A smoke filled room, piano music and a hat, that is the world of PI Dev....

About the author via Amazon:
Mike Faricy is the award winning author of mystery suspense thrillers woven together with a rich strain of humour and even some romance. He and his wife live in Saint Paul, Minnesota and Dublin, Ireland.
His entertaining tales are populated with the sort of quirky, oddball characters we'd all like to know more about, but wisely prefer to keep at a distance. They serve not so much as examples as they do warnings to the rest of us. None of his characters will be saving the world from terrorism, international banking conspiracies or coups to topple the government. Rather, they're individuals inhabiting a world just below the surface of polite society. The difficulties they find themselves in are usually due to their own bad decisions, but then, bad decisions make for interesting tales.
All of his books are stand alone, read them in any order you wish. Russian roulette introduces the bizarrely devilish Devlin Haskell as a PI with a foot on both sides of the law. Dev's adventures continue in Mr. Softee and the soon to be released Bite Me. Mike is currently working on his latest top secret project. He graduated High School from St. Thomas Academy and earned a BA in history from St. Norbert College.

Book blurb via Goodreads

No one is surprised when dysfunctional PI Devlin Haskell ends up in bed with his latest client. But, he hasn't the foggiest notion she's just signed him up with the Russian mob. Their 'special' relationship quickly finds Dev at odds with local police and an FBI task force investigating human trafficking. In the process he places a foot firmly on both sides of the law. He's shot, beaten, car bombed, and used as a human shield, all in the name of justice, at least as he sees it.

An entertaining tale of rank ineptitude and one night stands. Russian Roulette is another fast paced, engrossing read from the Master of the Bizarre, Mike Faricy

My review

When Mike asked me to review his book I was excited.  I have worked with him but have never read a book of his.  So it should be no surprise that I read his book in a day. 

Dev, PI extraordinaire, ahm, no, actually he is not.  Dev is really not a very good PI.  His long term plans runs only a few hours longer than his short term plan.  His short term plans include getting drunk or even more inebriated than he is at the moment.  His long term plans include trying to get “hooked up” with women for the night.  He runs his office out of an assortment of bars and conducts his interviews on the same level as a bar man.  But in this lies his charm.  He keeps referring to his charm but little of this is visible.  He is however a loyal friend, stubborn as can be and smart.  Yes, he really is smart.  Smart enough to make money from his business, smart enough to connect the dots.  In Russian roulette he finds himself in a position where he needs to fall back on his smarts and his street smarts to work out if the Russian roulette game he is playing is in or against his odds.

It has been a very long while since I last read a detective who’s done it novel.  Mike manages to make Dev a likeable character for which I ended up rooting, yes even pertaining to his love life.  The book is fast paced and fun.  The policing procedures seem realistic and the end leaves you gasping for breath.

I give this book a 7 *** *** * rating.  I really enjoyed reading it and hope to read another Mike Faricy book by the end of May. 

On Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004V4AHYU/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

You can also find him on FB, drop in and say Hi why dont you?

Cappuccino Heaven by Michelle Wright

Blurb via Goodreads

Cappuccino Heaven will take you on a journey into the afterlife with Elizabeth Walker. Leaving her 38 years of life behind she enters her wider world full of expectations, meeting friends and family long gone she marvels at the fact she can still get her favourite cappuccino's. New adventures await yet she cannot forget her husband Mike and daughters Sasha and Lucy that she has been forced to leave behind.
Slowly she begins to realize that her visions of the afterlife are not what they seem, the dark lower levels becoming a source of attraction that draws her to the idea of rescuing lost tormented souls exposing her own human weakneses. A sensitive and challenging story that will leave you wondering. Maybe what we do in life does affect where we go in death.

Author Bio via Amazon

Michelle Wright was born and grew up in the east end of London England. She had a passion for writing from a very young age writing short stories mostly and assisting in creating scripts for school plays. As a teenager she was successful in getting some of her stories published in magazines the first one at the age of 15. Becoming a qualified counsellor in 1994, she moved to Spain and went on to do psychic development workshops using psychic skills inherited from her family of Mediums. Not wanting to give up writing she also began working as a features writer for the Euro Weekly News in Spain, this was something she did for 5 years until a move to the US where she settled in Alaska, it was there amongst the beautiful mountains surrounding the town of Anchorage that her dedication to the paranormal helped her to pen Cappuccino Heaven, a mix of what she believes to be fact and fiction blended together in an afterlife novel.
She now lives in Belgium with her son and is a full time writer working on the sequel.
My review.
This is one of those rare occasions where I can predict the reaction of readers to a book......  This is not an ambivalent book. 
A reader will either love it or hate it.  I don’t see a golden high way.  
The book is a story of a woman’s experience in Heaven after death.  She soon learns that she needs to let go of some human issues, that she needs to learn and that she needs to push herself from one realm to the other.  She learns that she needs to learn to accept others and – I loved this – you might find people in Heaven whom you don’t really like. 
Not the lower level people.  The level she occupies.  She needs to accept reincarnation and that she is no longer limited.  She also learns that she needs to learn tolerance.  Much of the book is dedicated to Elizabeth’s personal understanding of what happens to people who is evil incarnate.  Child molesters, murderers etc.  They might be better off than those who cannot leave behind their own belief system.  It is incredible.  It voices some ideas I have held dear for years, even though they might not be popular.  It also challenged some of my own belief systems.  One thing is clear.  Think before you do.  Hell might not be what you picture it to be, it might be far worse. 
I give this book a 5***** review.  But like I said in the beginning, you will either love it or hate it.  I hope you love it. 

