Whiplash by Yvie Towers.

This novella is a first person narrative about Lily, a 24 year old Negro slave girl. It is historical fiction set in America in the days of horses and carts. There is plenty of back story as this book starts off with a prologue about when Lily was 8 years old and growing up with her sister Mercy.

Whiplash is a very moving story about slavery in America and how people were bought and sold just like dogs are today. Puppies will look up at you hoping that they will be able to trust you and give them a good home rather than be mistreated like other dogs they have heard about in the kennel. These Negro slaves also hoped they would be lucky.

Life was hard for Lily as she was just a number and was called "Number 10" by her master. Lily went through many painful experiences as she was bought not to work the land or be a household help but to become a whore in a new brothel. Yes, Whiplash is a gritty novel with it's share of rough sex and violence.

Whiplash is a thrilling story that is simply a joy to read. Yvie Towers has the knack of telling a great story which is full of colour and explores the culture of those times. All her characters are well developed and such a vivid picture is painted in your mind, you could imagine you were there. The story is told in a mature way with a great and very full use of language. This is an exciting read, with wonderful editing and no dull bits or padding. Her writing is very good and Yvie Towers is a new author to watch. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Whiplash and I will vote it the top score of 5 stars. Readers of a nervous nature will be pleased to know that this book has a happy ending.

If by any chance, you saw the title Whiplash and the words "slave girl" thinking this could be an adult erotic BDSM story with some casual racism thrown in, you will NOT be disappointed. Either way, have the tissue box close to hand.

Whiplash is available as a KB Amazon Kindle eBook and was written in 2013.

Under a Broken Sun by Kevin P. Sheridan.

This novel is a first person narrative set in the present day when without warning the Earth is thrown into chaos. All of a sudden technology stops and anything powered by electricity, mains or battery plus all engines stop. All motor vehicles grind to a halt and planes crash out of the sky. Mobile phones stop working, the internet is down and all radio and television are silent. The sun is unbearably hot as the Earth heats up and people think it is the end of the world. Can 23 year old Adam Dawson live through this strange disaster or will he die with the rest of mankind?

Under a Broken Sun is an okay read as you follow Adam's quest to travel to Chicago where his father claimed he would be safe. Adam's character is well developed for all his strengths and weaknesses. Adam is a cutter and his self harm is compassionately explained.

This novel has a credibility weakness because although climate change could be the end of our world, the possibility of ALL electricity and engines suddenly stopping simply would NEVER happen. But this book does plod along and you can enjoy it for what it is, a mediocre 3 star read.

Under a Broken Sun is available as an 2234 KB Amazon Kindle eBook and was written in 2013.

Text Message by William Malmborg.

Mallory and her sister Jenna are shopping in a Chicago mall. They separate whilst shopping and Mallory receives a text message from Jenna's phone. Mallory has a choice, ignore the message, phone the Police or play the game. She chooses to play the game and this rollercoaster of a thriller starts.

Text message is all about a sadistic game played within a shopping mall. It is a fast moving thriller set in a short time frame, less than 8 hours. I liked the structure when each new chapter was from the viewpoint of another of the 3 central characters within the same time frame. You get the actions and thoughts of Mallory, a security guard called Dan and Mr Edwards the sadistic game master. Although the pace is fast, there is plenty of back story on each character so you can get a handle on what drives each person. The tasks that Mr Edwards sets for Mallory to play are a sexy challenge and the punishment for failing is very sadistic.

I really enjoyed reading Text Message, it gave a lot of pleasure and I think it would make an exciting film. This is an entertaining read and the games Mr Edwards wants Mallory to play will make most men smile with desire. Women readers may find the games creepy or embarrasing though.

William sets the scene of the shopping mall very well and captures the mood of all the people working there. I have often wondered if things other than shopping is going on in the background within shopping malls. Now whenever I hear a text message notification sound, I will wonder if another game is taking place. Text Message is a very good read and I vote it the top score of 5 stars.

Text Message is available as an Amazon Kindle eBook of 658 KB and was written in 2011.