Monday, December 30, 2013

Insurgent by Veronica Roth


Now I must say that after the riveting first novel in this series, I was just slightly bored and annoyed with this second installment. It was very good and was definitely full of amazing scenes and characters just like its counterpart, but while I was a supporter of Tris in the first book, she somewhat made me want to smack her upside the head in this one.

Let me explain.

Tris is a strong girl. There is no doubt about that and I am definitely not arguing this fact, but throughout Insurgent she was hiding behind her killing of one of her best friends. She was using this killing to justify so many stupid decisions she made. One of them being not telling her other friends about this so-called secret, which was not really a secret at all. I mean, she could have probably avoided some conflict if she had just come out with it. 

Now I know what you all are probably saying, "But that would not make for a good story," and you would be right, but I don't know. It seems to me that she calls others out for being untruthful to her, when she is doing the exact same thing. In a time where no one can be trusted, can we really trust Tris more than anybody? Just because the story focuses on her as a main character does not mean she is not capable of turning on a dime.

But, like I said, despite her actions and thoughts and supposed justification of both, this book was an overall really good read. It brought to light more information about some of the characters we got to know really well in Divergent, and it began to show other characters' true intentions and colors.

I have the third and last installment in this series on the back-burner but will get to it soon to find out what happens next.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Out for Blood by Marcy Dyer

Book Blurb:

Dialysis nurse, Danielle Battershawn's, life is turned upside down when her identical twin is murdered. As she strives to deal with yet another death, the killer sets his sights on eliminating her. Can handsome security consultant, Tyler Covington, keep her alive?

My Thoughts:

I was absolutely, positively not disappointed at all by this book. It was a wonderful read packed with all the good bits and pieces suspense novels are made of.
It made me very happy to finally know what Hal's real name was. After being intrigued from the first book, I wondered what it possibly could be. I was also very happy to hear more about Ty, and see where love and duty would take him.
Out of some of the new characters brought in, I think that I enjoyed Leandra the most. She was flirting with EVERYONE!!! And the way she told her friend Dani what's what made me root for her all the way. She is a no-nonsense kind of gal, who obviously learned some very good morals from her momma.
Okay, and now about the main character...Dani. I liked her spirit and resilience throughout everything that was happening to her and the people she loved. She kept going even though she felt responsible for the actions of the protagonist in this book.
I kind of have to add a little something-something about my main man Moose. That dude is awesome. And we finally get to see where his heart is at and who has captured it. I was in the "aw" stage when it came to that moment. YAY!
The ending was PHENOMENAL and had me smiling all the way.
Cannot wait for more from this author. I just can't.

Author's Bio:

Marcy G. Dyer is a Registered Nurse and suspense author. Like so many other writers, she began writing at a very young age, but never took herself seriously as a "real" writer until about ten years ago when she began taking courses and learning the craft of writing.
She currently has two novels from the Desert Winds Series available: Down & Out and Out for Blood
In addition to writing, Marcy is a freelance editor. She does editing for individuals, Desert Breeze Publishing, and Prism Book Group.
Marcy is an alumnus of the Christian Writer's Guild and long-time member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She hosts a small critique group for ACFW and is involved in two other critique groups. For anyone seriously interested in becoming an author, she recommends a strong, diverse critique group to help authors hone crafts.
In addition to maintaining her website, http://www.marcydyer.com, Marcy hosts a blog to help those with autoimmune diseases. While many autoimmune diseases aren't visible, they still cause chronic pain and disability. If you would like more information, please visit http://ragimp.blogspot.com
As followers of Jesus Christ, Marcy and her family are active members of Crossroads Fellowship in Odessa, Texas. Sermons are carried live via the web at our online campus - http://crossroadsodessa.tv/ at the following times on Sundays - 9:30 & 11:00 and 5:00 & 7:00 central time.


Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Down & Out by Marcy Dyer

Book Blurb:

Going home again can be deadly.
Suddenly jobless, enterprising Candace Downs returns to the parched and dusty oil-town of Odessa, Texas as a trainee for her cousin's towing company.
Rejecting the romantic obsessions of a maniacal stranger intent on capturing her heart throws her life into a terrifying spiral downward.
As the clock ticks, and her hunter ups the ante, the charismatic, handsome security consultant, Josiah Bradley, is determined to keep her alive – at any cost.
Will they win this harrowing cat-and-mouse game? Or will the unrelenting stalker bury them both deep in the desert?

My Thoughts:

So...I must say that I do not normally read books from cover to cover in a day. Even when I am not doing anything but reading, my normal record is finishing a book in about two days or more. However, Down & Out is one of those rare exceptions. I completely devoured this novel in a span of probably a few hours at the most. It just blew me away. The storyline is phenomenal, the characters are believable, and the dance between jealously and love between the two main characters is absolutely wonderful. The suspense, though, is what truly makes this book superb.
Books have to make me react in some way. Whether it be a laugh, a smile, a tear, or even anger, each book that I read has to create some emotion in me or I consider it a so-so story. This one caused me to react in a way that I have NEVER, EVER reacted. It caused me to shudder. Literally shudder. Every time the protagonist of the story, Candace's stalker, walked onto the page, a pit of fear would form in my stomach. My shoulders would go up to my ears, and I just wanted to get away from him. I felt like a part of the story. I felt like he was after me. Creepy, huh?
Because of that, this book blew me out of the water, and I am definitely going to devour the next book just as easily as this one. I just know it.
Kudos, Marcy Dyer, for such a phenomenal story. You definitely hit the mark.

Author's Bio:

Marcy G. Dyer is a Registered Nurse and suspense author. Like so many other writers, she began writing at a very young age, but never took herself seriously as a "real" writer until about ten years ago when she began taking courses and learning the craft of writing.
She currently has two novels from the Desert Winds Series available: Down & Out and Out for Blood
In addition to writing, Marcy is a freelance editor. She does editing for individuals, Desert Breeze Publishing, and Prism Book Group.
Marcy is an alumnus of the Christian Writer's Guild and long-time member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She hosts a small critique group for ACFW and is involved in two other critique groups. For anyone seriously interested in becoming an author, she recommends a strong, diverse critique group to help authors hone crafts.
In addition to maintaining her website, http://www.marcydyer.com, Marcy hosts a blog to help those with autoimmune diseases. While many autoimmune diseases aren't visible, they still cause chronic pain and disability. If you would like more information, please visit http://ragimp.blogspot.com
As followers of Jesus Christ, Marcy and her family are active members of Crossroads Fellowship in Odessa, Texas. Sermons are carried live via the web at our online campus - http://crossroadsodessa.tv/ at the following times on Sundays - 9:30 & 11:00 and 5:00 & 7:00 central time.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Frisky Business by Jill Edmondson


So until now, I was a Sasha Jackson Mystery book virgin. I had never read any of these books, and I believe I had only heard or saw them in passing on this very website. When given the chance to review one, considering my inexperience with these books, I dove right in.

Immediately I was intrigued by the general storyline. It had a very true basis to it. The fact that most deaths in the sex industry will kind of be pushed under the rug due to the line of work the victim was in. Sad, but unfortunately a very real situation in these troubled times. I was also intrigued by the main character.

Sasha Jackson is extremely relatable (or is that just me) in the fact that she kind of gets in these weird and awkward, but very effective, situations in order to find her killers. This book states some of her past transgressions, including one which I believe caused her to bare more than her soul (wink, wink). I loved her, and could not get enough of her personality in this book.

I also love some of the people closest to her. They seemed real and honest and possibly a bit quirky at times, and I just could not get enough of them either.

Officially I am on the Sasha Jackson train, and I am going to have to check out the earlier novels, because one book just is not enough!

Frisky Business definitely can be read by itself, but beware, because it will make you want even more of Sasha Jackson's adventures.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Cedric of RoseThorn by S. Thomas Kaza


So, I was given this book in exchange for an honest review from the author, and this is definitely going to be an honest review. I must honestly state that this book made me angry. Not because it was not good, on the contrary it was really good, but because it ended so abruptly, with nothing but a black rose to taunt me into desperately wanting to know so much more about the book. The characters, the situation at hand, RoseThorn and Cedric's ultimate fate.

