level IQ as well as the same longevity as Eric.

When the actions of the L.S.A throw the two of them together Eric finds himself questioning everything that he has ever known as well as discovering the true course of events that led to Adam turning to a life of crime. As they become closer Eric realises that the L.S.A may be the real threat to London. But can he trust Adam or is he part of Adam’s plan for revenge against those who have wronged him?

Review: On the Border by Christina Roberts

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On_the_Border

On the Border by Christina Roberts

It started as nothing more than a simple mistake: The accidental arson of a 7-Eleven and a brother convincing her to run. It has become something she cannot control: Finding her name – an alias she had not chosen – in headlines across America.

Cassidy Sundance has become a national phenomenon, a beloved rebel running from her responsibilities and leaving authorities behind. Officials must rely on a composite sketch to track her down. With a name suddenly as infamous as the outlaws themselves, Cassidy finds herself trying to make the best of her time as America’s most wanted criminal. Her name precedes her before she arrives.

Follow her travels across the United States. Witness how she cons cars out of strangers, hitchhikes across the interstates of the country, and even travels to Washington DC just to see the historical sights.

The fun does not last. Unseen officials lurk around every corner. Lighthearted moments are shorty-lived, and Cassidy finds herself struggling to stay one step ahead of those who want her. Even her friendships on the run do not last as the odds continually mount against her.

Cassidy Sundance cannot help but wonder what adventure will be her last.

Rating: 4 stars

Review:

I really enjoyed reading On the Border by Christina Roberts.

Cassidy Sundance is on the run from the law after accidentally setting fire to a 7-eleven store. On the Border tells the story of Cassidy’s adventures across the US whilst evading her pursuers.

This is a great debut novel from Christina Roberts. It’s extremely well written and has a cast of very interesting and developed characters. I felt very much for Cassidy and what she was going through, dealing with events that were beyond her control and not really her fault. Jason is her perfect partner (in crime!) and the bond between the two of them adds to an exciting and unforgettable journey!

Links: goodreads, amazon