ARC Review and Giveaway: Jinx by Sage Blackwood

4 stars
Genres: Children, fantasy
Format: ebook
368 pages
Published by HarperCollins
Expected publication: January 8th 2013
ISBN: 0062129902
ISBN13: 9780062129901
Where to Buy: Amazon. Barnes and Noble
View on Goodreads

Synopsis from Goodreads:
In the Urwald, you don’t step off the path. Trolls, werewolves, and butter-churn riding witches lurk amid the clawing branches, eager to swoop up the unwary. Jinx has always feared leaving the path—then he meets the wizard Simon Magnus.

Jinx knows that wizards are evil. But Simon’s kitchen is cozy, and he seems cranky rather than wicked. Staying with him appears to be Jinx’s safest, and perhaps only, option. As Jinx’s curiosity about magic grows, he learns to listen to the trees as closely as he does to Simon’s unusual visitors. The more Jinx discovers, the more determined he becomes to explore beyond the security of well-trod paths. But in the Urwald, a little healthy fear is never out of place, for magic—and magicians—can be as dangerous as the forest, and soon Jinx must decide which is the greater threat.

Sage Blackwood introduces a daring new hero for an innovative new world as Jinx is joined by friends, battles enemies, and discovers life beyond—and even within—the forest is more complex than he can imagine, and that the Urwald itself needs him more than he could ever guess.

My Review:
This is a refreshing take on a fantasy novel with an intriguing plot and unique world.

Jinx has a bit of mystery surrounding him with a wonderfully fresh personality on an epic adventure. As Jinx struggles through his adventures he, along with the reader, learns important lessons along the way. The concept of overcoming ones fear was very intriguing for me and I enjoyed how it was handled in the book.

Note: I won this book from Goodreads Early reviews.

About the Author:
Sage Blackwood lives at the edge of a large forest, with thousands of books and a very old dog, and enjoys carpentry, cooking, and walking in the woods of New York State.

Giveaway ends 1/13/2013 for US residents only

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Book Review: Persephone by Kaitlin Bevis

4 stars

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Mythology

Format: ebook

237 pages

Published by Musa Publishing

Published on July 6th 2012

ISBN13: 9781619372436

Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

View on Goodreads

Synopsis on Goodreads:

There are worse things than death, worse people too

The “talk” was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they’re a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn’t until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.

My Review:

I love retellings of stories and especially about mythology so I was extremely excited to read this.  I wasn’t disappointed! 

I loved the characters.  Persephone’s voice really shows through and her own personality was able to shine through.  Hades personality was surprising in a good way; he has his own reasons for doing what he did.  Hades did not do everything right but it was for the right reasons.  I like the build up of the love story and not having it happen all at once in a love-at-first-sight situation.  Both of their characters were able to develop and grow throughout the story.

Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author from Goodreads:

I spent my childhood curled up with a book, and a pen. If the ending didn’t agree with me, I rewrote it. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and I spent high school and college learning everything I could so that one day I could achieve that goal. I graduated college with my BFA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, and am pursuing my masters at the University of Georgia.

Author’s Webpage: http://www.kaitlinbevis.com

ARC Book Review: Possession by Dejana Vuletić

4 Stars
Series: Keeper of Light
Book: Two
Genres: Fantasy, romance, young adult
Format: ebook
338 pages
Expected publication: December 24th 2012

more details...ISBN13: 9781300082842

View on Goodreads

Synopsis from Goodreads:

"I could only hope my friends would win. I couldn't think about what would happen if they lost. If we lost, it was over. Fighting with the Hunters was a death sentence. Either they died, or we did. The loser's punishment in a game like this . . . was death."

Twelve years after the conclusion of Poison, the adventure continues when Balthazar and his brothers initiate a plan...more"I could only hope my friends would win. I couldn't think about what would happen if they lost. If we lost, it was over. Fighting with the Hunters was a death sentence. Either they died, or we did. The loser's punishment in a game like this . . . was death."

Twelve years after the conclusion of Poison, the adventure continues when Balthazar and his brothers initiate a plan to bring about the destruction of Dessa and her friends by resurrecting the Lord of Hell, Orion. Having been locked into the stars as punishment for causing the death of the ancient world, Orion is lying in wait for his sons to make good on their promise and bring him back to life.

The lives of the Keepers are threatened constantly, and Dessa realizes that once again, she is the key to everything. Dessa's past life as a Keeper comes back to haunt her when her memories begin to fully return after millennia of remaining buried in the darkness, and the harsh realizations she encounters just might be enough to break her. With nowhere else to turn, Dessa finds herself running into the arms of the very man she had vowed to destroy: Balthazar.

