Marge
Robbins of Simegen writes, "
Browne Candidate is well written imaginative tale set in a future that could
very well be our own.
The story opens sometime after the start of the new millennium when the United
World Council has all but taken over control of the world and made it vastly
different from life, as we know it now. Many women, abandoning their feminity
in exchange for the power and dominance of the main of the species, also lost
their ability be bear children. Thus the stage was set for the Candidate system.
Women such as Browne, an African-American whose mother had sold her as a child
to the Havistina temple, were more or less slaves, destined only to bear children
for these infertile but powerful women. Browne had already born 3 children when
she was placed in the Williams household to bear yet another child that would
not be hers. The Williams had a butler, also of African descent, named Bain.
He and Browne were naturally drawn into an ever-deepening relationship that
in the end drove them to abandon their life of servitude in search of freedom
and true love. Browne Candidate is a very well written, downright chilling tale
of a future that might one day be ours. I recommend it highly.
"
Copyright © 2001 Marge Robbins All Rights Reserved.
Tracy
Farnsworth of the Romance
Readers Connection says, "The dialogue flows smoothly, the pace is
steady throughout, and the shorter length of 148 pages is concise without ever
feeling rushed to the conclusion. If you are looking for a change of pace, BROWNE
CANDIDATE is a wonderful choice."
Jean Goldstrom of ebookfanfare.com
writes, "This novel moves on to take the reader into breath-holding suspense,
as Browne, Bain and other suffering, enslaved people grimly and desperately
plot a path toward freedom. While enduring and embracing the adventures undergone
by these freedom-seekers - adventures depicted with almost painful clarity by
Author Kurtz - no reader could fail to find a new, inner core of thankfulness
for the freedoms that are so available to so many today, and to renew a determination
to never lose those precious freedoms. "
Michael
LaRocca of Mad About Books
writes, "Nicole Kurtz writes in the cross-genre tradition that is becoming
common among e-authors. In this case, romance and science fiction. A light,
pleasant read and a different take on the issue of infertility. She writes with
a sure hand, bringing her characters and her settings to life. She knows that,
regardless of genre, it is characters that drive the most entertaining stories.
"
Irene Marshall of Escape
to Romance declares, "Shades of A HANDMAIDEN'S TALE, Robin, I think
we've got a real winner, here." While this book begins much like the afore mentioned
book, it quickly surpasses THE TALE. Becoming much more exciting and interesting.
The ending much happier. There are many opportunities for further books in a
series, if the author so desires. Personally, I'd love to learn more about Angel
and Ren. Previously unheard of by this reader, Ms. Kurtz has a talent for story
telling and for engulfing the reader into the story. I couldn't put this one
down and read till after 2:30 am this morning. I just had to see what happened
next. I certainly hope this author continues to share her gift with the rest
of us."
Barry Hunter of Baryon
Newsletter writes, "Kurtz has written an interesting look at a future that
might not be as far fetched as one would think. It has plenty of action as the
history of the UWC is explained and the resistance kidnaps the wife of one of
the leaders. There are several unexpected twists and turns as Kurtz brings her
heroine out of candidacy and into a life of freedom."
New! (July
04) Beverly Forehand of Round
Table Reviews writes, "THE SOUL CAGES is
concise and witty with a fast-moving plot and memorable characters. Ms. Kurtz'
story is believable and detailed. Her characters are well-rounded with quirks
that make them very human. The villains and heroes have foibles and vanities
that give them life and keep the reader turning pages. The worlds Ms. Kurtz
creates are very strong. Her descriptions of Solis are frankly horrifying and
her portrayal of Veloris, the icy home world of the Minister Knights, sparkles.
The story itself is surprising--and the ending is definitely unexpected, but
satisfying. The romantic themes are neatly interwoven with the overall plot,
to create a seamless story line. From the first page to the last, this is a
gripping story. Good work Ms. Kurtz! THE SOUL CAGES is a treat for romantics,
sci-fi fans, and fantasy aficionados alike. "
New! (July
04) Irene Marshall of Escape
to Romance declares, "A fast moving tale of suspense, magic, love,
hate, jealousy, indeed, all the human emotions known to man. These emotions
are all so well expressed as to be experienced right along with the characters.
And the characters themselves are well rounded, believable, and compliment each
other very well...But in this story, they get their just desserts. For that
alone, this book would be worth the read. But you'll find so much more to enjoy
than that in THE SOUL CAGES. A wonderful offering from a fantastic writer who
seems to have a non-stop imagination and a well developed talent for storytelling.
Each of her stories seem to be more engrossing than the last. How much better
can she get? Stick around, with this reader, and find out. Keep up the good
work, Ms Kurtz."
Janne
Allen of Knowbetter declares, "Ms. Kurtz has a great talent for building
the plot layer by layer, first with the idea of cages holding the souls of doomed
slaves, then of Sarah's plight in worrying about her sister, all while a love
intrigue involving Sarah, Marion, and Zykeiah plays out. Will the warring planets
discover that Valek has been double-crossing them? And where exactly does the
drug Solance come from? Do the Minister Knights stand a chance against Valek
and his henchmen? What is Sarah's larger purpose in the galaxy? Many questions,
I know, and most are answered satisfactorily, and as for the one that isn't,
the epilogue leaves us with a juicy twist and the promise of a sequel. The
Soul Cages is highly imaginative, gripping fantasy. I highly recommend it!
