Book Noise

Witness the transformation

2011-08-28T10:28:00.000-05:00

The one-year anniversary of Book Noise looms on the horizon, and what do we do? Start from scratch.

OMG! Are we crazy? Possibly, but we love book blogging and decided it was time to expand our horizons a little bit. Blogger has been good to us, but it's had its fair share of hiccups lately, so we decided it was time to grab the WordPress tiger by the tail and see if we could tame the beast. Also, we wanted an actual domain name that didn't have blogspot or wordpress in the URL.

The result? Fictitious Musings.

So.... do me a huge favor and hop over there to check out the new look, because Jen is freaking over seeing our visitor count at such a woefully low number, and I do have to admit it is a bit of a bummer.

Think you're going to miss out on some awesome swag because there won't be a one-year anniversary? No worries, because our anniversary giveaway will be transformed into our house-warming giveaway.

Hope to see you over at Fictitious Musings... where bookish people share their thoughts. :)

Earth Blend by Lori Pescatore

2011-08-15T00:05:00.000-05:00

Summary:

Earth Blend is the second book in the Blend trilogy and the sequel to Human Blend. In this installment, the mysteries of the Blends and Earthlings are revealed. How can Julie live a normal life when she is anything but normal? Her relationship with Austin is complicated by emerging abilities in them both. Trust is hard to come by as lies and secrets hinder them at every turn. Is the past destined to repeat itself as the Earthlings once again rush to save them? Ensuing chaos breeds fatal consequences.

My Thoughts:

Pescatore's Blend series is one of my absolute favorite reads. While I'm not super fond of the cover for this installment, I'm happy to get another dose of the amazing characters and their stories. In Human Blend, we get to know the main character, Laney, and learn of her sticky situation as she attempts a fresh start in Marion, Virginia. Human Blend introduced readers to the Earth Blends but didn't really go into detail with them, so it was nice to get the low-down in the second installment. The paranormal quality of the characters is stepped up a notch too.

Overall, the Blend series is a fast paced and exciting read. The characters are realistic and fun to follow as the story progresses. I highly recommend you give Pescatore's work a read.

About Lori:

A preschool teacher by day and a wife & mom by night. Although I love all of these titles, I can now add published author to the list of things I can consider myself. I was proud the day I got married, I was proud the day I gave birth to each of my boys, (now grown men) and I was proud when I got my certification to teach. My newest accomplishment in being a published author is my latest proud moment. Writing all my life for fun, family and friends, creating my own story and original characters has been a wonderful journey, one I hope is long lived. It is what I want the rest of my life to be about.

You can find out more about Lori and the Blend series by visiting her Blog, Goodreads, Facebook, and Smashwords.

Abithica by Susan Goldsmith

2011-07-01T23:06:00.000-05:00

Summary:

She's found the love of a lifetime, but there's a catch: the body she inhabits belongs to another. How much change can one soul endure? It would help if she knew what she was or even how such a thing was possible. The one thing she does know is that God has a sense of humor where she's concerned. Why else would He continue to place her in one host body after another without warning or a clear memory of previous switches? Abithica's responsibility is to repair her host's lives while they take a back seat. To ensure her survival and protection, she vows never to get attached, but this latest switch is different from the start. Abithica breaks all her own rules, and is left with a choice. What will happen if she refuses to leave her host's body? Will love be her downfall or her salvation?

My Take:

When Susan contacted me about reviewing Abithica, I took one look at the summary and knew that I had to read it. The idea of borrowing another person’s identity was intriguing and quite unique. Unfortunately, the cover didn’t offer up any clues as to what the story had to offer, which was somewhat frustrating since I enjoy finding that one passage that relates to the cover. No worries though. It’s just one of those weird quirks I seem to have and enjoy with each read.

Abithica was a full on mystery for me. From the first page, you try to figure out exactly what the MC is and what part the body she has snatched, so to speak, plays in the so-called gang. The opening scene where our MC enters the body of a troubled young girl in the middle of a restaurant was definitely interesting and geared me up to read on. From there, she finds herself tossed into a mother-daughter relationship that hasn’t existed in a positive manner for some time. As the story progresses, several different angles emerge that offer up new characters that lead to the gang of dark entities.

Goldsmith packed a ton of information into 247 pages, jumping back and forth between a few characters and balancing these viewpoints perfectly. The MC, Abithica, was a fantastic character to follow throughout as she battled to find out what she is and, in the meantime, help the person and or family of the body she snatched. My only real complaint with Abithica is that the dark forces that lead the gang never take center stage; they’re only a blip in the story, which left me wanting more.

In the end, Abithica is an enjoyable read that definitely has a welcome spot on my bookcase. It’s one of those books that could easily be enjoyed by both YA and adults alike.

Settling by Shelley Workinger (Solid Series Book #2)

2011-06-30T08:00:00.002-05:00

Summary:

At the beginning of the summer, Clio Kaid was one of a hundred teens brought to a secret Army installation. But it was no ordinary camp and they weren’t ordinary kids…

Soon after learning they were the products of a secret genetic experiment, the teens began developing super-abilities ranging from bounding lightness to blocking heaviness; blinding brilliance and the ability to vanish. These same gifts made them targets of a psychopath in officer’s clothing, and they found themselves fighting for their lives.

Picking up where “Solid” left off, Clio and her friends realize that they aren’t ready to go home; they’re determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self- discovery. But someone doesn’t feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away – even kill.

Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them.

My Take:

After reading Solid last year (you can read my review of Solid here) I was dying to know what happened next for Clio and her group of friends on the secret base. So many things took place in the action packed installment that started this fantastic series I couldn’t imagine what Shelley would come up with in Settling. My question has been answered and I’m more than happy to say it exceeded my expectations.

It was nice to see how the characters grew from their experiences in Solid as a new mystery unfolds around them once again sucking them into a mystery. The characters are well developed and the story is executed brilliantly. One thing that weighed heavily on my mind was the lack of details surrounding the jobs each of the kids had. I was just curious as to the secrets held within each position that they were unable to share with each other.

Workinger stayed true to the original story adding a twist that will surely be appreciated by YA readers. Settling offers a Fourth of July celebration that brings more than fireworks to the table. What’s next Shelley?

I'm definitely looking forward to the summer of 2012 and the next installment of the series.

Magel's Ghost by Nancy Baker

2011-06-27T23:36:00.000-05:00

My Take:

Magel’s Ghost is the highly anticipated sequel to Magel’s Daughter. You can check out my review of Magel’s Daughter here.

Magel’s Ghost continues Karin’s story one year after the unbelievable conclusion of Magel’s Daughter.

After Karin’s wild relationship with Leo, I didn’t think another relationship would be able to top it. Let’s just say that I was wrong and insanely surprised by Baker pairing Karin with James. James is Leo’s opposite in every way.

Karin has been dating James for a couple of months and seems to be back to her unusually crazy self; well, not completely. She has been free of the hallucinations that plagued her so fiercely throughout her life. Unfortunately, that is all about to change. Out of the blue, she sees her mother, not physically… her ghost. No matter what she does, she can’t escape the hallucinations -- that are the Olina women -- the deceased women in her family that just happen to make themselves at home in Karin’s townhouse.

As for the women, living that is, Marit really stirs up a hornet’s nest by divulging details about Karin and James to his wife. This really opened up a whole new level to the plot. How much trouble can a crazy lunatic, a vengeful cousin, and a pack of ghosts cause? Let’s be honest; all of the Olina women have lost their minds. Magel may have been a strange duck in life by keeping body parts in her freezer, but Marit tops Magel in a way you won’t believe. The phrase, Have body parts will travel, is all I need to say to spark interest in this disturbing, drama-filled tale where death is just the beginning.

Baker has truly outdone herself with this insanely unique tale of a family divided. I found myself glued to each and every page. The characters will have you laughing so hard your sides will hurt. Baker combines dark humor with a unique paranormal twist that will have you reeling for more. The women in Baker’s novel- both living and dead - are hilariously crazy. If they don’t entertain you, nothing will.

The Thirteenth Chime by Emma Michaels

2011-06-27T00:01:00.025-05:00

Summary:

Destiny has finally found the life that she has always wanted. She is about to finish college, has a fiance that loves her, and a great summer on the West Coast planned with her friend, Stephanie. But her world is turned upside down when an antique clock mysteriously chimes thirteen times and someone attacks them, sending Stephanie and her mother to the hospital.

Alone, and without any help from the police, Destiny has no choice but to turn to the one man she had left behind a year ago - her ex-boyfriend, David. Together, they must solve the riddle of the thirteenth chime before the clock strikes thirteen again. Yet as they face their own past and hearts, a trap over half a century old is waiting for them to become its prey.

For revenge, fifty years is never too long.

My Take:

"The Thirteenth Chime" is the first book in the exciting new Sense of Truth series. After reading the summary and looking at the gorgeous cover, I had to research the book further. I quickly learned that the ratings and thoughts on the book were split 50/50. Some reviewers loved it while others not so much. I knew that I had to see what I thought about it for myself.

It starts off with a freakish attack in the night, a weird green light, and an enormous old clock. From there, it only gets increasingly strange. The characters are not amongst my absolute favorites, but were interesting. My main complaint is with the ex-boyfriend of the MC. He has no special powers or anything but manages to do things that are beyond what you would think his character (a normal guy) could do. So that didn’t sit well with me. Other than that, everything about the characters fit with the paranormal quality of the story. The creep factor of the house on the hill overlooking a prison added to the unique feel of the story. As the mystery unfolded, letting the reader in on the history of the clock that on occasion decided to chime 13 times, made more sense.

Overall, this was a fast and enjoyable read. It isn’t one of my absolute favorites this year, but it’s definitely a series I’ll continue reading. I’m very curious to see what happens next since the book seemed to wrap up fairly nicely. The next book in this four-book series is due to be released in August of this year.

Autumn: the City by David Moody

2011-06-25T10:31:00.000-05:00

Summary:

Everything that means anything to you is taken away in seconds. No warning. No explanation. Nothing. AUTUMN: THE CITY is the first sequel to the acclaimed horror novel AUTUMN (now available as a free download from www.theinfected.co.uk).

A virulent disease rips across the face of the planet, killing billions of people in less than twenty-four hours. A small group of survivors cower in fear in the desolate remains of a silent city. As the full extent of the devastation caused by the disease is revealed the desperate people fight to keep thousands upon thousands of plague victims at bay and to continue to survive from day to day.

They fight to stay alive. The unexpected appearance of a company of soldiers again threatens the survivor's fragile existence. Do they trust this sudden military presence? Will the military bring them hope and answers, or just more fear, pain and destruction? Far more than an ordinary sequel, AUTUMN: THE CITY expands on the nightmare of the first novel and takes the reader closer to discovering what caused the death of billions of people on a single inauspicious September day.

My Take:

I enjoyed the creep factor of "Autumn," the first book in the apocalyptic Autumn series so much that I had to locate the second book. It was more than worth my time, rummaging through the shelves at Katy Budget Books. I'm totally in love with the covers for this series...so creepy...so cool!

"Autumn: the City" tells the story of a group of survivors that witness the end of the world as we know it. But it doesn’t end there, how could it? The survivors watch in horror as the once dead bodies littering the streets begin to twitch, then slowly rise up from their resting places upon the streets. As the survivors bed down in the hiding places they have found, thinking about what they should do next to stay safe, things begin to change... and not for the better.

Moody stepped it up in this installment, giving the bodies a "28 Days" feel, which added to the overall horror. Coming in contact with the walking dead was less intense than that of the bloody savage-like zombies in "28 Days" but, nevertheless, scary as heck. Seeing and feeling the emotional impact of each character definitely makes you scoot to the edge of your seat and grip the book a little tighter than you would with your typical read.

One thing that really makes David’s walking dead more appealing than the average zombie book is that he does it in a creative way; he completely omits the use of the word 'zombie' and just tells the survivors' stories. My favorite thing about Moody’s writing style is the movie theater feel. It feels as though he has written you in as an extra so you can experience the feeling to run like hell when the bodies approach. It’s awesome.

I highly recommend David Moody’s Autumn series to anybody looking for a gnarly, zombie-apocalyptic story that will rock your world. You can check out my review of Autumn here.

The Hollow by Jessica Verday

2011-06-23T08:52:00.000-05:00

Summary:

When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he's the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special.

Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen's betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her—one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.

My Take:

I had really high hopes for “The Hollow” after reading so many wonderful reviews, but it wasn’t all that to me. The overall idea of the story was intriguing, I mean what’s not to like about the whole Sleepy Hollow/Headless Horsemen quality of the story?

Starting the story off with the mysterious disappearance of a young girl, the best friend of our MC, was definitely enough to keep my attention, but then everything started to slip in the wrong direction or pause completely. I felt as though the story was stuck, and that BLAH BLAH BLAH feeling kept entering my mind. It wasn’t until the otherworldly aspects finally entered the picture with Caspien that I felt my interest in the plot pick back up.

I loved the mystery of it all, but it took so long to go anywhere and when it finally did, the story was over. Maybe I should have held off reading it a little longer and my love for the story would be different. I’m really not sure. I’m not sure how I would rate this one. It just didn’t grab me and suck me in. At this point I don’t know if I’ll continue on with the series.

XVI By Julie Karr

2011-06-01T00:01:00.002-05:00

Summary:

Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

My Take:

I’ve put off writing this review for a while now, hoping that my thoughts on it would change. That didn’t happen. While I enjoyed reading XVI, I wasn’t in love with the story as a whole. Dystopian novels are amongst my favorite reads and I expected this one to fall into place and be one of those books I can’t bear to part with…that just isn’t the case here.

In Nina’s world, girls receive a tattoo when they become sixteen. The tattoo is like an advertisement, letting all men know that the person bearing the XVI mark is ready for sex. The idea that these young girls are branded in such a way is interesting, but really creepy too. I did find that there was a certain amount of realism to the society, which is disturbing to say the least.

The characters were great and I absolutely adored Nina. After her mother was attacked, she grew as a person, jumping into a new chapter of her life. Nina is one of those characters you gravitate to and just can’t stop reading about. As Nina embarks on a journey to find out who she is, she finds much more than she could have ever expected.

Overall, I enjoyed reading about Nina’s journey and the mystery that unraveled as the plot unfolded. As I said, the characters were fantastic but Nina was by far my most favorite. Karr told an interesting story that will definitely appeal to those who enjoy YA. While I’m not jumping up and down to read XVI again, I did enjoy it. It’s just not one of my favorite reads.

Vampyre Kisses by Elizabeth J. Kolodziej

2011-05-19T08:57:00.000-05:00

Summary

In "Vampyre Kisses", by Elizabeth J. Kolodziej, a beautiful young woman named Faith is no longer content with her life. Deep down in her being, she craves excitement. This gripping tale of vampires, werewolves, and witches brings her yearning to life.

You will be enthralled as you meet Trent, a 400-year old green-eyed vampire who falls in love with Faith and endeavors to protect her from harm. And you will be captivated as you meet Faith’s mother, who has a more than surprising secret to hide, and learn about her father, who was mysteriously murdered not that long ago. Soon Faith discovers that she is destined to restore her witch line and find the power that lies within, while she expands her knowledge and her confidence.

But dangers are lurking everywhere, especially after assailants steal valuable gems from the vampire master and werewolf royalty. This intriguing tale will have you at the edge of your seat as you wonder whether Faith will learn what she needs to, to help her friends and rescue the stolen gems.

My View

"Vampyre Kisses" took me by surprise. I was expecting the typical tale of forbidden love between a mortal and a vampire (Thanks a whole lot, Twilight, for bringing that flood upon us). What I actually got was an in-depth story with detailed characters and a rich history; a world filled with vampires, werewolves, gods, slayers...and a witch. That's right, one witch. Witches have been eliminated but families live on, and the power is in the bloodline. If certain circumstances unfold in just the right way (like a female child being born to the right family), what once was could be again.

I was intrigued by the importance given to family and bloodlines. Lineage determines witches, slayers, and guardians. It was a very interesting concept that made a whole lot of sense. Another interesting concept was the history of vampires. Their creation is explained in a brand new way, along with introducing a new twist on daywalkers and why vampires can't tolerate sunlight.

The book has an interesting format, where each chapter is from the viewpoint of a different character. I usually hate this set-up because it's hard to keep any mystery or suspense going when you can see the thoughts of more than just one character. It turns out to not be a problem, though, because Kolodziej does a great job of dangling just enough info to tease you, without giving away too much. The result is a fascinating page-turner that will keep you wanting more.

I think "Vampyre Kisses" is a great read, and should be read by anyone who enjoys paranormal fantasy/urban fiction and wants to explore territory that remains, for the most part, untouched by other books in the genre. I just hope that a Book Two will be on the horizon.

The Night Season by Chelsea Cain

2011-05-13T13:53:00.000-05:00

Summary

Chelsea Cain launches the next stage of her bestselling series as Archie Sheridan works to regain his life and Susan Ward steps in to share the spotlight in this electric thriller from one of today’s most talented suspense writers.

With Beauty Killer Gretchen Lowell locked away behind bars once again, Portland detective Archie Sheridan can finally rest. Meanwhile, the city of Portland is in crisis. Several people have drowned in heavy rains that have flooded the Willamette River. But the medical examiner discovers that in fact the latest victim was poisoned before she went into the water—she didn’t drown.

A little detective work shows that, so far, three of those previously thought to be accidental drownings have actually been murdered. Portland has a new serial killer on its hands, and Archie and his task force have a new case. Meanwhile reporter Susan Ward is following up on an entirely separate mystery: the dramatic flooding has unearthed a skeleton, a man who might have died during catastrophic flooding more than sixty years ago that washed away an entire neighborhood and killed at least 15 people.

As Archie follows the bizarre trail of evidence and evil deeds to catch his killer, he has to battle the rising waters of the Willamette first.

My View

"The Night Season" is the fourth book in the Archie and Gretchen series, and Cain goes in a brand new direction with this one.

I wasn't sure if I'd like this book because my main draw to the series was the cat-and-mouse mind games played between Archie and Gretchen, and I had already heard that the beautiful serial killer didn't play a significant role in this one. Turns out that I didn't have anything to worry about.

There's a new serial killer on the loose, so good at using Mother Nature to cover his (or her) tracks that three people have been killed before the police realize there's a new murder spree taking place. The killer's weapon of choice? That would spoil the surprise, but I promise it's not something you'd normally think of using.

Archie has gotten a lot better since we saw him last. He's not quite the 'damaged goods' that he previously has been, but he's still an interesting character. While it's nice to see Archie on the road to recovery, I hope he's not able to put all his demons away. Without the ghosts from his past, he risks becoming just another cop in a detective novel. It's the strength used to function normally, while battling against those emotional wounds, that makes him really stand out.

Susan has a much larger part this time out, and that was nice to see. Her drive and determination, combined with her rebellious attitude, injects some much needed humor into a story that could become overwhelmingly dark without her bubbling personality to occasionally lighten things up. I'll admit that part of the fun of reading the series is discovering what color Susan's hair will be this time around.

The book had a bumpy start for me because the story starts in 1948. What on Earth does a flood in 1948 have to do with anything? Apparently, quite a lot and Cain does a great job of linking the past and present together.

The plot moves at a fast pace and the sense of mystery is never lost. Even after the police discover who the killer is, the action remains non-stop. The flood plays such an integral and active part in the story that it's basically another character, and Cain wields words masterfully to fully capture the power of nature's fury. You'll almost feel like you need to dry off after some scenes.

I thought "The Night Season" was an excellent read and I'll be looking forward to the next installment of the Archie and Gretchen series, regardless of whether Gretchen is actually in the story or not.

You can find out more Chelsea Cain at her website, and you can also check out Gretchen's website... if you're brave enough to take on the Beauty Queen killer.

Review: The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher

2011-05-07T00:01:00.019-05:00

Summary:

Vera and her brother, Will, live in the shadow of the Great Panic, in a country that has collapsed from environmental catastrophe. Water is hoarded, by governments, rivers are dammed, and clouds are sucked from the sky. But then Vera befriends Kai, who seems to have limitless access to fresh water. When Kai suddenly disappears, Vera and Will set off on a dangerous journey in search of him-pursued by pirates, a paramilitary group, and greedy corporations.

My Take:

After becoming quite addicted to dystopian novels, it was easy to add "The Water Wars" to my forever growing reading pile. While I wasn’t quite sure of what to expect from this one, I was sure I would enjoy it, but I find myself torn 50/50.

"The Water Wars" tells the story of a brother and sister that are in search of a friend, Kai. They find themselves in a number of sticky situations along their journey. With major shortages of water across the land, they find that the government is hoarding the available water. The military and the pirates are easily comparable to terrorists organizations; both groups bring enough negative qualities to the overall situation, leaving the citizens in the dark and dying for water.

