Book Review - Distant Thunder by Dennis Sharpe

Publication Date: August 21st, 2016

Genre: Paranormal Thriller/ Horror

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

Here's the Summary:

You can take the dead girl out of the country…

Veronica Fischer, small-town bloodsucking madam, is an orphan or at least she finally feels that way. Jules, the one who made her, is gone and cleaning up after him isn't something she ever thought she'd have to do.

While her hometown seems to be turning against her, she’s forced to set off for the bright lights of the big city with a carload of her dysfunctional supernatural family, hoping not to have to face the Dragon of Chicago.

Now she has to rescue a sister she didn't know she had, keep Rachel—her adopted 8-year-old ghost—safe, and try to keep Pekin from unraveling under the onset of the coming storm. 

Sex, violence, and cryptic undead prophecy—all for fun and profit.

My Thoughts:

Wow! What a wild ride this was. There were a lot more elements to the story this time around, and while there was also more to keep up with, and by nature a lot of jumping around, Mr. Sharpe made it easy for us to follow what was going on. So not only were the different story lines well-crafted and entertaining, it was well-written. Bravo!

So lets get down to specifics, shall we? V was just as bad-ass and lovable this time around! I simply adore her character. And her scenes and romance with Garrett, while kind of sporadic in this one, felt a good bit deeper and a lot steamier! I was happy to see their relationship evolve.

Speaking of evolving - the antagonists in this one were a lot more sinister, and when we finally see who's behind it all (the coming storm, that is),  it's a complete shocker! And I'm not saying that with sarcasm. I seriously didn't see it coming. And to make things just a touch harrier, there's a crazy cat lady thrown in there too (pun intended), as well as an ancient vampire nicknamed the Dragon. I was glued to the pages to see how it would all end!

And of course, I can't end the review without talking about the supporting characters! We're introduced to some new ones like Lorelei, who, if I'm completely honest, was a fantastic addition to the story. She added unintentional humor and levity to otherwise bleak situations, but she was also a tad haunting. Her naive, childlike spirit in combination with her advanced gift of reading people made for one of the most interesting characters I've ever read. Frank, V's right-hand-man, was as broody and conflicted as ever, and Sunny was her typical petulant bad-ass self, as well! I really hope Mr. Sharpe continues this series forever and ever. Consider that my formal request ;)

So in short, if you were thinking Book Two would be just as riveting and entertaining as the first, you'd be wrong! It was so much more!

Favorite quote: 

"Fingers move like flames, dancing over exposed flesh, and I'm awash. Just touching him and being touched is a thousand little releases. I realize that there are now parts of my mind and my emotions, normally so well-guarded, that are completely open to him. I'm laid bare before him and thrusting myself upon him and yet I'm completely unafraid."

About the Author:

Born and raised in the middle of the American Midwest, Dennis Sharpe has been a writer as long as he can remember. His mother has told many people about the fantasy and science fiction stories he'd write on scraps of paper, and staple together as his 'books', before he'd attended his first day of formal education.

He has spent many late nights at diners and dives, drinking coffee with a tattered notebook to put a voice to his feelings of himself and the world around him, and other worlds that can exist only in fiction. The voices in his head don't ever stop talking to him, and so sooner or later he has to get out onto a page all that they've filled him up with.

Inspired by Neil Gaiman, Kurt Vonnegut, Frank Miller, Chrissie Pappas, Charles Bukowski, Stephen King, Issac Asimov, and countless classic literary influences, Dennis continues with the ability to write what at a glance might seem absurd, but quickly begins to resonate with our own thoughts and emotions. He writes people we know, love we've known and lost (and found again), and places we've been in our lives and in our heads. Even his fictional characters and worlds carry enough of the grey areas we experience in day-to-day life, to let us find the truth in his words, no matter how fantastic.

These days he can be found still writing, drinking coffee with friends, or spending time with his children (the true joys of his life), in Western Kentucky.

Blog: http://witlesslackey.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDennisSharpe

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Witlesslackey

Book Review - Emancipation by Jo Michaels

Publication Date: March 19th, 2016

Genre: Psychological Thriller

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

Here's the Summary:

Tobias Butler has been sitting on death row since being sentenced for a gruesome murder in 2007. Bored out of his mind, he decided to apply to the online penpal program in 2012. It's a pleasant distraction—nothing more, nothing less—for three years, until he's contacted by a beautiful, smart young lawyer named Jess. She's convinced he's innocent and wants to see him freed. As they organize their attack on the judicial system, he wonders how she plans to get his conviction overturned—because he's guilty, and he knows it. Jess is desperate to release him—and he's desperate to feel his hands squeeze the life out of her once she does.

My Thoughts:

Emancipation was easily one of my top reads for 2016. I would even go so far as to say it was my FAVORITE read of 2016. Why? Because I rate a book based on how much it pulls me in and makes me forget it's fiction, and Ms. Jo Michaels succeeded by leaps and bounds. Not once was I jarred out of the story because of typos, inconsistencies, sloppy prose, or unrealistic writing. I BELIEVED I was in Tobias' mind. For the duration of the book, I was in the mind of a serial killer. Now that's not to say that at times the story didn't jar me in some way and I had to set the book down for a moment and catch my breath, but it wasn't because of anything other than because Tobias is a sick, sick man. And if you read this book looking for ANY type of "love conquers all" or "bad boy romance" type stuff, you'll be sorely disappointed. The only way you need to approach this book is with an open mind and a stiff drink, because after the last couple of chapters, you're going to need it. Also, not that this really needs to be said since you've been warned about being in the mind of a serial killer, but if you can't take cussing, dark thoughts, or disturbing imagery, then I would pick up a nice little cozy mystery or something.

