Friday, January 29, 2016

The Bone Church by Victoria Dougherty

http://www.amazon.com/Bone-Church-Novel-Victoria-Dougherty/dp/061598052X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454063743&sr=8-1&keywords=the+bone+church
Click on the pic to buy from Amazon

Book blurb

In the surreal and paranoid underworld of wartime Prague, fugitive lovers Felix Andel and Magdalena Ruza make some dubious alliances – with a mysterious Roman Catholic cardinal, a reckless sculptor intent on making a big political statement, and a gypsy with a risky sex life. As one by one their chances for fleeing the country collapse, the two join a plot to assassinate Hitler’s nefarious Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, Josef Goebbels.

But the assassination attempt goes wildly wrong, propelling the lovers in separate directions. Felix’s destiny is sealed at the Bone Church, a mystical pilgrimage site on the outskirts of Prague, while Magdalena is thrust even deeper into the bowels of a city that betrayed her and a homeland soon to be swallowed by the Soviets. As they emerge from the shadowy fog of World War II, and stagger into the foul haze of the Cold War, Felix and Magdalena must confront the past, and a dangerous, uncertain future.

About the Author


Born
in Chicago, The United States
Website


Twitter


Genre


Influences
Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Daniel Silva, Alan Furst, etc   


Victoria Dougherty has for nearly twenty years distinguished herself as a master storyteller, writing fiction, drama, speeches, essays, and television news segments/video scripts.

In Prague, Ms. Dougherty co-founded the acclaimed Black Box Theater, translating, producing and acting to sold-out audiences in several Czech plays – from Vaclav Havel’s riveting “Protest” to the unintentionally hilarious communist propaganda play “Karhan’s Men.” Black Box Theater was profiled in feature articles in USA Today, International Herald Tribune, and numerous European publications.

Currently, Ms. Dougherty lives with her family in Charlottesville, VA, and has recently completed a series of thematically linked Cold War spy thrillers. She is represented by Josh Getzler of Hannigan Salky & Getzler

My review

I am between a rock and a hard place here.  Part of me want's to give this book a 5* rating.  It is absolutely worth the read. But it is dark.  Taxing and it will not be for everyone.  For one thing.  The book deals with mainly two characters living and dying in Prague under Nazi rule.  So for one thing, this is not an easy subject matter.

For another, the author did a brilliant job in giving this book that Eastern European flavour.  I loved this but I think some might find this too far out of their comfort zone.  Lets hope I am wrong.
Nobody will ever describe this book as a fast, easy read.  There is no full in this.  It is a good book but not a fluffy feel good one sitting read.

Which means.  If you like historical fiction.  Likes to be challenged and likes to move out of your comfort zone, chances are you will love this book.  If not, I would advise you handle with care.
Why my rating? Rather simple really.  I could not read this book in one go.  The dark setting, plot, undertone everything got me to need to put it aside at times.  My 5* ratings is reserved for those books I cannot bare to put aside.  And in this is my conundrum.  I know I could not get the story out of my head but I also could not stick with it for more than an hour at a time.  So honestly the book should get 4.5 stars but Ill stick to my 4 stars. 

WaAR

Book Review of Tiny Glitches by Rebecca Chastain



Book Title: Tiny Glitches
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Comedy
Pages: 373
Author: Rebecca Chastain
Date Published: 12 January 2016

Synopsis:

Life isn’t exactly normal for Eva Parker: the stronger Eva’s emotions, the faster nearby electrical devices die. Eva can’t have a cell phone, use a computer, or be in a car for more than a few minutes without killing it. Dealing with her electricity-killing curse makes living in modern-day Los Angeles complicated enough for Eva—and that was before she was blackmailed into hiding a stolen baby elephant and partnered with Hudson, a sexy electrical engineer Eva just met.

Dodging repeated attempts on her life made by ruthless corporations hunting the elephant is easier for Eva than quelling her growing affection for Hudson, and while protecting an elephant is hard, controlling her curse is a lot harder. However, Eva must do both, because if she lets her emotions free and falls in love with Hudson, neither of them will survive.

Enchanting and quirky, TINY GLITCHES fuses electrifying romance and high-voltage suspense in a rollicking adventure.

Review:

Tiny GlitchesTiny Glitches by Rebecca Chastain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful and quirky romance. I loved it!

Eva Parker is an unusual character. I liked her a lot, but wanted to shake her at times. She is a Feng Shui consultant with an unusual gift. Unfortunately, she has a problem with electricity - she absorbs it. This powers her ability to see the emotions of people as pictures/hallucinations. This makes it awkward when getting from one place to another, or staying in one place too long, which leads to batteries dying and power cuts. When she gets embroiled in a situation involving a stolen elephant, she needs to keep her wits about her. However, Hudson Keyes muddies the waters even more and she finds herself falling for him.

This is a wonderfully quirky romance, full of action, adventure, danger and weird and wonderful characters. It is told through the eyes of Eva. I started to read and was quickly swept away. I fell in love with the descriptive writing. I could picture each and every scene with clarity. The characters are lifelike and likable. I giggled at a lot of the descriptions of the emotional visions that Eva sees, though some are a little disturbing too. I loved the two characters, Atlas and Edmond. These two bumbling cousins had me chuckling at their antics. Also, the mention of baking and cakes kept making me feel hungry. I don't know how good Edmond's cakes really were, but my mouth was watering every time there was mention of it and the coffee cake too, which is Eva's favourite dessert. Therefore, either eat something before you start this book or you'll be salivating at it too.

