Book Tour Review Daughter of the Sun by: Zoe Kalo

Young Adult Fantasy

Date Published: May 2016

Sixteen-year-old Trinity was born during a solar eclipse and left at the doorsteps of a convent along with a torn piece of papyrus covered with ancient symbols. Raised by nuns in the English countryside, she leads a quiet life until she’s whisked away to the Island of Cats and a grandmother she never knew.

But before they can get to know each other, her grandmother dies. All that Trinity has left is a mysterious eye-shaped ring. And a thousand grieving cats. As Trinity tries to solve the enigma of the torn papyrus, she discovers a world of bloody sacrifices and evil curses, and a prophecy that points to her and her new feline abilities.

Unwilling to believe that any of the Egyptian gods could still be alive, Trinity turns to eighteen-year-old Seth and is instantly pulled into a vortex of sensations that forces her to confront her true self—and a horrifying destiny.

My Review

Where do I begin?  How about with the fact that I loved yes loved this book.  There was drama, intrigue, a love story, and best of all modern day Egyptology.  I found myself wanting to read this despite all of the other responsibilities that I have on a daily basis I just could not seem to get it out of my head.  I enjoyed the descriptive form of writing that the author employees.  The heroine was a kind of love her/hate her at times, granted growing up with nuns as the closest thing to a mother would probably result in some serious adjustment issues of which she handled with the best of her abilities and boy does she have some abilities.  I particularly liked learning about more Egyptian goddesses.  I am hoping that we get to see more of Trinity in future installments and can not wait to read the next book.  I wish there was a print edition because my daughter would love this book (she is not an ebook fan).  Character development very well done in my opinion, the relationships were tangible and the effect I love the most from books the pictures my mind draws were very vivid thanks to the descriptions, I am sure some will not enjoy the large amount of descriptions but I felt they were well done and balanced well with the amount of dialogue.

About the Author 


A certified bookworm, Zoe Kalo has always been obsessed with books and reading. Reading led to writing—compulsively. No surprise that at 16, she wrote her first novel, which her classmates read and passed around secretly. The pleasure of writing and sharing her fantasy worlds has stayed with her, so now she wants to pass her stories to you with no secrecy—but with lots of mystery…
A daughter of adventurous expats, she’s had the good fortune of living on 3 continents, learning 4 languages, and experiencing a multicultural life. Currently, she’s working on a Master’s degree in Comparative Literature, which she balances between writing, taking care of her clowder of cats, and searching for the perfect bottle of pinot noir.

Connect with Zoe Kalo on the web: www.ZoeKalo.com / Facebook / Twitter

  

Contact Information

Website/blog: www.ZoeKalo.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zoe-Kalo-206262253053039/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zoekalowriter

Purchase Links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Daughter-Sun-Cult-Cat-Book-ebook/dp/B01DRDUQW8

Review 38: The Blood Guard

The Blood Guard. Roy Carter. Year 2015. [June] Publisher: Two Lions. Pages 279. [Source: NetGalley]

First sentence:  

It wasn’t me who burned down our house.

From Amazon:
When thirteen-year-old Ronan Truelove’s seemingly ordinary mom snatches him from school, then sets off on a high speed car chase, Ronan is shocked. His quiet, nerdy dad has been kidnapped? And the kidnappers are after him, too?
His mom, he quickly learns, is anything but ordinary. In fact, she’s a member of an ancient order of knights, the Blood Guard, a sword-wielding secret society sworn to protect the Pure—thirty-six noble souls whose safety is crucial if the world as we know it is to survive.
Now all those after-school activities—gymnastics, judo, survival training—she made him take, make sense. For suddenly Ronan is swept up in a sometimes funny, sometimes scary, but always thrilling adventure—dashing from one danger to the next, using his wits to escape the Bend Sinister, a posse of evil doers with strange powers. Falling in with two unlikely companions, Greta, a scrappy, strong-willed girl he’s never much liked and Jack, a devil-may-care teenage pickpocket, Ronan is left with only his wits and his mom’s last words of advice: Trust no one.
That’s a lot for an ordinary kid to deal with. But then again, maybe Ronan’s not ordinary at all.

