Blog Tour Review: Catriona

Catriona

Jeanette Baker

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: August 2011 (paperback)

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Pages: 464 (paperback)

Author Site: http://www.jeanettebaker.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from Pump Up Your Book


Synopsis:

[from jeanettebaker.com]

Kate Sutherland always felt out of place in brash and modern Southern California. But when she comes to her ancestral home in the Shetland Islands to seek a mystical guide who may shed light on her true heritage, she is caught between the present day and visions of a life from five centuries past....

A fiery young woman of royal English blood, Catriona Wells is determined to save her family from the deadly political clashes of 15th-century Britain. But Cat's cunning is no match for Scottish border lord Patrick MacKendrick. When this powerful warrior betroths her against her will, Cat must decide whether she dares to love him--and to trust him with lives that are more precious to her than her own.

Review:

Catriona started a bit rocky for me. I had a bit of a rough time staying focused and getting used to the jumps between Catriona Wells and Kate Sutherland. I didn't mind the different perspectives or even the different time periods...there were just moments where I felt things were moving too quickly. But when I finally found my comfy little niche I was captivated by the story and plot! I loved the historical parts of the story. This is my first time delving into Scottish history so it was a real treat! As soon as I was done I wanted to know more about James IV's story and more about Scotland. Jeanette Baker brought a lot of the characters to life and I really became interested in them.

The modern story involving Kate was more of a backdrop for me. I liked seeing how Kate's life was unfolding after she found out she was adopted and traveled to Scotland for answers. I got a bit lost when she met Maura though...The paranormal aspect of the story was also a bit iffy for me. I definitely felt the magic at times, but other times I was left a little perplexed. But don't let these observations deter you from checking this out... Catriona is a beautiful story that will appeal to a lot of readers. There are two romantic arcs to follow in the plot and like I mentioned earlier I leaned more towards the historical one involving Catriona and Patrick. Kate and Niall's relationship moved a bit too fast for me...but I still enjoyed reading it. I think I'm just in more of a historical fiction niche at the moment...

I can't express enough how strong and developed the characters were. Characters are so important to me and many other readers I'm sure. I loved the latter part of the story when the secondary characters really start to get involved with the plot. The Scotland setting, both historical and modern, was detailed and so easy to picture. Reading Catriona has definitely gotten me more interested in Scotland and I love that about good stories. I'm excited to read more of Jeanette Baker's work and I recommend Catriona to romance lovers of all kinds!

Blog Tour Review: To Die For

To Die For

Sandra Byrd

Series or Stand Alone: Ladies in Waiting series, book one

Release Date: August 2011

Publisher: Howard Books

Pages: 352 (paperback)

Author Site: http://www.sandrabyrd.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from Historical Fiction Book Tours

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

 
To Die For, is the story of Meg Wyatt, pledged forever as the best friend to Anne Boleyn since their childhoods on neighboring manors in Kent. When Anne’s star begins to ascend, of course she takes her best friend Meg along for the ride. Life in the court of Henry VIII is thrilling at first, but as Anne’s favor rises and falls, so does Meg’s. And though she’s pledged her loyalty to Anne no matter what the test, Meg just might lose her greatest love—and her own life—because of it.

Meg's childhood flirtation with a boy on a neighboring estate turns to true love early on. When he is called to follow the Lord and be a priest she turns her back on both the man and his God. Slowly, though, both woo her back through the heady times of the English reformation. In the midst of it, Meg finds her place in history, her own calling to the Lord that she must follow, too, with consequences of her own. Each character in the book is tested to figure out what love really means, and what, in this life, is worth dying for.

Review:

I still have a lot of catching up to do in the historical fiction genre and I just love discovering more and more with each book I read. And I'm quickly becoming a big fan of the Tudor time period. To Die For was a very interesting look into Anne Boleyn's rise and fall through the eyes of her very close friend Meg Wyatt. It seems most people either love or hate Anne Boleyn and I haven't read enough yet to form my own opinion. The last Tudor book I read was Diane Haeger's The Queen's Rival and the small portion of the book featuring Anne portrayed her as a temptress and I was all for being against Anne. While To Die For wasn't from Anne's point of view, it was still heavily centered around most of her life.

I know some basic facts about Anne and how she inserted herself into Henry VIII's court. She is often portrayed as manipulative, seductive, heartless, etc... Anne had power over men and she knew how to use it to get what she wanted. I liked that To Die For portrayed Anne as a not only a woman but as a human with emotions that can often lead us astray. I'm sure she wasn't the kindest woman most of the time, especially when she didn't get what she wanted. But it was nice to see how her feelings may have came into play regarding her ascension to being Queen of England. Having Meg's perspective furthered Anne's more vulnerable portrayal in this story. Sandra Byrd, while very Anne-sympathetic, still showed how Anne could be unkind and somewhat cruel in parts of the story and I appreciated Sandra being honest and still staying true to her opinion.

Meg's story was heartfelt and engaging as well. From her childhood to the tearful ending of the book I felt that I really got to know Meg and her strong personality. Her loyalty to Anne, along with her friends and family, is astounding. Her struggle with God and her own personal faith was an interesting addition to the overall theme of the English Reformation topic of the story. I strayed completely away from all types of history (European, US, etc) in school so it was nice to learn a little something about the Reformation. It was enough to get me interested even more in the time period in hopes of adding to my knowledge of what happened. I may not run to non-fiction right away to find out about certain topics but I love when a fictional novel can get my brain gears turning and my curiousity piqued.

I thought the characters were developed very nicely from Meg's servants to her brothers and her love interest. I became attached to quite a few of them and came to really dislike others. I also really enjoyed Sandra's writing style. The flow of her dialogue and writing worked well and it was hard to put down at times. I was so excited to learn that To Die For is the first book in a series. I think I'm going to really like the historical christian fiction that Sandra will put out and I think a lot of others will too!

