Ailsa Fabian -- A Shining Space

Book Description

Publication Date: March 25, 2014
“I started almost at once to write about her, in the hope that something of the miracle of love and life that she had been for us could be saved from oblivion and shared with others. ” 
Based on memories recorded whilst the essence of her vibrant self was still vividly present, the story has a unique immediacy, along with the atmosphere, scope and narrative pace of a novel. A Shining Space: A Daughter’s Life will appeal in general to fans of biographies, and will resonate with both young and beareaved parents.

A Shining Space: A Daughter’s Life is the biography of Sarah Eugenie Fabian, who died suddenly at the age of five, after a fortunate and happy life. It is also the story of a mother’s conversion from ignorance and indifference about babies to astonished love and admiration – and the postponement of a career for a period of full-time parenthood. 

*****+

My review

“I started almost at once to write about her, in the hope that something of the miracle of love and life that she had been for us could be saved from oblivion and shared with others. ”

I had no idea what I was letting myself into when I started reading this book.  I expected angst, and sorrow, what I found was a celebration of life of a girl that died at 5 and changed her parents life not with her death but with her life. 

I loved this, I am not sure who I would recommend it to since the blurb says recommended to new parents etc, but I disagree, I don't have children and for me this book was written to make sure Sarah lived on, became something for everybody not only her parents so I guess I will recommend it to everybody. 

Well written in novel format so the read is relatively easy this is a book I will not forget with ease. 

WaAr

Heart of Rock by Becca Price

Heart of Rock by Becca Price

Book Description

Publication Date: April 8, 2014In the distant past, a city of wizards was menaced by horrible Night Mares. The wizards carved hideous gargoyles out of stone, bringing them to life using the magical Heart of Rock, to defend their city. Now the Heart of Rock is needed to save another kingdom, and one brave cobbler must find it. But the gargoyles cannot live without their talisman; will the cobbler's quest to save his kingdom doom theirs? "Heart of Rock" is three interconnected short stories that look at the question: when one questing hero finds a magical amulet, what happens to those who've lost it?

Count the pups to see my rating

My review

Ok so the story, told in three acts is exceptionally good, it contains facets of folklore, fantasy, fairy tales etc and the writing is not so helter-skelter that the reader spends anytime on trying to fit the book into a genre classification.  This is exceptional for I have found in reading that plenty an author has at times too many facets within a story or plot line making my mind go ---- WAIT --- I need to find a niche for this.  Not so with this book.  It is exceptionally low keyed and at the same time defined.  Not an easy task I am sure.

The plot line, the three acts, all works toward making this story easy and open to all ages, from young readers to old will have fun with the story line/plot line and even the theme of the book.

The character development is extremely subtle though consistent and I loved this.  What can I say? This is an amazing author, BUT do not take my word for it....get a copy and judge for yourself. 

WaAr

Click on the pic to go to Amazon.com and get your copy today

Book Review of Marvin Piersoll by Bernard Mendillo

Synopsis:

MARVIN PIERSOLL is a comic, episodic novel about a man who realizes he has nothing to lose when his second wife leaves him for another man. He sets out on a journey of discovery--ostensibly to learn how to sail--driving from New York City to Wellfleet on Cape Cod. All along the way, Marvin meets all manner of people and learns what's over the horizon.

Review:


Marvin Piersoll by Bernard Mendillo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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

I was offered this book to read, but at first I was in two minds about accepting it, as I don't normally read this type of genre. However, I decided to give it a try and I am so glad that I did, because I LOVED it!

Marvin Piersoll is a character that I really liked. Marvin is a teacher of physics at Brown University. He is a normal man, living a normal life, but after his second wife leaves him, he sort of has a midlife crisis and sets off on a journey to learn how to sail, but ends up on an adventure that changes him profoundly.

