The Bibliophilic Book Blog

Book Review: Tallen (Quest of the Demon Aftermath #1) by: ML Sawyer

2012-02-11T07:00:00.005-05:00

Rating: 5/5

Publisher: Equilibrium Books

Publish Date: November 26, 2011

Origins: From Author for Review

Format: E-book

Synopsis: Growing up not far from the road to Chinta on the edge of the Jungle Dragon, Tallen is excited to have her two brothers home. Recent times have been hard, Tallen herself barely surviving an attack by a derelict stranger in their very own barn.

The war that never was has relieved them of their duty at Chinta, so much so, that her father, the Sergeant of the Guard, is able to return for a visit, bringing news of a possible suitor for Tallen, given that she is almost of that age.

Tallen is not sure what she wants, and the man her father brings home is not what anyone expected. But at least she knows that her family has her best interests at heart when the pompous, self-interested merchant's son is sent back to Chinta.

The aftermath of the Offworlder's quest remains uncertain, the battle apparently lost. But for a reluctant Tallen, the journey is only just beginning, upon a path from which there may be no return.

Review: In Quest of the Demon, which was Darci’s story, we meet Tallen who is the main character for this story. We only have a brief look at Tallen in Quest of the Demon, but now we get in depth and things turn darker in Tallen.

Darkly compelling, Tallen is a page-turner! Full of action once some of the back story was taken care of, this story is unpredictable, yet well-balanced. I loved Tallen’s puppy, Wanderer, and thought he was a great addition. Very enjoyable with characters you care about and a great plot! I look forward to more of Tallen’s adventures.

Series: Quest of the Demon (1), Tallen (Quest of the Demon Aftermath #1)

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Book Review: Graveminder by: Melissa Marr

2012-02-10T07:00:00.051-05:00

Rating: 5/5

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Publish Date: January 17, 2012

Origins: From Publisher for Review

Format: Trade Paperback

Synopsis: From Melissa Marr, the New York Times bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series, comes a mesmerizing novel for adults, GRAVEMINDER—the hauntingly atmospheric tale of a curse that allows the dead to walk and the people who are responsible for keeping them at rest.

“Three sips to mind the dead…”

Rebekkah Barrow never forgot the attention her grandmother Maylene bestowed upon the dead of Claysville, the small town where Bek spent her adolescence. There wasn’t a funeral that Maylene didn’t attend, and at each one Rebekkah watched as Maylene performed the same unusual ritual: She took three sips from a silver flask and spoke the words “Sleep well, and stay where I put you.”

Now Maylene is dead, and Bek must go back to the place she left a decade earlier. She soon discovers that Claysville is not just the sleepy town she remembers, and that Maylene had good reason for her odd traditions. It turns out that in Claysville the worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously connected. If the dead are not properly cared for, they will come back from the shadowy, lawless land of the dead to satiate themselves with food, drink, and stories from the living. Only the Graveminder, by tradition a Barrow woman, and her Undertaker—in this case Byron Montgomery, with whom Bek shares a complicated past—can set things right once the dead begin to walk.

Although she is still grieving for Maylene, Rebekkah will soon find that she has more than a funeral to attend to in Claysville, and that what awaits her may be far worse: dark secrets, a centuries-old bargain, a romance that still haunts her, and a frightening new responsibility—to stop a monster and put the dead to rest where they belong

Review: Claysville is a town with an ancient secret and a bargain which has given them much, but costs so much more. Now it's Rebekkah's turn to come home and take up the mantle of the Graveminder. The one person, along with her Undertaker, who can lay the dead properly to rest. Can Rebekkah learn what she was born to do before the Hungry Dead take over the town?

Graveminder is an eerie American Gothic-style novel. A departure from her young-adult novels, Graveminder is in a class of its' own. Beautifully written prose creating a unique world with intriguing characters, Graveminder is a book which will worm its' way into your heart and mind. I hope to see more books set in Claysville, I've greatly enjoyed Ms. Marr's young adult books and I am most definitely in love with Graveminder!

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Book Review: Deadly Reflections by: D.H. Sayer

2012-02-09T07:00:00.059-05:00

Rating: 4/5

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services

Publish Date: December 16, 2011

Origins: From Author for Review

Format: E-book

Synopsis: Justin Wells has a less than perfect life. His parents have recently divorced and he is living with his dad, who does nothing but watch TV all day. They've moved into a house that is falling apart around them. Worst of all, he is attending a new high school, where everyone treats him like an outcast.

Things don't get any easier for him when he becomes interested in Sarah Ellis, girlfriend of all-star hockey player Brandon Tate, a quick-tempered bully who soon has it out for Justin.

Right when Justin is starting to make friends and his life is incrementally improving, an ancient and mysterious entity is unleashed on the sleepy New England town. After a few suspicious deaths, it becomes apparent that something is going on a killing spree.

…something that can only be seen in mirrors.

As the bodies start piling up around them, Justin and his new friends have to figure out how to stop this terrible force before it picks them off one by one.

Review: After reading Deadly Reflections, you will never look at mirrors the same way again. Justin Wells is the new kid in town - no friends, a junker for a car, a hovel for a home, and a father who does nothing but watch TV all day. Justin starts to make friends and falls for Sarah Ellis, the BMOC's ex-girlfriend. However, Sarah's ex-boyfriend has unleashed a never-ending evil over the town. A creature that has existed from time immemorial and lives in the mirror exacting terror. Now Justin and his friends have a short amount of time to figure out what the creature is and how to stop it before everyone in town ends up dead.

I was easily drawn into the world the author created in Deadly Reflections. The characters were very realistic of how "typical" high school kids act and I enjoyed the suspense. The evil was deliciously reminiscent of a Freddy Krueger, but with its' own set of rules and and a different sort of viciousness. Very engaging and I look forward to more of the author's work!

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Author M.J. Rose is asking if you've ever smelled a story?

2012-02-08T07:25:00.064-05:00

Discover the perfume inspired by The Book of Lost Fragrances!!

“He struggled to separate out the notes he recognized from the ones he didn’t, searching for the ingredients that gave the blend its promise of hope, of long nights and voluptuous dreams, of invitation and embrace. Of an everlasting covenant ripe with possibility. Of lost souls reunited.” —The Book of Lost Fragrances

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Synopsis: A sweeping and suspenseful tale of secrets, intrigue, and lovers separated by time, all connected through the mystical qualities of a perfume created in the days of Cleopatra—and lost for 2,000 years.

Jac L’Etoile has always been haunted by the past, her memories infused with the exotic scents that she grew up surrounded by as the heir to a storied French perfume company. In order to flee the pain of those remembrances—and of her mother’s suicide—she moves to America, leaving the company in the hands of her brother Robbie. But when Robbie hints at an earth-shattering discovery in the family archives and then suddenly goes missing—leaving a dead body in his wake—Jac is plunged into a world she thought she’d left behind.

