Pages

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Book Review - Boreal and John Grey, Season 1 by Chrystalla Thoma

Book Review of:
Boreal and John Grey Season 1
By
Chrystalla Thoma

My overall star rating - 5








About the book:
Read the complete First Season of the series Boreal and John Grey, books 1-5 (The Encounter, The Gate, The Dragon, The Dream and The Truth) at a special price with an Author's Note at the end.

Centuries ago, they nearly conquered humankind. But their Gate to our world closed, leaving them out. Now the elves have found a way back.

Ella Benson, agent of the Paranormal Bureau, fights the Shades when they cross into our world, keeping everyone safe. But increasingly dangerous creatures are slipping into her city, her work partner has just gone missing, and a mysterious – and, quite frankly, hot — guy saves her life. His name is Finn and, as it turns out, he’s a natural when it comes to fighting the Shades.
When the Gates between the worlds start opening and the elves make a comeback, Ella needs a new, temporary partner. Enlisting the mysterious Finn is a no-brainer, until she realizes he is guarding dangerous secrets of his own.
Together with Finn, and the fate of the world on her shoulders, what’s Ella to do but grab her weapons and figure it all out, one way or another.

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 is an excellent book.  A can't put down book, full of action and adventure, one that you just must read; with a love story thrown in to boot.  It kept me fascinated, from beginning to end.  One of those books that you find hard to put down until you’ve read the last page.  I loved it.  It's an excellent book.  A great read.  And definitely well worth your money.

-2- What if creatures from another world started breaking through the barrier between our world and theirs?  And what if they weren't friendly?  And what if we were figuring out what we were doing as we went along?  Searching in old tomes and in fairy tales and legends for clues as to how to fight them?  And what if you're the girl to stop them?  It has fairy tale creatures in it, with just a shade of creepy thrown in for good measure.  The creatures are trying to come from their world to take over ours, and the battle is on.  That's some of what you have in this series. 

-3- Some love scenes in some books are like a porn movie, and some like a bad porn movie.  But the author of this book knows how to write a love scene, for some love scenes are like beautiful poetry, as is the case with this book.

-4- Her writing is sharp, concise, gripping; painting your mind with images she has painted in the words of her book.  A great book is a thrill to read, and this is one of those great books.

-5- Ella and Finn are one of those timelessly great fictional couples.  You’ll fall in love with them and their story.  I can’t wait till the next books are out. 

Reader Recommendations
Genre -- science fiction/fantasy
Age recommendations -- 18 plus
Sex content rating -- moderate
Violence rating -- moderate

Interested in my reviewing your book?
Just follow the link and fill out the form.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Book review - Violation by Wendy Cartmell

Book Review of:
Violation
By
Wendy Cartmell

My overall star rating

5 stars




About the book:

Young women are being raped and murdered
A young soldier is raped on Aldershot Garrison
Are the two connected?
Sgt Major Crane, a Branch detective in the Royal Military Police is unwillingly dragged into an Aldershot Police investigation after a young girl is raped and murdered, because witnesses describe the killer as a young soldier. He is also dealing with his own case, the repeated rape and bullying of a soldier on Aldershot Garrison. Can Crane find the murderer before he strikes again? Will Crane bring the rapist to justice?

Book creation ratings:
Overall total -- 29 out of a possible 30
-- Story & characters --10
-- Cover & title -- 10
-- Editing -- 9
* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*

My 5 point review:

1. Classic crime drama in book form - If you love the crime drama shows on tv (I do), then you’ll like this book.  Think along the lines of Law and Order in book form
2. Sgt. Major Crane is an endearing character - I love this character.  He’s great.  He’s the type of book detective that you can easily get hooked on.  I’ve already snagged a couple more of her books that I ran across on free promos.
3. Part about his wife and the new baby particularly good - Along with the main story of the crime series that he’s trying to solve, there’s a sub-story of him and his wife and their new baby, that I just love.  I mean, here he is trying to catch this rapist/murderer, and he makes time to help his wife in dealing with a new baby.
4. Other characters great too - Sgt. Major Crane doesn’t do it alone.  The other characters in the book are great too.  The writer has surrounded him with a great cast.
5. Put me in mind of Sherlock Holmes books when reading it - I’m a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, and love the books.  These books put me somewhat in mind of those that Conan Doyle wrote.  Could Sgt. Major Crane be the Holmes of our modern era?  He’s the best candidate I’ve ran across lately.

Reader Recommendations
Genre -- mystery, murder mystery
Age recommendations -- 17 and up
Sex content rating -- none, no sex scenes
Violence rating -- mild, crime scenes described, but no actual crimes described

Interested in my reviewing your book?
Just follow the link and fill out the form.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

My new book review format

So here it is, my new book review format that I will be using with my next review:

Book Review of:
the book name goes here
By
the author name goes here 

My overall star rating
 The ratings range from 1-5 stars, and I have a different graphic for each one, this graphic created exclusively by me for use by me.