I started reading this book and found myself totally engrossed from the first page. This is a warm and humourous tale that not only had me laughing at some of Marvin's antics, but also shaking my head over the choices he made. His journey from New York to Wellfleet is peppered with some unusual characters; from an ex-nun to a young teenage girl struggling to get out from under her family's thieving ways. I loved the way the author made these and other characters come alive. The descriptions of the locations were also well described and I felt like I was travelling, and experiencing, the journey with Marvin. I was extremely touched by his generosity towards strangers, and would definitely like to meet him one day. Marvin has a gentle soul that has taken a beating, but also has the strength of will to keep going, no matter what. I loved being part of his journey. The end of the story was a little bittersweet on my behalf; I was happy that he reached his journey's end, but sad that the book had ended.

Barnard Mendillo has written a touching story that had me riding a roller coaster of emotion. I love his writing style, which was fast paced enough to keep me turning the pages, and the flow of the story was wonderful from beginning to end. I do have one tiny complaint; the book cover does not do justice to the story. If I was to see this in a book store, I would probably overlook it. I know one shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but this little gem needs one that reflects something about the story which will, in turn, catch a reader's eye. This story needs to be read!

I highly recommend this book if you love heartwarming fiction full of humour and odd characters. - Lynn Worton

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Book Review of Jack Canon's American Destiny: He's All In! by Greg Sandora

Synopsis:

Take a Journey for the Greater Good in this intensely gripping, loving thriller. Join Jack Canon and his insanely loyal team of friends and family as they make their all-or-nothing run for the presidency. You'll laugh out loud and have your heart ripped in two; all while holding your breath, sitting on the edge of your chair. You'll become emotionally committed as you find yourself standing behind your new courageous - unstoppable heroes - forced to take unimaginable steps to reach their goal. You'll be shocked at the heart-wrenching cost.
JACK CANON'S AMERICAN DESTINY - TO SOMEDAY HAVE THE POWER, TO DEDICATE THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND--TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT. THIS TIME HE'S ALL IN.

Review:


Jack Canon's American Destiny by Greg Sandora
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was recommended this book by a friend. I thought I would give it a try, as I have read a previous book by this author. I really enjoyed it.

Jack Canon is a complex character. I was not sure whether I liked him or not. He is a smooth talking, charismatic and focused individual, who will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. And what he wants is to be the next President of the United States.

I must admit that I am not very familiar with the way the American Senate and the Senators work, as I am not American. Also, I am not really very political. I do vote, but I am not active in the whole political scene. However, that being said, this book has opened my eyes to some of what goes on behind the scenes. The story was a little hard to get into in the beginning (see reason above), and I found it a little boring.The first part of the book felt a bit too long, in my opinion. I love the way the story unfolded, but wish there had been a bit more intrigue from the beginning.There was very little in the way of action, and the way the author detailed some of the rather believable behind-the-scenes scenes made me wonder at the naive way we, the voters, are blinded by the pomp of it all; there seems to be some dirty dealings that go on without public knowledge! However, I kept going and realised that politicians the world over seem to be cut from the same cloth; they are all two faced in some way or another. They say things and do things in public, but behind the scenes, things are completely different. This story follows Senator Jack Canon as he campaigns to be the next President. I actually laughed cynically at some of his antics, as they are so cliche. He is a loving husband and father, but I think he secretly loves the attention the other women in his life give him - it strokes his ego. It wasn't until I was well into the second half of the book before the action started to heat up, and Jack's persona suddenly took an abrupt Mr. Hyde shift. Granted, the people he was going up against were not the most likable, and his motives not entirely pure, but if I were in his shoes, I'm not sure if I would have had been able to pull it off. I reached the end of the book and sat for a while, as I contemplated the story. It definitely took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I have come to the conclusion that you have to either be highly idealistic, or love politics a lot to want to run for office. It is not for the feint of heart, and I am neither one of those! I will leave the politics to the politicians. The story wasn't as fast paced as I would have liked in places, but I am now looking forward to reading the next book to find out what happens next.