Back in Paris to investigate her brother’s disappearance, Jac discovers a secret the House of L’Etoile has been hiding since 1799: a scent that unlocks the mysteries of reincarnation. The Book of Lost Fragrances fuses history, passion, and suspense, moving from Cleopatra’s Egypt and the terrors of revolutionary France to Tibet’s battle with China and the glamour of modern-day Paris. Jac’s quest for the ancient perfume someone is willing to kill for becomes the key to understanding her own troubled past.

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Pre-order The Book of Lost Fragrances by M.J. Rose and receive a free sample of Âmes Soeurs, the Scent of Soulmates. This exclusive fragrance, inspired by the novel, was created by Joya Studios and is not yet for sale. Joya’s Âmes Sœurs hints of Frankincense, Myrrh, Orange Blossom and Jasmine. It’s smoky uncommon finish suggests the past and the future, and lost souls reunited.

Just use one of the links at http://mjrose.com/fragrances/scent.asp and follow the directions there.

Offer ends March 1, but pre-order now since there are a limited number of supplies!

US and Canada only.

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The Book of Lost Fragrance has received terrific advance praise:

Selected by Indie Booksellers for the March 2012 Indie Next List.

Selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the Top Ten Mystery/Thrillers Spring 2012

"From 18th-century Egypt and France to present-day Paris, New York, and China, Rose's deliciously sensual novel of paranormal suspense smoothly melds a perfume-scented quest to protect an ancient artifact with an ages-spanning romance. A complex plot that races to a satisfying finish." — Publishers Weekly, Starred and Boxed Review

" A sensuous thriller combined with a heartbreaking love story.” — Karen Briggs at Great Northern Books & Hobbies in Oscoda, MI

"A spellbinding love story and historical novel of mystery, reincarnation, ancient Egypt. Being immersed in Rose's fictional world is one of those times when you don't want to come back to the real world." —Susan Wasson of Bookworks, Albuquerque, NM

"Smoothly blends historical events, compelling characters, and international intrigue into an absorbing and thrilling ride through the centuries." —Library Journal

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Book Review: Vamplayers by: Rusty Fischer

2012-02-08T07:00:00.025-05:00

Rating: 4/5

Publisher: Medallion Press

Publish Date: February 1, 2012

Origins: From Publisher for Review

Format: Paperback

Synopsis: At the Afterlife Academy of Exceptionally Dark Arts, Lily Fielding is a measly trainee who dreams of one day becoming a Savior—those who visit vampire-infested high schools and put down the undead with their deadly crossbows. When Lily and her classmates Alice and Cara begin their latest assignment, it seems like just another run-of-the-mill gig: they’re to simply spot the Vamplayer—part vampire, part player—identify the popular girl he’s set his sights on, and befriend her before the Vamplayer can turn her to do his bidding. Before long, however, the Vamplayer sets his sights on Lily's friends, and she is left to face the threat alone while protecting her friends from the dark forces she has sworn to resist.

Review: Vamplayer is a fun and engaging book with a humorous, yet at times serious, look at the life of Lily, a Sister who wants to be a Savior. The Sisters get a routine job at another school (being a perpetual high school student sucks!) to find the Vamplayer and keep him away from his targeted popular girl. However, this is one assignment that is nothing like it appears to be. All the sudden Lily's friends are acting strange and she's got no one to turn to except for the 'scholarship' kids who are not-so-closeted sci-fi nerds. With action, drama, some romance, and laughs, Vamplayer is a lighthearted addition to your vampire bookshelf!

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Book Review: Blood and Bullets by: James R. Tuck

2012-02-07T07:00:00.049-05:00

Rating: 5/5

Publisher: Kensington Books

Publish Date: February 7, 2012

Origins: From Author for Review

Format: E-book

Synopsis: He lives to kill monsters. He keeps his city safe. And his silver hollow-points and back-from-the-dead abilities help him take out any kind of supernatural threat. But now an immortal evil has this bad-ass bounty hunter dead in its sights…

Ever since a monster murdered his family, Deacon Chalk hunts any creature that preys on the innocent. So when a pretty vampire girl “hires” him to eliminate a fellow slayer, Deacon goes to warn him—and barely escapes a vampire ambush. Now he’s got a way-inexperienced newbie hunter to protect and everything from bloodsuckers to cursed immortals on his trail. There’s also a malevolent force controlling the living and the undead, hellbent on turning Deacon’s greatest loss into the one weapon that could destroy him…

Review: Deacon Chalk's baaaaaaaack! After the harrowing events in That Thing at the Zoo (a Deacon Chalk novella), we are given Deacon's first full length adventure in Blood and Bullets. A teenage vampire tries to hire him for protection, but Deacon doesn't work for the monsters. Yet he can't help but be curious as to the person this vampires is afraid of, only to be ambushed. Now he's got to follow the line of vampires back to the person or thing controlling them, but this comes with surprising results and unforeseen danger. But Deacon is no stranger to adversity and danger...

Due to past events, Chalk took up the position of monster hunter, something he's very good at. Mr. Tuck has created a sympathetic, yet undeniably tough anti-hero in Deacon Chalk. Deacon also has some very talented and loyal friends who have bonded with him through unspeakable events. The action is hard-core and the dialogue is killer! I also loved the nod to other monster-hunters (like Buffy, Sam and Dean from Supernatural, etc.). I think fans of Richard Kadrey and Justin Gustainis will enjoy every word. I am looking forward eagerly to further Deacon Chalk adventures!

Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty Hunter Series: That Thing at the Zoo (Novella), Blood and Bullets (1), Blood and Silver (2)

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Book Review: The Girl Who Played With Fire by: Stieg Larsson

2012-02-07T00:40:00.000-05:00

The Girl Who Played With Fire

by Stieg Larsson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis: Mikael Blomkvist, crusading journalist and publisher of the magazine Millennium, has decided to run a story that will expose an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden, implicating well-known and highly placed members of Swedish society, business, and government.

But he has no idea just how explosive the story will be until, on the eve of publication, the two investigating reporters are murdered. And even more shocking for Blomkvist: the fingerprints found on the murder weapon belong to Lisbeth Salander—the troubled, wise-beyond-her-years genius hacker who came to his aid in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and who now becomes the focus and fierce heart of The Girl Who Played with Fire.

As Blomkvist, alone in his belief in Salander’s innocence, plunges into an investigation of the slayings, Salander herself is drawn into a murderous hunt in which she is the prey, and which compels her to revisit her dark past in an effort to settle with it once and for all.

Review: I found this book on a dusty shelf at work and I decided to pick it up and give it a try after I watched the first movie. This book was intense, just as intense as the first one.