The story took me on a roller coaster ride from beginning to end. I did feel, however, that the plot had a few holes in it, which left a few loose ends. I still felt that Hudson's past was not explored enough. There were hints, but the reader has to make their own interpretation of what the images Eva sees around him mean. He never actually confirms or denies things, as Eva never comes out and asks him about his life. Therefore, he remains a bit of an enigma. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these characters.

Rebecca Chastain has written a wonderful comedic romance. I love her fast paced writing style. However, the flow seemed a little choppy at times. I have not read any other books written by this author, but I would definitely read more of her books in the future.

Due to some scenes of an explicit nature (though not as explicit as some I've read), I do not recommend this book to younger readers. However, I highly recommend this book if you love quirky contemporary romances, or paranormal romances. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


          

Author bio:



Rebecca Chastain is the international bestselling fantasy author of A FISTFUL OF EVIL, A FISTFUL OF FIRE, and MAGIC OF THE GARGOYLES. She has found seven four-leaf clovers to date, won a purebred Arabian horse in a drawing, and once tamed a blackbird for a day. Dreaming up the absurd and writing stories designed to amuse and entertain has been her passion since she was eleven years old. She lives in northern California with her wonderful husband and two bossy cats. TINY GLITCHES is her latest novel.

Here are a few places you can find me on the Internet:

Monday, January 25, 2016

Book Review of Hunter's Shadow (Golden State Hearts Trilogy Book 2) by Kathy DiSanto



Book Title: Hunter's Shadow
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 292
Author: Kathy DiSanto
Date Published: 23 December 2015

Synopsis:

Candy Johnson was born to be a PI–sharp, shrewd, and gutsy. Unfortunately, fate didn't get the memo.

Temporarily trapped in a small-town gym teacher's life, Candy is marking time until she can make her big career change, when the mystery that's George Price drops right into her lap. Sure he's got a face and body to die for. He's also got the personality of a three-pound dumbbell and doesn't know his volleyballs from a hole in the ground. If Price is who he claims to be, Candy's Mother Theresa.

When she decides to investigate Donnerton High's newest and most aggravating faculty member, she runs across some very interesting quirks in Pinhead Price's personality–flashes of tall, dark, and dangerous she finds almost impossible to resist. Before long and against all good judgment, she starts to fall, and fall hard, for a man who bears all the earmarks of a wolf in nerd's clothing.

But what will she do when she discovers the shocking truth about George?

Review:


Hunter's Shadow (Golden State Hearts, #2)Hunter's Shadow by Kathy Disanto
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Golden States Hearts Trilogy. I absolutely LOVED it!

Candy Johnson is a wonderful character. I liked her when I met her in the first book in the series, For Love or Money. She's a bit of a trouble maker, wrapped in the disguise of an gym teacher. Her curiosity knows no bounds, and has a tendency to double dare her best friend, Jen, as she did in For Love or Money. This time, her curiosity is focused on the replacement gym teacher, George Price. However, could this amateur sleuth have bitten off more than she can chew?

George Price is an enigma, wrapped in a gorgeous package. An undercover DEA agent investigating a corporation using locals to grow drugs, he finds himself intrigued with the nosy gym teacher.

This is a fun, lighthearted and entertaining read. I started to read this story and was quickly hooked. The characters are likable and lifelike. The story is quirky and the scene in the bar with Bear made me giggle. There is also plenty of intrigue and danger, as well as smoldering romance. Due to the descriptive writing, I could picture all of the scenes with clarity. When the author revealed George's real name, I breathed a sigh of relief. This character was in no way a "George Price". However, to find out what his name is, you'll just have to read the story yourself, as I'm not going to spoil it for you. I will say that once I found out what it was, I burst out laughing at the irony of it. Karma really has a sense of humour (or at least the author has).

In a way, this story was a little bittersweet for me because I haven't read a sweet romance like this for some time, and it reminded me of how much I loved to read them. I cut my romance eye teeth on books such as this as a teenager and read them faithfully for many years. As an adult, my reading habit has seen a shift in genres, but I will always have a soft spot for romances such as this one. I can't wait to read the third book in the trilogy!

Kathy DiSanto has written a fantastic, sweet contemporary romance. I love her writing style, which is neither too fast nor too slow and the flow is wonderful; each scene flowed into the other like liquid. I am a huge fan of this author and will definitely read more of her books in the future.

As this book does not contain explicit scenes of sex (although there are some sensual ones), I highly recommend this book to teens (aged 15 upwards) and adults who love sweet contemporary romances. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


       

About The Author:



Kathy's publishing career dates back to 1997, when she published a two-book romance series with Bantam's Loveswept line. The first book in the series, For Love or Money, won a 1997 Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award.