Greg Sandora has written a political thriller that could have been a little more thrilling in places, but all in all a great read. Having read a previous book from this author, I knew what his writing style was like. However, the switch in genre was a surprise (a nice one, but a surprise nonetheless). I wonder what else this author has up his sleeve? I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

I recommend this book if you love Suspense or Political Thriller genres. - Lynn Worton

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Carved in Stone by Kate Douglas

Carved in Stone by Kate Douglas

Approx time it took to read - less than three hours

Click on the pic to get your copy from Amazon

Blurb

Archeologist and folklore expert Nate Murdock has discovered ancient stone carvings that will either revolutionize thinking in his field or get him laughed out of it entirely, and he’s hired world-renowned photographer Alex Martin to document his find and bolster his claim. When the alluring Alexandra Martin, not Alex, shows up for the job, Nate’s not sure whether to send her packing or take her into his arms. 

Alexandra Martin, the daughter of the famed photographer and just as talented with a camera, is a dark-haired and dark-eyed beauty. Years ago her father built his reputation on photographs he’d stolen from her, and she’s out to prove once and for all that she’s the real deal. When the opportunity to work with the celebrated and ruggedly handsome Nate Murdock falls into her lap, she jumps at the chance—whether he likes it or not.

As tempers flare and accusations fly, the two dig in for a battle of wills and an uneasy truce at their remote mountainside camp. But when drug smugglers trap them in a cave and leave them to die, Nate and Alexandra realize they must trust each other—and the fiery passion growing between them—and surrender to a mysterious force as it guides them through a perilous escape and the acceptance of a powerful love as primal and compelling as the mountain itself

Count the puppies to see how many stars this book gets.


Review

Ok, so romance is not my go to genre.

The thing is, every now and again I feel like reading something where I need not think a lot.
So that is why I requested this book from Netgalley. I knew I was due a nice break.

I was not let down. The story is light, fun, and hot. 
Do not go looking for extraordinary character forming, world building to rival that of R.R. Martin, a complicated plot to make Dan Brown's sound easy. You will not find it.

What you will find is a sexy, fun read.


WaAr

Dream Doctor on audible by J J DiBenedetto

Click on the pic to get a copy from Amazon

Dream Doctor: Dreams, Book 2

·         Written by: J.J. DiBenedetto

·         Narrated by: Heather Jane Hogan

·         Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins 

Blurb

"I didn't expect to be woken up by someone I don't know dreaming about 

killing somebody. I thought I was done with that once and for all..." But 

Sara's 

not done with it. As if adjusting to life as a newlywed and starting medical 

school weren't difficult enough, she's started seeing the dreams of everyone 

around her, again. Before everything is said and done, those dreams might 

destroy Sara's hopes of becoming a doctor, wreck her marriage and even end 

her life...

Review

Ok overall, this book might be even better than book one in the series. Which, as most readers knows, is really not the norm. However, I can see how the author is growing, the story line is better plotted. The pacing is extremely well done. The characters keeps growing in this book and the world building is very well done.

The performance of Heather Hogan really added so much to this story. Especially the scene changes from the waking to the dream world is done with a clear and non negotiable twist.
The world building of a woman in medical school is brilliant. No glossing over, no hours and hours of free time to do as she wishes, no instead this woman hardly has time to turn around twice without regretting the wasted seconds. I loved the reality that was brought in by the author in the setting of the plot. It felt real, it felt authentic which naturally translated toward the suspense in the story making it even more chilling.


A great read/listen for lovers of this genre.

WaAr

Book Review of Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom by Cheryl Carpinello

Synopsis:

At Pembroke Castle in medieval Wales,11-year-old Prince Gavin, 13-year-old orphan Philip, and 15-year-old blacksmith's apprentice Bryan, brought together in friendship by the one they call The Wild Man, embark upon a quest to save The Wild Man’s life when he is accused of murder and robbery. If they have any hope of succeeding, the three will have to confront their fears and insecurities, and one of them will have to disclose the biggest secret of all. But it is the arrival of King Arthur and what he reveals that surprises characters and readers.

A Tween Adventure Novella

Review:


Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom by Cheryl Carpinello
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 a fantastic young adult adventure! I loved it!

Prince Gavin is the youngest son of King Wallace. He is a Page in his father's household, and in training to be a Squire. I liked this enterprising young man. He may only be eleven, but I found him to be brave and courageous.

Philip is a hard working young teen. Being an orphan, he feels very lonely at times, but his friendship with Prince Gavin and Bryan, the Blacksmith's apprentice, helps. I liked him too, but he has a secret that could change things between the three.

