Pages

Pages

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

RELEASE BLITZ: "Days Of You And Me" by Tawdra Kandle

daysofyouandme 9781682304075_fcDays of You and Me by Tawdra Kandle

Series: Keeping Score Book 3 Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance Publication Date: September 27, 2016
BUY NOW
Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Google
 
Once upon a time, not that long ago, I had just about everything I ever wanted. I was a star football player at one of the best colleges in the country, and I had the girl I d always loved by my side. The promise of a future most guys can only dream about was close enough to touch. But if there s anything I've learned, it s that life is unpredictable. One twist can change it all, and suddenly, I m alone. Even football, the one constant in all the insanity, somehow isn t enough anymore, because without her, everything else is empty. Meaningless. I've got one shot left. One more chance to win her heart. We re not kids now, and I know that being good enough for Quinn isn t some game I can fake my way through. She s more than the prize; she s my reason for living. The world only makes sense when we re together. And this time, I m going to do whatever it takes to give us our happy ending."

Sunday, September 25, 2016

BOOK REVIEW: "Twilight At Blueberry Barrens" by Colleen Coble



Kate Mason has devoted herself to caring for her family’s blueberry barrens. But after her fields stop producing fruit, she’s forced to come up with alternative ways to make a living.
Renting out the small cottage on her property seems an obvious choice, but it won’t be enough. When entrepreneur Drake Newham shows up looking not only for a place to rent but also for a nanny for his two nieces, it’s almost too good to be true. And maybe it is—because Drake brings with him dangerous questions about who might be out to kill his family.
The more time Kate spends with Drake and the girls, the more difficult it becomes to hide her attraction to him. But a family crisis isn’t exactly the ideal time to pursue a romance.
Meanwhile, Kate learns that her uncle—in prison for murder—has escaped. Add to that a local stalker who won’t leave her alone, and Kate is looking over her shoulder at every turn. With threats swirling from multiple directions, she wonders if her blueberry fields will ever flourish again . . . or if this twilight is her last.

I received an ARC of this book from the author's publicist in exchange for an honest review.

I was aware, when I agreed to review this book, that it was both religious and the author's first attempt at writing a thriller. I'm going to talk about the good first, because there is a fair amount of "good" in this book. Ms. Coble can create really wonderful, three-dimensional characters you can see and hear in your mind. She creates great emotion and real depth. I will, in the future, read some of her non-thriller books.
Now with the bad. As mentioned, this is her first thriller and you can tell. The romantic aspect of the story flows beautifully, in contrast to the thriller elements, which seem a bit all over the place. I usually love books with multiple POV, but I think we could have done with just Kate and Drake's. Claire, Luke, and the killer's POVs just make the book jump around too much for my liking. And we get all these POVs in the first five chapters.
I found the plot to be wonderful, but it wasn't executed as well as it could have been. It was less "suspense" and more "plodding along". Her descriptive nature is excellent, but for some reason it fell short of describing the suspenseful scenes that could have been exacerbated.
The last thing I disliked comes from a more personal perspective rather than a professional one (as the ones above did). Within the first forty pages, we hear Kate talk about how she can't have children four times. Four times in forty pages. She feels anger over it, she feels worthless to men because of it. I realize that God made women to have children to repopulate the world, but that is not all a woman is good for. At all. I'd really like to see "women's fiction" be about EMPOWERING women, instead of catering to archaic ideals that are no longer relevant. Kate helps with her church, helping dozens of children in worship. She has skills to do a lot of things with her life. She is in no way worthless, and I found that the mentions of her being barren over and over were disheartening. I know barren women, and they are valuable in multiple ways in life. A woman is no longer only worthy of being a wife and mother. We're on the verge of having our first woman as a President, and yet people are out there saying the only thing a woman is good for is having kids. It's ridiculous, and I think that a barren woman reading this book would be extremely depressed.
I see how "the blueberries not producing fruit" anymore is a metaphor, and it's a great one, but it's highly misused.

3/5--a decent book that could have been great.

