Jacqueline's review of Hired for Christmas by Genevieve Scholl

Reviewed by -- Jacqueline Driggers

Book Review of -- Hired for Christmas (The Naughty North Pole Novels) By Genevieve Scholl

Overall star rating, from 1-5 ---  5

About the book:

Holli Day had really screwed up her life when she had called her ex-boyfriend crazy and stormed off; never talking to him again, until she came running to the North Pole to beg for him to give her a second chance. When he declared his love for Cindy, Holli thought her heart had shattered into a million pieces at her feet. But, that’s what she got for not believing in him. 

Now, he’s marrying Cindy and Holli isn’t invited. Except, Trent’s best friend, Garrett, needs a date to the wedding and he’s desperate; desperate enough to ask Holli and risk the wrath of the groom. 

The last thing that she wants to do is see Trent get married, but then Garrett offers her something in return that she can’t refuse; money to get her home for the holidays. 

What will happen when she walks into that ceremony on Garrett’s arm?

Book creation ratings:

Overall total -- 30 out of a possible 30

-- Story & characters -- 10

-- Cover & title -- 10

-- Editing & formatting -- 10

* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*

The review:

• Great sequel to a great book.
• Loved this one immensely!
• Author is one of my faves.
• A delightfully different take on santa claus.
• Definitely read other book first.
• Great book which continues the story of the first book, only this time it is the best man and the old girlfriend getting together. 
• And they have some wonderful adventures together.  Just simply a great Christmas romance novel, the second in what is shaping up to be a fantastic series.  

Reader Recommendations

Genre -- holiday romance

Age recommendations -- 17 plus

Sex content rating -- spicy

Violence rating -- nil, zilch

Where to buy it:

http://www.amazon.com/Hired-Christmas-Naughty-North-Novels-ebook/dp/B00GYGE90G/

http://www.amazon.com.au/Hired-Christmas-Naughty-North-Novels-ebook/dp/B00GYGE90G

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hired-Christmas-Naughty-North-Novels-ebook/dp/B00GYGE90G

http://www.amazon.in/Hired-Christmas-Naughty-North-Novels-ebook/dp/B00GYGE90G/

Jacqueline's review of OLD MAC DONALD MEETS SANTA

The author and creator of this darling video book is a friend of mine on facebook, and shared the link with me.  I love it!  Gave me a much needed smile on a day when I needed it badly.  

I'm so very familiar with the Old MacDonald song, but Papa Stas puts a delightful new twist on the song.  

Share this with your kids of all ages, as I'm sure everyone will enjoy the story.  

Thanks Papa Stas!

Jacqueline reviews A Christmas Fling -and- An Evergreen Wedding

Both books Reviewed by -- Jacqueline Driggers

Book Review of -- A Christmas Fling by Beth Barany


Get it on Amazon






My overall star rating -- from 1-5 -- 5

My review:
Just a wonderful Christmas read, or any time of the year for that matter.  I so very much enjoyed this book.  The author has crafted a wonderful tale that will just suck you in and hold your interest to the last.  This is one you'll want to re-read again.  Well worth getting.  I loved it!

<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>

Book Review of -- An Evergreen Wedding by Tanya Goodwin

Get it on Amazon







My overall star rating -- from 1-5 -- 5

My review:
Love this book, absolutely wonderful.  A great read for any time of the year.  Love the story and the characters.  Author Tanya Goodwin has done a bang-up great job on this book!

Come celebrate during our anniversary event

Hello everyone,
Jacqueline here,

This blog has been in existence since September of 2011.  I posted my first book review in September of 2012.  In January of 2013, it gave birth to another blog of mine - The Book News Journal.  In December 2013/January 2014, I started the work to add a review team to my blog.  Also, during this year, the name changed from JD's Leisure Zone to The Leisure Zone. 

But all during this time, I've never had an anniversary.  And I thought it was time.  Originally I had planned on this only being an anniversary event for The Leisure Zone, but then I realized that The Book News Journal was due one too.

So here it is:

And here's the event link on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/374871152671504/

We also have a form up for authors and other book related folks, who might want to host an hour during the event.  Here's the link for that:
http://goo.gl/forms/SOqjolnDSq

So we sincerely hope you come join us in the celebration.

Jacqueline's review of Salted by Aaron Galvin

Reviewed by -- Jacqueline Driggers

Book Review of -- Salted by Aaron Galvin

My overall star rating -- from 1-5 -- 5

Get it on Barnes & Noble

Get it on Amazon

About the book:

Life isn’t better under the sea.

Lenny Dolan is all too familiar with this reality. A Selkie slave in the realm beneath the waves, he has no choice when charged with leading a crew ashore to capture an elusive runaway. If unsuccessful, the loved ones kept behind will pay for his failure with their lives.

But when their target leads Lenny and his crew to deeper, darker secrets, the Selkies are faced with a moral dilemma. Secure their own freedom at the expense of others, or return empty-handed to face the grisly consequences?

How Lenny and his crew answer the question will teach them the harshest truth of all. Only through the loss of innocence does one become Salted.