When we first meet Cedric, Lord of RoseThorn, he is witnessing yet another bout with death in his family. First it was his brother, then his children, and now his wife Milona. He watches as she desperately fights for her life in her bed, and hopes against all hope that the healer he sent for reaches the castle in time to help her. But his hoping gets him nowhere. For against his wishes, the dealer of death shows itself, sealing Milona's fate and causing Cedric to lose himself in uncontrollable grief.

When he comes to, however, it seems time may have moved a bit faster than he may have realized when he was mourning Milona. The castle has become eerily quiet. Not the quiet of a kingdom mourning a queen, but the quiet of the missing. Because that is indeed what has become of everyone. They are missing, gone, no longer a part of RoseThorn itself.

Cedric searches throughout the lands surrounding the castle and eventually finds a few peasants to help him with RoseThorn, but apart from that he finds bandits. Roamers of the wood who are willing to slaughter to get what they want. But it seems that these are not just average bandits. They have a leader. Someone who wants Cedric gone and RoseThorn for himself.

Can Cedric and those siding with him fight them off? Or is RoseThorn doomed.

This book is definitely worth the read. I totally recommend it for anyone and everyone, and I cannot wait for the next installment in the story.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Differential Equations

by Julian Iragorri & Lou Aronica

on Tour Nov 1, 2013 - Jan 31, 2014



Book Details:

Genre: Literary Fiction 
Published by: The Story Plant

Publication Date: 4/24/12

Number of Pages: 356

ISBN: Print: 978-1-61188-102-8 E-book: 978-1-61188-103-5

NOTE: Explicit sexual scenes


Synopsis:

This evocative, moving, and gorgeously detailed novel is the story of Alex Soberano, a contemporary man in crisis. A tremendously successful New York businessman, Alex finds it difficult to embrace joy and accept love. When his life threatens to boil over, he escapes for a brief respite on the West Coast. What waits for him there is something he never could have imagined. Intertwined with Alex’s story are the stories of three people from different times and places whose lives affect him in surprising ways:
  • A woman from the South American city of Anhelo in 1928 that everyone knows as "Vidente." For decades, Vidente, has been one of Anhelo's most celebrated citizens because she has the ability to read colors that speak of a person's fate. However, during one such reading, she sees her own future – a future that includes her imminent death.
  • A man named Khaled who left his home in Bethlehem in 1920 to seek fortune in the South American town of Joya de la Costa. He has barely begun to gain a foothold when he learns that the wife and three children he left behind have been murdered. When a magical woman enters his life, he believes that destiny has smiled on him. However, destiny has only just begun to deal with Khaled.
  • A nineteen-year-old student named Dro who flies from the South American country of Legado to Boston in 1985 and immediately walks onto the campus of MIT expecting instant admission. Dro's skills at mastering complex, ever-changing differential equations intrigues the associate admissions director. However, the person he intrigues the most is the celebrated US ambassador from his country, and his relationship with her will define his life.
How the stories of these four people merge is the central mystery of this arresting work of imagination. DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS is a story that will sweep you up in its magic, enrich you with its wisdom, and compel you with its deep humanity.

Purchase Links:   

My Thoughts:

I love a good book that can sweep me away to far off places. To times that I would never be able to go to otherwise. So when I decided to read Differential Equations, I was hoping for a book that would do just that. I was not disappointed in the slightest.
Each character in this story is connected. However, the way in which they are all connected is gradually revealed throughout the entirety of the story. The reader is given small facts that are similar in each story, enough to make one speculate, and ultimately are not really told the true connection between them all until almost the very end. But what a beautiful end it is.
There is a review printed on the back of the book that states, "Like eating a fresh lime sorbet with saltwater in your (sex-tousled) hair." - Smallgood Hearth
And what an accurate description. I mean, I don't even have to use my own words for this review. I could just quote that, and it would sum my feelings up in one glorious sentence. This book refreshed my mind. It left me feeling as if I had just come out of a long meditation period, and my problems were gone with the turn of the last page.
This novel is a phenomenal read. It is a book that I could never get tired of reading. This wonderful book, with its natural beauty, has got to be one of the best I have read this entire year.