Purchase Twilight At Blueberry Barrens

Saturday, September 24, 2016

RELEASE BLITZ: "Will Of Fire" by Yasmin Fazli

Title: Will of Fire
Author: Yasmin Fazli
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Cover Designer: Aurelia Fray
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR
Blurb:
Elle knew that unraveling the secrets on Acryen would be difficult, but she didn’t know that it would be deadly. She knew this from the scars on her body and the heat in her eyes.
Three months have passed and what was meant to be an easy journey across the ocean has turned perilous as she’s come to realize that they’ve boarded the wrong ship—a slaver’s ship run by a cunning and devious man known only as Captain Red. Elle can’t help but find herself drawn to him and repelled at the same time. Yet, when a powerful hurricane hits the ship and Elle’s life is in danger, Peter’s hidden powers awaken, and now, they’re in trouble. The stakes are much higher than before, and Elle’s afraid that the only way out is with blood.
Elle must find the necklace awaiting in Gyoar before an elf meets her end, a quaid falls prey, a mother commits treason, and a king masks his mistake.
But above all, she must find it before her fate is sealed in ashes.
Because where hope lies, fire breathes.
Yasmin Fazli was born and raised in Southern California, changing schools her whole life. Now, she is an undergraduate college student studying biology to satisfy her love for the sciences. Yet, another part of her started to show more and more: her love for writing. She often dreams of mystical places and the perfect bad boy/prince charming who will come sweep her away. Until those happen, she continues to write away, living her fantasies through typed words with all kinds of sweets in one hand and a cup of chai tea in the other hopeful that one day her words could inspire even just one person.
Author Links:
Instagram - @Yasmin_fazli
Twitter - @YasminFazli
YouTube - @YasminFazli
Buy Links:
Will of Hope: http://amzn.to/1TefBV1
Will of Fire: http://amzn.to/2cUYOfz
#Free with #KindleUnlimited

Friday, September 23, 2016

RELEASE + GIVEAWAY: "Outsider" by Lindsey Winsemius




Title: Outsider
Author: Lindsey Winsemius
Series: Secret of Alba #3
Genre: Romance / Suspense / Dystopian 


Will his past become her ruin?

Helen
I had it all; power, respect, independence. But now everything is falling apart around me. And I can't help myself; I need to trust the one man I shouldn't ...

Vick
I barely escaped my past. I only bring death to people I care about, so now I keep my distance. Until her. Something about this woman draws me in ... 

Death has returned to Alba, and the number of victims is growing. Can they stop the evil plaguing their nation before it's too late?

Find out who survives the epidemic in this stunning conclusion to the Secret of Alba series. 

BUY LINKS
Grab today for 99 cents!!!

AMAZON


The days were busy, but the nights were hell.

Being so close to Helen, so close but so distant, was taking its toll on his temper.

He looked forward to the evenings, when they would eat together, discussing the day's events. She had a sharp wit he found alternately amusing and arousing.

It was in those quiet times together that she let down her guard, and the prickly, independent woman of the day revealed a softer side he'd never seen before. 

And every night when she got up to go to her own room, it became harder and harder not to stop her. To beg her to let him in her bed.

But he'd told himself he'd give her space. She was pregnant and her lover had died only a few short months earlier.

He didn't think he could take much more.

Tonight he didn't know if he could keep himself from seeking out the relief only she could offer.

Darkness had just fallen over the city when he'd arrived home. To her villa, he corrected himself. Thinking of this place as home would be a mistake.

They'd shared dinner and retired to the study to talk, as they did most nights. He couldn't take his eyes from her as she approached, her small feet bare, two mugs of tea in her delicate hands.

She gave him a quizzical look as she handed him one, laced with the whiskey she knew he liked, and he realized he must have been staring.

He thanked her absently, forcing his gaze out the window of the sitting room. The Serenity Garden was beyond, the nearly full moon gleaming off the pool in the center, casting strange shadows from the carefully groomed shrubbery. 

He took a swallow of the tea, scalding his tongue, and cursed quietly.