In 2012, Kathy self-published two thrillers. Amanda's Eyes, the first book in a series featuring crime reporter A.J. Gregson, is a paranormal thriller that has garnered a 4.4★ average on Amazon and was a semi-finalist in Kindle Book Review's 2014 Best Kindle Book Awards. Her second thriller, Why Live?, is dystopian science fiction.

Current projects include the sequel to Amanda's Eyes, remixes of her two romance novels, and posts to her blogs Write Minded (on the writing life) and Momma D's Diary (a humorous look at aging and retirement).

As a communications specialist with a major university, Kathy wrote more than one hundred features for print and the web. Now retired and writing full-time, she enjoys meditation; reading; live performances by her sons (both professional musicians); brisk walks with her rescue dogs, Molly and Lucy; and playing handy gal around her 92-year-old, 4-square home in Martinsburg, WV.

Author Links:



Thursday, January 21, 2016

Audio/Book Review of Keeper vs. Reaper (Graveyard Guardians Book 1) by Jennifer Malone Wright



Book Title: Keeper Vs. Reaper (Graveyard Guardians Book 1)
Genre: NA Paranormal Romance
Pages: 392
Audio Run Time: 8 Hrs 17 Mins
Author: Jennifer Malone Wright
Date Published: 12 August 2014 (E-Book)
16 June 2015 (Audio Book)

Synopsis:

When her father died, Lucy Mae Estmond inherited the family business. She has known all of her life that she would be in line to watch over the souls of the recently passed, keeping them safe from the Reapers.

The soul eating Reapers have been a plague upon the Earth, stealing souls and leaving the Keepers as the only thing that stands between Heaven and Hell. The factions despise each other and have warred for generations.

Then Lucy discovers an ancient legend predicting the arrival of the Chosen One, destined to bring forth an end to the Reapers. The surprises continue when she realizes she is that person. For Lucy, being the Chosen One doesn’t change much. Fighting Reapers is just another day in the life of a Keeper.

When she meets Jack Walker, they both realize they have an insane, mutual attraction. Too bad that he’s been sent to prevent the prophecy from coming true. His only mission: to kill the Chosen One.

Review:


Keeper vs. Reaper (Graveyard Guardians #1)Keeper vs. Reaper by Jennifer Malone Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book in an intriguing NA series. I enjoyed it.

I downloaded this on to my Kindle, but due to time issues was not able to read it. So when the author offered me a complimentary code for an audiobook copy in return for an honest review, I gladly accepted.

This book is narrated by Kelsey Osborne. Unfortunately, I don't know what it was, but I found that her voice, although young and energetic, sometimes set my teeth on edge. I mean no disrespect. She read the story clearly, but there was just something about her reading style that rubbed me the wrong way. I cannot put my finger on the reason why. Other readers/listeners may not have the same reaction.

Lucy Mae Estmond is not your typical character. She is a Keeper, or protector of souls. I have no idea what age she is, but she acted like an angst-filled teen rather than a responsible adult at times. I struggled to like her due to the self-pity party she had going on. Granted, her father had just passed away and she felt emotional, but I felt like strangling her on occasions.

Jack Walker on the other hand is a fantastic character. He has his faults and is a total jerk, but he seemed more mature and with it than Lucy. He's a Reaper and the enemy of the Keepers due to the fact he eats souls to survive. He also happens to be the son of the Emperor and Empress of the Reapers, and has been sent on a mission to kill the chosen one.

I started to listen to this book and received a shock. It's not often a book starts out with an explicit sex scene. However, once I got over that little surprise, I began to understand why the author would do that. It shows the reader the supposed personality of the character. I'm just glad I was listening to it with my headphones on, or my Dad would have had a huge shock too and I would have been completely embarrassed! Anyway, back to the review. Once I got over that stumbling block, I really enjoyed meeting the Estmond clan. They are as complex and diverse as any family. They fight with each other, as siblings do, but if one of them is in danger they band together and are a formidable team when threatened. Jack's best friend Aiden is also intriguing. He's got a tough job, being Jack's friend, but he's ambitious and determined to rise in the ranks of the Reapers.

The story is a little predictable at times, especially near the beginning. It is told through the eyes of Jack, Lucy and Aiden. However, there are a few twists and turns that kept me hooked. The mystery of the prophecy regarding the "chosen one" made for an interesting twist. However, there is not much romance between the two main protagonists in the beginning. In fact, they don't interact until quite some time into the story. However, once they meet, things get interesting. There's a spectacular fight scene near the end of the book that got my heart racing, and now I am looking forward to reading Keeper of the Peace as soon as possible.

Jennifer Malone Wright has written an intriguing start to a series. I love her fast paced writing style and the flow of the story was wonderful. I have read only one other book by this author, but I would definitely read more of her books in the future.

Due to scenes of explicit sexual situations and the liberal use of bad language, I do not recommend this book to young readers under the age of 18. I do, however, recommend this book if you love new adult paranormal romances with spunky heroines and sexy heroes. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


            

About The Author:



Jennifer Malone Wright is best known for her short story series, The Vampire Hunter's Daughter. Other works include the follow up to The Vampire Hunter's Daughter series called The Arcadia Falls Chronicles, The Graveyard Guardians series, and her vampire novel called Savior. Jennifer also co-authors a series called Once Upon A Zombie Apocalypse as well the Beary Tales series.

