Review: Gathering Darkness By: Morgan Rhodes

Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The wait was worth it!!!!!

The continuation of the Falling Kingdoms Series - Book 3 - one word - Exceptional!!

Okay, we left off with the wedding of Cleo and Magnus, with King Gaius taking over the lands and building a road that his Melenia was telling him to do - in blood, with Jonas being an outlaw, Lucia developing her power and Cleo knowing that her ring has something to do with calming her...

This one has more involvement of The Watchers - enter Alexius, in mortal form. Enter Felix, a mysterious stranger that helps Jonas, with an interesting twist. Enter a Kraeshia Princess Amara, who will stop at nothing to get what she wants which is power, and her brother Prince Ashur, who finds something better in the most unlikely of places. Magnus finds out the truth behind his mother's death, and there is something deeper that seems to be developing between him and Cleo. Nic also plays a deeper role in this book.

I must say, without giving too much away, Lucia begins to develop her power, the stones are hunted. This is a really exciting book, with each character racing to get ahead of the other. The ending if you know where the stones are and who has what - WOW! And the last chapter had me holding my breath and filled with theories. Can't wait for the next.

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Review: The Year I Met You By: Cecelia Ahern

The Year I Met You by Cecelia Ahern
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jasmine has been fired and put on gardening leave for a year. A full year to wait to get another job, a full year to do nothing. Nothing that is except watch from her window the neighbor across from her and his downward spiral. Matt, the famous DJ. The one all those years ago she decided to hate. She watches he alcoholic spats, his wife and children leave, she watches until they meet.
It is during the seasons, throughout the year as Jasmine begins to find herself, even through her once detestful neighbor. This is not a 'normal' type of romance or chic lit. This is more the development of the main character, who has to go through stages, ups and downs, even judgements, understand and change the different dynamics she is in, and in some way Matt is the physical embodiment of her internal roller coaster. It is a love story of finding oneself, of growth.
At times I was surprised that Ms. Ahern was the author of something like this novel, normally her style is not like this, although you will find some of the humor and quirk in the pages, it is not the usual. It is good, worth the read, don't go in with preconceived notions.

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Review: Right For A Reason By: Miriam Weaver and Amy Jo Clark

Right for a Reason: Life, Liberty, and a Crapload of Common Sense by Miriam Weaver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*****This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads*****

Miriam Weaver and Amy Jo Clark have been doing a blog "Chicks on the Right" since 2009, they also have a radio show, and a newspaper column - and a fan - me. For years I have read, listened, commented with these amazing women. Do they make you think, discuss, hold a little debate with family, friends, even within yourself - at exactly what it is that you stand for and why - and what is it that you are willing to battle for. Sometimes there is a deeper battle that you need to look at, stop wasting your time with the secondary that has been placed as the fundamental. A house divided will fall. As conservatives, we have to stop playing into the hands of playing against each other, get with a program.
The book touches on some of the important basics that we all should find focus on and not allow the rights of the land only to hold for the few. The First Amendment for one, is for all - not just for the use of liberals. The Second Amendment being attacked looking at objects doing crimes, not the people - what is the root cause. There is a need for personal responsibility (the government is being promoted as a sugar daddy to live off of and is a generational issue), the hypersexualization of role models, rather then finding solutions the promoting of victimhood and race obsession has fractured society. As liberals claim to be feminists, exactly who are the ones calling who the ugly names on social media and in front of the cameras, and in the papers - who is truly empowering who here.
The subjects range, the personal stories are heartfelt, but throughout there is thought provoking commentary asking for just plain old common sense.

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Review: As You Wish Inconceivable Tales From The Making Of The Princess Bride By: Cary Elwes

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Princess Bride - the movie with that dashing hero Westley, played by Cary Elwes, who stole my heart that very moment all those years ago. It is in this beautiful memoir that Mr. Elwes has put together the magic of the behind the scenes tales from his perspective mainly but with added bonuses from his director, the writer, his fellow castmates.
I can't imagine anyone else playing Westley and I am sure looking back most people feel the same, but at the time Mr. Elwes didn't have a lot of confidence under his belt and with an very strange but quick meeting with him, Reiner, and Scheinman - the rest as they say, became history. A beautiful tale that had the most wonderful talents gathered together partaking, it was lightening in a bottle, and is still a favorite among favorites.
I love the tone of the book, the little inserts from the others from their point of view, the backstage viewpoint so to speak of such a classic film (it is in most people's viewing libraries). I laughed out loud at some of the stuff and found that I could not wait to view the movie after reading the book, I sat up til 1am looking at all the interesting things pointed out. This is the one to share with your family, your movie buff, your best friend, this is definitely the book meant to be read and shared and appreciated -- just like the film. And Mr. Elwes, anything at all, as you wish.