Lets move on to the other characters in the story. I've already covered that Tobias is a sick man and how well Ms. Michaels portrays him, but lets not let that overshadow the leading lady, Jessica Phang (love the name, by the way!). Ms. Phang is a rich, busty attorney whose life goal is to get Tobias out of prison. Why? Because she's followed his case since law school and knows in her marrow he's innocent... even though he's not. She's feisty and driven, and even a little slutty, but don't let that fool you; Ms. Phang has secrets too, and by the end of it all you'll realize she's much, much more. The other character worth mentioning is Tobias' cell mate, Hector (aka Rooster). On the outside, he's a rough-around-the-edges gangster, on the inside, he's a scared man just trying to not make enemies or be on the wrong end of a shank. That's good character development, my lovelies, and it also gives us a character to relate to. Who wouldn't be scared out of their mind in prison?

Lastly, the pacing was perfect for a Psychological Thriller. Not at any point was I bored. All elements of the story were also nicely layered and pieced together. But like I said before, this was my favorite read of 2016. There wasn't a thing about it I didn't like.

So in short, if you're looking for an entertaining, dark and twisty read, this novel is for you!

Favorite quote: 

“There was no other feeling like it. He'd done research on drug addicts and what drove them, and his body reacted in much the same way. It wasn't just the pleasure driving him, it was the relief from the agony.”

About the Author:

Hi, I'm Jo. Let's forget all the "Jo Michaels is blah, blah, blah" stuff and just go with it. I'm a voracious reader (often reading more than one book at a time), a writer, a book reviewer, a mom, a wife, and one of the EICs at INDIE Books Gone Wild. I have an almost photographic memory and tend to make people cringe at the number of details I can recall about them and/or their book(s). My imagination follows me around like a conjoined twin and causes me to space out pretty often or laugh out loud randomly in completely inappropriate situations.

I have a degree in graphic design, and my journey to the end was one few students who begin that program ever complete. However, this was one case where my memory and OCD tendencies helped me. Graduation was one of the most amazing days of my life. But, my most amazing day was when my now husband proposed. Every little girl dreams of being Cinderella someday, and he pulled off the proposal of fantasies.

Find her at: http://jomichaels.blogspot.com/

Book Review - Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

Publication Date: April 2016

Genre: Mystery/ Thriller

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

Here's the Summary:

HER PERFECT LIFE IS A PERFECT LIE.

As a teenager at the prestigious Bradley School, Ani FaNelli endured a shocking, public humiliation that left her desperate to reinvent herself. Now, with a glamorous job, expensive wardrobe, and handsome blue blood fiancé, she’s this close to living the perfect life she’s worked so hard to achieve.

But Ani has a secret.

There’s something else buried in her past that still haunts her, something private and painful that threatens to bubble to the surface and destroy everything.

With a singular voice and twists you won’t see coming, Luckiest Girl Alive explores the unbearable pressure that so many women feel to “have it all” and introduces a heroine whose sharp edges and cutthroat ambition have been protecting a scandalous truth, and a heart that's bigger than it first appears.

The question remains: will breaking her silence destroy all that she has worked for—or, will it at long last, set Ani free?

My Thoughts:

I have to admit, the book was hard for me to get into at first. Ani isn't a character you instantly warm to. She's materialistic, judgmental, and has a perpetual chip on her shoulder. There wasn't a single part of her personality I could relate to. HOWEVER, the deeper you delve into the story, the more you realize why she is the was she is. It was because of the tragedy and humiliation she had to overcome. She wanted to reinvent herself. And really, who could blame her!

What I WILL say about Mrs. Knoll's writing is that it's richly textured and razor-sharp. It's something to be admired! Her knack for descriptions and character development are what kept me hooked. And when you get to the scene that everything builds to (and believe me, you'll know what scene I'm talking about), you'll be glued to the pages until the end. Not to mention, even though the flashbacks in the book were set in the 90's, there are several relevant life lessons that every teenager needs to hear. Well done, Ms. Knoll!

Favorite quote: 

“Moving on doesn’t mean you don’t talk about it. Or hurt about it. It’s always going to hurt.”

About the Author:

Jessica Knoll has been a senior editor at Cosmopolitan, and the articles editor at SELF. She grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and graduated from The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. She lives in New York City with her husband.

Find her at: http://www.jessicaknoll.com

Book Review - Harley and Rose by Carmen Jenner

Publication Date: October 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

Here's the Summary:

Ever since she was a little girl, thirty-year-old Rose dreamed of the day Harley would carry her across the threshold on their honeymoon. So what if this isn’t her actual wedding day, and that she’s only here because Harley was left at the altar just a few hours earlier?

Trading San Francisco for paradise and swapping her bridesmaid’s bouquet for a Blue Hawaii, Rose hopes she can finally escape the friend zone.