"Is everything alright?" Helen asked, curling her own small form into the chair adjacent his, hands cupping her mug carefully.

"Yes, everything is fucking fantastic," he muttered.

"If you're so over-stressed, perhaps you should go to bed now," Helen retorted sharply.

Vick groaned, the image of his bed, with her in it, popping into his mind. He dropped his head in his hands, rubbing the palms on his eyes, trying to erase the image.

He heard rustling, and felt Helen's slender, cool hand on his brow. He breathed deeply of her scent; sharp and tangy citrus.

"You feel warm, but not feverish."

He laughed softly, mostly at himself.

"Vick, you're worrying me. What ...?" Helen gently forced his face up so she could search his eyes, her hands cupping his bearded jaw.

Sparks of heat traveled from where her hands touched his face and her arm brushed his.

He couldn't be the kind, understanding friend she needed tonight. Standing abruptly, he pulled her up with him. Her mouth parted in surprise, and he gave in to the urge that had been building for weeks. Since the moment he'd first seen her, in fact.

His mouth lowered, not giving her time to protest or pull away, sealing any sounds inside. He didn't waste a moment, his lips claiming hers with force, his tongue sweeping inside. His kiss was fast, almost desperate, for he was afraid she'd push him away at any moment.

She tasted of honey and lemon, her soft mouth taut in surprise for a long moment. Fear mingled with need as he began to think he'd been mistaken; that perhaps she didn't desire him as he did her. He deepened the kiss, feeling as if he was inhaling her essence, breathing the tiny gasps coming from her throat.

Just as he was about to pull away in defeat, she melted into him, her arms coming up to grip his shirt, her tongue tentatively meeting his.

He pulled her tighter against him, his large frame nearly shaking with need and the effort to go slow; to be gentle.

"Vick," she gasped as his lips left hers for a moment to taste the corner of her mouth, her high cheekbones, and delicate jaw. His hands moved from her shoulders, down her slender sides, and under the satin nightshirt she wore.

She gasped again as his palms grazed her taut nipples, his mouth drinking in the sounds hungrily. He moved lower, and they both froze as he touched the slightly convex shape of her stomach.

He felt her go stiff, her hands lowering from his arms to protectively cover her slight mound. He released her, letting her take a step back, his hands fisting at his sides to keep them from grabbing her again.

Helen swayed slightly, looked bemused, before sinking back into her chair. Her perfectly coiffed hair was mussed, her lips reddened from his kiss, light whisker burns making her smooth skin.

He knew he should probably apologize; to break the tense silence. But he couldn't, He wasn't sorry for anything. Except that it ended.

"I want you," he finally said, "I want you so damn bad its killing me to hold it in. I'm not going to apologize, and I'm not going to stop wanting to have you, any way I can get you. But I can promise you I won't do anything you don't want. Even if it means keeping my hands to myself." His voice was hoarse as he made the promise that was probably going to be his downfall. He looked out at the damn Serenity Garden, feeling frustrated as hell.

When Helen finally spoke, her words surprised him. "I won't deny I want you, too. But this pregnancy has my emotions so in turmoil, I don't trust myself ... I don't know what I really feel."

Vick turned back around, pushing back the strands of hair falling from the leather tie at his neck.

"I'll give you all the time you need to decide what you want," he promised rashly, desperately glad she wasn't demanding he leave her house.

You're a fool, March. There is no way this can end well for you two.

Since when had that ever stopped him? He wasn't looking for any happy endings. His hand went to stroke his beard, feeling the scars running along his jawline. He'd learned to take what joy he could, because life had no guarantees. And he would find a hell of a lot of joy from being with Helen, however she let him.

"You're so generous," Helen said drily. 

Vick grinned in response. "A little too arrogant? Running the State must be going to my head. I'm just not used to so much responsibility in my little 'ole town of Vicksburg."

"I can see how it would be a bit of a shock." Her small smile and dry response told him she wasn't offended at his gently mockery. Damn, another thing he loved about her; her tough skin and quick wit.