About the book:
This is where the book cover, a buy link, and the book blurb or excerpt would go. 

Book creation ratings:
Overall total -- 25 out of a possible 30
-- Story & characters -- 8
-- Cover & title -- 8
-- Editing -- 9
* based on a 1-10 scale with:  1-4, poor; 5-7, good; 8-10, very good.*
This is something that I came up with on my own, with a little help from hubby.


My 5 point review:

1 - I came up with this 5 point review idea in an attempt to make writing my reviews easier.
2 - As I'm reading the book, I'll make a list of 5 points about the book, which will be only a line or two.
3 - Then, when I write my review, I can expand each point into between 3 or so lines to a short paragraph.
4 - Thus this will make writing my reviews easier on me, and I won't have to wade through a whole bunch of notes I've made on the book.
5 - Overall, I think my new format will make for a well-rounded book review format.

Reader Recommendations
Genre -- what genre(s) I feel the book falls into
Age recommendations -- an important feature for parents searching for appropriate books for their kids
Sex content rating -- another important feature for parents and readers themselves, will rate how graphic the sex content is, from mild to wild.  
** and those are just a few of the things that will be covered in this section **

Interested in my reviewing your book?
Just follow the link and fill out the form.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13KoPI8OJRvMpscPpgjUGJfuP4g2W7ET3at9D3OuvFIA/viewform

Friday, September 27, 2013

Review - The Time Chasers series, Return From the Grave by Steve Griffiths

Book Review - 
The Time Chasers series
Return From the Grave
by Steve Griffiths
** About the book -- MJ and his sisters whilst on holiday are thrown into an incredible adventure that takes them back in time to 1944 in the depths of war-torn France. They have to endure many dangers in a bid to save themselves and their rescuers. Their perilous journey will have life changing events for them and others past and present. What will be their fate in this story of heroism and self sacrifice. Find out what will become of them in the first book of 'The Time Chasers' series.



 I had the great pleasure of editing this book, so I got to read it before anyone else did.  And it's an excellent book.  I highly recommend it, and look forward to the sequel.

The author, in his first outing, has created a wonderful novel suitable for a large age range.  Adults, teens, and pre-teens alike will enjoy it.  Imagine going on holiday, in a farmhouse in France, and finding out that your balcony is a time machine.
 
MJ intended to go back in time by himself, but things didn't quite work out the way he planned, and his sisters end up going back with him.  So where does he go back to?  None other than France in World War 2!  

If I tell you anymore, I'll give away too much of the story.  Steve has created a great book, with wonderful characters; and it is a book that will grab your attention right away and keep it.  

If you're going to buy a book, buy this one.  You won't regret it.  

If you don't read it, you are truly losing out.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Fall 2013 Kindle Fire Giveaway

fall kindle fire This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HD 7".
The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)
  Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)
  Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)
    Fall Sponsoring Authors & Bloggers
  1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
  2. Feed Your Reader
  3. Author Annette K. Larsen
  4. Phantasmic Reads
  5. Author Bella Street
  6. Author Bonnie Blythe
  7. Author Stacy Claflin
  8. MyLadyWeb: Women's History, Women Authors
  9. Book Mama Blog
  10. Word to Dreams
  11. Candace's Book Blog
  12. Once Upon a YA Book
  13. Author Miriam Louise
  14. Author Mary Ting
  15. Author Camelia Miron Skiba
  16. Books4Tomorrow
  17. Author Theresa McClinton
  18. Brooke Blogs
  19. Author Pauline Creeden
  20. Author MK McClintock
  21. Author Kathryn Chastain Treat
  22. Books Unhinged Book Blog
  23. Author Kelly Cozy
  24. Meredith & Jennifer's Musings
  25. These Are But Shadows
  26. My Devotional Thoughts
  27. Author Ally Shields
  28. Dark Motive's Books and More
  29. Nessarox
  30. Fae Books
  31. Author Jennie Sherwin
  32. The Real Bookshelves of Room 918
  33. Auggie Talk
  34. No BS Book Reviews
  35. BookLover Sue
  36. Gin's Book Notes
  37. Bookhounds
  38. Buku-Buku Didi
  39. Author Shelli Profitt Howells
  40. My Nook, Books and More
  41. The Late Bloomer's Book Blog
  42. Clarice's Book Nook
  43. MichaelSciFan
  44. Magical Manuscripts
  45. Author Talia Jager
  46. Every Free Chance Book Reviews
  47. Jessabella Reads
  48. Author Melissa Pearl
  49. Author Elizabeth Isaacs
  50. Bookitty Blog
  51. Author Helen Smith
  52. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
  53. Christine's Blog
  54. Write Away Bliss
  55. Another World of Books
  56. The Reporter and The Girl MINUS The Super Man!
  57. Katie's Clean Book Collection
  58. Author Marcia Lynn McClure
  59. Author Shannon Guymon
  60. Ripple Effect Romance Series
  Sign up to Sponsor the NOVEMBER Giveaway http://www.iamareader.com/2013/09/november-kindle-fire-giveaway-sign-ups.html   Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire. Ends 10/31/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, September 16, 2013