Once upon a time they had been more than friends, but life got in the way. She’s spent every day since wishing Harley would get a clue.

She’s always been his best friend.

He’s always been hers.

She’s in love with him.

He’s … not in love with her.

He’s … marrying someone else.

He’s … hiding something.

He’s … well—it’s complicated.

My Thoughts:

Okay so let me preface this review with saying that I didn't realize what I was getting myself into with this book. This is the very first story I've delved into from the author. I'd heard great things about her, saw great things about her work, and when the opportunity came up to review her recent novel, I took the plunge. And if you know me well, you know that I typically don't invest in stories that aren't paranormal or supernatural in nature (and certainly not to the point of committing time to review one) unless I feel like it's worth my precious time. I'd bore you with the details of my oh so busy life, but you all get it because we're all busy, and I'm knee deep in writing my last novel of my current series, so time. is. precious.

So what made me commit? I kept hearing how this story would tear my heart out, and how wonderfully strong and broken the heroine (Rose) is, so I knew immediately this story had the promise of depth. And that's something, whether paranormal or not, that can make anyone appreciate the ride, so I thought "why not? I'd love to see what this is about."

And I'm glad I never looked back.

There aren't many stories out there that make me cry, but holy cow, did this one achieve that. Again, Rose is so beautifully broken and strong (which someone could only be after being so broken), and she shares a relationship with "Lost Boy" Harley that most people long for their entire lives, but yet... they can't ever seem to quite get in sync (despite their sizzling chemistry),  and so the story spirals them into a roller coaster of hurt and desperation. I had an idea of what I thought this book was going to be and left it completely shattered. Despite how much I was rooting for them, this is not a happy, feel good romance. This is real. This is LIFE, people. But Carmen also knows how to weave a story with just enough humor to keep it balanced.

And because I don't want to give ANY part of this book away, I'll have to stop there, but I beg you... read this book!

PS - LOVE all the references to Peter Pan! It gives it that extra layer of magic that makes it so special.

Favorite quote: 

"It’s why I call him Pan. He’s the original lost boy, and he’s always been so damn good at getting me to follow behind him like a lovesick Wendy with Peter."

About the Author:

Carmen Jenner is a thirty-something, USA TODAY and international bestselling author of the Sugartown, Savage Saints, and Taint series.
Her dark romance, KICK (Savage Saints MC #1), won Best Dark Romance Read in the Reader’s Choice Awards at RWDU 2015.
A tattoo enthusiast, hardcore MAC addict and zombie fangirl, Carmen lives on the sunny north coast of New South Wales, Australia, where she spends her time indoors wrangling her two wildling children, a dog named Pikelet, and her very own man-child.
A romantic at heart, Carmen strives to give her characters the HEA they deserve, but not before ruining their lives completely first … because what’s a happily ever after without a little torture?

Find her here: http://www.carmenjenner.com/

Book Review and Giveaway - Edge of Wild by Danika Stone

Publication Date: May 2016

Genre: Mystery/ Thriller

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

Here's the Summary:

Transplanted from New York City to the tiny mountain town of Waterton, Alberta with the task of saving a floundering new hotel, Rich Evans is desperate to return to the city as soon as he can. The locals seem unusually hostile towards his efforts, or maybe even menacing, and was that a cougar on his door-step last night? As Rich begins to wonder whether his predecessor disappeared of his own accord, he finds himself strongly drawn to Louise Newman, the garage mechanic who is fixing his suddenly unreliable BMW, and the only person in Waterton who doesn’t seem desperate to run him out of town. As Rich works on the hotel, the town is torn apart by a series of gruesome, unsolved murders. With Louise as his only ally in a town that seems set against him, Rich can’t help but wonder: will he be the next victim?

My Thoughts:

Holy cow! Where do I start with this one? First, the author can write descriptions like nobody's business. Case in point:

"Unlike the marinas in larger communities, Waterton's waterfront had no life after the sun went down. The main walkway was bare, spectral shadows cast from the trees overhead dancing in the the golden circles of street lamps. The shoreline, with its slope-roofed buildings, was eerily abandoned; a circular parking lot, bustling during daylight hours was empty save for a single motorcycle."

Ms. Stone has some writing chops, and that always makes it easier to get into a story when your eyes aren't constantly fumbling over sentences. I also liked the richness of the setting and her characters. Her lead female, Lou, is an attractive auto mechanic with visions of past lives and is funny and caring and sweet. And Rich... a go-get-em business man who's just trying to keep it together while he cleans up the messes his predecessor made with the new hotel in town, all while he's being stalked and his cabin broken into... and oh, yeah - as he deals with the prickly townspeople who don't want anything to do with the changes he wants to make to their beloved small town. Throw in some murders, some determined cops, some sweet, steamy scenes between Lou and Rich, and you've got one heck of a Crime Thriller. But I'll stop there, because us authors work really hard to give you the best story possible, and I can't stand the thought of ruining anything. But what I will say is that the ending won't disappoint!

Well done, Danika! Can't wait to read the rest of the books in your catalog!

Favorite quote: 

“Sometimes you have to wait out the night,” she said quietly “Morning always comes.”

