Thursday, February 28, 2013

The Bad Girls Club by Kathryn O'Halloran

Title: The Bad Girls' Club
Author:  Kathryn O'Halloran
Published:  December 22nd 2012
Page Count:  256
Genre:  Chick-Lit
Shelf: Review Copy
Rating:  

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Three girls unite in their realisation that keeping themselves nice has got them nowhere. It’s time to take action. It’s time to rebel. It’s time to become Bad Girls.

Imogen wants to get laid but how can she be a bad girl until she loses a few kilos and gets her body into order?

Beth is happy to be a bad girl - so long as no one else finds out and so long as she is in control.

Juliette’s not really sure what she’s doing there, but it sure beats another Saturday night gaming with her geek boyfriend.

They band together to form the Bad Girls Club, a support group for recovering nice girls, and through a series of brazen dares, push the limits of their sexuality.

But are the girls ready to finally take the final leap that will have them branded as bad girls for real? To save the club, and each other, they each have to publicly acknowledge their darkest secrets.

The Bad Girls’ Club – it’s about sex, it’s about dares but most of all, it’s about friendship.

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

My Review:

PRICELESS!!! This book is completely and utterly priceless. I don’t remember the last time that I laughed so hard. I’m still laughing now. It was sheer brilliance.

Not only is this book very well written but O’Halloran has an unbeatable storyline that is so different from anything I’ve ever read yet completely based in real life. O’Halloran doesn’t depend on the supernatural or on overly fairy-tale-esque events. She takes things that happen to real people and weaves them together in a heart-warming and hilarious series of events. O’Halloran backs these events up with well-rounded descriptions of scenery and events without bogging her readers down with long, drawn out narrative lulls.

Best of all was how real the characters were. I absolutely loved them. They were so real, so open, and so funny. I wanted to meet them in person and join their club. They are three very different individuals, brought together through a common acquaintance who come to realize that true friendship transcends these differences. They also grow as individuals, realizing that stereotypes and prejudices can hamper them in their personal lives. These characters are also very well developed. O’Halloran walks a brilliantly fine line in their development. You find out all about them, without getting hampered down in unnecessary details.

While making you laugh out loud, this book really makes you stop and think about your life. It makes you contemplate stepping out of your comfort zone and finding the real you. It also makes you realize how important good friends and a good book are.


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Feyland: The Dark Realm by Anthea Sharp

Title:  Feyland:  The Dark Realm
Author:  Anthea Sharp
Series: Feyland #1
Published:  April 12th 2012 by Createspace (first published December 1st 2011)
Page Count:  320
Genre:  Young Adult Fantasy
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:  

~ Book 1 in the award-winning YA Urban Fantasy trilogy ~

What if a high-tech computer game was a gateway to the dangerous Realm of Faerie?

WHEN A GAME…

Feyland is the most immersive computer game ever designed, and Jennet Carter is the first to play the prototype. But she doesn’t suspect the virtual world is close enough to touch — or that she’ll be battling for her life against the Dark Queen of the faeries.

TURNS REAL…

Tam Linn is the perfect hero — in-game. Too bad the rest of his life is seriously flawed. The last thing he needs is rich-girl Jennet prying into his secrets, insisting he’s the only one who can help her.

WINNING IS EVERYTHING…

Together, Jennet and Tam enter the Dark Realm of Feyland, only to discover that the entire human world is in danger. Pushed to the limit of their abilities, they must defeat the Dark Queen… before it’s too late.

My Review:

Holy Cow! I seriously lack hand eye coordination and any desire to become a gamer, but at the moment, I’m seriously considering it. This story was so excruciatingly real that you need to play the game with the characters. Just wow!

Sharp employs vividly exotic descriptions and locales that catch you right from the get go. This story becomes so real that it is scary. You can actually picture the events occurring and you find yourself picturing what would happen if you were in the characters’ shoes. The events in question may be out of our realm, but the way that they are written makes everything so real and thrilling that you forget that it is a fantasy.

The phenomenal characters in this novel draw you in to this world as well. They had personalities that you could relate to. There were definitely times when you wanted them to stop feeling sorry for themselves and get on with life, or wondered why in the world they had done something so irreversibly stupid, but they were real people struggling through their issues. I also enjoyed the fact that the relationship between the characters grew throughout the novel. They didn’t instantly go from strangers to madly in love in the blink of an eye. They got to know each other as people first. It made them that much more real and approachable.

This novel was amazingly exciting, invigorating, and captivating. It is so different from your typical fantasy novel that you can’t help but be intrigued. It brought a brand new world to life and kept me captivated throughout. It was brilliant as a standalone novel as well as the first novel in a series, providing you with characters that you get to know and love.


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The Warrior by Ty Patterson


Title:  The Warrior
Author:  Ty Patterson
Series: Zeb Carter and Booker #1
Published:  December 11th 2012
Page Count:  153
Genre:  Action/Suspense
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:  

Zeb Carter is almost your average Private Military Contractor. Almost. Which is why the perpetrators should have gone after him.

A thriller that spans Congo and New York, The Warrior is dotted with gritty action, a central character that fuels imagination, and a supporting cast of great colorful characters.

The Warrior is about relentless determination and a burning need to avenge and to deliver retribution against all odds. The Warrior is not just about action but also about character build up and the clash of differing values and how those clashes affect outcomes. Lastly, The Warrior is about the brotherhood of warriors.

My Review:
The premise behind this novel is very intriguing. Although following the basic model of an action story the overarching case that the characters are dealing with is unique [for a fictional story]. It leads to a very intense story.  

I found a couple of spots in the novel to be a bit choppy, but as a whole it was quite well written with a flow to the narrative. However, it does alternate between very slow and quite fast paced. I did appreciate the fact that Patterson wrote an action novel without something blowing up every few pages. There is definite substance to the storyline.  

I tend to appreciate a fair amount of character development within the novels that I read. I found that by the end of this story you don’t really know any of the characters at all. You find out bits and pieces about certain characters and their histories. Other than that, the only thing that you really learn about a character is their chosen profession.

One thing that I’m slightly perplexed with at this point is how this is the first book in the Zeb Carter and Booker series when one of those characters does not make it out of the novel. However, I assume that this will be explained in further novels in the series.

As a whole, this was a decent way to spend an afternoon. It was an easy to read novel that I enjoyed. I would love to know more about the characters and their very unique missions.


Buy your copy online here today.