Her expression changed, growing serious. She stood, moving close to face him. Her hand lifted hesitantly to trace the same path his often unconsciously took along his jaw.

He almost jerked away as her gentle touch found the same grooves that hid beneath his beard, scars on his skin that ran much deeper. He forced himself to remain still, letting her hand gently trace the damaged skin, following it to the corner of his mouth, moving over his lips. He couldn't stop his jaw from clenching with the effort to remain immobile. 

She raised on her toes and pulling his head down, kissed his cheek just above his beard, sending a thrill that wasn't just sexual straight to his chest.

"Sometime, I hope you'll tell me the story of how this happened."

"It's rather dull." He fought to keep his smile in place and his tone light. "Trust me, you wouldn't want to hear it."

"Hmm, I have a feeling I need to hear it," she replied thoughtfully, and he felt uncomfortably exposed under her gaze. "Or perhaps you need to tell it." 

Vick opened his mouth with a quick retort, but couldn't force the words out. He turned away with an inarticulate growl. This woman was getting under his skin like no one else had ever been able to.

"Dammit, Helen, just because I want you doesn't mean I'm going to spill my past while you mop my tears." He felt remorse as soon as the words left his lips. But the worst part was that he wanted to spill his secrets; to unload on her fragile shoulders. That was ludicrous; he had been self-contained for his entire life. He certainly wasn't going to start needing someone now.

Helen settled back into her chair, not saying anything. Waiting.

The silence stretched and for once Vick couldn't seem to find any blase comment to fill it. His hand rose to stroke the scar before his stopped himself. 

What did it matter? If she really wanted the whole sordid story, he'd tell her. Maybe then it would help her keep her distance.

To learn how dangerous it was to care about him.





$25 Amazon Gift Card!

Reaper 99 cents!
Amazon

Patrician 99 cents!
Amazon
US AU CA UK  

AUTHOR BIO

Lindsey Winsemius is an author, marketer, and supermom surviving on coffee and wine on the West Michigan Lakeshore. She learned from a young age that books hold the key to new worlds. As a young adult, she was often caught with forbidden romance novels under her mattress. She's currently published three romance novels, and is working on her fourth which will be released in spring 2017, assuming her wine and coffee don't run out out.

Learn more about her and her books on her WEBSITE and find her on FACEBOOK






Hosted by
Read. Review. Repeat.
 


BOOK REVIEW: "My Servant, My Lover" by TL Travis



The Sebastian Chronicles is a series of 5 Erotic Paranormal Novelettes that will take you through each century since Sebastian Benoit’s Vampiric inception. 
In book two My servant, my lover Sebastian embarks upon a forbidden romance with a member of his staff in Isabel’s home. This cardinal rule was one Isabel was adamant it never be broken and with good reason. But is the crime worth the potential punishment? 
In this novelette you will live vicariously through our beloved Vampire Sebastian and his sexual escapades from the 18th century.


I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Book two picks up two centuries where book one left off, but what happened in those two centuries is a bit shocking as we find out--as the teasers say--what happened to Isabel. No spoilers, but I will say that IT BETTER NOT BE TRUE. Okay, back to being a professional.
Despite these stories being so short, you really come to care about the characters. Sebastian is still not my favorite, but his story does keep momentum flowing.
Out of the two new characters, I love Lorenzo. He's hot as Hell, no pun intended. Nicolette I found to be a lying you-know-what, but I can't deny her scenes are also hot as Hell.
This book is written and edited better than the first; I only found one error in the entire thing (expresso instead of espresso). You can see an improvement in the short time between releases, and I can't wait for book three!

5/5--emotional and very, very hot.

Purchase My Servant, My Lover via Amazon.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

BOOK REVIEW: "Sebastian The Beginning" by TL Travis

The Sebastian Chronicles is a series of 5 Erotic Paranormal Novelettes that will take you through each century since Sebastian Benoit’s Vampiric inception.
In book one Sebastian, the beginning you learn why his maker Isabel chose him to be her mate.
Isabel stalked Sebastian even going so far as to watch him satisfy his many lovers. He had a death wish, one that an angry husband would surely have carried out had Isabel not turned him in time.
Sebastian’s hatred for Isabel overshadows the gift she’s given him causing her to doubt her decision. Will he ever learn to love her as much as she loves him?