My review

The Legion of Bats by Shadow Stephens

I received this book for review for an upcoming book blog hop.  I accepted it eagerly based on the title alone.  Was I in for a surprise?  The book is a roller coaster ride of non stop action and Zoe and Todd has an interesting dynamic in the story.  I loved the fact that from the start of the story Zoe was never ever a victim.  By the end of the book she is a force to be reckoned with! 

I loved the love affair in the book and the fact that Zoe's love story is fast moving and comes to a point with force, no teenage angst in sight.  Icharus is an interesting and engaging character and the pace of the fight  scenes, the fact that she READS and does research about what is happening in her life is a fact which  I adored.  Zoe is a unique character and with that still a character that I am sure readers would be able to connect with.  I really, really liked this book and would suggest and recommend it to all readers with specific relevance to lovers of Young Adult novels.  I give this book a 5 ***** review and I for one cannot wait for the next book by Shadow. 

Blurb via Goodreads
Legion of Bats—They were all different, but together they changed the world



In a world governed by fear and corruption, a baby, Zoe Masterson, was born and immediately targeted for death. Hidden away in the rural West Virginia town of Tanner, Zoe grows up feeling like an outsider—always just a little bit different from the people around her. As bad becomes worse, she is arrested for arson and a murder she didn’t commit. She is taken to a mental hospital, where she discovers nothings is as it seems and her destiny awaits her. Zoe quickly becomes caught in a web of strange abilities, politics, murder, discrimination, and forbidden love. Will she be able to bring a government to its knees in order to have the one person who matters most to her

R.K. Ryals has stopped by my blog today for her blog tour for The Acropolis. Here is an excerpt from the book, and make sure you follow the rest of the tour with the links below!

Emma Chase

"Emma Chase?" Dr. Reed says dully as she enters the room. I turn toward the voice and grimace. While Grace had been a cheerful, encouraging woman, the doctor now making her way across the room is the female version of Attila the Hun. One of the Diplomas on the wall introduces her as Helen Reed. I mentally nickname her "Helga." She is the size of a football player with a huge Grecian nose and large beady, un-waxed eyes. It isn't pretty. “So, how are we today, Emma?” Helga asks as she steps in front of us, her gaze peering unobtrusively over a pair of horn-rimmed glasses. I shrug. Helga glances from me to my mother. "Can I see Emma alone a moment?" This startles us both. Mom knows I'm not good at conversing with people I'm not familiar with. I am, quite simply, terrified of anything I don't have control over. My fears are part of the reason I'm here. Another symptom, the doctors say. Extreme paranoia. I have developed what they like to call a hyper-phobic disability. Which means, and I digress, that I am literally terrified of everything. Literally. Everything. Spiders, the dark, fire, heights, closed spaces, snakes, . . . everything. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea . . ." Mom says as Helga starts urging her toward the door. I don't even have time to argue before the door clicks shut in my mother's stunned face. Helga turns to me. "I have reviewed your records, Ms. Chase, and I am not entirely convinced you are as sick as you would have people believe." I am at a loss for words, my heart beginning to pound as I wipe my sweating palms down the side of my dark blue jeans. The long sleeve green cardigan I have on suddenly feels too hot. I know my temperature is rising. "M-m'am?" I stutter. Helga's eyes narrow. "The fever I can't figure out, but according to my charts, your physical tests have all been outstanding. Maybe some sort of neurological disease then? And yet, even with the fever, your mental facilities seem fine. "D-doc. . ." She ignores me. "As for the paranoia . . ." I am instantly aware of her intentions, and I squeal as she reaches for the light switch on the wall next to the door. There are no windows in the room. If this is a test, it is a bad one. "No!" The room goes pitch black. What comes next is not my fault. The screams that fill the room no longer just my own. Helga pulls at me. I am wrapped around her. How I got there is beyond me, but I can't let go. I won't let go. Distantly, I hear banging on the door. Helga struggles against me, yelling for help, and shoves me backward so the people in the hall can enter without any resistance. Lights suddenly flood the room. Helga shouldn't have turned off the lights! Otherwise, they never would have found me there, bear hugging Dr. Reed while frantically screaming and shedding tears of pure unadulterated blood.

To find out more about R.K. Ryals check out her blog

To find out more about The Acropolis Book Tour click here

Click here to purchase The Acropolis on Amazon

  Links fo you!

http://rkryals.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002962212970

The Bridge of Deaths by M.C.V Egan is a poignant journey into history. 

The story is unique in several ways; firstly it is based on a true story.  The author took time and effort to research the death of her grandfather and in this book his story is told.  It is where conventional enquiries ended that this book takes a twist.  Psychics, past life regression and shamans play a major role.  I loved the fact that the author kept second guessing said routes of enquiry.  The love story on the one hand and the obsession of one woman on the other makes this a balanced read. 