*click here to see Sandra's book tour stops*

Blog Tour Review: Halith

Halith 

Kristen Kelly

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: March 2010

Publisher: Pale Criminal Works

Pages: 424

Book Site: http://www.bookmasters.com/marktplc/02917.htm#summary

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from Pump Up Your Book

Synopsis:

[from pcwbooks.com]

Halíth presents the fantastical world of Aessyra where prophesy tells of an evil brewing and only “the One” can stop it. Halíth’s journey begins when she steals away from an impending marriage to a fat merchant, deemed by her uncle to be a good match. In a fit of passion, she runs away in the deep of night, with nothing to her name, and is soon transformed from a scared 16 year old girl to a young warrior ready to answer her fate. In the beginning, Halíth embraces her new adventurous lifestyle focusing on fighting battles, learning the trades of the Dwarves, and drinking and making merriment in local taverns. Soon; however, Halíth’s true test of maturity comes when the Great War finally breaks out across Aessyra. The Haddu, a coalition of Orcs, trolls, and others faithful to a demonic religion, are swarming over the land, seeking to usher in the Third Darkness. Halith must grapple with challenges within and without as she dodges assassins, endures the betrayal of those closest to her, and tries to make sense of her so-called “destiny.”

Review:

I haven’t read many fantasy quest novels yet but I’m slowly working on adding more of the genre into my reading. Halith isn’t an epic tale by any means but it successfully transported me into another world without over-complicating things for me. Even if the map of Aessyra wasn’t provided for reference I still wouldn’t have felt lost. Kirsten does a remarkable job describing the different parts of Halith’s world and all of the characters she comes into contact with. I will admit that the novel started out a bit awkwardly for me though. After spending four years at an abbey Halith is sent to live with her uncle but chooses to run away from nobility life. She spends a great deal of time worrying about others (including the reader) thinking her a wayward brat for running away. I kind of admired and liked the fact that she was determined to make sure people knew the reasons for her actions. She doesn’t want to spend her life as a broodmare. She has a calling to be a warrior just like her father, the High King.

Now that is all fine and dandy, absolutely no issues there for me. But one or two chapters later Halith does this 180-turnaround thing. I respect that she wants to be a warrior, even in Halith’s world women warriors are very rare, but her personality shifts a little too quickly from shy and timid to fierce warrior-girl/woman. The transitioning just kind of smacked me in the face a little bit. But soon after her 180 freak-out Halith started to really grow on me. The middle part of the book consists of her on different missions, meeting different people, and discovering who she is. It reminded me of quest-like video games (which I love to play). Every time she completed something it seemed some other issue would pop up for her to deal with. Although I’m sure if was frustrating for her character, I rather enjoyed it!

Something I really personally liked in the book was the violence. Weird, I know, but let me explain. The violence wasn’t sugarcoated or tip-toed around. It also wasn’t blown out of proportions with blood and guts flying in every direction. It was written just right where it was realistic and bold. It was a part of the book I really appreciated. I also loved the characters, especially the female ones. While Halith meets many different male characters that she becomes close with and/or enemies with, it was the different female characters that grabbed my attention. They sort of formed this motley crew of strong girls/women that were independent and strong yet still needed support from one another. I loved the fact that they were so different and yet fit together nicely like a puzzle.

The ending was a little disappointing for me just because I enjoyed the middle of the book so much. I appreciated that Kristen kept up the camaraderie between characters until the very end though. I just felt everything was a little too rushed for my tastes. I still really enjoyed Halith overall. The tale is one of self-discovery and independence. Halith has not only solid enemies but unseen ones as well as she must battle a prophecy laid before her and a fate she’s determined to undermine. I’m really interested to see what Kristen will come out with next and if in fact Halith will have a sequel or at least be revisited in another book. I think adventure fans and/or fantasy fans will really like Halith and Kristen’s writing.

P.S. (Cover Talk)

It’s fitting. I like the depiction of Halith, although what she’s wearing could go a little better with how her outfit was described in the book. I like the cover though.

Review: Faustine

Faustine

Imogen Rose

Series or Stand Alone: The Bonfire Chronicles series, book one

Release Date: February 2011

Publisher: Imogen Rose

Pages: 322 (ebook)

Author Site: http://www.imogenrose.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from The Bookish Snob Promotions

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

Who is Faustine? When Faustine Spencer was five years old, she discovered a secret that changed her life forever. At twelve, her parents sent her to Bonfire Academy in Switzerland to ensure that she received the training needed to control her increasing powers.

Three years later, Faustine returns to Manhattan. All she wants is to be a typical teenager, at least, one that’s part of the in-crowd at her Upper East Side High School. When drop-dead gorgeous Ryker, her long-time crush from the Academy, finally notices her, she couldn’t be happier.

However, her desire for a normal life is shattered when her father, a prominent sovereign, disappears after naming her as his successor. Her siblings begin to disappear, and Faustine finds herself in the midst of a power struggle. With her life in danger, Faustine must learn to follow one of Bonfire Academy’s most important rules: Trust no one.




 

Review:

I’m definitely not one for spoilers and since the synopsis leaves so much of the story out I’m afraid I won’t be able to really go into detail about Faustine. I can say that the story is absolutely packed with paranormal creatures and they are used in ways I have yet to come across. I am really amazed at the creative story Imogen Rose has created. Faustine is fifteen years old and has just returned from Bonfire Academy. She’s been there for three years learning how to harness and control her growing powers. Now that she’s back in Manhattan with her mother and best friend Neave, she’s looking forward to going to school as a normal teenage socialite.

But normalcy is definitely not an option when she learns that her father has disappeared and she’s next in line to rule in his position. Her entire world is flipped upside as she tries to figure out what to do in her position and try to keep the ones she cares about the most safe. Faustine just has to uphold the most important rule she learned at Bonfire Academy: Trust No One!