Book creation ratings:

Overall total -- 30 out of a possible 30

-- Story & characters -- 10

-- Cover & title -- 10

-- Editing & formatting -- 10

* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*

My 5 point review:

-1- This is a very good book, and very well written.  I enjoyed it a lot.

-2- There is a somewhat sad note that runs throughout the book, but it totally works with the storyline; and enhances the story.  

-3- It doesn't have a particularly happy ending for much of anyone in the book, but there is a sequel coming.

-4- The author manages a wide cast of characters very well, and it is the characters that keep you reading.  They're very memorable, and ones you will want to get to know better.

-5- It's a very unique and imaginative story idea.  I enjoyed it very much.

Reader Recommendations

Genre -- fantasy, science fiction, paranormal

Age recommendations -- 17 and up

Sex content rating -- minimal

Violence rating -- moderate

Coming Nov. 24th - the sequel -

Taken With A Grain of Salt

www.aarongalvin.com

Anyone can be taken - a simple truth for Salt folk, a stark reality for innocent teens Garrett Weaver and Kellen Winstel. Kidnapped by Selkie slave catchers and dragged into the realm beneath the waves, both teens must adapt to their new surroundings if they hope to see the shore again. Yet even if they escape their captors, both will need to embrace their fears. For darker things than Selkies lurk in the Salted depths and not all of them have pure intentions for the innocent ones brought down into their watery world.

Review of the sequel coming.  

-- jd --

Maegan's review of The Contaminants by Devin K. Smyth

Reviewed by – Maegan Schaefer

Book Review of – The Contaminants by Devin K. Smyth

My overall star rating, from 1-5 -- 5

Get it on Amazon

About the book:

When America attempts to "purify" earth to maintain its own dominance, it sparks a worldwide nuclear holocaust. Teen friends Jessil and Soraj are among the few survivors. They escaped on a cruiser that now orbits the planet and is designed to help regenerate the earth's ecosystem. Soraj’s father leads the regeneration process and is hopeful that he can salvage a region in North America for the cruiser’s return.

But when Jessil discovers a message indicating her own father may have survived the holocaust back on earth, she’s determined to rescue him immediately with Soraj's aid. Can they succeed even though the planet they return to is very different from the one they left—and that their success could mean failure for the regeneration process? (from Amazon)

Book creation ratings:

Overall total --30  out of a possible 30

-- Story & characters -- 10

-- Cover & title -- 10

-- Editing -- 10

* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*

My 5 point review:

-1- This book in the beginning reminded me of Wall-E but soon I realized that the Earth was getting purified not coved in trash.

-2- This story takes place in space and on the purified earth. 

-3- Each place was had wonderful descriptions of so I could actually visualized them.

-4- The story end with resolving some conflicts but leaving the door open on others, wonder if there might be second one.

-5- I loved that the purified Earth adapted to the things that humans did to it.

Reader Recommendations

Genre – Sci-fi

Age recommendations – Teenager and up

Sex content rating -- none

Violence rating – not too much detail in this just a handful of fights near the end

Wendy's review of Rey de Noches by Sean Torres

Reviewed by -- Wendy Walker        

Book Review of -- Rey de Noches (Legacy Cycle) by  Sean Torres        

My overall star rating -- from 1-5 -- 3.5

Get it on Amazon

About the book:

Becoming king of a world where no sun exists is never simple, even after 3 years of proving yourself as a worthy candidate. Since the night Ruiz left to begin his journey like his brother before him, he vows to prove himself a worthy candidate, in order to obtain said 'holy grail' of Noches itself by earning the title: Rey de Noches.

Even when receiving the strangest task: Prevent Chaos that will come to Noches. Seems like a mockery to Ruiz, although he begins to learn the truth as the events unfold. Discovery of these new 'beings', coming face to face with the world's most wanted man, the Moon goddess Luna ending relations with Hispania and the nations that succeeded from it, a current 20 year inactive King of Noches, leads Ruiz into a series of events threatening the existence of magic itself.

Ruiz soon learns the truth of what happened to his brother not only changing his life, but to his belief over his life's purpose if he's to become the most important being in Noches, or nothing but a sacrifice…

Book creation ratings:

Overall total -- 21 out of a possible 30

-- Story & characters -- 8

-- Cover & title -- 7

-- Editing & formatting -- 6

* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*

My 5 point review:

-1- This book was based in an original land with imaginative characters, I really enjoyed putting my imagination to work bringing this world to life as I read this book. 

-2- Occasionally I found myself a little confused trying to keep up (things jumped around a bit) and due to the original nature of the world and characters a lot of explanations and descriptions required. but otherwise the story was very exciting and full of twists.

-3- For a short book the author did an excellent job at with the characters and their relationships, they are strong and well balanced. 

-4- Ruiz with his unique appearance and the scales are well described.  I wished their would be more adventures in the Legacy Cycle,  I really liked Ruiz from the beginning, but I fell in love with him by the end of the book.        

-5- The Hispanic-based flavor of the book was new for me and very refreshing, I enjoyed the idea of the perpetual night.        

Reader Recommendations

Genre -- young adult, fantasy

Age recommendations -- 15 plus, In parts the book is very full on, I am not sure the younger audience could keep up with it.

Sex content rating -- Not Applicable        

Violence rating -- Minor Violence, not graphic.