Twilight (Twilight #1) by Stephenie Meyer

5 stars

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult, Romance

Format: Paperback

498 pages

Published by Little, Brown and Company

Published in September 6th 2006 (first published October 5th 2005)

ISBN: 0316015849

ISBN13: 9780316015844

Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

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Synopsis from Goodreads:

Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife-between desire and danger.  Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite

My Review:

I took me until the fourth book in the series came out and my sister’s constant insistence that I read it to finally pick it up but I am VERY glad I did.  Yes it is a sappy teen love story with vampires and werewolves mixed in but that is exactly why it is so good.  The story is very heartfelt and interestingly developed with the characters experiencing and demonstrating a wide range of emotions.

Bella and Edward are fantastic together.  Their level of depth and honesty towards one other rivals that of any adult novel I’ve read AND Meyers was able to exude sexual tension in abundance without having to resort to any sexually explicit scenes.  With the absence of those the reader can actually feel the depth of emotional ties surrounding them.  The secondary characters are fantastic as well.  I have to admit to Alice being my all-time favorite just because of her quirky personality. 

This book just puts me in a happy mood along with the accompanying movies.  I will own them forever and keep reading/watching on a nice rainy day.

About the Author:

Stephenie Meyer's life changed dramatically on June 2, 2003.  The stay-at-home mother of three young sons woke-up from a dream featuring seemingly real characters that she could not get out of her head.  "Though I had a million things to do (i.e. making breakfast for hungry children, dressing and changing the diapers of said children, finding the swimsuits that no one ever puts away in the right place), I stayed in bed, thinking about the dream. Unwillingly, I eventually got up and did the immediate necessities, and then put everything that I possibly could on the back burner and sat down at the computer to write--something I hadn't done in so long that I wondered why I was bothering."  Meyer invented the plot during the day through swim lessons and potty training, then writing it out late at night when the house was quiet.  Three months later she finished her first novel, Twilight.

Stephenie Meyer graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English Literature.  She lives in Arizona with her husband and sons.

Moments Collide by Angella Graff

4 stars
Format: Kindle Edition
328 pages
Published in September 2012
Where to Buy: amazon
View on Goodreads

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

Synopsis from Goodreads:
"There are no beginnings or endings, just a series of moments colliding." Felix LaPage was a rising classical music star, but his personal life was full of pain and heartache. It wasn't until he met a woman who changed his views on life and love that he truly understood the meaning of those words.

My Review:
It was a really interesting and unexpected read. The characterization was there and spot on, I felt like I knew Felix and was right there with him. It is purely an honest take on little moments in life and how things are changed because of them. Sometimes the story did go a little too in-depth with the first person narrative but overall I loved how everything flowed together.

About theAuthor:
Angella Graff was born and raised in the desert city of Tucson, Arizona. She married and became a mother very young, and after getting started with her family, began her University studies where she found her passion for creative writing, history and theology.

She now resides in Tucson with her husband Joshua, three children, Christian, Isabella and Adia, and their three cats, Archive (Ivy), Lasciel and Fix. She prefers to spend her days writing, gardening, and reading non-fiction theology theory books. Angella is also an avid, if not fanatic fan of Doctor Who and BBC Sherlock, which tend to dominate her dry, sarcastic humor, a lot of which is apparent in her writing.

Currently Angella is working on an Urban Fantasy series called The Judas Curse, involving extensive research into Mythos, Christianity and history. The first book of The Judas Curse, The Awakening, is due out November 2012.

Author’s website: https://www.facebook.com/AngellaGraffAuthor

 

Path to Vengeance (The Guardians, #1) by W.H. Cann

2 stars

Genres: Science fiction, adventure

Format: Kindle Edition

Published by W.H. Cann

Published in January 12th 2012

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

Synopsis from Goodreads:

When his brother, father and fiancée are killed by Krelathan raiders, Grogaan’s life is ripped apart, causing grief, anger and rage. He vows his revenge and sets about on his ‘path to vengeance’ by purchasing and upgrading four starfighters for him and his friends.

As a result of his intense emotional trauma brought on by his losses, he experiences troubling and disturbing dreams, leading to bouts of severe depression.

Feeling guilty over the loss of his loved ones, especially his fiancée, Grogaan avoids romantic involvement until Joeen, his brother’s former fiancée re-enters his life, causing him more emotional turmoil. This is further compounded by an unexpected encounter with Ellarna, a Senator's daughter, who he is besotted with.

A chance meeting with members of a long forgotten sect, ‘The Brotherhood of the Teragon Eagle’, on a nearby planet, together with information revealed to him by his mother, prove Grogaan’s unique abilities are due to his family heritage; an ancestor having been a respected wizard and a member of the Guardian Order.