I love how the author has no boundaries and just goes for it all. The translation left a tiny bit to be desired in some of the prose department but all in all it was a thrilling read. This definitely isn't my genre but, I am glad I got out of my comfort zone and tried something new.

I think Lizbeth is a freaking bad ass. I mean, come on, she kicks ass, and I love how she just sees everything black and white, right or wrong, and there is no gray, nothing in between.

I will definitely read the last book.

A Place to Die and the Nazi Regime: Guest Post by Dorothy James

2012-02-06T07:00:00.027-05:00

A Place to Die Book Summary: Eleanor and Franz Fabian arrive from New York to spend Christmas with Franzs mother in her sedate retirement home in the Vienna Woods. Their expectations are low: at best, boredom, at worst, run-of-the-mill family friction. But when the wealthy, charming Herr Graf is found dead in his apartment with an ugly head wound, the Fabians are thrust into a homicide investigation.

Some residents and staff have surprising connections to the dead man, but who would have wanted to kill him? Inspector Büchner tracks down the murderer against a backdrop of Viennese history from the Nazi years to the present day. Witty, suspenseful, lyrical, this is a literary whodunit that will keep you guessing till the last page.

We here at The Bibliophilic Book Blog are happy to host a guest post from Ms. Dorothy James today!

A Place to Die and the Nazi Regime

A Place to Die is a murder mystery set in present-day Vienna. It takes place in a retirement home in the Vienna Woods. This retirement home is pure invention on my part—there is no such House in the Woods in reality. But the people in it are firmly rooted in what I see as the reality of times.

I did not research the Nazi period especially for this novel. In my own childhood in Wales, I experienced war-torn Britain and Hitler’s bombs. But later I studied and taught German and Austrian literature, lived in both countries and came to know them very well. It was when I was living in Vienna that I set out to write a murder mystery, and it was natural to place it in that fascinating city. I did not explicitly intend to explore the Nazi past, but, given the age of the characters, there was no way to escape it.

All the residents of my imaginary retirement home are well over the age of sixty and some are in their nineties. Not one of them was born later than the 1930’s. They all therefore saw the light of day before the fateful summer of 1939 when Hitler’s armies marched into Poland and set off the Second World War. People forget that Hitler was himself an Austrian, and that under him the German and Austrian armies were completely integrated. The residents of the retirement home are all Austrians, and inevitably there are echoes of that period in their lives, their memories and sometimes their deaths.

Like many older generation Austrians, my residents do not like to talk about the Nazi past. There are some comic moments in the novel where the uninitiated American guests, a younger generation, start to do just this, to the discomfort of their hosts. It has taken many decades for Austrians to face up to their role in the horrors of the Nazi period, but the younger generations of scholars have, to their credit, done so, and are now firmly debunking the convenient myth that the Austrians were the first victims of Hitler and not in large part his willing allies.

This is a complicated issue, and there are echoes of it, not in-depth discussions, in the novel. For example, the question arises of restitution to Jewish families whose property and art works were “aryanized,” i.e. stolen by the Nazis, often their own neighbors; one character is the widow of a protestant pastor who was executed by the Austrian Nazis for his “treachery,” i.e., his resistance during the war; the complex role of the Protestant churches in this period comes up...and so on.

The Nazi regime is by no means the major theme of this novel, but it lurks in the background. That terrible decade in Austria goes on playing its way out, consciously and subconsciously, in the lives of the people who came through it.

Dorothy James Bio:

Dorothy James was born in Wales and grew up in the South Wales Valleys. Writer, editor, and translator, she has published short stories as well as books and articles on German and Austrian literature. She has taught at universities in the U.S., England, and Germany, makes her home now in Brooklyn and often spends time in Vienna and Berlin.

She wrote A Place to Die in her attic apartment on the edge of the Vienna Woods. She has travelled far from Wales, but has not lost the Welsh love of playing with language; she writes poems for pleasure as does Chief Inspector Büchner, the whimsical Viennese detective who unravels the first mystery in this new series of novels.

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Book Review: Quest of the Demon by: ML Sawyer

2012-02-05T07:00:00.023-05:00

Rating: 4/5

Publisher: Equilibrium Books

Publish Date: August 31, 2011

Origins: From Author for Review

Format: E-book

Synopsis: Darci is a popular sixteen-year-old girl who plays basketball and lives in an ordinary country town. But her life is changed forever when she is accidentally transported to the land of Nahaba by a young apprentice wizard called Taslessian.

Within hours of her unexpected arrival, both teens are thrust into a dangerous journey to the cave of Grisham the Great in the hope that he would be able to send her home.

Upon reaching the cave, however, Darci quickly discovers that there is no such thing as accidents, and that their journey is only just beginning.

Review: Darci’s not in Kansas anymore….

One night Darci wakes up and discovers a light shining through the curtain and ends up in another realm. Pulled through to Nahaba by an apprentice wizard, she’s a stranger in a strange land and wants to go home. However, the apprentice (Taslessian) and his Master cannot send her back. Darci will need to complete a quest to return home. As all quests are, Darci’s is fraught with danger, warlocks, and dragons.

Quest of the Demon was a quick and enjoyable read. The characters were likeable and Darci isn’t a drama queen. She’s very down to earth, using her wits and sarcasm to deal with the situation she’s found herself in. It was good to see the characters grow throughout the story and they weren’t one-note/one-dimensional. A great YA book which can easily be enjoyed by younger audiences, too.

Series: Quest of the Demon (1), Tallen (Quest of the Demon Aftermath #1)

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Book Review: Archon: The Books of Raziel by: Sabrina Benulis

2012-02-04T07:00:00.015-05:00

Rating: 2/5

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Publish Date: December 27, 2011

Origins: From Publisher for Review

Format: Hardcover

Synopsis: Angela Mathers is plagued by visions of angels, supernatural creatures who haunt her thoughts by day and seduce her dreams by night. Newly released from a mental institution where she was locked away for two years, she hopes that her time at the Vatican’s university, the West Wood Academy, will give her a chance at a normal life. Unlike ordinary humans, Angela is a blood head — a freak, a monster, the possible fulfillment of a terrifying prophecy of overwhelming death and destruction. Only in Luz, the Vatican’s wondrous enclave, are blood heads accepted and encouraged to discover what kind of powers or special abilities they might possess.

But within West Wood, a secret coven plots, and demons and angels roam the streets searching for the key to open Raziel’s book — a secret tome from a lost archangel. Some are determined to destroy Raziel, while others, like the beautiful Supernal Israfel, one of the highest of the high, wish to free him. And when the Archon — the human chosen to possess the spirit of a dead angel — rises as foretold, they will control the supernatural universe.

Torn between mortal love and angelic obsession, Angela holds the key to Heaven and Hell — and both will stop at nothing to possess her.