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Review: An Italian Wife By: Ann Hood

An Italian Wife by Ann Hood
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Oh, how I wanted to like this. Coming from a large Sicilian family second generation, I looked forward to such a story as the blurb on the book described - a multi generational tale about Josephine Rimaldi, who married at fourteen in the old country, came to America, had children, and her life - along with their lives, including her children's children. Sounded like the perfect book for someone like me, still ripe with tradition and memories of my great grandparents - unfortunately, it wasn't.
Maybe I had a better family and could not relate as I first wanted to. Instead the pages are filled with a family filled with anger and resentment, with more hate than happiness, more deviance than actual love - the pride of tradition gave away to the shame of their own family, their own matriarch. As I continued the book, I found myself wondering about the author and how could one write such a book, filled with such sadness and brokenness about a family unit. But I digress, this is one I forced myself to finish, I wanted to relate to - yet could not.

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Review: Alex By: Pierre Lemaitre

Alex by Pierre Lemaitre
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful thriller - reminds me of the writing of Stieg Larsson.
Enter the world where the layers between a taken, caged girl may not be the victim, where people are being killed through a painful death of acid eating away their jaw and innards, where the lead detective has returned from a stay at the asylum due to the kidnapping and death of his wife. Time is ticking away in Paris and the dots are not connecting fast enough as the bodies are being found and the mystery deepens.
I could not put this book down. It is a translation, but there is nothing that does not flow easily through the story. I was on the edge of my seat a few times and stayed up wanting to reach the wonderful end. I highly recommend for personal enjoyment and book clubs - there is plenty to discuss here.

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Review: Seventh Grave and No Body By: Darynda Jones

Seventh Grave and No Body by Darynda Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charley, Charley, Charley - what to do... let's see - first things first, if you have not read or gotten with the Charley Davidson series -- What Are You Waiting For? Go to the bookstore and catch up - now! And Don't Read Further!

So, Charley's preggos -yay! The underworld is releasing the 12 - umm, boo! The book begins with Charley working some of the usual strange crimes, body dumpings - but then something strange comes along, information about a file that Thee Vatican has an actual file on her, that's right I said Thee. There are also some suicides of people that are strangely linked together and some spirits that are complaining about empty graves. That isn't part of the issues of going to decaf, having an Archangel upset because you are healing people away from death, there is a psycho chasing your man, your dad is missing, you are being attacked by demons, and you have to pee more often.
I love this series - I love Charley's attitude. This is an exciting supernatural adventure thriller that is like Buffy for adults (um, Reyes is hot and some scenes are super hot). Now I tried to get in touch with my inner Charley while writing this and I hope I did her justice. I can't wait for the next book in the series and want it to keep going.

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Review: The Christmas Light By: Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Light by Donna VanLiere
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don't know about you - and I don't know how Ms. VanLiere does it - but every time I read one of her books I am struck with something, but there is not one word for it. She has a gift. She creates a town, fills it with amazing characters - those that are filled with heart ache, those that have ice in their veins, those that need to forgive, those that need to heal, those that have the ability to shine, but they are everyday people. She then finds a way to get them to meet, to feel the nudge inside, or to listen to what is being called to do - direct the Nativity play, find a pregnant Mary, a Joseph at the gas station, or be kind to a face that needs it so. And so the book takes life, as do the characters, the lessons held within.
I find that I will laugh and cry, and I will re read every one of Ms. VanLiere's books and this one is no exception. I highly recommend stepping into the town of Grandon, meeting some characters that will jump off the page, root for little Avery to heal after the death of her dad, laugh at the antics of the triplets playing angels (as my grandmother says - it's the horns that hold up the halo), and know that guiding the way is The Christmas Light.