Although I couldn’t really relate to Faustine I enjoyed her sense of humor and the fact that she grew in maturity as the book went on. I must say there is an overwhelming number of characters that are introduced who are extremely interesting but almost a little too much to swallow. I love how complex the story is but sometimes things seemed forced together or a little too chaotic. Take for example Ryker and Faustine’s relationship. I love how cute they are together. There’s definitely more to Ryker’s character that I’m excited to learn about. But their relationship seemed very strained and slapped together with very little interaction. There wasn’t much time for feelings to develop or romance to grow. The two of them went to Bonfire Academy for two years together and after meeting in Manhattan they instantly became a couple. Eh, just a little too pushy, maybe…

Despite the cluttered number of characters I still loved the idea Imogen had. I wanted more of everything which was my major issue. There was so much going on that there wasn’t much time for a satisfying development in my opinion. I liked the mystery and loved all the creative paranormal aspects. But since I can’t really go into much detail I feel like my review is too vague. Simply put I really enjoyed Faustine! I will definitely be reading more in the Bonfire Chronicles and I was already planning on reading Imogen’s other YA series. Faustine is an excellent YA paranormal read that I know a lot of people will enjoy.

P.S. (cover talk)

I like it. I like the font choice and the fact that Faustine has red eyes…or eye for that matter =) (Trust me it ties into the story)

Review: 44

44

Jools Sinclair

Series or Stand Alone: 44 planned trilogy, book one

Release Date: March 2011

Publisher: You Come Too Publishing

Pages: 67

Author Site: http://joolssinclair44.blogspot.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from The Bookish Snob Promotions

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

Last year after falling through the ice, seventeen-year-old Abby Craig woke up from death.

But she woke into a world she barely recognizes. She can’t see colors, memories have been erased, and her friends all hate her. And then there’s Jesse, who she loves, but who refuses to forgive her the one mistake she made long ago.

Just when she thinks it can’t get any worse, the visions begin. In them, she sees a faceless serial killer roaming the streets. While the police believe that there have been a lot of accidents in town lately, Abby knows differently. And she soon realizes that it’s up to her to find him.

But to stop him, she’ll have to confront more than just the killer. She’ll have to face something else that was lost in those dark waters. The truth.

In the tradition of Amanda Hocking, 44 is a thrilling paranormal romance mystery novel that keeps readers at the edge of their seats and glued to the very end. The ending will haunt you forever.

Review:

I was very taken aback at the detail 44 had since it barely came in at 67 pages. I worry with short novels and novellas because I feel like it’s never enough for me for some reason or another. But 44 was a lovely surprise! The characters were pretty much spot on. The story-telling was nicely paced and the plot was really entertaining. After Abby comes back to life after a drowning accident her entire world has changed. She’s lost the sight of color, a lot of her memories, and the friends she was once closest too. The only constants in her life are her best friend Jesse and her strong-willed sister Kate. She may be in love with Jesse but he’s crossed that bridge long ago and Abby failed to reciprocate his feelings. But despite the strained emotional tug Abby feels for Jesse he still remains to be the rock she leans on.

When terrible visions start to plague Abby she thinks everyone may be right about her: maybe she is just a freak. But then the visions turn out to be accurate and Abby knows there’s a deadly serial killer hunting the streets of her hometown and she may be the only one who can stop him…

It took a little bit of time for me to get to know and care about Abby. She’s extremely vulnerable and depressed in the beginning of the story. But it isn’t until she breaks from her shell and realizes how much courage she possesses that I really got a sense of who she was. I didn’t really understand why she was treated so horribly after she came back from her accident. I know people can be cruel for no reason but it still baffles me (both in reality and fiction) when people act cold and callous. Even after the ending I still didn’t really get why her friends (i.e. Amanda) starting acting so differently. There’s an obvious cause for Amanda’s dislike towards Abby but again, after the ending is revealed, I was still not okay with her behavior.

I was surprised at how much I liked Kate. I really loved how supportive she was for Abby. It was refreshing and I was happy Abby had someone like Kate in her life. Despite the fact that Kate can be impossibly stubborn she’s very smart. Jesse was great too although he was somewhat confusing with certain actions, but things pieced together like a frustrating puzzle at the end. It was very satisfying…well, not satisfying in the sense that the ending was what I wanted but I still liked how everything started making sense towards the end.

The serial killer part of the novel was interesting and a nice addition to the story. I can definitely see another book coming and Jools herself says she is planning on a trilogy for Abby. I’m excited to see what happens next for her. 44 is a very thrilling and enjoyable read surprised me in many ways. I definitely recommend it!

P.S. (cover talk)

I defnitely like the creepy feeling. The purple color...eh, not so much.

Review: Cameo and the Highwayman

Cameo and the Highwayman

Dawn McCullough-White

Series or Stand Alone: Cameo series, book two

Series Order: Cameo the Assassin (2010), Cameo and the Vampire (TBD)

Release Date: November 2010 (ebook)

Publisher: Claypipe Press

Pages: 210 (ebook)

Author Site: http://www.dawnmccullough-white.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from author

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

The land of Shandow is a place of arctic cold. It was the scene of the bloody revolution, and is the location of the item Cameo's master wants so badly.

In the dark of winter a vampire lies in wait...

...Opal is unable to run from his past... and Cameo must make a choice that will cost her the last shred of humanity she has left.

Review:

I really enjoy seeing the growth authors go through with their writing styles and story development. I had a few personal issues with the first book, Cameo the Assassin, and I’m very happy with the turnout of Cameo and the Highwayman. Even though it’s the second book in the series, Cameo and the Highwayman can be read without having previous knowledge of the story. It does pick up days after the first book ends though.

Cameo is on the hunt for something for her Master and Shandow is where she’s headed. There’s another vampire in Cameo’s life and even though he may not be as brutal as her Master he’s still equally as dangerous. His interference in Cameo’s life will be the first of many things that drastically change for Cameo and the friends she’s traveling with.

