This author is developing nicely. I enjoyed her first novel
920219
This author is developing nicely. I enjoyed her first novel, but there was one chapter where I nearly sickened by a scene in a morgue. It was written to establish the lead character's novel experience and illness but whoa! It was a bit much. The theme of death and her connection to it has been toned down somewhat in this second book but the search and solution aspect is still nicely done.
4775335
A wonderful first novel by an author who I pray will grace us with more of her mind and heart. The characters and story are moving, engrossing, and refreshing.
1234777
Not bad, for what will be the first of many novels in her new series. I'm sure the tempo will pick up with the second and third books.
444956
While I say First Novel Syndrome, I don't mean that in a bad way.  What I mean is that this is a first book written by Chapman and it shows as the style needs to develop a bit.  It isn't bad, just obvious that it is a beginning.

I actually was asked to read book 2 in the series and at the suggestion of the author I actually went back and read book 1 first.  But, let me tell you this, the writing style will improve and I think book 2 shows a good development in the author's style.

I'm new to science fiction, but I love police dramas, so this was a good combination for me.  Ryo Trop is an investigator for the Inquisitor's office of Free City.  Fancy words to basically say, he is an FBI agent in the future.

There is lots of detail writing about futuristic science.  So, they don't have to be as much accurate as they have to be believable and inviting so that you want to read.

I enjoyed the book, it drew me in and set me up well to read the second book in the series.

In this book a science station on the moon is obliterated by space pirates to cover up the fact that they stole a bunch of the anti-matter that was being developed as well as kidnapping several of the scientists from the station.

The evil warlord that did the deed wants to use the scientists and the anti-matter as a simple way to develop a weapon that will help him destroy a relative who is a rival warlord.

So, Dr. Jana Feasi is kidnapped and Ryo Trop and his associates must find her and the anti-matter before it can be used to destroy millions of people.

Will they succeed?  Will they save the world?  That is the question.

The characters are well developed.  The scenario is as true to today's world as can be, and thus believable.

I enjoyed the book and the writing style and look forward to Chapman's development as a writer in the next several books.

Enjoy!
3723188
It was well written, and the characters were nicely developed.
1886035
Sandra Nikolai's first novel, False Impressions, is an impressive start. The novel is set against the backdrop of cosmopolitan Montreal, which is aptly and lovingly described by the author so that the city almost becomes a character in itself.  The novel introduces her two protagonists, Megan Scott, a freelance writer, and Michael Elliott, an investigative reporter.  The two struggle to free themselves from suspicion of involvement in a double murder while developing a growing personal relationship. Ms. Nikolai makes us care about the fate of her protagonists, while also developing a fast-paced plot with enough twists to keep the reader guessing until the end as to the identity of the real murderer.  The novel is well-written and well-crafted with crisp prose and subtle humor woven into the narrative.  It's an easy and enjoyable read.  I'm already looking forward to her next Scott/Elliott mystery!
1709806
A really enjoyable first book. I'm looking forward to the next in this series.
3723885
Being perfectly honest, the first couple chapters of this novel aren't good.  Too wordy, overstuffed with genre cliches and beginner mistakes, I was not looking forward to reading on.  However, the early stumbles are just that and what emerges is a compelling and well written novel from a promising new author.  The story gradually picks up in pace and the characters, who start off somewhat mixed together under an authorial umbrella  develop distinct well realized personalities.  For a debut novel, the growth process from start to finish is significant and given the end result, I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
4648776
A wonderful first novel. It reads well and flows smoothly. Easy transition from the now to the past. A good novel for older young adults and older.
4174163
Sally Beauchamp has penned a fine first novel.  I enjoyed the story line and locations she crafted and I just loved some of the names she choose for her characters, Monk, Muckeye, Bush Cat  :-D  The interaction with her mother and sisters was realistic, and I felt she handled the emotional angst that Ellen had to go through in her first romantic involvement after her husband's death very well.  Sally also gives her readers a glimpse of the challenges faced by families who have children with autism and a hint of their fear for the future of their loved ones.  All in all a good read.  I look forward to the next book~
4933238
Bed Rest is Sarah Bilston's first novel. I think that's probably what drew me to the book: I like reading first novels. Perhaps it's because I want to be able to talk about having read the great author back when they were first starting out, and impress people with my literary prescience. Perhaps it's because I figure if I read enough first novels, I'll figure out how to write my own. And perhaps it's just because first novels are such unknown quantities - you don't know how the author writes, what kinds of characters there will be, the settings, etc. First novels are truely the "undiscovered country" of literature.

