Saturday, October 11, 2014

Book Review of Incredible Dreams (A Time Travel Romance) by Sandra Edwards



Book Title: Incredible Dreams (A Time Travel Romance)
Genre: Time Travel Romance
Pages: 232
Author: Sandra Edwards
Date Published: 15 August 2010


Synopsis:

A modern-day ghost whisperer travels through time to save the life of a WWII fighter pilot and ends up jeopardizing her own existence.

Review:


Incredible DreamsIncredible Dreams by Sandra Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very interesting time travel romance. I really enjoyed it! I downloaded this book when I first bought my Kindle, but had never managed to read it until now.

Isabelle (Izzy) Miller is a modern day ghost whisperer. She is a very likable character, who has been hired to clear an old, abandoned WWII Air Force base hanger of a ghost. I really liked this character. She has a steely inner strength and a determination to succeed.

This is a wonderful time travel romance that takes the reader on a wild ride. The story is told mostly through Izzy and Jack's point of view, but there are also a few other characters that have their say, which gives it an interesting twist. I started this book and was reminded of a British TV comedy series called "Goodnight Sweetheart", where a young man finds a tear in the fabric of time and it leads back into 1940's London. However, this story is slightly different as it is set in the US, the main character is female and this book is most definitely not a comedy. Izzy goes back in time to save the life of the pilot, Captain Jack Baker from a tragic accident. This story is full of twists and turns, as well as interesting characters. The romance between Izzy and Jack was sweet, but hot. I liked Jack too. He is full of charm and charisma. There is danger and excitement, as well as adventure in this really sweet story. This time travel romance was a refreshing change of pace from the normal paranormal romance books I read, and I found myself on an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end.

Time travel is a paradox; if you went back in time, would you become your own grandmother/father or some other relative? This is a question that has always intrigued me from when I first read H.G. Well's Time Machine. I am no scientist, but one wonders if there are people from the future travelling back to our time and beyond. Scary? Maybe, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Sandra Edwards has taken the concept of time travel and written a wonderful romance that was touching and sweet. I loved her fast paced writing style and the flow was wonderful.

Due to scenes of a sexual nature that, although not as explicit as some books I have read, are rather on the steamy side, I do not recommend this book to younger readers (under 16). I do, however, recommend this book if you love older YA, paranormal or time travel romances. - Lynn Worton

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Thursday, October 09, 2014

Audio/Book Review of Thieves' Quarry (Thieftaker Chronicles #2) by D.B. Jackson



Book Title: Thieves' Quarry (Thieftaker Chronicles #2)
Genre: Historical Paranormal Fantasy
Pages: 317
Author: D.B. Jackson
Date Published: 2 July 2013


Synopsis:

Ethan Kaille isn’t the likeliest hero. A former sailor with a troubled past, Ethan is a thieftaker, using conjuring skills to hunt down those who steal from the good citizens of Boston. And while chasing down miscreants in 1768 makes his life a perilous one, the simmering political tensions between loyalists like himself and rabble-rousing revolutionaries like Samuel Adams and others of his ilk are perhaps even more dangerous to his health.

When one hundred sailors of King George III's Royal Navy are mysteriously killed on a ship in Boston Harbor, Ethan is thrust into dire peril. For he—and not Boston’s premier thieftaker, Sephira Pryce—is asked to find the truth behind their deaths. City Sheriff Edmund Greenleaf suspects conjuring was used in the dastardly crime, and even Pryce knows that Ethan is better equipped to contend with matters of what most of Boston considers dark arts. But even Ethan is daunted by magic powerful enough to fell so many in a single stroke. When he starts to investigate, he realizes that the mass murderer will stop at nothing to evade capture. And making his task more difficult is the British fleet's occupation of the city after the colonials' violent protests after the seizure of John Hancock's ship. Kaille will need all his own magic, street smarts, and a bit of luck to keep this Boston massacre from giving the hotheads of Colonial Boston an excuse for inciting a riot—or worse.