I’ve come to really like and care for Cameo. She’s an ex-assassin who is starting to let people into her heart and life, despite the fact that it’s extremely dangerous to get close to anybody. Her Master, Haffef, is cruel. He destroys any and everything that is important to his thralls and he does it just for the fun of it. So it was really great to see Cameo risk everything for the love of friends. And of course Black Opal remains to be a favorite character of mine. This installment of the series was quite a roller coaster ride for him with some of his past revealed. I refuse to spoil anything but it was an exceptional twist in the story. The plot was a little bit slower but it makes sense and fits into the storyline.

I enjoyed the background political scenes as well which has a lot to do with this installment. I felt I needed more information on the setting of the story in the first novel. I’m happy with Dawn provided in Cameo and the Highwayman. Overall, I felt the second book was a very good improvement for Dawn and a great addition to the series. I can’t wait to read the next book!!

P.S. (cover talk)


I love the fact that it features Opal!

 

Review: The Vampire Relationship Guide, Volume 1: Meeting and Mating

The Vampire Relationship Guide, Volume 1:

 Meeting and Mating

Evelyn LaFont

Series or Stand Alone: The Vampire Relationship Guide series, volume one

Release Date: March 2011

Publisher: Helios Media, Inc

Pages: 140 (ebook)

Author Site: http://www.evelynlafont.wordpress.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from The Bookish Snob Promotions

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

Josie wants what she's never been able to have--sex with a vampire. When she receives an invitation to a party thrown by one of the world's richest vamps, she doesn't stop to question her luck; she just jumps into her favorite stilettos and heads out to the event of a lifetime, secretly hoping that she'll come home with a party favor in the shape of a sexy coffin dweller.

But the great undead, much to Josie's chagrin, aren't just pale sexbots with pointy teeth waiting to satisfy her carnal desires; they are dangerous--and sometimes cranky. With a single-minded focus on fulfilling her sole sexual longing, Josie unwittingly entrenches herself in the twisted and sometimes antagonistic world of vampire relationships with no one to guide her, but herself.

Review:

Even with all the hype that vampires have received over the past few years I don’t think I’ll ever truly get tired of them. I especially enjoy authors that try to re-invent vampire lore or add unique twists to spice things up. Evelyn LaFont has successfully written a funny, inventive, sexy, and addicting tale that I’m really looking forward to continuing.

Josie may be a little single-minded but she’s really funny. She has a great inner monologue and says things that would normally come out of my mouth. She even calls herself a teenage boy in one part of the book because all she wants in life right now is a date and some hot sex with a vampire. So although we don’t have that little tidbit in common I find that I really enjoyed her personality. There were times when she was somewhat ignorant and naïve but its hard to stay mad at a woman like Josie.

Her two vampire love interests are complete opposites. Gregory is tall, dark, and handsome…and when I say dark I mean it quite literally. Gregory is one of the few vampires who enjoy a good spray tan every now and then. He’s also very wealthy but still decent enough to be a kind person – or vampire. Walker is the epitome of bad boy… complete with asshole-ish tendencies with sweet moments sprinkled randomly in. He’s sort of got a bi-polar disorder where he’s semi-nice one moment and a complete jerk the next. But he’s also sort of irresistible. I feel Josie’s pain… I loved the sexual tension between Josie and both vamps. I found it yummy and completely understandable. Josie’s got a lot on her plate and it’s full of sexy vampire man trouble.

I was actually very surprised at the craziness that was the end. It had a lot of depth to it that I wasn’t really expecting to find. It added a somewhat serious undertone to an overall funny read. I refuse to give anything away because you’ll really want to read the ending for yourself. I know I’m definitely going to be reading the next volume in The Vampire Relationship Guide. Josie is sure to find herself in more trouble and I’ll be along for the ride.

P.S. (cover talk)

It’s very fun! If you hang around and stop by tomorrow on Evelyn’s blog tour you’ll see Evelyn’s cover idea. The basic concept is the same but it’s funny how the two differ! There’s also a ebook copy up for grabs so be sure to come back!

Early Bird (ARC) Review: My Foolish Heart

My Foolish Heart

Susan May Warren

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: May 2011

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Pages: 384 (Paperback)

Author Site: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from Litfuse Publicity Group

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

Unknown to her tiny town of Deep Haven, Isadora Presley spends her nights as Miss Foolish Heart, the star host of a syndicated talk radio show. Millions tune in to hear her advice on dating and falling in love, unaware that she’s never really done either. Issy’s ratings soar when it seems she’s falling in love on-air with a caller. A caller she doesn’t realize lives right next door.

Caleb Knight served a tour of duty in Iraq and paid a steep price. The last thing he wants is pity, so he hides his disability and moves to Deep Haven to land his dream job as the high school football coach. When his beautiful neighbor catches his eye, in a moment of desperation he seeks advice from My Foolish Heart, the show that airs before his favorite sports broadcast.

Before he knows it, Caleb finds himself drawn to the host—and more confused than ever. Is his perfect love the woman on the radio . . . or the one next door?

Review:

I think I’ll always enjoy taking the time to read charming, contemporary romances that make me sigh in contentment. It was nice to get lost in a town like Deep Haven where the people care about each other, the businesses that have been around for generations, and even the high school football team. Although the team hasn’t won a championship since the famous Coach Presley was in a horrible car accident. His daughter, Issy, is still suffering from the traumatic event while he spends his days recovering at a care center. She may have walked away from the crash with just a few scratches but she lost a great deal on that night.

Now she mostly just spends her days in her mother’s garden and spends her nights with her online listeners. Despite the fact that she has severe panic attacks and hasn’t left her home in over a year and despite the fact that she hasn’t been on many dates or fallen in love she dishes out dating advice to millions of people as Miss Foolish Heart. It’s when two men enter her life that the safe world she’s created gets turned upside down. First Caleb Knight, a handsome, scarred man becomes her neighbor and then BoyNextDoor calls in seeking love advice. Little does Issy know that Caleb is the boy next door and the girl he’s seeking advice about is her.

