Book picks similar to
Critical Hit: A Gaming Mystery by W.M. Akers
fantasy
fiction
gaming
general-fiction
The Goat
Roger L. Simon - 2019
Everest? And just who is Jay Reynolds - the mysterious twenty-year-old tennis prodigy who appears out of nowhere to battle Rafael Nadal at the French Open and Roger Federer at Wimbledon and become the new hope of American tennis, possibly "the greatest of all time"? Award-winning mystery writer (Moses Wine series) and Academy Award-nominated screenwriter ("Enemies, A Love Story," "The Big Fix". "Bustin' Loose,"), Roger L. Simon answers these questions and more in THE GOAT, his first standalone novel in years. If you love sports, if you love life, if you'd like a second life, this book - funny, touching and sometimes scary, already talked about as the greatest novel about tennis ever written - is a page-turning, can't-put-down must. Called the greatest mystery writer of his generation by Ross Macdonald (Lew Archer) and Nicholas Meyer ("The Seven Percent Solution") Roger L. Simon has won or been nominated for multiple awards for his fiction by the Crime Writers of Great Britain and the Mystery Writers of America. As a screenwriter, he has received an Oscar nomination for his adaptation of Nobel Prize-winning author Isaac Bashevis Singer's "Enemies, A Love Story" and written for such stars as Richard Pryor, Richard Dreyfuss and Angelica Huston. Also a journalist and columnist, Simon has written for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Real Clear Politics, PJMedia, and City Journal, among many others. He appears frequently as a commentator on talk radio and cable TV. What others have said about Roger L. Simon's work: "The writing, as always in Moses Wine books, is sharp, amusing, and sophisticated." New York Times Book Review "Simon’s new novel about Moses Wine tops his prize-winning The Big Fix and The Straight Man." Publisher's Weekly "Roger Simon writes with humor and real energy. Nobody around is better at caricature." San Jose Mercury News "... he can be genuinely funny and, at times, even sensitive and touching." Washington Post Book World "Simon is a brilliant, classy writer..." Cosmopolitan
Game Knight
Andrew Mayne - 2015
The first time they came for Kevin he woke up in a forest on the edge of town with a sword and only seconds to save his life before a lunatic with a battle axe nearly split his skull. At first he thought it was a dream, then it became a living nightmare as he found himself night after night having to fight in abandoned shopping malls, dark alleys and swamps on the outskirts of civilization. The rules were simple; they could come for him anytime they wanted, and if he resisted, someone close to him would die. A twisted clash of Fight Club and Game of Thrones where the only way to survive is to never stop playing.
The Secrets of Shepard's Woods (Shepard's Series Book 1)
Mimi Streets - 2014
Audrey works in the canning factory by day but her nights soon become filled with suspense after she learns that the woods near her house are haunted and filled with secrets that she longs to uncover. Hold your breath as Audrey walks on the “wrong side of the fence” and share her wonder as she marvels at the mysterious, disappearing church. She may need your prayers as she brushes shoulders with the spirits of the dead but her biggest obstacle will still be ahead of her. Preacher Man, the reportedly deceased property owner of Shepard’s Woods, must be confronted before Audrey can make any headway. Will he allow her to uncover the mysterious secrets or will he refuse to let her on his property? Can she convince him that she is mature enough to help him conquer his demons? Come along for the journey and watch as Audrey discovers the secrets, excitement, and heart-felt warmth of small town living.
Flight of the Cuckoo
K.L. Smith - 2014
This is the dark but humourous tale of Sarah Pemberton, who is not a happy woman. A down to earth, inventive soul who despises her stuck up pompous husband Neil, who believes he is much more intelligent and important than she is. When he refuses her a divorce and emotionally blackmails her into staying with him by threatening to take custody of their daughter, she's decides to make life a little more entertaining for herself, by subtly torturing him at every available opportunity. Creative and adaptable by nature, with a wicked sense of humour, she comes up with more and more ways to ridicule him, without him ever knowing she has a hand in it. ...."During 1993-1994 amongst other things, I cooked him a meat pie with pedigree chum; Stole his car more times than I can count; put chilli powder in his underpants, sent a stripagram to his work (a fat one), and subscribed him to a gay porn mag! (Our paperboy avoided him like the plague after that.)"..... Finding accomplices in the form of her Aunt May, who lives in a crumbling old former hotel which was damaged during WWII, and May's two lodgers, a shy young hippy named Darren, along with his brother Matthew a former life model, they try to get rid of her husband by either 'Plan A', which consists of 'frame him for a crime so that he gets incarcerated', or 'Plan B' drive him to a nervous breakdown. Both plans are designed to discredit Neil in case of a custody battle for their daughter. There is only one little prerequisite for every little torturous idea though, and that is, IT HAS TO MAKE THEM LAUGH! Unbeknown to Sarah at first, she isn't the only one with a vendetta against her husband, his entire workforce hate his guts and exploit any opportunity to make him look bad. When plans A & B go disastrously wrong, Sarah and co set their sights on a new target, her in-laws. Interwoven throughout the story is the tale of Aunt May, the lynch pin of her little make shift family, who harbours secrets of her own that go back to the night the bomb fell on the east wing of the hotel. This is not a tale of a submissive woman suffering at the hands of abuse; this is the tale of a strong courageous woman having one last laugh at other people's expense. Contains very occasional strong language, and scenes that should not be repeated at home. Volume One of 'The Cuckoo' series