Grogaan and his friends prove their piloting skills and spearhead the counter offensive against the Krelathan raiders. However, it’s his abilities enhanced by his gift of magic that take him and his friends on a path that impacts on the future of the galaxy as foretold by a two hundred year old prophecy; a path he begins to tread while developing a powerful relationship with one of the two women.

My Review:

To sum it up: over descriptive.  For this particular book I thought the characters were too overdone, it was like a Facebook timeline in a book.  Everything the characters were feeling and thinking was revealed.  It almost seemed like Cann was afraid that he would forget something so he made sure to put it in, sometimes more than once.  Most authors have the problem of underdeveloped characters, however, I felt this book had overdeveloped characters.

With the thoughts and feelings coming out of the characters all over the place even when there was some action in the story it was boring because it was broken up by random thoughts. 

Truthfully I found this work hard to get through.  The idea was really good and maybe if the author could tune down the thought description it would be a better read.

About the Author:

My passion for reading started from a very young age, but my interest in fantasy and science fiction started when I was a ten and my father gave me some Conan books by Robert E. Howard and the series Thongor of Lemuria by Lin Carter, and of course the arrival of Star Wars. I have loved reading ever since. Fantasy is still my favourite genre followed closely by science fiction, but my tastes include adventure, military history both fiction and non-fiction (pre 1850′s), plus a variety of others.

My foray into writing did not begin until after I suffered a back injury in 1998, and decided to have a go at writing a story to pass the time away, needless to say I became hooked and the story turned into full length novels. I continued writing when I returned to work, spending a little time each evening. I took a few years break while I immersed myself in genealogy, but finally picked up the pen (and returned to the PC) and resumed my writing in spring 2011.

I am married with two children, both having now left home, my daughter with a family of her own living in Pembrokeshire, my son living and working in Cardiff. I also have two beautiful grandchildren. I was born in Cardiff have served in the RAF as an aircraft engineer am now employed as a finance officer in local government. I live in Pembrokeshire, West Wales.

Author’s website: http://www.whcann.co.uk

Wander Home by Karen A. Wyle

3 stars

Genres: death

Format: kindle

Where to Buy: Amazon

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

Summary from Goodreads:

Death is what you make it. . . .

Eleanor never wanted to leave the daughter she loved so much. The overpowering urge to wander -- to search, without knowing what she sought -- drove her away. She left little Cassidy in her family's loving care. But Cassidy and the others died in an accident before Eleanor could find her way home.

Now, they are all reunited, in an afterlife where nothing is truly lost: places once loved may be revisited, memories relived and even shared. Surely this is a place where they can understand and heal. And yet, the restlessness that shaped Eleanor's life still haunts her in death. Somehow, she must solve the mystery of her life -- or none of them will be at peace.

My Review:

I like the concept for this book and the story was intriguing.  I did however, have a hard time wrapping my mind around the concept and actually getting into the story.  Once the reader can get through the changes and the actual world of the afterlife it is easier reading.  The characters show growth throughout and are relatable on some level.  Overall I did enjoy reading the book though the first part was hard to get through.

About the Author:

Karen A. Wyle was born a Connecticut Yankee, but eventually settled in Bloomington, Indiana, home of Indiana University. She now considers herself a Hoosier. Wyle's childhood ambition was to be the youngest ever published novelist. While writing her first novel at age 10, she was mortified to learn that some British upstart had beaten her to the goal at age 9.

Wyle is an appellate attorney, photographer, political junkie, and mother of two daughters. Her voice is the product of almost five decades of reading both literary and genre fiction. It is no doubt also influenced, although she hopes not fatally tainted, by her years of law practice. Her personal history has led her to focus on often-intertwined themes of family, communication, the impossibility of controlling events, and the persistence of unfinished business.

Author website: http://www.KarenAWyle.net

The Beginning - Book I - The Four Series by Margaret A. Millmore

3 stars

Genres: Fantasy, romance, vampires, werewolves

Format: ebook

190 pages

Published by World Castle Publishing

Published in August 5th 2012

ISBN: 1938961099

ISBN13: 9781938961090

Where to Buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

View on Goodreads

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

Summary from Goodreads:

They do exist and they always have. They live, love, and work amongst us and they are part of us. But they are different too, they are stronger and they live longer. They are the topic of many books, movies and myths, but their existence remains a secret, not everyone would accept them. And like us, they have those that are simply evil. Keeping these evil ones under control is the price they must pay to continue the lives they love. They must protect their human brethren from the Dark Ones, those that would rather kill than preserve.