I had some trepidation when the book arrived and I saw all the footnotes.  Having an academic background I know how to use them but have never come across them in a story.  It ended up delighting me and fascinating me, oh and costing me a fortune since I kept going to the internet to look up more information. 

What defiantly got my attention though more than anything else is the respect shown by the author to the dead.  Especially if you consider the fact that this woman's grandfather died before she was even born.  This said, the book is respectfully written and a grand daughter's love is obvious.

I adored this book and thought it was brilliant and unique.  I highly recommend it to anybody as long as you don’t mind detail.  I give this book an easy 7 ******* rating.  Enjoy that Mont Blanc.  Well earned. 

You can find out more on this page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bridge-of-Deaths/130675087014521
And I would suggest you go and buy it here
But what ever you do.  Read it.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Bridge-Deaths-M-Egan/dp/1463410417/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

The Woman in Black is a 2012 thriller-horror film directed by James Watkins and written by Jane Goldman, and is based on Susan Hill's novel of the same name. It is produced by Hammer Film Productions. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe, Ciarán Hinds, Janet McTeer, Sophie Stuckey, and Liz White. It was released in the United States and Canada on 3 February 2012 to generally positive reviews, and was released in the United Kingdom on 10 February 2012.^[5][6]

^{My First Movie Review….}

^{I intended in sharing the entire Wiki entry with you guys pertaining to the book but they give away everything.  So Ill stick to two insights.  One the movie is loosely based on the book.  Two, music and sound is used to augment and fill in the parts the author needs to work so hard at describing and building up to.  I think I am a bit mentally slow to only notice that now, but hey, give me a break, this is the first time I watched a movie back to back to reading the book and the very first time I am doing it for  reviews.  But it is such a revelation I had to share.  And it is unfair, having loud bangs is no substitute for work.  But, do I recommend you watch the movie, Oh yes.  It is the best ghost story I have watched in a very long time and I was impressed.  Daniel Radcliffe was not as impressive, maybe because I kept waiting for him to get his wand. . . . I give this a five popcorn movie rating.  So worth the watch.}

^{The book, my review}

^{I loved the story and revelled in the use of language to draw me in and down to the very pit of fear.  The language usage in this book is superb.  I would recommend you read this even if ghost stories is not your thing.  This is seriously a must read book.  It was a gift from Denise Jones for my birthday and one of the best presents I  have ever received.  EVER……. Thank you Denise.}

^{Goodreads Blurb.}

What real reader does not yearn, somewhere in the recesses of his or her heart, for a really literate, first-class thriller: one that chills the body with foreboding of dark deeds to come, but warms the soul with perceptions and language at once astute and vivid? In other words, a ghost story by Jane Austen.

Austen we cannot, alas, give you, but Susan Hill's remarkable Woman In Black comes as close as the late twentieth century is likely to provide. Set on the obligatory English moor, on an isolated causeway, the story's hero is Arthur Kipps, an up-and-coming young solicitor who has come north to attend the funeral and settle the estate of Mrs. Alice Drablow of Eel Marsh House. The routine formalities he anticipates give way to a tumble of events and secrets more sinister and terrifying than any nightmare: the rocking chair in the nursery of the deserted Eel Marsh House, the eerie sound of pony and trap, a child's scream in the fog, and, most dreadfully, and for Kipps most tragically, the woman in black.

The Woman In Black is both a brilliant exercise in atmosphere and controlled horror and a delicious spine-tingler-proof positive that that neglected genre, the ghost story, isn't dead after all

About this author

Susan Hill was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1942. Her hometown was later referred to in her novel A Change for the Better (1969) and some short stories especially "Cockles and Mussels".

She attended Scarborough Convent School, where she became interested in theatre and literature. Her family left Scarborough in 1958 and moved to Coventry where her father worked in car and aircraft factories. Hill states that she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr's Hill. Her fellow pupils included Jennifer Page, the first Chief Executive of the Millennium Dome. At Barrs Hill she took A levels in English, French, History and Latin, proceeding to an English degree at King's College London. By this time she had already written her first novel, Susan Hill was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1942. Her hometown was later referred to in her novel A Change for the Better (1969) and some short stories especially "Cockles and Mussels".

She attended Scarborough Convent School, where she became interested in theatre and literature. Her family left Scarborough in 1958 and moved to Coventry where her father worked in car and aircraft factories. Hill states that she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr's Hill. Her fellow pupils included Jennifer Page, the first Chief Executive of the Millennium Dome. At Barrs Hill she took A levels in English, French, History and Latin, proceeding to an English degree at King's College London. By this time she had already written her first novel, The Enclosure which was published by Hutchinson in her first year at university. The novel was criticised by The Daily Mail for its sexual content, with the suggestion that writing in this style was unsuitable for a "schoolgirl".

Her next novel Gentleman and Ladies was published in 1968. This was followed in quick succession by A Change for the Better, I'm the King of the Castle, The Albatross and other stories, Strange Meeting, The Bird of Night, A Bit of Singing and Dancing and In the Springtime of Year, all written and published between 1968 and 1974.