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

Sebastian is a fast read, barely half an hour tops. I'm that half hour, you'll be taken on a thrilling ride of love, vampirism, and, of course, sex. Let's start with the bad.
Two things made this a four star review instead of five. One is the POV change; it frequently goes inside the heads of both main characters. While I usually love those, when the POV changes multiple times per chapter with no warning, it can be difficult to read. The second thing is that the author repeatedly says the phrase "my love"in two languages, sometimes four times per page. It is so repetitive, it can be comical.
Despite having some language issues (they live in the sixteenth century, but occasionally use modern phrases), this story is filled with action and romance at every step. I really love Isabel, and can't wait to see where her story goes. I am dying to know more about her and Marcus.
I did like Sebastian, he's sexy as Hell, but a bit needy and too trusting.
I'm excited to see where this story takes both. Onto the next novella now...

4/5--sexy as Hell!

Purchase Sebastian on Amazon!

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: "Deadly Deceit" by Karen Randau

Image and video hosting by TinyPic


Book Description:

A cocoon of naiveté shatters on Rita Warren’s thirtieth wedding anniversary, when a terrorist murders her ex-Marine husband Jared and thirteen other movie goers.

Ensnarled in a cover-up that puts her in an assassin’s crosshairs, Rita must unravel a web of lies and connections that date back to Jared’s service in the Iraq war – before a mysterious kidnapper returns Rita’s daughter Zoe one body part at a time.

This fast-paced thriller is one you won’t want to put down from beginning to end.

Excerpt:

I’d never seen him in our small town of Rim Vista. He turned his blue and black motorcycle into the movie theater parking lot behind the silver Cadillac my husband Jared used for ferrying high-dollar real estate clients around Arizona.

The motorcyclist’s blue riding clothes matched his sleek Yamaha. The snug fit of his clothes suggested a lean and muscled young man. He paused by the sidewalk, at the front of the lane where we parked and turned the reflective shield of his helmet toward us. He pulled a paper from his jacket pocket. Looked down, then in our direction. Stuffed the object into his saddlebag.

Jared pulled my attention away from Motorcycle Guy when he slid a box with flowery wrapping from under his seat. “Happy thirtieth anniversary, Rita.” He flashed his special smile that melted my heart, as it had the first time I saw it in high school. Maybe whatever had been bothering Jared for the past six months was over, and life could return to normal.

My excitement plummeted when I tore open the package and an ugly purse fell to the floor, cherry tooled leather with a vintage Wild West aura. I warned myself not to ruin what had otherwise been a fun day and attempted a bright and cheerful tone. “Kind of an Annie Oakley look.” I nestled into his shoulder, rubbed his cheek, breathed in his scent. “Thank you. I will always cherish it because you gave it to me.”

“That’s what you used to say to the kids when they made you crafts at school.” His firm grip on my shoulders almost hurt as he pushed me away.

“And I’ve kept and treasured those things.” I hoped my smile would recover the lighthearted mood we had maintained all day.

“Hid them is more like it.” He opened his door, told me to put his present in the trunk, and stomped away.

Motorcycle Guy was still idling his bike at the front of our lane in the parking lot. Jared walked around him, toward the box office. Motorcycle Guy watched me open and shut the trunk, then moved forward and blocked my path to the sidewalk. Only for a moment. Long enough for a shudder to roll through me. Between that young man acting strange and Jared losing his temper again, I no longer wanted to see the movie.


Through a wall of windows in the lobby, while Jared bought snacks and exchanged enthusiastic greetings with neighbors, clients, and strangers, I watched Motorcycle Guy park his ride, stow his helmet, and buy his ticket. He was about six feet tall, with a shaved head and face. Handsome, in a twenty-something Will Smith way. He nodded a quick greeting when he entered the lobby, then looked away. Maybe I’d misjudged him. Maybe he was just waiting for his date to arrive.