Review: Archon has a beautiful cover and great potential. Unfortunately I wasn’t as excited about the story once I started reading it.

Good points: the author builds the world of Archon slowly and as the story went along instead of the first half of the book being devoted to world building leaving little room for plot or action. There is a lot of action and the story flows. The mythos is highly unique and fascinating – a new view on angels, demons, and other types of ‘otherworldly’ beings. It’s definitely the type of new and creative thinking which I want to learn more about, however…

Not-so-good points: I didn’t feel any kind of connection to the characters at all. None of the characters were once I ended up caring about or even cheering on. They all seemed a bit 2-dimensional where they could have been so much more. Even though the story flows, it doesn’t seem to have a direction – a clear beginning, middle, and ending. The plot left me a little cold and confused.

All that being said, if Archon was just a little ‘more’, I would be interested in reading the next novel in this series.

The Books of Raziel Series: Archon (1)

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Book Review: The Rivals by Daisy Whitney

2012-02-03T09:31:00.026-05:00

Rating:

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publish Date: February 6, 2012

Origins: From Publisher for Review

Format: Hardcover

Blurb: When Alex Patrick was assaulted by another student last year, her elite boarding school wouldn't do anything about it. This year Alex is head of the Mockingbirds, a secret society of students who police and protect the student body. While she desperately wants to live up to the legacy that's been given to her, she's now dealing with a case unlike any the Mockingbirds have seen before.

It isn't rape. It isn't bullying. It isn't hate speech. A far-reaching prescription drug ring has sprung up, and students are using the drugs to cheat. But how do you try a case with no obvious victim? Especially when the facts don't add up, and each new clue drives a wedge between Alex and the people she loves most: her friends, her boyfriend, and her fellow Mockingbirds.

As Alex unravels the layers of deceit within the school, the administration, and even the student body the Mockingbirds protect, her struggle to navigate the murky waters of vigilante justice may reveal more about herself than she ever expected.

Review: The Mockingbirds are back! However, this time they are dealing with a so-called 'victimless' crime, which is trickier than any case they've ever dealt with before. When the trail starts to unravel and Alex's world starts to fall apart, will she be able to make the right decisions?

I highly enjoyed The Mockingbirds (please click on the link below to see my review) and I was not disappointed by The Rivals. I think that it's very disturbing when the faculty don't want to actually help any of the students with issues - they just give them a pamphlet and send them along their way. The test scores and trophies mean more the administration than the actual students. Which is why the Mockingbirds exist. Now someone wants to take them out of the equation and it's up to Alex and the other Mockingbirds to find out what is really going on. A great second book in this series!!

Series: The Mockingbirds (1), The Rivals (2)

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Book Review: The Legacy of Eden by Nelle Davy

2012-02-02T09:40:00.046-05:00

Rating:

Publisher: Mira

Publish Date: January 24, 2010

Origins: From Publisher for Review

Format: Paperback

Synopsis: When New York sculptor Meredith Pincetti receives a letter from a law firm, alerting her to the death of her cousin, she is suddenly confronted by her disturbing past—a past she successfully escaped and buried seventeen years ago.

Informed that Aurelia, the once-grand Iowa estate and farm where she was raised, is to be sold at auction to settle her late cousin’s debts, Meredith resolves to return to her family homestead and collect the few possessions that belonged to her parents.

In doing so, Meredith recalls the spectacular rise and disastrous fall of the Hathaway family beginning with her grandfather, Cal’s, dreams and ending with his utter disappointments. We experience her grandmother, Lavinia’s, iron will and ceaseless machinations to ensure that her vision of Aurelia comes to pass. As Aurelia thrives, becoming the largest farm in the county, behind the veneer things are crumbling. Dissipation, brutality and betrayal find fertile ground in the next generation of Hathaways. Seemingly idyllic childhoods precede the exile and return of Hathaways from multiple generations—including Meredith.

And, as Meredith returns to Aurelia, she is forced to confront her own role in her family’s tortured fall from grace. What part did she play in the events that took place during her adolescence two decades earlier? How does her festering relationship with her sisters mirror similar connections between her father’s and grandfather’s siblings? What secrets did she leave behind when she fled Iowa for New York?

Though founded and overseen by male Hathaways, it is the women—Lavinia and her sister-in-law, Piper; Julia, Cal’s daughter from his first marriage; Meredith and her sisters, Claudia and Ava—who play pivotal roles in shaping the events that occur at Aurelia. And, ultimately, it is they who reveal its unspeakable secrets.

Review: I'm not even sure where to start with this review. The Legacy of Eden draws you into the lives of the Hathaways - the good, the bad, and the very ugly. It's amazing to me how much a house can become a home and grow its own personality...standing ever vigilant through time. They say "If only walls could talk..." and that is so true here. Meredith learns the hard way that you can't escape your past because it will always find a way to insinuate itself back into your life. Told in sections of time, with the present interspersed, The Legacy of Eden will grab you, twist you around, and leave you breathless by the time you are done. Slightly reminiscent of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, but much darker and not filled with as much laughter along with the secrets.

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Book Review: Eyes Like Leaves by: Charles de Lint

2012-02-01T08:21:00.018-05:00

Rating: 4.5/5

Publisher: Tachyon Publications

Publish Date: February 1, 2012

Origins: From Publisher for Review

Format: Trade Paperback

Synopsis: Taking a delightful departure from his more common urban-fantasy settings, this epic tale from acclaimed author Charles de Lint weaves elements of Celtic and Nordic mythology while bringing sword and sorcery to the forefront. Summer magic is waning in the Green Isles, and the evil Icelord is encasing the lands in a permanent frost while coastal towns are pillaged by snake ships. Mounting one last defense against the onslaught, a mysterious old wizard instructs his inexperienced apprentice in the art of shape-changing. Mercilessly pursued by the Icelord's army, this newfound mage gathers allies—a seemingly ordinary young woman and her protective adoptive family—and they flee north in a desperate race to awaken the Summerlord. Time is running short for the Summerborn, especially when a treacherous family betrayal is discovered.

Review: The beautiful summer magic is seeping away from the Green Isles. Everwinter is threatening to come to the islands because the Summerlord’s staff – the source of his power – has been broken. The Winter Lord is using this to his advantage by trying to destroy the Summerlord’s kith and kin on his path to ultimate power. Now it is up to the dhruids to gather together those with the last vestiges of the Summerlord’s power to fight off not only the invading Vikings, but the Winter Lord himself.

Eyes Like Leaves is an early, previously unpublished novel of Charles de Lint’s and while it is a little rougher than his other work in places, the beauty of the tale and talent of the author shine through. The characters and action leap to life in your mind as you are reading the story. Fraught with magic, evil, mages, and warriors, Eyes Like Leaves is a captivating book. A wonderful novel for all fans of Irish mythology and of Charles de Lint’s as well.