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Elijah's Conquest, Vol 1 by June Spears

Title:  Elijah's Conquest
Author:  June Spears
Series:  Elijah's Conquest #1
Published:  October 24th 2012 by June Spears
Page Count:  192
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

He met his fate at the young age of only seventeen. Elijah Fitzgerald, sets out to find the one person who changed his life. He finds his conquest fueled by the lust and hunger of his innermost desires, far beyond his wildest dreams.Will he ever find "The One" who will tame his ways forever?

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

My Review:

My first thought about this book upon completing it was that it is your stereotypical vampire meets human love story. It had some twists and changes, some of which were very unexpected, but as a whole this is what it was. It is a great lead in to the series as a whole, and hooks the reader on to the possibility of what is to come. The way that Spears managed this was brilliant.

The major characters in this novel were quite well developed. With the way that they were brought to life through the pages of the novel, you could always see where they were coming from and understand their actions and reactions. The minor characters were just there. They could have used some more development, and hopefully this will come in future novels in the series.

Spears uses some amazingly vivid descriptions that make everything seem extremely real. This includes the paranormal aspects of the novel. She manages to portray the outlandish events and aspects of a vampire in a manner that not only makes them seem possible but very plausible.

I think that my biggest issue with this story is that it jumps perspective way too often. At times, it happens from sentence to sentence and then back again. It was very frustrating because it really prevented me from immersing myself into the story.

I’m very intrigued to see where this goes with future installments. There were quite a few things that had me quite intrigued and wanting to know where they would lead. Although I was a bit iffy about this book on its own, I’m dying to see what the sequel brings (no pun intended....).


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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

A Dragon`s Dream of Love by Jodie B. Cooper

Title:  A Dragon`s Dream of Love
Author:  Jodie B. Cooper
Series:  Song of the Sidhi #2
Published:  May 11th 2011 by Jodie B. Cooper
Page Count:  92
Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Leah doesn't believe she'll ever find true love, not with a dhark valley lord as a father and a death omen hovering over her head.

Her dream of love is put on a back burner when her father ships her to summer camp with hundreds of other immortal youths. Arriving in Dragon Valley she desperately searches for a 'good' dragon, because like it or not, she is rapidly running out of time. In less than a week she'll turn eighteen and according to her mom's cryptic remark Leah will die by her birthday unless she finds a dragon to help her.

Yep, good luck with that one.

She is stuck at a summer camp, surrounded by dragons. It should be easy finding a dragon of honor, a DeLeigh dragon, but it's not. Every dragon she meets has an aura that looks like a can of worms, twisting with hate and deception. There is no way she's approaching one of them.

Her only other option is Derek, a shapeshifter and a gorgeous royal pain-in-the-backside. Literally, he is a member of Haven Valley's royal family and very accustomed to girls falling at his feet, which will absolutely not happen with Leah.

Unfortunately, her time is running out. Should she trust Derek and ask for help? Or face her eighteenth birthday alone?

My Review:

What a thrilling little love story. I am completely captivated by the concept of lifemate that Cooper has developed so well in this story. Through this concept she brings to life a very unique love story that is further backed up with amazing scenery and descriptions. Not only is this world brought to life in a strikingly vivid way, but the story itself is also very well written.

Not only is this world brought together in an amazing way, but the characters themselves are also stellar. Cooper has mastered the art of developing a character in a way uniquely suited to their role in her writing. She never wastes time or space giving details that are irrelevant to the novel. However, the characters are always phenomenally developed. You get to know each and every one of the major characters.

I always love reading Cooper’s work. Although this novella was short, it was fast paced and a complete story all on its own. She never sacrifices the quality of her writing for word count.


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Beloved LifeMate by Jodie B. Cooper

Title:  Beloved Lifemate
Author:  Jodie B. Cooper
Series:  Song of the Sidhi #1
Published:  April 25th 2011 by Jodie B. Cooper
Page Count:  61
Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

What happens when a powerful elvish monarch opens a doorway from SĂ­dhĂ­ to Earth?

He stumbles upon a beautiful halfling who may spell doom for his entire world. When she turns out to be his predestined lifeMate, he knows without a shadow of doubt, his day has gone from bad to worse. Full-bloods, especially royals, never mate with halflings.

~ ~ ~

What's a girl to do when her destined lifeMate tries to kill her?

It all starts late one night about midnight ~ the only realistic time for a blood drinker to be out and about.

Miranda is having a fun-filled trip to Tulsa, celebrating her seventeenth birthday. Well, it was fantastic until her lifeMate tries to kill her.

Life as she knows it is about to come down to two critical facts: Stay away from sharp swords and do not fall off the commode.

My Review:

I always love reading Cooper’s work. She works cultural differences, prejudices, misunderstandings, and inclusivity into her work without ever actually mentioning it. Through the magical supernatural world that she has created, Cooper very tactfully incorporates these touchy subjects into very captivating and exhilarating stories. Beloved LifeMate is no exception to this rule.

Copper employs brilliant, vivid descriptions to help build her world. Everything has a purpose and a place, helping this world come to life right before your eyes, regardless of the length of the story written. She also manages some very well developed characters. By devoting minimal time to the development of minor characters, just giving the attributes necessary for their function in the story, she is able to focus on the main characters, making them very well rounded and lifelike.

As always, Cooper keeps her writing light, entertaining, and completely captivating. I can’t wait to dive in to more of her writing!


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Review: The Daemon Whisperer by Candice Bundy

Title:  The Daemon Whisperer
Author:  Candice Bundy
Series:  The Liminals Series #1
Published: October 1st 2012 by Lusios Publishing
Page Count:  366
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Shelf: Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Meriwether Storm discovered the grisly remains of her parents when she was only fourteen—the result of a failed daemon summoning. Meri immediately swore vengeance on the daemon who'd killed her parents, but there was only one problem: she had no idea which one had committed the atrocity. Before their untimely deaths, her parents trained her intensively in the arts, which Meri used to follow in their footsteps, ever seeking the daemon's name. Now, despite her years of searching, she's no closer to the truth and her time is running out.

When a mysterious daemon named Azimuth offers Meri a deadly summoning in exchange for information about her parents’ murderer, she takes it immediately and without intimidation. What does worry her is her attraction to Azimuth: when he touches Meri, her pulse races and she breathlessly awaits the feel of his lips upon her skin. Meri knows she should keep him at arm's length, but her traitorous thoughts obsess over him night and day.