Bryan is a strapping young man, who is not sure if he wants to continue to be a Blacksmith's apprentice. I liked this young man too. He is quite the swordsman, and braver than he realises.

This is a fantastic young adult adventure for children aged 7 to 14. Set in Wales, the tale takes the reader on exciting adventure. The story is told through the eyes of Prince Gavin, Philip and Bryan. Each character is very lifelike and likable. They are very well developed and I felt like, even though they were from a different time, they would fit in well with today's youngsters. They are faced with a difficult challenge; to find the real murderer, and thief of the King's Ransom, a special medallion that belonged to Gavin's father. There is danger and adventure aplenty and there are a few twists and turns that kept me hooked. The author actually put in a huge twist near the end that made me gasp - I sure didn't see that scene coming! I actually sat in shock for a few moments. In fact, there are two secret identities revealed in this story that I would never have guessed in a month of Sunday's! I do wish the story had been a little longer, but as this book is aimed at a younger reader with a shorter attention span, I can understand why it was not. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to finish, and read it in one sitting.

Cheryl Carpinello has written a fantastic Young Adult Action/Adventure. I loved her writing style, which was fast paced enough to keep even the most fidgety youngster's rapt attention, and the flow was wonderful. I would definitely read more of this authors books in the future.

I highly recommend this book to youngsters aged 6 to 8 as a bedtime story, 7 to 10 years as a read along (depending on reading ability) and 10 to 14 years as a read alone. I also recommend this book to adults who love younger YA Fantasy, or books containing Arthurian legends. - Lynn Worton

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Black Dog by Stephen Booth

This is an 

Audio book review

About this author thanks to Goodreads

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A former newspaper journalist, Stephen Booth is the creator of two young Derbyshire police detectives, DS Ben Cooper and DS Diane Fry, who have so far appeared in 13 crime novels, all set in and around England's Peak District. 
The Cooper & Fry series has won awards on both sides of the Atlantic, and Detective Constable Cooper has been a finalist for the Sherlock Award for the Best Detective created by a British author. In 2003 the Crime Writers’ Association presented Stephen with the Dagger in the Library Award for “the author whose books have given readers most pleasure.” 
The novels are sold all around the world, with translations in 15 languages, and are currently in development for a TV series. The most recent title is ALREADY DEAD, with a new book, THE CORPSE BRIDGE, due for publication in June 2014.
In recent years, Stephen has become a Library Champion in support of the UK’s ‘Love Libraries’ campaign. He has represented British literature at the Helsinki Book Fair in Finland, appeared with Alexander McCall Smith at the Melbourne Writers’ Festival in Australia, filmed a documentary for 20th Century Fox on the French detective Vidocq, and taken part in online chats for World Book Day. But, most of all, he says he likes to stay at home and write

Blurb

As helicopters search Northern England's Peak District for fifteen year-old Laura Vernon, Detective Constable Ben Cooper quietly dreads the worst. And when her body is found in the woods, Cooper's investigation begins with a short list of markedly uncooperative suspects: retired miner Harry Dickinson, whose black Labrador discovered Laura's body, and Laura's wealthy parents. Uneasily teamed with ambitious newcomer Detective Constable Diane Fry, Cooper tests a town's family ties, friendships, and loyaties -- and finds that in order to understand the present, they must unearth the past

My review

Black Dog written by Stephen Booth

Narrated by David Thorpe

Running time 13H and 22 min.

I must confess, when I started this book I was less than enthusiastic about the plot, the narrator etc. 

It took me forever to get into the story.  I have no use though for giving up on an audio book.  They cost a fortune here in South Africa so once I get my hands on one I stick with it.  Especially since I mostly listen to these books at work while doing normal admin tasks etc. 

So I stuck with this one.  And soon found that my lack of enthusiasm was replaced with a need to know, I got invested with the policemen investigating the case.  I got to love the mystery that surrounded the household of the 15 year old victim.  I came to care.

The narrator that left me less than impressed at the start…David Thorpe soon drew me into a new level of the story, one where the characters all got endowed with their very own personalities. 

