Sunday, September 30, 2012

Review: Ricky Gervais presents The World of Karl Pilkington

Ricky Gervais Presents: The World of Karl PilkingtonRicky Gervais Presents: The World of Karl Pilkington by Karl Pilkington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Enter the mind of Karl Pilkington, Beware it is filled with amazing theories and thoughts that mere man has not the time or inclination to ponder.
I must say I am a HUGE fan of The Ricky Gervais Show, I love An Idiot Abroad, and the Idiot II - so I am familiar to Karl's thought process. A man who says that if he was a slug that he would just end his life flinging himself into salt.
Most of the book it popular podcasts written, but there are some little tidbits strictly of Karl - such as the 5 Animals We Don't Need, Jellyfish is number 1.
I laughed so loud reading this book, I know I will reread this quite often.


View all my reviews

Review: Extraordinary By: Nancy Werlin

ExtraordinaryExtraordinary by Nancy Werlin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Now, I am a fan of Ms. Werlin's work Impossible, I thought she couldn't top that, and unfortuantely I was right. Please don't get me wrong, this is a great story, but something was missing, maybe I set the bar too high.
Phoebe Rothschild has a debt that she must pay, a debt a forefather brought upon his legacy that he had made with the Fairy Queen. Over the years since, the fairy kingdom has had a toll taken in the imbalance of the world. Mallory is sent from the faerie kingdom on a mission, and finds that it is hard to keep a promise to her people and hurt a friend.
This is a story of personal growth (within multiple characters), a stroy of friendship, and most importantly a story of self love.
As in only Ms. Werlin's style the faerie kingdom comes to life on the pages. If you enjoy her work, this is a great read, if you haven't found her yet - please pick up Impossible.

View all my reviews

Review: Raven By: Allison Van Diepen

RavenRaven by Allison van Diepen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nicole has just started working at Evermore, she has your group of friends that are a dance team, and she finds herself helplessly in love with Zin. But things are not what they seem, people have their secrets, and some are ages old.
When it is revealed that Zin and the other workers at Evermore are Jiang Shi (immortal soul eaters) it takes alot for Nicole to take in. It is also too much to think that Carlo, the creator, is interested in her and a vision he had many years ago.
Just when you thought things couldn't be more easier, Nicole's brother is brought back to life and the Heng Te are looking to elimate the Jiang Shi.
It is a fast, easy read. I felt as though the depth of characters and the storyline was very superficial. Want a fluff read to take when tanning, this might be it.

View all my reviews

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Review: Hemlock By: Kaleen Peacock

Hemlock (Hemlock, #1)Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

LS - Lupine Syndrome has now been admitted by the CDC. The risks involved of contracting the disease make society build reservation camps to keep in the infected.
A small town, Hemlock, finds themselves no longer safe, especially when the most recent death of a girl, Amy, comes from a family with her grandfather as a Senator.
Mackenzie has lost her friend and now finds herself visited by her spirit. They were once a foursome of friends, Amy, Mac, Jason, and Kyle. Now each one has their own battle to wage and with a 'serial killing' werewolf on the loose, the Trackers have come to town. (Trackers are a mercenary group only to hunt werewolves)
Unfortunately Mac hits walls in trying to get to the bottom of Amy's death, and with all the secrets unravelling that Amy was keeping, Mac will never look at things the same way.
There is a teenage angst and love triangle that almost seemed unnecessary for the pages flowed with intensity.


View all my reviews

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Review: The Christmas Clock By: Kat Martin

The Christmas ClockThe Christmas Clock by Kat Martin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A nice feel good story of love and giving. The story of a woman coming back to the small town she ran from and the man she left, a couple that have lost that passion they once held, a woman diagnosised with Alzheimers caring for her grandson and holding on to what memories she can, and a little boy that brings everyone together.
Christmas is a time for miracles, a time for hope.
This a super fast read that is like bubble gum, it will make you feel good, it will bring a smile to your face, but it doesn't have complete characters or dimension.