GIVEAWAY! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

Danika Stone is an author, artist, and educator who discovered a passion for writing fiction while in the throes of her Masters thesis. A self-declared bibliophile, Danika now writes novels for both adults (The Intaglio Series, Edge of Wild and Ctrl Z) and teens (Icarus, and All the Feels). When not writing, Danika can be found hiking in the Rockies, planning grand adventures, and spending far too much time online. She lives with her husband, three sons, and a houseful of imaginary characters in a windy corner of Alberta, Canada.

Find her here: http://www.danikastone.com/

Book Review - End of Days (Penryn and the End of Days, Book Three) by Susan Ee

Publication Date: November 19th, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

Here's the Summary:

End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy. After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

My Thoughts:

Since this is the sequel to World After, I'm not going to break this one down into my "the good, the bad and the ugly" categories. I'm reading this series because the first book caught my eye, and quite frankly, I fell hard. This series is everything. *pensive sigh*

So let's start with everything I loved about this third and final installment, and I'll try really hard not to give anything away. Raffe and Penryn's love is as angsty as ever in the beginning. After they're reunited, they spend a few days in hiding together and things start to get a little steamy... until Raffe has to pry himself away from her again and remind her (and himself) why their love can never be. He remembers what happened to his men all those years ago, how they'd been banished to the Pit to basically rot and become demons. Not to mention, he wants to be Messenger, and he can't very well be gallivanting around with a human if he wants the position. It just wasn't in the cards for them to be together. But don't lose hope, my lovelies, because the ending will more than satisfy. ;) And there are a few more sweet/ steamy/ tear-your-heart out moments in between.

Another great thing about this book is it gives you a little more background story on one of the nastiest characters - Beliel. And you start to find yourself almost feeling bad for him. That, to me, is the mark of a good writer: their characters aren't all good or all bad. Something (or a lot of somethings) happened to them in life to make them the way they are. And sometimes, the good ones started out bad, or the bad ones started out good. And some of them are equal parts of both.

Something else that I loved was the author's portrayal of Hell (the Pit) and the demon lords. And as a Public Service Announcement, her descriptions of the demon lords and their whips with human heads on the ends and what they do to fallen angels will make you lose sleep. These books are NOT for the squeamish, but they're also amazingly descriptive and original.

I'm not worthy!!!

Now for the ending - the most important part of a series! I've already mentioned that readers won't be disappointed with the way Raffe and Penryn's love story ends (and lets be honest, that's what the majority of us cared about), but we also want to know the fate of the world! What's going to happen to the rest of humanity? Without being too spoilery, we learn that there will be a contest where angels will kill as many humans as possible, so will the human race be gone for good now? Not while our feisty little Penryn is still breathing! But that's all I'll say, other than to be prepared to gasp, dig your nails into something, and have to take momentary mental breaks so you can cope with what's going on. Susan Ee gives us one heck of a fight scene at the end!

Now that I'm done with the things I LOVED, I'll dig into the things that took away half a star... though I'll still round it up to five because I'm so obsessed with the story and the characters. And let me preface this by saying that in the grand scheme of things, they aren't even that big of a deal and don't detract from the overall story; we're still given one hell of a ride. But there are a few things that made me go "huh?"

****SPOILER ALERTS****

For instance, it's a tad silly to me how an angel can have his wings sliced off and reattached so many times (three times, if I counted right), and then he flies around on them like nothing happened. I get that they're angels and that they heal faster than humans, but when they get injured in other parts of the book, they need time to recover. And they're freaking slicing through his wing joints! Sometimes not even with the careful hand of a surgeon. Twice, his wings are brutally cut off with axes or a sword. I just couldn't reconcile that in my head.

Something else that didn't seem right to me was that Penryn would be off taking care of other things while TRUSTING the winged scorpions to look after her sister Paige. The same sister she fought so hard to find and protect in the other two novels. Granted, Paige had some involuntary... alterations done to her body, thanks to a surgeon, and could better fend for herself now, and these scorpions were like her pets, but they were also unpredictable and it felt out of place for Penryn to trust them with a member of her family.

In conclusion, while there were a few things that bugged me, overall this was a fantastic ending to one of the best series I've ever read. Susan Ee has a way of sucking you with her writing and characters, and it won't let go until the end. Be prepared to miss a lot of sleep! 

About the Author:

Susan Ee is a USA Today bestselling author of the Penryn & the End of Days trilogy, ANGELFALL, WORLD AFTER, and END OF DAYS. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages, and her short films have played at major festivals. She used to be a lawyer but loves being a writer because it allows her imagination to bust out and go feral.

Sign up to hear about her next book at www.susanee.com or follow her on Twitter @Susan_Ee.

Book Review - Moth to a Flame by Micheal Omer

Publication Date: July 3rd 2015

Genre: YA Supernatural Thriller

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON 

Here's the Summary:

I was almost killed by a delusional murderer five months ago. Since then, the recurring nightmares, creepy hallucinations and overpowering fear are gone. That's good, right? I mean, no one in their right minds wants to feel like that. I am starting to wonder if I'm in my right mind anymore...

When a lady in my neighborhood died, I couldn't help but stick my nose in, to see what happened. I should just get on with things–I've got some new friends, and a cool boy named Chris has taken an interest in me. Everyone is telling me to just leave this weird murder alone.

But I can't stop myself. The more I find out about her death, the more twisted everything is.