Bio:

Image and video hosting by TinyPic


A native of the southwestern U.S., Karen Randau has been writing and telling stories since elementary school. She holds a degree in journalism/public relations from The University of Texas at Austin and has enjoyed a long career in marketing communications.

After a short stint working in a psychiatric hospital, when she wrote three self-help books, Karen joined an international relief and development organization to use her skills to help people struggling with extreme poverty. She has traveled to numerous developing countries, witnessing famines, violence, and hopeful people working to overcome a generational cycle of poverty.

She loves to read and write fast-paced mysteries and thrillers, especially those with intricate plots, lots of action, and rollercoaster-like twists and turns.


Author Links


Buy Links



Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Sunday, September 18, 2016

MUSIC REVIEW: "Covered Vol. 1" by Matt Lande



Song List:

1. Ghengis Khan (originally performed by Miike Snow)
2. Mad World (originally performed by Tears For Fears)
3. Leave A Trace (originally performed by Chvrches)
4. Hallelujah (originally performed by Leonard Cohen)
5. Pineapple Expression (instrumental)
(Bonus song Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O'Connor, written by Prince, available for FREE by clicking here.)

I'm going to go in order of the track listing for my review to try and keep myself in line. Those of you who read my previous reviews for Matt's music know I tend to get overexcited and go off on tangents, which is something no reviewer likes to do, but his music is just so good!
I've been listening to Matt for what will be seven years this year, I've watched his music grow from Heaven Is Where to different solo projects, each one more delicately composed and beautifully written than the last.
I already knew, getting this EP, that Matt has the voice of an angel and one Hell of a talent on guitar, and I was pretty convinced that he could sing anything. I remember the days on MySpace (yes, I said MySpace) when he had covers of Cheap Trick and others listed, which were great even back then.
Okay, starting track one, the only track I was unfamiliar with. Matt really did an amazing job of transforming this song. I didn't liken it whatsoever to the original an a listener would think that this was one of Matt's originals at first. This song plays to Matt's higher range, which is really stunning. It makes you stop what you're doing to listen.
Track two is a sad song by a group I really enjoy. Matt's voice, usually filled with such beauty, is so low and melancholic you can feel your heart twist as you listen. It evokes the emotional response from a listener that great music is supposed to. This one is by far my favorite and I have played it over and over in the past couple of days.
Track three is a band I am not a big fan of, but I knew the song from hearing it in different places in the past year. You can really hear Matt's acoustic skills on this one. His voice takes on a slightly smoke quality that made me picture a darkened club, a haze of smoke, and Matt on a stage with limited lighting while patrons danced on the floor. It's another song that you could think was one of his originals.
Track four I think everyone is familiar with, and we have all heard many covers of it as well. In fact, I heard a new one just tonight! However, whenever he touches something, he turns it into pure gold. This is another song you have to stop just to listen, to take it all in. Despite it not being my favorite on the album, this one shows Matt's vocal abilities the very best.
Track five is a quick instrumental, just thirty seconds, but still enjoyable as a comedown from the rest to the album.
The bonus track is another song we all know. It's a piece of music history, now more so than ever with Prince's passing. I'm very critical of songs I grew up with being covered, and I remember my mother saying, "Kelly, if he screwed this up, I'm going to have to tell him." Well, he didn't. What he did was make a perfect cover of musical and vocal beauty It's almost as if it was written for him to sing, not O'Connor.
In all, I think you can tell what my opinion on this EP is. It's gorgeously performed, has great production value, a cover that could be on a T-shirt, and created with care. Matt is a brilliant musician, and as I have been telling my readers for years, he is someone you NEED to listen to.

5/5--excellent!

Purchase Covered Vol. 1 on iTunes or Amazon.