View all my reviews

Review: The Timekeeper By: Mitch Albom

The Time KeeperThe Time Keeper by Mitch Albom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time is precious. Once there was a time that man did't feel the hours ticking by, the need to outrun and push for more - but that all changed when one man started counting and gave humans the ability to tract time. But what is it that time is really about, the minutes or the moments that are contained in every hour.
This is a story of Father Time and two souls that each want something, one less time and one more.

As written in true Mitch Albom's way, this is a can't miss book, one that will make you reflect, one that will make you think, one that will hopefully change your outlook. I can never go wrong reading Mr. Albom - I have loved every one of his books and they are just the ones that you would want to share and re read over and over.

View all my reviews

Friday, September 21, 2012

Review: Cast of Characters By: Max Lucado

Cast of Characters: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon GodCast of Characters: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God by Max Lucado
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With Max Lucado you can never go wrong.
Looking for answers, looking to renew, looking to fill yourself - go to Mr. Lucado.
In Cast of Characters he breaks down some unlikely heroes and saints of the Bible. How can a prosector turn his will over and become the stone of which the Church is built? How can a prositute recieve forgivenes and Grace from God? Now, how about you?
In modern takes, Mr. Lucado brings us on a journey not just of this Cast of Characters, but upon the journey of our own character.


View all my reviews

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Review: Long Lankin By: Lindsey Barraclough

Long LankinLong Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A perfectly written haunting novel!!!
In August 1958, Cora and her sister MiMi (Elizabeth) is placed in the care of their Great Aunt Ida. Nothing is as it seems, for the Guerdon Hall is as old as the area it was built to protect. Unforunately, the Guerdon family has been plagued by a curse for generations and just by walking through the door, Cora and her sister have awakened it.
Written in first person by three characters, this novel sucks you in and keeps you enthralled til the end. The story creates a tale, weaving a gothic fear, and unleashing the bones long buried within Hall.
I could not put this down. I am glad that I didn't pick this up at night - for surely the fear seeps off the pages and into the reader. I lovede the characters, the development, and the MOST original storyline. A truly great read that will be with you long after you finish the last page.

View all my reviews

Review: Embrace By: Jessica Shirvington

Embrace (The Violet Eden Chapters, #1)Embrace by Jessica Shirvington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Violet Eden is celebrating her 17th birthday when all that she knew, all that she wanted, all the illusions she grew up with dissipates into the world of exiled angels and the secret group of Grigori.
She finds that the boy that she had a crush on, Lincoln, is Grigori and has been preparing her without her knowledge and that they "belong" together. Unfortuately for her that also means that they are not meant to be any more than companions, friends all without any intimacy. Violet also receives a letter written 17 years before by her mother, who died in chilbirth giving birth to her. The letter, the box, the bracelet are all a link to the knowledge that her mother had that this road is the road of destiny.
Violet is not to happy about having her fate predestined, she wants a choice - afterall, does she really want the veil to be removed to see the exiles as they are - angels that no longer carry light or dark, but carry a want and need to enslave humans for their pleasures and need for power.
Enter the tall, dark, beautiful stranger, Phoenix, an exile - one unlike the others, one that has true power, deep sadness, and the pure need for Violet. He also carries a deep secret.
The "embrace" happens when Violet chooses to become Grigori - and the power that becomes unleashed is something no one or being saw coming.

I really liked this book, it was quick but filled with action and adventure - I also found myself rooting for one of the gentleman (suprising even myself by doing so). I look forward to seeing what is next for Violet.

View all my reviews

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Review: The Girl Who Played With Fire By: Stieg Larsson

The Girl Who Played With Fire (Millennium, #2)The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As the followup to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, the characters Lisbeth, Blomkist, and others continue on a new mystery - one that begins in Lisbeth's past.
A ring of human trafficking is now being investigated by a writer for a book and his partner for her dissertation, and with the stories names appear. Names belonging to judges to police and one name appears to instill fear into everyone, that of Zala.
Enter a world filled with murder, intrigue, and a deeper understanding of such a complex character. Lisbeth has pushed so many people away from her - the same that without her asking, stand up for her.