"The Water Wars" was an intriguing read that seemed to lack in the world-building department. As the plot progresses, Vera and Will are carried throughout the different regions, but little detail is given for the reader to gain a clear picture of what the world is like. There was a nifty little map in the front of the book that showed the breakdown of the areas/regions, which I found interesting. I just wanted to know more about what was happening in the other areas, etc.

Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games #2)

2011-05-03T10:09:00.000-05:00

Summary:

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol.

My Take:

After reading "The Hunger Games" I wasn't sure how/if Collins could top the intriguing action-packed journey in the second installment; let's just say that she managed to give us even more in "Catching Fire". Honestly, I enjoyed book one more, but I'm still shocked by the continued journey that Katniss and Peeta are on. The idea of a game such as the Hunger Games or the Quarter Quill is shockingly horrifying.

What can I say about the characters? I absolutely love them all. Each one adds power to the other, keeping the story fresh. Katniss is the type of female character I'd like to see more of. Peeta is one of those guys that you can't help but love. Gale, on the other hand, is a character I can't wait to find out more about.

I can only describe the plot as a twisted journey of hellish proportions. Collins' creativity is inspiring. The elements from both installments have kept me on the edge of my seat, begging for more.

My only wish is that I would have read this series when it first came out. Shame on me! If you haven't had a chance to go on this unbelievable journey with all of these amazing characters, you simply must stop what you are doing and get to it. I promise that you will be glad you did.

Odessa (The Seraphym Wars) by Rebecca Ryals Russell

2011-04-29T10:20:00.000-05:00

Summary

Myrna Ashlin Watts graduated from High School in Jacksonville, Fl just in time to find herself transported to a bizarre and primal planet corrupted by demon-dragons. And they want her DEAD. Her problem is she has been recruited to kill them, too.

18-year-old Myrna is drawn into the middle of an epic battle between Seraphym and Demons. An average High School student from Florida, struggling with inner demons resulting from a rape two years earlier, she wakes one morning on the Steampunk planet of Dracwald, home of the demon-dragons responsible for her brother’s recent murder as well as many other atrocities in the news. She meets Michael, who becomes her guide and explains that according to prophecy, Myrna must gather the remaining six Vigorios (teen warriors with special talents) then train with the Majikals on an enchanted island.

Reluctantly, and knowing it is her only way to get back home, she agrees to lead, battling dragons and monsters while crossing swamps and mountains, forests and seas. She wrangles with the old inner demons when three very different men join her quest—a seasoned demon/dragon-slayer who irritates but beguiles her, a tender and sweet mentor in whom she trusts completely and a roguishly handsome Scientist who sets her senses aflame. How is she expected to lead the others and keep everyone safe with so much inner turmoil?

Will love and lust, jealousy, greed, deceit and distrust break the delicate tie that binds these teen warriors called The Vigorios? Can a troupe of teens help the Seraphym finally defeat the massive empire of evil dominated for eons by the demon-dragons of Dracwald?

My View

You don’t have to wait for action when you open “Odessa” because Myrna is in the thick of things from the very beginning. She’s been transported to another world and now the fate of both worlds rests in her hands.

Russell creates an impressive world, where dragons have kept such a stranglehold on technology that people live in a steampunk version of Victorian society. People also live in constant fear because shape-shifting dragons live among them, and the dragons don’t play by human rules.

Myrna is an interesting character, although it became frustrating to see her get all giddy and short of breath whenever a new male character entered the scene. Her current lust counter is up to three, but did temporarily peaked at four with Dante, although Myrna “didn’t normally think of older men that way.” Aside from her getting weak in the knees whenever a new guy showed up, Myrna seemed to be a decent main character.

My personal favorite was Tien, a twelve-year-old girl with the ability to talk with animals. Brigid, a girl with the power to control storms, seemed like she could have been interesting but it was easy to forget she was there because she really didn’t do much at first. It’s only towards the end of the story that more focus is put on her and we’re able to see what she’s capable of doing.

“Odessa” was an enjoyable read, but I’m hoping future books in the series focus on giving more depth to Myrna because she seems to be the weak link, although she’s the leader of the rag-tag rebel team. She’s the one the dragons seem to fear the most, but it doesn’t look like she can actually do anything. I hope this discrepancy is cleared up in the future because it just doesn’t seem plausible for her to be the biggest threat when compared to a girl that can summon an animal army or one that uses lightning bolts as weapons.

About Rebecca:

Rebecca Ryals Russell writes MG and YA Dark Fantasy and Horror while living in a Victorian house on five acres with her family. The daughter of a school principal and school secretary, for fourteen years she taught Middle Grades, preferring English and Creative Writing. She had several students’ works published in anthologies as well as her own poetry, photography and stories. Her main interests are her four children ages 22, 19, 16, 11 and Irish hubby of 35 years. She enjoys spending her time writing, drawing, movies, reading.

Seeing For the First Time by Nicole Zoltack (Short Story)

2011-04-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

Summary:

For the last ten years, Ana has spent summers with her Gram. With nothing to do, the closest beach two hours away, and Gram, who Ana is convinced is crazy, always in her garden talking to things that aren't there, Ana is bored out of her mind.

One day, Ana sees strange colors floating around Gram as she works in her garden. Gram says they're fairies. She can "see" them, and there are others who can see things. Ana's a Seer, too.

When Gram gives Ana a book that explains about the many different creatures, like selkies, unicorns, vampires, and others, Ana gets curious. She is shocked when she comes across the entry about famous werewolf hunting parents.

Determined to learn where she fits in, Ana's summer gets a lot more exciting as she sets off to find out what she can "see." Only problem is, she's not sure what to do when she finally discovers the truth. And she's not sure she'll live to tell anyone.

My Take:

In only seventeen short pages Zoltack's Seeing For the First Time packed a punch. Ana has spent every summer with her crazy Gram. This summer is going to be different. Ana finds out that her family has a secret that keeps her family in two worlds. As the family secret is revealed she sees that her Gram isn't crazy after all and she is thrust into a new world filled with creatures both good and evil.

Zoltack's story is well described containing a refreshing angle in the paranormal genre. If you love the paranormal then you'll definitely enjoy this adventure into Ana's world. So many creatures are mentioned leading you to believe that so much more is coming...hopefully a full length novel of Ana's adventures. MORE PLEASE!!

About the Author:

Nicole Zoltack loves to write fantasy/paranormal, romances, horror, historical, for adults and young adults, novels, short stories, and flash pieces. She doesn't want to get boxed in by genre -- she might be claustrophobic! When she isn't writing about girls wanting to be knights, talking unicorns, and zombies, she spends time with her loving family. She loves to ride horses (pretending their unicorns, of course!) and going to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, dressed in period garb. Her current favorite TV show is The Vampire Diaries.

You can find more of Zoltack's work at Smashwords here.

Review: Being by T.R. Mousner

2011-04-25T00:01:00.003-05:00

Summary:

For elite extraterrestrial pilot EBN-Reyoz-X, awaiting rescue while hiding out in a trailer park in Lancaster, California, is a grueling nightmare. She’s injured, lacks proper supplies and can’t blend in with the indigenous population because she’s seven feet tall and can’t control the trail of wildflowers blooming in the wake of her footsteps. She’s unprepared to begin sexual maturity in the alien land and when she develops feelings for Shale, the mute teenage boy next door, she’s convinced circumstances can get no worse.

Except rescue never comes and once word spreads that her touch holds miraculous healing abilities, EBN must find a way to fix her ship, evade capture by the United States Air Force and survive long enough to return home.

My Take:

I wasn't sure what to expect from "Being." Science fiction is not one of my favorite genre as they do tend to lean strongly on the Star Trekky feel which I can't stand. Mousner keeps the plot fresh and exciting giving non sci-fi lovers a taste of science fiction.

EBN is a fantastic character. She's super courageous and brave like you wouldn't believe. Put aside the fact that she's from another planet. EBN has the power to heal too.Honestly, I'd like to see more characters with her qualities in YA.

Overall, Mousner's writing style is amazing making for a fast paced enjoyable read. She creates a vivid image for the reader as if you were a character yourself. Who wouldn't enjoy reading a book like that? This is the perfect book for readers who haven't taken the sci-fi plunge. Readers that enjoyed Gini Koch's Touch By An Alien or Stephenie Meyer's The Host will really enjoy were Being takes you. I only want one thing, more of EBN.

Review: Die For Me by Amy Plum

2011-04-24T00:01:00.001-05:00

Summary:

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

My Take:

I’ve read a ton of mixed reviews for “Die For Me” and was not quite sure what to expect when I received it for review. I can only say that I absolutely loved Amy Plum’s vision of the paranormal world. While the paranormal and urban fantasy genre is saturated with novels containing a lot of the same old stories, “Die For Me” stands out amongst the others.

Kate’s parents died recently and she is being thrust into a new life in Paris, where she is to live with her grandparents. Kate takes the death of her parents hard and is having trouble moving on with her life. She meets a mysterious and handsome guy, Vincent, and he has a secret.

“Die For Me” is a fantastic paranormal adventure that takes us up and down the streets of Paris. The city life is vividly described, making it feel as though you are right there with Kate as she visits her favorite coffee shop, takes a walk with her sister, or while on a date with Vincent. The pace of the novel keeps you enthralled and dying to know what will happen next as the plot unfolds.

The paranormal details are fresh and exciting, giving readers who enjoy the genre something new to devour. Good versus Evil rears its head, adding drama and action to an already brilliantly written romance. I highly recommend “Die For Me” to readers that enjoy the paranormal genre. Plum is an author to keep your eye on.

Review: Zitface by Emily Howse

2011-04-22T11:01:00.001-05:00

Summary:

A teenage actress finds her life turned upside down when she develops severe acne. A strong debut novel that is both funny and moving. Subject has not been addressed in this fashion before.

My Take:

Olivia Hughes is a beautiful girl that loves being in commercials. She considers herself lucky, but her luck is about to change. Olivia is signed on for a national advertisement for a waterpark, only to wake up one morning to find a pimple on her chin. In her world, this pimple is a huge problem and she’s having a difficult time dealing with it and the bullying that comes along with it.

“Zitface” is a fantastic read for young girls entering puberty and experiencing the dreaded acne. Howse did a fabulous job adding bullying into this entertaining, fast-paced read. Bullying is sadly a big problem in schools today, so using is to tell Olivia’s story was perfect for “Zitface”.

The characters had very realistic qualities that teens can easily relate to. Each one brought something new to the overall plot. Olivia and Theo were my favorites of all the characters because they each had a specific issue that really drew me to them. While the other characters were great, they really didn’t stand out that much in the story.

In 202 short pages, Howse manages to reel you in and keep you enthralled in Olivia’s situation as she battles not only her acne and her friends, but her family situation too. This is a great book for tweens and teens alike, as it lightly touches on tough topics that our youth deal with regularly.

Win my gently read ARC copy of Zitface then check out the Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop here.
Giveaway Ends April 25th.

Review: The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett

2011-04-20T00:01:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Unrepentant book thief Gilkey has stolen a fortune in rare books from around the country. Yet unlike most thieves, who steal for profit, Gilkey steals for love—the love of books. Perhaps equally obsessive, though, is Ken Sanders, the self-appointed "bibliodick" driven to catch him. Sanders, a lifelong rare book collector and dealer turned amateur detective, will stop at nothing to catch the thief plaguing his trade.

In following both of these eccentric characters, journalist Allison Hoover Bartlett plunged deep into a world of fanatical book lust, and ultimately found herself caught between the many people interested in finding Gilkey's stolen treasure and the man who wanted to keep it hidden: the thief himself. With a mixture of suspense, insight, and humor, Bartlett has woven this cat-and-mouse chase into a narrative that not only reveals exactly how Gilkey pulled off his crimes and how Sanders eventually caught him, but also explores the romance of books, the lure to collect them, and the temptation to steal them. All collectors have stories of what first made them fall in love, and Gilkey and Sanders are no different. Bartlett puts their stories into the larger context of book passion, collection, and theft through the ages.

My Take:

As an avid reader, I covet the works of my favorite authors. It is an obsession, to say the very least. Locating these literary works and meeting the authors is a large part of the obsession that leads to my obtaining these much-coveted items in my own personal collection. What is it that you covet in the literary world?

Bartlett delves deep into the literary world of collectors in this amazing true-crime novel. She introduces us to John Gilkey, a man that is obsessed with owning rare books. His need to have his own personal collection really takes him beyond the average collector’s need to collect. I found his story to be entertaining and very realistic. It was interesting to see just how far he would go to acquire what he wanted.

With every thief there is sure to be a detective hot on his/her trail, trying desperately to solve the crimes he/she as committed; “The Man That Loved Books Too Much” is no different. Ken Sanders is that detective. To go one step further, Ken, is also a book dealer. I didn’t get the typical cop/detective feel from Ken. He wasn’t fully forthcoming with details, which I did find slightly annoying. The chase was what intrigued me most in regards to Ken.

Overall, Bartlett told an amazing story of two men giving the reader a bird’s eye view of the book collector’s world. Bartlett’s research definitely showed with the turn of each page. Readers that enjoy true crime will be entertained and enthralled in this thrilling tale where book collecting and crime become one.

Review: Quicksilver by Joy Spraycar

2011-04-18T00:01:00.001-05:00

Summary:

A recurring nightmare holds Serry Miller in its grip and has for most of her life. In spite of her fear of the man who becomes a monster, she's in love with him. Not only does she have nightmares while she sleeps, she's living in one with an abusive, alcoholic husband. When, Serry's drunken husband hit's Quinton Worthington's car, she sees the face of the man from her nightmares on a stretcher entering the hospital. When he looks at her and calls her by her name, she is plummeted into a life that she has only dreamed about. Quinton Worthington has suffered for over a hundred years. That's when his evil father ripped Serenity, the love of Quinton's life, from him. At the same time, he changed Quinton into a monster. When Quinton sees Serry's face in the hospital, he believes that Serenity has come back, and he will do anything to be with her. There's only one thing that stands in their way of having the life they want: Quinton's father.

My Take:

Quicksilver has a lot to offer readers of the paranormal genre. If werewolves, betrayal, and romance are what you’re looking for in your next paranormal read then this book is for you.

Spraycar has created a fantastic plot that takes you from the Quinton’s past were he became a Were and lost the love of his life in childbirth then quickly thrusts you into the future. The time jumps are somewhat annoying to me. Keeping myself engaged in the story was difficult at times. Serry’s nightmares were interesting to me as that is when the story seemed to come alive for me.

Overall, this is a fast paced, paranormal debut novel. I’m just not sure it’s as good as it could be. The time jumps are my biggest complaint they just didn’t allow the plot to flow like it could have. Time Jumps aside Spraycar told an interesting Were story.

Review: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

2011-04-17T00:01:00.015-05:00

Summary:

Here’s the deal: Aunt Peg, the New York artist and the person Ginny Blackstone depended on to make her life interesting, took off to Europe without a word three years ago. Aside from a few postcards, Ginny hasn’t heard much. Then she gets a horrible phone call that changes everything.

But the story is only beginning. Soon after, Ginny receives one little blue envelope from Aunt Peg containing a thousand dollars and some very strange instructions…

And with that, she is sent off to pick up a package containing twelve similar envelopes, which she can open one by one, as instructed. Each letter contains a task that Ginny must perform.

Soon, the mild-mannered and quiet Ginny (who’s barely made it out of New Jersey before) finds herself running from London to Paris to Rome, and beyond. Along the way, she collects a number of new friends, including: a manager from Harrods department store who runs errands for the rich and famous, a handsome but maddening thief-turned-playwright, a celebrity painter who tattoos the names of her dead pets on her body, and the angriest vegetable salesman in all of France.

As time goes on, Ginny realizes that her aunt has sent her on a mission, and that there is something big waiting for her in the thirteenth envelope. All she has to do is make it from place to place and complete all of the tasks that have been set before her.

As if life is that easy.

My Take:

Ginny is goes on the journey of a lifetime with no clue what is in store for her. Her Aunt Peg disappeared, leaving no clue as to where she went. She receives word that her Aunt has passed away and that she is to go on a quest, taking only what will fit in a backpack. Easy enough, right? Ginny must follow the directions in the 13 little blue envelopes, each one requiring her to fulfill a challenge before opening the next one.

I absolutely loved the adventure this book offered. The excitement of what was to come and what crazy Aunt Peg would have her do next kept me reading into the night. This is a fabulously fun read.

The characters were very well developed, adding intensity to each step of the puzzle. Ginny definitely had that shy girl quality that made the journey so much fun. Seeing her grow as a person as she come closer to the final envelope was brilliantly executed. Keith, on the other hand, was difficult to like. Sometimes he was a total jerk that annoyed me to no end but, on occasion, he would surprise me by acting like a descent person.

Overall, Ginny’s journey kept me on the edge of my seat, dying to know what would happen next. Johnson concocted a super fun read. This is a beautiful story of family, life experiences, and learning to be open to living life to its fullest. I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a fantastic, entertaining read. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series titled, “The Last Little Blue Envelope,” to be released April 26th.

Review: Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey (Drake Chronicles #2)

2011-04-15T23:00:00.012-05:00

Summary:

It's been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she's made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That's if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.
The clans are gathering for Helena's royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha's reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself—the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.

My Take:

“Blood Feud” picks up were “Hearts At Stake,” the first book in the Drake Chronicles, left off. Helena’s coronation as the new vampire queen is underway. Trouble is brewing and Leander Montmartre’s need for power is behind it all. Isabeau is ready to confront the one that left her for dead after turning her into a creature of the night. Love is in the air as Isabeau meets Logan.

I wasn’t as excited with this installment as I was with “Hearts At Stake”. Changing the focus of the story from the intriguing characters (Solange, Lucy, Keiran, and Nicholas) is something I didn’t see coming. It felt as if the story hadn’t continued as a series should but had, in fact, started over, turning the main characters into side characters. The only common factor was the continuation of the plot itself. Isabeau and Logan were great, don’t get me wrong, but just didn’t have the spark the others did.

Harvey’s writing style is enough to keep you involved in the characters and the forming relationships as the plot moves forward. The world building is fantastic, giving the reader a clear image of the characters and their environment.

Overall, I am still dying to find out what happens next for the Drake’s. Harvey’s unique twist on the vampire world is refreshing. The Drake Chronicles is a great paranormal read that’s sure to be enjoyed by those that enjoy the paranormal or urban fantasy genres.

Series Reading Order:

Hearts At Stake #1
Blood Feud #2
Out For Blood #3

Review: Invincible by Sherrilyn Kenyon

2011-04-13T22:51:00.000-05:00

Summary:

Nick Gautier’s day just keeps getting better and better. Yeah, he survived the zombie attacks, only to wake up and find himself enslaved to a world of shapeshifters and demons out to claim his soul.

His new principal thinks he’s even more of a hoodlum than the last one, his coach is trying to recruit him to do things he can’t even mention and the girl he’s not seeing, but is, has secrets that terrify him.

But more than that, he’s being groomed by the darkest of powers and if he doesn’t learn how to raise the dead by the end of the week, he will become one of them.

My Take:

Kenyon’s “Invincible” radiates with the qualities of her fantastic Dark-Hunter world. After reading “Infinity” I wasn’t sure if the Chronicles of Nick series would rate anywhere close to the awesome that is her adult series. I was so very wrong. The zombie action is over and done with, opening the door to the writing style, action, and paranormal intrigue I have grown to love from her works.

Nick is more grown up in this installment, leaving behind that annoying little boy persona he had in "Infinity." His family history is made clearer, which explains a lot about him. The cast of characters is quite colorful, adding loads of excitement to each chapter.

There is one character that really blows my mind and while her part was very small in this installment, I do hope to see her play a larger role in future installments. Anyway, that awesome character is none other than Simi. She’s outrageously fun to read about. Her personality and her actions never cease to amaze me. What more can you ask from a demon? In her case, not much. She’s the life of the party. LOL

Overall, I couldn’t put “Invincible” down. Each page was better than the one before. Kenyon fans will love the new direction this installment takes in comparison to "Infinity." I highly recommend reading this series if you love the paranormal genre. More please!

Series Reading Order:
1. Infinity
2. Invincible

Review: Put On Your Crown by Queen Latifah

2011-04-12T00:01:00.002-05:00

Summary:

Modeled after Maria Shriver's Just Who Will You Be, Queen Latifah's goal with Put On Your Crown is to help young women build a strong sense of self-esteem. A US Dept. of Justice survey found that females ages 16-24 are more vulnerable to partner violence than any other group, almost triple the national average. Cases like Chris Brown's assault on pop star Rihanna showed an ugly side of adolescent life. However, Queen Latifah has always been a shining example of a woman happy with herself and unwilling to compromise to fit into the "hollywood ideal" of what a confident beautiful woman should look like. The result: She's one of the biggest A-list celebrities in Hollywood.