Author's Bios:

Lou Aronica is the author of the USA Today bestseller THE FOREVER YEAR and the national bestseller BLUE. He also collaborated on the New York Times nonfiction bestsellers THE ELEMENT and FINDING YOUR ELEMENT (with Ken Robinson) and the national bestseller THE CULTURE CODE (with Clotaire Rapaille). Aronica is a long-term book publishing veteran. He is President and Publisher of the independent publishing house The Story Plant.

Catch Up With the Author: 



Julian Iragorri lives in Manhattan. He has worked on Wall Street since the early nineties.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

From Johann to Tannenbaum by Ashlyn Forge


Okay, so I am familiar with the Ashlyn Forge's first book in the Toys and Soldiers series, and I thought after reading that one that the world she created was really cool. But after this one, I cannot wait for future works. Now, just to clarify, this book is not a continuation of the first one, but the perspective and story of a whole new set of characters. With the occasional appearance from Liam of the first book, In Liam's Wake. 

In the beginning of this story, we first meet up with one our main characters, Johann, and learn a bit about him and his family, and then gradually we are introduced to the main secondary character, Tannenbaum. Their beginning interactions were quite funny and endearing. Since Tannenbaum cannot really interact with Johann vocally, due to a terrible act when he was younger, he does more with actions and drawings and origami than anything to get his points across. At times, I was laughing with how wonderfully sweet Tannenbaum seemed.

Throughout the rest of the book, after all the interactions, when Tannenbaum and Johann become close, you find that they are more connected than they think. That Tannenbaum is the reason behind certain aspects of Johann's life being what they are...

There is a lot of growth in this story. Johann begins an insecure man, looking for the easy way out of his problems, but finds a strength in him that he never realized could exist. Tannenbaum begins broken, but finds the one thing that can heal his long-time wounds.

I absolutely loved this book. Loved, loved, loved it. It made smile and laugh and scream in frustration. It made me FEEL! And I personally believe that only the best books can do that.

The Running Game by L E Fitzpatrick


Okay, so...I actually was not expecting to fall in love with this book when I began reading it at first. I thought it was just going to be just another story of potential murder...well that will definitely teach me to read an excerpt in its entirety. Because this is not just another story. This is a phenomenal paranormal tale of extravagant proportions.

Rachel Aaron was taught from a young age by her father to run. To never stay in one place too long. To always keep your opponent guessing as to your position, and stay one step ahead. However, she has become complacent. She originally came to S'aven to find her lost sister, but has stayed longer than intended. So when two brothers warn her that she is in danger, and that they were hired to find her by a man who most assuredly does not have good intentions toward her, she instantly packs up and runs like she was taught. But...alas, it cannot be that easy. Otherwise, where is the fun in that?

Charlie and his brother are getting back in the game of finding people. It's what pays the bills, so why not? But when Charlie finds that their recent assignment has a connection to him, he does not have it in him to betray her location to the people that want her. He abides by the Reacher code inside of him, because that is the very power, the very connection, they share. So, he decides to help her. But when you work for the big man in town, it seems that things are not always on your side.

Danger comes in many forms in this book. Whether it be a leader searching for a killer's identity, willing to do whatever it takes to get it, a wife who is willing to sacrifice anyone for the man she loves, or a man who will play whichever side gets him the revenge he so desires.

This book was amazing. I unfortunately could not read it all in one sitting, because of the reality of having a job (WHY!!! Haha), but I never stopped thinking about it when I was away. I was always wondering what was going to happen next, and that is the most important thing in any story. To keep the readers enthralled enough to wonder what will happen if they keep reading. What will happen to the very characters they both love and hate. Will a hated character become a loved one? Will a loved one suddenly turn on you? This is a wonderful book, and I will be searching for more of Fitzpatrick's stories in the future.

Runemaster by Paul E. Horsman


After the aftermath of the storm that closed out the first book in the Shardheld Saga, Kjelle, Muus, and the rest of their group have been separated. While Muus, Prince Olthin, and Hraab have headed off to the land of Brytanna, Kjelle, Birthe, and the paladin have headed off in a different direction. With each group believing the others to be dead, there is much sorrow between them.