She resides in the beautiful mountains of northern Idaho with her husband and five children where she practices preparing for the zombie apocalypse. Just kidding!

But seriously, between the craziness of taking care of her children, Jennifer has little time left for herself. The time she does have left, usually leading far into the night, is spent working on her beloved fiction or chatting with her equally crazy friends.

Jennifer also loves coffee, has a passionate affair with red bull, wishes the sushi were better where she lives and dances while she cleans.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Release Day Promo: Ultraxenopia by M. A. Phipps @authormaphipps





Blurb:

Don’t stand out. Blend in. Remain invisible. Those are the rules I lived by—the rules I thought would keep me alive. 

I was wrong.

Wynter Reeves is a law-abiding citizen of the State, a willing conformist whose daily life is haunted by terrorism and oppression. With the constant threat of death hanging over her like a shadow, she forces herself to live by a strict set of rules, all in the hope of ensuring she is never noticed. However, on her twenty-first birthday, as she prepares to take the placement exam that will determine her future within society, she begins to show symptoms of a rare and debilitating illness—ultimately attracting the attention of the State. Taken into the custody of the feared research facility known as the DSD, her worst nightmare becomes reality.

Ripped away from the life she knew, Wynter is forced to become the test subject of the mysterious Dr. Richter. Through him, she learns the true and terrifying nature of her condition: a disease called Ultraxenopia.






Excerpt:

“Her blood type,” she whispers in a hushed voice to the man. “It’s . . . changing.”
I may not know much about science, or anything medical having to do with the human body, but I know enough to be fairly certain that what she’s saying isn’t possible. Not naturally at least.
I gape at the man, but he doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t even seem to react to this news. His eyes simply follow the code for a while, his fingers rubbing his chin as if deep in thought.
When the process is finally complete, the sphere stops spinning and sinks back to the desktop, landing with a soft thud against the glass surface. Within seconds of touching down, the metal shifts until it’s once again nothing more than a silver bowl filled with blood.
The man straightens up, but his hand remains planted on his chin. Everyone in the room watches him in silence, as if waiting for him to speak.
Including me.
“Fascinating,” is all he says.
Without warning, he looks over at me, and my heart rate increases when his lips curl into a smile. For some reason, his expression is unnerving.
He begins to move toward me, his footsteps echoing off the floor—the sound growing louder as the distance between us shrinks. His gaze never leaves mine.
Stopping just in front of me, he flashes a kind smile. “Hello, Wynter,” he murmurs. “My name is Dr. Richter. I’ll be taking care of you.”
Taking care of me?
“Why am I here?” I breathe. My voice is shaky, and the dryness in my throat is apparent in each raspy word. “What are you going to do to me?”
“Shh, hush now,” he whispers. “All of your questions will be answered in time.”
He smiles once again, only breaking eye contact with me to glance down at his hand. I follow his gaze, the fear re-emerging when I see him pull a syringe from the depths of his coat pocket. His eyes flash back to mine, and I know he can sense my fear as well as the piercing screams tightly lodged in my throat.
“But for now,” he croons as he injects the syringe into one of the tubes in my right arm, “you must sleep.”
He takes a step away from me, that disconcerting expression still plastered across his face. I try to say something, but I can barely get out a single word before I feel the effects of the liquid as it enters my system. It rushes through me like a cold chill.
I want to fight against it, but it’s hopeless.
As the drowsiness returns to pull me under yet again, the doctor’s smile is all I can see.


Author Bio:


M. A. PHIPPS is an American author who currently resides in the picturesque English West Country with her husband, daughter, and their Jack Russell, Milo. A lover of the written word, it has always been her dream to become a published author, and it is her hope to expand into multiple genres of fiction. When she isn’t writing, you can find her counting down the days until the new season of Game of Thrones.

Author Links:

Official Webpage: http://maphipps.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormaphipps/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authormaphipps
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+MAPhipps/posts
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13682371.M_A_Phipps
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormaphipps/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkOGI201TU2Z1r0ZRW_aFog
Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/authormaphipps/

Monday, January 18, 2016

Audio/Book Review of The Martian by Andy Weir




Book Title: The Martian
Genre: Science Fiction/Thriller
Pages: 385
Audio Run Time: 10 Hrs 53 Mins
Author: Andy Weir
Date Published: 13 February 2014 (E-Book)
22 March 2013 (Audio Book)

Synopsis:

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.

Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he's alive - and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.

Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plainold "human error" are much more likely to kill him first.

But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills - and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit - he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

Review:


The MartianThe Martian by Andy Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review 7*

A friend recommended this book. Although I had heard about this book being made into a movie, I was a little worried about the hype and whether it would be worth it. However, I can categorically say that I LOVED IT!

I decided to get this in audiobook format, due to time issues. R.C. Bray brought this story to life with his characterizations. I really enjoyed listening to him. His narration and diction was perfect. I would definitely consider listening to more books narrated by him.

Mark Watney is a fantastic character. I fell in love with his determination and wit when he finds himself stranded on Mars, alone, after his crew members think he is dead and evacuate due to a severe sand storm. If I had been in his shoes, I think I would have gone crazy.

