Category Archives: Reviews

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Posted on January 2, 2014 | 2 comments

Unravel Me (Shatter Me, #2) Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi.  Published Feb 5, 2013 by Harper Collins.  CDN $11.99 Kindle Edition.

tick
tick
tick
tick
tick
it’s almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She’s finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam’s life. (goodreads excerpt)

Where to start?  I absolutely love Mafi’s writing style.  It is so unique and engaging that it gives a different insight into Juliette’s thinking.  It makes her feel real.

I really enjoyed this second installment into the Shatter me series, despite the fact that it took me a long time to read.  That has more to do with my busy schedule than the book itself.  Granted it didn’t make me so enthralled that I couldn’t put it down, but every time I picked it up I had no problems reading it. The story itself was engaging and well thought out.  I have to admit as well that I didn’t read the novella Destroy Me, but it wasn’t necessary to enjoy the story.  I might go back and read it now given that it is Warner’s point of view and I have found a  but of a soft spot for him.  More like sympathy than I want him to win Juliette’s heart.  I still think he is a psychopath…lol.   I’m not a big fan of love triangles, but this one makes the story more real and engaging given that these are the only two people Juliette has encountered in her lifetime that she can touch-one good and one evil.

Shatter Me was very intense and I loved that.  I kept trying to imagine living Juliette’s life and having to deal with her powers and not being able to touch anyone.  In Unravel Me, she finds out more about her powers and others of her kind.  She learns how to deal with things much better and comes out of her shell that she has created.  We are introduced to a resistance group and some friends that Juliette learns to bond with.  I am really impressed with the Author’s unique insight into Juliette and her feelings and emotions.  She feels like a real person and you can’t help but empathize with her.

I am really looking forward to the next book.  I hope Juliette’s powers are explored further and her character becomes more developed.  You already see her growing more confident and sure of herself, but a lot is still held back.  I am interested to see how the love triangle plays out as well.

Overall I enjoyed the book very much.  It wasn’t quite as good as the first one, but still a great read.  I give it 4 ½ stars.

 

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A Voice at Midnight

Posted on December 9, 2013 | 1 comment

A Voice at Midnight A Voice at Midnight by Elizabeth Cole.  Published November 17, 2013 by SkySpark Books.  CDN $0.99 Kindle edition.

Can two troubled souls break a ghostly curse and find true love?

Veronica Swift dreams of traveling the world, but at the insistence of her stepfather, she must leave her dreams behind in order to find a husband. She retreats to historic Wyemont Castle for the Christmas holiday. There she encounters two very different men…and her childhood memories of a ghostly woman in white.

Tristan Ryder lost everything after a terrible turn of luck during the war. Penniless and disgraced, Tristan’s last hope is to help his old friend, Elliot Bantham, find a suitable match during their holiday at the castle.

But the legendary ghosts of Wyemont Castle interrupt the festivities. It seems the spirits have their own plans for the guests. Will Veronica and Tristan unlock the secret surrounding Wyemont? Or will it draw all of them deeper into the tragedy? (Goodreads excerpt)

I was given a copy of this book as a read for review.  I have to say I am really glad I came across this little gem of a story.  I was so engrossed that I read it in one sitting.  It was cute and romantic and exciting and suspenseful and everything that you would want out of a historical romance.  I loved it.

I always love historical romance books.  I love how we get swept up in the emotions of the characters.  This was no exception.  Veronica and Tristan are the cutest couple and you know they have to end up in each other’s arms no matter what gets in the way.  What makes this book different is the ghost story aspect that makes there union both interesting and more difficult. The story itself is very engaging and you absolutely have to know what happens to the ghosts.  I love how the author entangles the story of the ghosts and the story of the main characters and interweaves it into a wonderfully romantic story.

The story is very short (95 pages) but an exceptionally wonderful light read.

I give it 5 stars!

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Water (Akasha #1)

Posted on December 4, 2013 | Leave a comment

Water (Akasha, #1) Water (Akasha #1) by Terra Harmony.  Published Sept 26, 2011 by Patchwork Press.  CDN $0.00 on Kindle.