I think there’s a predator in Narrowdale. And now it’s hunting me…What have I gotten myself into?

My Thoughts:

The Good:

Let me just start off by saying that I love how this setting has endless possibilities. First, you have a clever girl who is prone to life-threatening idiocy, but only because she's curious and has some sort of abnormal fixation on figuring out why strange things happen and solving murders. THEN, you throw her into a town where strange things repeatedly happen and people get murdered, so you could literally write book after book after book. You're a smart man, Mr. Omer! But the the set-up isn't the only good thing about his books. His POV character Amy is clever and curious (I know, I already said that), hates school and tests like the rest of us (which makes her relatable), is adorably clueless about love and boys, and is actually pretty dang witty. Maybe it's because it's been awhile since I read the first novel in this series, but I feel like her "funny" came out more in this one. I found myself laughing as much as I was wincing or screeching. And yes, I do all those things while I'm reading. My husband and kids and dog can attest to that :)

Another good thing worth mentioning is that Mr. Omer doesn't write predictable stories. In Moth to a Flame, I wasn't able to figure out who the killer was until Amy did. However, I did figure out another big reveal before Amy did, but I almost think it was intentional on the writer's part. I won't say much more than that for fear of giving it away.

The Bad:

There really isn't anything bad to say about this book, other than I still wish we knew more about what Amy and her friends look like. We don't get much more than hair color and body-types or accessories. And I couldn't tell you what her parents look like at all. Perhaps Mr. Omer did describe them (and I'm sure he did), it just didn't stick with me for whatever reason. None of that is really a deal-breaker though.

The Ugly:

Nothing to say in this category!

In Short: 

Moth to a Flame is an excellent sequel to the first. I highly recommend this series!

Favorite Quote:

"How can everyone here be so loud? So cheerful? I want to scream at them to be quiet. I want to hit one of them. I want to kick the back of the seat in front of me. I want to smash the window and jump out. I want to cry. I do none of those things." 

About the Author:

My name is Michael Omer, and I’m a writer, journalist and game designer. I wrote and published my first novel when I was sixteen, and figured I’d keep at it. Since then, I have published two more novels, and wrote… who can even count how many? I’m happily married to a woman who keeps pushing me to write more, and have three kids who insist I should stop writing and come play with them. I also have two dogs.

Visit his Amazon page here!

Book Review - World After (Penryn and the End of Days, Book Two) by Susan Ee

Publication Date: November 19th, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

Here's the Summary:

In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world. When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans, where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

My Thoughts:

Since this is the sequel to Angelfall, I'm not going to break this one down into my "the good, the bad and the ugly" categories. I'm reading this series because the first book caught my eye, and quite frankly, I fell hard. This series is everything. *pensive sigh*

So let's start with Raffe. If I could pull him from the pages and clone him, I would. I love how beautiful he is. I love how his relationship with Pen is forbidden and angsty. I love how he's a valiant former warrior who's on a mission to get his wings and reputation back. I was rooting for him the whole way through, and I hope Book Three doesn't disappoint in that regard. I hope poor Raffe gets the retribution he deserves!

Then there's the subject of Paige. Sweet, monster-like Paige with her creepy stitches and metal teeth. She's a literal example of how an apocalypse can change someone into a living nightmare, but at least in this book we learn that some form of redemption might be found there. I'll leave it at that so I don't give anything away.

That brings me to Penryn. She was a lot gutsier in this book. Not that she was a timid little thing in the first one, but I definitely noticed a slight character arc with her in Book Two. The circumstances were a lot more dire, and she not only rose to the occasion, she seemed to almost thrive. No wonder she's survived in this environment so long. I almost wonder how she would do if life ever went back to normal. Her family's version of 'normal,' anyway.

Lastly, in this book we get a better glimpse at what the angels have been up to, and let me tell you, to think that they could ever think of humans as a gluttonous and self-centered race makes me want to laugh and choke them out all at the same time. We don't hold a candle to these guys. But what an amazing twist this gives to the way we've always thought of them - noble and protective. It definitely gives us an entertaining and thought-provoking point of view, which is just one of the MANY reasons this series has done so well. 

Okay, enough with the gushing. Off to read Book Three!!!

About the Author:

Susan Ee is a USA Today bestselling author of the Penryn & the End of Days trilogy, ANGELFALL, WORLD AFTER, and END OF DAYS. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages, and her short films have played at major festivals. She used to be a lawyer but loves being a writer because it allows her imagination to bust out and go feral.

Sign up to hear about her next book at www.susanee.com or follow her on Twitter @Susan_Ee.

Book Review - The Vale of Ghosts (The Archaust Saga, Book One) by Jeffrey Aaron Miller

Release Date: June 7th 2015

Genre: Fantasy/ Paranormal/ Horror

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON 

Here's the Summary:

A malevolent presence dwells in the vale below the town of Siliven, and only the relic wall of the prophet Cabrien keeps it at bay. When a local girl, Annella Fenn, learns that her cousin has crossed the relic wall and entered the vale, her curiosity compels her to investigate. In the process, she inadvertently sets in motion events that put the whole town in danger. Now, she works feverishly to undo the damage, but she is dealing with an ancient magic that is far more powerful than she realizes, and the fate of the whole kingdom hangs in the balance.