My thoughts:  

This story was an interesting read.  There is a definitive good versus evil feel going on, however you do not really know what is going on aside from the main characters running for their lives from sword wielding crazy people for the better part of the book.  You get tiny snippets of what is going on here and there but it is not until the last I would say quarter of the book that you really get a feel for what the under lying plot actually is.  I am sure that parts were supposed to feel intense but I never really got that edge of your seat intense feeling.  I give the author kudos for a great plot twist at the end!  Surprise turns are always a nice touch.

The Good:  Fun light-hearted read. 

The Bad: Took a little too long to reveal the meaning of what was going on.

Rating 7.5/10

Recommendation:  I think this was a good introduction to a new series and I am quite confident that younger readers will find great enjoyment from reading this.

*I received a digital review copy for free from the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Review 37: Dream World

Dreamworld. William Charles Krebs. Year 2015. [March] Publisher: Outskirts Press. Pages 536. [Source: Bostick Email]

First sentence:

On her seventeenth birthday, Liz Anderson was thrilled and hopeful; on her eighteenth birthday, she was resigned but still hopeful; on her nineteenth birthday, she was furious and determined.

From Amazon:

The Anderson's are in Ocorlampa. Florida to look at the college for their daughter, Liz. They saw their daughter move into a family home of the Wilson's At the same time a young man, Willie, has come to Florida to settle in so he can go to the local college. He finds a room with an elderly widow. Both of these young people find jobs at "Dream World" where they are destined to meet. Therefore, Liz and Willie, and begin dating. Neither are very experienced in dating, so it is new for them. They fall in love, but Willie gets scared as he is not ready for marriage yet, so he drops Liz without any explanation. Sue, who fancies herself 'the complete woman' pursues Willie. She does not think Liz is right for Willie and they have heated relationship. Liz is puzzled. Willie does not love Sue, and by Christmas has broken up with her, and then sets out to get Liz back. This takes some maneuvering to get Liz back, and signs up to be in the same class in the new term. Another young man, Mike, who is in the class becomes competition for Willie. The three of them end up going to lunch together. There is much lively discussion in class. Mike also got to know Sue. Willie & Mike got into a fight, and Sue claimed they were fighting over her. Read the book to see how it turns out.

My thoughts:

This is the first offering by William Charles Krebs.  The novel was very long and rather drawn out.  I finished reading it however it took me almost a third of the book to actually start caring about what happened to the various characters present in the story.  It was well written but, the pace was inconsistent and choppy, for most of the book it was relatively slow and hard to keep up with due to the slowness.  The story is that about a group of young people in what ends up becoming a love square instead of just a triangle.  The back if the book indicates that there are future novels possible, this would not be a bad thing unless they are over 500 pages as this one was.  I feel like it could have been about 200 pages shorter and left with a minor cliffhanger so to speak and it would have been a much smoother enjoyable read.  I know this seems to be a rather negative review and I do not mean for it to, I just was unable to derive nearly as much pleasure as I had anticipated.  I will gladly read another book by this author especially if it is a continuation of this story.

The Good:  The characters, the premise of the story as a whole.

The Not So Good:  The pacing of the story at times.

The Bad:  The overall length of the book.

Rating 6/10

Recommendation:  Literary fiction fans that like a little bit of romance thrown in for good measue.

*I received a digital review copy for free from the author via Bostick in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Review 36: The Admiral

The Admiral. Sean Danker. 2016. [May] ROC. Pages 310. [Source: Penguin First Look]

First sentence:  

There were voices.  “An admiral?  Is this a joke?”

From Amazon:

He is the last to wake. The label on his sleeper pad identifies him as an admiral of the Evagardian Empire—a surprise as much to him as to the three recent recruits now under his command. He wears no uniform, and he is ignorant of military protocol, but the ship’s records confirm he is their superior officer.

Whether he is an Evagardian admiral or a spy will be of little consequence if the crew members all end up dead. They are marooned on a strange world, their ship’s systems are failing one by one—and they are not alone.

My thoughts:

I am glad that I have the rule that if I start a book I finish it, this particular book was a very slow starter for me, but once I connected to the characters and the plot I was hooked and ended up spending an insomnia night reading it.  This story was creative and new and well written.  So we find ourselves on a ship on an unknown planet, what can possible go wrong you might be asking yourselves, the answer in a nut shell: anything and everything.  Once this story finally found its footing and pace it was a very fast read. 

The Good:  The story, the pace, the fact that I wanted more and did not want it to end.

The Not So Good:  The fact that it took me a few chapters to really connect to the subject and story.