My Take:

Our society is littered with women that are plagued with low self-esteem. We’ve all had the chance to see ads, movies, events, etc that tell us women should be like this and not like that; to be accepted and beautiful, you should be or act or look a certain way. Well, you won’t find that nonsense here. In “Put On Your Crown,” Queen Latifah shares moments of her life with us that make her who and what she stands for today.

In less than two hundred pages, the Queen gives words of encouragement and advice in a plethora of categories. For example, “Beauty-Diversity is beauty. Women come in all shapes and sizes.” It’s common knowledge that we are all very different but she takes beauty one-step further. After she became a model/spokeswoman for Cover Girl, her mission became one to inspire all women and help them see that if she could be a Cover Girl, so could they.

Overall, Queen Latifah’s use of her personal life and experiences blended well with her advice. She definitely put her heart and soul into each and every page. I highly recommend “Put On Your Crown” to women of all ages. This is one of those books that should be passed around and worn out. So Put On Your Crown, step into the world of the Queen, and be inspired by her life and your own.

Review: The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

2011-04-12T00:01:00.001-05:00

Summary:

Gabry lives a quiet life, secure in her town next to the sea and behind the Barrier. She's content to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. Home is all she's ever known, and all she needs for happiness.

But life after the Return is never safe, and there are threats even the Barrier can't hold back.

Gabry's mother thought she left her secrets behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, but like the dead in their world, secrets don't stay buried. And now, Gabry's world is crumbling.

One night beyond the Barrier...

One boy Gabry's known forever and one veiled in mystery...

One reckless moment, and half of Gabry's generation is dead, the other half imprisoned.

Gabry knows only one thing: if she is to have any hope of a future, she must face the forest of her mother's past.

Teaser: (from Pg 24)

…Then there’s a crunch. The sound of an old man cracking all his fingers at once. And there’s nothing left but Catcher kneeling and panting. His hands still grip Mellie’s head, her neck broken and body finally motionless.
He looks up at me, his arms slipping from her hair and dangling by his sides. Blood pools down his forearm and drips from his fingers. But that’s not what I’m staring at. I’m staring at the crescent-shaped wound along the edge of his shoulder. I’m staring at where he was bitten…

My Take:

Carrie Ryan has done it again. She has managed to keep the zombie love alive, filling it with adventure and mystery. I was shocked at how much I enjoyed "The Forest of Hands and Teeth" given the Zombiesque feel of it all. But I did and I’m a hardcore Ryan fan now.

"The Dead-Tossed Waves" gives us a whole new look at not only the Unconsecrated, but the uninfected as well. Adding a military type feel with the Militiamen was a nice touch. It added to the already intense fear factor with the Unconsecrated, Mudo, and Breakers.

Gabry was a strong character that I truly enjoyed. Her interest and loyalty to Cathcer only made me like her that much more.

The teaser above was from one of the most intense sections for me. I was saddened by Catcher being bitten and thought, "OMG he can't change into one of those things. That would totally ruin everything." Well it didn't and I'm sticking to it. Yep! It turned out to be a fantastic twist for me. You'll see.

As for the ending, I was SHOCKED, to say the very least. I just didn’t see it coming. It totally blew my mind that I didn’t catch it earlier on. I highly recommend that you read this series even if you don’t like zombies; you’ll definitely enjoy Ryan’s spin on them.

Series Reading Order:

The Forest of Hands and Teeth #1
The Dead-Tossed Waves #2
The Dark and Hollow Places #3

Review: The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

2011-04-05T23:10:00.000-05:00

Summary:

Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

Teaser:

..."What happened?" Her voice was low but steady.
"I think you already know." Xan's voice was muffled, his back a painful map of loss and history.
Shaking her head, even though she knew he couldn't see her, Donna tried to reply. "No, I don't know. I don't."
"It's where they tore out my wings."

My Take:

"The Iron Witch" was one of the debuts I couldn’t wait to get my hands on. Mahoney’s mixing of alchemy and the world of the Fae is fascinating, as I haven’t come across anything even remotely like it before. The characters as individuals are smart and well developed, pulling you into their individual stories and the plot as a whole. Donna's overall strength made her a likeable character that was easy to root for as the going got tough. One thing that I did find annoying was the constant wearing of the velvet gloves. Enough already; take them off and let the beauty that is you be seen. Prove to everyone you aren’t a freak.

Overall, Mahoney’s "The Iron Witch" was slow to start but finished with a bang. If you love reading about the world of the Fae, then this book will add a nice twist for you. I would like to have seen more of the Order of the Dragon or the alchemy world in general, as more groups were mentioned. I look forward to reading more of this new series to find out where Mahoney takes us next.

Series Reading Order:

The Iron Witch #1
The Wood Queen #2 (TBR-2012)
The Stone Demon #3 (TBR 2013)

Review: The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

2011-04-01T00:01:00.002-05:00

Summary:

Lights shine in the city of Ember—but at the city limits the light ends, and darkness takes over. Out there in the Unknown Regions, the darkness goes on forever in all directions. Ember—so its people believe—is the only light in the dark world.

And now the lights are going out.

Is there a way to save the people of Ember? No one knows. But Lina Mayfleet has found a puzzling document, and Doon Harrow has made discoveries down in the Pipeworks. With these clues, they start their search.

Teaser: (from Pg. 188)

…“What does ‘Candles’ mean?” Lina said, puzzled. She took out one of the white rods. It felt slick, almost greasy.
“And what does ‘Matches’ mean?” said Doon. “Matches what?” He took one of the small sticks from its packet. The blue stuff on the end was not wood. “Could it be something to write with? Like a pencil? Maybe it writes blue.”
“But what’s the point of a whole box of tiny pencils?” asked Lina. I don’t understand.”

My Take:

"The City of Ember" is the first book of the Ember series. Although I haven’t had a chance to search out the movie adaptation, I will be doing so very soon.

Lina Mayfleet and her partner, Doon Harrow, set out on an adventure that will change not only their lives, but the population of Ember as well. The people of Ember have been experiencing electrical blackouts more frequently and all fear the day the lights will go out forever.

Lina stumbles upon a strange box that contains instructions but before she can read them, her sister all but destroys it. With only fragments left of the mysterious letter, she begins to attempt to decipher the note. She enlist the help of a former classmate, Doon, and soon they are wandering around in the darkness of Ember, searching for the clues left in the old note. Each wonders if the note leads to a way out of the city and if it does, what awaits them?

DuPrau’s city of Ember is dark and gloomy, with hints of mystery spread throughout. The characters (Lina and Doon) really keep you entranced in the goings on from page one, not letting you slip away from the world they wish to escape. The blurb above is one of my favorite parts of the book and I couldn’t help but laugh a little. The limitations the characters had in regards to the history of the people of Ember is a great addition to the mystery of the plot.

I highly recommend this amazing series to anyone that enjoys "Delirium", "Matched", or dystopian novels in general.

Series Reading Order:

The City of Ember #1
The People of Sparks #2
The Prophet of Yonwood #3
The Diamond of Darkhold #4

Review: Babe In Boyland by Jody Gehrman

2011-03-31T00:01:00.017-05:00

Summary:

When high school junior Natalie-or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper-is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected-especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?

My Take:

Natalie AKA Dr Aphrodite gives relationship advice in a column for her high school paper. While the girls are crazy for the advice she dishes out, the guys aren't. Natalie soon finds out that she knows a lot less than she should and comes up with the perfect way to get the answers she needs about boys. She goes where no girl dare go and enrolls in an all boys school as Nat.

Natalie is too funny for words as she straddles the line between the world of boys and girls. Her experiences made me laugh throughout the story. When she became Nat, there were times I thought how will she pull this off and, shockingly enough, she managed to pulled a rabbit out of a hat.

I wondered how or if the cover tied into the story and was pleased to find out the answer to my question. It does tie in very well, and that's all I'm going to say about it. Just read it and you'll see for yourself. LOL

Overall, this was an amazingly fun read that you don't want to put down. Gehrman can definitely spin a fabulous tale that teens will love to read over and over again. I highly recommend you grab a copy of "Babe In Boyland".

Review of Alien Tango by Gini Koch

2011-03-30T00:01:00.002-05:00

Summary:

It's been five months since marketing manager Katherine "Kitty" Katt started working with the aliens from Alpha Centauri, and she and Jeff Martini are getting closer. But when an experimental spacecraft is mysteriously returned to the Kennedy Space Center, Kitty and the rest of her team are called in to investigate. Now the team must survive murderous attacks, remove a space entity from a group of astronauts, and avoid an unhinged woman with a serious crush on Kitty's high school boyfriend. And that's all before evil masterminds decide Kitty's extermination is vital.

Books in the series:

1.    Touched by an Alien (read review)
2.    Alien Tango
3.    Alien in the Family (release date: April 5, 2011)
4.    Alien Proliferation (release date: December 6, 2011)
5.    Alien Diplomacy (release date: 2012)
6.    Alien vs. Alien (release date: 2012)

My View:

I absolutely loved the first book in the series, “Touched by an Alien,” and was a little worried that “Alien Tango” would be unable to live up to the high expectations I had for it. It turns out I had nothing to fear.

AT picks up about five months after the events of TBAA. Kitty is more comfortable in her role as commander of Airborne Division, she has the perfect relationship with Alpha Centaurion Jeff Martini, and the alien parasite problem seems to be on the decline. It’s the proverbial quiet before the storm as Kitty and the gang get wrapped up in a government power-play, discover a new group of bad guys, and discover an ex-boyfriend who still carries a big torch for Kitty. On top of all that, Kitty gets to face the biggest challenge of them all – finally meeting Jeff’s parents.

The Martini family was a welcome addition to the storyline and I hope they continue to pop up in the future. Jeff’s dad, Alfred, was my personal favorite and it was interesting to see how father and son interacted together. The two are definitely cut from the same cloth but there’s truth to the old philosophy about being too close to a situation to be able to see the big picture. Jeff’s mom, Lucinda, is the type of person that makes you wonder how two people got together in the first place. Alfred is funny, warm, and always ready to pick on people. Lucinda seems to be the exact opposite. To say her first meeting with Kitty has a significant effect on the dynamics of Alpha Centauri life would be a profound understatement.

The Martini family isn’t the only set of new characters we’re introduced to. We meet P.T.C.U. agent Kevin, who previously worked with Kitty’s mom, and we finally get to meet Conspiracy Chuckie. We’ve been hearing Chuck’s voice on the phone since TBAA and he finally gets to step out of the background this time. I was very happy to see how he was worked into the story because everything makes perfect sense. We’re also introduced to ACE. Unfortunately, I can’t say too much about this particular character because there are too many spoilers attached, but ACE is truly unforgettable.

If the gator on the cover has enticed your curiosity, I can promise that it’s not there just because awesome artist Daniel Dos Santos decided to put it there. One word – Alliflash. You’ll have to read the book to find out more. Be ready to have your nerves stretched thin because this is one tense scene.

I have one warning for you. AT provides a peek at "Alien in the Family." Do NOT read it. I did and now I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of this book… and it’s not here yet. It won’t be released until April 5th. I’m telling you that you really don’t want this kind of pain. Avoid the sneak peek and spare yourself.

If you loved TBAA then you should definitely get "Alien Tango" because the Kitty Kat series continues to be a defining force in sci-fi for women, as well as for those who don’t normally like the sci-fi genre.

Review: In The Storm by Karen Metcalf

2011-03-29T00:01:00.003-05:00

Summary:

Abandoned by the world around her, Carly believes she is fated to a life of torment at the hands of her stepfather and is desperate for an escape. When she can bear the abuse no longer and gives in to a thunderous rage, she suddenly finds herself in an unfamiliar, yet beautiful, storm world. This limbo between dimensions appears to be her private sanctuary, but it may just be her purgatory.

My Take:

Carly and her younger brother, Mitch, are living a life of fear. Their stepfather, Richard, is a total jerk that takes pleasure in causing them pain. Everything comes down to a game with this man…if we can even call him that. Carly looks after her brother, protecting him as much as she can. One night she gets angry and - CLICK - she’s transported to another world, a storm world where she is safe from Richard. The downside to Carly’s escape into this world is that she cannot bring her brother with her.

In the Storm is a realistic and unbelievably intense read that is overflowing with emotion. Metcalf’s descriptions of Carly’s family life, as well as the world she escapes to, are captivating. Using emotions as a foundation for In the Storm made it easy to connect with the protagonist and feel everything she felt as the story progressed. I did find it interesting to see how Carly’s daily life not only affected her internally, but the storm world as well. The storm world changing as she changed was interesting and unique.

In the Storm is well written with more than enough to keep you hanging on every single word. I would like to see Metcalf delve deeper into Carly’s storm world so that we could fully experience this part of Carly and all it has to offer. Overal,l I found this to be an enjoyable read that definitely pulls at your emotions, I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading YA.

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2011-03-28T00:01:00.019-05:00

Summary:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival.

My Take:

I've heard so much about this series and wondered what all the fuss was about, so I finally decided to jump into it head first and find out for myself. I'm glad that I did.

"The Hunger Games" is an amazingly gripping tale of a young girl that takes her sister's place in a deadly game. I was mesmerized not only by the game, but the fantastic characters. Katniss is one character that I cannot get out of my mind; she's everything you could ever want in a heroine. The other participants in the game are beneath her in their thinking, as Katniss did not stoop to the level of killing a single soul. The things she faces are more than most could stand in a lifetime, much less in the short amount of time she experiences them.

The ending was not what I expected and I was let down in a way by it. That doesn't mean I didn't like it; it's the exact opposite actually. I loved the heck out of it. I just felt a little let down by the way Katniss and Peeta left me hanging. If, like me, you have been putting this series off, don't put it off any longer. You're missing out on a larger-than-life story.

Review: Clarity by Kim Harrington

2011-03-24T00:01:00.016-05:00

Summary:

When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?
This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

My Thoughts:

Clarity “Clare” Fern is special, but not in a way that should make you feel sorry for her. She, like the rest of her family, has special gifts that set them apart from the rest of the community. Clarity sticks out like a sore thumb and really wants to blend in with everyone else, but that isn’t in the cards.

After a young girl is murdered in her small town, she finds herself smack dab in the middle of the investigation. Who would want to kill this young girl? And why? Clarity uses her special gift in an attempt to bring the murderer to justice.

The characters were well developed and fun. The Fern family adds a colorful quality unlike any fictional family I’ve read about in a while. The powers they all possess are well described, adding depth and necessity to each of them. Clarity’s mother has the ability to read thoughts, which would definitely be the end for most teens, but Clarity and her brother work around it creatively.

Harrington’s “Clarity” reels you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat with each turn of the page. There were so many times I asked myself who did it? Only to find my thoughts were dashed into oblivion moments later. This is a twisting tale of murder that will definitely keep you guessing.

Review: Spiderwork by L.K. Rigel

2011-03-23T00:01:00.017-05:00

Summary:

Her fate was to hold the world together. His destiny was to tear it apart.

As a child, Durga was chosen by the goddess to save humanity from sterility and extinction. When her eighteenth birthday approaches she must take her place among the chalices, women blessed by the goddess to provide more souls for the universe. Khai, the scion of Luxor, is unlike any man Durga has ever met. He falls hard for her and isn't afraid to show it -- but accepting his love could destroy everything she's been commanded by the goddess to build.

Char Meadowlark, once touched by the goddess Asherah, has now been discarded. Her lover Jake Ardri now heads an emerging city-state and desperately wants Char to be his queen. When Jake's enemies expose his one weakness, his very existence is threatened. To save Jake, Char must share him with a beautiful chalice -- whose purpose is to take Jake to the heights of sexual ecstasy.

My Take:

If the beautiful cover doesn't make you want to read this, the summary will definitely suck you into this gripping story. After I read "Hero Material," I knew I had to find out what was in store for Char and Jake as well as what was left of the population. It has been a ride I would recommend anyone take. Don't let the science-fiction feel of "Hero Material" deter you from this series because it has so much to offer.

"Spiderwork" picks up where "Hero Material" (formerly "Space Junque") left off. Jake's ship, the Space Junque, crashed. The rebuilding of the world has begun and Jake is front and center in the effort. Char has been discarded by the goddess and she soon realizes that Jake is to be saved by one of the marked chalices. This definitely caused me to raise my eyebrows and think, WTF.

Overall, Rigel created one hell of a world filled with characters that you could really get attached to. The world itself is still in the beginning stages of being rebuilt and I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next. I would definitely recommend this series to readers that are curious about science fiction but don't want to get all Star Trekky. The romance really brings this series to a whole new level, leaving the sci-fi factors in the dust, so to speak.

Review: Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

2011-03-22T00:01:00.012-05:00

Summary:

In the early days of the Civil War, rumors of gold in the frozen Klondike brought hordes of newcomers to the Pacific Northwest. Anxious to compete, Russian prospectors commissioned inventor Leviticus Blue to create a great machine that could mine through Alaska’s ice. Thus was Dr. Blue’s Incredible Bone-Shaking Drill Engine born.

But on its first test run the Boneshaker went terribly awry, destroying several blocks of downtown Seattle and unearthing a subterranean vein of blight gas that turned anyone who breathed it into the living dead.

Now it is sixteen years later, and a wall has been built to enclose the devastated and toxic city. Just beyond it lives Blue’s widow, Briar Wilkes. Life is hard with a ruined reputation and a teenage boy to support, but she and Ezekiel are managing. Until Ezekiel undertakes a secret crusade to rewrite history.

His quest will take him under the wall and into a city teeming with ravenous undead, air pirates, criminal overlords, and heavily armed refugees. And only Briar can bring him out alive.

My Take:

Seattle is in turmoil due to the maiden voyage of the Boneshaker. It caused major damage and loss of life, leaving an unbelievable path of destruction in its wake. To add to the already bad situation, a terrible gas is turning the citizens of Seattle into Rotters.

Zeke wants to know more about his father and grandfather, but his mother, Briar, doesn't feel up to having that discussion with him. He sets out on a mission to find answers to his questions, but to do that, he must enter what is left of downtown Seattle and take on the deadly blight and rotters.

Overall, "Boneshaker" is a fantastic steampunk adventure. Priest's descriptions and world building kept me enthralled with every turn of the page. Briar was my least favorite character until the very end, when she became the person I hoped she was throughout the story. Zeke on the other hand was Briar's complete opposite, adding a level of adventure and curiosity to the story. Adding a touch of history to this amazing story was a fantastic touch. I'll definitely seek out more of Priest's work in the very near future.

Review: The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

2011-03-21T00:01:00.020-05:00

Summary:

It's the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia's world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she's not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

My Take:

The opening of "The Vespertine" was sad and chilling. You are immediately drawn to the characters' situation and the intense relationship, or lack of one, between Amelia and her brother. The descriptions of the vivid historical settings were enjoyable, providing a brilliantly clear look into the late 1800's. The characters popped out of this backdrop like jack out of his box, surrounding you as you read about them. I did feel at times that the story seemed to bog down and, on occasion, would sadly lose my interest. The visions Amelia had were fantastically written adding a flair to the already vivid plot.

Overall, I would say this is a fantastic historical fiction. Historical fiction can be dry at times but "The Vespertine" offers the reader so much that the few dry spells I encountered aren't really worth mentioning. I found the plot to be quite enjoyable and the setting was very well described, adding a splash of historical color to this pleasurable read.

Guest Blogger Review: The Ghost of a Flea by John Brinling

2011-03-20T00:01:00.066-05:00

Today, I have a special guest so everyone give a great big Welcome to Babs from The World of Book Reviews. Recently I found myself behind and Babs came to my rescue to help me get back on track. I can't thank her enough for her kind words, encouragement, and the helping hand she so graciously offered.

The Down Low:

Time: 1975.
Location: New York City.

The murder of Roger’s musician friend, Gideon Whiting, turns Roger’s world up-side-down. His wife, Natalie, lies to him. His best friend, Ted, lies to him. His boss and U.S. Senate candidate, Charlie Holt, lies to him. And Lieutenant Tarrington, a homicide detective, is convinced Roger killed Gideon—but is Tarrington who he claims to be, or is he lying, too?

Peggy Curtis, the blond bombshell who dropped into Roger’s life one snowy night after he left Gideon’s apartment, might be the only person who can unravel the Gordian knot facing Roger, yet she has serious credibility problems, and is the last person he would want to rely on with his life and freedom on the line.