Blinded by her desperation for the truth and her desire for Azimuth, Meri places her trust in the creatures who are her sworn enemy, jeopardizing her need for vengeance. After Meri discovers there's more to the deal than the daemon cabal first promised, can she accept all they have to offer?

When retribution is the only thing that drives you, how much are you willing to sacrifice before you lose yourself to the cause?

Genre: Horror/Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance/Erotica, Content: Contains graphic violence and explicit sexual situations, recommended for readers 18+.

The Liminals series is set in a future dystopian Front-Range Colorado filled with daemons, god-touched, and other not quite human creatures. Liminal beings stand at the crossroads between our world and alternate dimensions and have the ability to set things back to rights, if they so choose.

My Review:

I must say, when I started to read this novel I was a bit worried. It had a bit of a slow start, but when the storyline began to pick up it exploded. It went from ‘meh’ to awesomeness in the turn of a page.

Bundy uses sentences and paragraphs to her advantage, altering her writing style slightly based on the type of action occurring at that point in time. The descriptions in this novel lay out every scene perfectly. I love how Bundy’s wording and sentence structure change between a normal human’s home and the darker demon world. It highlights the differences between the two. This also carries over into her development of characters. She uses different terminology and wording to describe and explain the various different types of characters. She also took the time to develop some awesome characters to star in this novel. None of the main characters are superficial, nor are they stock characters. Each is individually crafted to suit a specific purpose. You can’t help but get to know and love them.

The supernatural aspects of this novel are very clearly laid out and explained. This is done without distracting from the progression of the storyline itself. This is quite helpful since it varies quite widely from the stereotypical . I also found it really cool to read a story where everyone, supernatural or not, is aware of the supernatural world. For once, it’s not a hidden sect but rather the norm for the society.

This novel was definitely a great start to the Liminals series. It draws you deep into the world of benevolent daemons, making you want to help them in their quest and to know them as individuals. By the end, you are dying to continue journeying with them.


Buy your copy online here today!

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Bound by J. Elizabeth Hill

Title:  Bound
Author:  J. Elizabeth Hill
Series:  The Mirrors of Bershan
Published:   November 17th 2012
Page Count:  378
Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

“Doesn’t she know you can’t do real magic alone?”

Freshly graduated from the Voleno Academy, Faylanna Derrion is trying to find her solitary place in a world where she and her fellow Magicia are expected to find their magical partner as soon as possible. When her mentor and his partner are taken by a terrible darkness before her eyes, her flight to find help brings Tavis into her life. Can she learn to see him as more than a simple farmer or will she accede to her father’s demands to return to her family’s home, following a path others have laid out for her? Can she choose her own course, after a lifetime of refusing to bind herself to anyone?

My Review:

This was a completely unique novel. Hill has a take on bound magic that I do not recall every having seen anywhere before. She combines history, with modernity and fantasy in such a seamless manner that you cannot help but enjoy yourself with this novel. The characters also interact in a way that is so realistic that you couldn’t ask for more.  

This novel is very well written. It never becomes jumpy or disjointed. I appreciate the fact that Hill takes the time to explain and describe those things that need an explanation but does not waste time or slow down the progression of the novel by describing those things that do not need an explanation. I also greatly enjoyed how well she brought her characters to life. In this novel, no one is perfect. But they are all perfectly suited to their purpose.

As a whole, this novel is a brilliant first book in the series. It sets up everything for the progression of the storyline. I also greatly enjoy the fact that this is an entire story on its own. It is so much more than just an intro to the series. This is definitely a series that I will be following.


Buy your copy online here today.

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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Rapid Water by Andrea Goodson

Title:  Rapid Water
Author: Andrea Goodson
Series:  The Riverbend Trilogy #2
Published: December 12th 2012 by Amazon Digital Services
Page Count:  196
Genre:  Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


While on an extended visit to the quiet community of Kennerdell in this second volume of The Riverbend Trilogy, Lena Woodruff continues to battle with the conflicts both around and within her. Will is recovering quickly from his injury and is unrelenting in his overwhelming attempts to win over Lena’s heart which quickly puts her on an emotional rollercoaster ride full of uncertainty and guilt. Still attempting to continue Carl Woodruff’s work and discover more information regarding the mysterious items related to the historical Penn family of Early America, Lena and Will unknowingly place themselves in jeopardy as they dive deeper into the mysterious newfound connection between William Penn and the Lenape Indians, travelling to Canada together in search for clues possibly held by the Moravian First Nation. Striving to prove that she had been followed is more difficult than Lena could have imagined and her mind begins to rapidly bend with confusion. She realizes that safety is a luxury she no longer possesses. Grief darkens her thoughts while insecurity and self-doubt cause the lines between reality and imagination to blur. Assured that being home is the cause of her pain and disbelief, she is desperate to quickly leave Kennerdell and return to her secluded life in Georgia. A small glimmer of hope arises inside of Lena which begins a conflict between her own self-doubt and the promise of something better. Where strength is weakness and vulnerability is an asset, the greatest danger that threatens Lena in Kennerdell may just be herself.


My Review:



Holy intrigue with the scumbag – and now I think I know who the scum bag is. And no, I’m not telling.

I love how the archaeological and anthropological aspect of the first story continues on to this installment. You learn more and more about the histories of these Native American peoples while on a grand adventure. This is augmented by the way that it is placed within Goodson’s very well written story. She has a way of bringing the world to life with her words that doesn’t compare to anything.

The characters come to life with a vengeance in this novel. I thought that I was getting to know them before, but now I feel like I grew up with the main characters. Goodson keeps feeding you details about the characters, building on past experiences that allow you to get to know them better and better. All the while, she continues progressing with the storyline. You also get to know some of the minor characters much better in this novel. This adds an extra element of depth to the story, drawing you further into the world that these individuals inhabit.

Goodson grabbed me with the first installment in this series and has kept me going with this one. I can’t stop thinking about the characters and their plight. Although my heart broke at the end of this novel, I still hold a great deal of hope for the characters and their future.


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Jaguar Moon by Martha Bourke

Title:  Jaguar Moon
Author:  Martha Bourke
Series:  Jaguar Sun #2
Published:  September 17th 2012 by Balam Press
Page Count: 239
Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Maya Delaney has survived becoming a shape-shifter, being kidnapped, and bringing the world into a new era at the end of the Mayan calendar.Maya hoped the worst was behind her, but troubling dreams still haunt her sleep. When a mysterious stranger appears, she suspects he may hold the key to her true identity. But to find out, Maya must decide to leave the ones who love her most.