The Bad:  Nothing specific comes to mind.

Rating 8/10 (Due to the sluggish start)

Recommendation: Space travel fans and sci-fi lovers

*I received a digital review copy for free from the Penguin First Look in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Review 35: Remember to Forget

Remember to Forget (Revised and Expanded). Ashley Royer. 2016. [April] Publisher Blink. Pages 304 [Source: Netgalley]

First sentence:

When I was younger, I loved when it rained.  I liked running outside and jumping in the puddles and splashing through the streets.

From Amazon:

In Remember to Forget from Watty Award-winning author Ashley Royer, Levi has refused to speak since the tragic death of his girlfriend, Delia, and can't seem to come out of his depression and hindering self-doubt. Desperate to make some positive change in Levi’s life, his mother sends him to live with his father in Maine. Though the idea of moving from Australia to America seems completely daunting, Levi passively accepts his fate, but once he lands faces personal struggles and self-doubt at the same time he and his dad battle through resentment and misunderstanding. And then, while at therapy, Levi meets Delilah, a girl who eerily reminds him of someone he lost.

My thoughts:

Let me start this by saying how emotionally powerful this story truly is at least it was for me, granted I am not sure if it was the writing or the pregnancy hormones that are ride rough shod over my system, I personally am going to give the credit to the author as that is where I truly believe it belongs.  As with other reviewers I did not start off liking the main character Levi however, within a few chapters I was finding myself more and more intrigued by him and his reasoning for becoming totally silent.  The growth of Levi from the beginning of the book until the end is amazing and believable.  I cried several, yes several times during the course of this book.  Any author regardless of age that is able to bring me to tears is remarkable.  The story of loss and growth and mourning were so believable.  The descriptions were well written and I had no problem envisioning what she was trying to convey.  I do not give out 10/10 very often but, this novel deserves nothing less than that!

The good:  The character development, the pacing, the story, basically everything.

The bad:  Nothing I truly find nothing to complain about.

Rating 10/10

Recommendation: Absolutely, if you like a good tear jerker and emotional ride then look no further and pick up this book!

*I received a digital review copy for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Review 34: The Angelic Gene

The Angelic Gene. Steve Goodwin. 2013. [December] Software Development Pty Ltd. Pages 347. [Source: Own]

First sentence:  

Rain drenched, in the middle of the night, a handsome solitary man in his mid-thirties burst through the weary large oak doors of the bleak St. Thomas Hospital cradling an unconscious pregnant woman in his arms.

From Amazon:

An orphan girl unsure of who she is or why a man wants her dead carries a secret. She will experience humanity.

Are you ready?

Join Sophia in a heart thumping adventure across England set in the 1870’s, exploring faith, doubt, love and fear. A story, quoted by the editor as “really something special”, you’ll continue to contemplate long after the journey unfolds.

My thoughts:

Steve Goodwin has done it again.  This is another great novel in the Elijah Hael universe, only instead of in modern times this is set in Victorian England during the time of Jack the Ripper.  This was a roller coaster ride from start to finish I loved every minute of my journey with Sophia.  This book while the third installment conceivably could be read first so has to have background on Sophia before meeting her in The Last Judgment. 

The good:  The story is engrossing and compelling.  Character development was superb and believable.  The ending was great and tied up the loose ends nicely!

The bad:  The book ended and another one is not on the horizon.

Rating:

9/10

Recommendation:  Christians, lovers of sci-fi, historical fiction lovers, pretty much anyone in my opinion

Review 33: Luxor: The Book of Past Lives

Luxor: Book of Past Lives. Julie Bettendorf. 2015. [April] Outskirtspress. Pages 322. [Source: Bostick]

First sentence: The large white ibis floated languidly on the smooth surface of the Nile, its feathers silhouetted brilliantly by the morning sun.

From Goodreads:  Set against the rich tapestry of ancient Egypt, Luxor: Book of Past Lives is the story of Nebamun and Iramen, two brothers who are embalmers in Egypt during the era of the boy king, Tutankhamun. It is their duty to prepare the many bodies of the dead who land on their embalming table for a journey into the afterlife. Paralleling this ancient tale is the story of two different brothers, Abdul and Karim, who make their living by robbing the ancient tombs of Egypt in the late 1800's, when the theft and sale of artifacts was at its peak. Woven throughout the novel are the mysterious intersections of the brothers' lives, though separated by thousands of years. Luxor: Book of Past Lives is a masterful blend of fiction and historical detail, each chapter offering a window into the past, with details gleaned from countless historical accounts. It is a riveting tale of violence and greed, riches and poverty, and good and evil in the time of the pharaohs and beyond.