The drug cartel masterminding much of the chaos seeks an address book it thinks Roger took from Gideon. As their ruthless pursuit intensifies, the police learn of the book and join the chase. The problem is, Roger doesn’t have what they want and he must get it before they decide he is expendable.

Babs View:

What a well written twisty book. It will surely keep you on your toes. I was taken in from the very beginning so fast paced you didn't have time to put this read down. Better yet, you did not want to put the book down. The book is so intriguing you can actually picture yourself in the book. The characters are well written, the facts are believable as the author took his time in research.

I liked the book for its mystery. I could see the pictures, carts etc just like any agent would have. What a fun roller-coaster ride this read was. If you like suspense, thrills, mystery this book is for you. An easy book to get caught up in.

If you would like to know more about John's work visit Smashwords here. He has several different novels and short stories available covering several genres such as mystery, thriller and science fiction. Right now a few are available for FREE on Smashwords. So do check them out.

Review: She Smells The Dead by E.J. Stevens

2011-03-19T00:01:00.038-05:00

Summary:

It's the beginning of senior year and Yuki's psychic awareness of ghostly spirits is threatening to ruin her life. Her ability to sense spirits of the dead isn't glamorous like on TV. SHE SMELLS THE DEAD. Yuki is being visited in her dreams and suspects that her friend Calvin is involved in something strange. Will Yuki be able to save the spirits and herself?

My Take:

First off, I have to say that I love the the lead character's name; it's unique and more than memorable. Yuki can sense the spirits of the departed. Stevens captivates her readers easily with a two part story. Part one is Yuki solving the mystery of the intense odor of the most recent lost soul she needs to help. The second part being the romance blooming between her and her best friend, Calvin. Calvin has a secret that shakes up the plot in a larger than life way when he finally spills the beans, so to speak.

Overall, I found Yuki and Calvin very likable. Each of them added an intensity to the story that kept me wanting more and more, even after the final page was turned. E.J. pulls out all the stops with the first installment to the Spirit Guide series. "Spirit Storm" is the second installment and I'm dying to find out what happens next for Yuki and Calvin as Samhain approaches.

Here's a quick look at the fabulous cover of Spirit Storm, the next book in the series.

Review: Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

2011-03-17T00:01:00.022-05:00

Summary:

Kendall loves her life in small town Cryer’s Cross, Montana, but she also longs for something more. She knows the chances of going to school in New York are small, but she's not the type to give up easily. Even though it will mean leaving Nico, the world's sweetest boyfriend, behind.

But when Cryer’s Cross is rocked by unspeakable tragedy, Kendall shoves her dreams aside and focuses on just one goal: help find her missing friends. Even if it means spending time with the one boy she shouldn't get close to... the one boy who makes her question everything she feels for Nico.

Determined to help and to stay true to the boy she's always loved, Kendall keeps up the search--and stumbles upon some frightening local history. She knows she can't stop digging, but Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

My Take:

"Cryer's Cross" is a creepy YA horror that definitely keeps you enthralled. I loved the flow of McMann's writing; it gives you just enough details to pull you to the next page and at the same time dousing the reader with mystery. The plot unfolded, revealing a sinister past to the small town Kendall loves. The cover definitely fits the story well. As horror is not completely unheard of in YA, it's nice to see McMann splash this genre with an eye popping novel that keeps you on your toes.

Kendall is a fun character to follow as she experiences the voice of her bf coming from his school desk. The creepfest continues and heats up, adding depth to her character that I very much enjoyed. Jacian was a great addition to the character line up. I wondered if he really did have something to do with the missing girl but that thought faded quickly when Nico went missing too.

The horror junkie in me was deeply satisfied. The ending was one I definitely didn't see coming and I loved every detail leading up to that spine-tingling moment. If you like a creepy little horror that keeps you guessing, you'll find "Cryer's Cross" an exceptional read. Grab a copy, turn down the lights, but do put that old desk in the corner of your room in the garage first. We wouldn't want to hear voices now, would we?

Review: The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

2011-03-15T00:01:00.013-05:00

Summary:

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

My Take:

Derting's Violet Ambrose is the equivalent to the Harper Connelly series by Charlaine Harris. "The Body Finder" started off a little slow for my taste but quickly picked up the pace, leaving you holding your breath as the plot began to unfold. The twist in the plot for me was the use of two killers, I was totally shocked and couldn't figure out who the second one could be. When that tidbit was revealed, I was more than shocked. As the final pages came, I was an emotional wreck until the last page revealed that my thought was wrong. Being wrong never felt so good.

Overall, "The Body Finder" is a fantastic read. Getting past the slow beginning is well worth the ride that Derting has mapped out for you. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who would stand still long enough. Buy it; you'll love it. It's a fantastic YA version of the adult series by Charlaine Harris, which I also highly recommend if you like a great thrill. Both of these will keep you gripped to every page.

Review: Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning

2011-03-13T13:33:00.000-05:00

Summary:

“Evil is a completely different creature, Mac. Evil is bad that believes it’s good.”

MacKayla Lane was just a child when she and her sister, Alina, were given up for adoption and banished from Ireland forever.

Twenty years later, Alina is dead and Mac has returned to the country that expelled them to hunt her sister’s murderer. But after discovering that she descends from a bloodline both gifted and cursed, Mac is plunged into a secret history: an ancient conflict between humans and immortals who have lived concealed among us for thousands of years.

What follows is a shocking chain of events with devastating consequences, and now Mac struggles to cope with grief while continuing her mission to acquire and control the Sinsar Dubh—a book of dark, forbidden magic scribed by the mythical Unseelie King, containing the power to create and destroy worlds.

In an epic battle between humans and Fae, the hunter becomes the hunted when the Sinsar Dubh turns on Mac and begins mowing a deadly path through those she loves.

Who can she turn to? Who can she trust? Who is the woman haunting her dreams? More important, who is Mac herself and what is the destiny she glimpses in the black and crimson designs of an ancient tarot card?

From the luxury of the Lord Master’s penthouse to the sordid depths of an Unseelie nightclub, from the erotic bed of her lover to the terrifying bed of the Unseelie King, Mac’s journey will force her to face the truth of her exile, and to make a choice that will either save the world . . . or destroy it.

My Take:

It seemed like it took ages for this book to hit the bookstores but the wait was well worth it. I had so many questions throughout the series and almost all were answered. My main question was, what the heck is Barrons? I was torn between good and bad throughout the entire ride. The shocker for me was finding out who killed Alina. The intensity of this novel was unbelievable, to say the least. So much was going on throughout the 600 pages that I was completely immersed in the world Moning created. The creativity was definitely off the charts in this installment. I just hate that it ended, even though it was time to wrap it all up. With that said, Shadowfever was, in my opinion, the best final chapter of a series to date. Looking back on the series, I want to go back and read it all over again.What a fabulous ride it's been!!

Review: Half-Inch by McCarty Griffin

2011-03-12T13:21:00.000-06:00

Summary:

Pammy has had enough of Bobby, her abusive drunk of a husband. One lovely spring day, she decides to kill him, despite the fact that they will soon be divorced and he will, at least in the eyes of the law, be out of her life for good. Indulging in homicidal daydreams for years has led her to devise her own perfect and completely bizarre plan.

My Take:

"I'm gonna fix you, Bobby Hilts! Just you see if I don't." (pg.15)

This particular line from Half-Inch sets you up for the enthralling pages you will become immersed in. Pammy is a woman on the edge; she may just take a leap that many wouldn’t dare to even attempt. I found myself glued to every word and thought Pammy had or felt as if this was a true life situation. In fact, is feels as though the plot was pulled from a nightly news broadcast. As a lover of horror and crime dramas, this is right up my alley and I would love, yes, love to see this amazing short story become a full length novel. In 67 pages, I was truly amazed at the quality, depth, and extreme emotion it contained. If you haven’t had a chance to read this fabulous story, you should.

Review: The Morcai Battalion: Invictus by Susan Kyle

2011-03-10T00:01:00.000-06:00

Summary:

For almost three years Dtimun, the enigmatic and mysterious Cehn-Tahr commander of the Morcai Battalion, has been at war not only with the Rojok Dynasty, but also with his feisty Medical Chief of Staff, Dr. Madeline Ruszel. Now a surprising visitor from the future has charged them with the rescue of the enemy Rojok, Field Marshal Chacon. To ensure success, both Madeline and Dtimun must make personal sacrifices and attempt a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. Sparks fly as each twisting turn throws them closer together than they've ever been before—can they resist acting on desires they have long denied?

If their plans are discovered, they face exile by their own governments and possibly even execution. But if they do not act, the future will see the end of civilization itself.

My Take:

I was completely shocked when I found out that Susan Kyle is also Diana Palmer. I’ve said in the past that science fiction is not one of my favorite genres and I think that that statement is still true. While I enjoyed the world building in this installment of the Morcai Battalion series I felt as though something was missing. I’m sure that feeling is due to Invictus being the third book of the series. Reading a series out of order is something I rarely do by choice but this particular novel intrigued me. The characters were colorful and interesting but I just didn’t feel connected to them. Overall, the plot was intense and filled with drama. If you enjoy science fiction you will love the way Kyle describes the world she has created.

Review: Almendra a Fairy Tale by Farida Mestek

2011-03-09T00:01:00.026-06:00

Summary:

Almendra, the High Lady of The Upper Kingdom, is doomed. Many years ago, in a fit of rage and broken heart, her mother banished all the men from the country and plunged it into unhappiness. Almendra’s only companions are her old Nanny and Woo, the wolf. To get rid of the curse, Almendra must go to The Land of Men to find love that will restore The Upper Kingdom to all its former glory. But it’s a long way to The Land of Men and the outcome of the journey will change Almendra forever.

My Take:

Imagine for a moment that you lived a life that limited your interaction with the world around you. Almendra, the High Lady of the Upper Kingdom, lives a sad and dull life. She shares every waking day with Woo, a grey wolf, and Nan, her nanny. Amendra has never seen a man before and the word “man” has never been uttered in her home. One day she stumbles upon a trunk filled with treasures, some unique and interesting to her and others not so much. She soon decides to embark on a journey to the Land of Men where she hopes to find love and break the curse her mother cast upon her and the Upper Kingdom forever.

Almendra: A Fairy Tale is a very unique story; unlike any I’ve read. While this is a short novella, it definitely has an interesting cast of colorful characters. The ending is one that you definitely won’t see coming. The history of the Upper Kingdom and the High ladies was fantastic, leaving me wanting to know more details about each of the High Ladies. Mestek includes several illustrations in the novella which, in my opinion, are placed very well within the story, adding a nice view into the authors unique vision of the characters. This is a fast and enjoyable read with an intriguing spin on the classic fairy tale.

Review: Semper Cool by Barry Fixler

2011-03-08T00:01:00.011-06:00

Summary:

Semper Cool is the wrenching, sometimes hilarious and always thought-provoking true story of a mischievous teenager who enlists in the U.S. Marine Corps seeking adventure and his father's approval and finds both, plus more danger than he ever could have imagined. Barry Fixler gets molded into a Marine at boot camp and sent to Vietnam, where he is assigned to a company that would soon etch its place in Marine Corps lore at the legendary Siege of Khe Sanh.

With its vivid imagery, Semper Cool thrusts readers into a "grunt's-eye view" of the blood, guts, tears and laughter of war, as told by a Marine who returned home a proud, patriotic man. Be prepared to laugh and cry and ultimately thank God for the men and women willing to sacrifice their lives for the freedoms that so many Americans enjoy.

My Take:

Semper Cool is one Marine's tale of his experiences during Vietnam. Fixler begins by walking us through the robbery of his jewelry store, then he quickly goes straight into the life of a young officer and beyond. His retelling gives readers a clear image of Vietnam and what it must have been like for not only him but the many other men who served the U.S.

Adding photographs as part of the retelling was a fantastic way to give further insight into a era before my existence. I enjoyed the journey back in time and the valuable insight into a officer's life before, during and after serving his/her country.

Overall, Semper Cool is a remarkable story of one Marine's fond memories of Vietnam but Fixler gladly introduces a number of other Marines. I applaud the giving nature of this Vietnam veteran, not only for giving so freely the details of his experience but for helping wounded veterans by donating all of the proceeds of his book sales to The Barry Fixler Foundation.

Visit the Barry Fixler's website Semper Cool here to watch a video of the robbery of his jewelry store or to find out more about Barry and his novel. Check out The Barry Fixler Foundation here and find out how you can help.

Review: The Unfinished Song: Initiate by Tara Maya

2011-03-07T00:01:00.000-06:00

Summary:

DEADLY INITIATION

A DETERMINED GIRL...
Dindi can't do anything right, maybe because she spends more time dancing with pixies than doing her chores. Her clan hopes to marry her off and settle her down, but she dreams of becoming a Tavaedi, one of the powerful warrior-dancers whose secret magics are revealed only to those who pass a mysterious Test during the Initiation ceremony. The problem? No-one in Dindi's clan has ever passed the Test. Her grandmother died trying. But Dindi has a plan.

AN EXILED WARRIOR...
Kavio is the most powerful warrior-dancer in Faearth, but when he is exiled from the tribehold for a crime he didn't commit, he decides to shed his old life. If roving cannibals and hexers don't kill him first, this is his chance to escape the shadow of his father's wars and his mother's curse. But when he rescues a young Initiate girl, he finds himself drawn into as deadly a plot as any he left behind. He must decide whether to walk away or fight for her... assuming she would even accept the help of an exile.

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 189 KB
Publisher: Misque Press
Released: December 22, 2010

My Take

I’ll start off by saying that the cover art for The Unfinished Song: Initiate is absolutely gorgeous. It definitely attracted my attention long enough to get entranced by the synopsis. I’m always on the look out for a great faerie fantasy and this seemed to be right up my alley.

Maya tells two stories which parallel each other throughout the novel. The first is that of a young girl named Dindi, who loves to dance but has the unfavorable quality of being clumsy. She loves to dance and dreams of becoming a Tavaedie; Becoming a Tavaedi has eluded her family for generations, but she continues to practice for the Initiate that all tell her she is destined to fail at like all have before her.

The second story is that of an exiled warrior named Kavio. He has been exiled from his clan after being falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Kavio is on a journey to a clan in which he plans to ask for asylum.

The characters are colorful, with a depth that shows the author’s creativity. As the plot moves forward, the layers unfold, shedding light on them as powerful individuals in Faearth.

As far as world building goes, I would have enjoyed a more descriptive imagery. My interest seemed to drift off, allowing me to lose interest in the entire story. Creating a captivating world for these fabulously vivid characters wasn’t all it could have been, which is sad because it’s an amazing plot line. The use of dance as a form of magic was definitely intriguing, as I haven’t read anything with that idea thrown into the mix.

Overall, The Unfinished Song: Initiate was interesting enough, with an ending that will definitely leave you wanting to know what’s going to happen next. Will I jump through hoops for the next installment? Probably not. While I love the fantasy genre and the otherworldly creatures that live in it, I just wasn’t in love with this novel.

Review: Firewalker by Allyson James

2011-03-05T00:01:00.011-06:00

Summary:

Janet Begay's Crossroads Hotel has attracted the supernatural ever since it opened. But a new, dark power is rising, this time inside Janet herself. Her boyfriend Mick, a sexy dragon shapeshifter the Navajo call a Firewalker, know what terrifying magic is threatening to overwhelm Janet and her Stormwalker powers. He watches over her, ready to fight for her, to do anything to keep her safe.

But then a mysterious corpse is found near the Crossroads Hotel-and Janet becomes the main suspect. Now Janet and Mick must uncover what really happened, and their investigation leads to the most perilous decision of their lives.

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: November 2, 2010
Series: Stormwalker

My Take:

I absolutely loved the first installment in this series, Stormwalker. It had all the qualities I look for in a great paranormal novel. It was riddled with magic, action, murder, an intense romance and most of all the force of evil. I worked myself up for the release of Firewalker, thinking it would bring even more to the table than Stormwalker did and I was shocked when it didn't. It seemed to be a whole lot of the exact same thing, with the exception of more dragon interaction. I felt as though I had already read it and didn't learn anything new about the characters that I love. One thing that annoyed me to no end was the sheriff, Nash. He knew about the magic and all that comes with it in the first book but seemed to be right back where he was in the first chapters of book one. UGH! It was infuriating. Anyway, I still love Janet and Mick and once again look forward to finding out what happens next.

Overall, Firewalker is average in all ways. The best thing about it for me was the magic mirror. The mirror's attitude and personality was fabulous and laughable, making the novel worth reading. I wanted so much more than was offered with this installment. Better luck next time right?

Review: Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

2011-03-02T22:36:00.000-06:00

Summary:

Bridget Duke is the uncontested ruler of her school. The meanest girl with the biggest secret insecurities. And when new girl Anna Judge arrives, things start to fall apart for Bridget: friends don't worship as attentively, teachers don't fall for her wide-eyed "who me?" look, expulsion looms ahead and the one boy she's always loved—Liam Ward—can barely even look at her anymore.

When a desperate Bridget drives too fast and crashes her car, she ends up in limbo, facing everyone she's wronged and walking a few uncomfortable miles in their shoes. Now she has only one chance to make a last impression. Though she might end up dead, she has one last shot at redemption and the chance to right the wrongs she's inflicted on the people who mean the most to her.

And Bridget's about to learn that, sometimes, saying you're sorry just isn't enough.

My Take:

Bridget isn't the type of girl a person wants to be friends with, and those who are might regret the friendship. I was thrown for a loop with this book; it wasn't what I thought it would be about. I was pleasantly surprised as the plot moved forward as Bridget became aware of the situation she was in. The ending was rather shocking, in my opinion, but a proper ending for the story. It's nice to see that bad girls don't finish first unless they change their ways.

Overall, the writing and character development was great. I found myself torn between liking and hating Bridget through the entire story. It's not the type of story I would generally select for myself but I was glad I grabbed a copy from NetGalley. It was definitely worth reading and I'll make sure to recommend it.

Early Review: Afterlife by Claudia Gray (Evernight series #4)

2011-03-01T00:01:00.011-06:00

Summary:

Destiny awaits Bianca and Lucas . . .

Bianca and Lucas have always believed they could endure anything to be together. When a twist of fate not only transforms Bianca into a wraith but also turns Lucas into a vampire—the very creature he spent his life hunting—they are left reeling.

Haunted by his powerful need to kill, Lucas can turn to only one place for help . . . Evernight Academy. Bianca is determined to remain with him. But with the vampire leader of Evernight waging a war against wraiths, her former home has become the most dangerous place she could be, despite the new powers her ghostly transformation has given her.

A battle between wraiths and vampires looms, and Bianca and Lucas face a terrifying new reality. They've overcome every obstacle life has thrown at them, but is their love strong enough to survive the challenges after life?

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: March 8, 2011
Series: Evernight
Book: 4

My Take:

For the past few years we have followed the action-packed "Evernight" series, and now it's time to find out how the story ends. I'll be honest and say that I was introduced to the Evernight series somewhat recently and I absolutely fell in love with the characters, the plot, and most of all, Gray's creativity and world building. So much has happened to Bianca and Lucas on their journey from Evernight to Afterlife, from their arrival at the Evernight Academy to their astonishing escape from Evernight. And how can we forget about the budding romance between these two fantastic characters. It's utterly impossible, I tell you!

Knowing that Bianca and Lucas were a perfect match for each other was something I thought would turn the entire series on it's rear end but that didn't happen. I kinda liked knowing they would be together instead of wondering if they would. Nice change if you ask me. The chemistry between these two love birds can only be described as electric. They know they want each other and are hellbent on having it stay that way.

Two characters stood out to me as much as Bianca and her beau, Lucas, and they are Balthazar and Mrs. Bethany. Let's just say I have a sweet spot for Balthazar. He actually is more appealing to me than the vampire-hating Lucas. Now Mrs. Bethany was on my crap list from the word go and I was super shocked when a fragment of her past was revealed. Man, it was a shocker and definitely explains her personality.

From start to finish "Afterlife" was a dramatic roller coaster ride filled with vampire and Black Cross action, Wraiths and ghosts, and an ending that makes you wish there was a fifth book coming. Claudia Gray has been catapulted to the top of my most favorite author list and I look forward to seeing just what she has up her sleeve for the coming year.

Would I recommend Afterlife to a friend? Heck yes! I already have actually. So what are you waiting for? Go and pre-order your copy of the dramatic conclusion today or get it while it's hot on March 8th at your favorite bookstore.