Review:


Thieves' Quarry (Thieftaker Chronicles, #2)Thieves' Quarry by D.B. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in a fantastic historical urban fantasy. I loved it!

Ethan Kaille is an interesting character. He is a Thieftaker, a conjurer who uses his magic to track down thieves and the stolen items. I liked this eighteenth century gent. He has a very sharp mind, and is quite talented as a magical detective. He has a dark past, which gives him an air of mystery.

I downloaded this as an audio book, so I could listen to it while doing housework, or just before going to bed.
The tale was again narrated by Jonathan Davis, who brought the characters and story alive with his narration. I could listen to his voice for hours! In fact, I did! I became so involved in the story that I didn't realise how much time had gone by!

The story took me on a journey into eighteenth century Boston. I am not a history buff, but I am interested in this period in America's early history. The author has woven a wonderful tale into this backdrop.

Ethan Kaille reminded me of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden. However, Ethan is very much his own character and has his own quirks and way of doing things. He uses elemental magic - earth, wind, water, air and fire - for his spells. It has been a pleasure watching this character grow in confidence with his conjuring abilities, and trying new spells.

In this story, he is hired by the Customs office to investigate a mysterious mass murder on board a Royal Navy ship. The mystery of the deadly conjuring sees Ethan facing even more danger than ever before. Meanwhile, Sephira Pryce, Ethan's nemesis and fellow Thieftaker, is determined to get more clients by hiring her own conjurer.

The story has several twists and turns, which kept me hooked from beginning to end. The descriptions of the characters and scenes brought Boston in 1768 to life; I could picture it quite clearly. I did, however, feel that some of the scenes were a little too long and drawn out at times. However, that being said, there was plenty of action and danger with which to keep me interested and entertained. There was one scene in particular that upset me. Not because it was particularly gruesome or anything like that, but just because Ethan was rendered helpless and I wanted to rescue him. Silly, hey? The mystery of who was behind the deaths on the ship was a huge surprise; I never guessed who the culprit was, and was totally shocked when they were revealed. The end of the story has a twist that I didn't see coming, and has me looking forward to reading/listening to the next book in the series, A Plunder of Souls as soon as possible.

D.B. Jackson has written a fantastic historical urban fantasy. I loved his writing style, which was fast paced and action packed, and the story flowed wonderfully from beginning to end. I would most definitely read more of this author's books in the future.

There are a few scenes of a sensual nature, though not explicit, and scenes of cutting (for spell making) that may upset some readers. Therefore, I do not recommend this book for younger readers or those of a nervous disposition. However, I highly recommend this book if you love paranormal, urban fantasy, mystery, thriller or detective genres. - Lynn Worton

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Tuesday, October 07, 2014

The 100. Should I, or should I not hate it? Well, I don't hate even though I know I should.



The 100

Ok so according to those in the know this book is written or aimed at the age group of 9-12.  It has some heavy influences from the TV series Lost.  Actually it is basically almost a fan fiction of the story.  It also has some influence according to the blurb from The Hunger Games.  Now I read the Hunger Games.  I loved it I am still trying to fit that into the story. More than everything this story is a rehash of the reality TV show Survivor.  You know that basic plot line….take the one guy who can make a fire, one guy that can catch fish and you vote him off as soon as possible.  Because he is a threat.  So basically, you go out of your way to lose any chance you had to build up strength to survive and win challenges, to go hungry and possibly incur serious bodily ailment due to being thirsty, dehydrated and hungry all so you have a better chance to win a buck. 

And that is the thrilling part of this book.  Then we hit the romance.  Lots and lots of romance.  You know the type….they are being hunted. They are being stalked. They are gonna be dinner so what does two hot blooded teens do.  Drop everything and have a heated argument then possibly kiss, or let the baggage they had come in the way then discuss that or go through a very nice long internal dialogue of the pro's and cons' of ….well being young.  But hey.  Wait, they are being hunted so in a split second the one or the other turns in the nick of time…not always some do die, and save the day by running like a school kid. 

