Monday, May 28, 2012

Review: Until I Die By: Amy Plum

Until I Die (Revenants, #2)Until I Die by Amy Plum
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The saga continues and this is not a stand alone book, you will need to read Until I Die to catch up.

Vincent and his group of immortals, the Revenants are still at war with the Numa. Kate finds herself at odds over the life, the war, and in the middle of a prophesy of the Champion. With twists that involve espionage, Ms. Plum holds the attention with the possiblity of life to come in the next book. With the search of a guerisseur ( a healer with gifts that travel through generations) thanks to a coded ancient book and the prophesy things are coming together or falling apart as they are meant to be.

I have my own theory of what is probably in the next book, and the development of the main characters. Care to have a peek :
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May have a spoiler:

I believe the prophesy is for Kate, she is a revenant that has not died yet, she is the Champion. With the ending of Vincent kidnapped and needing her - I know deep within that she can and will do just that.

This is not as exciting as Ms. Plum's first, but it is a story builder for the next which is very promising.

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Review: Fifty Shades of Grey By: E L James

Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1)Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Hype and marketing brought me to this book and it doesn't live up to the bar it set.

A story is weaved somehow in the world of BDSM. An innocent college graduate, Anastasia Steele, has found herself intrigued, deflowered, and introduced into the world of Christian Grey. With an unmistakeable attraction, Grey a wealthy man, Ana an lost girl in the world - find themselves bartering over contracts that involve gagging, cane whippping, and other specialized activites. Make no mistake this is not a love story, but a story of debasement - where in Ana's eyes she (in all her innocence) sees herself in love and being able to heal that of the fractured Mr. Grey. Wanting more than to be introduced into lust, becoming a submissive is not all she wants. She wants love, care, affection. Although her sexuality has been unlocked, the need to answer to herself for allowing such a relationship to continue comes into play.

In a BDSM relationship, there are few boundaries, can Ana survive her heartbreak by putting a few up.

Save yourself the trouble, even the erotic scenes can seem more punishing.

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Sunday, May 20, 2012

Review: Chime By: Franny Billingsley

ChimeChime by Franny Billingsley
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I have tried picking this book up and finishing it, but I can't --
Is it the style of writing, Is it the characters, or Just the storyline itself? - Yes to all of it.

I so wanted this to be enjoyable, the premise, the blurb, but I couldn't find any pleasure in it. Is there something lost in translation that I just didn't get - possibly - but I doubt that that is the case (especially when there are more people out there like me on this book).

After 100 pages I turned in the towel, there was something missing, there was a lack of story building, and quite frankly, it gave me a headache to push myself as much as I did.

Everyone is different in their tastes and I try everything not to put down a book, to give it a chance, and before you put your money down on this one, borrow it.

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Review: The Springsweet By: Saundra Mitchell

The Springsweet (The Vespertine, #2)The Springsweet by Saundra Mitchell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There is something unique and beautiful the way Ms. Mitchell writes, the descriptions, the prose, I almost believe it to be poetry - a what a beautiful poetic story of The Springsweet (the follow up of The Vespertine). Her writing style left no disappointments as the saga continues, but this time with Zora Stewart as the main character.

From Baltimore, to the territories, Zora finds that her special gift is that of water. - I love that through the Vespertine and this the elements play a strong role to the main characters - she is able to see the winding ways of water beneath the surface.

Being ruined, on purpose, at a party in Baltimore, Zora's mom sends her off to her sister, Birdie - a widow and mother. On the way there her coach gets held up and she meets an unusual knight in shining armor - Emerson Birch. Another figure comes out of the past following Zora, that of Theo de la Criox (the one who she got to "ruin" her), to be a suitor.

As Zora comes to embrace the wilderness around her, she comes to embrace herself, conquer the grief that has plagued her, and use her newfounded gifts to new possibilities.

LOVE! LOVE! Love this books, with the characters coming off the pages, this is one book that is a must read.

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Review: Goddess Interrupted By: Aimee Carter

Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test, #2)Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Calliope has made a friend with an old enemy, Cronus (The King of the Titans) and her revenge is just beginning.

When Kate comes back for the Autumn and is ready for for ceremony, all h*ll breaks loose in the Underworld. With the pain and struggle of her new family, she sets forth to get the only person the can help, the one she can't erase from her new marriage, Persephone. Will Persephone help, will she re establish herself as Queen, will Kate be able to save her family from Cronus and Calliope...

A fast read and throughly enjoying after the first, I look forward to the third one to come. With a twist at the end leaving you wanting the third published already - I say this is a can't put down.

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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Review: Bewitching By: Alex Flinn

Bewitching (Kendra Chronicles, #1)Bewitching by Alex Flinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alex Flinn did not disappoint. I am a lover of her writing and the play on fairy tales with modern twists, like a disney princess all grown up shopping at the mall.