Elemental powers in the palm of her hand…and it won’t be enough to save her. When Kaitlyn Alder is involuntarily introduced to a life of magic, she becomes part of an organization hell-bent on saving the Earth. Just as her new-found life holds promises of purpose, romance, and friendship, the organization divides and a rogue member holds Kaitlyn hostage. Now one of the most terrifying men the human race has to offer stands between her and Earth’s survival. (Goodreads excerpt)

Where to start? I was a little apprehensive going into this book when I was made aware that it had scenes of rape and brutality…not my thing at all.  However, I am really glad I did.  I really enjoyed he story.  I love stories with magic, especially when you mix it with science and make it more believable.  The story line was original and engaging and kept me reading intently.  The suspense was great and I kept trying to figure out what was going to happen.  Even the end left on a cliff hanger that was both satisfying as an end to this book, yet still made me want to know what happens next.

I enjoyed the interaction between Kaitlyn and Micah.  There was always a bit of mystery to him that I found intriguing.  Is he good…bad…somewhere in the middle?  I liked the love story blossoming between them while you still keep it in the back of your mind if Micah has an ulterior motive.

As for the rape that I mentioned…I don’t usually include spoilers, but it is there in the story.  I found that it was not necessarily needed, although I understand that the writer wanted you to get the full effect of what was happening to Kaitlyn.  Personally, I would have preferred he beat the crap out of her than rape her and it would have the same effect.  Having said that, it didn’t detract too much from me liking the story.  What it did was make me angry as the SOB.  Which is probably the point.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and give it 4 stars!

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Ender’s Game

Posted on November 19, 2013 | 4 comments

 

I went into this movie with little to no expectations.  I am a big Harrison Ford fan so I figured this would be a good movie.  I mean seriously, Harrison Ford, Aliens, space ships and awesome technology…my kind of movie.  I wasn’t disappointed.

I did know that the movie was based on a book, however I never read the book.  Therefore I have no idea if it was true to the book, better, worse or anything related.  To me it is a movie that is it.

So the basic premise of the movie is that 70 years ago an Alien race called the Formecs invaded Earth killing millions of people.  Since that time, earth has been preparing for another invasion and have been recruiting the smartest kids on the planet to fight them.  They are trained very young to be soldiers and commanders of other children.  Sounds morbid, but it is actually quite intriguing.  These children fight using computers that control the ships and fleets that make up the battle group.  To them it is like playing a video game.  Ender (our hero) turns out to be the most gifted of these children and is fated to be the one that will save Earth from the Alien invasion.

I expected the movie to be like Star Wars (can’t help it with Harrison Ford) or any other science fiction/fantasy type movie that deals with good vs evil with lots of cool gadgets and space scenes.  However much of the movie deals with Ender’s emotional progression while dealing with different obstacles as he journeys through the ranks of battle school, command school etc.  He is a brilliant child who turns out to be  a tactical genius, thus he is the one fated to save the world.  Ender faces many emotional battles in the movie, bullying, empathy, friendship, anger issues and others.  There is a moral dilemma that ensues when the commanding officer (Harrison) battles against the psychologist in how to deal with Ender.  Her view of Ender being a child first against Harrison’s view of Ender being a soldier first.  Two sides of the same coin fight about what is morally right.  Does the end justify the means?  This is very apparent in the end, but I won’t spoil it here I will let you decide on your own.

The special effects were absolutely breathtaking.  Any fan of sci fi would not be disappointed with this movie.  I loved every space ship, gadget and cool toy that they threw at us.  The training simulator was the best.  I would so love to be inside a zero gravity chamber playing laser tag.  AWESOME. The ship itself is a work of genius.  It is breathtaking, giving even the Enterprise a run for its money. (That is saying a lot given I am a die hard Star Trek fan)

The end left me kind of dumb struck.  Don’t get me wrong it was a wonderful display of special effects and the battle was fantastic, but like I said this movie is more about the moral issues associated.  I don’t want to spoil it but I was like OMG they didn’t!

Well that is all I will say on this without spoilers so I will leave it at that.  Let me know what you thought of the movie.   If you read the book, was it better/worse?  What did you think of the moral dilemma?

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Sentinel

Posted on November 18, 2013 | 1 comment

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout Sentinel (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L Armentrout.  Published Oct 31, 2013 by Spencer Hill Press. CDN $6.26 Kindle edition.