" Read the rest of this wonderful review at
Knowbetter.com
Barry
Hunter of Baryon writes, "On the world of Solis, Valek keeps slaves
and those who give them trouble have their souls removed from their bodies and
kept in a soul cage until he has another use for them. He is also selling Solance
to the other worlds. It is a drug that allows mind reading and is sold to the
other worlds to use in their battles for conquest. Sarah and Amana are trying
to escape when Marion – one of the Queen’ s Minister of Souls helps Sarah escape
while Amana is captured. Sarah is taken to Veloris where she meets with Queen
Zoe and learns that she is the subject of an ancient prophecy to free the worlds
and destroy Valek. Kurtz has written an action filled adventure of oddessy and
prophecy, courage and love, and throws in a curve or two to keep you guessing
as to the outcome, even though you know how things will come out in the end.
It’s a well written tale and is different from her earlier BROWNE
CANDIDATE. Read it for yourself and enjoy the journey.
The notorious Brutal Dreamer
raves, "If you enjoy reading of encounters of an evil villain leading a
galaxy, warring planets, mind altering experiences, breathtaking and heart-thumping
captures, brave rescues, and cloak-and-daggerish escapes, and even some secrets
slowly revealed --then I highly recommend "The Soul Cages" because it has it
all. Kurtz has taken special care to intertwine her thick plot (and several
subplots intermingled as well) of the soul cages with characters that her readers
will genuinely care about. The coverart of this book breathes an emotional essence
and air of visibililty about the soul and flesh giving the tale the final warm
touch. " Read the entire review at DDP.
Cathi
Wagner, journalist and editor writes, "I would challenge anyone to read
the first pages of this drama and try to stop. Pulling the reader into an intense
saga of high-action suspense, Soul Cages takes you on a journey of the unexpected.
Just when you let your guard down you'll be reeling for cover from an ending
that leaves you begging for more. Kurtz is merciless in her ability to keep
you on the edge of your seat. "
Vannie,
Director of the Mysteery Noir Group at Yahoo writes, "If you enjoy futuristic
themes you will love this. I am new to this kind of genre so I did not know
what to expect, I was very pleased... If you have not read one of the 'in the
future' novels, start with The Soul Cages. "
Jandy's
Reading Room says, "There is also conflict between Marion and another
Knight, Kalah, that is a surprise when it is explained. The first appearance
of Kalah gives a different impression of their relationship. Despite some of
the problems, this book keeps the reader's interest. Enjoy. "
Gayle
Tiller declares A Complete Woman
as December's Book of the Month. She writes, "A COMPLETE WOMAN is a complex
and poignant novel with vivid imagery that will keep you turning the pages until
the end. ...Nicole
Givens Kurtz writes with such crispness that the characters come alive and you
feel that you really know them. A COMPLETE WOMAN is a must read. I would highly
recommend this book. "
Cindy
Penn, Senior Editor for Wordweaving,
Amazon top 50 reviewer AND an eBook Specialist, Midwest Book Review declares,
"Kurtz reveals the superficiality of the stereotypes that often define
women's lives in this vividly created work that almost all women can identify
with. A powerful voice in women's fiction, Nicole Kurtz is a writer that commands
reader's attention. A COMPLETE WOMAN comes very highly recommended.
Tracy
Farnsworth of The Romance
Readers Connection writes, "...What follows is a sweet, and sometimes
hard, story of one woman's fight to find herself amidst a chaotic world. Nothing
is sugar coated within these pages, life hands you ups and downs, and you just
have to face it and figure out what to make of your life."
Jean
Goldstrom, of Ebookfanfare,
writes, "...The strength of this book is its relentless exposure of the
stereotypes held before women: You must have a man, you must have a child, you
must do this or be that or look a certain way before you will be complete, acceptable,
satisfactory. Author Nicole Givens Kurtz takes deadly aim at these stereotypes
that have blighted the lives of millions of women, and blows them to bits. Everyone
who reads this book - man or woman - will feel a little stronger for it.
Anne
Edwards of Ebooks Reviews Weekly
writes,"...This very able author knows her characters and brings them to
life with her writing. You will believe it could be autobiographical, or perhaps
she has learned some of your past and used it here, thus accounting for the
familiarity of experience found in the story. In reading it, you may gain insights
into your own search for who you are and would like to be. "
Misti
Jackson of The
Write Stuff Book Reviews, writes, A Complete Woman" makes a wonderful read
for any woman. The characters in this novel are very well created and written.
Nicole makes them come to life on the page as she describes the life of Tracy
and her friends. Tracy not only struggles with three miscarriages, but she will
also struggle with the fact that she isn't yet a complete woman. When I finished
the last chapter of this book it left me with wanting to know more. It is a
story of not only a woman struggling to be complete, but also a story of true
friendship. This is a wonderful book that any woman is sure to enjoy. If you
haven't yet purchased "A Complete Woman" I recommend it highly, as you are sure
to enjoy every last word!"
Are you interested in reviewing one of Nicole's books? Click the contact me
button on the menu to query.
Copyright © 2004 Nicole Givens Kurtz