I am a huge science fiction/thriller fan. I started to listen to this story and I was hooked right from the beginning. I can now understand all the hype and why this book was made into a movie (which I haven't seen yet, though I am now determined to get the DVD for it since it's no longer available in my local cinema). This is a dramatic, heartwrenching and hopefilled story. I am still slightly emotional about this book (can't you tell?).

I love how the author managed to keep the tone of the story light, considering the darkness of the subject matter. He also kept the story's intensity high with dangerous situations, though with comedic results at times. The warmth and wit that he gave his characters made them lifelike and likable. The technical aspects of the story were dumbed down slightly for the layman and, although some of it did go over my head, I mostly followed and understood it. I will say, however, mathematics was never my strong suit, so had to take the author's word for it with regards to several calculations made. Nevertheless, I found myself riveted as the tale unfolded. As I reached the end of the story, I found myself on a roller coaster ride of hope, worry, terror, joy and happiness. I did think that the author could have ended it in a different way if he wanted to. I'm not sure if that would have been as well received, but could conceivably be just as realistic. I must admit that I did prefer the ending he went with in the audiobook, which I understand to be a re-imagined ending rather than the original. However, I cannot comment further as I've not read the book, so do not know if this change was made on the Kindle and print versions too.

Andy Weir has written a fantastic space thriller. To say that this is his debut novel, it is a remarkable achievement. I love his fast paced writing style and the flow was fantastic. He's found another fan! I hope he's got something else cooking on his computer being released soon, and I can't wait to find out what it is.

Due to the frequent use of justified (in my opinion) bad language, I do not recommend this book to younger readers. However, I HIGHLY recommend this book if you love a rip roaring science fiction/action/adventure/thrillers. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


            

About The Author:




ANDY WEIR was first hired as a programmer for a national laboratory at age fifteen and has been working as a software engineer ever since. He is also a lifelong space nerd and a devoted hobbyist of subjects like relativistic physics, orbital mechanics, and the history of manned spaceflight. The Martian is his first novel.

Author Links:

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Book Review of Hannah's Heartache - A Master of Whitehall Novelette by Rick H. Veal



Book Title: Hannah's Heartache - A Master of Whitehall Novellette
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Pages: 64
Author: Rick H. Veal
Date Published: 1 May 2015

Synopsis:

Hannah Richards has her life all planned out … she was born and raised in tiny little Waycross, Georgia … and she wants nothing more than to spread her wings and fly away. She wants to experience life and find out what the world holds in store for her. It looks to her like all her plans are about to come together … she graduates high school in two months … has a full scholarship to her favorite college … and she’s the captain of the cheerleading squad … which she has single-handedly guided through to the State wide finals in Savannah. But after arriving in Savannah, she wakes to find herself thrust headlong into a new world … and it’s anything but the world she expected.

Review:


Hannah's HeartacheHannah's Heartache by Rick H. Veal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful short story. I really enjoyed it!

Hannah Richards is a wonderful character. I liked her very much. A cheerleader at school, she finds herself thrown into a world she didn't know existed. With the help of Agalia (or Gale as she is now known), Hannah slowly comes to terms with her new life as an immortal.

Having previously read all of the Master of Whitehall novels, I was eager to read this novellette. As it is only a short story, it didn't take me long to read.

Hannah's story touched me deeply. The story is told through her eyes. Her story could have ended a lot differently if Gale had not found her. Nevertheless, I am glad that she did. I enjoyed getting to know her a little better as she pieced her shattered life back together. Changed by an unknown rogue, Hannah now faces the future with an immortal family that are as formidable apart as they are deadly together. It was nice meeting all of the characters from the previous books again too: James, Katelyn, Dale, Lexi, Charlotte Ann and Sarah. It was like meeting up with friends. My only complaint is that the story was too short! Be that as it may, this is a charming story and I wonder if there will be anymore books in this saga? I guess only time will tell.

Rick Veal has written an intriguing short story. His characters are lifelike and likable. His writing style is fast paced. The flow of the story is wonderful, this kept me turning the pages. He's now on my favourite authors' list. I would definitely read more of his work in the future.

There are no explicit scenes, so I recommend this book for younger readers aged 13 and up . - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


               


About The Author:





Rick H. Veal was born sometime during the last half of the twentieth century in the upstate of South Carolina and has spent the majority of his life there. He joined the Navy immediately out of high school becoming an aircraft mechanic. During a six year span he sailed four times around the world and had the pleasure of visiting eighteen different countries. He says of that time that he did about two thirds of everything there was to do and was accused of taking part in the other one third.

After returning home he attended The University of South Carolina graduating with a double Associates Degree with Honors. He completed his education at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in History and Education. Since that time he has worked in the education field as a teacher and in various management positions in industry. He currently lives alone and shares his home with his 'daughter', a six year old Tuxedo cat who graciously allows him to think he actually owns the house. Her name is 'Daddy's Pretty Girl' but she will actually answer to anything except 'Late for Dinner'.