Kjelle must deal with the loss of the boy who made him feel brave, while ultimately finding his own courage in Muus' absence. Can he do it? Or was he coddled to the point of never knowing any different. I think he will ultimately surprise everyone in the end, by finding a strength he never knew he could have.

Muus is gradually remembering his home and the family he lost long ago. But with the clock ticking, he needs to hurry up the process. So he must find the one person who can ultimately help him dissipate the fog shrouding his mind. Will his journey be eventful? Or will his memories continue to be clouded?

The world's fate sits atop his shoulders. Even with friends around him, can Muus continue to bear this immense load?

I absolutely loved this book. I love how Kjelle is finding himself more with the absence of Muus. It took a terrible storm to wrench him from the safety he felt when Muus was around, and he is seeming to begin to hold his own. I cannot wait to see what else is in store for this character.

There are so many people that are met in this second book of the series. So many new faces who are helping Muus on his journey as the Shardheld. So many people who are being helped by him. I hope against all hope that he does succeed in his journey to fulfil the destiny laid out for him. I also hope that the tyrant taking over the lands gets his just desserts. He deserves it.

The third book cannot come soon enough. I am eagerly anticipating more to this story.

Shardfall by Paul E. Horsman


When a strange stone seems to fall from the sky and lands at the top of the Silfjall mountain near Eidungruve Hold, it sets a string of events in motion that could change lives forever.

Muus is a thrall, a lowly companion to Prince Kjelle. Captured and brought to live with the Nords as a boy, he has a past he cannot remember and so must deal with the fate life has dealt him. But fate has more in store for him than he realizes.

When the prince is called by his father to investigate the matter of the strange stone at the top of the mountain, he has Muus come with him. When they arrive at the sight of the landing, Muus' courage in the face of the unknown causes him to pick up the stone, causing the stone to choose him for a destiny that will take him back to his home. His true home. The home he was taken from and now barely remembers. Throughout his journey, he is going to learn more about himself, the legend of this stone he now holds, and the magic buried deep within.

I quite enjoyed this book. Fantasy is a genre that I absolutely believe can take your breath away, if done right. This book had very vivid scenes, and I love the storyline. It seemed a quick read to me once I got about a chapter or so in, and I couldn't put it down. Will absolutely read the second book to this series, and also am anxiously awaiting the release of the third book.

Wonderful start to this series.

Cloaked in Fur by T.F. Walsh


Okay, so I have absolutely no bad things to say about this book whatsoever. Nothing. Zip. Nada...You get my point.

From the very first page to the last, this book drew me in. It had me by its wolf claws, and kept a tight grip on me until I flew through the pages like nobody's business. It would not let go until I read every word.

Daciana is a girl with a secret. A secret of paranormal proportions. She is a moonwulf on the verge of her final change into a full wulfkin. However, she only longs for normalcy, humanity, and a happy life with her human boyfriend, Connell. Now, Connell knows nothing about her little secret, and Daci hopes to keep it that way. Until she can find the elixir that could change her completely human, anyway. But that might take a bit longer than expected.

It seems there have been killings around her area. Killings of people she has known, and the police seem to have only one main suspect at the present time...her. This does not bode well for her and Connell's relationship considering he works for the police and she has been disappearing mysteriously for quite a few nights with no word to Connell as to her whereabouts.

Daci knows the identity of the true killer. But she cannot reveal its identity without also revealing what she herself is.

This book was AWESOME! It reminded me of Moonlight (you know, the show with the vampire in it who works with the police?), mainly because of the whole paranormal creature helping out the police with a case thing. There is so much to this book. It is all meat and potatoes, and I love that. There is an excitement to this book. And, since it is also a romance, there is a perfect blend of action and romance. I love when there is a perfect blend. 

I could talk about this book all day, but will basically sum the rest of my words up into one sentence. READ THIS FOR YOURSELVES! You will definitely know what I am talking about when you pick up this book and dive right in.