Can Dessa rise to the challenge and expel her enemies for eternity? Or will she fall to her own darkness as she struggles to define the person she truly wants to be? With allegiances tested, the bonds of love broken, and the tenuous line between ally and foe becoming completely nonexistant, the Keepers are in for the toughest fight of their lives.

My Review:

The second novel in the series does not disappoint and in fact I found it to be even better than the first one. The romance is delightful with a little humor mixed it. Dessa and Chris are locked in love but throughout the novel they are tested on this and have to fight for one another.

Overall, I found this to be quite a fast-paced read with a variety of interesting characters and villains. I am excited to read the final book in the trilogy.

Note: I won an ARC copy from the author.

About theAuthor:

Dejana is the author of POISON and POSSESSION, the first two books in her KEEPER OF LIGHT Trilogy. She is a junior at the Ohio State University majoring in History. Writing has been a hobby for her since eighth grade, and her passion for it eventually took the driver's seat, leading her to become an author.

Author’s website: http://poisonouspurity.blogspot.com/

Giveaway and Book Review: BLACK and WHITE and DEAD ALL OVER by Michael Bradley

4 stars
Genres: Mystery, thriller
Format: ebook
1, 166 pages
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published on August 2nd 2012
ISBN: 1478224037
ISBN13: 9781478224037
Where to Buy: Amazon
View on Goodreads
 
Synopsis:
When the skeleton of a teenage girl is uncovered at a construction site in Newark, journalist Brian Wilder must follow a twenty-two year old trail of deceit and lies to uncover the truth behind her death.
While still struggling with his own tragic past, Brian uncovers a haunting secret of passion and anger that could threaten to destroy one of the most powerful political families in Delaware.
 
My Review:
The book portrays an excellent murder mystery full of intrigue, love triangles, and jealousy. The book as a whole is fast-paced with an interesting storyline and compelling characters. While the drama unfolds the characters each have their own uniquely defined role that helps to move the story forward and create their individual personalities. My only criticism would be that the story started off a little slow and was hard to get into, although once the mystery starts to progress it rapidly takes hold of the readers attention.
 
Note: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
 
About the Author:
Born and raised in southern New Jersey, Michael Bradley is an author and IT consultant, whose frequent travels bring him in touch with a variety of people up and down the east coast. When he isn’t on the road, Michael hits the waterways in one of his three kayaks. Being an avid Apple fan, Michael loves to preach the benefits of Apple’s Mac OS X and iOS. Before working in information technology, Michael spent eight years in radio broadcasting, working for stations in New Jersey and West Virginia, including the Marconi Award winning WVAQ in Morgantown. Becoming an author has been a lifelong dream for Michael, which was finally realized with the release of his first book in 2012. Among the writers in which he finds inspiration, Michael favors P.D. James, Raymond Chandler, Leslie Charteris, Simon Brett, and Ian Fleming. He lives in Delaware with his wife, Diane, and their two furry four-legged “kids”, Simon and Brandy. Michael does all of his writing on an Apple iPad 2 with a Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover.
 
Contact: Michael Bradley
Email: mjbradley88@mail.com  
Blog: http://mjbradley88.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mjbradley88
 

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Book Review: Poison by Dejana Vuletić

 4 stars
Series: Keeper of Light
Book: One
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Format: ebook
302 pages
Published by Lulu Enterprises
Published on March 1st 2012
ISBN13: 9781105427954
Where to Buy: Amazon
View on Goodreads

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Dessa Ambrose – the normal girl-next-door who yearns for her life to attain meaning – meets the strangely alluring Christopher Calder, who holds the secrets of the past and the keys to all the doors Dessa wishes to open. As she spends more time with Chris, Dessa begins to realize that he isn’t human – or at least not a normal one. His mysterious powers leave Dessa questioning the very foundation of the world she grew up in, and when Chris finally opens the door to Dessa’s future, she finds herself reluctant to walk through it.

As a newly Awakened Keeper – a God in the form of a human with the power to control one of the elements of nature—Dessa learns of her affinity for Light, but as she and her friends try to remember everything from their dark pasts, the evil they knew then has followed them to the present. But unfortunately for them, none of them can remember who that evil might be.

With that evil destroying the bonds that hold them so close to one another, wreaking destruction upon the world, and attempting to claim Dessa’s life at every available turn, Dessa realizes that her true destiny can no longer be avoided.

When it all comes down to it, Dessa must either forfeit herself, her power, and her will to live, or she must give up the lives of the entire world – of those she sought to protect. Can she make the ultimate sacrifice? Or is she just as spineless as the enemy believes her to be?

