Location: Australia
Member Since:
Oct. 05, 2009
Vicki Tyley
Biography
Based in rural Victoria, Australia, I write fast-paced mystery and suspense novels in contemporary Australian settings.
My other interests include photography and web design.
I love to hear from readers: vickityley@gmail.com
My other interests include photography and web design.
I love to hear from readers: vickityley@gmail.com
Where to find Vicki Tyley online
Vicki Tyley's favorite authors on Smashwords
Brenda Hill
Latest book:
2019 Anthology of the Inland Empire California Writers Club.
Published October 1, 2019.
Published October 1, 2019.
Smashwords book reviews by Vicki Tyley
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Xenolith
on April 06, 2010
Tight writing (especially at the start) and a particularly strong sense of place drew me into this story. Frank’s strength of character, despite his heart problems, carried me through to the end. (4.5/5) Multiple plotlines and points of view keep the interest high, moving the story forward at all times. (4.5/5) I only have one quibble and it’s minor. Because I was most vested in Frank’s storyline and finding out what happened to his wife, the ending was left a bit too much up in the air for me. I wanted to know more! With a sequel in the wings, I realise this was probably intentional. :) Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
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Days' End
on July 10, 2010
What would happen if advanced DNA splicing and cloning techniques fell into the wrong hands? Headhunted for a project she knows little about, scientist Nysa becomes an unwitting accessory. Days' End is a fast and compelling read with a shocking but satisfying ending. This is probably just me, but it took me a little while to work out what the POV/first person switch at the end of the early chapters was all about. It didn't detract from the story, though, and overall it was a most enjoyable read, not to mention excellent value.
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Fairy Tale Fail
on Aug. 10, 2010
Restless Ellie is always looking for excitement and her own fairy tale. Not surprising then that her hobby is researching and planning travel/trips abroad. I enjoyed this novella. It’s not a “girly” romance but it is an easy read. While there were times I would’ve liked to have shaken Ellie, her blinkered outlook added to the characterisation. Set in Manila, the story also gives a glimpse into another culture. I learned a few Filipino terms like “barkada” and “kuya” that I hadn’t come across before. Recommended for anyone looking for a quick, entertaining read.
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PORTAL (Portal Chronicles Book One)
on Sep. 23, 2010
Arizona Stevens lives with her father while she finishes high school. Her sister lives with their mother on the other side of the country. Or at least that’s how it was before she fell asleep in 2009 and woke in 2008 in her mother’s car in an alternate life… As a general rule I don’t read YA novels, but as with all rules, there are exceptions. Portal is that. Whilst I can’t comment on the authenticity of the story’s teenage characters, the premise is intriguing and Rose’s engaging writing style kept me turning the pages. An excellent debut. Highly recommended for fans of teenage romance and time travel.
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Maisy May
on Sep. 29, 2010
I was hooked from the disclaimer at the front: “This book contains profanity, violence toward bagsnatchers, religious discussions which don't necessarily conclude with 'and of course the bible's always right, as is the church', moral judgments, teen sex, gay relationships, and - possibly worst of all - Australian spelling and slang…” This novella was so different to anything I’ve ever read. It was right out there, raw and real. Maisy May is a straight-talking tough nut, loyal as she is outspoken. I loved both her voice and the story. Bloody brilliant as we Aussies say…
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The Other Boyfriend
on Jan. 01, 2011
“You want me to help you find a boyfriend for your lover’s partner?” – The Other Boyfriend You can’t help whom you fall in love with. Unfortunately for Sarah Jamison, she’s fallen for Jeffrey Williams, a man who is not only married to his job but is already in a relationship. With the help of her best friend, Monica, Sarah hatches a plot to get Jeffrey all to herself that involves finding a boyfriend for her lover’s partner. The Other Boyfriend is a light-hearted, entertaining read but also quite sad. Maybe sad because I’ve had friends throw away their prime years on married men. That aside, though, Massara crafts an engaging story – one with a moral. I liked the character of Sarah (except when I wanted to shake her) and her fetish for throwing imaginary ashtrays and also that she was older than your average chick-lit heroine. Jeffrey, I wanted to… well, I’ll leave that up to your imagination. Highly recommended.
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We Interrupt This Date
on March 06, 2011
Divorcee Susan Caraway always seems to be at the beck and call of her domineering mother and her “poor me” sister. Then there’s her spoiled son who thinks it only just that his mother take on a second job, so he can enjoy college life without working himself. Trying to be all things to all people, Susan’s pushed to breaking point… We Interrupt This Date is a fast, fun and entertaining read. Evans’ writing style is fluid, the prose polished. Rom-com is not my preferred genre, but when I reached the last page, I was actually disappointed there wasn’t more. A thoroughly enjoyable book. I look forward to reading more from this author.
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Widow's Tale
on Feb. 15, 2012
This is the fourth Maureen Miller novel I’ve read, so I knew before I even started what to expect. And I wasn’t disappointed. Widow’s Tale is a fast-paced, easy read that I found hard to put down (I read it in two sittings). For me, the author’s strengths are her sense of place – I felt as if I was right there on the rugged cliffs of Maine – and her fine balance of mystery and romance/sexual tension. Highly recommended.
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Bird of Paradise: A Diana Siddal and Mustapha Alawi Mystery Short
on March 03, 2013
“He doesn't get his hands dirty—but he's ruined a lot of people, some of whom may not have even deserved it.” – Bird of Paradise An entertaining quick read and my introduction to Cage's Detective Diana Siddal and Inspector Mustapha Alawi. The writing is fluid and concise, the characters interesting and not run of the mill. For me, it was a tad churchy, but not so much as to deter from the story. I'd certainly read more of Cage’s work.
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Jacob's Closet
on Aug. 16, 2014
I read and enjoyed all Jeff McDargh's Maple Drive series shorts plus the Anniversary flash fiction (my favourite of the four). The writing in all is strong with no wasted words, yet McDargh manages to pack a lot in. McDargh's strength is in the storytelling. All the stories, however, could do with some editing. The missing punctuation and the few typos weren't so much, though, as to detract from the story.
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Love & Secrets
on Aug. 16, 2014
I read and enjoyed all Jeff McDargh's Maple Drive series shorts plus the Anniversary flash fiction (my favourite of the four). The writing in all is strong with no wasted words, yet McDargh manages to pack a lot in. McDargh's strength is in the storytelling. All the stories, however, could do with some editing. The missing punctuation and the few typos weren't so much, though, as to detract from the story.
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The Unnamed
on Aug. 16, 2014
I read and enjoyed all Jeff McDargh's Maple Drive series shorts plus the Anniversary flash fiction (my favourite of the four). The writing in all is strong with no wasted words, yet McDargh manages to pack a lot in. McDargh's strength is in the storytelling. All the stories, however, could do with some editing. The missing punctuation and the few typos weren't so much, though, as to detract from the story.
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Anniversary
on Aug. 16, 2014
I read and enjoyed all Jeff McDargh's Maple Drive series shorts plus the Anniversary flash fiction (my favourite of the four). The writing in all is strong with no wasted words, yet McDargh manages to pack a lot in. McDargh's strength is in the storytelling. All the stories, however, could do with some editing. The missing punctuation and the few typos weren't so much, though, as to detract from the story.