Review: Little Sister by V.J. Chambers (a Vampire novella)

2011-02-28T00:01:00.010-06:00

Summary:

Ever since Jane Cassidy's big brother was killed in a car accident six months ago, she's been taking solace in watching cheesy vampire movies and yelling at the characters on the screen when they do stupid things. She can't control the tragedy in her own life, but in the movies, the characters can find ways out of the grip of death.

A chance meeting with Bailey Westfield, her brother's best friend and her childhood crush, catapults her out of her cocoon of grieving. Bailey's kiss makes Jane feel tugged under a rushing waterfall of cold, sweet darkness. She only sees him at night, and she longs to feel his icy fingers trace the outline of her jaw.

Jane doesn't realize that she's been (literally) sucked into the plot of a vampire movie. And she's not so snarky when there are teeth in her own neck.

My Take:

Jane has been sucked into vampire movies in more ways than one. After her brother dies, she uses goofy vampire movies as a means of escape. She goes out one night and happens to run into one of her brother's hot friends, Bailey. Emotions run high as she begins to notice that she is becoming a vampire herself.

"Little Sister" is a super fun read. The characters all bring a spark of satisfaction to the plot. Chambers' use of cheesy or goofy vampire movies is hilarious. There's one thing wrong with this novella; it's simply not long enough. I wanted more as soon as I read the last line. I recommend "Little Sister" to all of you vampire lovers out there.

Right now "Little Sister" is available for .99 at Amazon and Smashwords so grab a copy and get sucked into Jane's world.

Review: Angelfire by Courtney Moulton

2011-02-27T00:01:00.011-06:00

Summary:

First there are nightmares.
Every night Ellie is haunted by terrifying dreams of monstrous creatures that are hunting her, killing her.
Then come the memories.

When Ellie meets Will, she feels on the verge of remembering something just beyond her grasp. His attention is intense and romantic, and Ellie feels like her soul has known him for centuries. On her seventeenth birthday, on a dark street at midnight, Will awakens Ellie's power, and she knows that she can fight the creatures that stalk her in the grim darkness. Only Will holds the key to Ellie's memories, whole lifetimes of them, and when she looks at him, she can no longer pretend anything was just a dream.

Now she must hunt.

Ellie has power that no one can match, and her role is to hunt and kill the reapers that prey on human souls. But in order to survive the dangerous and ancient battle of the angels and the Fallen, she must also hunt for the secrets of her past lives and truths that may be too frightening to remember.

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Released: February 15, 2011
Series: Angelfire Trilogy

My Take:

I'll start off by saying that Moulton has provided readers with a gripping and action packed tale of angels, creating an unforgettable debut. Angelfire is a powerhouse of good versus evil that will definitely make its mark in the YA genre.

Ellie is your average teenage girl until her seventeenth birthday, when she begins having horrible nightmares. The monsters in her nightmares come for her, thrusting her into a war she realizes she has been part of for hundreds of years. Not to mention there is an amazingly hot angel that has the hots for her. Together they fight the forces of evil in an attempt to keep a powerful entity from being set free...an entity that could end Ellie forever.

Ellie and Will are a magical duo. The romance between them is exciting, adding depth to the plot as well as a twist in the end. I really enjoyed the action packed scenes that showed just what the characters were capable of. As Moulton revealed the history between Will and Ellie, I became much more aware of the intense bond they shared and how far they were willing to go to protect each other. I absolutely loved Angelfire and look forward to the continuation of the trilogy. More please!!

Review: Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

2011-02-26T00:01:00.012-06:00

Summary:

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents' rules--especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father's office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be the key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To improve her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen's sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill's accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything--even Tristen's love--just for the thrill of being...bad.

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Released: May 3, 2010

My Take:

This is a great modern-day spin on the old Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tale. I wasn't a fan of the old tale by any means but Fantaskey's retelling of it through descendants was exciting. Jill Jekel's father was murdered and her college tuition money - well, it is gone. Tristen Hyde is searching for a cure to his family's illness that he fears is taking him over with each passing day. The duo sets off to cure Tristen and get Jill the tuition money she so desperately needs.

The plot is electrifying, pulling you along the twisting adventures of this young duo. Fantaskey shocks you with the turn of each page, keeping you on the edge of your seat, waiting to find out what will happen next. Will they cure Tristen? Will Jill get the college tuition she needs? Better yet, will they find out who killed her father? And why? The bond between Jill and Tristen was well deverloped and emotional. If the drama doesn't get you wrapped up in the characters, the romance sure will.

Review: Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley Cartwright

2011-02-25T00:01:00.001-06:00

Summary:

The body of a young girl is discovered in a field of wheat. Her flesh mutilated by telltale claw marks. The Wolf has broken the peace.

When Valerie learns that her sister has been killed by the legendary creature, she finds herself at the center of a dark mystery, one that has plagued her village for generations. It is revealed that the werewolf lives among them, and everyone in the village immediately becomes a suspect. Could her secret love Peter be behind the attacks on her town? Is it her betrothed, Henry? Or someone even closer to her?

As the men in the village hunt for the beast, Valerie turns to her grandmother for help. She gives Valerie a handmade red riding cloak, and guides her through the web of lies and deception that has held her town together for so long. Will Valerie discover the werewolf's identity before the town is ripped apart?

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Poppy
Released: January 25, 2011

My Take

After I saw the movie trailer for this one, I knew that I had to read it. What can I say? I'm a sucker for fairy tales with a twist. Red Riding Hood is a fantastic retelling of the classic. My one and only complaint is there is no ending. Instead, you are directed to a website for the final chapter on March 14... after the movie has hit theaters. This insane set up totally messes up the plan of reading the book first then going to the movie. Oh well!

Overall, I found the characters to be well developed and the plot to move along at a reasonable pace. Cartwright's descriptions of the characters and setting put you within the village as if you have become a villager yourself. I found the changes from the original tale to work very well, adding a spark to the typical Red Riding Hood story. Like I said, my only real complaint was that I purchased a book that was incomplete, leaving me hanging after paying for an entire story. So what happens in the final chapter...who the hell knows!

Even though the final chapter is missing, my rating will be for what is actually there and in no way will reflect said missing chapter. But I wouldn't recommend buying this edition.

What are your thoughts on buying a book that is incomplete and sends you to a website for the rest of the story? Would you return the book upon learning of this or keep it and be satisfied that you can visit a website for the final chapter? Share your thoughts on this in the comments; I'd love to hear what you think.

Review: Vesper by Jeff Sampson

2011-02-22T00:01:00.001-06:00

Summary:

Emily Webb is a geek. And she’s happy that way. Content hiding under hoodies and curling up to watch old horror flicks, she’s never been the kind of girl who sneaks out for midnight parties. And she’s definitely not the kind of girl who starts fights or flirts with other girls’ boyfriends. Until one night Emily finds herself doing exactly that . . . the same night one of her classmates—also named Emily—is found mysteriously murdered.

The thing is, Emily doesn’t know why she’s doing any of this. By day, she’s the same old boring Emily, but by night, she turns into a thrill seeker. With every nightfall, Emily gets wilder until it’s no longer just her personality that changes. Her body can do things it never could before: Emily is now strong, fast, and utterly fearless. And soon Emily realizes that she’s not just coming out of her shell . . . there’s something much bigger going on. Is she bewitched by the soul of the other, murdered Emily? Or is Emily Webb becoming something else entirely— something not human?

As Emily hunts for answers, she finds out that she’s not the only one this is happening to—some of her classmates are changing as well. Who is turning these teens into monsters—and how many people will they kill to get what they want?

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Released: January 25, 2011
Series: Deviants

My Take

After reading so many good reviews of Vesper, I had to buy a copy to add to my ongoing collection of YA books. One would easily come to the conclusion that after reading so many were or vampire books that they tend to all begin to sound the same; basically, boy meets girl and they fall in love. Usually doing so is a no-no in some way. Sampson gives rise to a new breed of were in "Vesper." Forget everything you know about the were community and be prepared to be amazed.

The characters are delightful, exciting, and, above all, adventurous. The plot is twisty like you wouldn't believe, which kept me totally immersed in the plot line. Vesper is a superb paranormal read that is totally exciting to read. I highly recommend you grab a copy and get lost in Sampson's were-world like you never have before.

Havoc is to be the second book in the Deviants series should be available around January 2012.

Review: No Cure For the Broken Hearted by Kenneth Rosenberg

2011-02-20T00:01:00.014-06:00

Summary:

Katherine Spencer is an up-and-coming architect in New York City. Her professional life is on the fast-track. Her personal life is a shambles. Katherine compares every man she ever meets to Nick Bancroft, the billionaire’s son who broke her heart one summer long ago. Now, twelve years later he’s suddenly reappeared, asking her to design a house at the cove where they shared their first kiss. Is he looking for an architect, or something more? And should she forgive him?

Paperback: 278 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace
Released: December 1, 2010

My Take:

Katherine has spent years trying to get over Nick. They met one summer and fell in love. Promises were made and broken. As days turned into weeks and weeks to years, both Katherine and Nick changed. They became closed off from love and each other. She won't date and doesn't seem to care about anything but her job. Nick, on the other hand, is running around without a care. Or so it would seem. He looks her up and attempts to hire her to design a house for him. From there, romance blooms, only to wilt away... but never completely. Will the love they shared all of those years ago bloom again and allow them to see that their love for each other never died.

When I was contacted by the author, I was immediately intrigued. Usually it's because of the plot or cover but not this time. The fact the the author writing a romance of this nature, and from the female characters POV, just happens to be a man, well that got my attention. I'll say this - Rosenburg is fantastic and I absolutely loved everything about the story, characters, plot, as well as the way the story flowed so smoothly. I do hope that you will all check out this wonderful novel. The romance of it all truly sets it apart from others. The use of organizations similar to Doctors without Borders added a special touch that I absolutely enjoyed. If I could give a rating higher than a five, I darn sure would!!

Review: The Patriot Paradox by William Esmont

2011-02-15T00:01:00.011-06:00

Summary:

Conscience can be a killer.

A plot to kill a nation, hatched by a secret cabal of ex-cold warriors intent on finishing the war that defined their existence.

One man, who in a crisis of conscience, passes information about the plot to his brother, a shattered soul living on the edges of society.

When Kurt Vetter learns of his brother's murder, he has no idea how far he will travel, how much he will sacrifice, in order to uncover the truth. With the help of Amanda Carter, a shadowy figure from his brother's past, he races across the globe, staying one step ahead of a trained assassin, in a desperate bid to prevent the unthinkable from becoming reality.

Paperback: 250 pages
Publisher: Cross Country Publishing
Released: December 19, 2010

My Take:

Mike Vetter has taken something that doesn't belong to him. He's being tracked by co-workers who would rather see him dead than allow him to leak the information he has taken from them. In no time at all, his life is over... but not before he sends the package to his brother, Kurt. This special package finds its way to Kurt, giving birth to a wild journey overseas. Kurt locates a woman, Amanda, and together they try to solve a conspiracy within the CIA, if they can stay alive long enough to do it.

Esmont can tell an action packed story like you wouldn't believe. The pace is set from page one and never let's up. I was concerned at first that references to the details of the CIA might get a little to detailed and cause me to lose interest but that didn't happen. Esmont definitely found a balance that allows anyone to pick up this novel and enjoy every page.

Early Review: Anyone Can Die by James LePore

2011-02-14T00:01:00.047-06:00

Summary:

Anyone Can Die is made up of three stories written to accompany A World I Never Made. They stand alone as dramatic works, that is, you do not have to read the novel to enjoy the stories. However, they are meant to illuminate the characters in the novel.

Till Death Do Us Part: A young Pat Nolan and his wife are on their honeymoon in New Mexico when they find a bond they did not know they had as they are forced to confront trouble in the form of a surly trio of locals.

God’s Warriors: Megan Nolan, a cynical American woman on her own in Europe makes a life-changing decision that both reveals and belies her true character.

Max: Max French, a quirky, deadly and, in his own eyes, oddly lovable FBI agent faces a personal drama that will set the course of his future.

Paperback: 48 pages
Publisher: The Story Plant
Release Date: February 22, 2011

My Take:

In each of these short stories you are given a deep look into the characters as individuals. I found them all to be quick and enjoyable. LePore tells a great story with plenty of detailed descriptions to add to that enjoyment. Although I have yet to read any of LePore's other works I am definitely intrigued. He adds great depth to his characters and in 46 pages the characters lives consume the reader. I only wished each of the stories was longer.

I look forward to checking out more of Lepore's work. "A World I Never Made" delves deeper into the characters in "Till Death Do Us Part" and I'm definitely going grab a copy after reading this novella.

To find out more about James LePore and his work check out his website here.

Review: Pandora's Succession by Russell Brooks

2011-02-13T00:01:00.002-06:00

Summary:

Where would you hide if you learned the CDC and a major pharmaceutical company unleashed a hyper-deadly microbe on them on race?

CIA operative, Ridley Fox, never stopped hunting his fiancee's killers-a weapons consortium called The Arms of Ares. When an informant leads him to an old bunker outside of Groznyy, Chechnya, Fox is captured, beaten, and left for dead. When the informant rescues him, Fox learns that his capture was no coincidence: someone had set him up-possibly another government agent. Fox barely escapes after learning that Ares has acquired a hyper-deadly microbe - called Pandora - that is believed to have wiped out ancient civilizations. The trail leads Fox to Tokyo where he discovers that people within the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Japanese Intelligence want Pandora for themselves. The only person Fox can trust is a woman from his past who he nearly got killed.

My Take:

Pandora’s Succession starts off with a bang, as Ridley Fox, a CIA operative, is taken captive in Chechnya. Little does Fox know that someone is playing both sides, causing his capture in the first place. The informant shows up and reveals her identity, giving Fox information about a super deadly microbe. The microbe known as Pandora is capable of killing millions, leaving nothing behind to I.D. the dead.

After reading Brooks’ novel, I am filled with mixed emotions. There are several things that didn’t work for me, as well as an equivalent amount of things that did work. It basically comes down to the good versus the bad. The plot and characters were fantastic; Ridley Fox was, by far, one of the most enjoyable characters to read about. His emotion and realistic qualities were above par, making him extremely likable.

Brooks’ detailed descriptions fall into the 50/50 category for me. At times, the descriptions seemed to smother the plot or would simply elaborate on something that had nothing to do with the plot. Overall, the descriptions were fantastic when they worked into the development of a character or the plot itself. The forward momentum of the story seemed to suffer at times, causing a loss of interest altogether. There were a number of errors throughout the novel that could have easily been avoided with a little editing. In addition to editing, the formatting of the e-version needs work as the use of various text sizes and bold/italics was erratic and quite annoying.

Overall, Pandora’s Succession is an interesting bio-thriller. Aside from the obvious negative points, the plot and characters are great. Honestly I can’t recommend this book with a clear conscience; there are move errors than I am comfortable with.

Review: The Dumpster-One Woman's Search for Love by Becky Due

2011-02-11T00:01:00.020-06:00

Summary:

Nicole, a cute, chubby, twenty-something woman, is looking for love in all the wrong places. Who would have guessed that a dumpster in the back alley below her bedroom window would hold the key to finding love?

Perfect Paperback: 175 pages
Publisher: Due Publications
Released: October 21, 2010

My Take:

When I saw the cover for "The Dumpster" I knew I had to give it a shot. I just had to know what the dumpster had to do with a woman finding love. Due answered that question in this super fun read about love and the dating world through the eyes of one slightly chubby single gal.

Nicole is a typical girl searching for love in all the wrong places with all the wrong guys. She gets dumped on Valentine's Day, which turns out to be the best thing that could have ever happened to her. A horrible, stinky dumpster has been placed underneath her bedroom window with a very unpleasant odor emanating from it. Her love life definitely needs a face-lift and one man is willing to fill those shoes if she'll give him the chance. Nicole isn't the only one having relationship troubles as her mother is caught in the act. Will the super-smelly dumpster bring love to Nicole or will it send all the men running for the hills?

Due really brought back memories of my dating years with this cute and realistic love story. Using a stinky old dumpster was quite unique. I think that most women can relate to the different experiences the character had throughout the story. Add "The Dumpster" to your to-read list. It's a super fun and laughable read.

About the Author: (from Amazon)

Becky Due is becoming the new voice of women's fiction. She has the courage, honesty and writing style for today's busy women, and she does not cringe away from hard issues. She will leave you feeling strong, self-confident, independent, and in control of your life.

Becky Due has been called "the must-read author for women" and "today's inspiring and deeply moving author" by reviewers. She has a way of sucking you into the story and changing your life with her fast-paced novels you won't want to put down. This talented, intelligent writer is quickly becoming women's favorite new author.

Her books have been finalists in several independent competitions including the 2010 National Indie Excellence Awards and the 2009 IPPY Awards.

Her novels, The Gentlemen's Club: A Story for All Women, Touchable Love: An Untraditional Love Story, Returning Injury: A Suspense Celebrating Women's Strength and her latest The Dumpster: One Woman's Search for Love are not the same story with different characters; she has a unique ability to cross every genre from light-hearted romance to heart-racing suspense to keep her readers entertained and inspired.

And although Becky Due's genre isn't specific, her message is: woman can either fly or crash--their choice. The challenges women face can sometimes seem overwhelming but she believes women can always find the strength and determination to pursue their dreams and create the life they want.

Review: Hearts At Stake (Drake Chronicles #1) by Alyxandra Harey

2011-02-07T00:01:00.010-06:00

Summary:

On Solange's sixteenth birthday, she is going to wake up dead. As if that's not bad enough, she also has to outwit her seven overprotective older brothers, avoid the politics involved with being the only daughter born to an ancient vampire dynasty, and elude Kieran Black - agent of an anti-vampire league who is searching for his father's killer and is intent on staking Solange and her entire family.

Luckily she has her own secret weapon - her human best friend Lucy - who is willing to defend Solange's right to a normal life, whether she's being smothered by her well-intentioned brothers or abducted by a power-hungry queen. Two unlikely alliances are formed in a race to save Solange's eternal life - Lucy and Solange's brother Nicholas, and Solange and Kieran Black - in a dual romance that is guaranteed to jump start any romance-lover's heart.

Even fans of the genre who've seen it all will find a fresh read with kick-butt characters and family dynamics that ring true for all brothers and sisters - vampire or otherwise.

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Released: December 22, 2009
Series: Drake Chronicles
Next Book: Blood Feud

Solange Drake and her vampire family have been exiled from the royal court; a centuries-old prophecy states that a female vampire born to an ancient family will become the queen and bring all the vampire tribes together and Solange is believed to be the one who will fulfill that prophecy. As if that isn’t enough to make a young girl stress out, there are vampires trying to woo her and others trying desperately to kill her. As she and her family struggle to keep her safe, her approaching bloodchange weakens her to her core. Solange’s best friend, a mortal girl named Lucy, is by her side every step of the way. Both girls find more than they bargained for as the prophecy unravels before them. Will Solange step up to the rank of queen or will she succumb to the bloodchange?

I was absolutely astonished with Harvey’s fresh approach in this fantastic vampire novel and I enjoyed the fact that the violence wasn’t bogged down in gore. With the market smothered with every possible option, it was a delight to see an author think outside the box, creating a startling view of vampires.

Each of the characters was true to the vampire stereotype, adding a colorful, family feel to the Drake’s. As far as the dark side of vampires, Harvey created enough drama to set the plot in motion, propelling it to a dramatic finish. Harvey’s view of the vampiric world is electric, giving the reader a view of the immortal life unlike any other story out there.

Hearts at Stake is a fantastic YA novel filled to the brim with action, intrigue and romantic interests you won’t see coming. I highly recommend the Drake Chronicles to anyone who loves a good vampire story with a touch of romance. Blood Feud is the next installment and I can’t wait to devour it page by page.

The next book in the Drake Chronicle Series is "Blood Feud."

Review: Boondocks Fantasy (Anthology) Part One

2011-02-06T11:39:00.003-06:00

Summary:

From vampires in the Appalachians and leprechauns in the Smokies to mermaids in the Mississippi and bloodthirsty trolls in an Alabama trailer park the South makes a unique setting for the 20 stories in this anthology of redneck vampires, werewolves, wizards, elves, and other creatures.

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: DAW
Released: January 4, 2011

My Take:

Being there are 20 short stories in this anthology I will be doing a two part review. Part one consists of the first ten stories and the last ten will be in part two. I absolutely loved this anthology and each story brought something new and unique to the table. Authors usually set their paranormal novels in an urban setting which makes this anthology stand out amongst the crowd. The title says it all--Boondocks Fantasy.