Skipping Stones by J.B. McGee


Wow. Just wow. You know, when I first read the blurb to J.B. McGee’s book,Skipping Stones, I honestly had no idea what I was in for. I knew there would be a bit of romance, but there is also a dash of heartbreak and uncertainty mixed in with a heaping spoonful of hope. Hope that life gets better. That the hurt we experience throughout our journey will ultimately be worth it when all the good finally decides to come rushing in…

Alex Hart is just your normal, average fifteen-year-old girl with a family who loves her unconditionally. But when a trip to her grandparents’ house turns into a life-changing tragedy, she no longer sees the comfort and familiarity of the things around her. Everything is turned upside-down, and she does not know which way to turn.

Drew Foster seems to appear out of thin air in Alex’s eyes when she goes for a walk to try and escape her pain and sadness. At first, she just wants him to go away, but his genuine concern for her and his promise to teach her to skip stones overrides this initial feeling of hers, and she gradually allows herself to open up to him. They become almost inseparable, and their love seems so strong. However, this is not to last, because Drew seems to disappear just as quickly as he manifested.

Why did he go? Where did he go? Were all his feelings for her true, or was he just playing her? These are all questions that Alex must face in the years to come. But as she tries to answer them herself, and tries in her mind to forget Drew, her heart still longs for him, aching for his very presence once again.

This book was phenomenal. It went from the present, where we first meet Alex at about age thirty reminiscing as she heads back home, to the past, where we see a bit of her first encounter with the love she had and lost at fifteen, back to the present, where we see how she copes with trying to forget him and get on with her life, which gets very hard when at one point she believes he has come back to her and no one else seems to believe her.

I am reminded of true love with this book. The idea that two souls can be apart for so long, but yet still long for each other is beautifully brought to life throughout the pages of this work. Honestly, I don’t have a tendency to cry with books, but this one almost did it. That is a pretty big deal.

This book was from the heart. It was endearing, heartbreaking, and lovely all rolled into one. I will definitely be looking up J.B. McGee’s other works.

Recommended for anyone who loves the idea of being given a second chance with the one you thought lost forever.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Review and Giveaway: The Ferryman and the Flame Books by Rhiannon Paille






Book Info:
Title: Surrender
Series: The Ferryman + The Flame #1
By: Rhiannon Paille
Published: October 2nd, 2012 by Createspace

Blurb:
How far would you go to save everything you ever loved?

Kaliel was warned about her love for the Ferryman. One day he will marry the land and leave Avristar forever. She doesn't listen, and because of what she is-- a Flame-- one of nine apocalyptic weapons, she sparks a war. In a desperate attempt to save her home and her love, Kaliel tries to awaken Avred, not knowing she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.


Review:
I absolutely, positively fell in love with this book as soon as I started the first chapter. The descriptions of the world where the story takes place is so vivid and real in my imagination, it is as if I myself am part of this world. The story is phenomenal. The characters are so well-written and fleshed out, I can almost reach out and touch them. Very well done, and I am stunned into silence by this book.
__________________________________

Book Info:
Title: Lantern & Poison
Series: The Ferryman + The Flame #1.5
By: Rhiannon Paille
Published: December 11th, 2012

Blurb:
This is SURRENDER from the villain's POV.


Hadwen is no more. The Daed have no choice but to travel to Avrigost to awaken Crestaos. They're thrown into a whirlwind quest for the Flames, not knowing how ruthless and sadistic Crestaos can be.

Review:
I have to say that there are not many books I have read where the POV is given of the villain in the story. This book was just as beautifully written as the first. In fact, I am actually quite torn as to which one I liked better. Absolutely loved it.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Smashwords
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About the Author:

Rhiannon is an up and coming Indie Author that writes Young Adult Fantasy books and some non fiction. She has a PhD in Metaphysical Science and Parapsychology. When she’s not writing books she’s reading minds, singing karaoke, burning dinner and sipping iced cappuccino despite her allergy to coffee. Some day she’d like to own a unicorn—as long as it doesn’t eat her. She's sold over 25,000 copies of her books worldwide.