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Book Review: That Thing at the Zoo by: James R. Tuck

2012-01-31T07:00:00.047-05:00

Rating: 5/5

Publisher: Kensington Books

Publish Date: January 27, 2012

Origins: From Author for Review

Format: E-book

Synopsis: Something is killing animals at the zoo. Deacon is called in to investigate. He finds an evil, ancient and unseen for decades. An evil that will push him to the limits of his endurance before the night is over.

And then things will really go to hell.

Review: We are introduced to Deacon Chalk, an occult bounty hunter, in That Thing at the Zoo. He is a badass anti-hero with a good reason to be hunting the monsters that lurk in the shadows. Weaving words deftly together to paint an eerily realistic picture of the gritty night, Mr. Tuck has created a world populated with the weird, evil, and macabre. Slightly reminiscent of other great anti-heroes, Deacon Chalk stands out from the crowd. Great dialogue and action pounds out of the pages to grab you by the throat! That Thing at the Zoo is the start of something exceptional!

Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty Hunter Series: That Thing at the Zoo (Novella), Blood and Bullets (1), Blood and Silver (2)

Excerpt: I moved away from the wall. My legs made long strides across the grass, the smell of piss fading as I walked. Jimmy the zookeeper hustled to catch up with me. He was breathing hard by the time he did, doing a jog-step to keep pace.
    “What the hell are you doin’ now?”
    “We need some bait. This thing likes to swoop down and grab its victim.”
    “But you had me lock up all the animals so they would be safe from it.”
    Listening to the night air, not looking at him, I drew out the Bowie knife. “I know.”
    “So what are you gonna use for bait?”

    “Us.” The silver edge gleamed in the full moonlight as I laid it against the skin of my forearm. I keep my knives sharp so there was only a thin flash of burn as I drew it across my arm. The tattooed skin parted, blood welling up behind the slice of the blade. I didn’t cut deep, but it bled freely, running red rivulets down my arm, filling my palm, and dripping off my fingers.

    A flick of my hand sent droplets of my blood arcing out onto the grass around us. I try to keep my blood. Too many things out there can use your blood to harm you, but once it hits the earth its magickal properties are grounded out unless it is being used in ritual. This wasn’t ritual; it was bait. Chum in the water so to speak. The cut stopped bleeding, so I wiped the blood off on my jeans.

    I turned to Jimmy the zookeeper. “Get ready. I don’t think it will be long.” No, not long at all. The hair on my arms was standing on end, static electricity crackling between each one like tiny Tesla coils. My ability to sense supernatural stuff was wide open and I could feel something coming closer. In my mind’s theater I felt leather and fur rub along the inside of my skin. A crunchy taste filled my mouth, sucking out all the moisture, like eating too much roasted coconut. Whatever we were after was headed our way.

    Something flashed into existence over the scent mark on the wall, moving so quick and silent it seemed to appear from thin air. It was black against the white-washed wall, hanging by a hooked claw. I heard it draw a long inhale through its lungs. It snorted and shook its head, not liking that its scent mark had been desecrated. One inhumanly quick pull swung it to the top of the wall where it squatted, a dark shape against the low moon.

    Its head swung slowly from the left to the right, mouth open, breathing in the night scent through glistening fangs. Large triangular ears ran from cheekbones to the top of its flattened skull. A low screech followed the turn of its head, like the rusty screen door on Hell. Its face came around to our direction, low cry vibrating my skin with sound waves. They passed over me as it continued to turn its head. Immediately that monstrous face snapped back towards us and snarled. Red eyes glowed with a satanic light, throwing ruby highlights across a flattened snout and curving wet teeth.

    The beast rose, standing on the wall. Clawed arms whipped over its head. The moonlight glowed through thin membrane wings that stretched from knotted hands to cadaverous waist, black veins traced through in relief. One wing was torn, a rip in its center that the moon shone through. It was covered in patches of greasy rat fur, glistening in the night. Where it had skin, it was bare and mottled gray. Anatomy showed it was female, breasts hanging pendulous in a mockery of womanhood. It once was human. It once was alive. Now it was neither. I knew exactly what we were up against.

    Nos-fer-fucking-atu.
    Pulling down on the slide, I checked the shotgun to make sure there was a shell in the chamber.
    Bring it on, bitch.

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Book Review: The Priest and the Peaches by: Larry Peterson

2012-01-30T07:00:00.051-05:00

Rating: 4.5/5

Publisher: Tribute Books

Publish Date: December 21, 2011

Origins: From Publisher for Review

Format: E-book

Synopsis: Historical fiction novel set in the Bronx in the mid-1960s

Take a seven day journey with the five, newly orphaned Peach kids, as they begin their struggle to remain a family while planning their dad's funeral.

They find an ally in the local parish priest, Father Tim Sullivan, who tries his best to guide them through the strange, uncharted and turbulent waters of "grown-up world." A story that is sad, funny, and inspiring as it shows how the power of family love and faith can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Review: L-Y-N. Love your neighbor is how Pops Peach lived his life and what he instilled in friends and family by his example. Now Pops is gone and the Peach kids are fending for themselves. 18-year-old Teddy becomes the man of the house and is trying to figure out how to make everything work (bills, etc.) while trying to keep the family together. It's so hard and it seems as if nothing is going right for the Peach kids when things come full circle.

The Priest and the Peaches is a poignant novel of living your truth and leading by example. Pops Peach shows the world you can't just talk the talk - you've got to walk the walk if you're going to make a real difference in life. Now, Pops isn't perfect, but he does the best he can considering his circumstances. He was a single father of 5 kids after his wife passed away. Now Pops is gone, too, and Teddy and his siblings must navigate the strange new world in which they find themselves. Filled with humor and inspiration, The Priest and the Peaches shows the nobility of reciprocity and how one person can touch so many lives. Heartbreaking, but uplifting, the author has a way of touching your soul with his words. Just remember - love your neighbor!

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Book Review: The Demi-Monde: Winter by: Rod Rees

2012-01-29T07:00:00.008-05:00

Rating: 3.5/5

Publisher: William Morrow

Publish Date: December 27, 2011

Origins: From Publisher for Review

Format: Hardcover

Synopsis: EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE IN VIRTUAL REALITY.

The Demi-Monde is the most advanced computer simulation ever devised. Created to prepare soldiers for the nightmarish reality of urban warfare, it is a virtual world locked in eternal civil war. Its thirty million digital inhabitants are ruled by duplicates of some of history's cruellest tyrants: Reinhard Heydrich, the architect of the Holocaust; Beria, Stalin's arch executioner; Torquemada, the pitiless Inquisitor General; Robespierre, the face of the Reign of Terror. But something has gone badly wrong inside the Demi-Monde, and the US President's daughter has become trapped in this terrible world. It falls to eighteen-year-old Ella Thomas to rescue her, yet once Ella has entered the Demi-Monde she finds that everything is not as it seems, that its cyber-walls are struggling to contain the evil within and that the Real World is in more danger than anyone realises.