I enjoyed the book, but I was a little disappointed for a couple reasons. 1. I was expecting something as amazing as the first book 2. It really isn't a stand alone in the trilogy, it is continued into the third.

Now, withstanding those reasons, I did enjoy it and recommend it for a crime thriller, just be prepared to purchase the last on in the series.



View all my reviews

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Review: Wake By: Amanda Hocking

WakeWake by Amanda Hocking
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful quick read, with an unusual topic - I can't resist the five star rating.

In a small little town in southeast Maryland, Gemma Fisher has her every day normal life turned upside down. First, the boy next door, Alex, is looking better and better even if he happens to be her older sister, Harper's best friend. Second, a strange trio (once a foursome) has entered the town and seems to have a darkness to them even under their beauty. Third, people are missing, and the fear of a serial killer is hitting the residents.

Gemma can not resist the water, from training for the Olympics in the pool to her nightly swims in the ocean, but these swims don't go unnoticed by those that have something to gain by using her.

I found the book very good, wonderfully written, an interesting topic, and I can't wait for the next in the series - there is a cliffhanger.

The characters are easy to identify with and are multidemensional, a definite must read.

View all my reviews

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Review: Speechless By: Hannah Harrington

SpeechlessSpeechless by Hannah Harrington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chelsea Knot has done - her mouth, her need for gossip, her need to fit in - she really opened up her mouth this time.
At a party Chelsea witnesses what she immediately must dish, by doing so she has affected more lives than she thought. When someone gets hospitalized in a hate crime because of her mouth, she shuts it.
Chelsea learns more about herself and the people around her than ever before. From the person she thought was her best friend, to the boy she has had a crush on for over a year - most of all, Chelsea is changing and developing into what she wants to be, not what was expected from her by her peers.
She learns the important message of thinking before speaking, making your words count, and allowing your actions to speak for you. She also learns the importance of forgiveness and that love is more important than hate.

An easy read filled with depth. The growth and development of such a character through self dialogue and the other characters - along with a subject matter that needs to have open discussion, a not to miss read.

View all my reviews

Review: Betrayal By: Gregg Olsen

BetrayalBetrayal by Gregg Olsen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Betrayal is the contiuation in the Empty Coffin Series and just like Envy, you will not be let down.

A murder has occurred in Port Gamble. During a Halloween party an exchange student, Olivia has been stabbed multiple times. Every one in the small community is on high alert, afterall it had to be one of them. Hayley and Taylor Ryan sense the disturbance and try as only they can to put the pieces together.

The inspiration of the story stands through the book, the Amanda Knox case. Brianna Connors, the girl whose house the murder was committed in, the room which Olivia's body was in, the girl who makes out with her boyfriend as investigators are collecting evidence, she even goes as far as doing yoga in the police interrogation room - not too hard to see the similiarities. But is Brianna guilty, her boyfriend?

The twins also start to uncover a few secrets that not only had their parents held shut, but possibly a few others, including Colton's mother. Opening up the past, brings more than they might be prepared for.

I really enjoy the writing style of Mr. Olsen, the characters, the mystery, the twists and turns. I recommend the Empty Coffin series for a great read, but even a social commentary.

View all my reviews

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Review: The Unnaturalists By: Tiffany Trent

The Unnaturalists (The Unnaturalists, #1)The Unnaturalists by Tiffany Trent
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

You can see the inspiration of The Golden Compass within the pages of this book. The myths, the magical dust, the unique creatures - it's all here.
Vespa Nyx is hoping to follow in her father's footsteps in studying the Unnatural in the New London. Science and Order rules, or so the appearance of it, with Saints such as Tesla and Bacon, the old order seems washed away.
Hal Binon (aka Bayne) is off to uncover what is a conspiarcy that has lead him to the museum, and Syrus (a tinker) seems to hold a key.
It is not until the three gather that all is uncovered. Enter the world of witches, architects, tinkers, elements, and mythical creatures - it will be a good journey.
The book has twists and turns that one can enjoy, it can at times also seem disjointed - as if you missed a few pages, but you didn't. I wanted to like the reading process more than I did, but the storyline might be the thing that keeps me liking the book.