Will the answers she seeks give her solace, or will they take her away from all she holds dear?

My Review:

This book picks up seamlessly where the first book in the series left off. Bourke manages to do this brilliantly without starting in the middle of something. It is a smooth transition from one book to another that allows for a break in between without confusion on the reader’s part. How perfect is that?

Everything in this novel is quite well written. There is never any confusion on the reader’s part. Concepts, such as that of the mating instinct, are clearly developed which helps create a strong basis for the story itself. Not only does Bourke take the time to develop the narrative and background in this story, but also the scenery. Everything is so vivid that you feel like you are watching a movie at times.

I love the fact that Bourke takes the characters from the first novel in the series and runs with them. They are all the same people; no one has had a miraculous personality change at any point in time or in the transition from novel to novel. She also continues to develop the characters, so as a reader you get to know them better and better. They are all such phenomenal (or phenomenally evil) people.

By developing all aspects of the novel, Bourke creates a very well rounded novel, avoiding the trap of a lopsided, fictional story. I also greatly appreciate the fact that although the novel ends setting it up perfectly for the sequel, it does end. The reader is not left completely up in the air, mid action. The biggest downside to this novel…. I don’t have the sequel in my hand right now.


Buy your copy online here today!


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Jaguar Sun by Martha Bourke

Title:  Jaguar Sun
Author:  Martha Bourke
Series:  Jaguar Sun #1
Published:   January 3rd 2012 by Balam Press
Page Count:  270
Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  Books I Bought
Rating:  ★

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

DECEMBER 21, 2012 Will that fateful day destroy our world, or did the Mayans have something else in mind?

Maya Delaney knows. Unfortunately.

Maya Delaney is just an average sixteen-year-old. She’s busy dealing with exams, her soon to be ex-boyfriend and fitting in.

But Maya’s got bigger problems. She’s hiding a major secret from her dad and having strange visions she can’t control.

In her struggle to figure out who she is, she learns that she is meant to fulfill an ancient Mayan Prophesy and bring forth a New Age on earth.

Will the spirit magic Maya wields be enough to defeat Toltec, an evil society bent on keeping her from her destiny?

Or will that destiny destroy her?


My Review:

There was so much to appreciate in this novel that I don’t know where to start. The fact that Bourke took shifters out of mainstream Caucasian society and gave them very deep ethnic roots was brilliant. She dug into existing mythology and religion to develop a wildly imaginative and extremely captivating novel that puts coming of age into a very unique light.

You don’t just see the world that Bourke describes in this novel; you get wrapped up in it and blanketed in it. This story is extremely well written, allowing you to immerse yourself even further into the action and reaction that accompanies it. She brings everything to life very well. It is brilliant.

The main characters in this story are very well developed. You know who they are, what they’re like, and what they like. I love how real the main character seems with all of her wild exaggerations. They make her leap off of the page and into the real world. I also appreciate the fact that the minor characters are quite well developed as well. Bourke found the balance wherein you get to know these characters but they don’t accidentally eclipse the major characters.

This is an extremely vivid world which is developed in such a manner that it is perfectly suited to the very vivid story that takes place within it. It is a phenomenal story that leaves you dying for more. Luckily for us, there’s a sequel.


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Oh wait!  Did I say buy?  Click on that link and get it for FREE from Smashwords!



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Monday, February 25, 2013

Grasping at Eternity by Karen Amanda Hooper

Title:  Grasping at Eternity
Author:  Karen Amanda Hooper
Series:  The Kindrily Series #1
Published:  May 25th 2012 by Starry Sky Publishing (first published May 21st 2012) 
Page Count:  368
Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Leave it to Maryah Woodsen to break the one rule that will screw up eternity: Never erase your memories.

Before entering this life, Maryah did the unthinkable—she erased. Now, at seventeen years old, she’s clueless that her new adoptive family has known her for centuries, that they are perpetually reincarnated souls, and that they have supernatural abilities. Oh, and she's supposed to love (not despise) Nathan, the green-eyed daredevil who saved her life.

Nathan is convinced his family’s plan to spark Maryah's memory is hopeless, but his love for her is undying. After spending (and remembering) so many lifetimes together, being around an empty version of his soulmate is heart shattering. He hates acting like a stalker, but has no choice because the evil outcast who murdered Maryah in their last lifetime is still after her.

While Maryah’s hunter inches closer, she and Nathan make assumptions and hide secrets that rip them further apart. Maryah has to believe in the magic within her, Nathan must have faith in the power of their love, and both need to grasp onto the truth before they lose each other forever—and discover just how lonely eternity can be.

X-MEN meets MY NAME IS MEMORY in Karen Amanda Hooper’s latest young adult release.


My Review:

I don’t think that my heart has ever been broken so many times before, nor has it ever swelled so full over a simple book. Hooper proves just how much power words have over us.

Not only does this novel have an amazing storyline but it is also phenomenally well written. Everything flows so naturally that it is very easy to forget that you are reading a book rather than living with the characters. Each scene and setting is explicitly described in a manner that transcends writing. I feel like I have walked through a picture book that illustrated everything for me. This is all done in such a subtle manner that you barely realise that it’s happening.

The characters in this novel were exquisite. Each and every one of them has a very long history. Hooper tactfully gives her readers a glimpse into their pasts so that you can get to know them, but doesn’t get bogged down in irrelevant details of inconsequential events in the distant past. While developing her characters she gives you the relevant details in a manner that allows you to know so much more about them than one would have thought possible.

Not only was this novel captivating and emotionally stimulating but it was also very unique. Hooper combines soul mates, reincarnation, and friendship to tell the tale of some extremely special individuals. These individuals become friends that you want to live and travel with throughout eternity.


Buy your copy of this phenomenal read online here today!!!


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A Prescription for Delirium by Noree Cosper

Title:  A Prescription for Delirium
Author:  Noree Cosper
Series:  Van Helsing Organization #1
Published:  December 1st 2012
Page Count:  278
Genre:  Paranormal
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:


Ninety years ago, Gabriella di Luca promised to protect the family of her dying lover. She failed to keep that promise. She was too far away to stop the devil that murdered the eldest Van Helsing son. Years later, Gabby learns the devil has resurfaced. She arrives in Hampton, TX, determined to stop the devil before it can lay a bloody hand on the remaining three brothers.

However, madness is spreading through Hampton. She suspects the devil is using this madness to test a drug which has a side effect of demonic possession. Gabby rushes to end the source of the madness only to fall victim to it. For a woman cursed with eternal life, dying is no threat. However, Gabby must stop the devil's plot or risk losing her most precious possession: her mind.