Review: Demi-Monde – literally translates to “Half-World”. This is a pinpoint description of the novel, The Demi-Monde: Winter. The novel centers on a young woman who must enter the Demi-Monde to save the president’s daughter. The Demi-Monde itself, like the Matrix, is a simulation. It has been set up to train troops on all kinds of warfare. Once it was created, though, it was allowed to run on its own. Therefore, nothing is as it seems inside the Demi-Monde. Populated with simulations of the baddest baddies from history as well as the extremes of society, it now has a mind of its’ own. One important point to remember once you enter – if you die in the Demi-Monde, you die in real life.

The Demi-Monde: Winter, which is the first of four books set there, is an interesting read. Luckily, there is a glossary available, but the language takes a bit getting used to. The author worked hard to make the book as ‘punny’ as possible with repetitive plays on names and words. Of course, there is a large amount of world and character building in the first chapters leading up to the action. It can be difficult to give as much information as possible without bogging down your readers. I wish it had been a bit tighter on that aspect. We do need to suspend belief to gloss over a few of the plot holes, but overall it is a good read and a short escape from real life for the reader.

The Demi-Monde Series: Winter (1), Spring (2)

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Book Review: Bloody Claws by: Winter Pennington

2012-01-28T07:00:00.077-05:00

Rating: 5/5

Publisher: Bold Strokes Books

Publish Date: January 17, 2012

Origins: From Publisher for Review

Format: Trade Paperback

Synopsis: Yule is a time to celebrate the rebirth of the light, but for Preternatural Private Investigator and Paranormal Huntress Kassandra Lyall, it’s about solving yet another series of crimes.

When a couple disappears from their quiet neighborhood home, Detective Arthur Kingfisher brings Kassandra in on the case. Faced with a bloody symbol painted on the couple’s bedroom wall, the cops are stumped. That is, until they find a body and their missing person’s report becomes a full-blown murder investigation. Kassandra realizes that someone is targeting the pagan community. The investigation brings up some heavy emotions, making it harder for her to play human in front of the law enforcement officers she works with.

In the midst of aiding the police, Kassandra finally finds herself at serious odds with Sheila Morris, the local werewolf pack’s Alpha female, when Sheila decides to abuse someone very dear to Kassandra. A certain Alpha has a bone to pick. The question is: Who’s going to pick it first?

Review: We come back to Kassandra Lyall's world of shape-shifters, weres, vampires, witches, fey and other preternatural creatures. Bloody Claws is the third sojourn into Kass' life and things haven't gotten any easier. She's got a lot on her plate: a possible 'cheating lover' case, murders with strange symbols, confrontations with the local werewolf pack, nighttime attacks, and learning more about who she is and what she can do. Along with this, she's exploring the boundaries and permutations of her continuing relationship with Lenorre, the Countess vampire.

I was very excited to get back to Kass's world in Bloody Claws and I was not disappointed! The mystery of the bloody symbols was especially creepy and twisted, the showdown with the alpha of the werewolf pack was brutal, and the sex was sinfully wicked and tempestuous. Another plus for me - there was a lot of Eris! I was happy to see Kass get more comfortable in her own skin and in her relationships with those around her. I don't know if she always understands the impact her words and deeds have on others since she's lived so long trying to protect herself and her own secrets. It's good to see her truly letting others into her life and her heart more fully while still staying kick-arse against her enemies. I can't wait to see where life takes Kass next...

Kassandra Lyall Preternatural Investigator Series: Witch Wolf (1), Raven Mask (2), Bloody Claws (3)

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Book Review: Chasing Perfect by: Susan Mallery

2012-01-28T06:09:00.000-05:00

Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery

My Rating: 4/5 Ravens

Synopsis: Welcome to Fool’s Gold, California, a charming community in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. There’s lots to do and plenty of people to meet, especially women. Because there’s just one tiny problem in Fool’s Gold: the men don’t seem to stick around. Maybe it’s the lure of big-city life, or maybe it’s plain old bad luck, but regardless of the reason, the problem has to be fixed, fast. And Charity Jones may be just the city planner to do it.

Charity’s nomadic childhood has left her itching to settle down, and she immediately falls in love with all the storybook town has to offer — everything, that is, except its sexiest and most famous resident, former world-class cyclist Josh Golden. With her long list of romantic disasters, she’s not about to take a chance on another bad boy, even if everyone else thinks he’s perfect just the way he is. But maybe that’s just what he needs — someone who knows the value of his flaws. Someone who knows that he’s just chasing perfect.

Review: This was actually the first book by Susan Mallery. I wasn't awed but I also wasn't disappointed. It lacked the deep all engrossing story that Victoria Dahl's books inspire in me but it was still a decent and believable story.

I felt that the "makeover" Charity does was a tad cliche. I did like Josh, he was strong, compassionate, and he didn't turn into what everyone just thought of him. He kept his beliefs and his morals.

I will say I wasn't happy with the climax. I can understand Charity's thinking but she didn't even give Josh a chance in the situation and that pissed me off. I guess I really didn't like Charity all that much. I like her friend Pia a lot though.

I haven't decided if I am going to continue with this series or not. Do you think I should?

Book Review: Better off Red by: Rebekah Weatherspoon

2012-01-27T07:00:00.029-05:00

Rating: 5/5

Publisher: Bold Strokes Books

Publish Date: November 15, 2011

Origins: From Publisher for Review

Format: Paperback

Synopsis: And college freshman Ginger Carmichael couldn't care less. She has more important things on her mind, like maintaining her perfect GPA. No matter how much she can't stand the idea of the cliques and the matching colors, there's something about the girls of Alpha Beta Omega—their beauty, confidence, and unapologetic sexuality—that draws Ginger in. But once initiation begins, Ginger finds that her pledge is more than a bond of sisterhood, it’s a lifelong pact to serve six bloodthirsty demons with a lot more than nutritional needs.

Despite her fears, Ginger falls hard for the immortal queen of this nest, and as the semester draws to a close, she sees that protecting her family from the secret of her forbidden love is much harder than studying for finals.

Review: Ms. Weatherspoon writes as if she has been doing this her whole life! The characters in Better off Red, the first book in the Vampire Sorority Sisters series (of which I hope there are many more!), come to life quickly and easily. They are each well-developed and distinct so you aren't able to mix up the characters. I was never in a sorority myself, but if they're anything like this one - sign me up! The vampire mythos that is introduced to us in this novel is definitely a new and refreshing approach to the genre. There is plenty of sex (all steamy hot!), yet it doesn't detract from the plot as it has in some books, it's interwoven seamlessly and is a necessary part of the story, in my opinion. Beautifully written, sexy, and sensual, with great characters and an awesome plot which lends itself neatly to the next book in the series without leaving huge plot holes unfilled. I simply cannot wait for the next book!