By the time I was three chapters in the hook has been sunk, I bit and did not let go.  The plot is not especially fast instead the better part of the book is based on character building making the end all the more impressive. 

Will I recommend this book to friends, yes.  Will I read more by this author and listen to more books narrated by this narrator YES.

WaAr

Book Review of Fruit of Misfortune (The Creatura Series #2) by Nely Cab

Synopsis:

Isis’ goals for the future included things like attending and graduating college. However, becoming a monster wasn’t part of the plan. Isis and her boyfriend, David, are on the brink of a horrible transformation and they are eager to stop it. Together, they set out on a quest to Greece to find Isis’ biological father—the only person that may be able to help them. Their journey comes to an abrupt stop before it even begins when Isis falls ill, and Eros, David’s best friend, arrives in Athens, unannounced and curious…with a plan of his own.

The hunt for her father leads Isis on the turbulent path of deceit, death, and demons as she anticipates the dawning of the beast that stirs inside her.

Review:


Fruit of Misfortune by Nely Cab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Creatura series. I LOVED IT!

Isis Martin is not a normal teen. After finding out that she is a Creatura - a being created when an immortal and a human have children - Isis is determined to track down her father to find out what she is transforming into.

I have been dying to read this book ever since I read Creatura, and went into shock after the cliffhanger at the end of the book (my jaw literally dropped and I had to re-read the ending three times!). It has been a long wait, but it was SO worth it! The story actually starts right where the last book ended and continues with Isis and David travelling to Greece to track down her father, S. Leumas. I loved Isis when I met her in the first book. However, I did want to smack her a few times for the way she treated David on occasion in this book. I don't think she appreciates or realises the depth of the sacrifice that David has made. That being said, she is madly in love with him. It was also wonderful to meet David's family again. The Chios clan are a formidable, but loving, bunch. There were also a few new characters added into the mix, but none more compelling than Eros. Eros is also an immortal and David's best friend. He is very charming, and just like his name suggests, is the god of affection and desire. He too succumbs to Isis's charms, and I think he genuinely falls for her himself. The story is another emotional roller coaster ride; I shed more than one tear in places. However, there is a little less romance and more adventure, as the time ticks down to Isis's and David's transformation. I found myself hooked from the first page, and read the book in one sitting. There are several twists and turns that kept me riveted, and one large one near the end that I did not see coming. I am a little disappointed that there were none of David's poems in this story, but I suppose that there was too much going on for any. The end of the story does not finish in another shocking cliffhanger, but I am looking forward to reading the next book as soon as possible.

Nely Cab has written a fast paced YA series with a uniqueness I love; her imagination seems to know no bounds. I love her writing style and the story flowed wonderfully. She already is on my Favourite Authors list.

I highly recommend this book if you love YA or Paranormal Romances. - Lynn Worton

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Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

About the author:

Marissa Meyer with info obtained from her Goodreads profile….

url

https://www.goodreads.com/MarissaMeyer

born in The United States 

gender female

website

http://www.marissameyer.com

twitter username

marissa_meyer

genre

Young Adult, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Literature & Fiction

influences

Gail Carson Levine, Shannon Hale, John Green, Gregory Maguire, Scott W

About this author

I live in Tacoma, Washington, with my fiancé and our two cats. In addition to my slight obsession with books and writing, I'm big on road-tripping, wine-tasting, and hunting for antiques. I'm represented by Jill Grinberg.

CINDER, my debut novel, is a futuristic re-envisioning of Cinderella in which Cinder is a cyborg mechanic. Release date: 3 Jan 2012.

A click here will take you to Amazon UK to buy...!

Blurb for Scarlet

The second book in The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer.

This is not the fairytale you remember. But it's one you won't forget.

SCARLET BENOIT'S grandmother is missing. The police have closed her case. The only person Scarlet can turn to is Wolf, a street fighter she does not trust, but they are drawn to each other.

Meanwhile, in New Beijing, Cinder will become the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive - when she breaks out of prison to stay one step ahead of vicious Queen Levana.

As Scarlet and Wolf expose one mystery, they encounter Cinder and a new one unravels. 

