Harald's Gold Reviews
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Grant Leishman Bio (from Readers’ Favorite website):
Hello, my name is Grant and I am a 57 year-old expatriate New Zealander, now residing in the beautiful islands of The Philippines. I am a full-time author and a voracious reader, as I have been all my life. On average I read around 140-150 books per year. All the books I read are reviewed on Goodreads and my website. I am currently ranked #29 reviewer on Goodreads. My passions in life are my family and supporting indie authors. Having received a number of 5-Star Reviews from Readers' Favorite for my novels, I would love the opportunity to give something back to the author community and I believe Readers' Favorite have a wonderful review system.
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Click to see Grant's review of Harald's Gold.
Romuald Dzemo Bio (from Readers’ Favorite website):
Romuald Dzemo earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Grand Seminaire Paul VI, after seven years of rigorous formation for the Celibate Priesthood, a journey he eventually abandoned in pursuit of what he calls his “personal legend.” He writes the column “Success Keys” for the Grasslander Magazine, a bi-monthly publication that is widely read by the Anglophone Cameroonian community. An avid reader, he enjoys sharing his opinions about the books he reads and hopes they will benefit the authors and their readers. He currently lives in Manila with his wife and two kids.
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​Romuald’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/rdzemo
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Click to see Romuald's review of Harald's Gold.
Gaius Konstantine Bio (from Readers’ Favorite website):
My love of books has an amusing origin and goes back many decades. I was in the 7th grade and serving detention for some minor infraction in the school library. Next to me was a rack of paperback books, and the Picasoesque cover of one caught my attention. I reached for that book instinctively and began reading it. The book was Issac Asimov's Foundation. Now I'm finally in a position where I can devote myself and engage with this passion directly. If I help someone decide to pick up a book and read it, I will be pleased. Should I help the world discover a talented writer or two, my debt to every author that helped shape who I am will be paid..​​
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​Click to see Gaius's review of Harald's Gold.
K.C. Finn Bio (from Readers’ Favorite website):
Born in South Wales to Raymond and Jennifer Finn, Kimberley Charlotte Elisabeth Finn (known to readers as K.C., otherwise it'd be too much of a mouthful) was one of those corny little kids who always dreamed of being a writer, a dream she finally achieved in 2013 with the releases of the "Caecilius Rex" saga, and the time travel adventure "The Secret Star," and her urban fantasy epic "The Book Of Shade."
K.C. Finn has also been welcomed into the fold at Clean Teen Publishing as a debut Young Adult author for 2014 with her epic Paranormal/Historical Adventure series Synsk. As a sufferer with the medical condition M.E./C.F.S., Kim works part time as a private tutor and a teacher of creative writing, devoting the remainder of her time to writing novels and studying for an MA in Education and Linguistics.
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​K.C.’s website: http://kcfinn.com/
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​Click to see K.C.'s review of Harald's Gold.
Rich Follett Bio (from Readers’ Favorite website):
Rich Follett lives in the sacred and timeless Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, where he joyfully teaches English and Theatre Arts for high school students. His poems have appeared in numerous contemporary journals and e-zines like Counterexample Poetics, for which he is featured artist.
Most recently, his haiku/photo combination Aurora's Adieu received first place honors in the first international iPoetry Poe-Tography Competition. You can learn more about him on his Facebook page.​​
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Click to see Rich's review of Harald's Gold.
5-Stars
Reviewed by
Grant Leishman
For Readers’ Favorite
Harald's Gold by Jack Dancer is a spectacularly clever and funny tale of Viking gold, sex trafficking, Scottish mysticism, and ancient lore. Tucker Blue has signed up for a two-week tour of Scotland where he's hoping to meet his soulmate, as arranged through a DNA match, along with many other couples on the all-expenses-paid tour. When Tucker arrives in Scotland, he is stunned and overwhelmed by the gorgeous and vivacious Dr. Billie Skye who he has been matched with. The group discovers from their tour guide that, as part of the excitement of meeting and hopefully falling in love with their DNA-matched partner, they can also participate in an unofficial hunt for the legendary golden nugget of Viking Harald Hardrada. It was brought to Scotland in 1066 and supposedly left there after Harald was killed during their botched invasion of England. The nugget was said to be so large that it required sixteen men just to carry it. Visions of great wealth surge through the participants and thoughts of finding their soulmate may well take a back seat. Throw in a cadre of kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls, dreams of Scottish independence, a mad doctor seeking to harvest and grow organs, numerous vendettas, and a good selection of ghosts, ghouls, and faeries, and you have all the makings of a hilarious and exciting adventure. You see, almost everyone on this adventure is not who they appear to be.