While I wasn’t in love with My Foolish Heart, I still appreciated the strength of the characters, the loyalty of small-town living, the sweet romantic plot, and the inspirational moral of the story. Caleb and Issy have a lot to overcome and each have their individual weaknesses that keep them from fully living their lives. Juxtaposed against their story is Lucy and Seb’s story. Lucy is Issy’s closest friend and she’s famous for her families’ delicious donuts. Seb was the all-star quarterback for the Huskies when he went to the high school. Having just recently returned to Deep Haven in hopes of procuring the new football coach position, he has stirred up a lot of emotions in both Lucy and himself. The two must come to terms with their past and find a way to move forward if they want to be together again. I liked the fact that I wasn’t overwhelmed with the two different story arcs going on. Instead, I became attached to all of the characters individually and their distinctive struggles.

My Foolish Heart is a lovable and charming romance that is both uplifting and sweet. There is a somewhat strong reference to having faith in the novel but it wasn’t overwhelming. It was a nice part of the story that helped build the personalities and traits of the characters. I think many will enjoy Warren’s latest contemporary romance and I’m interested in seeing more of her work.

P.S. (cover talk)

It’s very sweet and it goes with the “small town” theme of the novel.

Expected Release Date:

May 1st

Review: The Mountains Bow Down

The Mountains Bow Down

Sibella Giorello

Series or Stand Alone: Raleigh Harmon series, book four

Series Order: The Stones Cry Out, The River Runs Dry, The Clouds Roll Away

Release Date: March 2011

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pages: 336

Author Site: http://www.sibellagiorello.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from Litfuse Publicity Group

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

Everything's going to work out. Time away always makes things better... That's what FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon believes as she boards a cruise to Alaska. A land of mountains and gems and minerals, the Last Frontier is a dream destination for this forensic geologist who's hoping to leave behind a hectic work schedule and an engagement drained of romance. But when a passenger goes missing and winds up dead, Raleigh's vacation suddenly gets lost at sea. The ship's security chief tries to rule the death a suicide, but Raleigh's forensics background points to a much darker conclusion; somewhere onboard, a ruthless murderer walks free. Engulfed by one of her toughest cases yet, Raleigh requests assistance from the FBI and receives her nemesis - handsome Special Agent Jack Stephanson. As the cruise ship sails through the Inside Passage, Raleigh has five days to solve a high-profile murder, provide consultation for a movie filming onboard, and figure out her increasingly complicated feelings for Jack - who might not be as arrogant as she originally thought. And that's only her work life. Family offers even more challenges. Joined on the cruise by her mother and aunt, Raleigh watches helplessly as disturbing rifts splinter her family. Like the scenery that surrounds the cruise ship, Raleigh discovers a mystery so daunting that even the mountains might bow down before it.

Review:

Raleigh Harmon is on a much needed vacation on a cruise to Alaska. The company may not be ideal but the break from work is certainly welcomed. Her eccentric aunt has arranged Raleigh to be a consultant for a movie being filmed on the cruise. The lead actor is supposed to be an FBI agent in the movie but his acting skills might get in the way of the movie actually being good. But when the actor’s wife is found hanging off the side of the giant ship Raleigh’s vacation becomes no more. Although most believe the woman’s death is a suicide Raleigh finds more and more evidence that a killer is loose on the ship.

To make matters more difficult, Special Agent Jack Stephanson is called in to help Raleigh with the murder case. Raleigh simply doesn’t have time to pick apart her complicated feelings for Jack. She’s got a limited amount of time to solve the murder, find the killer, and keep her mother from completely falling apart.

Raleigh is such a great character. I really liked her in Giorello’s previous novel and she didn’t disappoint this time around either. I definitely don’t envy Raleigh’s life although parts of it are so fascinating. Raleigh is a forensic geologist and The Mountains Bow Down was full of really interesting facts and details that brought in Giorello’s knowledge of geology. The information added a lot of credibility to Raleigh’s character and I really enjoyed reading it.

Not only does Raleigh have to solve a murder but she has to battle her feelings for Jack. Now I don’t honestly remember much of Jack from the previous novel or much of Raleigh’s fiance’ DeMott. I’ll probably have to go back and re-read. However, I was still able to feel the tension between Jack and Raleigh although I couldn’t really remember what had happened between them. Honestly Jack won me over. He’s cute, quick-witted, and funny but can be very protective, loyal, and caring as well. He must have been a jerk to poor Raleigh for her to feel so conflicted towards him. There were times when I wish she would have given in but she’s got some major will-power.

Also on Raleigh’s mind is her mother. Again, I’m getting peeved at myself for not recalling any previous knowledge of Giorello’s prior novel. Apparently Raleigh’s mother is extremely fragile. Her state of mind borders on the line of breaking and Raleigh takes great care to keep her mother calm. This cruise definitely takes their relationship and her mother’s mind for a roller coaster ride. It’s both heart-breaking and scary to see and I’m interested to see what happens for both Raleigh and her mother in Giorello’s next installment.

The Mountains Bow Down is an excellent novel. It’s so easy to get lost in Giorello’s writing. Although there are previous novels in the series, I still think The Mountains Bow Down can be read as a stand-alone.

P.S. (cover talk)

It’s very nice to look at. I like how it ties in with both the story and the title. I really love the whole cover theme to the series. I also really adore the titles. They’re very creative and unique.

Review: Dreadfully Ever After

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After

Steve Hockensmith

Series or Stand Alone: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies trilogy, book three

Release Date: March 2011

Publisher: Quirk Classics

Pages: 320

Author Site: http://www.stevehockensmith.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from publisher

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and its prequel, Dawn of the Dreadfuls, were both New York Times best sellers, with a combined 1.3 million copies in print. Now the PPZ trilogy comes to a thrilling conclusion with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After.