In 1975 she married Shakespeare scholar Stanley Wells and they moved to Stratford upon Avon. Their first daughter, Jessica, was born in 1977 and their second daughter, Clemency, was born in 1985. Hill has recently founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, which has published one work of fiction per year

What real reader does not yearn, somewhere in the recesses of his or her heart, for a really literate, first-class thriller: one that chills the body with foreboding of dark deeds to come, but warms the soul with perceptions and language at once astute and vivid? In other words, a ghost story by Jane Austen.

Austen we cannot, alas, give you, but Susan Hill's remarkable Woman In Black comes as close as the late twentieth century is likely to provide. Set on the obligatory English moor, on an isolated causeway, the story's hero is Arthur Kipps, an up-and-coming young solicitor who has come north to attend the funeral and settle the estate of Mrs. Alice Drablow of Eel Marsh House. The routine formalities he anticipates give way to a tumble of events and secrets more sinister and terrifying than any nightmare: the rocking chair in the nursery of the deserted Eel Marsh House, the eerie sound of pony and trap, a child's scream in the fog, and, most dreadfully, and for Kipps most tragically, the woman in black.

The Woman In Black is both a brilliant exercise in atmosphere and controlled horror and a delicious spine-tingler-proof positive that that neglected genre, the ghost story, isn't dead after all

 I give this book a 8 ******** star review and say wow.......

Blurb via Goodreads

A Tale of Two Raccoons by Vivian Peterson

It was a balmy evening late in May. My son Daniel had left for work, or so I thought. I heard the doorbell ringing and opened the front door. There stood an extremely agitated Daniel. 'Someone has run over a baby raccoon, and its sibling just ran through the yard to the back of our house.'

Thus begins A Tale of Two Raccoons, the true story of playful, mischievous raccoons being absorbed into human families.

When wisdom, empathy, tenderness, and respect are applied, the results are trust, loyalty, and love. Alternately, neglect and abuse create anger, frustration, and destruction.

A story of love and acceptance, A Tale of Two Raccoons will tug on readers' heartstrings and bring a tear to readers' eyes.

My review

I loved this book.  The antics of the Raccoons and the tenderness apparent within the story towards wild animals were clear.  Vivian's story was filled with life and living it with Raccoons.  I got a lot from reading this story.  I learned anew that a person should at all times have respect for wild animals.  That, as humans we have a responsibility to deal with animals not as if they were humans but as if they were animals with all that that entails.  I also learned another lesson.  One more in need of learning for me personally.  The first part of the book plays off in a time where the author and her son were not financially independent.  Instead they were rather in dire straits.  But as the story unfolds I noticed that the author and her son lived a life of abundance.  They had love for each other, others and nature.  More than enough to share with baby kits.  As the story progressed their physical circumstances changed for the better.  But it is in their ability to love, that they grew stronger still.  I don’t know what happened to Daniel after the story ended.  But I know that with this form of upbringing he could not help but turn into a wonderful human being.

Thank you for sharing this book with me.  I give it a five star review and placed this book copy with my other treasured belongings.  For it is a gift to be treasured. 5 ***** and two extra for the share joy of reading it! **

Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening

Blurb via GoodreadsA plan is exposed, centuries in the making and so sinister not even the legend himself could have predicted the depth of its impact on the world. In his lifetime Stefano Terenzio had a merciless ambition for absolute power. Two generations later the shock wave he ignited was still being felt. Now, as the world inches closer to 2012 sides are chosen, families divide and an...more A plan is exposed, centuries in the making and so sinister not even the legend himself could have predicted the depth of its impact on the world. In his lifetime Stefano Terenzio had a merciless ambition for absolute power. Two generations later the shock wave he ignited was still being felt. Now, as the world inches closer to 2012 sides are chosen, families divide and an epic battle begins that will determine whether mankind continues existing in a world of lies or shatters the chains that have held us prisoner since his-story was written. "I will die to see my will done, and it will be done." Shocking yet hopeful, Synarchy slowly unravels the tightly laced reality we have created for ourselves. Blending the metaphysical with conspiracy, fact with fiction, debut author DCS has opened up a world that will force you to rethink everything you believe about your own. The knowledge within provokes the question: do you really want to know

My review. 

I was extremely excited and filled with excitement and trepidation when I was approached to read and review The Synarchy Series. Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening.  Excitement, because every book is an adventure.  Trepidation because although I love to watch Sci - Fi I have found that reading the genre is, for me, not a pleasant experience.  I have read few and liked even less.  So I started on Synarchy, The Awakening with torn emotions.  At first you meet aliens.  I like aliens, especially the kind you find on earth.  They are for the most part a really cool twist.  But very few authors can pull off writing about aliens, they either ends up being too alien (do not pardon the pun) or they turn out to be way too human, taking away the cool weirdness that should be ET.  Then you meet the Costa Nostra.  I kid you not.  Families with bloodlines older than memory who will as soon cap you as hug you.  So here a twist entered the story from almost the get go.  These mafia guys, being mafia and killing people, are cool.   They are also the people that hold the key to the universe's in their hands.  But that is not the cool part (although it is pretty awesome).  The really cool part is the fact that like with any and all families you always have the black sheep.  Here the black sheep are not the ones who cap too many people but who end up on the wrong side of a fight from well . . . I do not want to give away the plot.  So the reader gets drawn into a family drama where you will end up rooting for the "Soprano's".  I could not believe this authors mastery of the written word in getting me to voice, many times quite vocally for one member of the family to slap that rotten, two timing . . .sun of a . . . or simply to do humanity a favor and get rid of the sorry excuse of a . . . . .  Ironically as it turns out.  My pleads to rid humanity of their sorry souls turned out to be a very, very valid one. 

