Reprise Review: The Hunt for the Well Hidden Treasure by Bob Sheard and Timothy Taylor

Genre: Middle Grade/Action/Adventure/Mystery/Detectives

Description:

Will Grainger is new to Knightsbridge, California. Since his parents’ separation, Will has relocated five times in six years. This time, Will is hoping to establish some roots and make a few friends. When the remains of the notorious Spanish pirate, El Cazador are unearthed in Knightsbridge, gold fever erupts, bringing thousands of treasure seekers to the sleepy California town.

Author:

Timothy Taylor traveled around a lot as a kid to places like California, Massachusetts, and Saudi Arabia. He loved reading mysteries and decided he’d write one too for kids like his son.

Bob Sheard, a web publisher, enjoys writing, investing, and spending quality time with his wife and two children in and around Cincinnati, Ohio.

Appraisal:

In a fast-paced descriptive style middle grade students enjoy, the writing team of Bob Sheard and Timothy Taylor tell a fascinating story of friendship, mystery, and adventure.

While researching in the town’s public library, Will meets other seventh graders with treasure fever. Mikey is an electronics buff, Susan is a computer wiz, and Evelyn has an amazing aptitude for photography. Joined with Will’s knowledge of the outdoors, these young sleuths are seemingly unbeatable, except for the fact that professional treasure hunters are on their tail willing to prevent their success at all costs.

The Hunt for the Well Hidden Treasure is an exciting read for kids, teens, and adults alike.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Added for Reprise Review: The Hunt for the Well Hidden Treasure was a nominee in the Children's/Middle Grade category for B&P 2015 Readers' Choice Awards. Original review ran May 12, 2014.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: Michael Thal

Approximate word count: 40-45,000 words

The Madmen’s City / Cady Vance

Reviewed by: Sooz

Genre: Action

Approximate word count: 70-75,000 words

Availability

Kindle US: YES UK: YES Nook: NO Smashwords: NO Paper: YES

Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store

Author:

Cady Vance is currently a PhD student. She has written several books, and enjoys speculative fiction. Read more about her at her website. 

Description:

Gwen Kane is ready to join in the family business – being a vigilante (also known as superhero). Yet, during a training session, her father is arrested for a murder he did not commit. In an attempt to clear her father, she befriends the other vigilante in town, and discovers his secret.

Appraisal:

Vigilante … super heroes. They can be the same person, but usually it depends on which side of the situation you are standing. Gwen Kane’s father goes from super hero to vigilante to murderer in just a matter of hours, and she wants to clear his name.

Towton City is run by two crime families, which would love nothing more than to see Gwen Kane’s father stay in prison and make the street just a little more accessible for them.

To get to her goal, Gwen befriends the other vigilante in town, who happens to be someone who she already knows – and someone with a lot of secrets.

The dynamic between Gwen and Silas was great. They had a relationship that made you want to root for them every step of the way, even when the situation got complicated. Also, their relationship didn’t get in the way of the overarching story.

However, the book was a bit darker than I had expected, but nothing that would have made me put down The Madmen’s City.

Format/Typo Issues:

No major issues.

Rating: ****Four Stars