Bad Habitzz: What's Yours
Ivy Symone - 2016
Some are hard to break, while others can be stopped cold turkey. But what happens when your bad habit gets you in some shit you can’t get out of? Andrea has just returned home after her other half’s passing. She reunites with her childhood friends; however, while navigating the road to living life to the fullest, she encounters speed bumps, potholes, and detours along the way. Andrea's always been closest to Caiden, but now he seems to want nothing to do with her. While trying to mend that friendship, she finds herself slowly falling for Leonard “Lynx” King, the boy who bullied her every day as a child. The only thing is, he has no idea who she is. Meet Pascha, mother of two, who has too many struggles to count. Her baby daddy, Gunz, cares more about his bike club than being at home providing for her and their kids. She needs change, because she finds herself sinking into her own pity; that is, until Solomon “Solo” King comes into the picture and forces her to reevaluate her self-worth. But you know that saying, “When something is too good to be true, it usually is”; well, she’s about to find out, one way or the other, if that old adage holds any weight. Romyn seems to have his hands full with all of these down low men that don’t know how to treat him. Between his present, Ethan, and his past, Lonzo, Romyn doesn’t seem to realize he’s deserving of so much more. That’s where Kreme comes into the picture. But something's preventing Romyn from fully giving himself to Kreme. Is it the fear of possibly having a successful relationship? Or is he still stuck on wanting to make things work with Lonzo? Life would be perfect if only Lonzo would come out about who he really is. So come indulge in the 'vicious cycles' of Bad Habitzz as we follow this not-so-merry band of misfits and their insignificant-significant others, as they cross paths, weave webs of betrayal and unearth hidden truths that could destroy their newfound happiness. Welcome to Jewel City!
She's Gone
M.A. Comley - 2021
she was gone!After months of fighting the court system to see five-year-old Adele, Martin Jenkins finally has his daughter back. It’s only for a week’s holiday, but he’ll take that to have her near him once more.Keeping three children under the age of eight amused is no mean feat. Whilst Martin’s girlfriend, Louise, is looking after her daughter and Adele, Martin is playing football with her son close by.Excitement fills the air at the local beauty spot in the beautiful Lake District until a chilling scream rocks Martin’s world.The police, Mountain Rescue and other volunteers are brought in to help with the search but Martin’s life is ripped to shreds that day.The day his daughter is declared missing.
The Billionaire's Marriage Barter (Clean Billionaire Fake Marriage Romance Series Book 4)
Melody Archer - 2020
Reeling from a painful childhood, Raz longs for freedom.
Desperate to find escape, at night Razelle helps bring healing to those living nearby at a camp for the homeless.
When she finds Luke with a leg wound, Raz helps him heal.
Her mother finds out and places new restrictions on Raz. Now, not only is her freedom in jeopardy but so is her heart.
Luke comes up with a plan to protect her with a marriage-in-name-only. Razelle agrees.
Will being forced together steer them towards love or pull them farther apart?
If you like strong but wounded heroes and feisty but scarred heroines, you'll adore this love story. This is a marriage-of-convenience, sweet romance with a happily ever after that's sure to make you fall in love all over again!
Hallmarked
Terri Reid - 2021
And after one disastrous morning, she wishes that her life was like those portrayed in her favorite channel's Christmas romances. A place where everything and everyone is perfect. But Mary soon learns that she needs to be careful of what she wishes for.
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues & My Own Private Idaho
Gus Van Sant - 1993
My Own Private Idaho charts the pilgrimage of a narcoleptic hustler who is searching for his long-lost mother in a world absent of love.
How Greek Is Your Love? (Bronte in Greece #2)
Marjory McGinn - 2020
Expat Bronte McKnight is in the early days of her love affair with charismatic doctor Leonidas Papachristou. But as Bronte tries to live and love like a Greek, the economic crisis spawns an unlikely predator in the village. While she begins to question her sunny existence in Greece, an old love from Leonidas’s past also makes a troubling appearance. Now working as a freelance journalist, when Bronte is offered an interview with a famous novelist, and part-time expat, it seems serendipitous. But the encounter becomes a puzzle that takes her deep into the wild Mani region of the southern Peloponnese, for which she enlists the help of her maverick father Angus, and the newest love of her life, Zeffy, the heroic rescue dog. The challenges Bronte faces bring dramatic as well as humorous outcomes as she tries to find a foothold in her Greek paradise. But can she succeed?