So you have aliens.  Cool aliens, might I remind you. You have the mob and you have events that have been set in motion in time in memoriam.  So what do you need to take this story further?  Eastern Mysticism of course, The Mayan prophecy and technology that blows your mind. 

So by now I guess you think that you have heard it all.  Ah, but I am not done!  The author injects a healthy dose of political comment, love affairs that span over time and is so poignant that it leaves the reader breathless.  So, recap, aliens, mafia, enlightened masters, politics, love affairs, Mayan prophecies.  Seriously?  Seriously!  All written into possibly the best Sci Fi story I have ever read.  This is a masterful story written in terms where you as reader is up to date with every character, their motivation and their lives, lost and loves.  It is an incredible story in that even with these multitudes of story plots the author has fully formed characters with charm, whit and faults.  The settings are described and root the characters and the story line perfectly.

So sit up and take notice.  The author was awesome enough to include the second book in this eight part series for me, upon sending the first one.  I am counting down the hours to tonight when I can start on the second one immediately.  But this one, I will prolong.  I have to.  The suspense will kill me if I don’t.  She is busy writing the third in the series and needs to get a move on. Humanity will either self destruct or cease to exist in this form come December 21. 2012.  I plan to read all her books before either scenario takes place.

I give this book an 8 ********star rating.  Even those of us (we don’t read Sci Fi) readers will love this.  It is really a must read filled with intrigue and sorrow, loss and love and hope.  I would have given it a 10 ********** rating if I could.  But I may need more stars for the second book for which a movie deal has already been signed.  I absolutely adore this book and so I say, go get it….. NOW……

About this author via Goodreads

DCS considers herself a revolutionary, a spiritual activist, and a story-teller. Few things make her as happy as putting pen to paper, and creating new worlds to share with others.

The science-fiction thriller author of critically acclaimed, The Synarchy Series. Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening and Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension, are the first in what will be an eight book series. The novels have been called, “The Godfather meets Stargate.” & “Better than science-fiction.” Synarchy Books 1 and 2 have been optioned to be made into a major motion film, due out in the winter of 2012. DCS is the primary script writer for the movie, working with Producer/Director Aaron Williams to translate her vision onto the big screen.

Always full of creative...more DCS considers herself a revolutionary, a spiritual activist, and a story-teller. Few things make her as happy as putting pen to paper, and creating new worlds to share with others.

The science-fiction thriller author of critically acclaimed, The Synarchy Series. Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening and Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension, are the first in what will be an eight book series. The novels have been called, “The Godfather meets Stargate.” & “Better than science-fiction.” Synarchy Books 1 and 2 have been optioned to be made into a major motion film, due out in the winter of 2012. DCS is the primary script writer for the movie, working with Producer/Director Aaron Williams to translate her vision onto the big screen.

Always full of creative ideas, DCS has created a text based, free form role-play game based off The Syanrchy Series. Called, The Awakened, the RPG allows players to interact with characters from the novel in real time. The website is currently under construction but you can visit the message boards by clicking here.

DCS is also a comic book writer. While doing an interview for InvestComics TV, DCS meet and befriended DarkBrain creator Andrew Zar. She completed the first arc for The Church of One Series. She has also written The Butcher Series, contributed to the Pissy Pussy Sunday comic, and is now working with Andrew on one of his most ambitious projects, The Ascension graphic novel that will combine four independent arcs into one massive interlaced story.

Aside from being a story-teller, DCS is also a radio show host. You can hear her and her co-host Melchizedek (SVT Pub’s very own Scott Story) on The Mind of DCS Radio which airs every Saturday evening at 7pm CST on the Public Service Network

DCS currently lives in New Orleans, LA and has joint custody of a Siberian Husky named, Angel

Both my copies. . . . Woo hoo!!

A photo of the author D C S.  Remember her name.....

The Bridge of Deaths by M.C.V Egan is a poignant journey into history. 

The story is unique in several ways; firstly it is based on a true story.  The author took time and effort to research the death of her grandfather and in this book his story is told.  It is where conventional enquiries ended that this book takes a twist.  Psychics, past life regression and shamans play a major role.  I loved the fact that the author kept second guessing said routes of enquiry.  The love story on the one hand and the obsession of one woman on the other makes this a balanced read. 

I had some trepidation when the book arrived and I saw all the footnotes.  Having an academic background I know how to use them but have never come across them in a story.  It ended up delighting me and fascinating me, oh and costing me a fortune since I kept going to the internet to look up more information. 

What defiantly got my attention though more than anything else is the respect shown by the author to the dead.  Especially if you consider the fact that this woman's grandfather died before she was even born.  This said, the book is respectfully written and a grand daughter's love is obvious.

