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Now that I have read all of the Macro and Cato books I have a good idea what to expect from A Simon Scarrow novel and I was not disappointed! This story is set in the days before Cato has joined Macro and he has a new young disgraced soldier - Pavo to train as a gladiator.
Once started, I find these books very difficult to put down, which means I become very unsociable and read this in about 2 days.
Although I am no expert on Roman history I always get a great sense of what it was like to live in those times. There is good political intrigue and a great deal of gladiator fighting in the arena, which makes me very happy not to have been around in 41AD.
If you like action and adventure in Roman times with little room for any romance, then you will enjoy Arena very much.

Reviewed by Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite

Tom Ashdown owns a betting shop in Brighton. Tom is just a simple man living an uneventful life until he stumbles across an attempted kidnapping which he is able to foil. Tom thinks things are beginning to look up and maybe his life has changed for the better when he sells his story to the local tabloids. Unknowingly at first, his involvement places him right in the middle of a dangerous chain of events. Things soon begin to spiral out of control as actions occur involving a sister seeking revenge for the death of her brother, an IRA gunman out to kill him, and an informer in MI5 with an agenda of his own. And then there’s the famous American actress… Does it all really simply boil down to a case of revenge or something more?

The story starts off with a bang, literally, and progresses onward from there. After the initial events, the author introduces quite a crew of characters over the next few chapters. Each character is well defined and blends well into the narrative. The plot begins with action and excitement, slows a little while the many characters and their backgrounds are introduced, then takes off like a wild roller coaster ride. The dialogue is very well done and the reader can fully ‘see’ the individual characters simply by their words. Revenge is a very well written, action packed thriller with a plot that is intriguing and thought provoking with many twists and turns along the way. Very nicely done.

One of the many great things about having committed myself fulltime to writing is that I get to call myself an author! After all, I have a book published and am about 80% done towards my second book. I’m not yet entirely confident answering the question, “What do you do?” with the answer “I’m a new Author” but I do it anyway. I’m not sure if there is any specific measurement of what makes an author and is it any different to being a writer?

I think early on I might have answered once or twice, “I am trying to be an Author” but having given up all the comfort of a significant income, I am truly committed to my new job description. Then again, am I truly an Author or have I become a marketing consultant? I have spent at least as much time marketing as writing over the last 4 months. It is an unavoidable necessity if I am to sell books.

I wish I was about to publish my first book REVENGE, as I would have been better prepared if I had spent 3 months marketing myself prior to launching my first book. Although I knew it wouldn’t be easy, I have to admit I thought it would be a bit easier than the reality. I am still happy with my decision as I would never have a second book in the pipeline so quickly if I was still doing my corporate job. I reckon I can write 2 thrillers a year, which means that in 5 years when I am 65 I will have 12 books hopefully providing me with something equivalent to a pension.

I wish I had started self-publishing years ago but of course I have to remember that it wasn’t possible just a few years ago. Having worked with technology for so many years it is really great to now be reaping the benefits of the technological changes of the last few years.

I have found many other authors to be very supportive and have tried in turn to help them. There can be conflicting advice but that’s okay. You have to adapt what you hear to your particular circumstances. The one important action everyone seems to agree on is to make sure we do something positive to promote our books every day.

I have also become aware of the importance of reviews and after a slow start am now investing time in swapping reviews with other Authors.

There is a real feeling of being part of a community when self-publishing. I have been surprised to still read of the many writers spending money with publishers, in order to get their book published, who don’t seem aware you can do everything yourself without spending a penny. (Other than perhaps for a cover if you don’t have a friend as I do.) The likes of Createspace and Smashwords make it possible for us to get our books published and available for people to read. Then the hard work begins!

Like most things in life this has been a real learning exercise. I feel much better equipped for publishing my second book, which will happen in about three months. I might have done a few things differently but I don’t regret for a moment my decision to self-publish. I have embarked on a great adventure. It’s not an easy ride but it has been great for my soul and I look forward to my first best seller!

I enjoyed the book. It had an interesting background story of archaeology and it kept me hooked to the end. It is written in a very easy to read style with just the right amount of description mixed with plenty of action. I was glad it didn't get too bogged down in forensic or police procedural detail. There was just the amount needed to keep the story moving at a fast pace.
The book starts with the CT scan of what is supposed to be an ancient mummy but when a modern day bullet is discovered in her body we have a good mystery that needs solving. Although there were some twists towards the end there were no great surprises.
All in all a very pleasant read I can recommend.

This is my favourite Dan Brown book. It is far more believeable than his previous books, which I did quite enjoy. I like the setting in Florence and it has several exciting twists and turns. It starts from an interesting premise that Langdon is in hospital in Florence, has been shot and doesn't remember anything. You are never quite sure who are the good or bad guys and this leads to several of the twists. It is as usual for Dan Brown very fast paced and I highly recommend Inferno!

Nat Turner, born into slavery October 2, 1800, on a Southampton County plantation, became a preacher who stated in his confession he’d been chosen by God to lead slaves from bondage. On August 21, 1831, he led a freedom movement that resulted in the participation of nearly 100 slaves and free blacks throughout the state.

In reviewing this screenplay/book I have to say first that if you have any sense of humanity it is difficult not to be moved by this story. I am not used to reading screenplays but thoroughly enjoyed this exciting but ultimately sad tale of a terrible time in the history of man. It moves at a fast pace, tracing the capture of slaves in Africa and their transportation to America. We then follow the lives of a number of the slaves and the boy who is born into slavery-Nat Turner. He is unlike his fellow slaves as he not only learns to read but at a young age can refer to events before his birth. Nat has a presence to him that wins the respect of both slaves and his white masters. However, some of the whites also begin to fear him as he starts to preach and see him as a danger to their way of life.

Nat starts to hear the Holy Spirit talking to him and this gives him the confidence to stand up to the whites and eventually lead a rebellion against slavery. He deals violently with all the white landowners and their families, which was difficult to read when it involved young children. However, slavery is so abhorrent that I was able to reconcile their actions with their situation.

The detail of life as a slave is interesting and well described in the story. There are happy times depicted as well as the many hardships endured. There are interesting characters and events of historical importance.

The story is very well written and you can tell it is the work of an experienced film maker. This is a true story and caused me to research further the historical facts, which added to the whole reading experience.

In summary, I would recommend this book to everyone as both a good read and an educational experience. The content reminds us of the terrible cruelty inflicted on a group of people by their fellow human beings and the attempts of one man to break free.

I really hope one day to be able to visit a cinema to see the film.

Really enjoyed the book and will move on to read more in the series.  It was strange reading about all the places I know because it is set in Brighton where I live.  It is a good mystery/crime with interesting characters and then hits you with a great twist near the end.(

Being fairly new on this site and not having reviewed any books I was thinking about what is my favourite book of the last few years. After some debate with myself I came down on the side of Larsson's trilogy. I shall put my review on this first episode as I can't believe that anyone who has read this needs any encouragement to go on and read the next two books.

I read it about 3 years ago. Since when I have reread it and watched the films numerous times. For me it is one of those novels that combines exciting action with great and interesting characters.

It is difficult to read this book and not love the creation of Lisbeth Salander. For me one of the most exciting characters to feature in a long time.

This book is a clever mystery, packed with action and suspense. The bad guys are really bad and the good guys are great but flawed.

If anyone hasn't yet read the trilogy I am very jealous of you because you still have the excitement ahead of you