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.


My Review:

Way to take Van Helsing and run with it!!! Cosper takes this pre-existing mythology and runs with it to make something entirely new and exciting with this novel. I could barely put it down, always needing to know what was coming next.

Cosper has a very well developed plot that she works from to tell this story. The demonology behind this story is also very clear and concise. She builds the world in which the characters interact with each other with exquisite detail. You can picture where they are at each turn of events. Cosper also does not sacrifice a well written, intense story for her descriptions. She works everything together to create a well written novel that flows naturally. Nothing is forced, nothing is missing, and nothing is out of place.

I love the fact that these characters are ones that you can relate to. You get quite wrapped up in these characters and their lives but you still want to know more about them. Cosper gives you enough details and insight into the characters that you get to know them, but doesn’t tell you absolutely everything. The mystery behind the characters keeps you coming back for more just as much as the storyline does. It’s a very unique change from the norm where authors either give you all or nothing in the character department.

This novel definitely caught me by surprise. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. It was a brilliant twist on an old concept that kept me coming back for more. I can’t wait to read the sequel!


Buy your copy online here today!

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Medusa's Desire by E.B. Black

Title:  Medusa's Desire
Author: E.B. Black
Series:  Fate of Eros #1
Published:  November 22nd 2012
Page Count:  224
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

** The Fate of Eros Series: Book 1 * Exploring the Dark Side of Love **

When Medusa was beautiful, finding a man to love her was easy. Poseidon fought for glances from her heavy-lidded eyes against hundreds of suitors who proposed whenever she left her house.

Athena grew jealous. She allowed Medusa to be violated in the Parthenon and turned her into a monster for her indiscretion.

Now when she stares into the eyes of men, they scream as their skin hardens into stone. A caress against her cheek will be rewarded with the poisonous bites of the snakes that slither on her head.

No man is brave enough to approach her, until Perseus is ordered by the gods to kill her.

When they meet, desire sizzles between them. They are willing to risk it all-death, the wrath of the gods, the destruction of their families-if it means they can spend one more night together.

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

My Review:

Oh wow! I didn’t expect this book to be quite so heart wrenching. Black takes the story of Medusa and shows how she became the myth that she is. It was an extremely different outlook on this story, throughout which she made medusa and her problems seem quite real as she showed how Medusa was wronged at every turn of events.

The gods, goddesses, and the mythology surrounding the story itself stayed quite consistent. In fact, all details throughout the story remain consistent. Nothing takes a drastic change from one chapter to the next nor do you find yourself finding holes in the mythology or setup of the story. The descriptions that Black uses (or doesn’t use) could stand a bit of beefing up. They aren’t lacking to the extent that they detract from the story, however, they aren’t very strong either.

Although the character of Medusa was quite well developed, I found that the rest of the characters remained quite superficial. I found myself pulling directly from Greek mythology to fill in the blanks about people, which still left them quite without personalities. 

After reading this book, you won’t be able to look at Medusa or Perseus the same way. It does, however, put a bit of a hole in the theory that true love conquers all.

Buy your copy online here today!!!


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Sunday, February 24, 2013

Darkest Embrace by Robyn M. Pierce

Title:  Darkest Embrace
Author:  Robyn M. Pierce
Series:  The Lannister Chronicles #1
Published:  January 27th 2012
Page Count:  314
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

While running away to escape the actions of her deceased father, Elyssa Smith is caught in the worst storm that Lanistter Isle has ever seen, forcing her to seek shelter in the only place nearby -- Lanistter Castle. Soon, however, it's made clear that the inhabitants of the castle are the ones she's running away from in the first place.

Zeke Lanistter is the head of the European Lanistter branch -- and a sadist through and through. He has bloody plans for Elyssa, and will stop at nothing to get rid of her.

Reid Lanistter is known by many for his womanizing. But when Elyssa enters the castle, he does all he can to protect her from Zeke, unexpectedly morphing into a one-woman man.

In a sinister turn of events, Reid becomes the danger to Elyssa's life, and it’s Zeke who finds himself doing whatever he can to protect Elyssa...

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.


My Review:

I normally don’t swear, but would everyone please excuse my language for the next few sentences. There’s only one way to put this.

Holy Shit! Holy Shit! Holy Shit! Holy Shit! I don’t think that I’ve ever said that so many time while reading before. Like out loud, making people around me jump, exclamations. Sometimes in awe, sometimes in wonder, a lot of the time because I just didn’t expect the latest twist of plot. And trust me, there were a great deal of those in this novel.

This novel was intense in so many different ways and on so many different levels that it was beyond stellar. It was also phenomenally written. Everything is laid out in minute detail, while helping the story progress with leaps and bounds. It takes you out of your comfort zone in a way that makes you think, and gasp. As a whole it was a very smooth read. It transitioned naturally from section to section without ever skipping, jumping, or stuttering.

The characters are all perfect for their roles in the story. At times you wonder what they were thinking or how they became the individuals that they are, but they are all perfect in their own ways. They are all excellently developed. You know all details necessary to make them who they are. The author does not waste time giving extraneous details, but does make sure that all necessary information is present. Also, although some characters do experience a “personality change” during the course of the novel, the reader can see where this change comes from and why it happens. There is no disconnect between a character at the beginning of the novel and that same character at the end, regardless of any changes they undergo.

All in all, what I have to say about this novel? Other than I’m going to read it again ASAP? And I’d like to give it about 42 stars? Please, hand me the sequel. I need to know where it goes from here.



Buy your copy online here today!!
(Honestly, do it now.  For real.  Don't wait another second.)
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Roots by Kelbian Noel

Title:  Roots
Author:  Kelbian Noel
Series:  Witchbound #1
Published:  March 15th 2013 by Diverse Pages (first published July 18th 2012)
Page Count:  241
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Roots (formerly Elemental) is currently unavailable for purchase, but will be re-released (with its new name!) on Easter Weekend, followed by Book 2, Sprung, on April 1st. Stay tuned!

Seventeen-year-old Baltimore Land just wants to be normal, but magic has other plans.

I don’t consider myself a witch, that's my parents' thing. I've never really believed in magic either. Sure, I tried it a few times. Fell for the whole “magic happens” thing. But it didn’t happen to me. No amount of rhyming stopped my parents from moving me halfway across the country. Not one spell stopped me from being labeled the town freak.