View all my reviews

Friday, September 7, 2012

Review: Third Grave Dead Ahead By: Darynda Jones

Third Grave Dead Ahead (Charley Davidson #3)Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Remember that show Dead Like me? A cult classic, filled with humor, sarcasm, and drama. Get your weekly lesson of life through a dead girl carrying out her penance as a reaper.. I loved that show, and now I can understand the addiction I have to this series.

Charley Davidson is the grim reaper, but not in the historical sense that most of us have been raised to believe. She is the beacon of light that the dead must use as a gate into heaven. Charley is also a Private Investigator whose father retired from the Albuquerque Police and her uncle who still works there.

Being the reaper has its advantages especially in her line of work, afterall the dead easily find her and always have their tale to tell.

In this book Charley must deal with her father's demand to change jobs, Reyes Farrow's escape from prison, a husband that has a missing wife and a history of losing women in the past, a biker gang with a problem of someone poisoning their dogs, and the search for Earl Walker - the man Reyes was in prison for killing.

With excellent storyline that is a roller coaster ride, characters that are wonderfully written and so dimensional that they float off the page into life. You can not go wrong diving into this series.

View all my reviews

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Review: Second Grave On The Left By: Darynda Jones

Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson, #2)Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

OK, so I am officially addicted to this series.

Charley Davidson is the grim reaper, not like the old tales we have heard, she is also a PI and finds herself walking between the supernatural and the cases she has - oh, did I mention she is in love with the son of satan, Reyes Farrow.

In this book Cookie, Charley's assistant, pulls her into a personal case in regards to a missing person and the uncovering of a person that will go to extreme means to silence everyone involved in an incident over 10 years ago. Charley also finds that Reyes is being tortured by demons and he has made the decision to leave his body permanently.

Charley must solve one murder, fight off crazies, get to the bottom of serial murders surrounding a secret incident, to save the man that holds her heart and convince him to guide her to him.

I stayed awake to finish this, I couldn't put it down. With wonderfully developed characters and an amazing storyline with twists and turns - I dare anyone to picked Ms. Jones novels up and put them down.

View all my reviews

Monday, September 3, 2012

Review: First Grave on the Right By: Darynda Jones

First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, #1)First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Meet the Reaper, that's right The Grim Reaper - her name is Charley Davidson. She is part time PI, part time consultant to the Albuquerque Police Department, and full time reaper. She is not the reaper that most have heard of, but she works as a beacon for the dead to reach the other side and they go through her.
Of course it is an everyday occurence when the dead show up and ask for help or closure, but when 3 attorneys from the same office, representing the same accused man.. well, Charley has to get involved.
The mystery of their deaths is nothing compared to the mystery of the otherworldly spirit that has been invading her dreams, her thoughts, and at times her shower.

Ms. Jones has a wonderful storyline that when you meet the characters they flow off the page into life. Moments of great wit and humor along with tense thrills and this readers tears this book is a great beginning to the series. I am addicted.

View all my reviews

Review: The Iron Wyrm Affair By: Lilith Saintcrow

The Iron Wyrm Affair (Bannon & Clare, #1)The Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Enter the steampunk world designed by Ms. Saintcrow - a world in which there is a war to gain control of not just Londinium but the whole country. With a new "child" queen Emma Bannon is called to service to protect the kingdom and uncover the conspiracies that reach out like a spiderweb throughout. Ms. Bannon is a Prime (top sorceress) and the man she must protect Archibald Clare is a mentath. With people trying to kill them to keep their plan going both Bannon and Clare must uncover everyone behind it and foil them.

The book was great ... in the beginning, pages flowed, chapters melded, but 200 pages in there was something disjointed that appeared within the pages. I liked the story and the storyline, I just wish that it was more enjoyable to complete.

View all my reviews