My thoughts: This book captured me from the first page.  I enjoyed the back and forth between ancient Egypt and the height of the antiquities trade with the Europeans.  I have always been intrigued and interested in the ancient world; this was a unique look at how the regular guy spent his life.  The inside look at the embalming process was an added bonus, as this was something that I was not overly familiar with.  Another equally nice aspect of the dual story-telling was how the author would weave in what was happening in the past with what was going on in ‘present’.  Following two sets of brothers was also a unique twist.  I would be highly excited and happy if there was another offering by this author.  There were times towards the end where the pace seemed rushed and others where it was slower, however, that did not detract from my enjoyment of the story in the slightest.

Rating 8/10

Recommendation:  Those that enjoy stories told in Ancient Egypt will find enjoyment in this book.

*I received a paperback review copy for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Review 30: My Lady Viper

My Lady Viper. E. Knight. 2015. [June] Lake Union Publishing. 456. [Source:Netgalley]

First sentence: Dead.  The queen would soon be dead. Her head cropped short to her neck as a spectacle for a crowd on the Tower Green.

Book Blurb From Goodreads:  When Anne Boleyn falls to the executioner’s ax on a cold spring morning in 1536, Anne Seymour knows her family faces peril. As alliances shift and conspiracies multiply, the Seymours plot to establish their place in the treacherous court of King Henry VIII, where a courtier’s fate is decided by the whims of a hot-tempered and fickle monarch.

Lady Anne’s own sister-in-law, Jane Seymour, soon takes Anne Boleyn’s place as queen. But if Jane cannot give King Henry a son, history portends that she, too, will be executed or set aside—and her family with her. In desperation, Lady Anne throws herself into the intoxicating intrigue of the Tudor court, determined to ensure the success of the new queen’s marriage and the elevation of the Seymour family to a more powerful position. Soon her machinations earn her a reputation as a viper in a den of rabbits. In a game of betrayal and favor, will her family’s rise be worth the loss of her soul?

My thoughts:

I enjoyed reading this book; it took me to a period of time that has long fascinated me.  Pair that fact along with actually getting to know a little more about the reign of Jane Seymour it was a huge win.  The author stated that she did take some creative license with certain dates to add something to the story.

There was a certain amount of internal angst with the Anne and her feelings for her husband and another courtier this back and forth for her last a significant portion of the book and it made her feel more relatable because, I think this is something that many, many women go through.

Getting to experience Henry’s going from wife number 2 through wife number 6 was certainly interesting and eye opening.  I know his is a very well documented life but reading it from the perspective of a courtier made the fear of him rather tangible.

I will definitely be looking forward to further opportunity to read more from this author.

Rating 9/10

Recommendation:  If Tudor era literature is right up your alley then I would say this is a good book for you!

*I received a digital review copy for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Review 29: Cowboy Valentine

Cowboy Valentine. Mia Hopkins. 2015. [August] Samhain Publishing. 84 Pages. [Source:Netgalley]

First sentence:  At half past midnight, Cora decided to start closing down the shop.

Premise/Plot:  From Amazon - Forget chocolate and flowers. This homegrown honey is all the sweetness he craves.
Small-town life is nothing but a waiting room for eighteen-year-old honor student Corazón Gomez. Work and school leave little time for love, but with a full-ride Ivy League scholarship and a one-way ticket out of the boondocks, who needs it?
The answer appears on Valentine’s Day when her old cowboy crush ambles into the ice cream parlor where she works, inviting her to go on a late-night ride in his truck. For the first time she wavers between staying on the straight and narrow, and going off-road with the handsome heartbreaker.
After four years working on ranches all over the country, Caleb MacKinnon is back on the family farm helping out his mom and brothers while his father fights cancer. The one bright spot: smart, funny, and wickedly sexy Cora.
From the start, they both know this blazing-hot love affair can’t last. But when autumn comes and Cora has to leave for the East Coast, Caleb must find a solution to keep himself—and his heart—from falling apart.
Warning: Contains hard, cherry-poppin’ sex in a pickup truck and a cowboy charmer who talks dirty in two languages.