In Bed Rest, Bilston tells the story of Quinn Boothroyd (just "Q" to almost everyone), a driven, successful woman. Q is a lawyer married to a lawyer, living in New York City. That right there points to success and affluence. And Q is expecting her first child - a boy.

When the ultrasound test indicates a low level of amniotic fluid, her doctor puts her on complete bedrest for the remainder of the pregnancy. And that, as they say, is where the fun begins. The book is Q's diary, her worries, fears, and reflections as she sits in her apartment all day, every day, while the world she used to participate in goes on without her. Needless to say, the experience has a profound impact on her, and her husband.

I love character-driven fiction, and this book is nothing but character-driven. We watch Q as her entire personality changes, and she experiences things and interacts with people that she never would have as "Q the lawyer." Her relationships change. Her sense of purpose changes. And it's not just her - I can't think of a static character in the book, unless it's her coworker Fay, and even she changes a little bit. There's not a lot of action in the book; how could there be, when the protagonist/narrator is bedridden? But when complications arise in the pregnancy, and Q is rushed to the hospital, we tense. Bilton manages to pull us into the story, when Q complains about nobody going to see her, or calling her on the phone, we want to find her number and call her ourselves.

My wife is pregnant with our second child, just shy of her third trimester. So a lot of the things that happened to Q in this book made me a bit nervous. I'm very conscious of things that I wasn't when my wife was pregnant with our daughter.

The other person on LibraryThing who owns this book has tagged it as "chick lit," and I guess that's true. So what am I doing reading "chick lit?" I'm enjoying a little character development - something that is unfortunately missing in a lot of popular fiction these days. These are characters I care about, and want to find out more about. And that is the mark of a successful first novel. I think that Sarah Bilston will gain some fans with this one, and they'll eagerly await Sleepless Nights, the sequal to Bed Rest.
4159244
It's been a while since I've been so pleasantly surprised by a debut romance novelist.  Although I did find the plot a bit forced and the writing occasionally stilted this was a well researched novel with fleshed out and interesting characters.  As the story went on the writing got better and I'm reminded of writers like Penelope Williamson, Judith Ivory and Laura Kinsale in their begginings.  I'm giving this novel five stars for the promise Meredith Duran holds.  I have a feeling the more she writes the better she will get.
4774368
I enjoyed reading this story. It was my first introduction to the author. It was well developed and the characters were likable. I enjoyed reading this story and would recommend.
2234703
Overall, this is an enjoyable book about a young woman finding her way into her career and personal life. What moved me particularly was her account of women reaching out to one another to discuss their lives. We think of this as commonplace in today's world. It was fascinating for me to read her account my being just behind the beginning of the women's movement age wise.

Women and men will find enlightening and recognizable issues and moments in Take Me To Mercy.  A story of friendship, workplace relationships, personal development and love.

Nicely written in a style that is spare and keeps the story moving forward.  A wonderful debut novel.
702202
Nice read from a new writer-looking for another from her.
1862377
A thoroughly enjoyable first book in a new cozy mystery series.
3481590
I enjoyed Gabriel's Gospel. I thought it was fairly well-written.  I think the author has a great deal of potential. And as many first-time authors, he is being cautious on his first outing.  I really liked the characters. I hope he takes time to develop them, especially the relationship with Gabriel.  All in all, a good read I'm looking forward to buying the second book.