I loved the fact that in this story kids who never had enough water to take a bath is able to swim by teaching themselves.  Fearless are they not? Nope daft is the word I would use.  But hey they are teenagers. 

So back to the romance.  Oh my good golly gosh people it goes on and on and on.  Now I think…age group 9 - 12….I would not have loved all this soppy romance then.  Age 13-17 this romance is far too tame.  So exactly what sense does the romance make herein… not much.  Turns out all action are akin to a pea in a bean soup mix.  The beans being the romance.
So by now you might believe that I hated the book.  Not so.  The author has an amazing ability to write a story with the ease and flow I have never come across.  Not bothered by writing pretty prose but truly a unique ability to write a story line worth 337 pages that I read through in an hour and twenty minutes with three coffee breaks in between. Now that is something I love.  This ability astounded me.  According to my Fire my reading level is INTERMEDIARY so obviously this woman has a way with evening out the plot so that it flows seamlessly along. 

The characters were also not bad and the baggage they brought with them was quite remarkable and actually did add depth to the story.  It was about the only thing that formed the characters for one on the island, arch I mean earth between the kissing, fighting and running little else happened of note. 
I do still not hate this book.  It was a fun read.  What confuses me is the juvenile prose, the somewhat mature plot line.  The truly mature sub plots all in one. 

I watched episode one of the TV series yesterday simply to see what my reaction will be.  I will watch more and I already started on 21 Days, book 2 in the series. 


I am not recommending this to 9 year olds.  I am however saying that as far as a quick read goes, this is definitely that and it does serve to entertain.  

Click on the pic to get your copy from Amazon.com

The author Kass Morgan


More about the author.

Kass Morgan studied literature at Brown and Oxford, and now resides in Brooklyn, where she lives in constant fear of her Ikea bookcase collapsing and burying her under a mound of science fiction and Victorian novels. Kass is currently working on the sequel to The 100, which she’ll finish as soon as she finds a coffee shop that allows laptops on the weekend.

Sunday, October 05, 2014

Book Review of Raven (Legends Saga Book 2) by Stacey Rourke




Book Title: Raven (Legends Saga Book 2)
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Pages: 218
Author: Stacey Rourke
Date Published: 21 September 2014


Synopsis:

An infamous love, destined nevermore,
For death could not claim, the enchanting Lenore.

Cursed by the malevolent spirit of the Headless Horseman, Ireland Crane ventures to Manhattan in search of a way to break her soul crushing bond. Instead, she discovers the lines between fact and fiction are blurring once more. Croaking ravens. Telltale hearts. Could the works of Poe be coming to pass with handsome Wall Street Midas Ridley Peolte as their unwilling target?

She walks the Earth, a plague on mankind,
searching for he, her rotted heart doth pine.

Together, the two unknowingly release a dark force death itself could not tame. Surrounded by the unrelenting violence and mayhem they’ve unleashed, Ireland feels her control over the Horseman slipping. Before the beast within consumes her, she and her crew must follow the clues of the dead to right a centuries’ old wrong. Will it be enough to sate the Horseman’s appetite?

Hell hath no fury like a ghoul scorned.

Review:


Raven (The Legends Saga, #2)Raven by Stacey Rourke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Legends Saga. I absolutely LOVED it!

Ireland Crane is twenty four years old and a relation of Ichabod Crane of Sleepy Hollow fame. I liked this stubborn, witty woman very much. She is still struggling with having the spirit of the Horseman inhabiting her body. Whilst looking for answers she meets Ridley Peolte, who finds he has a curse of his own.

I have been eagerly waiting the release of this book. I was not disappointed. I was hooked from the first page. This story is slightly different compared to the first one, as it is not as focused on Ireland so much. Instead the story is based on Edgar Allen Poe and his love of his life, Lenore. The story flashes between scenes in his past and shows his life from childhood to adulthood. Was Poe mad? Was he cursed? Or did he have a gift? Who knows, but the author has created a wonderful story that delves into his world.