I adored this book and thought it was brilliant and unique.  I highly recommend it to anybody as long as you don’t mind detail.  I give this book an easy 7 ******* rating.  Enjoy that Mont Blanc.  Well earned. 

Easter with a twist

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1 x necklace Feathermore by Lucy Swing US only
5 promo cards from Hannah Downing Pieces of Us
2 Posters and postcards from Tich Brewster Int
1 bracelet from Crhisty Sloat for Avery Snow, 4 bookmarks and Tree of Life Pendant.  All but bookmarks are US only

Easter Bunny Hop With a twist 2

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Prize pack<br />
Kiwi in Cat City - 1 copy and Kiwi and the Missing Magic - 1 copy and Kiwi and the Living Nightmare - 1 copy by Vicky Jonhnstone<br />
2 x ecopies of Hauntings of the Heart by Joselyn Vaughn<br />
2 x ecopies of Guardian and Forever each by Gillian Joy<br />
6 X ecopies of S P I R I T by Dawn Gray<br />
3 X Sleep Stalkers by Jacki O'Dierno<br />
3 x Broken by Lissette E manning and Nancy Medina and X 3 Closure by Lissette E Manning<br />
2 x Creatura by Nely Cap<br />
2 x Birthright and Inheritance by Willow Cross<br />
4 x Energy by MJ Schutte<br />
10 Ardeur and 1 Cassiela by Danielle Gavan<br />
2 X Lord Keepter and the Pendulum by Tarah Scott<br />
2 X Golden Blood by Meilssa Pearl<br />
4 x Ethereal by Addison Moore<br />
1 X God Blessed the Broken Road by Crystal Cattabriga printed US only<br />
10 Feathermore and Bloody Valentine by Lucy Swing<br />
2 x Descending and Srufacing by Catherine Chisnall<br />
2 x Ragner Murder by Lily Byrne<br />
3 x Midnight Hunter trilogy by Bonnie Bernard<br />
2 For His Eyes Only and 2 Chain Reaction by Tc Archer<br />
1 Spell bound and one Everspell by Samantha Combs<br />
8 X Darkspell by Samantha Mueller<br />
2 x The many lives of Avery Snow by Christy Sloat<br />
2 X Pieces of Us<br />
10 X Bread of Fools Duncan McGonall<br />
2 X Better than Catnip by Ruth J Hartman<br />
2 Willow Fields ; Mark of Power and Layla's Story by Samantha Herndon<br />
2 x Golden Blood by Meilissa Pearl Printed Int<br />
1 X Feathermore Lucy Swing US only Printed<br />
1 x A tail Spun, Little Orphan Anvil and The Shades of Fate by Joseph Beekman, US Only printed<br />
$60 in Amazon Gift Certificates<br />
Swag<br />
Dawn Gray SPIRIT Swag<br />
Creatura Dog tags International<br />
1 X poster, magnet from Crystal Cattabriga US only<br />
1 x necklace Feathermore by Lucy Swing US only<br />
5 promo cards from Hannah Downing Pieces of Us<br />
2 Posters and postcards from Tich Brewster Int<br />
1 bracelet from Crhisty Sloat for Avery Snow, 4 bookmarks and Tree of Life Pendant.&nbsp; All but bookmarks are US only

Easter Bunny Book Hop giveaway international

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Prize pack
Kiwi in Cat City - 1 copy and Kiwi and the Missing Magic - 1 copy and Kiwi and the Living Nightmare - 1 copy by Vicky Jonhnstone
2 x ecopies of Hauntings of the Heart by Joselyn Vaughn
2 x ecopies of Guardian and Forever each by Gillian Joy
6 X ecopies of S P I R I T by Dawn Gray
3 X Sleep Stalkers by Jacki O'Dierno
3 x Broken by Lissette E manning and Nancy Medina and X 3 Closure by Lissette E Manning
2 x Creatura by Nely Cap
2 x Birthright and Inheritance by Willow Cross
4 x Energy by MJ Schutte
10 Ardeur and 1 Cassiela by Danielle Gavan
2 X Lord Keepter and the Pendulum by Tarah Scott
2 X Golden Blood by Meilssa Pearl
4 x Ethereal by Addison Moore
1 X God Blessed the Broken Road by Crystal Cattabriga printed US only
10 Feathermore and Bloody Valentine by Lucy Swing
2 x Descending and Srufacing by Catherine Chisnall
2 x Ragner Murder by Lily Byrne
3 x Midnight Hunter trilogy by Bonnie Bernard
2 For His Eyes Only and 2 Chain Reaction by Tc Archer
1 Spell bound and one Everspell by Samantha Combs
8 X Darkspell by Samantha Mueller
2 x The many lives of Avery Snow by Christy Sloat
2 X Pieces of Us
10 X Bread of Fools Duncan McGonall
2 X Better than Catnip by Ruth J Hartman
2 Willow Fields ; Mark of Power and Layla's Story by Samantha Herndon
2 x Golden Blood by Meilissa Pearl Printed Int
1 X Feathermore Lucy Swing US only Printed
1 x A tail Spun, Little Orphan Anvil and The Shades of Fate by Joseph Beekman, US Only printed
$60 in Amazon Gift Certificates
Swag
Dawn Gray SPIRIT Swag
Creatura Dog tags International
1 X poster, magnet from Crystal Cattabriga US only
1 x necklace Feathermore by Lucy Swing US only
5 promo cards from Hannah Downing Pieces of Us
2 Posters and postcards from Tich Brewster Int
1 bracelet from Crhisty Sloat for Avery Snow, 4 bookmarks and Tree of Life Pendant.  All but bookmarks are US only

In support of Willow Cross Blog Tour. A review!