My Review:
This story is extremely intense and passionate. I was swept away from the beginning. The character development is crucial to the story. Dessa is an interesting heroine, her emotions captivate every aspect of her life and everything she does revolves around them. Everything that happens to her and everything that goes on strives to move the story along

There were a few parts were the story did not seem to flow as well. There were some graphic parts but they were essential to the path of the characters and the story. Although, overall the story as a whole was extremely emotional and engaging. I am looking very forward to reading the second book in the series.

Note: I won this book from the author.

About the Author from Goodreads:
I absolutely love writing while lounging in my lawn chair with a cold glass of lemonade and my iPod playing music through the yard. A bit cliche, but what can I say? It totally works for me.

I'm a junior at the Ohio State University majoring in American History and eventually I plan to become a teacher. Writing has been a hobby for me since eighth grade, so I've been at it for a good, long time.

My debut novel, Poison, was published just a few months ago, and I have TONS of other projects in the works, so be sure to look out for them!

Author’s webpage: http://poisonouspurity.blogspot.com/

Amid the Roar by Tempest C. Avery

5 stars

Series: The Dreamer Trilogy

Book: Three

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Witches, Romance

Format: ebook

Published on December 4th 2012 (first published December 1st 2012)

ISBN13: 9781301852796

Where to Buy: Smashwords

View on Goodreads

Synopsis:

As Lily is forced to remain with the evil king for the next three days she does not really know what to expect from Ronan. He is more than what he originally appeared to be and now Lily is left with the choice and decision of wanting more. Scared in a way that she is even more confused about what her future holds and what the prophecy entails she needs to make up her mind and decide or risk the fate of all.

My Review:

Lily is a much stronger character in this book than in the previous writings. She has more questions answered and challenges to face but her mind is connected with what she thinks the best course it. I loved how readers were able to see a different side to Ronan and more about what made him the way he was. Larkin frustrated me as usual but I was not a huge fan of him in the other books either. All of the character interactions were great although, I would have liked to see Connell a little bit more throughout the story and have him play a bigger role.

Overall I am quite happy with how things ended up playing out. Just like Lily I was having a hard time placing in my mind who I would choose so at the end I really did not know what her decision was going to be. I liked the conclusion and how all of the events played out. I am sorry to see the series is at an end but I am glad that there will be more stories in the future.

Note: I won this book from the author's giveaway.

About the Author:

Tempest is currently living in Vermont and Connecticut due to school. For more information, like character bios and release dates, check out her blog.

Author’s website: http://tempestchani.blogspot.com/

Giveaway and Book Review: Assassination: The Royal Family's 1000 Year Curse by David Maislish

4 stars

Genres: History

Format: Paperback

498 pages

Published by Indepenpress

Published on September 1st 2012

ISBN: 1780031483

ISBN13: 9781780031484

Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

View on Goodreads

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Never told before, Assassination is the revelation of a 1000-year curse that has shaken the monarchy from Canute to Elizabeth II.

After years of painstaking research, David Maislish uncovers the murder or attempted murder of every single King and Queen.

Here is English history without the things that sent us to sleep in school; instead brought to life with a series of royal murders and near murders.

Read how a quarter, perhaps as many as half, of our Kings and Queens were killed - even one in the twentieth century.

It is all in Assassination - the Royal Family's 1000-year cure.

My Review:

Every one is trying to kill the British?  This story successfully puts all of those attempts (and successes) into striking perspective.  The book’s structure is informative without being boring with a brief history of each reign for context.  The assassinations are the central theme of the story and the author is able to present each fate in an entertaining and thrilling manner.  

I would highly recommend this book to people that are interested in this tidbits of history while being intrigued by the suspenseful story.

Note: I received this book via Netgalley.

About the Author

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Book Review: Smite The Damned by Zack Kullis

4 stars
Genres: Paranormal, Demons, Violence
Format: Kindle Edition
Published in July 2011
Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble
View on Goodreads

Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

When Keith Da Silva finally confronts the dark circumstances surrounding his mother’s death, his eyes are opened to the darkness that is waging an ancient war against humanity. Keith is violently confronted by demonic forces, shattering his view of reality, and fights for his life with beings of unspeakable evil.

In Smite the Damned, legions of spirits and demons fight alongside an ancient evil, the Nephilim, that have been hiding among their human prey. Keith is asked to help keep the dark forces at bay, and becomes a hunter of the damned. But, his role as a hunter soon brings pain and death to his family and friends. With only a few people to help, Keith takes the battle to the forces of the Dark Lord, and ultimately, is pulled into a fight within a grand demon’s personal realm.