Friday, September 16, 2016

BOOK REVIEW: "The Dragonward" by Michael Meyerhofer


Three years after the War of the Lotus, alliances have already begun to unravel. As Rowen Locke struggles to maintain peace, troubling news reaches him from every corner. Persecution of the Shel'ai has reignited in the south, spurred on by a fanatical priest. To the north, the Isle Knights are withering under the leadership of mad Crovis Ammerhel. Old friends fight each other when not drowning their sorrows in taverns. 
A new threat emerges from across the sea, dispatched by the same exiled Dragonkin who have been plotting their revenge for centuries. Rowen and his companions soon realize that the target is the Dragonward itself: their one and only defense against an evil so vast even Knightswrath could not vanquish it.


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

(Note, read the Dragonkin Trilogy before picking this up--you won't regret it!)
Continuing the story we thought we finished in the Dragonkin Trilogy, we find Rowen facing new troubles, alongside some other familiar faces.
While many times in fantasy stories can come to be repetitive, these books just keep growing and becoming more and more intricate. By now, I feel like I'm fighting alongside friends. This story is a lot more dangerous, you feel the tension at times in your bones. Meyerhofer has a gift of making you feel what the characters feel at any given moment.
He also created very real characters. You don't often see many different races and sexual orientations in fantasy, but that didn't stop him from creating wonderfully diverse characters. As a member of the LGBT+ community, I really appreciate that touch.
Another great story by a fantastic writer.

5/5--his world just keeps getting better!

Purchase The Dragonward on Amazon.

BOOK REVIEW: "In My Arms Tonight" by Sasha Clinton


What if you can’t help but hurt the person you love? 
Kat Cullen has it all—a staff writer position at the New York Times, beauty, independence—until she finds herself alone on the subway at night with a rapist. Saved by Alex Summer, a democratic candidate running for mayor of New York, she develops an unexpected friendship with him. 
Alex’s chaotic past is the kind of juicy scoop every political reporter dreams of—which is why he keeps it hidden. But as he starts falling in love with Kat, he opens up to her about his darkest secrets. What he doesn’t know is that Kat already knows all about him, and she’s on an assignment to expose his history. 
Caught between truth, love and ambition, two people must figure out the politics of the heart.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

In every book I read, especially in a general romance genre, I try to look for something different, outstanding, something that makes me sit back and say, "This book will stay with me forever". Unfortunately, I did not get much of that with this book, and I am sorry to say.
Let's start with the good, and that is that Sasha Clinton is a great writer. Her dialogue and prose are nearly perfect, and I loved reading the raw emotion she put into this narrative. She's got so much potential it isn't even funny. And that's why this book is getting three stars.
Here's the other reasons why, and please remember that this is my personal opinion and nothing more: it's unbelievable. It's two characters who are very hard for anyone to relate to. I think that the sexual assault Kat suffers was more than necessary: at least that gives some readers something to sympathize/empathize with. Otherwise, she's very unrelatable.
And while Alex is the type of man we fantasize about, his character was lacking somehow. Despite her best efforts, Clinton didn't realize his full potential.
The story and characters fell flat for me. It was a bit too predictable, too Lifetime movie for me.

3/5--A lot of potential.

Purchase In My Arms Tonight on Amazon.

BOOK REVIEW: "Pride Of Empires" by J.S. Bangs


Safe in the Emperor's Tower, Kirshta has finally achieved the rank and recognition that 
he's craved for so long. But intrigues of the imperial court give him no time to enjoy his 
position. The new Emperor descends into paranoia and sends Kirshta chasing a phantasmal 
conspiracy, forcing him to choose between betraying his friends and losing everything he's 
worked for. 
Meanwhile, Sadja arrives in the capital city to find that his schemes have come to 
naught. Determined to take the Seven-Stepped Throne for himself, he must seek out new allies 
inside the imperial palace. Fortunately, the new Emperor needs a great many advisors, and 
Sadja is very pleased to help.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Having read the two previous books in this series, I can safely say that Pride of Empires is the absolute best yet. In this book, not only to we get a deeper look inside the psyche of the characters, we also go further into the politics of the story. It's intricately weaved to wrap around your mind and draw you in.
I want to say a lot, but with this being a third book, I am afraid to give spoilers.
I will say that I love how these characters grow and change in each book, becoming more themselves and revealing themselves to us. These books always have great plots, but I believe it is the characters that really drive the story here.