Together they must challenge the evil queen, who will stop at nothing to make Prince Kai her 

husband, her king, her prisoner . . .

***Red Riding Hood-meets-Percy Jackson in a thrilling new spin on Grimm by Marissa Meyer, the author of Cinder.***

Count the puppies to see my star rating....and click on it to get to amazon to purchase the book.  

Now for my review

My review:

I love, love, love this series.  It has enough of the fairy tales I recall to make me feel comfortable, it has enough new and fantastical ideas to keep me glued to the page.

Cinder, Scarlet and …well they are awesome characters, this book is mainly about Scarlet while Cinder plays a very important role in keeping the plot moving and making Red Rid… I mean Scarlet shine.  

Wolf is a complicated individual, not all good, not all evil and totally in love with Scarlet, however he is not in control of his own emotions let alone his own destiny.

So we come to meet a host of new characters, touch base with most of the old favourites and we are all looking forward to new adventures. NOW.  I already read book 3 and I am sooo ready for book 4!

Bravo.

WaAr

Book Review of Family Magic (The Hayle Coven Novels Book One) by Patti Larsen

Synopsis:

Her mom's a witch. 
Her dad's a demon.
And she just wants to be ordinary.
I batted at the curl of smoke drifting off the tip of my candle and tried not to sneeze. My heavy velvet cloak fell in oppressive, suffocating folds in the closed space of the ceremony chamber, the cowl trapping the annoying bits of puff I missed. I hated the way my eyes burned and teared, an almost constant distraction. Not that I didn't welcome the distraction, to be honest. Anything to take my mind from what went on around me.

Being part of a demon raising is way less exciting than it sounds.

Sydlynn Hayle's life couldn't be more complicated. Trying to please her coven, starting over in a new town, and fending off a bully cheerleader who hates her are just the beginning of her troubles. What to do when delicious football hero Brad Peters--boyfriend of her cheer nemesis--shows interest? If only the darkly yummy witch, Quaid Moromond, didn't make it so difficult for her to focus on fitting in with the normal kids. Add to that her crazy grandmother's constant escapes driving her family to the brink and Syd's between a rock and a coven site. Forced to take on power she doesn't want to protect a coven who blames her for everything, only she can save her family's magic.

If her family's distrust doesn't destroy her first.

Review:


Family Magic by Patti Larsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book in a fantastically magic series. I loved it!

Sydlynn Hayle is a not so typical teen. She is a powerful witch, who also happens to be part demon. I liked her a lot, even though the angst and self pity sometimes got on my nerves. Her life is not simple by any means, but when danger threatens her family, she is one of the bravest heroines to grace the pages of a book. She is stubborn and determined, and even more powerful than she fully realises.

I downloaded this book after a friend recommended it a while ago. Unfortunately, I have only just now managed to get to read it. I am really kicking myself, because it was a fantastic story!
I started to read and couldn't put it down! Sydlynn may not be a typical teen, but her desire to be normal and fit in is something that everyone can relate to. It was interesting to see how this character grew through the story; her confidence in her magic and the relationships with new friends. I loved Syd's grandmother, who although damaged by a powerfully misfired spell, is still a formidable woman in her lucid moments. There are several twists in this story, which kept me hooked! The coven is facing a dangerous foe and, although I kind of guessed who that was before it was revealed, the mystery and suspense that is built up was electrifying. Syd's also facing a potential love triangle, and a fight between her witch half and what her demon half wants. I must admit that I am not really a fan of love triangles, but Brad Peters and Quaid Moromond are like chalk and cheese. Brad may be the star football player of the school, but I liked his warmth and charm. Quaid is the typical bad boy, but it's more image than reality. He is dark and brooding, but also has a vibe that Syd's demon is drawn to. He is still a bit of an enigma though, so I am hoping that I'll get to know him better. There was one surprise I didn't see coming, and that involves a cheerleading bully. I will leave it to you to find out what happened. I will say that it did bring a tear to my eye, in a good way. I was a bit sad when I reached the end of the story, as I wanted to keep reading. I am now looking forward to continuing this series - of which there are 20 books so far - I have a lot of catching up to do!

