In honor of the Total Solar Eclipse today, I thought it was fitting to spotlight The Last Rays of Ra by Karina McRoberts. Let’s put our shades on and read on!
The Last Rays of Ra: A Journey Into Thrilling Adventure, Horror, And Suspense
Publication Date: March 20, 2024
Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Adventure
SISTERHOOD’S ANSWER TO AGENT PENDERGAST Empathic Scotland Yard Detective Jackson Randolph is over-burdened by a series of bizarre murders. He enlists the aid of rogue Egyptologist Vahlona Selket Faralay, pleading with her to retrieve an ancient item linked to the crimes. Vahlona leaves her mysterious home in the Yorkshire Moors and travels to Egypt, where she braves misogynistic policemen, vicious wildlife, and manic terrorists in her quest to procure the artifact. The shadowy but alluring antiquities dealer Usire Ra Arakti provides the answer, but can Vahlona smuggle the prize out of Egypt and back to London before the madman resumes his killing spree?
A thrilling suspense, horror, romance, and adventure await you in The Last Rays of Ra.
Karina is an American-Australian author, illustrator, musician, scientist and theatre producer. She considers herself to be a true Renaissance woman and strives to help other achieve the same. ( “After all, ladies, we didn’t get a chance last time!!!!”). Previously working as a conservation scientist, she was struck down by a mosquito-borne virus. No longer able to work, Karina now spends her time writing fiction to inspire, encourage, enlighten and entertain, especially those readers active in social justice, humanitarian work, and protection of the Earth. She also writes self-instruction books and gives workshops in illustration and creative writing. In these dark days of crazy violence, betrayal, and plague, Karina hopes readers find solace and joy in her creations.
The Crimson Maiden: The Swordmasters' LegacyPublished: August 25, 2023
Genre: Action fantasy, Adventure, Mystery, Swords and Sorcery
In the Kingdom of Ariandor, where wonder and fascination reign, an extraordinary institution awaits those fated for greatness. The Academy of Swordcraft, Heincraft, perched on the enchanting island of Aegis, unveils its marvels amidst a cluster of floating islands. It is at Heincraft that Arianna, a spirited sixteen-year-old girl, seeks to prove herself and uncover the truth behind her father's disappearance.
As Arianna embarks on her journey, a mysterious legacy begins to unfurl, revealing her true purpose. Prophecies of an impending darkness loom, threatening to cast the realms into everlasting night. Fueled by her unyielding determination to find her father, Arianna must decipher the enigma left for her—the ancient prophecy and the secrets woven within the Swordmaster's Legacy.
Join Arianna, along with her classmates and her mischievous flying mythical beast companion, Red, as they venture through exhilarating trials, and treacherous landscapes, and confront mystical creatures within the depths of the Stonevent Cavern. They will navigate the perilous cliffs of Beast Canyon to explore a hidden dungeon before journeying into the dark depths of the Mystical Forest to seek the guardians of the elements.
Written like an epic manga The Crimson Maiden: Swordmasters’ Legacy Book 1 is an epic fantasy adventure with a hint of mystery. I totally fell into the magical world of Ariandor and its floating archipelagos. Here we meet 16-year-old fiery redhead Arianna on her way to Heincraft Academy of Swordcraft to become a master swordsmaster. While there Arianna has an ulterior motive to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of her father who attended the Academy himself.
Looking through the school archives leads to her father’s journal, meeting a mystical beast named Red, and a map that could lead her and her new friends to the mystery of what happened to Arianna’s lost father. But also stumbling into a power Arianna didn’t know she had as an evil plot brews to unleash a dark entity that was banished long ago.
M.V. Grimm does a phenomenal job of world-building as you feel completely immersed in this fantasy world via your imagination. His characters while classic are likable, and Grimm delivers a plot twist revealed in the epilogue that I did not see coming. It made me giddy with glee as I just love it when an author pulls the rug out from under me.
There were parts though that I thought dialogue might have fit in better than just written out like a recap. Otherwise, this was a fun escape read and I am eager to return to the world of Ariandor to find out what happens next!
About The Author
M. V. Grimm is an author with a love and passion for mystery and fantasy stories. He currently works doing odd jobs while concentrating most of his attention to a flourishing writing career.
The Immortals Chronicle – Thomas Blackwing and the Crystal Heart is M.V Grimm’s first fantasy series of a pair of fourteen-year-old orphans who compete with others for a throne left vacant after the murder of a royal dynasty.
The Swordmasters’ Legacy – The Crimson Maiden is M.V Grimm’s second fantasy series of a sixteen-year-old girl blessed with a remarkable destiny who went on a mission to locate her missing father while demonstrating her value amidst her time at the Academy of Swordcraft, Heincraft.
His hopes for the future are to carry on writing fantasy novels full-time and to bring them to as broad an audience as possible. When he has some time to himself he enjoys fishing, which helps to clear his mind of troubles and all thoughts for a few hours, before dreaming up new stories and adventures.
Freelance Writer Janny(Jan Marie)C 