My Review:

I have to say I was utterly amazed by the writing style Kullis set forth to make this book.  It was the perfect mix or creepily unnerving mixed with intriguing.  The descriptions of the plot and characters were fantastic adding another depth to the story as a whole. 

What reader doesn’t love a hero with a tragic past as the main character?  The action scenes were also thrilling and believably written.  It was definitely an entertaining read that I would recommend to people that would like an entertaining and exhilarating story. 

About the Author from Goodreads:

I write horror, dark paranormal, genre fiction, and occasionally fantasy.

My writing is a result of a person that grew up seeking and reading anything dark, scary and full of visceral escapism.

I work full time for the FBI. Please don't ask about it because I can't talk about it.

Phoenix Angel by Amanda Gerry and Christy Hall

3 stars

Series: Shardwell

Book: One

Genres: Fantasy/Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult

Format: Paperback

329 pages

Published by Scribes of Shardwell, LLC

Published on January 21st 2012 (first published 2012)

ISBN: 0615589499

ISBN13: 9780615589497

Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

View on Goodreads

Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Maggie is a normal teenager, trudging her way through senior year with her best friend, Lily. Then a boy named Kyle Spencer came to Idaho Falls, and since then everything has fallen apart. Something mysterious has passed among the three friends. They are developing terrifying abilities--strange powers that separate them from normal people.

Even worse, someone--or something--has taken a deadly interest in them. They never know when they are going to strike, or how to protect themselves, or even who they are. All friends know is that they want one alive and the others they want dead. Which one will Maggie be?

My Review:

I liked the writing styles of the author’s as a whole.

Throughout the first half of the book the main focus is centered on Maggie.  She turned me off from the beginning; her attitude was repulsive and extremely off-putting.  I found myself not wanting to root for her at all and actually wondering why I was reading so much about her and her attitude.  I didn’t realize why anyone would but up with her especially Lily, the most seemingly loving person EVER and aka best friend.  Also the hottest guy around, Kyle, who tried everything in his power to win her over. 

The second half of the book I liked more and it focuses on Lily.  She was a much easier person to sympathize with and get to know.  The only thing I didn’t like about Lily’s part was the overwhelming lovey dovey-ness of it; it got old pretty quickly and started to annoy me.

Lastly, I think this book focuses too much on the character’s looks.  Every main character seems to have some striking beauty or handsomeness about them that is just unsurpassed and envied by the rest of the secondary characters.  They need flaws besides their attitudes, flaws in their looks that make them imperfect. 

I am interested to read the second installment of this story and see how everything progresses.

About the Authors:

Amanda Gerry developed an interest in fantasy at a young age. In middle school, she fell in love with writing short stories and was thrilled when her sister proposed creating a series of novels together. Her fondness of writing comes from many sources, but the most prominent is her avid devotion to video games. Some of her favorites include Mass Effect, The Elder Scrolls series, and anything that lets her shoot zombies. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Utah University and teaches at a local charter school.

Christy Hall has been addicted to the many realms of fantasy and science fiction all her life. She joined her first peer writers’ group in the sixth grade, joyfully sharing world building at a young age. A graduate of Southern Utah University, she now teaches at a local charter school. When she isn’t busy designing activities for her Mythology class or going on field trips with the Star Wars Club, she is spending time with her sister, A Gerry. C. Hall’s favorite authors include J.R.R Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, and Tracy Hickman.

Book Review: The Lambsridge Wolves by Chrissie Parkes

4 stars

Genres: Fantasy

Format: ebook

260 pages

Published by lulu

Published on October 17th 2012

ISBN13: 9781291082456

Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

View on Goodreads

Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis on Goodreads:

In the woods above Lambsridge, is it really the wolves you need to be afraid of...?

"The girl stares at the church door, unsure how she has ended up in this place. Above, the clear night sky is black as fear, while pale mist curls between the trees, low and sinister. It snakes around her ankles, as if to pull her back into the darkness from which THEY are coming.

Clouds gather overhead to hide the awful truth of what is to about to happen…"

Hazel’s family history is rooted in the tiny village of Lambsridge, where wolves roam wild behind a secure barbed wire fence. Shunned by the town kids and humiliated at school, she dreams of a life of excitement in the outside world. But when her family are threatened, she can no longer ignore the dark and menacing danger that lurks at the heart of the old traditions.

My Review:

I loved the suspense involved throughout this book which added to the plot and story line having the reader try and figure out what was happening as the story progressed.  The intensity of the storyline kept the reader interested in what was going on and made the book as a whole fast paced. 