My Thoughts:

The Good:

The character development. Every single one of Mr, Miller's characters are believable as real living, breathing people, and that's hard to do as an author - make them realistic enough so that they aren't two-dimensional, but not overdoing it and making them caricatures. For example, the POV character, Annella (or Ann), can be curious yet cautious, reckless but considerate, but she isn't overtly any of those things. Boys are attracted to her, but they aren't all fawning all over her, and the fact that there is no insta-love gets major bonus points with me.

Ghosts, ghosts and more ghosts! The book is categorized as fantasy, but in my opinion it's far more paranormal, so fans of either genre will enjoy it. I love both genres equally! So mix together realistic characters, possessions, and the mysteries surrounding the Archaust and its owner, Vyshe (our antagonist), and you've got a truly haunting but entertaining story.

Originality. I can honestly say I've never read a book like this in either the paranormal or the fantasy genres, and that gets points with me, as well!

The writing. Mr. Miller's prose flows well and is an easy read. With some fantasy books the author tries to pack in too many descriptions (and hard-to-pronounce names and places) and  makes it hard to trudge through. I like just enough to insert me into the story; I don't need to read three paragraphs dedicated to a single landscape. I'd just skim over it anyway.

The author 'goes there.' Many times an author doesn't have the gall to kill off a character or have them suffer. Maybe just enough so that the story seems believable. But it takes an author with true grit to really put their characters through hell, and this author does - another reason this is an entertaining book. When you find yourself grimacing, gasping and needing to look away so you can gather yourself before continuing, you know you've found a good read! I will offer a word of caution, though, to those who don't like gore - there are a few scenes with blood and decaying bodies being controlled by the dead.

The Bad:

There really isn't anything bad to say about this book, other than I wish there would have been a tad bit more romance. But that's really just a personal preference. Maybe there will be more in the next books!

The Ugly:

Nothing to say in this category!

In Short: 

This paranormal gem is well-written and wildly captivating. I'm eagerly awaiting book two!

Favorite Quote:

"What's it like?" Ann asked. "Being in the Archaust."

He considered the question. "You feel bad emotions, and you go around and around, and nothing ever gets better. But the more you go around, the more you feel pieces of yourself breaking off."

"Doesn't sound all that different from my life lately," Ann muttered.

About the Author:

Jeffrey Aaron Miller is a 1997 graduate of the Creative Writing program at the University of Arkansas. He has held a wide variety of jobs over the years, including but not limited to social worker, bus driver, postal carrier, pastor, tire salesman, and content writer, but through it all, he has remained a storyteller. He is the author of numerous novels in the genres of science fiction, fantasy and YA. He resides in Northwest Arkansas with his wife and children.

Visit his Amazon page here!

Book Review - Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Days, Book One) by Susan Ee

Release Date: August 18th, 2012

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

Here's the Summary:

It’s been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back. Anything, including making a deal with Raffe, an injured enemy angel. Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they journey toward the angels’ stronghold in San Francisco, where Penryn will risk everything to rescue her sister and Raffe will put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

My Thoughts:

I'm not going to break this one down into my "the good, the bad and the ugly" categories since this isn't a read-to-review book, but Angelfall was so incredibly good I couldn't pass up an opportunity to rave about it for a few paragraphs. 

First of all, this was everything I had been hoping for in Alice in Zombieland (and if you follow me on Goodreads, you know I was sorely disappointed!). Angelfall was gritty, intense, deliciously disturbing yet wonderfully poignant. 

So let's start with Penryn's family, which, in addition to Penryn, who is a semi-normal teenage girl (well, as normal as one could be in a post-apocalyptic world), consists of a disturbed, schizophrenic mother and paraplegic younger sister, and they are trying to survive is a world that is in ruins after the angels came to destroy it. Yes, angels destroyed our world! Their family dynamic here is gut-wrenching and harrowing (and when you read about some of the things her mother does, you'll know why I say harrowing), but somehow still manages to give you warm fuzzies. Because despite everything, they still love each other and stick together as best they can. Kudos to Ms. Ee for being able to pull that off. And as the summary states, one of the angels takes off with her disabled sister, which spirals us into the events to come.

Now for the state of the world. Not only did the angels destroy it, they're still stationed on Earth and kidnap small kids (like they did Penryn's sister) for... well, I'll let you find that part out on your own. But it was horrible. Not that we get many true answers as to why they did it, but I assume that will be answered at some point in the next two installments. Lets just say there were many times in this book that my jaw was hanging open and I had to actively pull myself back together to keep reading.

DID I MENTION I LOVE THIS BOOK?

Lastly, there was the gorgeous and contemptuous angel Raffe who'd had his wings cut off by fellow angels, and after Penryn helps saves him, he grudgingly agrees to help her find her sister. Of course there's some selfish ambitions involved on his part - he wants to try and get his wings back. But who could blame him? And yes, a forbidden romance is hinted at, though never fully engaged. Maybe in the next book? I hope so! The rest of the book follows their travels, and little pieces of the overall plot are put together along the way. For instance, we find out that there is a human rebellion planning a counter-attack on the angels, and that there are little demon creatures that like to eat humans, but it isn't clear yet why they're there or where they came from. And  in addition to destroying the world and kidnapping kids, the angels have taken a fancy to many human indulgences, including, um... our women.