And worst of all, no matter how many times I begged the Universe to bring my twin back, I was ignored. Until now.

He’s back all right. And in a magical bind of his own. Not the magic-won’t-work-for-me kind either. In fact, it’s working a little too well. Too dark. Too deep.

It turns out our entire family’s magical roots run just as deep and my brother didn’t end up where he is by accident. So I’m going to help him. But magic isn’t really on my side. Nope. Once I finally get the craft under control, I’m expected to abandon the one person in the world who’s closest to me, just to save myself.


My Review:

This novel was quite an enjoyable read. It was tactfully written in the first person without repeatedly flipping tenses or person. Noel also combines the world of Wicca with a great many unique ideas in order to create a world that you want to get to know better. The novel contains a fair amount of narrative that builds up this world. It is quite brilliant the way Noel sets this world up. The vibrant descriptions that she employs round this all out to make the whole world shine.

The characters in this novel are fairly well developed. I feel like the author is giving you a taste of who they are, making it so that you have to come back for more in order to really get to know them. I appreciate the fact that she doesn’t throw random facts about the characters at you. You get to know them gradually, like you would a real person that you met at a coffee shop. It adds another element of realism to this intriguing story.

Although this story was very interesting and quite creative, I found a few parts of the story to be a bit slow. That said, it picks up near the end and becomes very enthralling. As a whole, it seems like it’s a setup for something much bigger and I’m dying to see where it goes. I also would love a deeper look into this striking world.


Buy your  copy online March 15th!



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Muse by Susie M. Hanley

Title:  Muse
Author:  Susie M. Hanley
Published:   September 12th 2012 by Pocket Kitten Productions (first published September 6th 2012)
Page Count:  338
Genre:  Urban Fantasy
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In a world not unlike ours, Muses and their Guardians have walked alongside humankind since the beginning of time. From birth Muses assume they are just like everyone else. Not until their twenty-fifth birthdays do they discover their talents have a special purpose, and that Guardians, with their superhuman abilities, will help them in that purpose whether they want that help or not.

Shelby has worked hard to make a life for herself. Her parents died when she was young, and her husband left her with two kids. When her ex-husband comes back to town, he has more to say than just ?I?m sorry?: he's a Guardian, and his new assignment is her. She is a Muse now, one coming into her own no matter how hard she fights it, and trouble stalks her wherever she goes. Her ex-husband can't keep up and, with their history, she doesn't want him to. To complicate matters, there?s another Guardian around when she needs help, and they are falling for each other. He has a dark past that?s trying to reclaim him, and Shelby is in the way. But she has to accept her Museness and figure out fast what being a Muse really means if she is to keep herself and her children alive.


My Review:

Ok, so this book is not listed as part of a series, but I feel that it has to be. Mostly, because this can’t be the end. I need to have more time with these characters. I need to know how their story unfolds. There is so much told yet left untold in this novel that I’m captivated beyond belief.

Although on the surface this novel is, for lack of a better term, a bunch of supernatural fluff (you know, the stuff that doesn’t happen in the real world but is super cool), it really makes you stop and think. Hanley lays the story out in such a way that you find yourself wondering what you would do if you had the abilities that the characters do. If you could make a difference, would you? Or would you try to just amass power?

Not only is this a supernatural story that makes you think, it is also quite well written. You find yourself so completely immersed in the action, via the author’s brilliant descriptions and narrative, that the story comes alive before your eyes. She combines clarity for the reader with the ability to keep you in suspense, wondering what will happen next and how it all will end. It is the perfect balance.

The characters in this novel are also quite intriguing. They are all very well developed and all extremely different. No two individuals share personal characteristics. You can always understand where a character is coming from but don’t necessarily agree with the actions or reactions that they exhibit. This is the mark of brilliant character development.

As a whole, this novel was extremely unique and very captivating. It was almost impossible to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed it.


Buy your copy online here today!



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Saturday, February 23, 2013

Interview with Melissa Wray & Giveaway



Let's have a chat with Melissa Wray and find out all about Destiny Road!


Q ~ Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I live in Leopold, Victoria, Australia. It is halfway between town and the beach which is perfect for me. I am the proud mum of two beautiful children who make me laugh every day. I started writing several years ago after the birth of my first child. I naively thought I would have lots of time to write! I have been lucky enough to live and travel overseas and got to see some amazing places. My husband I moved to London 6 weeks after we were married so we tell people we had an 18 month long honeymoon.


Q ~ When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a primary school teacher from the time I could talk. When we played imaginary games as kids I was always the teacher writing sums on the blackboard. Thankfully my dream came true and I have been teaching on and off for 14 years. I am still very passionate about teaching and I especially love to teach reading and writing – obviously.


Q ~ What is your all time favorite book?
I love, love, love The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons. I also love all books by Australian writer Bryce Courtenay who sadly passed away last year.


Q ~ What is your favorite food and why?
My favourite food is anything pasta based. In particular a dish called Lentica’. My great grandmother was Italian and she cooked it the best. Luckily my mum does it well. It’s a simple dish with lentils, pasta, onion and heaps of parmesan cheese on top. Strangely not many people outside our family like it.


Q ~ What is your biggest writing sin?
I get slack with details. I tend to write a chapter fairly generally so as to get my ideas down. Then I go back and re-work it many times to give it the necessary details. I also have trouble with apostrophe’s and when to use a capital letter for mum.


Q ~ Is there anything that you absolutely need to have with you when you write? Is there any place that you prefer writing?
Sometimes I love to have music blaring with a special soundtrack of my favourite songs. Other days I enjoy the peace and quiet of having an empty house. Often my writing is done at night after my two children are asleep so I might just pop some headphones on to get in my own little world of writing. I just invested in an Ipad to do some writing whilst out and about. Otherwise I carry a notebook with me and write on that, only to have to type it up when I get home. Although I do enjoy scribbling across the page except my ideas come out faster than the writing. When I read it back it doesn’t always make sense!


Q ~ What, or who, is your biggest inspiration?
My kids. I can’t very well tell them they can achieve anything and do things if they try hard and then not follow my own advice.


Q~ How did you get started writing?
I have always been a reader. I grew up 600m from the library! I have always enjoyed writing. I lived and travelled overseas for almost 2 years and kept a detailed diary of every place I went. It wasn’t until I had my first baby that I decided to take a creative writing course. It was by correspondence and took me 18 months. Since then I have kept writing (when I have time) and trying to develop my skills. I have entered and won/received mentions for other pieces of writing. I always thought it would be cool to have my own published book but I don’t think I thought it would seriously happen. When I started writing it was for middle grade readers (7-10 year olds). I never imagined writing for in the YA genre but strangely I think I have found my voice within it.