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Review: Mr Miracle By: Debbie Macomber

Mr. Miracle: A Christmas Novel by Debbie Macomber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Harry Mills has come to earth to work some 'Divine' interventions. This is his first time in human form, but he has studied them, what can go wrong.
Addie Folson has returned home after too many years and too many mistakes adding into too many regrets. She was hoping to spend the holidays with her mother, but just found out the her mother and her widowed friend have made plans to go on a cruise. As fate would have it, Erich Simmons, childhood crush and menace, was injured in a car crash and in order for his mother to go on the cruise and her mother to enjoy enjoy the holiday, Addie has to care for him.
Between her classes with the new professor, Mr. Mills and caring for her old crush Erich, Addie begins to feel the magic of the season. Soon both Addie and Erich find the boy/girl next door has grown up and so have their feelings for each other.
Sweet and filled with holiday spirit as Ms. Macomber delivers another treat for the season. Wonderful secondary characters, especially the quirky Celeste. This book can not help but have you smiling as you read.

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Review: A Christmas Prayer By: Kimberla Lawson Roby

A Christmas Prayer by Kimberla Lawson Roby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alexis Fletcher appears to be a woman who has it all, she even is a motivational speaker to help others become more, but Christmas brings nothing but pain and problems. She can't find any spirit within when she is still mourning her mother's death and when she is in constant battle with her future mother in law. To make matters worse, the strained relationship with her sister is leaving her niece at risk of living hungry, cold, and on the street.
One Sunday Reverend Curtis asks the congregation to go home and write a Christmas Prayer. Although Alexis doesn't feel like it or the spirit inside, she writes her prayer. Sometimes it takes time and rough patches but soon the light shows the way and prayers get answered.
A nice Christmas story that isn't afraid to show the imperfections of people or the Grace of God in forgiveness and love.

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Review: An Island Christmas By: Nancy Thayer

An Island Christmas by Nancy Thayer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jilly Gordon has worked hard for the perfect home, perfect holidays, perfect life - even the perfect daughters, Lauren already married living close enough with the seemingly perfect life and Felicia, the wild one, who wants to get married on Christmas at home to a wild man and live a wild and crazy life. This is a little more than Jilly can handle, so she comes up with a plan involving the perfect boy next door that Felicia once went out with.
Jilly begins the holidays changing her life, with a feral cat entering her life and home, her future son in law destroying her antique chairs, her normally careful husband 'wiping out' on a moped, and it's just the beginning of the chaos. Everything that she once thought perfect soon falls away.
Ms. Thayer has the reader enjoying another beautiful tale set in Nantucket. A gentle reminder what the reason for the season is all about and the gift of family, for all it's character makes the heart even bigger and brighter.

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Review: The Christmas Train By: David Baldacci

The Christmas Train by David Baldacci
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tom Langdon finds himself traveling by train because of his ban on airlines - a certain incident with a security wand- part to get to LA to his on again/off again girlfriend and the most important part to finish what his ancestor Mark Twain didn't as his dying request. Meeting so many people the train does come alive and Tom certainly feels like he might get a lot of material.
It comes as a surprise that a Hollywood bigwig Max Powers is on board and wants Tom to work with his writer and secret weapon, Eleanor Carter. Eleanor, the one who got away, no - ran away, with no explanation, the one who haunts him, and if she was honest the same. With a thief, a wedding, an avalanche these two have plenty to work with, hopefully they will work out the past to have a future, and just maybe there is an angel directing it all.
The book also contains two short stories. One that will grab at your heart, another that will peak your need for adventure.
This was a great book. I loved the story, it wasn't contrived and the words, the characters, the landscape came off the pages and enveloped me.

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Review: One Step Too Far By: Tina Seskis

One Step Too Far by Tina Seskis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I give this more 3.5 but rounded up.

The book goes back and forth, present and past, presenting a deeper look into the main character, Catherine Emily Brown, and her relationship with those around her and their lives - beginning with her decision to leave. Cat, as she is now being called, doesn't just leave, she removes herself from her husband, Ben Coleman and Simon's life. How could she leave them? Her ring in a sink at some terminal? Making a new life sharing a flat with strangers in London?
Slowly as Cat begins a new life, the old one is revealed. As Cat develops alcohol and drug problem, she climbs the ladder at work, but the spiral downward seems endless - or that is what it appears.
What are the secrets locked up inside of her? Those around? In one moment they all will crash and be revealed.