The Giant by Gene Wolfe--This was a great story. The boondock feel wasn't as strong to me in this story as the others but it was a fantastic, slightly darker version of a fairytale. Wolfe did something that I found particularly annoying; he never gave the main character a name. He just continuously refered to him as "the writer of children's books" and after reading this a couple of dozen times it really gets old. Honestly, If the writer of children's books would've had a name to break the monotony I would've very much enjoyed the story being longer.

Protection by Timothy Zahn--Zahn's use of a mermaid as one of the main characters was quite unique. It's always fantastic when an author thinks outside the box and dazzles the reader and Zahn did just that. This was a great mystery with a hint of fantasy.

Lake People by Chris Pierson--I was intrigued by this story. At first I thought that Helen was a little on the crazy since she had elves all over her yard. They seemed to multiply like crazy but there was a reason for that. The lake people were creepy and mysterious. The ending kinda leaves you hanging in the balance wanting to know what happened next. My only wish was for the story to have been longer.

Cat People by Mickey Zucker Reichert--This story was okay but definitely not one of my favorites. The Austin's watch their dreams of having a farm go up in smoke as their barn burns to the ground. Days later, the couple notices someone has been rebuilding their barn. Stunned, they ask neighbors who have no clue as who is doing it. When the culprits are found out I was shocked. It's a fair story but not memorable.

The Horned Man by Steven Savile--I wasn't sure where this one was going but hung in there to find out. A couple hits something on a snowy road while traveling. Of course they pull over to check the damage and the husband sees a horned man at the woods edge. He goes into the woods after the beast. The ending was definitely a shocking surprise. The only downfall to me was that the characters were a little flat.

The Feud by Patrick McGilligan--The Feud was a very strange zombiesque story about two rival families, the Hopper's and the Stones. A young boy and girl seem to be in love and are seperated not only by their families but also by the river that runs between their homes. No one has ever successfully crossed the river and not out of a lack of trying. I love a good zombie tale; mix in a little zombie love and bingo, you have a great story. Too bad this wasn't a longer story.

The Devil Is A Gentleman by Raymond Benson--This was a uniquely wicked approach to using the devil as a character. I absolutely loved the detective agency name "Fyre and Breem-Stoan." There was a scene when the telephone started smoking and I couldn't help but laugh. That was too darn funny and fitting, of course. Very enjoyable read with interesting characters.

Eternal Vigilance by Dylan Birtolo--Love the use of a water demon in this one. That's an otherworldly creature that you definitely don't see often. Birtolo's water demon reminded me of the one in Charmed but this was much much better. I did want more details on Shawn's magical background but found the story to be fantastic without it. Fantastic read.

The Taste of Strawberry Jam by Elizabeth A Vaughan--I can only describe this one as urban fantasy gone country. A group of purse snatching city girls find themselves in the country where they attempt to steal an old ladies purse and don't succeed. The girls turn out to be succubi which, I'm sad to say, don't really show any signs of being otherworldly. Although this wasn't a bad read I would have enjoyed more magic.

The Storyteller by D L Stever--Although the Storyteller was very short, it was a great ghost story. This would be perfect to tell around a campfire. This one reminded me a little bit of Pet Sematary by Stephen King. Not in King's dark, creepy, freakish 'Gage' kinda way. A fantastic read.

I'd feel bad about giving a rating to just half a book so check out my review of the final ten stories and the overall rating in Part Two.

Review: Boondocks Fantasy (Anthology) Part Two

2011-02-06T11:39:00.002-06:00

Summary
From vampires in the Appalachians and leprechauns in the Smokies to mermaids in the Mississippi and bloodthirsty trolls in an Alabama trailer park the South makes a unique setting for the 20 stories in this anthology of redneck vampires, werewolves, wizards, elves, and other creatures.

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: DAW
Released: January 4, 2011

My View
Jenn and I are trying something a little different with this one since it has so many stories packed behind the cover. We both wanted to read it so we're taking turns with the review. She handled the first half and the second half is mine, so let's get to it.

Being Neighborly by Anita Ensal - This was a cute little story loaded with characters I'd love to visit again. Junior and Little Mams leave 'the Neighborhood' and move to the big city. There's some strange things going on with the neighbors so they call Big Mams to come visit them. This feisty old lady knows a lot and she swings a mean frying pan. A great story full of just the right amount of humor and I hope Anita brings the gang from the Neighborhood back for more adventures.

Marfa by Anton Strout - 'Don't Mess with Texas' could be the moral of this story as a non-believer from New York learns that his parents might actually have some wisdom worth knowing when it comes to the 'wildlife' of West Texas. A fun read that will make you think twice before getting out of your car on a lonely Texas road in the middle of nowhere.

Aware by C.J. Henderson - This story didn't quite do it for me. I saw the potential but it lacked punch. It seemed a little slow through the whole thing and the ending just didn't provide a conclusion satisfying enough to make up for that.

Sully's Solution by Kelly Swails - A sheriff with cancer and the town outcast provide the drama that powers this little story from beginning to end. A great story that packs a feel-good quality with its simplicity.

Trophy Wife by Vicki Johnson-Steger - The title and the plot of the story involve a bit of word-play that provides a little laugh. The story takes a tale we've heard before and gives it a nice twist. Axel is a likable guy who finds happiness in the simple things in life. The ending isn't really a surprise, except I am shocked that it didn't happen sooner.

Fairies Weep Not by Linda P. Baker - The rules of life are simple: Kids believe in fairies; adults don't... but what if an adult got to peek inside that fairy world and then realized it might all come to an end if they don't do something? This was another one that was on the slow side but it wasn't a bad read.

Siren Tears by John Lambshead - The story is only a few pages long but we get an interesting cast of characters in that amount of space. Like Being Neighborly, this is another storyline I'd like to see more of, but not with this main character. He's not the kind of guy you can root for, at least not without doing some growing up. However, other travelers could visit the little town of Morwenstowe and have similar encounters with the interesting inhabitants.

Jefferson's West by Jay Lake - An interesting spin on the historic figures Lewis and Clark but the premise feels like a tease because the story doesn't really go anywhere and the plot didn't flow smoothly at all for me.

Black Rider by Brian A. Hopkins - I enjoyed this one as soon I got on-board with how the story is set up. At first I thought the story had ended and launched into a new one because of the complete change in setting and direction of plot but the seemingly separate halves of one man's life come together to paint a clearer picture of the main character, as well as helping the reader understand the power of the Black Rider.

Rural Route by Donald J. Bingle - Ever wonder what's up with the crop circles and cow mutilations that visiting extra-terrestrials always seem to take part in? This story explains it all... and you'll never mistake these guys for the cute and cuddly E.T.

Our Rating
Anthologies are always hard to rate but we decided to give an over-all average based on the stories as a whole. Basically, a higher number means the majority of the stories were good, a lower number means most were bad.

While both of us read a few that really didn't wow us, the majority of the stories were great, and we both loved the premise of taking the urban out of urban fantasy and would love to see more myths and magic taking place 'in the sticks.'

Review: Hero Material by L K Rigel

2011-02-05T00:01:00.011-06:00

Summary:

Hero Material (formerly Space Junque)

The DOGs want to destroy the world. The gods want to make a new one. The trick is to survive both.

The world is on the brink of ecological cataclysm set off by the Oil Spill of 2010 and the Great Sea Level Rise of 2070. When the Defenders of Gaia set off dirty bombs in random cities, Char Meadowlark races to the airport to get off planet until the terror subsides.

Char's friend Mike Augustine secures her a place on the Imperial transport, but the DOGs strike before she can board. Jake Ardri, pilot of the shuttle Space Junque, rescues her and delivers her to the Imperial Space Station where Mike awaits.

When the DOGs' final onslaught goes global and the physical world threatens to implode, the ancient gods reemerge to stop humanity from annihilating all material existence. In this chaos, Char must juggle two men, orbiting eco-terrorists, and a goddess with her own agenda for a new world order.

Will there be room for love in flagrante apocalypto?

Reading Level: Adult
Format: eBook via Smashwords
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Apocalypto
Next in Series: Spiderwork

My Take:

Char is on her way to the Imperial transport to meet Mike. Before she can board her flight, bombs begin to go off and she finds herself on board the Space Junque. Jake promises Mike he would see that Char makes it to the Imperial station unharmed. As they arrive, they realize things have become increasingly worse on Gaia (Earth) and soon the DOGs chaos will reach them, even in space they aren't safe from the death and destruction. Will Char and Jake find love? Will life as they know it perish at the hands of the DOGs?

Hero Material is a fast paced novella with a slight sci-fi tone. I'll admit the beginning had me worried due to my lack of interest in sci-fi books but I was pleasantly surprised at the way Rigel made it easy to forget that the majority of the story was in outer space. The characters, as well as the plot, were definitely unique. I didn't quite feel the paranormal portion of the romance in this installment. There was a fair amount of romance and Rigel never let it get smutty.

Overall, Hero Material is a fast, enjoyable read. Rigel is a strong storyteller that has mildly awakened my interest in sci-fi. I recommend that you give this series a try; it's definitely worth it. Spiderwork is the next installment and the cover is absolutely beautiful. Here's a sneak peek. Isn't it stunning?

Review: Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

2011-02-03T21:40:00.001-06:00

Summary:

Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to take part in a royal exchange program, whereby young princes and princesses travel to each other's countries in the name of better political alliances—and potential marriages. It's got the makings of a fairy tale—until a hapless servant named Ellen is tricked by a vengeful fairy godmother into competing with Poppy for the eligible prince. Ballgowns, cinders, and enchanted glass slippers fly in this romantic and action-packed happily-ever-after quest from an author with a flair for embroidering tales in her own delightful way.

This book includes knitting patterns that are key to the plot. I will also be posting more knitting patterns here that correspond with with the story.

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Released: May 25, 2010

My Take:

Princess of Glass is a fantastic spin-off of a classic fairytale. Who doesn’t love a fairytale? In my opinion, each fairytale offers a spark of imagination that draws you into the world of the characters; Princess of Glass is no different. In Princess of Glass, every angle of the typical yet time-honored Cinderella story is turned upside down, giving birth to a fresh and exciting new look at the traditional characters we have grown to love.

The young royals from different kingdoms are tossed together by their parents in an attempt to find their prospective matches in a “Royal Exchange Program”, with hopes of strengthening their kingdoms. Prince Christian has never been allowed to leave the Dane kingdom due to his parents’ fear of history repeating itself. Years earlier, the king of Westfalin had pleaded for a prince to help solve the mystery of the twelve princesses worn out dancing shoes; after each prince failed, they returned home only to meet their demise.

Princess Poppy, one of the twelve princesses, is quite taken by Prince Christian upon meeting him. As their flirtations increase, Eleanor, a maid who was once royalty, enters the picture and draws more than just Christian’s attention. Eleanor, green with envy of the other princesses, enlists the help of her godmother, who turns the happy household into an emotional battleground. Magic, as well as love, is brewing and time is running out for all involved.

George concocted a fascinating and enchanting world of magic and love. The story flowed nicely without lulls, keeping the reader entertained and attached to the characters. The world building was enchanting and had an amazingly realistic feel. I highly recommend the “Princess of Glass.” It’s definitely a good choice for any reading group. Without a doubt, George is being added to my favorite author list.

For more details on Jessica Day George and her novels check out her website here.

Review: Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas

2011-02-03T00:01:00.049-06:00

Summary:

ONE LITTLE GIRL NEEDS A FAMILY

One rain-slicked night, six-year-old Holly lost the only parent she knew, her beloved mother Victoria. And since that night, she has never again spoken a word.

ONE SINGLE MAN NEEDS A WIFE

The last thing Mark Nolan needs is a six-year-old girl in his life. But he soon realizes that he will do everything he can to make her life whole again. His sister’s will gives him the instructions: There’s no other choice but you. Just start by loving her. The rest will follow.

SOMETIMES, IT TAKES A LITTLE MAGIC…

Maggie Collins doesn’t dare believe in love again, after losing her husband of one year. But she does believe in the magic of imagination. As the owner of a toy shop, she lives what she loves. And when she meets Holly Nolan, she sees a little girl in desperate need of a little magic.

…TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE

Three lonely people. Three lives at the crossroads. Three people who are about to discover that Christmas is the time of year when anything is possible, and when wishes have a way of finding the path home…

Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Released: October 26, 2010

My Take:

Even though Christmas is long gone I still couldn't help but read "Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor." Don't let the title fool you, Christmas Eve isn't the primary setting. I usually don't make a habit of reading in the romance genre but I was pleasantly surprised with this one. A young girl, Holly is thrust into a new life with her uncles (Mark and Sam) after her mother is tragically killed in a car wreck. Since her mothers untimely death, Holly has not spoken a single word. She seems lost within herself. One day Mark and Holly stop in a new toy shop in town and meet Maggie, the store owner, this chance meeting changes their lives in ways they couldn't imagine.

I absolutely loved the way Kleypas brought to life real emotion as well as realistic circumstances. The characters were fantastically developed with a depth like you wouldn't believe. When Holly speaks your heart breaks and is filled with excitement at the same time.

There were moments when you couldn't help but laugh hysterically. At one point Holly's uncles are attempting to cook Christmas dinner and let's just say that even though we know turkeys can't fly, they can at Holly's house. It's moments such as this that Kleypas makes the characters easier to relate to. The humor is simply fantastic.

Kleypas has quickly became a favorite author and I'm definitely going to check out more of her work. Add this gem to your must read list I promise you won't regret it regardless the time of year!!

Review: Crime Beat by Scott Nicholson

2011-02-02T00:01:00.003-06:00

Summary:

When John Moretz takes a job as a reporter in the Appalachian town of Sycamore Shade, a crime wave erupts that boosts circulation and leaves people uneasy. Then a murder victim is discovered, and Moretz is first on the scene.

As more bodies are discovered, Moretz comes under police suspicion, but the newspaper's sales are booming due to his coverage of sensational crime. His editor is torn between calling off his newshound and cashing in on the attention, plus the editor is romancing the big-city reporter assigned to cover the suspected serial killer.

And Moretz seems to be one step ahead of the other reporters, the police, and even the killer himself.

Publisher: Haunted Computer Books
Format: eBook
Released: January 9, 2011
Page Count: 53

My Take:

John Moretz takes a job as a reporter heading up the crime beat at a small town newspaper. With little effort and in a short period of time Moretz is handing in top notch articles that are quite captivating. The newspaper is headlining some pretty wicked front pager articles when a murder spree begins. Moretz seems to in the right place at the right time too many times. Is he guilty of murder or is he just that darn lucky?

Nicholson has once again composed a thrilling and super suspenseful novella that will blow your mind. If your looking for a read that is fast paced and will keep you on the edge of your seat then look no further. Crime Beat is 53 enthralling pages of WOW.

Review: Probability Angels by Joseph Devon

2011-02-01T00:01:00.008-06:00

Summary:

Matthew Huntington's problems seem to keep growing. Not only is he seeing things in garbage cans but his mentor doesn't think he's working up to his full potential, his best friend can't offer any solace but drunken confusion and his wife is dying in Central Park. Of course, the fact that Matthew himself died over two decades ago isn't helping things.

Paperback: 282 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace
Released: January 7, 2009

My Take:

Honestly, I had zero expectations when I started reading "Probability Angels" but found myself intrigued by Devon's creativity. After reading countless many vampire novels it was quite refreshing to read about angels. Devon's angels aren't all halos and white wings; they're the force responsible for pushing us to our potential.

Devon started off strong, holding my attention as Matthew finds out that his first choice has been killed and he was being given a a second choice. The emotion that Matthew feels is genuine and powerful. You can feel his pain. As he walks down the street, people respond to his emotion by fighting with one another and Matthew's pockets fill with money. The money is, from what I gather, a form of payment for pushing these individuals. The circumstances surrounding the death of Mathew's first choice had all the makings of a fantastic novel but something happened and the story became EH! for lack of a better word. We go from an amazing beginning that is emotional and mysterious to zombiesque angels that create a power struggle between good and bad in the end. UGH! Honestly, I enjoyed the story until it lost the intriguing seriousness of the beginning.

Overall, I felt the story slip away into oblivion and I just couldn't find the intrigue that was there when it began. The characters were interesting but I didn't feel attached to any of them. I really wanted to read more about Matthew and his choices but that wasn't in the cards. Again there were moments that I really liked this book but in the end it was just EH!

Review: Unearthly by Cynthai Hand

2011-01-30T00:01:00.014-06:00

Summary:

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Released: January 4, 2011
Series: Unearthly Trilogy

My Take:

"Unearthly" is a fabulous tale about a young girl, Clara, who happens to be part angel. She begins to have visions. The visions shed light on her purpose in life. Clara's visions are of a blazing fire and a boy, Christian, in a forest. She feels that she is meant to save him from the fire. Her family picks up and moves from California to Wyoming where she meets the boy in her vision at school. Soon Clara finds out that she isn't the only person in Wyoming that is special. Romance blooms and her purpose becomes more clear as events unfold.

I absolutely loved "Unearthly!" The characters are fantastic, giving a bold exciting new look at YA paranormal. Hand composed a beautiful YA paranormal novel that totally conforms with a romantic age-appropriate theme. The pace was great, allowing plenty of time to get to know each character and immerse yourself in Clara's new life in Wyoming. The history of angels made the plot that much more intense and enjoyable. The romance, as I said, was age-appropriate and realistic outside of Clara's "glory" shining through. Clara's love interests are both quite cute and a good fit in their own ways. I still can't decide who I think she should choose. The ending does leave you hanging with the lingering question, "What happens next?" I totally didn't see it coming and was quite pleased with the shock of it all.

Hand is a remarkable storyteller. Waiting to see how the visions play out is definitely suspenseful and drives you to continue turning the pages. The romantic side of the story was cute and added depth to the characters involved. I highly recommend this superb debut novel to anyone who loves reading paranormal/fantasy, especially in the YA category.

Review: Vipers by Lawrence C. Connolly

2011-01-28T00:01:00.001-06:00

Summary

Axle and Bird are back from the dead. No longer merely human, they must now work to further the oohaate-the spirit path. Whether they will like what they find at the journey's end remains to be seen, but for now, there's no turning back.

An explosion at Windslow Mine has set things in motion. The forest is crawling with snakes, driven from their nests by underground fires. And the snakes are not alone. Other forces are emerging, rising from the earth's molten veins, preparing to reclaim a smoldering world.

By daybreak, the residents of Windslow, Pennsylvania, will know that the world is burning beneath them. By daybreak, the nightmare begins.

My View

Vipers is the second book of the Veins Cycle, and reading the first book is practically essential before tackling this one. Connolly does a decent job of providing a refresher course if it's been awhile but the recaps only brush the surface.

Vipers picks up right where Veins ended. The events from the first book have set things in motion that have been destined to occur and two characters from Book One, Axle and Bird, are supposed to make sure things stay on track. Fate can go in more than one direction and there are dark forces that want the two guardians to fail.

Bird was sort of a secondary character in Veins. He was an integral part of the story but he came across basically as a shallow ass, a rich boy used to getting his way. Now Bird is skyborn, one of those selected to preserve the oohaate (Fate). Axle is also skyborn but he's also much more. He's been transformed into Kwetis, the nightflyer. Kwetis and Axle are the same but Kwetis exists in the dream world, which is why he needs agents like Axle and Bird to handle the real world activities.

The skyborn get some company in this book and it looks like a supernatural war is brewing, with all sides starting to select their armies. Before the end, the earthborn and the waterborn enter the picture, and it's safe to say the waterborn don't have the same noble intentions as Axle/Kwetis.

The mercenary and assassin, Sam, is also back and it's nice to learn a little more about her character. She's not really evil but life hasn't been good to her and her morals are practically non-existent. If the money's right, she'll do the job. This time, however, her employer is a higher (or is that a lower) power and she feels like she's doing the right thing.

Here's the thing. Every now and then it seems like I'm rooting for the wrong team. Kwetis can be a little on the unemotional side at times. He cares more about the oohaate than he does about human life. If it is written that a town has to burn then it just sucks to be in that town at that particular time. On the flip side, Sam seems to be doing something that would be considered a good thing. Is she the good one battling an evil Kwetis? I really don't think so but that feeling does pop up from time to time.

There is one element in the story that reached down and grabbed me on a primal level. I've always had a think about snakes and Connolly slaps wings on the slithery little devils. Forget snakes on a plane. These things can fly for themselves. Thanks for the nightmare, Mr. Connolly.

Vipers is a great follow-up to Veins (check out my review) and I'm still loving the fact that all the fantasy action has a Native American angle. It's fresh and new, and it makes you want to stay up late into the night to find out what happens next. I can't go into any detail without letting a spoiler slip but I'm really looking forward to seeing Sam in Book Three. It should be very interesting.