My thoughts:  Ok where to start.  We have Cora a studious ‘good girl’ she has worked very hard to get out of her small town she meets Caleb the former high school crush.  Now then I will admit that most girls have the fantasy of being swept off their feet by their crush however I can not really imagine going from not seeing someone for 3-4 years to getting in their truck and proceeding to engage in a extremely sexual relationship mind you she is a ‘good girl’ which translates into virgin (not really a spoiler you find out within like 10 pages or so.)  The writing was extremely descriptive in ALL aspects of this book so my hat is off to Mia Hopkins on that!  One huge drawback for me though was that the sex seemed to be at the forefront of the book and the storyline secondary.  But it is a novella so I excuse that due to that fact.  All in all it is a very quick read and a very shall we say fun read as well.

Rating 7/10

Recommendation:  Novella fans will enjoy this.  Romance fans that like lots of steamy sex will definitely enjoy this!

*I received a digital review copy for free from the publisher courtesy of Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Review 28: His Blushing Bride

His Blushing Bride. Dani Collins. 2015. [May] Tule Publishing. 115 Pages. [Source: NetGalley]

First sentence:  Piper Tierney saw the email from her parents as she was tidying up the band room, after the final bell.

Premise/Plot:  From Amazon - Piper Tierney is busy wrapping up the school year and planning the music for Marietta’s Wedding Of The Century. She does not need one of her parents’ backpacking hippies under foot. Except the guy they let stay in their house is so much more than the California couch-surfer he resembles. Before she knows it, she’s making time to make time, even though he’s only in town for a couple of weeks.

Taking a break from working on his doctorate in political science, Sebastian Bloom wants to reassure himself his sister isn’t making another mistake with her upcoming wedding to a Marietta rancher. He’s definitely not looking for a bride for himself. Marriage and family are a trap. But Piper is cute, funny, and wants to move on from her ex.

They agree to a no strings affair, but will they wind up tying the knot?

My thoughts:  I enjoyed this novella quite a bit.  This was pretty much a by the books romance with one small difference she’s a virgin looking for no strings attached not typical in my opinion but not bad.  The sex was steamy without being overly graphic in my opinion.  I did enjoy reading Sebastian’s change even while he was fighting his feelings he still did embrace them in the end.  Piper had her own demons to fight and she did conquer them in the end.  Over all it was a satisfying read.

Rating 8/10

Recommendation:  Contempory romance fans will enjoy this novella

*I received a digital review copy for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Review 27: The Gift- Knight's Quest

The Gift-Knight’s Quest. Dylan Madeley. 2015. [May] Matador. 288 Pages. [Source:NetGalley]

First sentence: Derek urged his ride up the path as fast as the horse would go.

Premise/Plot: From Goodreads - Welcome to Kensrik, a world vividly imagined by Dylan Madeley, in which his debut fantasy novel The Gift-Knight’s
Quest is set. His book follows the youngest descendants of two families that have traditionally been enemies: the
Kenderleys, who now rule the world’s largest empire, and the Wancyeks, who have been reduced to common status.

“Chandra had yet to fathom why Jonnecht could not have lived and ruled for many long years, or why it was so urgent that she ascend immediately.”

Chandra never asked to rule Kensrik, but fate took a strange course. Known as a usurper and sorceress by most and traumatised by all that has transpired, she is forced to make use of the few loyal allies she has in order to hold together her restless empire. In an attempt to identify and defeat the conspirators who inadvertently landed her in power, Chandra risks putting the lives of many in mortal danger, as well as her own.

Derek is an aimless wanderer – the youngest in a lineage that has long fallen from nobility. He finds himself summoned by tradition to serve a family historically considered his bitter enemy. As he journeys down the same path a fateful ancestor once travelled, he struggles with personal demons and begins to reconsider his loyalty to the mission.

Duke Lenn found one true cause in love and it cost him everything. His legacy shaped the present in which Chandra and Derek find themselves. Now their choice will shape the future of Kensrik...

The Gift-Knight’s Quest is set in a new and vividly imagined world, written with delicate prose that will allow the reader to explore with their imagination. Inspired by authors such as Michael Moorcock, J. G. Ballard and Roger Zelazny, it will appeal to fans of fantasy and historical fiction.