It's hard to like such a main character or even understand her, but after the revelation I found myself soften a bit, found certain aspects explainable even understandable. The ending was a bit rushed through but it gave everyone and everything a finale. Certain aspects were a bit disjointed, but considering that I read an ARC I am sure this is forgivable.



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Review: The Mistletoe Promise By: Richard Paul Evans

The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Richard Paul Evans has done it AGAIN! Another Amazing, Beautiful Holiday Treat that spreads the message of Hope, Forgiveness, Redemption, and Love!
Elise Dutton finds herself in a contract with Nicholas Derr over the holidays. They will essentially fill the lonely gap over the upcoming weeks, company parties, obligations, but this is business - nothing deeper than that. Elise hasn't allowed herself any happiness in years finds it a bit disconcerting, she also carries a painful secret that might blow any chance of happiness that might come from the feelings she is developing for Nicholas. She isn't the only one with a secret past, Nicholas has a few of his own, maybe even one that made him search her out for the contract, yet it doesn't stop him from falling for the woman he set out to make feel special.
Hopefully with love and some forgiveness (especially self forgiveness), miracles can and do happen - afterall it is the season for them.

Oh, I love Mr. Evans and his stories. This one is no different. Filled with flawed people yet the golden lining of happiness - I know I will re read this one and share it.

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Review: What A Wallflower Wants By: Maya Rodale

What a Wallflower Wants by Maya Rodale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

On her way to a marriage of convenience, Miss Prudence Merryweather Payton, finds her carriage taken by highwaymen and escapes. The 'Wallflower' finds herself in the company of John Roark, aka Viscount Castleton, waiting for the weather to let up and thinking of how she can find a husband for Lady Penelope's Ball.
After four seasons and not being married, Prudence has failed by society's standards, yet she carries a horrible secret about what happened her first season and just why she has avoided marriage and men for that matter as a whole. John has his own secrets that lead him on his way to The Great Expedition and has a few people counting on him. These two soon find that the attraction is great as long as they don't allow the secrets, the past, or other people to destroy what they have just started to build.
Ms. Rodale has taken a subject matter and written a wonderful romance novel with a heroine that comes into her own, a sensitive yet strong hero, and a very enjoyable storyline. I really enjoyed this book.

***** This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads *****

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Review: The 13th Gift A True Story of a Christmas Miracle By: Joanne Huist Smith

Review: The 13th Gift  A True Story of a Christmas Miracle        By: Joanne Huist Smith          4.5/5

Lift Your Spirits and Your Soul

A memoir of a recent widow and her family who receive mysterious gifts during the holiday season. The gifts are small but come in their own form of The Twelve Days of Christmas beginning with on the first day one poinsettia. This story is reminiscent of The Christmas Jars, yet it is a true account, and just as inspirational.

Ms. Smith gives an honest account of the pain of her loss and how the cheerfulness of the holidays infringed upon the grief that she was experiencing. With the little gifts, slowly her brokenhearted family was able to come together - pass the anger, the tears, and onto the other side to find the spirit within.
This is a great book, a great lesson in life, living, and hope - it also is one that makes the reader inspired to take action, to step outside of themselves, give of themselves to those that truly need it.

I received this book from Blogging for Books.

Review: The Awakening Of The Goddesses The Balance By: Morgan Shores

The Balance: The Awakening of The Goddesses by Morgan Shores
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A legend of two sisters, one the Goddess of Light, one the Goddess of Shadow, separated through time and distance. The story of a betrayal between the soul mate of Goddess of Shadow harming all, twisting all to gain more, even destroying his brother the soul mate the Goddess of Light.
The waiting is over. Lilith Nolan and Sophia Moore have reached their twenty fifth birthdays and they have awakened. So have their soul mates - for good and evil. This is a fight for the balance of the world. So many people, so many light keepers and workers, and so many secrets.
It begins with the reoccurring dream and the introduction of Lilith, a detective on the Galveston Police Force. Something strange is in the air - I am reminded of something wicked this way blows - and soon she is introduced to Sophia. They are brought together a few times and the group they know seems very familiar to each, they both receive a rare amulet passed down in each family as a present as a gift.
At this time Sophia meets and is immediately attracted to Ceron Murray - who has quite a reputation. Shadows and darkness begin to plot and make their moves for time is essential. Some crime scenes are so strange there seems to to immediate cremation of bodies at the scene, bringing Lilith in contact with a Samuel Duffy whom she has a visceral reaction to. All is revealed as the Goddesses are awakened and there is only one that has the power in their hands and has to make the choice - to bring balance back.