It’s a beautiful day for a war.

As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.

And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoon worthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.

In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself. (Goodreads Excerpt)

What can I say?  I’m sad that it is over, but OMG I loved-loved-loved this series.  There are so many aspects to this book that I am speechless.  It is an emotional roller-coaster that doesn’t let up.  It was well worth the wait.  The whole time reading this book I was like…OMG there is no way I am going to like the ending.  I should not have feared.  Jennifer Armentrout did an amazing job with this series and the ending does not disappoint.  I laughed, I cried, I wanted to scream but in the end…wow that is all I can say without giving anything away.

Alex is without a doubt the best female kick ass heroine I have ever read about.  And Aiden…sigh…. I so love everything about him.  These two are phenomenal characters.  They make the story.  And who would have guessed that Seth…the arrogant asshole with the agenda to boot, would turn out to be such a…wait I can’t tell you, it would give away the story.

It is really hard to do a review on the 5th book without giving the story away so suffice it to say the book…and the whole series…is AWESOME.  There is nothing left out in this book, it delivers everything you could want, Gods, Demi-Gods, Mortal heroes/heroines, Daimons, supernatural powers, love, lust, fighting and bad ass action all the way.  I highly recommend it.

5 stars and then some for me.!

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Origin (Lux #4) by Jennifer Armentrout

Posted on November 12, 2013 | Leave a comment

Origin (Lux, #4) Origin (Lux #4) by Jennifer L Armentrout.  Published Aug 27, 2013 by Entangled Teen. CDN $5.99 kindle edition.

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything.

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on?

And will they even be together? (goodreads excerpt)

OMG I love this series.  This book starts right where Opal ended.  It is hardcore action packed, edge of your seat awesomeness.  I usually get bored with a long series, but this one keeps getting better and better.  I love the new characters introduced in this one and the twist that they bring with it.

In origin, we really see how far Daemon and Katy will go to be with and to protect each other.  There is a lot of emotion and depth to these two that keeps you rooting them on.  I was a little shocked at the end of Opal and hate endings like that.  I wanted…needed to know what happens to Katy.  I don’t want to spoil anything, but holy this series is emotional.  You want to scream, cry, cheer, laugh and everything in between!

In Origin we get a glimpse of what Daedalus is all about.  We see what happened to Dawson and Beth and there is a whole lot of suspense built up around what is going to happen to Daemon and Katy.  Will they end up like the other two?  Will they be stronger?  Will they survive?  I won’t tell you what happens, but it is action packed all the way.

Origin ends on another cliff-hanger, which is frustrating because it introduced a whole new level to the playing field.  I want to know NOW what happens…alas I will have to wait patiently…did I tell you that I am NOT a patient person…lol

Awesome book! 5 stars for me.

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The Program (The Program #1) by Suzanne Young

Posted on October 17, 2013 | 2 comments

The Program (The Program, #1) The Program (The Program #1) by Suzanne Young.  Published April 30, 2013 by Simon Pulse.  CDN $11.99 Kindle edition.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them. (Goodreads excerpt)

Well, I read this book on the advice of my 15 year old daughter.  She told me I absolutely had to read it.  I was a little wary at first, but I am really glad I took the plunge.  The book is broken into three parts dealing with different aspects of the book- the epidemic of suicide-the program-and after the program.

Throughout the book I went through different emotions of sympathy, anger, rage, hope and a few others thrown in.  My daughter kept asking if I was angry yet as I was reading so she obviously felt the same way.  I don’t want to give anything away but how or why a government or parent would want a child to have their entire memories erased is beyond me.  I understand the desire to not want to lose a child to suicide, but would you opt for them to be just a shell of themselves instead?  To me that isn’t living.  The story is told exceptionally well and you really get into the emotionally heart wrenching state that the participants of the program find themselves.

One of the best things about this book is the characterization of Sloan.  You truly get a sense of who she is as a person, her fears, her hopes and her need to cling to her past at all costs.  She is defiant, courageous and loyal to the end.  You find yourself cheering for her throughout the book.