So here is the book blurb via Goodreads
Throughout the ages, druids have passed down a prophecy from one generation to the next. A girl, born of a witch clan, will become vampyre and spark a war that will divide the vampire nation. This young woman will either save humanity from vampire reign, or be the end of it. Although she’s never heard the prophecy, and doesn’t believe in witchcraft, Liz Markum is that woman.

Working with her maker, Michael, and the remaining members of the warring Vampire Council, Liz must defeat the darkness inside her, and learn to become more than a killer vampire. She must become a vampire killer
Here is the book cover via Facebook

Here is my review.  But what ever I say, I cant stress enough what a brilliant read this is.....

The Dark Gifts Birthright by Willow Cross.

In the beginning Liz meets with Michael. He bites, she turns vamp. Quite Bram Stoker like for three or four pages.
They meet up and fall immediately irreparably in love. Quite Twilight like for the next 15 or so pages.
Then the good the bad and the ugly rears their ugly little heads and from here on out its different to any Paranormal / YA / or New Adult book I've ever read. Minerva, Gregoria, Jenna and about 60 other characters join the cast to make this book totally amazing.
I was struck with the amount of research that must have gone into writing this book.
For those of you who follow my reviews you will know that I refrain from making technical judgements.
This will be the exception.
Willow has a rare ability for pacing and introducing an array of characters in rapid succession. But never does she use this fast level of pacing and her cliff hanger chapter endings to get out of character development. By the time you are finished with the book you really hate the bad guys and absolutely love the good guys.
By this time you also know that I don't rehash the story of the book in a brief synopsis. Usually I don't since I feel that the authors blurb or my own will get the reader of this review a good idea of what the book is about in essence. In this case I can't do it at all even if I wanted to.
Her fast pace, introduction of evil and saint like characters left me feeling like a child playing hide and seek. You don't want to be found out but you can't resist peeking from your hiding place to try and see what is coming next.
For those romantics out in cyber land - do not fear. This book is filled with romance and not only the romance between Michael and Liz bit also some other less predictable characters.

As I read the book I was filled with the idea that this book is a ken to watching a master Persian carpet weaver undertake another master peace.

I loved the fact that almost all things known to go bump in the night were mentioned in this story and that the symbiotic and discordant life styles of these dark creatures were explained logically and believably.

I give this book a 6 out of 5 star review. I will not only recommend you buy it and read it yourself, I would proudly gift it to my friends. Oh no wait. I already gifted it to my friends. That's simply how good this book is. I can't wait to start on the rest of the books authored by her.

A 6 / 5 STAR REVIEW GUYS
I need to thank Denise Jones for correcting my spelling and grammar errors and for translating South African English to real English.  Thank you Denise.....

Willow Cross Blog Tour : Guest Post

      Willow Cross has stopped by the blog today for her tour of Inheritance! She's left a great guest post and shared her links. Enjoy the read and be sure to follow her via her links and on the rest of the tour! 

   Deciding a topic for my guest post was ridiculously hard.  (Almost torturous really.)  After careful consideration and with much nail biting trepidation, I chose to reveal some info you won’t see or hear anywhere else.

   I am frequently asked which of my characters are my favorite.  When the question arises, I generally give the same glib answer: “I have no favorites.  I love them all the same.”  In all honesty, I feel like a mother who was just asked which of her children held her highest esteem.  We must never have favorites, right?  It could seriously damage the psyche of a child to find out they aren’t the fav.

   Now, I’ve decided to come clean and reveal a shocking truth.  I do have a favorite character!  And as attached as I am to all the MC’s, it’s not who you might think.  I have a thing for Pete Indera (Inheritance). 

Pete isn’t anything spectacular.  He’s not gorgeous, rich, charismatic, or even very ambitious.  Before he met Sarah, he had no life plan at all.  He followed orders and went along with the pack.  It’s what happened to Pete after he met Sarah that sets him apart from the rest.  When he fell, he fell hard.  Not just the whole I-love-you-and-I-will-die-without-you thing.  We see that all the time.  It’s nothing new in life or literature.  He became loyal in a way that probably only a human/wolf hybrid could. 

   The more time he spent with her, the more resolute he became to committing to her.  Even after realizing she would never belong to him, or reciprocate his love, he was determined to protect her.  With his life if necessary.  Pete’s relentless care for Sarah raises him far above the common man.  He is proof that anyone can become a hero, and that to become one, you don’t need to be in the limelight.  Regardless of the pain it caused him, he diligently worked to bring joy back into her life. 