My thoughts:  This book was very enjoyable to read.  I loved the political intrigue, the descriptions of the characters and places, and most importantly of all, the story!  I will admit to being underwhelmed with the beginning as it was very slow and at times a little tedious to read; however, that was only the first few chapters then the story took off and just kept going.  I am crossing my fingers and hoping that the author is planning on a sequel because I need to know what is going to happen next!!

Rating 8.5/10

Recommendation:  Fantasy fans will LOVE this book

*I received a digital review copy for free  from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Review 25: Affliction Z: Patient Zero

Affliction Z: Patient Zero. L.T. Ryan. 2013. [December] CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. 167 Pages. [Source: Free book on Amazon]

First sentence:  Sean Ryder prepared himself for what would end up being the final HALO jump of his career.

Premise/Plot:  From Amazon - Something dark lurks in the wilds of Southern Nigeria. An experiment has gone horribly wrong and threatens to wipe all traces of humanity from Earth. 3rd Ranger Battalion, Bravo Company is sent in to assist, clean up the mess before it gets out of control.

They've vanished.

Sean Ryder is an Air Force Pararescueman. Attached to SEAL Team 8, he believes he is on a routine rescue and recovery mission. Less than half an hour after landing in Nigeria, he knows that is not the case. And the further his mission leads him, the harder it becomes to get out alive.

My thoughts:  I enjoyed this book!  I am a fan of zombie stuff, movies, TV, books, video games you name it I love it.  This book did not disappoint.  It is rather typical man messes with virus, man lets virus out, zombies take over.  This one did have some interesting aspects since not all zombies are created equal in this universe.  The two main characters were complex and enjoyable they were both men’s men military guys; leave no man behind save as many as possible types. You need that kind of character to balance out the sudden loss of equilibrium in the world.  I WILL definitely be getting the other books in this series because I have to know how it all turns out.

Rating 9/10

Recommendation: Zombie fans will enjoy this, people new to this type of genre should enjoy this.

Review 22: Speed Metal Blues

Speed Metal Blues. Dave Stanton. 2014. [August] LaSalle Davis Books. 310. [Source: Bostick]

First sentence: When I finally tracked down Billy Morrison, he was in the middle of the mosh pit at Zeke’s Bar off Highway 50.

Premise/Plot:  From Goodreads -  Bounty hunter Dan Reno never thought he’d be the prey.

It’s a two-for-one deal when a pair of accused rapists from a New Jersey-based gang surface in South Lake Tahoe. The first is easy to catch, but the second, a Satanist suspected of a string of murders, is an adversary unlike any Reno has faced. After escaping Reno’s clutches in the desert outside of Carson City, the target vanishes. That is, until he makes it clear he intends to settle the score.

To make matters worse, the criminal takes an interest in a teenage boy and his talented sister, both friends of Reno’s. Wading through a drug-dealing turf war and a deadly feud between mobsters running a local casino, Reno can’t figure out how his target fits in with the new outlaws in town. He only knows he’s hunting for a ghost-like adversary calling all the shots.

The more Reno learns more about his target, the more he’s convinced that mayhem is inevitable unless he can capture him quickly. He’d prefer to do it clean, without further bloodshed. But sometimes that ain’t in the cards, especially when Reno’s partner Cody Gibbons decides it’s time for payback.

My thoughts:  This was my first taste of Dan Reno or as Cody likes to call him “Dirt”.  I have to say that I was not disappointed in the least!  This story had enough twists and turns and seemingly small plot lines all dragged together at the end very nicely.  This was a book that was extremely enjoyable to read the characters were well developed and you knew enough about even the minor of minor players so you weren’t left scratching your head.  This is the 3^rd book in the series but it appears that they do not form one continuing story line so there is no worry about being lost starting at this one.  I can see future Dan Reno books in my to be read pile!

Rating 8.5/10

Recommendation Absolutely anyone that loves adventure, mystery, bounty hunters, and saving damsels in distress will enjoy this book.

*I received a digital review copy for free from the author courtesy of the Bostick Communications program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Review 21: There Goes the Bride

There Goes the Bride. Catherine Mann/Joanne Rock. 2015. [May] Tule Publishing. 139 Pages. [Source: Netgalley eArc]

First sentence:  Lindsey Ballard wasn’t superstitious.

Premise/Plot:  From Amazon - Hair stylist Lindsey Ballard hates answering questions about her family's country music roots in Nashville. She's been avoiding music producer, Myles Emery, at all costs, who's trying to write a book on her famous relative. But he can't get to her today. It's her wedding day. Or so she thought...