Vampire Sorority Sisters Series: Better off Red (1)

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Book Review: Lucky Loser by: Yolanda Wallace

2012-01-26T07:00:00.031-05:00

Rating: 4/5

Publisher: Bold Strokes Books

Publish Date: November 15, 2011

Origins: From Publisher for Review

Format: Trade Paperback

Synopsis: In the high stakes world of women’s tennis, love means nothing. Or at least that’s how Sinjin Smythe sees it. Then she begins to fall for her friend and former doubles partner Laure Fortescue. Having had her heart broken by one player, Sinjin isn’t willing to have it happen again. The talented but oft-injured Brit enters Wimbledon fighting her feelings—and struggling to resurrect her career.

Laure Fortescue has fame, fortune, and a ranking inside the top ten. She has everything she ever wanted. Everything except Sinjin Smythe. As a rule, Laure doesn’t date other players. A rule she would gladly break if it means winning Sinjin’s heart.

Both women reach Wimbledon desperate to claim tennis’s crown jewel—Sinjin because it would be her greatest victory, Laure because it could be her last.

Where does love fit in a game that only one can win?

Review: Lucky Loser is the second book I've read by Ms. Wallace, the first being Rum Spring. I can tell by the attention to the minutia of tennis that Ms. Wallace definitely does her research! I learned a lot about the game, as I do not follow it at all. Even more powerful than the description of the games and all of the effort and intensity they have are the characters. Sinjin's been burned badly, not only by injuries which have kept her off the court, but by former lovers (who were also players). This has left her hesitant to ever date another player again or even to open her heart to love another time. She can deal with one-night stands and friends with benefits, until she starts looking at Laura as more than a doubles partner and friend. Can she resurrect her career and find love with Laura at the same time? Lucky Loser is a well-written and heartbreaking novel of tennis, romance, rebuilding, and tender happiness. I enjoyed the story and the characters felt so real - as if they could be friends I know. I am looking forward to reading more of Ms. Wallace's novels!

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Guest Post/Giveaway - Jaye Frances, author of The KURE

2012-01-25T07:00:00.049-05:00

For a limited time, read “The Kure” for only $.99 (kindle version)

Synopsis: John Tyler, a young man in his early twenties, discovers he has contracted a ghastly affliction affecting a most sensitive part of his body. When the village doctor offers the conventional, and potentially disfiguring, treatment as the only cure, John tenaciously convinces the doctor to reveal an alternative remedy—a forbidden ritual contained within an ancient manuscript called the Kure.

Although initially rejecting the vile and unholy rite, John realizes, too late, that the ritual is more than a faded promise scrawled on a page of crumbling paper. And as cure quickly becomes curse, the unholy text unleashes a dark power that drives him to consider the unthinkable—a depraved and wicked act requiring the corruption of an innocent soul.

Ultimately, John must choose between his desperate need to arrest the plague that is destroying his body, and the virtue of the woman he loves, knowing the wrong decision could cost him his life.

Thank you, Star, for hosting me on Bibliophilic Book Blog today. I really appreciate the opportunity to talk about The Kure, and to let your readers know about my “Resolve To Read” promotion on Amazon through the month of January.

What happens when an otherwise normal, trustworthy and likeable young man finds himself in a situation that has him questioning his own values and principles? In The Kure, one of the main characters, John Tyler, awakens to find he is infected with a rare and life-threatening disease. Concerned that the village doctor’s brutal treatment will do more harm than good, John searches for another remedy. When he learns about an ancient book of healing, the Kure, he discovers its promise of salvation demands a wicked and detestable price—he must gain the cooperation of a young virgin on her 18th birthday. His quest leads him to Sarah Sheridan, and he calls on her to determine if she would be willing to administer the sinister ritual.

But finding himself face-to-face with Sarah, John is caught off-guard as he realizes this woman is more than an essential piece to a cryptic puzzle. Somehow, he must disguise his deceitful agenda that drove him to find her, and prevent Sarah from discovering the tainted reason that brought him to her doorstep.

In the excerpt below, the main characters, John Tyler and Sarah Sheridan, are meeting for the first time. While Sarah believes that John has called on her as a potential suitor, a repentant and nervous John has come with less-than-honorable intentions.

Excerpt: Her touch shot through every part of him, his senses feasting on the point of contact. He glanced down, seeing the sacred hollow between her breasts. Before she could notice, he moved his eyes higher, tracing the delicate curve of her neck and the gentle line of her cheekbone, until he became lost in the moist corners of her mouth.

Without hesitating, Sarah tucked a leg underneath her and slid back on the loveseat, leaving plenty of room. “So tell me about the message,” she said. “Did Pastor Fielding give you a note?” She patted the velvety soft fabric, inviting John to join her.

She was an undeniable enchantress, her remarkable beauty made even more intriguing by her genuine lack of pretense.

John glanced at the space beside her. He had only to sit. She would be close enough to deliver a lover’s whisper. He imagined their shoulders touching and how her leg might accidentally brush against his.

Sarah looked up, directly into John’s eyes. “Come, sit here,” she said, again patting the seat cushion.

John froze, choking on shame darker than the ink that first revealed Sarah’s name in the official book of records. He considered complete surrender, taking her hand in his and telling her everything. It would mean exposing her to the heinous ritual, and having to explain how the cure would require her to bring her perfect body so much closer to his. In that instant, John knew he could never tell Sarah the real reason for his visit.

I always spend the last few days of December reviewing my writing plan for the coming year—to determine what’s going to receive priority and how I will budget my time to make sure I get it done. During one of those planning sessions, I noticed my husband was also putting a few goals together for the new year. When I asked him to tell me about his “resolutions,” he said that one of them was to read more, especially books that fall outside his favorite genres, “just to see what else is out there.” We began to talk about how many more people are now reading books of all kinds, primarily due to increased availability and choice of low-cost eBooks for the kindle and nook. I’m constantly reading comments from readers who decided to try a particular author’s work because it was ninety-nine cents, or in some cases, free. Then my husband asked an interesting question: “Why don’t you offer some kind of promotion to encourage more people to read The Kure, with the idea that they’ll be more inclined to read the book if you temporarily lower the price?” I really had to think about this one, but after realizing it might motivate a few more folks who are not familiar with The Kure to take a look, I decided to do it. I’m calling it “Resolve To Read”, and it’s going on right now. Effective for the month of January, the kindle version of The Kure can be purchased for ninety-nine cents on Amazon. So if you were planning on buying a kindle version anyway, why not take advantage of the “Resolve To Read” promotion and save two bucks?