Review: Facsimile by Erin L. Snyder

2011-01-27T00:37:00.000-06:00

Summary

"At AuroroTech, we record your actions and your words, then transform that data into a lifelike simulation. After that, the possibilities are endless. Imagine meeting yourself, being able to experience what others truly see and hear when they talk to you. Imagine if your friends and family could always keep in touch, no matter how busy you are. Imagine if in a hundred years from now, a part of you remains for future generations to interact with."

When Persephone Kilard signed up and strapped on the miniature recorder, all she wanted was a social networking service that would take the actual work of socializing off of her hands. Fringe religious groups could wax poetic about deeper meanings and universal truths; she just wanted to make her life a little easier. After all, the simulation was only supposed to be her reflection, not her soul.

But there was one small glitch. Suddenly Persephone's digital profile has a mind of its own. Face to face with herself, Persephone is forced to confront questions about the nature of identity that she'd rather avoid. She'd better figure it out quickly, though, because hers isn't the only mind lurking in AuroroTech's drives and networks. Somewhere, hidden in the code, a simulated ghost is watching her while the border between reality and replica unravels. The virtual danger is becoming all too real, and both versions of Persephone need to uncover the truth if either is going to have a chance to survive.

Paperback: 252 pages
Publisher: Threat Quality Press
Release date: October 29, 2010

My View

After reading Snyder's For Love of Children (check out my review), I could hardly wait to crack open Facsimile. Though vastly different from the first book, it was an equally compelling read.

The thing that really made Facsimile work for me is that I can easily picture many things in the story becoming real in the not-so-far-off future. Imagine a world where you can create a virtual avatar of yourself that exists online. Oh wait. We already have that. Well, imagine if that avatar could learn from you, react to you, act as a virtual mirror to your real-world actions. Ummm... Wii or Kinect, anyone? Okay, now imagine that your avatar reaches a point where it doesn't need you. Instead of simply being a mirror image, it becomes self-aware, independent. Bingo!!! The framework for a great story.

Snyder does a perfect job of balancing fiction with reality throughout the whole book and the end result was that I couldn't put the book down. Persephone is a great character, and her name is no accident. The logic behind why the events within the book happen to her are explained and you'll commend Snyder for the finesse and subtlety he uses to answer all the questions without actually resorting to spelling everything out.

Some of the factions that exist within the book might seem absurd at first but a little thought will reveal that these factions actually exist today; it's just that Snyder has expanded them to an extreme degree. Can you picture a group of Eco-terrorists who believe in destroying the environment simply to keep others from destroying it? I can easily picture someone taking that extremist point of view.

The plot is handled in such a way that the reader is kept guessing as to why Persephone's profile comes to life but it's a mystery that entices instead of frustrates, and the mystery is revealed by the end of the story so you're not left to wonder what happened.

The bad guy is the most dangerous type of bad guy. He's not good or bad, simply amoral. He believes himself to be above the laws that others must follow so he simply does what he wants. Fortunately for Persephone, her profile sort of feels the same way so she has the perfect guardian angel when things start to get rough.

If you like your fiction mixed in with a little reality then you should definitely give Facsimile a try. To be honest, the cover isn't great, but the pages within hold a really good story.

Review: Veins by Lawrence C. Connolly

2011-01-26T08:13:00.000-06:00

Summary

Fleeing from what should have been a perfect crime, four crooks in a black Mustang race into the Pennsylvania highlands. On the backseat, a briefcase full of cash. On their tail, a tattooed madman who wants them dead. The driver calls himself Axle. A local boy, he knows the landscape, the coal-hauling roads and steep trails that lead to the perfect hideout: the crater of an abandoned mine. But Axle fears the crater. Terrible things happened there. Things that he has spent years trying to forget. Enter Kwetis, the nightflyer, a specter from Axle's ancestral past. Part memory, part nightmare, Kwetis has planned a heist of his own. And soon Axle, his partners in crime, and their pursuer will learn that their arrival at the mine was foretold long ago . . . and that each of them is a piece of a plan devised by the spirits of the Earth.

Paperback: 260 pages
Publisher: Fantasist Enterprises
Release date: August 12, 2008

My View

Veins is a different type of paranormal story because it focuses on Native American lore, and that's something I don't see a whole lot of.

The story opens with Kwetis, the nightflyer, visiting an old woman. He tells her of the sacrifices that must be made and the path she must follow. It's her destiny to teach her great-grandson the old ways so that he'll be ready for what lies ahead. The old woman has had visits from Kwetis before and senses something different him. As the story unfurls, certain paths are revealed and we see what the old woman did. This full-circle pattern of Veins is one of the things I enjoyed so much about it.

Years later, the woman's great-grandson, Axle, hooks up with a rough crowd for what seems like an easy robbery. Axle's not bad but it seems like fate has conspired against him, forcing him to take this particular path.

There really wouldn't be much story if the hold-up went as planned and just about everything that could go wrong does go wrong. While there are a variety of colorful characters throughout the book, Axle is the undisputed star, although I actually liked Spinelli (which really surprised me) and survivalist/mercenary Sam also comes through as human and somewhat likable... at least as likable as a contract killer can be.

In Veins, just as in Native American lore, everything is connected and there are no coincidences. Seemingly random acts were set in motion centuries ago and it's up to Axle to discover his destiny even as other forces seek to keep him from it.

Read Veins and see if you can put together the pieces of the puzzle, and check back in a couple of days to read my review of Vipers, the second book in the series. Three words to entice you - Snakes With Wings. Yikes!

Early Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

2011-01-25T00:01:00.005-06:00

Summary:

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love - the deliria - blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Series: Delirium

My Take:

After I consumed Ally Condie's "Matched," I yearned for another dystopian novel. "Delirium" definitely hit the spot. There's something uniquely mesmerizing about what the future holds and what our society might become. Will our society be anything like Condie or Oliver's versions? There are similarities in each that I found interesting, yet realistic, in both. What if love was considered a disease? Would you rush to get "the cure" if the government offered one? Oliver's use of love as a disease set up a fascinating plot that I found shockingly creative. Would I give up love and everything that made me - well - me? NO! What would you do?

The realistic emotion of Lena's character really made it easy to feel her pain and cheer her on as she realized love might not be as bad as everyone made it out to be. Honestly, there were times that I wanted to slap Lena and tell her, "Take a risk you might be surprised." She was excitedly counting down the days to her scheduled cure date until she met Alex. With Alex's help, Lena learns that the stories about her mother may have been fabricated. This adds a twist to the story that I hope brings forth more action in the next installment. When Alex came into the picture, I wasn't sure if he was cured or not. His character really surprised me, as did Lena's. They really added a thunderous spark to an already intriguing story.

Overall, Oliver breathed life into a fantastic dystopian novel that's filled with realistic, yet raw, emotion. The added touch of mystery in regards to Lena's mother and the heart pounding events that occurred during the raids is more than enough to keep a reader turning the pages. The ending was a complete and total shock. I don't know what I was expecting but it definitely wasn't the same as Oliver's ending. I look forward to reading the next installment to find out where exactly Oliver will take Lena and Alex?

"Delirium" is a great book to get you started in dystopian novels. There is a perfect balance of love, action, and mystery to keep you enthralled in Oliver's tale. Add it to your must-read list right now. You won't regret it!

Review: Raven Wings & 13 More Twisted Tales by Frank G. Poe, Jr.

2011-01-24T00:01:00.003-06:00

Summary

You must read the introduction to Poe's new book for the health and safety of your loved ones. Discover the answer to a mystery and fourteen tales guaranteed to entertain.

Paperback: 110 pages
Publisher: Infinity Publishing
Release date: October 29, 2010

My View

Yeah, the summary basically lets you know what your in for... which isn't much. I've learned that there's truth to the adage 'don't judge a book by its cover' but sometimes covers don't lie.

Right off the bat, the Introduction opens up to weirdness while Mr. Poe explains that his last name is no accident. Apparently he's the reincarnated soul of the author who just recently had a posthumous birthday. It seems that souls float around in the celestial ether and plan their next life. Poe made sure to be born to a family with that particular last name so he would have a connection to his past life.

Anyway, things kind of take a turn for the worse after the intro. Some of the stories have potential but don't live up to what they could be.

The first story, 'Raven Wings', is just odd. There's really no other word for it.

'The Tell-Tale Door' and 'Of Ninjas and Bullets Left Behind' are both interesting but they also both fall flat at the conclusion. I think those two were my greatest disappointments because I was actually interested in seeing where things were going.

'Familiar' is best enjoyed for it's foray into a realm that mostly resembles erotic comedy, if you can find humor in a married woman getting felt up while standing in line at Walmart by someone who isn't her husband. The humor comes in at the end of the story. While a little strange, this one was also a story that could have been transformed into something more.

I did find one gem that lived up to its potential. While it's my personal favorite, it is a little strange. 'The Spider and the Fly' was an interesting and fun spin on the relationship that exists between a spider and a fly and takes it into uncharted territory. This little story probably wouldn't be for everyone because of the weirdness factor but I actually found it to be humorous and entertaining.

'The Purple Basketball' was fairly interesting but I think the interest primarily came from the two main characters, who happen to be real sports figures. It was a funny look at two basketball rivals but, once again, I think there was a level the story could have reached, but didn't.

The remainder of the stories are more of the same - good premises that don't reach their full potential. If you don't have anything better to read at the moment and can get the book from the local library then it's not a terrible way to spend the day but I feel that many of the stories could have been so much better.

Review: Hellforged by Nancy Holzner

2011-01-23T00:01:00.009-06:00

Summary:

A demon is stalking Vicky's dreams-just as several of Deadtown's zombies are viciously attacked and become really dead. And when Vicky realizes she is the only connection between the victims, she suspects that the demon is somehow working through her dreams to become Deadtown's living nightmare.

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Ace
Released: December 28, 2010
Series: Deadtown

My Take:

I came across “Hellforged” last year at All Things Urban Fantasy. I was so intrigued by it that I added it to my must-read list right away. This was my first time to read Holzner’s work; sadly I haven’t read “Deadtown,” the first book of the Deadtown series. I try not to read books out of order if I can help it but this one was definitely worth breaking my rule.

If you’re looking for action then you will love the plot in Hellforged. A demon that Vicki knows all too well is entering her dreamscapes. Zombies in Deadtown that make friendly with Vicki find themselves in a sticky spot, finding out just how much Deadtown lives up to its name. After several strange deaths, Vicki hightails it to see her Aunt Mab, who she hopes can help her get rid of the demon once and for all.

Holzner tells a fantastic story with a perfect mix of human and otherworldly creatures. The plot was electric. At times I did find that the pace slowed more than I cared for. Vicki is one of those heroines that you can’t help but get immersed in. There were action scenes strategically placed throughout the novel, giving the plot a boost at just the right times. There are so many layers to Holzner’s characters and I can’t wait to see where in Deadtown she takes us next!

Review: Speed Dating with the Dead by Scott Nicholson

2011-01-21T00:01:00.000-06:00

Summary:

A paranormal conference at the most haunted hotel in the Southern Appalachian mountains . . .
A man’s promise to his late wife that he’d summon her spirit . . .
A daughter whose imagination goes to dark places . . .

And demonic evil lurking in the remote hotel’s basement, just waiting to be awoken.
When Digger Wilson brings his paranormal team Spirit Seekers International to the White Horse Inn, he is skeptical that his dead wife will keep her half of the bargain. He doesn’t believe in ghosts. But when one of the conference guests channels a mysterious presence and an Ouija board spells out a pet phrase known only to Digger and his wife, his convictions are challenged.

And when guests start to disappear, Digger and his daughter Kendra must face the circle of demons that view the hotel as their personal playground. Because soon the inn will be closing for good, angels can’t be trusted, and demons don’t like to play alone . . .

Paperback: 346 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace
Released: September 10, 2010

My Take:

Speed Dating with the Dead is an interesting ghost story. The creepy hotel, White Horse Inn was reminiscent of Stephen King's Rose Red. A paranormal ghost hunt is scheduled to take place at the White Horse Inn, the guest get more than they bargain for as the ghosts/demons make themselves known.

Nicholson really has a knack for adding more than a fair amount of horror and suspense to an amazing plot. The characters are well developed adding depth to the plot. The plot thickens as Digger and his daughter, Kendra's stories parallel each others bringing an added bonus to the story. Digger is on a mission to see his deceased wife and fulfill a promise made on their honeymoon. Kendra doesn't believe in ghost but she changes her tune as the hotels invisible guest appear out of thin air.

Overall, Scott created a fantastic ghost story that sends chills down the spine. I only wish that the story was a little longer so that the color of a particular characters halo would be known. If you haven't read Scott's work you should definitely give him a try. His detailed description set the stage for an intriguing story that you won't soon forget.

Review: Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

2011-01-20T00:01:00.000-06:00

Summary:

In this mesmerizing sequel to Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception, music prodigy James Morgan and his best friend, Deirdre, join a private conservatory for musicians. James' musical talent attracts Nuala, a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. Composing beautiful music together unexpectedly leads to mutual admiration and love. Haunted by fiery visions of death, James realizes that Deirdre and Nuala are being hunted by the Fey and plunges into a soul-scorching battle with the Queen of the Fey to save their lives.

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 360 pages
Publisher: Flux
Released: October 8, 2009
Series: Books of Faerie

My Thoughts:

***** THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*****

The story was from James (Deirdre's best friend) and Nuala (a fairy that feeds on music) point of view. James loves Deirdre but she was in love with Luke Dillion (a fairy). Luke wasn't in Ballad but Deirdre was heart broken because he left her. James was heart-broken because she didn't love him. Then he meets Nuala and is scared of her until they spend some time together. They "fall in love" and he realizes that what he felt for Deirdre was just a "crush".

Anyway, Nuala dies every 16 years and is reborn a different being with no memory. So they figure out how to save her memories by saying her name 7 times. The Fairy queen is trying to kill Deidre so he has to leave Nuala to go save her and doesn't think that the saving memory thing works, until he digs her out of the ashes that she burned in and sees that she still had her memories. Then the story just pretty much ends, leaving you kinda hanging, wondering what is going to become of them all.

I felt as though the story just drug on. Stiefvater does plan on writing another book for this series. Overall, Ballad was good but it jumped around so much that I just got aggravated. I will continue reading the Book of Faerie series with hopes it will improve but it's not at the top of my to-read list. The overall story is interesting. What are your thoughts on the Book of Faerie series?

Review: Erotic Exposure by Paige Tyler

2011-01-19T00:01:00.001-06:00

Summary:

Liz Bellamy agrees to pose for a provocative calendar to help raise money for the animal shelter where she volunteers. Although it’s for a good cause, she’s a little shy about posing half naked.

When Liz arrives at the photography studio, she discovers hot photographer Kent Draper. She almost chickens out, but ends up having not only one heck of a sexy photo shoot, but discovering that being half naked in front of a hunky photographer and his camera is one hell of a turn-on. And when a girl gets that aroused, a little shyness isn’t going to keep her from getting what she wants.

Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc
Date: May 21, 2010
Format: eBook
Reading Level: Adult

My Take:

Erotica is not a genre I read on a regular basis by any means, but on occasion I tend to feed my wild side. LOL Okay, so what is this little gem about? Erotic Exposure is about a young woman, Liz, who is an animal lover that finds herself agreeing to be in a pinup calendar. Although she claims to be shy, she has a wild side that yearns to be released. Liz meets Kent (the stand-in photographer) and they get a little wild for the camera.

This is not one of those deeply erotic stories with so much hanky-panky you want to laugh. Tyler gives just enough detail to quench the reader's desire, so to speak. The characters are realistic and interesting. The use of a photo shoot was interesting and worked nicely. The connection between the characters did feel like a one-night-stand type of encounter at first. From start to finish, the pace was great, leaving no lulls in the story. In only thirty-six pages, Tyler created a fantastic erotic story that left me wanting the story to continue. More please!

Review: Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

2011-01-18T00:01:00.001-06:00

Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky—and equally dangerous—dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen's sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren't so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn't exactly what she had in mind . . .

Lament is a dark faerie fantasy that features authentic Celtic faerie lore, plus cover art and interior illustrations by acclaimed faerie artist Julia Jeffrey.

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 325 pages
Publisher: Flux
Released: October 8, 2008
Series: Books of Faerie

My Thoughts:

The story line is good. It is more or less a modernized fairy tale of girl meets boy and falls in love. Of course, in every fairy tale there are always complications. All though I was happy with how Lament kept me interested, there were not a lot of explanations to why some things happened or why they didn't. For example, in the first chapter Dierdre (the main character) met a boy (Luke Dillon) that was in her dream, but it never told us about the dream she had about a mysterious boy. There were details about Dierdre's family's past that seemed to be missing from the story, which is a main point in the story itself. I would definitely tell people about this book. Even though I got confused at points. I'm still looking forward to how the story continues in Ballad.

Review: For Love of Children by Erin L. Snyder

2011-01-17T00:01:00.007-06:00

Summary

For more than a thousand years, Santa Claus has watched over the world's children. Once a bishop, he achieved immortality through magic and alchemy. He has spent centuries trying to teach generosity and compassion. Despite his considerable power, he has never tampered with history or politics: he has always trusted humanity to learn from its mistakes. But the horrors of World War II test his faith.

He begins to wonder if the world needs more from his magic than toys and dreams. He sets out to find others like him, legends and myths that have withstood the ages, to ask their help building a world where the innocent will be safe. He finds allies in Peter, a strange creature who is neither rabbit nor man, and the Tooth Fairy, the last of her kind. But there are older legends in the world, and not all share Nicholas's sympathy for humanity.

Paperback: 310 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release date: December 17, 2009

My View

For Love of Children has exactly one thing wrong with it - People are going to give you odd looks when you tell them about the book you’re reading.

Snyder's debut novel opens up a whole new world of adventure, providing depth and texture to characters you just thought you knew. The heroes and villains might be from fairy tales but this story is treated as serious business. No parodies or tongue-in-cheek humor. There are moments that will make you laugh but it's part of the scene. The characters themselves are not the butt of anyone's joke.

Actually, I was impressed with the realism of the story. There's new insight into Nicholas' origin, as well as an explanation on where elves really come from. Peter was an interesting character that you can't help feel sorry for. His life isn't all painted eggs and Easter Sundays. Likewise, the plight of the last fairy adds more reality than I expected to the person we all know as the Tooth Fairy... and yes, there is an explanation as to why she takes teeth.

My favorite part? One of the background stories involves learning Peter’s origin. The revelation is awesome; one of the best twists I’ve ever encountered.

Don’t make a fatal mistake that could lead to awkward moments by reading this to your son or daughter. The main characters might be Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, but this isn’t a children’s book. There’s war, blood and death. It’s not excessive but this definitely isn’t Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Part Two. Jolly ol' Santa can be a conniving dude when he needs to be, and both Peter and the fairy are able to open up a serious can of whoop-ass when they need to... and they do need to a couple of times.

If you enjoy books where concepts are given human form (ex. Piers Anthony’s Incarnations of Immortality series, Jackie Morse Kessler’s Hunger and Rage) then you’ll probably enjoy this imaginative twist on well-known characters.

Review: Winter's Passage (Iron Fey Novella) by Julie Kagawa

2011-01-16T00:01:00.003-06:00

Summary:

Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck--Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon--who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter--a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat....

Reading level: Young Adult
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Released: June 1, 2010
Format: eBook
Series: Iron Fey
Next Book: The Iron King
Previous Book: The Iron Daughter

My Take:

It's always exciting to start reading one of Kagawa's books and Winter's Passage is no different. Winter's Passage picks up where the Iron Daughter left off and is equally entertaining. Meghan promised Ash she would return to the winter court with him in exchange for his help. This promise is iron clad as all faerie promises are. Their journey isn't easy. The Eldest Hunter is after them and they can't seem to get away from it. Will they make it to Tir Na Nog or will the hunter find them first?

Kagawa continues to enthrall with the enchanting Iron Fey. The romance is alive between Meghan and Ash, creating an intriguing situation. The use of the big bad wolf was interesting and unexpected. For those that have yet to read the Iron Fey series, Winter's Passage will definitely entice you into reading the entire story. World building is top-notch in each of the books, adding so many fantasy elements that you really get lost in the worlds Kagawa has created. Would I recommend this novella? Yes, most definitely.

For more details on Julie Kagawa and her books visit her website, blog, or Twitter.

Review: Ripper’s Row by Donnie Light and Shawn Weaver

2011-01-15T00:01:00.004-06:00

Summary
In the fall of 1888, Jack the Ripper cut a swath of blood and terror through the streets of London, in an area known as Whitechaple. The papers called him a monster for attacking innocent women in the night. But if the world only knew the truth behind Jack's monstrous acts, they would think differently.