It was also wonderful to meet Noah Van Tassel and Rip van Winkle again. I know it's cruel to laugh at someone like Rip who has stress induced narcolepsy, but the scene in the art gallery was definitely worth a giggle/snort! The story is told through various view points, but mostly though Edgar Allen Poe, Ireland and Ridley's eyes. The story has action and adventure, death and murder, but there is also romance. The characters' are very lifelike and the heroine is full of wit and sarcasm, which I like. There are several twists and turns that surprised me in places, and one huge scene that completely had me in tears; I was absolutely shocked. It has amazed me at how quickly these characters have burrowed under my skin. This motley crew of characters have become my friends. The ending has a huge twist that I didn't see coming, and now I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series as soon as it has been written. Note to the author: Hurry up please! But also take your time because, just like good wine, the book needs time to reach perfection.

Stacey Rourke has written a fantastic dark fantasy, which is slightly darker than her YA Gryphon series. I love her writing style, which is fast paced, and the story flows wonderfully. I was worried that the scenes between past and present would make it seem jumpy and disconnected, but I'm glad to say that it wasn't. I am a huge fan of this author, and she is near the top of my Favourite Author's list.

Although this is not really a YA story, I highly recommend this book to teens aged 15+ and adults who love dark fantasy. - Lynn Worton

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Saturday, October 04, 2014

Book Review of Still Hunt (Forest Magic Series Book 3) by Diane M. Haynes



Book Title: Still Hunt (Forest Magic Series Book 3)
Genre: YA/Adventure
Pages: 256
Author: Diane M. Haynes
Date Published: 15 August 2014

Synopsis:

In Still Hunt, the third installment of the ‘Forest Magic’ series, nineteen-year-old Micah Fuller is called to the home of his elderly Great Aunt Gisele in Bidwell, MA to learn her craft—communicating with the dead—unaware that she is about to pass into the spirit world herself. As expected, she leaves the bulk of her estate, including the Enchanted Forest to Micah, but the Will is contested by his cousin, Trey. A dangerous type of scavenger hunt in which Micah and his team are pitted against Trey’s team will determine who inherits the Forest with its extremely powerful and valuable Crystal Cave. Can Micah win the Still Hunt and preserve the Enchanted Forest, or will Trey win and sell its valuable resources to the highest bidder? Will Haley stay with Micah, or will she succumb to Trey's Gift of Suggestion?

Review:


Still HuntStill Hunt by Diane M Haynes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

This is the third book in an exciting YA fantasy series. I loved it!

Haley and her twin sister Lacey are now nearly 18 years old. I like these two girls very much. It has been interesting watch them grow up over the series. They have matured a lot and grown from unsure young girls into confident young women.

This story quickly drew me back into a world of magic and magical creatures. I was hooked from the first page and read this book in one sitting. The characters have all matured and have grown stronger because of their previous adventures in Great Aunt Gisele's Enchanted Forest. It was a pleasure to meet Micah and Taylor again too. The story is mostly told through the eyes of Haley, but Micah has his say and so does his cousin, Trey.

Micah has come to his Great Aunt's to learn how to communicate with the spirits, but finds himself having to compete in the "Still Hunt" against his cousins, Trey and Selena, in order to decide ownership of the Enchanted Forest and to break a curse that has affected not only his family, but Haley and Lacey's family too. The story was full of action, danger and adventure. There is one graphic, but not explicit scene near the end of the book of a sexual nature, which takes this YA story closer to the NA genre. However, this scene is necessary in a couple of ways. The scene is crucial to the plot, and also shows the reader the magic of young love and commitment. This scene was extremely well written and quite touching. In fact, the whole book came alive with the vivid descriptions written by the author. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

Diane Haynes has written a fantastic fast paced fantasy adventure for middle grade children/young teens, but I think that adults may enjoy it too. I love her fast paced writing style, and the flow was wonderful. She is one of my favourite YA authors.