Century after century the good battled the Dark Ones, always prevailing and preserving the lives of their beloved humans. In the 17th century, two powerful Dark leaders emerged, they organized their forces and a bitter war ensued. It was a fight to the death and the good thought they’d won. Four warriors led the battle, four warriors whose strength was beyond anything they knew, four warriors whose legacy had to be protected…

The good formed a consortium and with the help of a powerful sorcerer, a spell was cast; a spell that would follow the warriors’ lineage in case their power was needed again. The warriors are long dead, but their heirs are not, and now they must fight. The Dark Ones have re-emerged, they are more powerful, more resourceful and they want to control mankind and the world.

My Review:
The world overall was set up pretty well.  I did not like the time shift parts in the beginning of the story it just seemed like one chapter jumped into the next.  The couple of chapters from Sam’s point of view also seemed weird when everything else was from Clare's perspective.  

Although Charlie did say that the vampires and werewolves were confused about the spell and why Kate was involved going throughout the whole book we did not find even a slight answer to that.  I know there are going to be sequels and this book set everything up nicely but didn't really explain a lot except just the basics.  

The character development was a little flat too; in actuality the reader did not learn that much about the characters themselves.  They were kind of just there.  I really liked Charlie and all the mystery surrounding him, he was also the most well explained and developed character out of everyone.  The reader can get the sense that he was flawed but also had redeeming qualities to his personality and I hope there are a lot more interactions with him and Clare.  I'm interested to see how this story is going to progress.

About the Author:

A native Californian, currently residing with her husband in San Francisco; she is the grandniece of Irish author Benedict Kiely and the second cousin of Irish author Sharon Owens. Current published works are: Doppelganger Experiment (World Castle Publishing, September 2011) and The Beginning - Book I - The Four Series(World Castle Publishing, August 2012); The Change - Book II - The Four Series (World Castle Publishing, October 2012) - release dates for books III and IV are expected in December 2012 through February 2013.

Author webpage: http://www.margaretmillmore.com

New Upcoming Releases: November 5th – 11th

(Sorry about the pictures, they were not working for me on this one . . . )

 Monday, November 5th

Ethereal Devices (Steampunk Scarlett #3) by Kailin Gow

On the hunt to find her childhood friend Gordon and her parents’ friend Holmes, Scarlett embarks on a journey into the ethereal world on an airship from one of the immortals along with Cruces and Tavian. Still marked by the Order, however, Scarlett’s journey is a lot harder than meets the eye.  

The Gin Lovers #6: Hell Hath No Fury byJamie Brenner

Set against the turbulent and glamorous backdrop of Prohibition and the rise of the jazz age, The Gin Lovers is a sensual and romantic story of how one high society woman’s passion and courage lead her to love.

It’s the riskiest night of Charlotte’s life as she sets her trap for William in motion. It seems like a flawless plan – until Jake learns of her dangerous ploy and runs to save her, inadvertently putting him directly in the line of fire. And when William discovers his wife’s devastating betrayal, Charlotte realizes she might pay the ultimate price in her bid for freedom.

Tuesday November 6th

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is--and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream? 




Deity (Covenant series #3) by JenniferArmentrout

"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...

The Marriage Mistake (Marriage to a Billionaire #3) by Jennifer Probst

Carina Conte has had a crush on her brother Michael’s best friend, Max Gray, since she was a teenager. Now she’s earned her MBA and come to work at Michael’s new venture, America’s fastest-growing bakery empire. But some things never change: her family still treats her like a child. With three drop-dead gorgeous siblings, she’s still the ugly duckling of the bunch. And Max, the company’s new CEO, still barely notices her.

Max knows Carina Conte is strictly off limits. But hot-blooded lust wins out at a conference when the two share a scorching one-night stand—and are busted by her mother! Now, forced by old-world Italian tradition into a marriage he’s not ready for, Max is miserable—and Carina is furious. Her new husband is about to realize that hell hath no fury like a woman transformed

A Gentleman Never Tells by Juliana Gray

Six years ago, Elizabeth Harewood and Lord Roland Penhallow were London's golden couple, young and beautiful and wildly in love. Forced apart by her scheming relatives and his clandestine career, Lilibet and Roland buried their passion beneath years of duty and self-denial, until a chance holiday encounter changes everything they ever knew about themselves...and each other. But Miss Elizabeth Harewood is now the Countess of Somerton, estranged wife of one of England's most brutal and depraved aristocrats, and she can't afford the slightest hint of scandal to her name. When Roland turns up mysteriously at the castle where she's hidden herself away, she struggles to act as a lady should, but the gallant lover of her youth has grown into an irresistibly dashing and dangerous man, and temptation is only a single kiss away.