The Allan Quatermain Series: 15 Books and Stories in One Volume (Unexpurgated Edition) (Halcyon Classics)
H. Rider Haggard - 2009
Rider Haggard's Quatermain series, including 'King Solomon's Mines' and 'Allan Quatermain.' Includes an active table of contents for easy navigation.Contents:King Solomon's MinesAllan QuatermainAllan's WifeMaiwa's RevengeMarieChild of StormAllan the Holy FlowerFinishedThe Ivory ChildThe Ancient AllanAllan and the Ice-GodsMagepa the BuckA Tale of Three LionsHunter Quatermain's StoryLong OddsHenry Rider Haggard (1856-1925) was an English writer of adventure novels set predominantly in Africa, and a founder of the Lost World literary genre. Haggard is most famous as the author of the novels KING SOLOMON'S MINES and its sequel ALLAN QUATERMAIN, and SHE and its sequel AYESHA, swashbuckling adventure novels set in the context of late 19th century Africa. Hugely popular KING SOLOMON'S MINES is one of the best-selling adventure books of all time.This unexpurgated edition contains the complete text, with minor errors and omissions corrected.
From the Ashes: An Alternate History Novel
Sandra Saidak - 2015
Although a member of the Nazi elite, Adolf resents the oppression, fear, and isolation that are part of daily life in the Aryan “paradise” his grandparents helped build.As he reads the forgotten books, and meets the outcasts who gather at the museum, Adolf discovers a purpose he has long been searching for—and danger he has never imagined.Based on real-life Nazi plans for museums of dead races, this sprawling alternate history novel takes the reader from decadent Berlin, the capital of the Nazi world empire, across the conquered nations of Europe to uncover the startling secrets at the heart of the worldwide Reich.Fans of Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle and Robert Harris’ Fatherland will want to read this new voice in alternate history.
The Eight Walls of Rogar
William Woodward - 2006
The story unfolds in the weeks following Andaris’ seventeenth name day: Desperate to escape a life of meaningless drudgery behind the plow, he leaves the safety of his secluded valley town and ventures alone into the uncharted depths of an ancient forest, the heart of which is said to be twisted and black. Choosing to ignore the counsel of his more sensible nature, he is drawn ever onward, lured by the tantalizing splendor of distant mountains, the sheer peaks of which purportedly stand sentinel over a land long steeped in mystery. What ensues is more remarkable than anything even he could have envisioned. Andaris goes looking for adventure.... What he finds is a world in the midst of tidal change, an extraordinary place where he encounters all manner of extraordinary things—vast landscapes teeming with flora and fauna capable of firing the most malnourished of imaginations. To be sure, danger lurks around every bend, a heady amalgam of sword and sorcery which threaten to bring his young life to an abrupt end. Indeed, if not for a very fortuitous encounter, namely the crossing of paths with a band of travelers who turn out to be much more than meets the eye, it surely would have. Gaven, Ashel, and Trilla seem fated to become fast friends, the sort of companions he’d always wanted, but never thought he’d have. The Lost One and his army of shapelings are preparing to march against Rogar’s western border—the only thing standing between them and the green, fertile lands to the East. The balance of power is shifting. Despite the debt of blood owed them by their Sokerran neighbors, the Alderi Shune fear they will be made to stand alone. No one speaks of defeat, but it is on the tip of every tongue. For the first time since they were erected, more than a thousand years ago, the impossible is about to happen: The Eight Walls of Rogar are about to fall. The scales could tip in either direction, depending, oddly enough, on the choices of a rather bookish young man named Andaris Rocaren. You will forgive me, intrepid reader, if I now take the opportunity to formally invite you to join in the fun, to accompany young Andaris and his fellows into and out of the kingdoms of Nelvin, Mindere, Sokerra, and Rogar. Over hill, dell, and stream you shall go, hiking through rugged mountain ranges heavy with snow, into subterranean catacombs whose unplumbed fathoms are illumined by naught but the guttering flames of your makeshift torch, until you reach, at long last, and in just the nick of time, the battered gates of a once great civilization on the brink of war.
ChronoTemplar
Burt Wrenlaw - 2021
unless you're a pawn for an eldritch horror that: (A) can bend time, and (B) is a sore loser.Justin Thyme is not a good man, nor one destined for glory. He was meant to die in obscurity, yet another level 82 Templar that was just about to get chewed up by a horde of skittering monstrosities clawing at humanity's last enclave.One short conversation with a time-splitting monstrosity later, and Justin finds himself flung five years into the past—right when the Earth was first chosen to host the 9,947th Gladiatorial Games.Justin must now do all that he can to help save the world from crumbling under the twin pressures of monsters and murderers. But it's not all about grinding experience, gaining the most levels, and kicking the most ass. He can’t even stand out too much, lest he draw the attention of the other eldritch horrors observing Earth’s struggles for their amusement.No, it’s all about making the right connections, sowing the seeds of hope, culling the pests causing despair… oh, and exploiting the hell out of the System with his ‘borrowed’ ability to tweak time to his advantage.*ChronoTemplar is a dark, crunchy litRPG with lots of stats, skills and battles, for those who love action and complex characters.