His two favorite authors are Anne Rice and Clive Cussler. He enjoys Cussler's storytelling ability and Rice's attention to detail. He considers Anne Rice, The Grand Dame of Vampire Writers, to be the architect of the modern vampire genre. Her works are the foundation on which current writers continue to build and expand the field. He believes that current writers of vampire lore owe her a huge debt of gratitude for laying that foundation. Clive Cussler, his other favorite author, is the quintessential American storyteller, one who is able to spin a yarn that draws the reader in from the very beginning. Both of them have a way of bringing their characters to life so that you feel as if you personally know them. Veal hopes that his readers will be able to see the influence of those two great writers in his writing as he tries to convey the same believability with his characters.

He has been a reader for most of his life and enjoyed much of what he's read. He has always enjoyed reading about and watching movies on the subject of vampires. He was completely hooked by Barnabas Collins in 'Dark Shadows' way back in 1966. After reading all the vampire books he could ... Rice, Smith, Harris, Craine, Meyer ... he decided that if they could write a vampire story, then so could he and he set out to do just that.

He decided that a setting with a rich history surrounding it would be ideal for a paranormal love story. Charleston and the surrounding Low Country of South Carolina, replete with an abundant history of ghosts and the unknown, combined with the lore of Vampire stories just seemed to be made for each other. So tying the two together he formed the initial idea and built on it from there.

The result of his efforts is The Epic Saga of The Master of Whitehall, a sweeping three volume narrative set in historic Charleston and the surrounding Low Country of South Carolina. A forth novel, the first of a two volume prequel to The Master of Whitehall, is in progress with one more planned for a total of five volumes in the series.

His other works include Jennifer's Ghost, a short story set in beautiful Beaufort, South Carolina and Hannah's Heartache, a Master of Whitehall novelette, set in Savannah, Georgia.

It has been said that that if you want to write, you should "write the book you want to read, and then others will want to read it too". That is exactly what he hopes he has accomplished in his own writings.

All of his books, Katelyn's Chronicles, Lexi's Legacy, Dale's Descent, Jennifer's Ghost and Hannah's Heartache are available at Amazon.com in both print and e-book formats.

Should you wish to receive a personally inscribed and signed copy of any of his books please contact him directly for more information. He can be contacted via e-mail at author@prtcnet.com, his website, TheMasterOfWhitehall.com, or on Facebook at Rick H. Veal.

Author Links:

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Book Review of WitchWar (Witchblood Series Book 5) by Emma Mills



Book Title: WitchWar
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Pages: 292
Author: Emma Mills
Date Published: 8 January 2016

Synopsis:

In the final book of the Witchblood series we find Jess and her friends ten years on, about to battle with enemies on all sides, as the supernatural world crashes into the human domain.
With everybody’s lives on the line Jess will need to work out who she can trust before a deadly witch hunt threatens to uncover them all. Death and love will once again consume her life, but only one side can win.

*If you haven’t tried the WitchBlood Series, the first book ‘WitchBlood’ is free to download.

WitchWar (Witchblood Series Book 5)WitchWar by Emma Mills
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the fifth and final book in the Witchblood series. I loved it!

Jess James is a wonderful character. I have enjoyed watching her growth from an angst ridden teen to a formidable vampire and witch (or Vitch as Brittany calls her). It's now ten years later. Jess and Daniel are still very much in love. However, trouble is brewing on the horizon. The supernatural world is threatened with exposure. Can Jess and the gang stop it in time?

This story hooked me from the first page and I read this book in one sitting. I must admit that I have missed these characters, as they have become friends. Not only do we meet with the previous characters of the series, such as Brittany, Daniel, Eva, Sebastian, Luke and Saffy (to name but a few), Leo and Brooke from WitchFire also make an appearance.

The story took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotion from beginning to end. The story is full of action and danger. I loved the way the story unfolded; there are several twists and turns that surprised me. There are also several fight scenes. However, there was one that was extremely intense and had me sitting on the edge of my seat. There is also a huge twist that I didn't see coming, it left me in tears. I won't say whether they were happy or sad ones, as that would be a spoiler. I reached the end of the story with bittersweet feelings. This series has been a journey into a unique world of vampires, witches and angels. It has been an absolute pleasure to read and I am sad that it has come to an end. However, all good things must come to an end and I am now looking forward to finding out what the author comes up with next.

Emma Mills has written a fast paced story that flows beautifully. It is also a masterpiece of originality. I have never read anything like it before. This author is on my favourite authors' list and I will read any book written by her in the future.

I highly recommend this YA Paranormal Romance if you love stories with vampires, witches and angels. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


Purchase Links:


                 


About The Author:




Emma Mills is a stay-at-home mum. She shares her home with her husband, two children, a dog, 3 cats, a house rabbit and a tankful of fish. Once her youngest child started school she began to write.

WitchBlood was published in January 2012, swiftly followed by WitchCraft and WitchLove. Emma published what she had intended to be the finale of the series, WitchHunt, a week after moving her family south to Somerset, in November 2013. A prequel to the series, WitchFire, followed in 2014.

However, after fans began asking for more, a plan began to develop. The Witchblood Series didn’t feel finished, so WitchWar was born. Emma says now that she has written WitchWar, she feels that the series is complete. WitchWar is set ten years after WitchHunt. It has everything you want from a supernatural final book: fear, heartbreak and resolution.