Wednesday, November 7th

Holiday Hoax by Jennifer Probst

A short, sweet, holiday novella from Wild Rose Press, coming November 7th 2012!

Aidan Hunter is tired of city living and shallow women who only want to date him for his money and family legacy. Dubbed “The Pasta King” and named most eligible bachelor in New York City, he escapes to his cabin upstate to figure out what he wants. He hopes to meet a woman who will love him for who he is…but he never counted on a certain schoolteacher to throw his world into chaos.

Isabella Summers is shocked at the sexual attraction she feels for the rude worker on the Christmas tree farm. But when he shows up at a friend’s party and seeks her out, she finds she no longer wants to fight their attraction…but she never counted on love with a stranger carrying a secret.

Can love and truth triumph?

Thursday, November 8th

Flash point by Nancy Kress

Reality TV meets a chillingly realistic version of America—and the fame game is on!

Amy had dreams of going to college, until the Collapse destroyed the economy and her future. Now she is desperate for any job that will help support her terminally ill grandmother and rebellious younger sister. When she finds herself in the running for a slot on a new reality TV show, she signs on the dotted line, despite her misgivings. And she’s right to have them. TLN’s Who Knows People, Baby—You? has an irresistible premise: correctly predict what the teenage cast will do in a crisis and win millions. But the network has pulled strings to make it work, using everything from 24/7 hidden cameras to life-threatening technology to flat-out rigging. Worse, every time the ratings slip, TLN ups the ante. Soon Amy is fighting for her life—on and off camera.

Friday November 9th

The Drifting (The Velesi Trilogy #2) by L. Filloon

It is Lily’s first day in the Velesi realm but not as the princess she was made to believe, but as a captive to a strange Lithi elf name Ziri – Tharin and Tolan’s mysterious brother. Who is he and why has he taken her? Or is he only a pawn in someone’s deadly game of chess?

Tharin and Lily discover a prophecy involving the Unnamed Sidhe and a way back to Eirrell, the birthplace of the Thirteen Clans. However, before they can get to the doorway to Eirrell, Lily must first make it to the Day of the Seating to take her rightful place on the throne of the Willow Clan.

Tharin must keep Lily safe until the Day of the Seating even if it means keeping the beautiful Sidhe warrior Kalis close to him. Will he be able to protect his naïve, but stubborn bride-to-be not just from Harlu but from his warrior mistress? He once again turns to his brother and cousin, to only find that Tolan has his own problems with his feisty Julia.

Thank goodness for the future king of Velesi that he has Phoris, Alorn and Mellis to cover his royal back.

Welcome to Velesi, a realm existing alongside our own with their own rules, their own players and their own way of life.

Heiress of Lies (Bloodtruth #1) by Cege Smith

4 stars
Genres: Paranormal, Vampires, Fantasy, Romance
Format: Kindle Edition
190 pages
Published by Amazon Digital Services
Published in February 12th 2012
Where to Buy: Amazon
View on Goodreads

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

Synopsis from Goodreads:

With the King of Altera on his deathbed, all eyes are on his only child, eighteen year old Angeline Robart. The crown princess spent the last two years finishing her studies in a remote convent far away from the capital city of Brebackerin and the prying public. After being called home to her father's side in preparation for her Ascension, Angeline is kidnapped en route by Connor, a mysterious rogue who has his own reasons for becoming involved in the high stakes game of intrigue.

As the last of the Robart bloodline, Angeline soon discovers that enemies long thought conquered have been doing nothing but lying in wait for just such an opportunity to turn things to their advantage. Worse yet, by uncovering those secrets Angeline is forced to confront the possibility that no one expected her to ever take the throne in anything but title only.

Facing the impossible consequences of a freak accident, Angeline must travel a dangerous path to regain control of her fate and her kingdom even if that means relying on Connor, who epitomizes everything her family hated and tried to destroy. But the more she learns about Connor, the more she realizes they have far more in common than she ever expected, and that could make him just the ally she needs.

My Review:

The premise of the story is very inspirational and unique and I love the development of the world that Smith created.  The development of how vampires and humans came into existence is very exceptional too.  Angeline is a very strong character with a forceful personality making her easily able to accept change and lead herself towards a decision for survival.  Connor is an enticing character that is troubled and flawed by his past but his maturity and want of redemption is endearing.

Overall I loved the progression of the story and the pace.  I am excited to read the sequel.

About the Author:

Information on: http://www.cegesmith.com