I’d like to conclude by sharing a few details about myself. I was born in the Midwest and grew up surrounded by traditional values and conservative attitudes (which I quickly discarded). I’ll readily admit that my life’s destination has been the result of an open mind and a curiosity about all things irreverent, and I invite visitors to my website with a friendly caveat: “Be forewarned, my life has not followed the traditional path of homemaker, wife, and mother.” When I’m not consumed by my writing, I enjoy cooking, traveling to all places tropical and “beachy” and taking pictures—lots of pictures—many of which wind up on my website. I live on the central gulf coast of Florida, sharing my home with one husband, six computers, four cameras, and several hundred pairs of shoes.

Giveaway: As a giveaway, Ms. Frances is offering one (1) Kindle version of The KURE. Entry is open until February 15, 2012. Please leave a comment on this post with your email address to enter.

You can earn additional entries by doing any or all of the following: twitter about the giveaway, like the author's Facebook page, subscribe to the author's blog, or add the book to their Goodreads to-read list.

If you complete any of the additional entry items listed above, please mention it in your comment on this post.

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Book Review: One Voice Too Many by: Paul Martin Midden

2012-01-24T08:34:00.007-05:00

Rating: 3.5/5

Publisher: AuthorHouse

Publish Date: July 1, 2011

Origins: From Publisher for Review

Format: Trade Paperback

Synopsis: Do we really know each other? Jeremy Walker seemed like a decent human being: hardworking, independent, intelligent. But he has a past that he can not quite shake and a terrible secret that only he knew. Despite a history of rocky relationships, he was determined to make a success of his relationship with Macy, an attractive woman who was similarly smart and independent. Will he succeed? The obstacles loom large.

Review: Jeremy Walker is a troubled man, who is trying to overcome his past. One day during a traffic jam, he pulls a Michael Douglas (in Falling Down) and just walks away from his truck. He ends up at a diner and after ordering his meal, starts wailing hysterically. Dealing with this psychotic break is difficult for Jeremy and his now ex-wife Macy. The ‘Voice’, the only constant in Jeremy’s life, grips even tighter and is controlling his life from the inside. Will this breakdown lead to a second chance for healing and happiness?

One Voice Too Many is a very intense and interesting story. It can be a bit difficult to understand at times, but well worth the time it takes to decipher what the underlying issues are. This is Jeremy’s story, but it is given richer depth by contributions from Macy, Taylor, ‘The Voice’, and other secondary characters.

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Book Review: Inseparable by: Dora Heldt, Jamie Lee Searle (translator)

2012-01-23T08:16:00.019-05:00

Rating: 1/5

Publisher: AmazonCrossing

Publish Date: December 6, 2011

Origins: From Publisher for Review

Format: Trade Paperback

Synopsis: Still reeling from her recent divorce, Christine, the beloved protagonist of Dora Heldt’s uproarious Life After Forty, is sure that yet another birthday is the last thing she needs. But here it comes nonetheless, the big 4-4, in all its lonely mid-life glory. Making matters worse is Christine’s fear that, throughout her life, she has relied too heavily on the support of her girlfriends. As the big day nears, she begins to think that none of those women can understand just what she is going through. Alarmed by Christine’s growing despair, her best friend and sister hatch a plan to prove her wrong: they will gather together all of Christine’s old friends from the various stages of her life and throw a surprise party the likes of which she has never seen. Of course finding all of those women turns out to be easier said than done! Nonetheless, the final result proves to be a priceless gift, a moving and laugh-out-loud funny portrait of one woman’s life as told through the stories of her friendships.

Review: Christine is back after her adventures in Life After Forty in Inseparable. She’s getting along well – her job is going like gangbusters and she’s enjoying her quiet life in Hamburg. This time, Christine is questioning the stability of friendships through the test of time. Her close friends and family hatch a plan to surprise Christine for her 44th birthday and include friends from the past.

I didn’t feel any great connection with any of the characters and I don’t know if it was a cultural thing or an age difference thing. Inseparable seemed very repetitious and while I thought the premise was interesting; I just couldn’t make it work for me. Give it a try and see if you find a connection for yourself…

Series: Life after Forty (1), Inseparable (2)

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Book Review: Beauty and the Beast by: Hannah Howell.

2012-01-22T06:09:00.000-05:00

Beauty and the Beast by Hannah Howell

My Rating: 1/5 Ravens

Synopsis: On the eve of her wedding to the heir of Saitum Manor, the stunningly beautiful Gytha is shocked to learn that her betrothed, a man she barely knew, is dead. Now, she must marry the new heir, Thayer Saiturn, a battle-hardened knight known as the Red Devil...With a face scarred in battle and a heart broken in love, Thayer has no interest in marriage. But not even the Red Devil can break the promise his foster-father made years ago and soon finds himself married to a woman whose exquisite beauty and sweet innocence intrigue him. But can his new bride look beyond his scars to find a hidden passion and undying love locked deep inside him?

Review: I adored the concept of this book and I started to read it with high hopes but I couldn't get into it. I also felt like there was nothing keeping me in the story. Once the wedding happened it just seemed like that was it. This book just didn't work for me. Check out these reviews and form your own opinion:

Once A Chapter
Lost But Not Looking
Love Romance Passion

Book Review: Unclaimed by: Courtney Milan

2012-01-21T06:03:00.000-05:00

Unclaimed by Courtney Milan

My Rating: 5/5 Ravens

Synopsis: Her only hope for survival…
Handsome, wealthy and respected, Sir Mark Turner is the most sought-after bachelor in all of London—and he's known far and wide for his irreproachable character. But behind his virtuous reputation lies a passionate nature he keeps carefully in check...until he meets the beautiful Jessica Farleigh, the woman he's waited for all his life.

Is to ruin the man she loves…

But Jessica is a courtesan, not the genteel lady Sir Mark believes. Desperate to be free of a life she despises, she seizes her chance when Mark's enemies make her an offer she can't refuse: seduce Mark and tarnish his good name, and a princely sum will be hers. Yet as she comes to know the man she's sworn to destroy, Jessica will be forced to choose between the future she needs…and the love she knows is impossible.

Review: I can't believe how far behind I had gotten on my reviews. I read this book like a month ago. Anyway, I love Courtney Milan and all her novels. She writes steamy romance that makes me feel smart to read it. She uses good vocabulary and doesn't assume her reader is to stupid to follow the story line.

I loved both Jessica and Mark, so much. They are both such strong characters you can't help but feel like you need to choose sides and it might not be the one you would expect. I love how Mark isn't the usual hero, he doesn't succumb to the heroines charms just because she shows up at his door practically naked. I loved how he could see right through her and even as she was a temptation he treated her kindly and with respect.

The plot moved relatively quickly although it was a long book for most of it lacking a certain something. I will continue to read everything this author writes. I adore her.