Book Spotlight - The Swan Bonnet by Katherine L. Holmes

Join me for a spotlight of a book I just added to my review list.  The book is:
The Swan Bonnet by Katherine L. Holmes

Unknown to Dawn, her grandfather has shot an old swan out of mercy. In their coastal Alaskan town, her father buys the swan pelt, preventing her Uncle Alex, a fur trader, from selling it for export. Dawn’s father surprises her part-Aleut mother with a hat she helped to make and also with an idea to catch poachers. Shooting swans has become illegal but Alaska is a territory and Prohibition occupies the Sheriff.

Dawn and her mother become involved with suspicious responses to the swan bonnet besides its haunting effect. Because Dawn’s grandparents see the swans first, Dawn agrees to secretly watch the migration with the Deputy Sheriff’s son. But after she and her mother encounter women from a ship and find out about a hunting party, they ride to the inlet. There are also townspeople roving the shore but who is the vigilante and who is the poacher?

Excerpt -- 
A time ago in the frontier territory, flocks of migrating swans chuffed to the same ocean inlet and swooped down for a night or two in the spring and in the fall.  The far bay was hedged in hardy reeds and fenced off by foothills, providing rest and refreshment.  Whistler and trumpeter swans arrived as regularly as the mountain streams melted and the snow came.  In the spring, one pair stayed to nest while the others flew on.  They were waiting in the fall with their cygnets when the swans from the north stopped to strengthen themselves before their journey over the Pacific Ocean.

A few years after 1900, a man came to the inlet with his wife and boy.  He built a cabin even if the pair of swans on the bay flaunted their wings at his sailing skiff.  They wouldn’t be properly introduced until the garden was grown and the woman and boy tossed sunflower seeds along the shore.  The man fed them corn when he sailed from the inlet to the waters that were full of salmon.

The new family woke up one autumn morning and found the pair of swans hosting a flotilla of migrators that trampled the shore and feasted on the sunflowers.  They ate the last of the corn too but in their wake, the woman found swan feathers and down.   She gathered up the precious plumage and took it to the nearest town on the Alaska seacoast.  That was half a morning’s wagon ride from the cabin under the foothills.  Merchant ships came to the harbor for salmon and fur.  The swan feathers sold like caviar.

As more folks moved to Alaska, the family at the bay couldn’t help but notice how the migrating flocks were dwindling.

Towards 1920, fewer and fewer of the trumpeter swans made rest stops at the inlet.  But whistlers still came after nesting in the tundra.


About the author --
After stints in publishing and as a reporter, Katherine L. Holmes obtained an M. A. in Writing from the University of Minnesota. Her poems and short stories have been published in many journals. In 2012, her short story collection, Curiosity Killed the Sphinx and Other Stories, was published by Hollywood Books International. She has also published a children’s fantasy, The House in Windward Leaves.


Book Preview - Alchemy by Sheena Boekweg, Melanie Crouse, and Sabrina West

Welcome to my book preview of a soon to be released book.
Alchemy by Sheena Boekweg, Melanie Crouse, and Sabrina West

"Do you want me to be dangerous?" he asked, his voice husky and low.
I gulped, and for a moment I was incapable of speech. But he was quiet, waiting. "No. I don't."
"Then I'm not dangerous at all," he murmured. His gaze moved from my eyes to my mouth. "You've never been safer than you are at this moment." I shivered as his breath tickled my skin. Our lips were mere millimeters apart when the sky shattered in a kaleidoscope of colored light.

We didn’t know how much we had to lose until we were infected with magic. Sam was in love, Juliette was the main caretaker for her siblings, and Ana and her dad planned the best parties in New York. But we lost it all when we were shipped to Chebeague, an exclusive school for newly infected mages.

Everyone knows about the mages, those who survive the infection and end up with magical abilities. We’ve seen the power of magic, the high-paying jobs, and the world fame. But we never saw the cost. We didn’t know we’d be forced to give up everything: sanity, family, even the right to talk on the phone.

We didn’t know mage was just another word for prisoner.