When Lindsey suddenly needs to call off the ceremony to Atlanta's popular mayoral candidate, she makes her getaway with the persuasive producer, all the while trying to ignore the chemistry between them that had never existed with her ex.

Myles Emery has his own reasons for needing the truth about a country music legend-secrets the Ballard family keeps closely guarded. But when he happens to catch Lindsey running out on her wedding, he knows his luck is about to change. Too bad Myles wants Lindsey on first sight and the attraction is making it complicated to stay on task. "Uncovering her secrets" begins to take on a whole new, delectable meaning...

My thoughts: Sweet, short, simple.  Those sum up my feelings for this book.  It is a nice relaxing romantic novella.  You have the bride running away on her wedding day and meeting her real Prince Charming.  This really was a by the book romance with the added twist of the mystery surrounding Lindsey’s step-grandmother.  All in all I would say go for this if you want a nice relaxing non stressful afternoon of reading.

Rating 7.5/10

Recommendation- Fans of the series Runaway Brides, novella fans, romance fan, all will enjoy this book

*I received a digital review copy for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Review 20: Man Eaters: The Last Refuge

Man Eaters: The Last Refuge. Thomas Jacob. 2015. [April] CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. 216 Pages. [Source:Amazon Purchase]

First sentence: The KG-D6 experiment is a success!

Premise/Plot: From Goodreads - The age of man is over. The age of the man eater has begun.

It's Year 3 of the Great Infection and the human race is on the brink of extinction. Seven foot man eaters roam the world, preying on anything that moves.

The Neneks are a tribe of reindeer herders living in the remote Siberian Arctic. Katya, a 15 year old boy, the son of the chieftain, comes of age in the midst of growing threats to his nomadic tribe.

After his father's sudden death, he has to lead the tribe and a ragtag group of American high school survivors across the Tundra safely. Everything is complicated when he falls in love with the beautiful Kiara.

Battling enormous odds, as he fights for his loved ones, he realizes that the greatest danger the group faces might be from the monsters within themselves.

This is a coming of age story set in a post-apocalyptic world.

My thoughts:  This book is a very quick and satisfying read.  I wish it had been longer but it has whet my appetite for more books set in this world.  The characters were believably flawed.  You had villains and no I don’t mean the man eaters I mean the humans; then you had the heroes of the story bringing their people to a relative safety.  Reading this made me both glad to not be living up in the frozen wastelands of Russia and also worried because if something inexplicable like this actually happened I would have no where to hide.

Rating 8/10

Recommendation:  Zombie fans and fans of dystopian apocalyptic futuristic fiction

Review 16: Up and In

Thank you Goodread's and Deborah Disney for letting me join the fun on this buddy read!

Up and In. Deborah Disney. 2014. [December] Harper Collins. 320. [Source:Contest through Goodreads copy provided by Netgalley]

First sentence: There is was again. That damned full stop.  How does so much passive aggression fit itself into such a tiny punctuation mark?

Premise/Plot: From Goodreads - A wonderfully wry tale about the pressure women put on themselves and one another to fit in, measure up and look glamorous while doing it. Distinctly middle class parents, Maria and Joe have committed all available income to giving their daughters Kate and Sarah the best education possible, which to them means attending the most exclusive girls school in the state. But when Kate befriends the spoilt and moody Mirabella, Maria finds herself thrust into a high society of champagne-swilling mother-istas she hasn't budgeted for. Saturday morning netball is no longer a fun mother-daughter outing, but a minefield of social politics. While the increasingly neurotic Maria struggles to negotiate the school mum hierarchy, Joe quietly battles a midlife crisis and Kate attempts to grow up as gracefully as possible (without having her life ruined by embarrassing parents). For every woman who has ever felt she may be wearing the wrong shoes, this is a book that will remind you - you're not alone

My thoughts:  First off let me start by saying that I participated in my very first buddy read with a group on Goodreads.com.  I enjoyed this book even though I kept bouncing back and forth between liking the main character Maria and shaking my head in abject disapproval for her handling of situations.  I personally have never been one to obsess about other people’s approval of me or their disapproval.  She is extremely flawed which makes her more believable and relatable I think.  She is so focused on what the other mothers of her social circle think and mean by every text, email, and face to face exchange she can’t see the forest for the trees.  We have her husband Joe supportive even while struggling with his own crises.  Then we have her daughters Kate and Sarah, Kate is the daughter that the drama centers around.  Then we have the wise sister-in-law who dispenses little tidbits of insight just at the right time.  Finally we have the ‘Bea’s’; Bea (the queen), Sonya (OCD control freak), Caitlin (the social brownnoser), Jen (follower), Nic and Lauren ( down to earth non-snobs). Ultimately this is a book from which we can all stand to take away the larger picture you just never know what someone else is going through at any given point so don’t take everything to heart all the time.