Harald's Gold is a broad, sweeping epic with so many twisted and fascinating characters and sub-plots that readers will be left gasping for air at times but will not put this book down as it is completely addictive. Author Jack Dancer has created a treasure trove of ridiculous and stereotypical characters and yet has managed to infuse them with believability. I particularly appreciated the many story arcs that beautifully dovetailed into each other. Perhaps the most interesting of these characters was Billie Skye and her supposedly deceased twin brother William, now appearing in the narrative as Fiona. I particularly appreciated Fiona's transformation, not just physically but mentally, morally, and even spiritually, as she transitioned and shed the ruthless-killer persona of her past. I did appreciate the joy Fiona felt as she tricked Tucker into believing she was Billie. Some of the best scenes occur when the fables and mysticism of the Gaelic side of Scottish culture merge with these modern-day adventurers. Of particular pleasure was the arc where several of the tour party went beneath the streets of Edinburgh to cross between the living and the dead and encountered the most beautifully drawn and horrific scenes of debauchery and carnage imaginable. The writer’s imagination and creativity shone through this arc wonderfully. I liked the summary at the end where the author traced the journey of the amazing gold nugget from 1066 until it was lost to recorded history. That gave the entire narrative the feeling of believability. Primarily this story is funny and farcical and yet the many layered undertones of history, relationships, and ancient lore give it some real gravitas which just serves to deepen and broaden the enjoyment to be had from this book. I haven’t enjoyed a book as much as I did this one for a long, long time and I highly recommend it.
5-Stars
Reviewed by
Romuald Dzemo
For Readers’ Favorite
In Harald's Gold by Jack Dancer, Billie Skye is a doctor who watches a bullet hit a Nigerian kid, leaving him unscathed. Billie is pursued by a Hausa warrior who reports to the dreaded Big Johnson Mambo-Sambo. They think she is her twin brother, Willie, a mercenary-for-hire. But Willie assumes a new identity: Fiona. Fiona is out to rescue a hundred Nigerian girls who are being prepared for organ harvesting on Resurrection Island. Meanwhile, Billie and her DNA-matched boyfriend, Tucker, join a crew to hunt the legendary Harald gold across Scotland. But the situation is about to take a dramatic turn when Tucker discovers that Billie has secretly taken on a role as the Director of Medical Services at the C.O.T.S. Institute, the same organization Fiona is desperately trying to dismantle. This revelation is bound to send shockwaves through their relationship, and it is unclear how Tucker will react to this betrayal.
Harald's Gold by Jack Dancer is a genre-defying tale that will appeal to readers with different tastes — romance, adventure, science fiction, fantasy, and more. The narrative features a whirlwind of events that unfold in a cinematic way before readers' eyes. It's a story that takes the reader on a journey from the scorching heat of Nigeria to the rugged highlands of Scotland, with stops in between for bulletproof skin, organ harvesting, cloning, and even fairy lore. At the heart of the story is a romance, but it's not your typical love story. The DNA-matched couples at the center of the tale are on a quest to find the legendary Viking treasure - Harald's gold. The writing is gorgeous and peppered with vivid descriptions and engaging dialogues. The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with flaws and motivations that make them relatable and believable. But be warned: this book is not for the faint of heart. There are some alarming scenes, particularly regarding organ harvesting and human experimentation. Jack Dancer also includes detailed sex scenes and humor to balance the growing tension.
5-Stars
Reviewed by
Gaius Konstantine
For Readers’ Favorite
“But hell, a man could get used to this kind of crazy. The good kind, the kind that sets your blood buzzing and your heart thumping in your chest.” Secrets, villainy, treasure, and love are just a sample of what awaits readers in Jack Dancer's novel Harald's Gold Tucker Blue has met the woman of his dreams, and her name is Billie Skye. She should not be confused with William Skye, who is her brother or was before he became Fiona. Tucker, Billie, and a few newly minted couples who are not what they appear to be embark on a series of escapades revolving around myths, treasure, and human trafficking. As one mystery leads to another, our heroes are tested to maintain their sanity and may realize that the greatest treasure of all is not what we find but what we create.