Jack was a madman, yes, but a madman on a mission to save the world from the foul creatures of the night. Creatures that haunted his soul, tortured his existence, and made every minute of his life a living hell. Only Jack the Ripper could save the unsuspecting masses from the vampires that ruled the streets of Whitechaple after dark. Only he could strike down the dangerous Master Vampire William Carpenter-or die in the attempt.

Follow the infamous "Jack the Ripper" through a harrowing adventure to take back the streets of Victorian London, and reclaim the honor of a love lost to darkness.

Paperback: 178 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace
Released: November 1, 2010

My View

I was looking forward to reading Ripper’s Row because I’ve always been fascinated by Jack the Ripper and I really enjoyed Donnie Light’s Dark Justice… but there was something missing here.

The story was good. Jack was a fascinating character and I really enjoyed seeing some of the steampunk-style weapons he used. His motivation wasn’t very original but it was a decent motivation to use. I’d be willing to do the vampire-hunting thing if I were in his shoes. Likewise, vampire William Carpenter was a good character. He’s a bloodthirsty monster, but he has the charm that all vampires seem to have. He’s portrayed as cold and calculating but his thoughts and plans are human. He has dreams, desires, and fears. These qualities make him as believable as a vampire can be.

While it’s hard to really know any proven details about Jack the Ripper’s history, it’s apparent that Light and Weaver did their research. While many deaths got tied to the serial killer, there are a particular five who have gone down in history as definitely being victims of the Ripper’s blade. If you know who those five women are, then you know who William Carpenter’s vampire clan is comprised of.

There are a few elements missing that I wish had been included. Jack has some mystical and mysterious allies that we never really learn about and Jack’s method of killing is never fully explained. At one point, William says the kills are done to send a message to all vampires that a hunter is on the loose, but the reason for this assumption is never given.

I was very impressed with the delicate balancing act that was achieved with the book. When you’re dealing with a horror story with a vampire and a serial killer as the main characters, it’s all too easy to get overwhelmed in blood and gore. The violence and blood is there, but the authors don’t get carried away with it.

In the end, all I can say is that some important ‘spark’ was missing. Ripper’s Row was an entertaining read, but it gave no sense of urgency. When I read Light’s Dark Justice, I was constantly drawn to the book, compelled to read during every free moment so I could find out what happened next. That feeling didn’t exist with this one, and that surprised me since I do have that previously mentioned interest in Jack the Ripper.

The book ends with the hint of a sequel waiting in the wings. Ripper’s Row was good but left me wanting more. If a second book does come out, I hope it delivers.

Review: Immortal by Gillian Shields

2011-01-14T00:01:00.002-06:00

Summary:

Welcome to Wyldcliffe, the place that haunts my present, my past, and my future.

Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn from her home near the sea to become the newest scholarship student, strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave her drowning in loneliness.

Evie's only lifeline is Sebastian, a mysterious and attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie's feelings for Sebastian blaze with each secret meeting, she begins to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl—a girl who is so eerily like Evie she could be a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present that she cannot control. As the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate.

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Released: June 29, 2010
Series: Immortal

My Thoughts:

Immortal is an interesting story about 16 year old Evie Johnson. After her grandmother gets ill and has to go into a nursing home, there's no place for Evie to go but Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies. In this book you will find out how Evie's life changes after going to the Wyldcliffe school.

This was just an "ok" story to me. I felt like the story just seamed to drag on instead of getting to the point. Although it did keep me interested in finding out how the story would end. There wasn't a lot of action. I would recommend Immortal to a friend but it would definitely be at the bottom of that list.

Review: Elephant Milk by Diane Sherry Case

2011-01-13T00:01:00.003-06:00

Summary:

Sean Hayes is driving a lime green dune buggy that a friend of hers traded from Elvis Presley for angel dust. A major motion picture is about to be released with Sean's accidentally naked breasts in it and she has just watched her best girlfriend shoot heroin, while Keith Richards nodded on the couch. Sean parks the dune buggy on Coldwater Canyon, walks down the hill, and lights a joint to calm down. There she finds a pile of black clothes, wet with blood. The Tate murders? It is 1969 and things are starting to get really icky.

Meanwhile, Sean's first boyfriend has taken off to Mexico and she has no idea exactly where he is. But a girl has to follow her heart. Sean leaves Beverly Hills determined to find her lover, even if it means joining a traveling circus and getting lost in a world of drum rolls and lions and Mayan glyphs. Even it means having knives thrown at her for a living, and facing a loaded machine gun in the hands of her rival. Somehow, she will find Frank, even if means going deep into the jungle, just in time to view a total eclipse, on the back of her favorite elephant.

Paperback: 164 pages
Publisher: Miraculous Books
Released: November 17, 2010

My Take:

This is a very interesting story about a girl, Sean, that falls in love with Frank, who's all about himself and his music. She follows Frank to Mexico and finds herself a spot in a circus. Her journey takes her throughout Mexico where she finally finds Frank. Does he love her the way she thinks she loves him? That's the million dollar question.

Sean was a little on the blah side as far as characters go. There just seemed to be something lacking in that respect. Frank just flat out ticked me off. His willingness to have sex with Sean in the beginning, only to push her away later was frustrating and... well, pissed me off a bit. Overall, Elephant Milk was a super fun read and I enjoyed going along for the ride with Sean. The cover art is super creative. I think it attracted my attention more than anything else. Would I recommend this book to others? Probably so, it's interesting, but it's really not the type of book I typically read. But it was quite enjoyable.

Review: Flashes from the Other World by Julie Ann Weinstein

2011-01-11T00:01:00.005-06:00

Summary:

Magic without the hocus pocus, these stories explore the ethereal blur between reality and not, between dream and sleep, between love and 'other than' love. They present relationships with a tender wackiness. Tossed into the mix are mischievous ghosts, who give the talking plants and even the seductive and vocal grains of sand a run for their money. Quirky and offbeat, these stories will touch your heart, although they may tug at your funny bone first.

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: All Things That Matter Press
Released: September 26, 2010

My Take:

After reading the summary of "Flashes From the Other World," I was very curious as to how Weinstein could generate a collection of short stories about magic without using magic. To say the very least, I was quite pleased with her style and the interesting stories she came up with. Several of them stood out amongst the rest as seems to be the way it is with anthologies. There were a variety of subjects to set each story apart from the others in the collection, which kept each story fresh and exciting.

"Camp Ghosts" was a fantastic story about a group of girls at camp that are lured to the water by ghost ships. As some of the girls venture into the darkness, they find more than they bargain for.
This was a great story, albeit short. I thought there was great potential for a longer story as it had an element of horror/paranormal that was intriguing.

"The Vacant Tub" was eerie as heck. I enjoy a good ghost story as much as the next person but when kids are involved it's just freaky. I wanted more of this story; it felt a little rushed, like there had been more that was taken out. I really enjoyed the freakish ending when the man hears the ghost boy speak. Even though I enjoyed reading "The Vacant Tub," I really wish there was more to it.

"Doll Finders" was awesome. Can you imagine adults passing around a doll's head at the office? Me neither. The doll's head ends up in the hands of the janitor, who cleans it up as if it were a child. I won't give away the ending but I was shocked. It really wasn't what I expected at all. It's one of those stories where a character, such as the janitor, is not what he seems to be.

The remainder of the stories just didn't do it for me. For the most part, I got the feeling that many of the stories were incomplete. Almost as if the author took a break from writing and started a new story when she returned, rather than finish the previous story. They had great potential but something was missing.

Weinstein really has a weird mind and I shudder to think of how she comes up with her unique, yet twisted material. The three stories I mentioned were awesome. I just wish the others had felt more complete.

Review: Virals by Kathy Reichs

2011-01-10T00:01:00.013-06:00

Summary:

Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.

Fortunately, they are now more than friends they're a pack. They are Virals.

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Razorbill
Released: November 2, 2010
Series: Virals

My Take:

One of my favorite library patrons raved about Virals and recommended that I read it right away. So I did what any good librarian would do, and I took that baby home. Honestly, I hadn't planned on reading this book and wasn't really sure what to expect from it. I have watched a few episodes of Bones and wasn't overly thrilled with it. As far as the Temperance Brennan series goes, I'll be honest and say that I haven't heard a lot of great things. Fingers crossed, I cracked the spine and hoped that Reichs wasn't as overly detailed as I've heard she is from patrons who have read her adult series. Virals was a pleasant YA read and I'm so glad I gave it a chance. The characters were great but seemed to feel more middle grade than YA.

Virals is a great mystery, with a very small hint of science fiction/paranormal blended in. The mystery itself was great. Tory and her friends work together to find out who killed a young girl years earlier. It all starts when they find some old military dog tags and begin to look into who they belonged to. Soon, Tory is dodging bullets in the woods and running for her life. The kids stop at nothing to find the answers they seek.

From breaking into secure labs, rescuing a caged wolf-dog, finding the remains of a young girl and learning that they have powers, what else could you ask for? Reichs has crafted a well-rounded story with more than enough twists and turns to keep you enthralled in Tory's world. I look forward to seeing where Kathy takes the Virals in the rest of the series. I hope to see a little more use of their Viral powers in the next installment.

Review: Rebellion by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

2011-01-08T23:59:00.001-06:00

Summary:

Cara needs something to live for. Abel just needs to keep her alive. As members of the newly formed rebellion against the Gods, Cara and Abel have their parts to play: she is a skilled healer and he is the Guardian put in charge of her protection. Or is it the other way around?

Publisher: Stacey Wallace Benefiel
Pages: 29
Released: January 5, 2011
Series: Day Of Sacrifice

My Take:

I have eagerly awaited this installment in the Day of Sacrifice series and I was not disappointed. Stacey started off Rebellion with an action scene that includes major loss of life. Who suffers and who doesn't? Well, you're going to have to read it to find out! Sorry, but I despise spoilers!! There are so many more elements in this installment than there were in Day of Sacrifice. The introduction of a vampire to the mix of characters was interesting. The idea he is hunted down by his own kind and has a guardian himself is intriguing. The rebellion is underway and the group of witches, guardians, a healer and the sacrifices are blindsided by the opposing side, which I like to call the imbeciles. A new romantic interest forms and I was so glad that it did. Cara really needed a little love in her life or a little action at least.

Overall, I am left wanting more of this series. Stacey really knows how to reel in a reader and keep them enthralled, not only in the story, but the fantastic characters she creates for each exciting installment as well. If you haven't checked out Stacey's work you must, she's an amazing storyteller.

Right now you can buy a copy of "Rebellion" for $1.00 at Amazon, Smashwords, or Barnes and Noble.

You can also check out my review for "Day of Sacrifice" (DoS #1) here

Review: Matched by Ally Condie

2011-01-07T00:01:00.005-06:00

Summary:

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Released: November 30, 2010
Series: Trilogy
Next Book: Crossed (Nov 2011)

My Take:

I've looked forward to reading Matched for what seems like forever. Finally, I got the chance and I am so very glad that I did. I found myself wondering what it would be like to have all my decisions made for me. Wouldn't that be great if we didn't have a care in the world? Well, not really! When it comes down to it, what makes us all unique are the choices we make, whether we make the right choice or not. I mean, when it comes to love, wouldn't we rather make that choice ourselves? Who could possibly know us better than ourselves? And there's the rub. This, among many other life choices, are made by "The Society." One word comes to my mind, PRISON!

Cassia's journey begins with her match banquet. At the banquet, she is to see the face and hear the name of the boy she is matched to for the first time. Shockingly enough, her match is to a close friend, Xander, whom she already knows. Knowing your match is a rare occurrence; both Xander and Cassia are happy to be bound together. Soon, Cassia uses her microcard to learn more about Xander, as if she didn't know everything already, and is shocked to see another boy's face pop up on the screen. She knows this boy too! Cassia becomes curious about the other boy, Ky, and soon she begins to wonder which boy is her true match.

Condie has created a world that provokes the imagination, making you wonder what the future has in store for us. My heart dropped when I read about the Society only having the 100 best poems, songs, stories, paintings to enjoy. How limiting! Then I found myself angered that everything else was destroyed. WTF? But that is a fitting move for a society being controlled like lab rats.

Overall, I really enjoyed Cassia's journey and I'm eager to find out what happens next. "Crossed" can't come out fast enough! There was one thing that really bummed me out; the ending. The ending just kinda lacked a real ending. There wasn't a cliffhanger; there was just Cassia working in a field. UGH! Not sure what I expected but let's just say that wasn't it. Would I read it again? Heck yes! It's definitely one I'll pass around to friends.

Early Review: Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler

2011-01-01T00:01:00.002-06:00

About the Book

"...She brought the razor to her inner thighs again and again and again, but with each sting came no release, no comforting numbness that dulled the horror of her life. It wasn’t enough. So she cut again—swiftly, mercilessly..."

Missy didn’t mean to cut so deep. But after the party where she was humiliated in front of practically everyone in school, who could blame her for wanting some comfort? Sure, most people don’t find comfort in the touch of a razor blade, but Missy always was . . . different.

That’s why she was chosen to become one of the Four Horsemen Apocalypse: War. Now Missy wields a different kind of blade--a big, brutal sword that can cut down anyone and anything in her path. But it’s with this weapon in her hand that Missy learns something that could help her triumph over her own pain: control.

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 228 pages
Publisher: Graphia (April 18, 2011)

Review

After I read "Hunger", I was so impressed by the authors writing style and creativity that I had to go ahead and read "Rage", even though it isn't set to be released until April 2011. The level of detail in regards to Missy's character is shocking and yet attractive, given the rage she hides within herself. This was a tough read for so many reasons. One, I couldn't wrap my head around the cutting and secondly, how could her parents not know. The plot moved forward at a great pace with more details on Pestilence this time. Missy was harder to relate to than Lisabeth in the previous book.

Missy is a very angry young women who is faced with becoming War. She seems to live a normal life but so much turmoil is held within and cutting is her release from the pain. Her character left me with an OMG feeling throughout the story. At times you want to hug her and say all will be well and at other times, slap her and say grow up, sister. She was very difficult to connect with but played an attractive role as War. The madness within her brings forth a side of her that is almost pure evil, seeming to link her to War even more as you turn each page.

Death the pale rider is absolutely fascinating. I know that sounds crazy beyond belief, but it's true. he sings, plays the guitar, and seems to be the voice of reason. Would you listen to Death? Is it wise to trust him? For whatever reason, each horseman follows suit and trusts him completely. I am so intrigued by this character that I want to read more on him.

Even though Death is leader of the pack, I am drawn also to Pestilence. No, not that way. The idea of carrying all the diseases of the world is totally nasty! In "Rage", he plays a larger role and, even though he is insane and insanely nasty, his character is appealing. Pestilence has a quality that leaves you wanting to know more. He has a history...he gave up his position once.

The ending was not what I expected and that's all I will say about that. Rage is an enjoyable, very dark read. The cutting was intense and emotional, to say the least. Rage will grip you tight and have you reading into the night. Reality can be more horrific than any horror flick. I highly recommend this book as well, as Hunger, to anyone. Well worth your time; it will change how you think.

Review: Blood Fruit (Anthology)

2010-12-29T00:01:00.023-06:00

Summary

A Queer Collection of Dark Tales of the Macabre and the Horrific. Eleven tales from new and established authors of Queer Speculative Fiction.

The Lure of Dangerous Woman by Shanna Germain: The things that call to us-music, cigarettes, art, women-are as strong and murky as the bayou. In New Orleans, they are the bayou.

A Different Kind of Monster by TA Moore: It wasn't Peter's beauty that attracted Sol, rather his cruelty... He was a cold flame to Sol's moth.

Just Past Winter by Nathan Sims: Prisoner of an enemy pack, Marcus has one chance at freedom. But what will the werewolf have to sacrifice to make it back home?

Hemophobia by Trent Roman: Connor is an (un)living contradiction: a vampire who is afraid of blood. But he'll have to push through the fear-or his only friend will be dead before the night is out.

The Diarist by Mark Silcox: It was Mitchell who found the old man's diary, but Leo who couldn't stop reading it. Sometimes the memories of the dead can bleed into the world of the living...

After All by Laramie Dean: Danny is making enormous changes in his life after his last disastrous relationship...but all it takes is a chalk-white face at the window to spin everything out of control.

Happy Anniversary by Stephen Osborne: An evening playing with a spirit board brings terror to Max and Perry when a vengeful spirit from Max's past is conjured.

Tombstone by Raymond Yeo: Nick's sister is back in town and she's brought her own demon...

Captive Magic by Garry McLaughlin: Bannister is just a harmless old man, isn't he? At least that is what Scott thinks until a chain of events cause him to suspect that Bannister is anything but harmless.

Hollow by Jamie Freeman: Theo has a secret life he's killing for...

For Her Eyes by Quinn Smythwood: Angeline's life just turned into a fairytale, but there's something wicked scratching its way through the walls...

Queer, dark, macabre tales of horrifying and sensual gay and lesbian terror.

Paperback: 246 pages
Publisher: Queered Fiction
Released: July 26, 2010

My Take

Blood Fruit is a collection of horror shorts that delve into the otherworldly, be it by magic, shapeshifters, or another creature all together. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect from Blood Fruit as I'm a lover of horror and the things that go bump in the night.

A Different Kind of Monster was definitely my favorite of the collection. The title was fitting to the plot and the monster. I don't want to give away any details but I was definitely shocked by the ending. The sex was a bit over the top for me but I see the importance to the plot.

Captive Magic falls in the middle ground for me. It wasn't bad but lacked in intrigue. There was a great body swap plot going on that just seemed to fall flat. In the end, I didn't care if Bannister was able to complete the swap on a permanent basis or not. Captive Magic had the makings of a great story but the characters just kinda fell flat, leaving a blah feeling.

Just Past Winter is very similar in plot to many of the shapeshifter were stories on the market today with the exception of two were alphas hooking up together. The characters were a little under developed and felt fake to me. One were kidnaps the other and all of a sudden they're in love. It reminded me of the old black and white movies were the couple has a dramatic kiss.

Overall, each story represented the paranormal genre but I wouldn't go as far as to say horror. Are the stories enjoyable? well, yes and no. Some have a great foundation but are definitely lacking when it comes to character development. Most of the characters were just there and not memorable at all. The sex scenes were a tad over-powering, taking away from the paranormal/horror. Being that the collection is meant to contain dark tales of the macabre and the horrific some hit the spot while others barely grazed the surface.

**After doing a little research as to the category of this particular book on Amazon, I found that it really isn't classified as anything other than adult fiction. If you are not interested in same sex tales or erotica this may not be the book for you. As I do enjoy my fair share of erotic tales this was a bit much, for even me.

Review: The Postcard Killers by James Patterson

2010-12-27T00:01:00.002-06:00

Summary

Paris is stunning in the summer

NYPD detective Jacob Kanon is on a tour of Europe's most gorgeous cities. But the sights aren't what draw him—he sees each museum, each cathedral, and each café through the eyes of his daughter's killer.
The killing is simply marvelous

Kanon's daughter, Kimmy, and her boyfriend were murdered while on vacation in Rome. Since then, young couples in Paris, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, and Stockholm have been found dead. Little connects the murders, other than a postcard to the local newspaper that precedes each new victim.
Wish you were here

Now Kanon teams up with the Swedish reporter Dessie Larsson, who has just received a postcard in Stockholm—and they think they know where the next victims will be. With relentless logic and unstoppable action, The Postcard Killers may be James Patterson's most vivid and compelling thriller yet.

My Take

After reading several books in the Women's Murder Club series and feeling let down by the changes to Lynsay Boxer's character when Maxine Paetro joined in on the writing, I was a little stand-offish in getting started with this one. Patterson and Marklund's writing flows very well together, creating a wild and thrilling mystery with serial killers straight out of a crime drama TV show. The Postcard Killers is creative mix of art and, of course, death as the killers deliver their extremely gruesome masterpieces to reflect various forms of art.

I have to admit that I did expect more in the gore department. However, this didn't slow the delivery of a fantastic and intriguing international mystery. Dessie and Jacob added to the overall intensity of the story as they joined forces to solve the mystery of the postcards and stop the killers once and for all. Jacob's character was a driving force in my opinion, adding the perfect amount of emotion and rage in all the right places. The ending was quite fitting, leaving the reader fulfilled but ready for more. Fingers crossed we see more novels from this amazing author duo in the future.

About the Authors

Liza Marklund is a Swedish journalist and crime writer, who lives in Stockholm with her husband and three children.

James Patterson is the award winning author of the Alex Cross, Women's Murder Club, Maximum Ride, Witch and Wizard, and Daniel X series books.