5/5--an excellent book!

Purchase Pride Of Empires via Amazon.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

(UPDATED) COMIC BOOK REVIEW: "Doom Patrol #1" by Gerard Way and Nick Derington

The atoms are buzzing. The daydreams crowd sentient streets, and the creative team has been warned, “Turn back now or suffer the mighty consequence of sheer, psycho-maniacal mayhem.” Generation-arsonists unite—this is DOOM PATROL, and the God of the Super Heroes is bleeding on the floor.
A blenderized reimagining of the ultimate series of the strange, DOOM PATROL combines elements from classic runs, new directions, and things that could not be. Our entry point is Casey Brinke, a young EMT on the graveyard shift to abstract enlightenment, with a past so odd that she’s not entirely sure what is real and what is not. Along with her partner, Sam Reynolds, the pair blaze a path through the city and its denizens, finding the only quiet that exists at 3am is the chaos of the brain. When the pair answer a hit-and-run call, they find themselves face to face with a familiar figure: Cliff Steele, AKA Robotman.
“It gets weirder from here,” writer Gerard Way had to say about the book, with artist Nick Derington gripping tightly on the wheel of the ambulance. The pair’s only communication? Shouting out of the open windows while at high velocity. Who needs a new roommate? Who names a cat “Lotion”? And when do we get to see all those muscles?
Find your answers inside the pages of this comic book, as we set the stage for new beginnings, as well as the re-introduction of some classic DOOM PATROL characters, including Niles Caulder, Negative Man, Flex Mentallo, and Crazy Jane.
The debut title of DC’s Young Animal line kicks off with a removable sticker on its cover: Pull back the gyro to reveal its secrets, but be warned—there is no turning back.

I purchased this comic book at Golden Apple Comics for my own enjoyment.

For those of you who haven't read my previous comic book reviews, I am a DC nut. I really love their whole franchise, and the commencement of their new Young Animal line has me thrilled. In addition to my loving the Doom Patrol, I am also a huge fan of Gerard Way. Yes, I love him as a musician, but I love him even more as a comic book artist.
Every title he creates, he leaves a distinctive imprint on the dialogue. You know you're reading a Gerard Way comic because his voice is bright and unique. I admit, I was wary of him taking on a title I loved so much growing up and he did make some changes, that's certain. But the changes are, as far as I can tell after only twenty-two pages, going to be brilliant.
I love, love, love Casey Brinke. She's bright, bubbly, and seems to have a heart of gold and a really cute cat. I can't wait to see what her role is with the new DP team.
We get an enigmatic page with Niles Caulder which left me puzzled, and we also see Cliff Steele in this issue, but the way we see him is a bit odd. The way the two classic DP characters are depicted makes me wonder exactly what will happen in issue two.
Deringer's art is bright, open, and very pleasing to the eye. He really helps set the tone for the story Way is trying to tell. I think these two gentlemen are going to make the DC fandom very happy indeed.
A side note: for fans who have not read the original DP series, you don't need to in order to enjoy this comic.

5/5--a brilliant start!

Purchase Doom Patrol #1!


****

UPDATE:

Today (the fifteenth, the day after the book's release), I attended the signing with Gerard at Golden Apple Comics in Los Angeles. It was my second signing at the store, and let me say it was run perfectly. No snags, nada. The staff is very nice and professional, and everything ran like clockwork. If you live in or are visiting SoCal, definitely give GAC a visit! They have a ton of old comics at great prices as well as collectibles and frequent celebrity signings.
I have met Gerard numerous times, both at concerts and for his comics. Each time, I am astounded by how genuinely sweet he is. There is no rock star persona, no attitude because of his success in the comic book industry. He is just a sweetheart.
Below are some photos from tonight. For more comic book fun from KSR, stay tuned this weekend as I attend Long Beach Comic Con!