I liked this book, I found the tale interesting and the characters well developed. I think I really wanted more - more action, more interactions - but I think I will be getting more with another book in this series. I feel the need to warn some, that like GRRM, Shores does not fear messing with a reader a getting rid of a beloved character, but at least it's not gruesome.

*****This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads*****

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Review: Garden Spells By: Sarah Addison Allen

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the one that started it all and will make a reader fall in love with Ms. Allen - her writing, her stories, and simply the world that we fall into as we turn page one.
Bascom, North Carolina is a small town with legends of sorts, the Waverley family is the source if quite a few of them, their garden is definitely one of them. Claire Waverley embraced cooking from her garden, learning from her grandmother the messages the herbs and flowers could give. She even has understood the boundary between her and the town, what she doesn't understand is her attractive new neighbor and her sister sudden reappearance with a niece in tow after leaving ten years ago. Sydney Waverley brings with her a lot of wounds that Claire wasn't ready to deal with and some women in town still find her a threat. What Sydney has left behind to come back is even more dangerous than gossip or the apple tree out back and what she is hoping for can scare her even more - a happy life for her and her daughter.
Healing and magic, relationships and growth, all come into the picture. When you enter this book you will be spellbound and not want to leave. Wonderfully written and so enjoyable that you will want to revisit this world and feeling again and again.

*****This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads*****

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Review: Dr Who The Crawling Terror By: Mike Tucker

Keep the Dr Fix Going and The Creepy Crawlies Away

Review: Dr Who The Crawling Terror  By: Mike Tucker                4.5/5

When the TARDIS brings Clara and The Doctor to Wiltshire nothing at first seems out of the ordinary, that is until 1. the strange readings on the ley lines and 2. the giant web with a human body in it. Soon it becomes clear exactly why they are there, giant beetles, mosquitoes, spiders, and ants - all that are acting with some form of military tactics and taking over the town and the town people, turning them zombie like and manipulated.
There is a history to this quiet little town and the Doctor has been here before. A message was received from space and Great Britain and the Nazis were in a race to achieve it's capabilites, not knowing exactly what it was opening. A teleport device to allow the dangerous race of Wyrresters (scorpions) through. Only a few survived.
Unfortunately, one survivor has found another way to make it possible to bring the Wyrresters to Earth, and now only one man can stop him - The Doctor.

I hate creepy crawlies. I have a horrid fear of the weird facts that I eat spiders in my sleep throughout my lifetime. But all these fears did not dissuade me from picking up this book and go through an amazing adventure with The Doctor. It was fast paced, had my heart beating and racing, also held elements that had me wondering about truth in legends - ie Die Glocke, Brad Meltzer Decoded style - which is wonderful. It is time to get a Who fix before the Christmas special, pick up a book, you won't be let down.

I received this book from Blogging for Books.

Review: The Sugar Queen By: Sarah Addison Allen

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Josey Cirrini has been isolated from the town her deceased father put on the map. She has been caring for her mother, making up for her actions as a child, and hiding away. It comes as a surprise when Della Lee Baker appears in her room and is looking to hide away, in none other than Josey's secret closet (a closet filled with treats and romance novels, secreted away from the world and especially her mother). Reluctantly she agrees and finds a something in Della which leads her to finding out more about herself and gaining some much needed self confidence, she also picks up a friend along the way.
Magic fills the pages as only Ms. Allen can write, creating characters and a storyline that might suspend your disbelief, and have you wrapped and wanting to be embraced into the pages.
There is some twists, a bit of mystery, some romance, and as always hope and magic. This is a sweet (pun and true) novel to lose yourself in, but warning -- you will be dazed afterward, looking for that buzz again.

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