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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Blog Tour Stop: Review and Giveaway for The Nephilim Warriors Series by K.A. Young


Welcome one and all, dear readers, to this very special set of reviews. Why is it special, you might ask? Well, it is special for the very fact that this is my first in what I hope to be many book tours, and what a miraculous series to start with, too. 
After my initial reviews for the separate books in this series, I will be doing an overall thought for the series as a whole, AND there will be a giveaway. Whoot! Whoot! So feel free to enter into that and join the fun that is The Nephilim Warriors Series by K.A. Young.
So...without further ado...LET'S DO THIS THING!!



Book Info:
Title- Prophecy Of The Female Warrior
Series- Nephilim Warriors Book # 1
By- K.A. Young
Genre- Mature Audiences 18+-Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Blurb:
Anna Wilkins is a prototypical housewife. She buys groceries, picks up the dry cleaning and hosts dinner parties.

Everything was picture perfect from the outside looking in until the life she was born to live collided with the life she was living. Her husband is murdered by a creature from another realm, a creature that is only visible to her. Through her pain, his death awakens a part of her she didn't know existed. She is then thrust into a life of Vampires, Werewolves and Sexy Nephilim Warriors.

Drawn to her by a bond as old as their race, a Nephilim Warrior finds Anna at her darkest hour and seeks to arouse what lies dormant within her. The scorching sexual attraction she and the Warrior feel for one another may be beyond anything either of them can control...


General Thoughts:
The book starts out so normal, a woman grieving for her husband at his graveside, family all around her, but the sudden appearance of a strange man the day of the funeral kind of shakes her up and allows her to fully realize something she has always known but never truly understood. She is very different from those around her. She is part of something bigger than herself. I liked that aspect. The whole "everything is normal but then the paranormal bit shows itself" type of thing. It was a very well-written transition.
However, there was one thing in the beginning of this book that I was not privy to, and that was the fact that Anna just accepts what and who she is with no fight whatsoever. I mean, yeah, she has known she was not normal her whole life, and, okay, she did fight a little, but to me it was not enough. It were as if she freaked out for two seconds and then was like, "Oh, I have a destiny, okay." I just felt that there could have been more conflict in the story in that regard.
I think this book was a bit tame in its storyline. There is an initial protagonist, but by the end of the book, that character and problem is dealt with for the time being in a very tame way. I believe there could have been a bit more, but initially, I loved this first book in the series.
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Book Info:

Title-Destiny Of The Female Warrior
Series- Nephilim Warriors Book # 2
By- K.A. Young
Genre- Mature Audiences 18+-Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Blurb:
 Nothing has ever come easily for the last female warrior of the Nephilim. Now that Anna has found her place in the world, she has much to learn about her new role as Queen. As the mating bond becomes clear, emotions run high as one of the sexy warriors must step aside while the other takes Anna as his Queen and assumes the throne.


It is a wild ride, as Anna must return to Georgia to deal with a vampire that is waging war on residents of her hometown. Luckily, she has her best friend/paired sorceress Elise around to keep things interesting. Anna struggles to find the perfect solution that would allow her to remain loyal to her past as well as honor the responsibility of her present.


General Thoughts:
Absolutely, positively no complaints on this one. The story started out very strong and ended just as strong. While the first book kind of focuses more on the romance aspect with some fighting and action thrown in, this second book has a nice balance of both. Honestly, there is nothing more to be said, it was just that good.
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Book Info:
Title- Blood Kiss
Series- Nephilim Warriors # 3
By-K.A. Young
Genre-Mature Audiences 18+-Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy


 Blurb:
Julie manages her life the best way she knows how, by waking up everyday and putting one foot in front of the other, along with a little help from modern medicine. Most days she holds things together pretty well; as the mother of twin toddlers and a wife to a husband she can barely stand she still manages to keep up appearances and paste a smile onto her face. Until dreams of a sexy vampire plague her nights leaving her panting when she wakes.

Julie begins to struggle with her own urges though she dare not admit aloud that she now has a taste for blood. She longs to indulge her desire by taking the vein of the vampire that makes her quake with need. How much longer can she keep the creature inside of her at bay? Only time will tell if Julie is strong enough to resist her darkest desire or if she even wants to try.