The interaction between James and Sloan is awesome.  They are cute and sweet and truly believe they are ‘soul mates’.  James is Sloan’s rock and the one person who keeps her all together.  Their love is tested when tragedy strikes and I won’t say what happens to them but part of the story line is the question of ‘can love conquer all’.   The chemistry between the two is realistic and amazing and you really get a sense of who they are as a couple and what they mean to each other.  I’m rooting for them all the way.

This is a hard review to write without giving anything away so I will leave it at this:  I really enjoyed the book, much more than I thought I would.  It isn’t depressing, but is more like a future dystopian novel where the repressed need to fight the government in order to survive.  (With a love story thrown in for good measure.)  The book gives you much to think about.  All in all, an enjoyable read.

I give it 5 stars.  I can’t wait for the release of the second book.

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The Truth about you and me by Amanda Grace

Posted on October 7, 2013 | 4 comments

The Truth About You and Me The Truth About You and Me by Amanda Grace.  Published Sept 1, 2013 by Flux.  CDN $9.94 paperback.

Madelyn Hawkins is super smart. At sixteen, she’s so gifted that she can attend college through a special program at her high school. On her first day, she meets Bennett. He’s cute, funny, and kind. He understands Madelyn and what she’s endured – and missed out on – in order to excel academically and please her parents. Now, for the first time in her life, she’s falling in love.

There’s only one problem. Bennett is Madelyn’s college professor, and he thinks she’s eighteen – because she hasn’t told him the truth.

The story of their forbidden romance is told in letters that Madelyn writes to Bennett – both a heart-searing ode to their ill-fated love and an apology. (Goodreads Excerpt)

I have to say that I was drawn into the book with the way it is told. The letter to Bennett was unexpected but a really good way to make you totally feel for Madelyn. It kept me engaged and reading page after page. I think it made me feel more empathy for her and her feelings. I was totally swept away by her feelings of passion and love and it was real. It is an unusual way to tell a story but it works extremely well with the story.

As for Bennett, I like how Madelyn explains his part in their story and I felt really sorry for him. Through her description of the events unfolding I got a real sense that he loved her and you could tell that the truth was going to be devastating for him.

I am still a little torn whether or not I like the ending. This is going to be hard to explain, but I think if the author left the story before she added the ‘two years later’ part I would have been fine with the ending. When she added it, I felt like there was hope…and then it was gone. I hope that makes sense. I am after all a hopeless romantic.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. It was compelling and well written. I am giving it 4.5 stars because I am still undecided if I like the ending.

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Shine (Shade #3) by Jeri Smith-Ready

Posted on October 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

Shine (Shade, #3) Shine (Shade #3) by Jeri Smith Ready.  Published May 2012 by Simon Pulse.  CDN $9.99 Kindle edition.

Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past.

As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves…even if that means betraying her own heart.  (Goodreads excerpt)

I have to say that the conclusion to the trilogy was everything you could hope for.  Everything was explained with nothing left out.  I finished the book feeling complete.  It was very emotional and heart wrenching, but well worth it in the end. The ending actually surprised me a little.  I don’t want to give it away, but you felt it was going one way and at the last minute the writer finishes it in an unexpected but equally satisfying way.

The biggest thing about this book is that Logan isn’t in it.  He was such an integral part of the first two books and to not have him in it made me think it was not going to be very good.  I was wrong.  The book focuses on the relationship between Zachary and Aura.  They have a once in a lifetime love (cliché I know..but true!) The story is very emotional and very powerful and draws you in so that you feel that these two have to be together no matter what.  They are the kind of couple that everybody dreams of being a part of.

There was still a lot of drama and suspense and the book was very exciting to read.  It wasn’t all romance and mushy stuff…lol, there is plenty of ass kicking and action to keep the reader entertained.

Overall I really enjoyed the book.  5 stars for me.

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Apollyon by Jennifer L Armentrout

Posted on September 17, 2013 | 1 comment

Apollyon (Covenant, #4) Apollyon (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L Armentrout.  Published April 4, 2013 by Spencer Hill Press.  CDN $6.09 Kindle Edition

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself. (Goodreads Excerpt)

Wow what an emotional and thoroughly enjoyable roller coaster ride of a story.  I loved every minute of this book.  The story keeps getting better and better.  This book truly is amazing.  There is nonstop action, romance, thrills and chills and everything in between.  There are some questions that we get answers to, and then there are more questions.  The worst is that I can’t wait to read the next book after the cliff hanger at the end.  I can’t wait until November.  Sniff L

There is no question that Alex is one bad ass female.  You can’t help but cheer for her and admire her spunk and tenacity; I mean seriously the girl takes on a God!  I won’t say what the outcome is but think about it people…he is a God!  She keeps fighting no matter what and never gives up.  I have to admire her.