I thought that the characters overall were well written and multifaceted.    Hazel was quite well rounded and the author fit her behavioral pattern to her age range perfectly.

This was a great read that I would recommend to anyone for a nice story line and just enough thrill for an afternoon read.

About theAuthor

17 Women Who Shook the World by Preethi Burkholder

2 stars
Genres: Non-fiction
Format: Paperback
224 pages
Published by Schiffer Publishing
Published on October 1st 2012
ISBN: 0764341413
ISBN13: 9780764341410
Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble
View on Goodreads

Note: I received this book from Schiffer Publishing via Netgalley.

Synopsis from Amazon:

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to achieve success effortlessly while others just don t? In this motivational and historical book, discover how you, too, can master the inner abilities to become successful. Becoming informed about the thinking and behavioral patterns of 17 of modern history s most amazing women will drive you, too, to take action to attract success into your life. Learn a dynamic and attainable program for changing your inner model of achievement with a formula that supports your happiness. Read about accomplished women such as Shirley Chisholm, Esther Morris, Wilman Rudolph, Aung San Suu Kyi, Valentina Tereshkova, Harriet Tubman, Madam C.J. Walker, Meryl Streep, and Victoria Woodhull. Like the 17 women showcased here, build your own Global Positioning System (GPS) for success.
 
My Review:
The different biographies of the seventeen women were interesting at times.  The book as a whole would have been better with just the history of the people and without the motivational parts.  They seemed to be drawn out and preachy. 

About the Author

Whorticulture by Marie-Anne Mancio

4 stars
Genres: historical fiction
Format: ebook, Smashwords Edition
158 pages
Published by Hotel Alphabet on Smashwords
Published on April 13th 2012
ISBN13: 9781476455099
Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords
View on Goodreads

Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

As a girl waits for the return of her disappeared father, the story of four migrant women unravels. In antebellum America: a daydreamer from the country gets an unexpected education on the Mississippi river; a storekeeper falls in love with a thief amid the chaos of Gold Rush San Francisco; a fugitive quadroon re-invents herself in a New York brothel; and a young bride is trapped on a Louisiana sugar plantation. Though they do not know it, their lives are inextricably linked by the men they encounter. Peopled by whores, tricksters, gamblers, do-gooders, liars, and fools, and with allusions to the coded language of flowers, Whorticulture is about prostitution in its myriad forms. Contains a helpful discussion guide for book groups and a flower dictionary.

My Review:

These four nineteenth century American short stories are compelling.  The stories are linked by each woman’s will to survive and their will to do whatever they have to.  There is a great deal of research that had gone into creating these stories and the women’s lives.  The stories are informative and vivid.  The only problem I had with these stories is that they needed a long introduction into the women’s back-stories that slows the pace down.
 
About the Author

Book Review: The Psychology of Twilight

3 stars

Genres: Non-fiction, reference

Editors: E. David Klonsky and Alexis Black

Contributors: David A. Frederick, Erica Berg, Susan Carnell, Melissa Burkley, Amanda M. Vicary, Jennifer L. Rosner, Mikhail Lyubansky, Robin S. Rosenberg, Jeremy Clyman, Catherine Glenn, Lisa Dinella, Gary Lewandowski, Tamara Greenberg, Peter Stromberg, and Pamela Rutledge

Format: ebook

272 pages

Published: by Smart Pop

Published on October 4th 2011

ISBN: 1936661292

ISBN13: 9781936661299

Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

View on Goodreads

Note: I received this book via Netgalley.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

You’ve read the books. You’ve seen the films. Now get inside the heads of your favorite Twilight characters (just like Edward can!) in The Psychology of Twilight.

Explore the minds and motives of Bella, Edward, Jacob, and more with a deeper look at the series that’s captured the hearts—and psyches—of millions. Find out:

* How Edward and Jacob match up in an evolutionary psychology smackdown for Bella’s—and our—affection
* Whether Bella’s motorcycle-riding and cliff diving in New Moon are suicidal—or her salvation
* Why vampires and werewolves aren’t so different after all (at least psychologically)
* The emotional appeal of love stories like Bella and Edward’s
* Why being a part of Twilight fandom is good for your psychological health

Snuggle up on the closest chaise, and get ready to revisit the Twilight Saga—with some professional help.

My Review:

If you want to know what the hype is about Twilight then this is the good place to start.  This book is jammed packed with a collection of chapters written by different specialists in different fields.  They are able to effectively explain the relationship feelings of the characters, Bella’s perspective of life and death, and the swoon worthy Edward Cullen. 

Overall, the book was extremely interesting with the contributors’ difference perspective.  It is a entertaining light read.