Find Me Here:



@EmmaMwriter (Twitter & Instagram)

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Book Review of Jennifer's Ghost: A Tale of Ghostly Love by Rick H. Veal



Book Title: Jennifer's Ghost: A Tale of Ghostly Love
Genre: YA Supernatural Romance/Urban Fantasy
Pages: 52
Author: Rick H. Veal
Date Published: 23 February 2015

Synopsis:

Meet Jennifer, an almost thirty single girl who suddenly finds herself summoned to an attorney’s office in Beaufort, South Carolina. Once there she discovers that she is the sole heir to her Aunt’s estate, a beautiful nineteenth century cottage overlooking the beach on a small coastal island. She soon finds that the cottage comes complete with its original owner … who died in 1864. See what happens when the two of them come face to face …

Review:


Jennifer's Ghost: A Tale of Ghostly LoveJennifer's Ghost: A Tale of Ghostly Love by Rick H. Veal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful short story. I really enjoyed it.

Jennifer Lynn Walden is a likable character. She is a normal young woman who finds herself the heir to her aunt's estate. When she meets Jonathon Ashton, she quickly falls for him. But there's a catch - he's a ghost.

Having previously read The Master of Whitehall saga written by the author, I was eager to read this short novella, as I wanted to see what he came up with.

This is a charming and romantic tale. The story is told through the eyes of both Jennifer and Jonathon and gives the reader an insight into their thoughts and feelings. I really liked this aspect, but felt that I would have liked to have had more of Jonathon's side and delved a little deeper into his history. However, as this is a short story, I suppose there had to be a compromise.

There are a couple of interesting characters introduced. I really liked Leslie Johnson, although she is not in the story for long. She's the secretary for the attorney dealing with the estate. Her boss, Cecil Woodcock, is also an interesting character. He's a gregarious and likable man.

I really liked this tale and wondered how these two potential lovers would ever get together (if ever). I must admit that the way the author wove the story had me completely hooked. There is even a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. I am now looking forward to reading Hannah's Heartache, a Master of Whitehall novelette.

Rick Veal has written an intriguing short story. His characters are lifelike and likable. His writing style is fast paced. The flow of the story is wonderful, this kept me turning the pages. He's now on my favourite authors' list. I would definitely read more of his work in the future.

There are no explicit scenes, so I recommend this book for younger readers aged 13 and up . - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews


          

About The Author:





Rick H. Veal was born sometime during the last half of the twentieth century in the upstate of South Carolina and has spent the majority of his life there. He joined the Navy immediately out of high school becoming an aircraft mechanic. During a six year span he sailed four times around the world and had the pleasure of visiting eighteen different countries. He says of that time that he did about two thirds of everything there was to do and was accused of taking part in the other one third.

After returning home he attended The University of South Carolina graduating with a double Associates Degree with Honors. He completed his education at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in History and Education. Since that time he has worked in the education field as a teacher and in various management positions in industry. He currently lives alone and shares his home with his 'daughter', a six year old Tuxedo cat who graciously allows him to think he actually owns the house. Her name is 'Daddy's Pretty Girl' but she will actually answer to anything except 'Late for Dinner'.

His two favorite authors are Anne Rice and Clive Cussler. He enjoys Cussler's storytelling ability and Rice's attention to detail. He considers Anne Rice, The Grand Dame of Vampire Writers, to be the architect of the modern vampire genre. Her works are the foundation on which current writers continue to build and expand the field. He believes that current writers of vampire lore owe her a huge debt of gratitude for laying that foundation. Clive Cussler, his other favorite author, is the quintessential American storyteller, one who is able to spin a yarn that draws the reader in from the very beginning. Both of them have a way of bringing their characters to life so that you feel as if you personally know them. Veal hopes that his readers will be able to see the influence of those two great writers in his writing as he tries to convey the same believability with his characters.

He has been a reader for most of his life and enjoyed much of what he's read. He has always enjoyed reading about and watching movies on the subject of vampires. He was completely hooked by Barnabas Collins in 'Dark Shadows' way back in 1966. After reading all the vampire books he could ... Rice, Smith, Harris, Craine, Meyer ... he decided that if they could write a vampire story, then so could he and he set out to do just that.

He decided that a setting with a rich history surrounding it would be ideal for a paranormal love story. Charleston and the surrounding Low Country of South Carolina, replete with an abundant history of ghosts and the unknown, combined with the lore of Vampire stories just seemed to be made for each other. So tying the two together he formed the initial idea and built on it from there.

The result of his efforts is The Epic Saga of The Master of Whitehall, a sweeping three volume narrative set in historic Charleston and the surrounding Low Country of South Carolina. A forth novel, the first of a two volume prequel to The Master of Whitehall, is in progress with one more planned for a total of five volumes in the series.

His other works include Jennifer's Ghost, a short story set in beautiful Beaufort, South Carolina and Hannah's Heartache, a Master of Whitehall novelette, set in Savannah, Georgia.

It has been said that that if you want to write, you should "write the book you want to read, and then others will want to read it too". That is exactly what he hopes he has accomplished in his own writings.

All of his books, Katelyn's Chronicles, Lexi's Legacy, Dale's Descent, Jennifer's Ghost and Hannah's Heartache are available at Amazon.com in both print and e-book formats.