And Aiden…sigh…what can I say, he truly is amazing.  In the beginning of the series I admit I had my doubts, but holy cow the man is everything, romantic, sweet, brave, stubborn (in a good way) and smoking hot!  Enough said.

Truly amazing book!  5 stars for sure.

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Elixir by Jennifer L Armentrout

Posted on September 17, 2013 | 1 comment

Elixir (Covenant, #3.5) Elixer(Covenant #3.5) by Jennifer L Armentrout.  Published Nov 27, 2012 by Spencer Hill Press.  CDN $.99 Kindle Edition.

Aiden St. Delphi will do anything to save Alex.
Even if it means doing the one thing he will never forgive himself for.
Even if it means making war against the gods. (Goodreads Excerpt)

This book takes up right after Deity and therefore you must read Deity first.  What I liked about this is that it is told from Aiden’s POV.  You really see the depth of his love for Alex in this novella.  Alex’s worst nightmare has come true and Aiden will do anything to help her.  I don’t want to ruin it for anyone but it is very emotional and heart wrenching…a true love can conquer all tale.

5 stars for me.

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Deity (Covenant #3) by Jennifer Armentrout

Posted on September 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

Deity (Covenant, #3) Deity (Covenant #3) by Jennifer Armentrout.  Published November 6th 2012 by Spencer Hill Press.  CDN $6.00 Kindle Edition

“History is on repeat, and things didn’t go so well the last time. ”

Alexandria isn’t sure she’s going to make it to her eighteenth birthday–to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she’s a goner… and so is Aiden.

If that’s not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time “training”–which really is just Seth’s code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time–she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome.

But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she’s caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed… and destroyed.

Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate…(Goodreads Excerpt)

What can I say but holy smoke!  As soon as I finished reading this, I immediately downloaded the next book.  It was fantastic, nonstop, emotional, exciting, riveting and compelling.  I loved every minute of it.  It is rare that I read a book that I can’t put down, but this one did that.

I admit I was kind of torn between Seth and Aiden.  Seth is the typical bad boy with the sneaky soft heart that pulls you in but you know is going to break your heart.  Aiden is the kind of guy that every girl dreams of…sigh…I will leave it at that.

I have never been a fan of Greek mythology but Holy Cow I am a changed person.  I love everything about this book, the Gods the Demigods, the Pures and the Half Bloods and of course you throw in an Apollyon (or two!) and you have one wicked bad ass story.  I love how Jennifer makes all the characters real.  No one is all good or all bad but shades of grey.  The characterization is amazing in this story, not just for the main characters, but for all of the characters.

I am not going to say any more because I don’t want to spoil anything but OMG I couldn’t put this down!

5 stars for me!  I would give more but 5 is all I am allowed:(

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Promise by

Posted on September 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

Promise (Soul Savers, #1) Promise (Soul Savers #1) by Kristie Cook.  Published July 30th 2010 by Ang’dora Productions, LLC.  The Kindle edition is currently free on Amazon.

New Adult Paranormal Romance ** Mature Content ** Recommended for ages 16+ due to sexual situations and language

First installment of award-winning author Kristie Cook’s bestselling Soul Savers Series
Alexis Ames has a life full of promise…but not all promises can be kept.

When Alexis Ames is attacked by creatures that can’t be real, she decides it’s time she learns who she really is, with or without the help of her mother, who guards their family’s secrets closely. After meeting the inhumanly attractive, multi-talented Tristan Knight, however, Alexis retreats behind her façade of normalcy…until she discovers he’s not exactly normal either. Then their secrets begin to unravel.