Delightfully daft, Harald's Gold by Jack Dancer is far-fetched, fun, and amusingly absurd. The book is a raunchy adventure thriller with multiple plots that create a page-turning mystery. The story involves legends, a treasure hunt, and the promise of true love, but at its core, it's about the fight between good and evil. The character development is whimsically preposterous but brilliant, and Jack has created some truly fascinating individuals. The pacing varies, with fast and slow moments, giving it the feel of an adrenaline-pumping carnival ride. What stands out most is the setting, which, like the characters, blurs the lines between reality and imagination. Overall, it's a wonderfully written and original tale with a touch of Gaelic supernatural lore that will satisfy mature fans of multiple genres.
5-Stars
Reviewed by
K.C. Finn
For Readers’ Favorite
Harald's Gold is a work of fiction in the thriller, action, and suspense genres. It is best suited to mature readers owing to the presence of explicit language, sexual situations, and graphic violence throughout. Penned by author Jack Dancer, our plot follows Billie Skye, a tough-as-nails doctor, who discovers a Nigerian boy with bulletproof skin. Years later, she’s pursued by a Hausa warrior sent by Nigeria’s president, mistaking her for her mercenary twin, Fiona. Fiona’s mission is to rescue Nigerian schoolgirls from organ harvesters while posing as Billie. Meanwhile, Billie and her DNA-matched lover, Tucker, race across Scotland to find a legendary Viking treasure. Amid Scottish legends and high-tech marvels, Billie and Tucker navigate a chaotic adventure, complicated by Fiona’s undercover operations and a host of quirky characters.
Author Jack Dancer has crafted an exhilarating and wild thriller packed with action, humor, and unexpected twists to keep readers hooked from the first page. Billie Skye’s character is a refreshing blend of toughness and vulnerability, and her chaotic journey alongside Tucker is both thrilling and hilarious with some really enjoyable dialogue exchanges and plenty of banter. There’s a unique and entertaining flavor to the narrative, which is peppered with little details to enhance the underlying humor, and the pace never leaves you long without a new twist. The dual storyline of Billie’s pursuit and Fiona’s undercover mission created a dynamic plot with lots of interconnected elements that kept me eagerly turning the pages, and I felt very satisfied with how different conclusions and revelations tied in and made sense by the end. The unfiltered portrayal of mid-life love added a sense of realism rarely seen in this subgenre, making the characters’ struggles and triumphs all the more relatable and engaging. Overall, Harald's Gold is a rollercoaster ride of adventure, humor, and heartfelt moments that I would certainly recommend to thriller fans everywhere.
5-Stars
Reviewed by
Rich Follett
For Readers’ Favorite
Harald’s Gold marks the return of Jack Dancer’s protagonist Tucker Blue, last seen in Dancer’s equally enthralling Spanish Prisoner. The dashing and intrepid Mr. Blue heads off to the wilds of Scotland this time, encountering murder, human trafficking, black market organ trading, myth, legend, Fae folk, a doppelganger, and, most of all, as always, romance, this time with the ravishing and multi-layered woman of mystery Dr. Billie Skye. Existing Jack Dancer fans will be wholly satisfied; new fans will be utterly astonished. There are very few contemporary writers capable of interweaving complex plot components and scores of characters as deftly as Jack Dancer. To that end, a handy dramatis personae appears at the beginning of the book; similarly, a chronological list of significant historical events pertaining to Harald’s Gold follows.
Harald’s Gold by Jack Dancer is a masterfully plotted, impeccably crafted thrill ride through real history featuring larger-than-life fictional characters, Scottish myths and legends, exotic locales both actual and supernatural, and spine-tingling cat-and-mouse intrigue worthy of inclusion among the best efforts of the genre’s eminent talents. It should be noted that Harald’s Gold is not for the faint of heart: explicit sexual scenes and dialogue appear throughout the narrative (Tucker is, apparently, the equivalent of pheromonal catnip to the fairer sex), and curse words are sprinkled generously from start to finish. As a pleasant diversion for language lovers, Jack Dancer is a world-class purveyor of both simile and metaphor – the text is ornamented with some of the juiciest and most visual examples of both found anywhere in contemporary fiction. Part romance, part historical fiction, part thriller, Jack Dancer’s Harald's Gold truly has it all – readers who sign on for Tucker Blue’s Scottish adventure will enjoy a thrill ride for the ages.