   Now another secret:  I didn’t write Pete to be that way.  He grew into himself without any coaching from me.  As crazy as that sounds, it’s true!  I wish I could explain how this happens, but I haven’t the foggiest idea.  He inserted himself into the story and decided not to leave, so it is what it is. 

   So there you have it.  The mindless ramblings of a lunatic, or quite possibly the unintentional channeling of an entity who refuses to lay dormant in someone’s thoughts.  Either way, Pete is my fav and I will applaud and adore him until the day I die. ;)

http://willowcrossbooks.weebly.com/index.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Willow-Cross/185071804869279

http://www.amazon.com/Birthright-The-Dark-Gifts-ebook/dp/B0052F7IHQ/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2

God Blessed the Broken Road By  CrystalCattabriga Mariza's story book one

What if two children, growing up in the same household manage to grow up with very different religious views.

What if life, strips the child with faith from that faith only to encourage the other to accept that God is the one true God.

What is the choice between one truck stop and another changes the course of one families future, forever, and with it the lives of all those whom they touched.

What if a moment of rage closes doors and with it hope.

What if one moment's weakness leaves one person in a situation where the Broken Road of their lives leads to death.

What if one person gets a second chance to live the life God ordained.  What if this life would not have been lived were it not for a loss of faith, a wrong choice and a horrible judgment call.  What if this was your journey?  Would you choose to end the journey or to carry on, allowing God to fix your road with forgiveness and purpose?  What if…..

This is an amazingly touching story, choices and decisions made leave the reader wonder if they would have been able to handle circumstances differently.  I highly recommend you take this journey.  It is a journey of hope, salvation and purpose.  It is the journey of us all.

I give this book an 8 ******** rating.  It deserves much more for forcing me to take stock of my own life.

NorthWest by JH Glaze as reviewed by Wanda Hart

I love this cover!

NorthWest by JH Glaze

Blurb via Goodreads

John Hazard is back on the trail of danger! After a life-altering event, he has resigned from the police department in small town America and enrolled in a Paranormal Investigation course at Bay University, a community college in San Francisco.

For their final grade, the class ventures to the Pacific NorthWest to film a documentary on a mysterious phenomenon they call “The NorthWest Triangle,” where scores of small aircraft and people have gone missing without a trace.

Professor Macy Renner believes the answer lies in an unsolved mystery from her own past and is determined to discover it, no matter the cost.

Emily Sparks has her own reasons for going, and it’s not just about the money. She is about to jump from the frying pan into the fire as she signs on for a journey that will transport her into the veritable jaws of hell.

Can a rag-tag team of misfits succeed in uncovering the source of the supernatural anomaly, or will the terror that lies in wait consume them in the process?

Come along on an adventure where you will learn that you don’t have to outrun the creatures behind you. You only have to run faster than the person beside you!

My review

So I never read blurbs, ever. I stick to authors I know or a cover I like or some such random thing.  Blurbs I've learned will rather putt me off the book than attract me to it.  I know, I am weird.  Given.

This book was not the exception.  I only read the blurb now when I started on the review.  I read the blurbs so that I know how much of the plot the author is willing to give away.

So, why mention this, simple.  I've read one book and one short story by this author.  Based on that alone, I would have read this book.  Have I know the true subject matter, I would have been very, very nervous to start the book.  In my entire reading life, I've only come across one author who could actually pull this off.  Ok, now it is two authors. 

This is an action packed book with twists and turns that will leave the reader breathless!  I loved the chasing scenes.  Trust me.  It is weird to love chasing scenes' first off many of the scene's seem to run the same course and end up irritating me as a reader.  Not these.  They are true to life, wrought with human frailty and pure adrenalin based.  In one word.  Brilliant.  As the author so expertly put it, you do not need to be the fastest runner; you only need to run faster than the slowest……

John Hazard is back ladies and gentlemen.  His previous John Wayne attitude in The Spirit Box has morphed and he is gaining character traits which not only makes him a brilliant character but also one with whom the reader can identify better.  Don’t get me wrong, I am no Ex Marine, Ex MP, Ex Detective Ex, ex ex.  I am me.  But the choice he makes is human, well thought through and his leadership capabilities are never forced.  This for me alone made him a much more rounded character than he was in the previous book. 

When I started the book, I went and googled the Pacific NorthWest, don’t ask why.  But it is a stunning piece of earth and I enjoyed paging through the images on Google.  Now that I am done with the book I have to say that I am astounded at the sheer brilliance of JH Glaze.  He managed to make a place I've ever only heard of and seen photos off seem so entirely foreign that I would now think twice before EVER accepting an invite to the region.  Thank you Jeff, for adding a new phobia…. Lol.  Brilliantly done though. 

So again, back to the blurb.  Read it, it has all the things in it you need to know to make you want to jump for joy at reading the book.  I am not going to give away the plot.  One thing is for certain, with each book JH Glaze glamour and amazes me.  He is truly the new king of horror.

I give this book an 8 ******** review.  It kept me riveted and rooting for the characters to please, please run faster.  It does not have the same irony that was so prevalent in the first book.  Instead it had something else entirely.  Heart stopping action.  To you Mr. Glaze, I bend the knee and shout "I am not worthy. I am not worthy. I am scum………. Muah