We'll leave it at that.

So... to say that I loved this book would be an understatement. It was one of the most well thought out, exciting and gut-wrenching Young Adult, Paranormal books I've ever read. And that still doesn't even cover it. If you love grit and suspense with a touch of the warm fuzzies, you'd be doing yourself a horrible disservice if you don't pick up a copy of this up immediately! Just be forewarned that parts of Angelfall are not for the squeamish. If you can't tolerate hints of gore, this isn't for you.

About the Author:

Susan Ee is a USA Today bestselling author of the Penryn & the End of Days trilogy, ANGELFALL, WORLD AFTER, and END OF DAYS. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages, and her short films have played at major festivals. She used to be a lawyer but loves being a writer because it allows her imagination to bust out and go feral.

Sign up to hear about her next book at www.susanee.com or follow her on Twitter @Susan_Ee.

Book Review - Blood and Spirits (The Coming Storm, Book 1) by Dennis Sharpe

Release Date: December 23rd, 2014

Genre: Supernatural Thriller

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Where to Buy:

AMAZON

Here's the Summary:

Small-town life can be hard for a dead girl...

For Veronica Fischer the night to night life of a bloodsucking madam in Middle America is tough enough before she adopts Rachel Gregory, an eight year old ghost.

After her house is set on fire and Rachel disappears, all signs point to foul play. When she finds herself with a hit out on her unlife and warrants for her arrest, it becomes clear she’s going to need help.

Now she has to contend with horny zombies, violent spirits, and murderous grave robbers if she’s ever going to find Rachel and discover the awful truth of the coming storm.

A raucous ride through the dangerous lives of the lecherous undead.

My Thoughts:

The Good:

The heroine. Oh, how I love a kick-butt heroine. One that's in charge of her own life, that doesn't play the victim or spends page after page whining about her circumstances and how she's powerless to change them. And believe me, V would have every reason to whine or play victim, but she doesn't. She puts on a killer outfit, makes sure someone can manage her business while she's gone, and goes out and tries to figure things out on her own. Well, with the help of her ex-cop-turned-right-hand-man, Frank. Whom I love, by the way.

I also like the fact that, despite her trying to pull herself up by her bootstraps and take charge of her circumstances, she's never really able to do so. She just keeps spiraling further into the rabbit hole. It makes for good suspense, and to be honest, it's pretty realistic. Sometimes no matter how hard we try to take control of things, life slaps us across the face and reminds us who's boss.

The characters are multifaceted. V is a redheaded kick-butt orphan vampire heroine who runs a brothel. Frank, her right hand man, is a witty ex-cop who likes men. The antagonist is a friggen zombie named Paco. So I guess you see my point - nothing but originality here. Even the secondary characters jump right off the page.

Garrett, V's love interest. He's yummy, mysterious and knows how to fight evil spirits. Can we clone him? :)

The writing was smart and engaging, with just enough sass thrown in to inject levity where the story needed it. I also never felt like the story dragged. Well done, Mr. Sharpe.

The Bad:

There's hardly anything  bad at all to say about this book, but there is one scene in particular that I felt was a bit gratuitous, and it has to do with Paco collecting a 'payment' from V for his help. I'm by no means uptight and don't get grossed out easily, but writing  a play by play of that scene was overkill in my opinion. Or maybe off-putting is a better way to put it. The idea of it was gross enough that the writer could have insinuated what happened or faded to black, etc. We didn't need every. nasty. detail. And by nasty, I mean n-a-s-t-y, and NOT in a kinky kind of way. It almost felt like it was done for shock value. And then when V had sex with Garrett, a scene where we would actually care to know the details, it gets skimmed over. I demand a re-write! ;) 

The Ugly:

Nothing to say in this category.


In short, this gritty supernatural thriller will keep you glued to the pages and clambering for Book Two. So when will Book Two be ready, Mr. Sharpe? :)

Favorite Quote: "Is one easy night without a huge dry-cleaning bill too much to ask for these days?"

This made me chuckle. Poor V was always getting her clothes torn and nasty!

About the Author:

Born and raised in the middle of the American Midwest, Dennis Sharpe has been a writer as long as he can remember. His mother has told many people about the fantasy and science fiction stories he'd write on scraps of paper, and staple together as his 'books', before he'd attended his first day of formal education.

He has spent many late nights at diners and dives, drinking coffee with a tattered notebook to put a voice to his feelings of himself and the world around him, and other worlds that can exist only in fiction. The voices in his head don't ever stop talking to him, and so sooner or later he has to get out onto a page all that they've filled him up with.

Inspired by Neil Gaiman, Kurt Vonnegut, Frank Miller, Chrissie Pappas, Charles Bukowski, Stephen King, Issac Asimov, and countless classic literary influences, Dennis continues with the ability to write what at a glance might seem absurd, but quickly begins to resonate with our own thoughts and emotions. He writes people we know, love we've known and lost (and found again), and places we've been in our lives and in our heads. Even his fictional characters and worlds carry enough of the grey areas we experience in day-to-day life, to let us find the truth in his words, no matter how fantastic.

These days he can be found still writing, drinking coffee with friends, or spending time with his children (the true joys of his life), in Western Kentucky.