Should you wish to receive a personally inscribed and signed copy of any of his books please contact him directly for more information. He can be contacted via e-mail at author@prtcnet.com, his website, TheMasterOfWhitehall.com, or on Facebook at Rick H. Veal.

Author Links:

Friday, January 08, 2016

The Honeymoon is over

The Honeymoon is over. And thank goodness for that.  I do not like New Years day.  Crackers and stuff that goes bang has no attraction for me.  Also I do not do well with people who act as if a new chapter has started.  Most of these people never even read the first paragraph of the previous chapter so why try to constantly reinvent the wheel?

That however does not mean you cannot have a better chapter that the previous one, but this time.  Think about your first line.  Not THE END.

It is the 8th already.  And I personally started the year off with a bang.
I do not make new years resolutions.  Never have but I do try to be more, live more, do more every single year. 

Since I am pretty busy that takes some doing.  But I am doing it and here is what I have learned thus far.

A year is a number like age.  If age is a bother take a page from gamers.  Stop aging and start to level up.


If you make friends with yourself, you will never be alone.


Breathe.  Before you swallow again.  Before you speak.  Before everything you do and think.  Your brain needs oxygen to think.  So make sure your thinking before you do.


 The honeymoon is over.  A new year has begun and trust me.... You were absolutely fabulous last year.  You will be absolutely fabulous this year.

So please relax.  Learn.  Grow but don't burn out.  And if the last meal you had were a grape in 1973 please consider eating an olive this year. 


 
And lastly, If you do not know what to do this year, here is a suggestion
 
 
Keep it simple stupid. 
 

Gabby The Protector Finding Forever by Greg Sandora

 
Book blurb
 
Ancient prophecies foretell Political Power rising from unimaginable darkness. In The Protector, Gabby is given an earth assignment that will put her angelic powers to the test. Take the journey from the peak of professional baseball straight into Heaven in this epic battle between good and evil. A Presidential candidate funded by the wealthy is destined to rise to power and destroy mankind. Will his secret keep him from the highest office in the land? Can Bo and Gabby defeat the most powerful evil in the Universe?
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013PEQBDC?keywords=greg%20Sandora&qid=1452239110&ref_=sr_1_4&sr=8-4
 
Click on the pic to grab your copy from Amazon.
 
My opinion
 
I love seeing authors grow in their craft and thus far few books have shown so much growth as this book by Sandora.
The plot is fast and tight.  The writing is strong and clear. The author is really growing and it is obvious in this book.
Gabby is back.  Bo has a new life and the struggle carry on.  This time however Bo is far more likeable.  He is no longer like a love struck teenager and far more like a grown man with a mission and ideals.
Gabby remains too good to be true as she should be seeing she is an Angel.  I like the other new Angels introduced in this book as well. 
All in all as a standalone in Christian fiction I can recommend this book but as part of the series this is a MUST read.  Thus far, by far, the best book I have had the pleasure of reading by this author. 
 
About the author
 
Greg is originally from Maine. He lived and worked in Portland for years before moving to Southwest Florida. His first book, All In: The Race for the Presidency, is a Presidential Thriller, or some might say White House Thriller. Think the Crime and Passion of the Godfather meets the Romance and Innocence of Camelot. The story is packed with action and adventure. One reviewer writes: "Jack Canon's American Destiny is very intense. Early in the Book I knew I had to put my seat belt on, I was sure this was going to be one hell of a ride, and boy it was. One thing I especially appreciated in this author's Book is just how he was able to bring the story across with so many twists and turns that all came together masterfully."

The sequel to All In is titled: Love, Lust and Loyalty, Women of the White House. It's a story of Kindness, Passion and Courage. It has all of the components of the first book, but leans toward a Presidential Romance Thriller. The sequel is just as action packed, but with more spice, some reviewers say it's sensual. To quote one reviewer - "Unsurpassable, this story is darn good, a real work of art. Women of the House by Greg Sandora has been written with a vibrating "passion" if that terminology didn't exist before - it does now....I found that Jack was the kind of guy I liked immediately while Sandy was just perfect - I chose to review it because of the mystery behind it."

Greg's Angel Adventure Series includes Gabby, Angel of God and The Protector, Kingdom of Heaven. Both are Supernatural Romance Thrillers involving an angel, Gabby, and a man named Bo. During a visit to Bar Harbor, Maine Bo encounters a beautiful angel named Gabby; quite accidentally, he is told - she wasn't supposed to make him aware of her existence. His purity of spirit, kindness and capacity for love has revealed her to him. He falls hopelessly in love with the beautiful creature, as humans cannot resist angels. Both books fit nicely in the Supernatural, Romantic Thriller, and Paranormal and Time Travel genres. All Greg's books have adventures and thrills, are fast paced and have hilarious moments.

Greg's mom and dad were artists, his father painted and his mother wrote poetry and loved to garden. Most Saturdays the family loaded up the 1970 Chevy Impala to trek to a one man show somewhere or other. Greg took a different track graduating with a business degree; owning and operating an Award Winning Franchise Fitness Center in the Portland area for 15 years. Currently, Greg is living in Florida with my beautiful wife and children, following his passion, writing.