General Thoughts:
I was so excited to delve into Julie's mind for this book. Especially since there is a special quality about her just as there was in Anna. Now, Julie's reaction when she found out who she was, basically was the reaction I kind of expected and anticipated. I think if it weren't for her sudden urge for blood and various other signs, I think she would have done everything she could to avoid having to deal with the inevitable and just gone off and tried to live her life as normally as she could.
This book was a very nice rounding out of the series and the change in perspective was welcome. I loved that the author allowed us readers to experience Julie's change to the supernatural, just as we were able to experience with Anna in the first book.
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Overall Thoughts on the Series as a Whole:
This series is full of action, plenty of steamy romance (and I mean STEAMY!), and quite a bit of bad-assery. There are so many strong characters in this who are very well-written and fleshed out. The storyline meshes very well throughout the three books. 
I felt that these books were a very quick read because of the great writing and I will definitely be checking out more of K.A. Young's work, just to see what other wonderful characters she has stored up in her imagination.
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About the Author:
K.A. Young is a paranormal/ urban fantasy romance author that lives with her family in the South. She began writing because her mind was swimming with incredible stories that were begging to be told. Her love for reading began as a small child when she realized that a good book was an instant escape to a mystical land that could be reached anytime and from anyplace.




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Monday, October 21, 2013

Crimson Midnight by Amos Cassidy


Rose has a nagging feeling that there is something more for her, that she is something more than what she believes herself to be. She longs for something different in her life, something exciting and out there. So, with a goodbye to her father, she, along with her friend Faye, heads off to London, to stay at her Aunt Flo's house while she is figuring out what she wants her life to be.

Sparks soon fly when she meets Roman, Flo's adopted son. However, a problem arises when she befriends Roman's "girlfriend" Thistle. *You will find out if you read this book why I put quotes around the word girlfriend.* Everything seems all hunky-dory, until a mysterious demon creature that vomits black stuff tries to attack Rose and Thistle. That is the very moment Rose's true self shines through.

After a scare with magic she never knew she even possessed, Rose finds out the secrets of the world around her. The secrets of the people she thought she knew. The secrets of a world kept hidden from mortal eyes.

I ABSOLUTELY loved this book. I was AMAZING!!! There is really nothing bad to say. It has twists, turns, humor, seriousness, a wedding, magic, supernaturals, EVERYTHING that I could ever want in a paranormal story all rolled up into one. READ THIS!!! You will love it!

Saturday, October 19, 2013

The Deceived by S.K.N. Hammerstone


The Rift (Book #1) left me very excited to read this second book of the Vessel Full of Souls series, because it ended with its main character, Rachael, going evil (or at least, being controlled by her "trainer" Elizabeth) and revealing her pregnant state. At that point, the father of her baby is pretty well implied so the main thing I wondered was how Rachael was going to end up getting out of her controlled environment and become the great ruler she is supposed to be. (You know, the nice, non-bloodlustful ruler. Is that too much to ask?) I guess it is, because there were so many twists and turns with this second installment, that I did not know where to turn.

I am not even going to mention the first twist that occurs, or one of the first at least, because there is nothing I would be able to say without giving it away. But let's just say it is a surprise no one saw coming. Well, actually I do not know if that is true, but Elizabeth didn't see it coming anyway and that's the important thing.

Second twist. Well, it is not exactly a twist, but it was making me a tad angry at the story. A good angry, because I just wanted to read more. I wouldn't exactly call it betrayal, but people (or should I say Angels and Demons) are kind of starting to show their true colors. They are parting ways, doing things that will benefit them and theirs, revealing hidden identities, etc. Things that just seem to make this story even better and allow it to grow exponentially.

I actually think I put more than one twist into that last paragraph, but I will continue on.

Overall, this book was A LOT darker than the last. It had a more serious tone to it as the characters (both good and bad) attempt to take control. I love second books in a series because since there is really no backstory to get through, you see more of who each character is and how the situations they are put in affect them.

Sadly, I do not think the third one of this series is out yet, but I am eagerly awaiting its arrival. I desperately have to know what happens. How the story ends up playing out and whether or not good really can prevail in such a late state of the game.