This book contains stories within the story. Meet back up with Kendra, the witch from past books, read her story and at times her voice starting with the plague and the gingerbread house. You will meet up with a couple of people from her past and they will have their own voice, such as the Princess and the Pea and the Little Mermaid (of course both set during actual time events in history) and also a twist on Cinderella that Kendra currently finds herself involved in.
Emma has all the love she needs until her step father's daughter, Lisette, comes to live with them. As beautiful as Lisette is, there is something not quite right and actually ugly about her. Enter Kendra trying to find a friend and finding one in Emma, she wants to set the balance right and although an unexpected ending, it still is very happy.

A nice read, especially with Flinn's twists and for those that still wish upon stars.

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Review: Every Other Day By: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Every Other DayEvery Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the first page I could not put this book down. With such vivid description of hunting hellhounds you enter the world of Kali D'Angelo, a world in which the myths and supernatural are day to day and very much alive. Every other day Kali is the hunter, with amazing strength and the capability to use her blood to poison the preternatural beings and the other days she is a high school student lost in the crowd being attacked by the popular crowds.
The story takes place over a 48 hour period where the most popular school is being destroyed by a chupacabra (a parasite that eats its host from the inside out - including memories, leaving only the mark upon it's victims in the form of the ouroboros), Kali takes it upon herself to save Bethany and have it enter her body. With Bethany and Skylar - Kali trys hiding from people claiming to be part of the CDC - evil scientists and the like, while buying time for the the voice that now is connected to her psychically through the parasite a man named Zev, finding her true nature of being and still save the day...
As I said, Ms. Barnes wrote this in such a fast paced, do not put the book down way. With twists, turns, and a few suprises I was not disappointed in reading this and have now found an author to look for.

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Review: Taken At Dusk By: C.C. Hunter

Taken at Dusk (Shadow Falls, #3)Taken at Dusk by C.C. Hunter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not knowing who you are and what you are to be is not necessarily a new worry, but for the supernatural Kylie it is trying to find her identity. The third book in the Shadow Falls series, Ms. Hunter does not leave you disappointed.
"One will live and one will die", a mysterious message from a Jane Doe ghost has left Kylie searching for answers and trying to protect her friends and loved ones in the camp. Lucas is still give her fireworks even though Derek bringing an ex into the camp has her seeing green. As normal as Shadow Falls can be, with great secondary characters in her friends Della and Miranda and body guard shadows in Perry, Burnett, and Holiday, evil lurking trying to get her on their side - what could happen?
A wonderful story is what!
I can't wait for the next in the series.

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Sunday, May 6, 2012

A Little bit of nothing

Well, I realize that I normally don't write much personally and I wonder if that is good or bad. A Lazy Sunday has found me reading, biking, swimming, sunning, and doing all possible to avoid housework. I found one of my favorite movies on TV.. That Thing You Do. Brilliantly written and acted, I love the cast. I am one of those people that believe in Cinema Therapy and finding meaning, inspiration, and even introspection. What is it that tugs at me every time I see this movie.. Is it the simple line done perfectly "Shame on me for kissing you with my eyes closed" - WOW! could it be that each character in the band has the characteristics of someone I dated, married, or am with? Yes, there was the one in the Marines.. there was the artist who thought nothing more than about himself ... the hip, thoughtful, real deep intellectual, and of course the funny guy. I think that even in movies after sometime has passed, which is your favorite changes like time and people change so do your needs and your growth in life. I can look back at the colorful cast in my life and think how nice it has been to get to know each one, and I can do it with a smile because I have been with my funny guy for the last 10 years. Hoping your life and this Sunday finds each one of you with a smile.

Review: The Goddess Test By: Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test (Goddess Test, #1)The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First, what a cover.. sometimes as a reader a cover will stand out and it will become part of your purchase pile.. I was not disappointed.

I have always held a fascination of mythology and it is a great tale that Ms. Carter has woven showing her love of it with every word on the page. A modern day romance, adventure of the story of Persephone. A colorful cast of characters that leave no disappointments as their true nature is revealed.

Enter into Eden, a quiet town that Kate has brought her dying mother to, a town that her mother wishes to spend her last few days in. Eden is more than it ever seemed and when an accident occurs and a choice is made by Kate the cloak of illusion is swept aside. She must undergo tests to prove her worthy of spending the fall and winter with Henry. Henry, the god of The Underworld, will lose himself and the position if Kate should fail.

With an interesting cast, a great story, I found myself lost in a world that I treasure. I already ordered the second book and look forward to reading more.

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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Review: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter By: Seth Grahame-Smith

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire HunterAbraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The tapestry of history has now been woven with a paranormal thread. A brillant storyteller Mr. Grahame- Smith has kept this reader enthralled and now taking a different look into history with a vivid imagination.

The history, myth of this country's most interesting presidents now has a twist. Beginnning with the strange departure of his mother, the "truth" of her death, the knowledge gained of the underworld of vampires in the New World. Through his boyhood up until his death this tale written as story and Mr. Lincoln's journal finds the reader enthralled well after the last page is read.

I recommend this book to those that have the imagination, the inquistive mind, and those that simply want a book that they will find hard to put down. * And remember the creaks of your house at night, simply could be the house settling - then again you never can be quite sure.

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