Patti Larsen has written a fast paced, magical YA novel. I loved the way the author has created characters that are lifelike and likable, but with a paranormal twist. I loved the pace and flow. I am adding this author to my Favourite Authors list.

I highly recommend this book (and series) if you love YA or Paranormal Romances. - Lynn Worton

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Product review....a chair from Heaven.

So I   .....

Wanda Hartzenberg has a very strong philosophy in life...Why stand when I can sit, why sit when I can lie down.... thus I went on a search for the perfect chair....nope I am lying.

I wanted to replace my entire living room set.  Have hoped to do it by now but due to ten thousand things, MONEY being THE biggest thing, I have not gotten to it.. So two weeks ago, while trying to get a replacement phone I told a friend, lets go walk around in THIS store since I know I willllllll NOT be spending money here.... and then I saw it.....

If I were any good with lights etc I would have put it on a cloud, added some cherubs and a man playing some type of musical instrument only half dressed...I degress.  So I sat down, fell in love and wanted THIS chair.  No others sat like THIS one.  I did not buy it.  How could I.  It is NOT cheap.  But it took me less than 12 hours to move up, around, down and to the side things in a budget that is budget only in name to make it work.  So on a Thursday, I had a new chair in my living room.  Since the mechanism that makes it so brilliant to kick out on.....

Click on the pic to go to a website where you can learn more.  

Now..... my living room is not used to such massive furniture.  I arranged it the best way I can to get it to look nice, it is not perfect.  What is however is that both me and my doggies LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this chair.  And even though Stephen King keeps telling writers NOT to watch television while writing especially, I must say that I am SOOOOO cheating... As for reading......brilliant.  

Book Review of Second Chances by Malissa St. Vincent

Synopsis:

It's an age-old story: Boy meets Girl, and they instantly fall, in more ways than one. Chance was in the zone on her morning run, and trips head over heels for a Hispanic hottie in a business suit. Felix was just on his way to work when a Nubian goddess bowled him over with her beauty after bodily smacking him into the pavement! So what's standing in their way? It goes by the name of Zeke, Chance's boyfriend. But that doesn't stop Felix, moving clear across the country, and biding his time for his Chance.

Will their love for each other be enough to see them through their darkest of hours? Or will the nightmare forever hold them captive?

Review:


Second Chances by Malissa St. Vincent
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

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

Felix Delgado is a fantastic character. He is the boy next door with a heart of gold. I really liked him. In fact, I wish he were real! Unfortunately, he only has eyes for one lucky lady. When he literally bumps into Chance, it's love at first sight.

Chance is also a fantastic character. She has not had an easy life, but she has a strong will and determination. I really admire her for her bravery in the face of such hardship.

When I was first offered this book to read, I thought it would just be a straight up romance. What I didn't expect was the emotional rollercoaster ride it would take me on. This story is told from both Felix's and Chance's point of view. These characters have a warmth and depth to them that I wasn't expecting. There are a few other memorable characters in the story that I really liked. Denise Williams is Chance's long time childhood friend, who has stood by her through thick and thin. Diego is Felix's brother, and Carlos and Angelo are their cousins. These characters are fantastic and loving compared to Zeke, Chance's boyfriend. He made me want to be physically ill; he is most definitely a selfish, bullying coward.
The story has a few surprising twists that I didn't see coming, and some really shocking scenes that had me cringing. I don't know if the author has experienced abuse (both physical or emotional) in her past, but those scenes were described in such a way, I couldn't help but feel what her character did. It is not a nice, or easy, experience to go through. However, I was completely riveted from the first page to the last. I was amazed at Chance's bravery in dealing with Zeke, and was cheering her on. I'm not sure I would be able to do what she did; I would be a complete nervous wreck! The end of the book left me feeling very emotionally wrecked, but happy at the same time.

Malissa St. Vincent has written a fantastic debut romance novel. The pace was wonderful, but it does, however, need a slight polishing through a professional editor. There were a few rough spots near the beginning that could be tightened, but all in all, a great romance novel. I hope she continues to write, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

Due to the violence and abuse, I do not recommend this book to young readers. However, I recommend this book if you love gritty romances. - Lynn Worton

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