Their union brings hope and promise to her family’s secret society, the Angels’ army, and to the future of mankind. But it also incites a dangerous pursuit by the enemy – Satan’s minions and Tristan’s creators. After all, Alexis and Tristan are a match made in Heaven and in Hell. (Goodreads Excerpt)

I must say this is one heck of a story!  It pulled me in right from the start.  I love the connection between the characters; it is very real and…intense.  I love the originality of the storyline.  Alex is different.  She doesn’t know what she is but she knows that she is different.  We are given snippets of information until finally it is revealed what she is.  I loved the buildup and excitement it brought.   I won’t give it away though!

This book reads like a young adult book but holy the heat is intense.  The book is classified as New Adult for this reason.  I loved it.

5 stars for me.

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Shift (shade #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready

Posted on August 15, 2013 | 1 comment

Shift (Shade, #2) Shift (Shade #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready.  Published April 28, 2011 by Simon Pulse.  CDN $9.99 Kindle Edition.

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart. (Goodreads Excerpt)

I have to say I really enjoyed this book as much, if not more than, the first (Shade).  The story grows and answers more questions for the reader.  I was intrigued by the whole ghost/shade/solid aspects of the non living characters and the concept of the shift.  The reasons for and the result of the shift are so original and well thought out.  I don’t want to give anything away so I will leave it at that.

I am not usually a fan of love triangles, but this one works well with the story line, especially given that one of them is dead.  You assume that she will end up with Zachary, or does she?  Like I said the book is intriguing and original and leaves you guessing.

There is a lot more drama and action in this one, which I found exciting and pulled me further and further into the story.  You get to read the missing pages of the journal and find out a lot more information about the shift.  The story is compelling from front to back and I couldn’t put it down.  I can’t wait to read the next book Shine.

5 stars for me.

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Rise of the Machines- Human Authors in a digital World by Kristen Lamb

Posted on August 7, 2013 | Leave a comment

Rise of the Machines--Human Authors in a Digital World Rise of the Machines-Human Authors in a digital World by Kristen Lamb.  Published June 27 2013 by WANA International.  CDN $7.26 Kindle Edition.

Here we are—the future is now. The machines have taken over. Everything is computerized. People no longer talk, they text. What number do we have to press to get a flesh and blood HUMAN?

It’s easy to feel like we’re losing our humanity when surrounded by computers, cell phones, and text messaging, but I’m here to bring you the good news. The same machines that seem to be stealing our humanity also have the power to restore it. Yes, you read correctly. The more we embrace technology, the more distinctly human we can become.

The new author is a cyborg of sorts—part human, part machine. The machine part allows us to compose series of words, copy them, email them, and then send them across the globe with a push of a button. We can research faster and more accurately than ever before. We can communicate with people all over the planet real-time and virtually for free. The new power technology has given writers has made us, in effect, superhuman.

Branding has broken free of marketing’s shackles and merged with personal identity. If we want to thrive in our new environment, we need to adapt, to apply technology as an extension of our humanness.

This is not a book to teach you 1,000 ways to blast people with advertising. The WANA Way is different than anything you’ve likely encountered. It is constructed using the timelessness of art, blended with the strength of human relationships. Platforms are more than a zillion ways to try to part readers from money; they are living works of art and meshed with the soul of the writer-artist.

The machines are rising, but humans were here first. (Goodreads Excerpt)

Kristen Lamb is absolutely amazing.  I published my first book without a clue as to what I was doing in terms of marketing and social media.  My publisher told me to make a facebook author page.  Ok done.  My family and friends ‘liked’ my page.  Now what?  Get a website.  Ok done.  Then I found Kristen Lamb’s blog and thankfully I did.  She knows everything about social media and what not to do on it.  Then I read her book.  Holy cow the lights come on and I have to hand-slap my forehead.  Talk about doing things backwards and the hard way.

I won’t go into too much detail but Kristen takes you on a step by step of how to make your author platform, how to do it the easy way and shows us that we all need a little help. In her words the WANA way – We are not alone.  She stands by her word and offers help and insight in her book, on her blog, on twitter and anywhere else.

Point in fact!  I am now addicted to twitter.  I can’t believe that.  I regularly chat on facebook.  My website domain actually contains my full name now…lol  who knew? I have met lots of people on line that I love chatting with and have made many new friends.

A must read for any serious writer looking to figure out the scary world of social media.

5 stars!

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