I highly recommend this book if you love fantasy, adventure, magic, YA/NA or stories full of mythical beings. - Lynn Worton

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Friday, October 03, 2014

Conditions by Christoph Fischer

Conditions by Christoph Fischer

About the book:

Conditions
When Charles and Tony's mother dies the estranged brothers must struggle to pick up the pieces, particularly so given that one of them is mentally challenged and the other bitter about his place within the family. 
The conflict is drawn out over materialistic issues, but there are other underlying problems which go to the heart of what it means to be part of a family which, in one way or another. has cast one aside.
Prejudice, misconceptions and the human condition in all forms feature in this contemporary drama revolving around a group of people who attend the subsequent funeral at the British South Coast. 
Meet flamboyant gardener Charles, loner Simon, selfless psychic Elaine, narcissistic body-builder Edgar, Martha and her version of unconditional love and many others as they try to deal with the event and its aftermath.

Now I want to have my say in this…..
Yes, I have read the book.  I did my share of editing on the book as well and here is why I adore the book.
It is real, raw and emotional.  It is about people like you and me.  It is about family that goes out of their way to hurt one another all due to real and or perceived past transgressions.  In total this book is about real life, about the condition of being human warts and all. 
So pick up your copy today.  Trust me, you have to read this.

On Facebook: http://ow.ly/C0ZqX
On Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NZ1VTBU  Go pre order this amazing book guys.  
On Goodreads: http://ow.ly/C0Ziw


Other books by this author:


The Luck of the Weissensteiners(Three Nations Trilogy Book 1)
In the sleepy town of Bratislava in 1933 a romantic girl falls for a bookseller from Berlin. Greta Weissensteiner, daughter of a Jewish weaver, slowly settles in with the Winkelmeier clan just as the developments in Germany start to make waves in Europe and re-draws the visible and invisible borders. The political climate in the multifaceted cultural jigsaw puzzle of disintegrating Czechoslovakia becomes more complex and affects relations between the couple and the families. The story follows them through the war with its predictable and also its unexpected turns and events and the equally hard times after.
But this is no ordinary romance; in fact it is not a romance at all, but a powerful, often sad, Holocaust story. What makes The Luck of the Weissensteiners so extraordinary is the chance to consider the many different people who were never in concentration camps, never in the military, yet who nonetheless had their own indelible Holocaust experiences. This is a wide-ranging, historically accurate exploration of the connections between social location, personal integrity and, as the title says, luck.
On Goodreads: http://bit.ly/12Rnup8

Sebastian (Three Nations Trilogy Book 2)
Sebastian is the story of a young man who has his leg amputated before World War I. When his father is drafted to the war it falls on to him to run the family grocery store in Vienna, to grow into his responsibilities, bear loss and uncertainty and hopefully find love.
Sebastian Schreiber, his extended family, their friends and the store employees experience the ‘golden days’ of pre-war Vienna and the timed of the war and the end of the Monarchy while trying to make a living and to preserve what they hold dear.
Fischer convincingly describes life in Vienna during the war, how it affected the people in an otherwise safe and prosperous location, the beginning of the end for the Monarchy, the arrival of modern thoughts and trends, the Viennese class system and the end of an era.
As in the first part of the trilogy, “The Luck of The Weissensteiners” we are confronted again with themes of identity, Nationality and borders. The step back in time made from Book 1 and the change of location from Slovakia to Austria enables the reader to see the parallels and the differences deliberately out of the sequential order. This helps to see one not as the consequence of the other, but to experience them as the momentary reality as it must have felt for the people at the time.
On Goodreads: http://ow.ly/pthHZ
On Facebook: http://ow.ly/pthNy
The Black Eagle Inn (Three Nations Trilogy Book 3)
The Black Eagle Inn is an old established Restaurant and Farm business in the sleepy Bavarian countryside outside of Heimkirchen.  Childless Anna Hinterberger has fought hard to make it her own and keep it running through WWII. Religion and rivalry divide her family as one of her nephews, Markus has got her heart and another nephew, Lukas got her ear. Her husband Herbert is still missing and for the wider family life in post-war Germany also has some unexpected challenges in store.
Once again Fischer tells a family saga with war in the far background and weaves the political and religious into the personal. Being the third in the Three Nations Trilogy this book offers another perspective on war, its impact on people and the themes of nations and identity.
On Facebook: http://ow.ly/pAX3y
On Goodreads: http://ow.ly/pAX8G