The story opens with our newly married protagonists, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, defending their village from an army of flesh-eating “unmentionables.” But the honeymoon has barely begun when poor Mr. Darcy is nipped by a rampaging dreadful. Elizabeth knows the proper course of action is to promptly behead her husband (and then burn the corpse, just to be safe). But when she learns of a miracle antidote under development in London, she realizes there may be one last chance to save her true love—and for everyone to live happily ever after.

Review:

Dreadfully Ever After picks up four years after Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam get married. But their happily-ever-after gets cut short when Darcy gets bit by a dreadful. Although Elizabeth should be thinking of beheading and ultimately burning her true love, she finds out about a antidote that’s currently being worked on in London. Under the guidance of her nemesis, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Elizabeth heads to London under a false identity to save her husband’s life. The rest of the Bennett family gets dragged along for the ride as they set out find the cure.

What I liked most about the book was that Kitty and Mary got a lot of “air-time”. I still haven’t read the original Pride and Prejudice so I don’t know how true the PPZ trilogy has stayed to their original personalities but I’ve come to really like the two sisters. Kitty is somewhat silly and childlike but she certainly develops some brains and a backbone this time around. Mary is very independent and somewhat stubborn. I loved the fact that they got a certain kind of “happily-ever-after” for themselves that I won’t ruin for anybody.

Elizabeth was definitely a background character this time around. I missed her warrior-like spirit. I missed her fierce personality. Of course, it’s not proper for a married woman to be fighting off dreadfuls or carrying weapons of any kind. Darcy on the other-hand showed some attributes that made me see him in a different light. Although I started liking him at the end of PPZ I found him vulnerable and a lot more personable after being bitten. It’s crazy what a zombie-bite will do to you! Speaking of crazy…Darcy’s cousin Anne has a surprise or two up her sleeve for everybody, including her overbearing, psycho mother. Anne’s “coming out of her shell” is definitely enough for one to read the book. It makes the ending all that more exciting!

So overall, Dreadfully Ever After was a pretty satisfying conclusion to a crazy, zombie-filled romp through a classic novel. There were some slow times I had to trudge through but the ending certainly made up for it in my opinion. And although I enjoyed Hockensmith’s prequel a lot more than the conclusion, it’s still a great read for PPZ lovers! And to be honest I really love Quirk and the crazy things they come up with. I’m looking forward to future projects they’ll be dishing out for us.

P.S. (cover talk)

Not a big fan. The cover makes sense but I’m just not really digging it.

Review: The Ice Queen

The Ice Queen

Alice Hoffman

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: April 2005

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Pages: 211

Author Site: http://www.alicehoffman.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Paperbackswap

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

From the bestselling author of Practical Magic, a miraculous, enthralling tale of a woman who is struck by lightning, and finds her frozen heart is suddenly burning.

Be careful what you wish for. A small town librarian lives a quiet life without much excitement. One day, she mutters an idle wish and, while standing in her house, is struck by lightning. But instead of ending her life, this cataclysmic event sparks it into a new beginning.

She goes in search of Lazarus Jones, a fellow survivor who was struck dead, then simply got up and walked away. Perhaps this stranger who has seen death face to face can teach her to live without fear. When she finds him, he is her opposite, a burning man whose breath can boil water and whose touch scorches. As an obsessive love affair begins between them, both are forced to hide their most dangerous secrets--what turned one to ice and the other to fire.

A magical story of passion, loss, and renewal, The Ice Queen is Alice Hoffman at her electrifying best.

Review:

This is my first time reading Alice Hoffman but definitely not the last. The Ice Queen, while somewhat depressing at times, was almost lyrical and poetic in style. The nameless main character is introduced as a selfish child who thinks of no one but herself. She makes a foolish wish one icy January night and loses her mother. She then grows into a cold and distant woman who makes death and fairytales her forte. She isn’t really close to anyone, including her brother, and leads a very quiet life as a librarian. One night she carelessly makes another wish: to be struck by lightning. Instead of killing her, the lightning brings amazing and unbelievable changes to her life.

I was sucked in at the beginning. Hoffman has such a dramatic way with words. Her writing is simple and to the point. Yet, I felt a lot of emotion in her short sentences. I admit I did get a bit derailed in the meat of the story because it drags a little at times. Some of the parts are downright depressing and it felt like I was trudging along through the pages. But I admire Hoffman’s ability to put emotions into the story. The main character certainly isn’t a very happy person and that comes across very strongly. She’s not a mean or unkind person either. She just has a very cold personality and has a dreary outlook on life. She definitely isn’t a favorite character of mine. However, I still found myself liking her. It takes her a while to grow and change but I feel this novel is more of a journey anyway, so it’s okay.

I did have a little trouble wrapping my brain around the concept of the effects the lightning had on her and Lazarus. Maybe those effects were supposed to have an air of mystery about them. *shrugs* But I did enjoy the many references to the Grimm fairytales. I have yet to read any of the original Grimm fairytales and The Ice Queen definitely made me want to familiarize myself with them. The fairytales are important to the main character and who she is as a person. I liked the fact that they stayed throughout the novel with her.

I think my favorite part of The Ice Queen was the ending. The entire book was definitely a different reading experience for me but I came to really care about the main character in the end. I’m looking forward to reading more of Hoffman’s work; especially Practical Magic (loved the movie!). I’d definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a unique story.

P.S. (cover talk)

Eh, it’s alright. Definitely has a distant and cold feel to it which matches the story and title. But honestly, I don’t really like it all that much.

Review: Just One Taste

Just One Taste

Louisa Edwards

Series or Stand Alone: Recipe for Love series, book three

Release Date: August 2010

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Pages: 331

Author Site: http://louisaedwards.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from Nancy Berland Communications

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

He has a hungry mind.

Bad-boy chef Wes Murphy is dreading his final-semester cooking class-Food Chemistry 101-until he meets the new substitute teacher. Dr. Rosemary Wilkins is a feast for the eyes, though her approach to food is strictly academic. So Wes decides to rattle her Bunsen burner by asking for her hands-on advice-on aphrodisiacs...