Rating 9/10

Recommendation:  Chick lit fans will like this, fans of character growth.

*I received a digital review copy for free from the author through a contest  in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Review 15: Raveled (Audiobook)

I am trying out a new Q&A segment for part of the review process particularly on the audiobooks I will be reviewing!!

Raveled. Anne McAneny. 2013. [January] Farrington Press. 12 hours 5 min. [Source:AudioBlast and the Author]

First sentence:  Sixteen years since my last trip to this park, and not a tree had changed. 

Premise/Plot:  What's a girl to do when her imprisoned brother begs her to delve into their father's 16-year-old murder conviction? How about peel back the lies, upend the fairy tales, and roil the populace of Lavitte - a sweet apple of a town with a wormy, festering core? That's what Allison Fennimore chooses. Despite her infamous surname and people's wilted memories, this jaded cynic of a daughter sinks her teeth in and refuses to let go. She can practically taste the bitterness of that long-ago, twisted night when two teenagers died, linked to her father by bad luck and a few strands of rope.
Ignoring the dense local atmosphere, where image trumps substance and lies become legend, Allison stirs the pot. The more layers she discards, the more elusive the truth becomes. And when a key source of information turns up dead, the dark edges of resentment coil in around her like a slowly tightening noose. As revelations get ugly, Allison may wish she'd never ventured toward the forbidden fruit of truth.

My thoughts:

If you could sum up Raveled in three words, what would they be?

Twisty, turny, and enjoyable.

What did you like best about this story?

The plot and how you would get snippets of what happened 16 years ago through out the story.

Which character – as performed by – was your favorite?

Charlie, I adored how Rebecca Roberts acted him out it was spot on to how I would have heard him if I hard read the book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The interactions that Allison had with her mother were extremely touching.

I enjoyed listening to this book.  The narration by Rebecca Roberts was enjoyable.  The plot twisted and turned enough to keep me guessing til the end!  Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen I had the rug pulled out from under me!  I can imagine that a crime like that happening in a small town even 16 years later it would still be an open wound so my hat’s off to the heroine for never backing down no matter what!

Rating 8/10

Recommendation: Mystery fans, seekers of an enjoyable way to pass the time.

*I received a digital review copy for free through Audioblast and from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Review 14: Insylum

Insylum. Z. Rider. 2015. [June] Dark Ride Publishing. Pages 122. [Source:Netgalley eArc]

First sentence:  “We’ve made progress,” Dibbock says, but she’s skeptical.

Premise/Plot: From Goodreads - A.J. changed in boot camp, coming out all straight-backed and short-haired. His best friend Nate hardly recognizes him anymore, especially when it comes to the way he acts. His priorities. Now he’s about to ship out to Afghanistan, and despite the rift growing between them, the two decide to have one last hurrah—at Insylum, the extreme traveling funhouse they’ve been waiting for a chance at for years.

They're last in line on the last night of the show. They are the last two to go in.

And they may never come back out.

Warning: Some tentacular activity. (Also body horror. And maggots.)

My thoughts:   I have sat on this review for a few days now trying to untangle the web of my emotions regarding this book.  So it is a horror story and it is horrific to the extreme.  I have read many books and this is the first one that actually made me have a real reaction there was a part of the book that made me feel physically nauseous so kudos to the author and the descriptive writing that she used!  The ending was a little lack luster but made perfect sense in the whole scheme of the book.  I didn’t love this book but I didn’t hate it.  I give credit for the skill in the writing and I will have to read another book to see if said skill continues.  Be prepared when reading this book to be scared, nauseated, and edge of your seat.  I will never be able to go into a haunted/fun house again!

Rating 8/10

Recommendation:  For those that love scares and good descriptive writing.

*I received a digital review copy for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*