Time To Let Go:
Time to Let Go is a contemporary family drama set in Britain.
Following a traumatic incident at work Stewardess Hanna Korhonen decides to take time off work and leaves her home in London to spend quality time with her elderly parents in rural England. There she finds that neither can she run away from her problems, nor does her family provide the easy getaway place that she has hoped for. Her mother suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and, while being confronted with the consequences of her issues at work, she and her entire family are forced to reassess their lives.
The book takes a close look at family dynamics and at human nature in a time of a crisis. Their challenges, individual and shared, take the Korhonens on a journey of self-discovery and redemption.
On Facebook:http://ow.ly/BtKtQ
On Goodreads:http://ow.ly/BtKs7

About the author:


Short Biography:

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small hamlet, not far from Bath.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.
Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; 'Sebastian' in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. In May 2014 he published his first contemporary novel "Time To Let Go" in May.He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.


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Thursday, October 02, 2014

Book Review of Good Pussy Bad Pussy: Rachel's Tale by A. Aimee



Book Title: Good Pussy Bad Pussy: Rachel's Tale 
Genre: Erotica
Pages: 192
Author: A. Aimee
Date Published: 7 October 2013

Synopsis:

Most married women only dream of having sex with other men, but Rachel actually does. And it gets her into all kinds of trouble. From Amsterdam to the French Riviera to New York City…from her blond lover Stefan, to aristocratic Albert, and mad doctor Howard, Rachel tastes forbidden fruit – and likes it. That is until life takes a very surprising turn!

Review:


Good Pussy Bad Pussy: Rachel's TaleGood Pussy Bad Pussy: Rachel's Tale by A. Aimee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an unusual erotica novel. The synopsis was intriguing, so I decided to give it a try.

Rachel is a character I didn't really like. I wanted to shake her for her choices. She is a wife and mother, who is bored with her marriage. She has a high libido (she calls it Good Pussy/Bad Pussy) and, in order to satisfy it, ends up having affairs and one night stands. She meets Stefan and her life quickly spirals out of control.

This is a hard book to review, because although I read and enjoy erotica, this story had me scratching my head at times. I get that Rachel was not happy in her marriage, but her attitude had me thinking she deserved some, if not all of the things that happened to her. She basically prostitutes herself (not for money though) and then cries foul when she gets pimped out by not only her "boyfriend" Stefan to his boss, Albert, but also gets abused by her brother-in-law. No one deserves to be physically abused, but if a character or person knowingly and purposefully puts themselves in danger of being hurt in this way, they have only themselves to blame. They need to take responsibility for their own actions, or lack thereof.

The plot line was a bit shaky at times and twists from erotica to romance. The other characters in the story felt one dimensional and lacking in personality, and I struggled to enjoy this story. In fact, some of the scenes were quite disturbing and made me feel ill. I do like reading erotica, but I am afraid this story was not for me.

A. Aimee has written a gritty erotica novel, but I think this book needs an edit to polish up some of the rough edges. Her writing style is fast paced and action packed, but the flow was not as smooth as it could have been.

Due to the explicit sex, as well as physical abuse and violence, I do not recommend this book to readers under the age of 18, or for those of a sensitive nature. However, if you enjoy erotica with violence and abuse, this book is for you. - Lynn Worton

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