Connect with Him:

WEBSITE

Book Review - These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

 

 

 

Release Date: December 10th, 2013

Genre: Young Adult, Science-Fiction

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

 

 

Where to Buy:

 

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

 

 

Here's the Summary:

 

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they're worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other's arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever? Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won't be the same people who landed on it. The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.

 

 

My Review:

 

 

The Good:

 

Okay, so I know I'm a little late to the party on this one. These Broken Stars came out about a year and a half ago, and anyone with a functioning set of eyeballs had to stop and take second look at the book with that. gorgeous. cover. Not only that, but the summary promises us a nerve-wracking survival-type story on a deserted planet with a side helping of romance between two teenagers from two very different backgrounds. Yes, please!!! I can't believe it took me this long to get to it. For shame!!!

 

First, I'll start by saying that as far as the writing goes, I'm not worthy! Every sentence/ paragraph/ chapter is beautifully crafted and poetic. Ms. Kaufman and Ms. Spooner have a way with descriptions that leave you in awe with a serious twinge of jealousy. lol Even so, reading prose like this is what helps us budding authors spiral into full bloom. I'll definitely be reading more of their work.

 

Second, I'm sure this comparison has been made before, but there were obvious nods to Titanic in this novel. If it was unintentional, I'd be thoroughly surprised. You have a redheaded socialite (Lilac) with a controlling parent, and her love interest is a handsome kid from a common background (Tarver), albeit, instead of a wayward sketch artist like in Titanic, he's a decorated war hero at the young age of eighteen. But you see the similarities there. And in the beginning, they meet on a fancy space ship which has practically been deemed un-crashable and one of their finest ships yet, which, you guessed it!!! Ends up crashing. Except in this story, the romance happens after said crash, not before.

 

Third! The romance. I'm a sucker for complicated love at first sight. But let me take a moment to clarify - not complicated as in the guy is an *sshole  and the girl falls for him anyway because he's oh-so-hot and she just can't help it. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL GIRLS EVERYWHERE - it is NOT love when a guy treats you like crap and humiliates you, even when he has rock-hard abs and a killer smile. Ever. Stay away and find a guy who adores and respects you. Nuff said. Now that that's out of the way, I mean complicated as in she fears it may not work between them because of her overbearing, manipulative father, so even though there was an initial attraction, she keeps him at a distance to spare both her and Tarver. And because she keeps him at an emotional distance, he thinks she doesn't really like him because of his upbringing and thinks he's not good enough. But don't worry, they have time as they journey across a deserted planet to figure things out. And when their guards finally drop and they give in to each other, it's sweet and steamy and beautiful.

 

Lastly, there's the well-crafted suspense. So Tarver and Ms. Lilac crash on a deserted planet. The crash itself has you gripping onto the book (or in my case, Kindle) for dear life, even though you know they have to make it or else the book would be about one person trying to survive alone until they find a way to get rescued. And this story doesn't have Tom Hanks or a volleyball named Wilson, so we pretty much know they both survive the landing. But the scene of said crash is so well written it's hard not to tense up as you're reading. After the crash landing, you have a deserted planet with beasts in the woods and weird whispering beings, and the characters suffer hallucinations, near starvation and hypothermia. Then one of them gets sick and it's a race to help them before they die. THEN, at the end, something dreadful and unbelievable happens, and I absolutely refuse to speak more of it because I don't want to give anything away, but how it's rectified is horrifying and wonderful and just plain amazing.

 

 

The Bad:

 

There were a few places where the story dragged, even with all the suspense, surprisingly, but one could argue that they were key moments for character development so I won't take away a whole star for that. Just a half of one. :)

 

 

The Ugly:

 

Nothing to say in this category.

 

In conclusion, if you're in need of a well-written suspenseful romance, READ THIS BOOK. You don't even have to be a Science-Fiction lover to enjoy it.

 

 

Favorite Quote: “For a moment the image before us is frozen: our world, our lives, reduced to a handful broken stars half lost in uncharted space. Then it's gone, the view swallowed by the hyperspace winds streaming past, blue-green auroras wiping the after-images away.

Until all that's left is us.”  

 

 

About the Authors:

 

 

 

Amie Kaufman is the New York Times bestselling author of of two young adult science fiction trilogies. She had the good fortune to be raised just one block from her local library, and took full advantage of that fact growing up. She and her sister spent their childhood summers re-creating their favorite books by camping in the back yard, mapping their neighborhood, climbing trees, stepping through magical doors and sailing the local seas.

Raised in Australia and Ireland, she has kissed the Blarney stone six times, thoroughly cementing her gift of the gab. She now lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband and her rescue dog. She still sails, and though she climbs fewer trees, she remains partial to investigating the occasional magical door.

 

 

 

Meagan Spooner grew up reading and writing every spare moment of the day, while dreaming about life as an archaeologist, a marine biologist, an astronaut. She graduated from Hamilton College in New York with a degree in playwriting, and has spent several years since then living in Australia. She's traveled with her family all over the world to places like Egypt, South Africa, the Arctic, Greece, Antarctica, and the Galapagos, and there's a bit of every trip in every story she writes.

She currently lives and writes in Asheville, North Carolina, but the siren call of travel is hard to resist, and there's no telling how long she'll stay there.

In her spare time she plays guitar, plays video games, plays with her cat, and reads.