Q ~ You won your publishing contract through a writing competition. Can you tell us a bit about that?
I saw the competition through Morris Publishing Australia. My maiden name is Morris and I thought the coincidence too strong to ignore. So I sent the first 4 chapters off and was thrilled when it was shortlisted. Next was the entire manuscript which I madly finished editing the final couple of chapters! I read the email at least a dozen times telling me I had won the contract. It was such an unbelievable moment. You can read the 1st chapter for free on the publishers website.  http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/destiny-road.html


Q ~ What advice would you give individuals who want to begin writing professionally?
Enter writing competitions. The first one I entered I received an honourable mention which gave me the confidence to continue. Since then I have entered others, some that include feedback which has taught me heaps. I recently entering a competition and received an honourable mention on a story I am working on called Late Bloomer. You can follow the link to read it.

http://www.melissawray.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/gold-coast-writers-festival.html
I would also strongly suggest to get someone else (professional) to edit your work. It is amazing the mistakes you don’t see being so close to the story.


Q ~ How did Destiny Road come together for you?
Destiny Road came about as almost as a therapy session late one night. I couldn’t sleep thinking about the choices in our life that have a huge impact on our lives. So this night I got up and wrote madly all the jumbled thoughts floating around inside my head. A few days later I re-read it and thought my experience could be a good starting point for a story. The rest evolved from there. You see when I was 16 I went to live with my father for the first time. Unlike Jessica from Destiny Road I had known him all my life, but my parents divorced when I was very young. I was never able to say thank you to my dad for saying yes when I asked could I live with him. He passed away several years ago and it has always bothered me that I could not get those words out before he died. Now with Destiny Road I feel like I have said them so hopefully he knows.


Q ~ Did you learn anything about yourself while planning, writing, and editing Destiny Road?
I learnt that I could write a 65,000 word novel! Previously the longest story I had written was 10,000 words. My biggest learning curve has been since being offered a publishing contract. I had to get someone to look over it as it made little sense to me with copyright etc. Then the first thing my editor said was to jump on all my social media outlets and tell everyone. I rang my friend and asked her to come around and show me how to use facebook! Then I learnt how to create a book trailer which you can watch at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqNa07GVUtw

Next I joined Goodreads and created a blog. Finally I started networking which has been the most work but well worthwhile meeting such great people like yourself.

Aww, shuks, thanks Melissa. I don't know what to say to that. Oh wait, yes I do! Enter below to win one of 3 PDF copies of Destiny Road by Melissa Wray! Yup, she's one of those great people too!


Destiny Road is about a sixteen year old girl Jessica, who is building up to making a most important decision. One that will affect the rest of her life. It is a story of decision, growth and acceptance.

Jessica is sixteen when she meets Bill for the first time. Six months later she is moved away by her mother, to begin a new life, away from what she knows. Away from the man she is just realising she might have wanted in her life all along, her biological father. So begins Jessica’s journey of living with the choices made by herself and those around her.


Check out my review of Destiny Road.


Good luck to everyone on the giveaway of 3 PDF copies of Destiny Road by Melissa Wray!






Destiny Road can also be purchased via the following:

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Friday, February 22, 2013

Fire by Heather James

Title:  Fire
Author:  Heather James
Series:  Elements of Power #1
Published:  January 5th 2013 by Heather James (first published January 1st 2013)           
Page Count:  202
Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Is control over the elements a gift, or a curse?

Roxy thinks that she is in control of everything: with flames flaring at her fingertips and an equally fiery attitude, what more could she need? But then she meets Brae, a prince from a rival Realm, who turns her assumptions of superiority upside down.

Jasmine has none of Roxy’s confidence or intensity. But she does have a secret - and Brae - and she’s not going to give either up willingly.

My Review:

This story is based on a very unique concept. I can definitely say that I’ve never read anything even remotely like it before. It was a very refreshing and exciting read.

This story was exceptionally well written, especially considering that it is the first novel for this author. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that she has a well thought out and intriguing plot. This novel is going somewhere specific. It never wanders or loses its reader. I also appreciated the way that James didn’t leave anything at loose ends at the end of the novel, but yet left so much to be explained and discovered in future installments. Nothing is left in limbo, but there is more than enough to bring you back for more.

The main characters were quite interesting and very well developed. They were the type of people that you could see yourself being friends with. I truly wanted to see them succeed. You find your heart going out to them on multiple different occasions. They are so real that you can’t help it. I also love the mix of interesting powers that the characters possess. They aren’t your stereotypical supernatural powers, but this makes them all the more interesting. The powers are also integrated into who the characters are and into their beliefs. They aren’t superfluous to the characters but rather an integral part of who they are.

This is definitely a one of a kind story with many one of a kind characters. I was so drawn into this world of many realms and into the lives of the characters that I can’t wait to continue on this journey with them in the sequel.


Buy your copy online here today!

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Growing Disenchantments by K.D. Berry

Title:  Growing Disenchantments
Author:  K.D. Berry
Published:  June 26th 2012 by Bluewood Publishing
Page Count:  372
Genre:  Fantasy
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Just when he'd been looking forward to another quiet night delving into mind-bending arcane lore and mentally wrestling with the deepest magicks, along came this mysterious thief to disturb him. Why was it nothing in Ragonnard's life ever went to plan? Rather than turn her in to the law (or into something else), the young sorcerer offers Ganfrey a deal – steal a portrait from the palace for him. But it's no ordinary portrait. For 500 years it's been a magical prison for Syranax, the most powerful sorcerer in history. His enchanted Amulet was entombed with him, and Ragonnard wants it. More than anything. In releasing the Amulet, Ragonnard unleashes a devastating sequence of sorcerous events, the like of which has not been seen for hundreds of years. And, no, things definitely don't go to plan. Ned Merrivel is a time traveller from the future. His job is to sort it out when it all goes wrong and save the world somehow. If only he can find a pair of trousers first.

My Review:

Ok, so somehow I missed the fact that K.D. Berry is actually a writing duo until I read the “about the author” section at the end. I must say that I am amazed. I generally find that there is a discrepancy in writing styles between multiple authors writing together, however, while reading this book I didn’t once guess that there was a second author. Everything flowed together so seamlessly.