She's got love down to a science.
Rosemary is a little wary about working with Wes, whose casual flirtations make her hot under the collar. But once they begin testing the love-enhancing power of chocolate, oysters, and strawberries, it becomes scientifically evident that the brainy science nerd and the boyish chef have some major chemistry together-and it’s delicious...
 
Review:
 
Okay, so I absolutely love Top Chef and Iron Chef America. I enjoy a few other food-related shows as well but have never really picked up a food/chef related novel before. I admit they interested me enough to add them to my TBR list. So when I was approached to review the latest installment in the Recipe for Love series I thought it was a great chance to see if I’d enjoy some food fiction. I’m happy to report that JUST ONE TASTE was fun, sweet, and deliciously romantic. (Yeah, I know…that was cheesy)

Ex con-artist Wes Murphy is in his last semester at the Academy of Culinary Arts. His latest obstacle: Food Chemistry 101. Even though his grades are excellent there is just something about this last class that is not clicking well with him. So what can he do to get him out of his current pickle and out on his dream externship with Executive Chef Adam Temple? How about some sort of quick-thinking scheme that involves the hot new teacher? Not a bad idea…

Dr. Rosemary Wilkins is a genius, well a child prodigy really. She graduated high school when she was 12 and received her first (yes, meaning she has more than one) undergraduate degree at age 14. Her parents are smart in their own right as well and have very successful careers. They certainly haven’t been the most family-oriented bunch so it’s pretty easy to imagine how life has been for Rosemary. The one thing Rosemary can always count on is her passion for research and her love for her lab. She may be detached and clinical most of the time but nothing can quell her lust for knowledge.

Rosemary isn’t exactly jumping up and down with excitement when asked to teach at the Academy of Culinary Arts. But she’ll certainly put up with a little social awkwardness for access to the school’s lab. She wasn’t expecting a student like Wes though or his tag-a-long doggy sidekick Lucille. In hopes of getting closer to Rosemary Wes decides to visit her office with the adorable dog in tow. But his plan goes slightly awry when the president of the academy catches Lucille on school grounds. Without even thinking Rosemary claims the dog as her own and just as quickly Wes explains to the dumbfounded president that the two of them are working on research together. Food is definitely not the only thing sizzling between the two after a few too many encounters experimenting with aphrodisiacs.

The two of them are pulled apart just as quickly as they were pushed together when Wes is forced to make a choice about his future. After taking off and leaving a crushed Rosemary behind – Wes realizes how important their relationship has meant to him but feels he has to stay away. Meanwhile, Rosemary  nurses her newly broken heart. After stewing for some time she starts to focus on what’s important in her life and what’s always been important in her life: her research. But lo and behold that path will lead her right back to who she’s trying to avoid…bad-boy chef Wes Murphy.

I think as a couple, Rosemary and Wes came together pretty well. She is socially clueless most of the time but that’s totally understandable given her background and her personality. Despite her clinical state of mind she is just as vulnerable as anyone else. After breaking out of her shell later on in the book she becomes slightly more laid back but never quite loses her nerdy side which definitely grew on me. Wes can be just as clueless though. He obviously thinks he knows what’s right for Rosemary so he makes decisions without necessarily thinking things through. That may just be a guy thing…I don’t know.

I also really got attached to the sub-plot and secondary characters: Jess and Frankie. Jess is a waiter at Market, which is the restaurant Wes gets his externship at, and Frankie is the sous-chef. Now I’m pretty sure these characters were mentioned somewhere in the first two books but their story was easy to follow. It was interesting comparing Wes and Frankie in their respective relationships because the underlying problem was the same: they were both keeping things from their significant other. Boys being boys they obviously were trying to “save” the ones they cared about from their terrible ways. But usually the case is they are just afraid to reveal their true selves because they are scared they won’t be fully accepted. Either way I absolutely loved having Jess and Frankie in the story.

I really enjoyed my first venture into Louisa’s Recipe for Love series. I’m definitely going to be reading the other two books that came before JUST ONE TASTE. The food aspect of the novel was evident, although not heavily used. I don’t think that part bothered me so much because I don’t have any other food fiction novels to compare this one to. But overall it was a super fun read! I think any kind of romance fan will enjoy Wes and Rosemary’s story.

Never Let You Go

Never Let You Go

Erin Healy

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: May 2010

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pages: 384

Author Site: http://www.erinhealy.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from Phenix Publicity

Synopsis

[from goodreads.com]:

Losing everything has made Lexi hold those she loves tightly. Hell is determined to loosen her grip.

Lexi lives in the shadow of choices her husband made. Especially Grant's choice to leave seven years ago, without a word. Her relationship with their daughter, Molly, is now the most important thing in her life. Lexi will do anything-work grueling hours, attend church on her only day off, sacrifice financially-just to see Molly smile.

When Grant shows up declaring his intent to re-enter their daughter's life, Lexi is skeptical of his motives. She soon determines not to let him near Molly. Then a drug dealer named Warden arrives on Lexi's doorstep, demanding payment of Grant's old debts.

But that's just the earthly perspective. Staggering supernatural events are spilling into her world in real and shocking ways. Hell's fury is great, but Heaven's power is greater still. In a novel that defies easy categorization, this has all the early buzz of the breakthrough read of 2010.

Review:

NEVER LET YOU GO is another gem from Thomas Nelson Publishers that is yes you guessed it…Christian Fiction! I’m continually being surprised by how much I’m enjoying the recent books I’ve read in this genre. I’ve read BURN which was co-authored by Erin Healy. NEVER LET YOU GO is Erin’s first solo book published and I really enjoyed it!

Lexi is a very “real” character. She could very well be people we all know or even one of us. Her druggie husband, Grant, walked out on her seven years ago and ever since then Lexi has been terribly down on her luck. Her beloved sister was murdered shortly after and then her father had a mental breakdown. With her mother traveling all the time Lexi struggles to get by every day as she takes care of the most precious thing in her life – her daughter Molly.