This story was very unique. It had the weirdest version of time travel ever, but it was also so cool. I’d love to be able to do so, regardless of the unpredictability of it. The different disciplines of “magic” are also quite unique. Berry takes a variety of existing notions and tweaks them to create a unique world for their readers.

The writing style adopted by the authors is ideally suited to the story. Everything is given the appearance of being slightly comical and always larger than life. The writing style suits this. Everything is easy to picture. The writing also remains concise and clear through the process. There is a logical progression from the beginning to the end of the novel. It is very difficult to beat this. It was such an enjoyable, fluffy read.

The characters in this story were great. They were all off the wall and larger than life. But they were also well developed, suited to the role that they were to play. I love the fact that some of the characters actually read and tried to do things “the way they’re done in the books”. It was priceless. They even tried to look and act the part. Philosophical animated inanimate objects are also brilliant. The household fixtures were also absolutely adorable. I would love a household full of them. Everyone was quite unique, even if they did bring a Disney movie to mind. And yes, when picturing this book, I did picture everything as a cartoon.

This book is one of those novels that will be loved by readers of all ages. It is upbeat and gripping, without any extreme violence, language, or relationships. To top it off, it all takes place in such a fantastical world. You feel like you’ve stepped out of a picture and right into it.

Buy your copy online here today!


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Sliding Beneath the Surface by Doug Dillon

Title:  Sliding Beneath the Surface
Author:  Doug Dillon
Series:  The St. Augustine Trillogy #1
Published:   September 2nd 2011 by Old St. Augustine Publications
Page Count:  294
Genre:  Paranormal
Shelf: Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A new resident of America’s oldest and most haunted city, St. Augustine, Florida, fifteen-year-old Jeff Golden suddenly finds himself up to his eyeballs in frightening paranormal experiences. At the end of his rope in trying to figure out what is happening to him, Jeff decides to rely on his friend Carla Rodriguez, and Lobo, an old Native American shaman, for help.

Despite this guidance, things get even worse. Jeff’s spine tingling encounters increase in number and intensity at an alarming rate, scaring him even more. Eventually, he makes the startling discovery that unresolved circumstances involving a bloody event directly out of Florida’s distant past threatens his sanity and possibly his life.

Finally, overwhelmed by forces he cannot understand or control, Jeff’s world shifts from frightening to downright terrifying. In desperation, and on Lobo’s advice, he leaps headlong into the unknown in order to save himself. What Jeff discovers though is that he has entered a level of reality he is completely unprepared to handle while unwittingly dragging Carla with him.

Like all the books in THE ST. AUGUSTINE TRILOGY, the premise for Sliding Beneath the Surface is simply this: You create your own reality.


My review:

Dillon manages to capture writing in the first person brilliantly. Everything is portrayed the way that a teenage boy would think it, right down to the jumbled up thoughts. It adds a very intriguing aspect to the novel. He also portrays the volatile emotions of a teen quite well. The descriptions and narrative in this novel set the scene for the action very well. There was a seamless flow from one section to the next.

I found that the novel was quite hard to relate to at times, mostly because the paranormal does not tie back to reality in any way. It makes it hard to imagine yourself in the place of the characters. Also, I felt that the characters could use some more development which would have made it easier to relate to them as individuals.

Even though this was an extremely well written book, as a whole it was one of those novels where a great deal happens but it doesn’t really catch my attention making it hard to get into. I found myself just floating from page to page to see how it ended.


Buy your copy online here today.

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Thursday, February 21, 2013

Preston's Mill by Jacqueline Rhoades

Title: Preston's Mill
Author:  Jacqueline Rhoades
Series:  Hidden Mountain #1
Published:  November 6th 2012 by self pub
Page Count:  291
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

When her disastrous marriage ends in the most humiliating way, Meg Hanson doesn’t know what to do or who to turn to. Unhappy with her life as it was and unwilling to become what her mother and sister envision, she retreats to the little Appalachian town of Prestons Mill, the place where her father was raised. Meg has promised herself six months away from the influences of home to find out who she is and what she really wants out of life.

Her Great Aunt Annie doesn’t hold with such nonsense, but she does believe that good food, hard work and fresh country air have the power to heal the soul and she sees in Meg a soul that belongs to the mountain.

Coming from wealth and privilege, Meg isn’t sure at first what to make of a place where much of your wardrobe comes from Gorton’s Farm Supply and the only coffee available is what’s brewed at the Downtown CafĂ©. However, it doesn’t take long for her to become attached to the people of Prestons Mill with their blunt honesty and strange speech or to reluctantly fall for the boy who kissed her under the apple tree when she was only ten. He’s grown into an intriguing man with problems of his own.

JT Preston is burdened with his family’s past sins, sins that prevent him from seeking the life he’s always envied and longed for. Annie thinks this is nonsense, too, and sets about bringing Meg and JT together, but nothing is ever as easy as it sounds.

When a coal company makes plans to begin mining the mountain, Meg and JT find themselves in the middle of the battle between those who consider it progress and those who see it as the end of a way of life. Greed rears its head, people are hurt and lives are endangered, Meg’s most of all.

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.


My Review:

Wow! Another brilliant read from Jacqueline Rhoades. I honestly couldn’t put it down. I’m a little bit speechless at this point in time.

There were times when you could see how it would end, but couldn’t fathom how they would get there. Rhoades’ brilliant storytelling takes you on an amazing journey throughout, with just the right amount of spice. She also manages to balance the serenity of the mountain with her storyline. The story maintains a fast enough pace that when action scenes appear near the end, they do not seem out of place. 

Interspersed throughout the novel are some brilliant and vivid descriptions that allowed you to walk into the story, to see exactly what the characters were seeing, and to feel exactly what they were feeling. Through her writing, Rhoades also manages to evoke emotions in her reader on a scale rarely seen.

The characters that Rhoades brings to life are phenomenal. They are so well and subtly developed that you feel like you have known them your entire life. No one ever seems out of place. Each person has their own niche that they fill beautifully and fully. Each character remains consistent throughout the novel. I greatly appreciated that no one had a massive personality change before the end of the novel in order for the story to reach a happy ending. I also love that the characters stay true to the local dialect throughout the novel. Rhoades doesn’t slip up once. 

This novel was absolutely breathtaking. By the end, you are in the novel so deep that you find yourself wishing that you were living on the mountain with the characters. I didn’t want this story to end as I found myself wanting to know what came next for everyone and to continue the journey with them.


Buy your copy online here today!!!
Seriously, do it now!






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