Grant has come back into Lexi’s life wanting to establish a relationship with Molly, her sister’s murderer is up for parole, and the man who led Grant to a life of drugs has come to demand payment of Grant’s past debts that Lexi has no way of paying. Her world is starting to fall apart all over again and to make matters worse there seems to be strange supernatural things taking place that no one can explain. Lexi could very well be losing her grip on reality when she needs it the most.

So I will say I was a tad bit confused at the beginning. I didn’t really enjoy how the start of the novel was set up. But as the story progressed I was quickly engrossed in Lexi’s life and the strange happenings going on in it. I became attached to her and the other characters including Grant who of course I hated in the beginning. NEVER LET YOU GO was filled with intricate twists in the plot that had me reeling. I really enjoyed the writing style and found the Christian “undertones” of the book not too over the top. They aren’t very subtle either but I think I enjoyed the story so much that the message being written about didn’t really bother me.

After reading BURN and finding it “just okay” I was excited when I finished NEVER LET YOU GO and came away with such satisfaction. Thrilling, suspenseful and with dynamic characters, I definitely recommend giving NEVER LET YOU GO a shot!

Eight Days in Darkness

Eight Days in Darkness

Angela Roegner, LCSW and Anita Wooldridge

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: April 2010

Publisher: Synergy Books

Pages: 415

Book Site: http://8daysindarkness.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from Phenix & Phenix Publicity

Synopsis

[from goodreads.com]:

On June 25, 1998, Anita Wooldridge was taken from her parents' home in broad daylight by a convicted rapist. For eight terrifying days, Anita was savagely beaten and raped by her captor, who locked her in a metal storage cabinet for hours at a time. With only a steadfast faith in God to comfort her, Anita refused to give up hope that she would be found. Eight Days in Darkness chronicles the shocking events of Anita's kidnapping, including her transport across state lines, and the impressive efforts of local authorities and FBI agents which led to her rescue and the dramatic capture and conviction of her abductor. Anita's story is still used today as a case study for prospective FBI agents, and Eight Days in Darkness paints a portrait of the real-life battle between good and evil.

Review:

EIGHT DAYS IN DARKNESS was an interesting non-fiction book. Interesting because it read more like a fiction story rather than the normal non-fiction book. Instead of facts kind of strewn together it was more novel-like and I enjoyed reading it in this manner despite the difficult subject matter. The true story account of the abduction, multiple rapes, and rescue of Anita Wooldridge was I’m sure difficult to put into words for both Anita and her co-author/therapist Angela.

I have the utmost respect for Anita. The fact that she is sharing such a painful and personal part of her life with the world is both inspiring and admirable. After reading through all the details of the investigation and capture of the abductor Anita’s hardships are still not over. She goes into some detail of her life after her terrifying ordeal. Depression was quick to follow and although her spirit wavered some, Anita’s strength (with the help of others) was able to overcome all the darkness in her life.

This story may be painful for some to read, although I found the way it was written helped “soften” some of the despicable crimes committed for the public. But Anita’s strength and faith in this book is sure to touch many people’s lives. And the psychological depiction of the abductor was an addition to the book that was more than welcomed by me. It provided a different aspect to the story. And although every name in the book (other than Anita’s) was changed, I still found the “characters” had personalities and were detailed enough to be engaging. I do admit I became a little confused in some of the parts because it was hard to keep the investigation team straight. Overall, the book was one that will stay with me for quite some time.

Gone

Gone
Lisa McMann

Series or Stand Alone: Wake trilogy, book three

Release Date: February 2010

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pages: 224

Author Site: http://lisamcmann.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Purchased

Synopsis

[from goodreads.com]:

Janie thought she knew what her future held. And she thought she’d made her peace with it. But she can’t handle dragging Cabel down with her.

She knows he will stay with her, despite what she sees in his dreams. He’s amazing. And she’s a train wreck. Janie sees only one way to give him the life he deserves: She has to disappear. And it’s going to kill them both.

Then a stranger enters her life — and everything unravels. The future Janie once faced now has an ominous twist, and her choices are more dire than she’d ever thought possible. She alone must decide between the lesser of two evils. And time is running out....

Review:

I shouldn't have waited so long to write my review of this book, or any book for that matter. I'm seriously working on getting reviews out a few days after I read the book, otherwise I really struggle to recall the things I liked or disliked about a book. I do know that I gobbled GONE done just like I did the previous two books. However, I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did the other two.

GONE is the final book in the Wake trilogy. I for one am sad to see the series end. The overall story is so unique to what I've read before and the writing style Lisa McMann chooses to use continuous to surprise me at how easy and enjoyable it is to follow. And while I didn't love GONE as much as I did the other two books, there are still many aspects of the book that I enjoyed.

Janie has grown and changed throughout the novels and to me, she's very different in GONE. I wasn't as attached to her as I used to be and that troubled me somewhat. Her relationship with the steady and reliable Cabel was nice to see although there are many rocky moments in the book for the couple, which is understandable. It's definitely easy to see where Janie and her feelings are coming from. She refuses to hurt Cabel and doesn't want him to waste his life with her but I still felt she needed to lighten up. Cable obviously loves her and I think he fully understands the consequences of all of his choices. I may be a little biased though, I happen to adore Cabel very much!!

The additon of Janie's father into the mix was interesting. It brought out qualities in Janie that I both liked and disliked. I got to see again how loyal Janie can be to those she comes to care about but I also saw a side of her that felt like she was giving up. It's tough to explain without giving away so many details so I'll leave it at that.

I was by no means disappointed with GONE. I just felt that GONE was a little different than the first two books and I'm still working on deciding if I like that fact or not. Either way the series is a hit for me. I've come to really enjoy Lisa McMann's writing and her story telling. I'm eagerly waiting to see what she has in store for us next. (Hopefully a revisit to Janie and Cable sometime in the future...ending be damned =) )