Summer on East End: Double Eclipse by Melissa De La Cruz

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: In Summer on the East End: Double Eclipse,' A Young Adult Novel by Melissa De La Cruz.

The Witches of East End” series keeps growing with the introduction of twin witches, Mardi and Molly Overbrook. In Summer on the East End: Double Eclipse by Melissa De La Cruz, we are introduced to this new duo, as they begin their vacation in the home of their Aunt Ingrid. With their father being Thor, the god of Thunder, they have a great deal of responsibility to just staying out of trouble.

Trouble though has a penchant of following those who live among the gods and goddesses, and they are no different. When they learn a secret from their past, they begin to question everything they know about their family. Along with the secret also comes a strong and mysterious prophecy, one that seems to drag them deeper than imagined into both the past and future.

Mardi’s boyfriend Tyr, is the god of war, while Molly is still on her own. Yet things begin to change as danger begins to follow them, putting both themselves and their family at risk. Then a hot new guy comes to town and suddenly everything heats up even further, as both girls find they will need to use their magic as danger mounts, putting them and all they love at risk.

The vacation finds them back to their mischievous ways, and takes them in directions they never imagined.

De La Cruz stirs up the imagination with her newest work on the Witches of East End and her new and emerging young witches. She builds a story of romance, suspense and danger, setting a sizzle to the atmosphere.

Her characters are very likable, each with distinct personalities, and feelings. As with most twins they squabble and fight but allow no one to stand between them. This is a great addition to her series and another terrific read for your young adult.

If you are looking for the right book for your young reader, or if you enjoy a romantic work with danger and fun attached this is just the right book for your library. De La Cruz gives us another solid hit for her Witches of East End cast and ensemble.

Rating 4/5

Twisted, The Girl Who Uncovered Rumpelstiltskin's Name by Bonnie M. Hennessy

Posted First to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Twisted, The Girl Who Uncovered Rumpelstiltskin's Name by Bonnie M. Hennessy.

In a tale from childhood, Twisted by Bonnie M Hennessy, takes you on an alternate journey to a dark and bleak tale of love and courage, filled with revenge and regret as well as a strength of spirit.

Looking at the story of Rumpelstiltskin's rage and sadness, you follow The life of Aoife and a different path of how the lives of two such differing characters really came to being.

Aoife, the beloved daughter, is the strength of her family as she takes on the family farm to keep their finances afloat, while at the same time trying to keep her father out of trouble. He is deep in drink and gambling, but Aoife's goodness and strength of heart endears her to all those that see her dilemma.

When a young man of money happens to see her, he decides that she should be his, for unbeknownst to the town he is the Duke of the realm and will have what he fancies. Yet she rebuffs him, and while she has no idea of his identity, she has no time for a man with such airs.  As the Duke determines to have her, he finds a way through the weakness of her father, with both his drink and gambling. Joining the game and urging the poor man gamble his daughter away on a sure hand, all is lost when the hand does not come through. Her father through his muddled thoughts brags of her ability to make gold out of straw, his attempt to brag about her farming, but the Duke understands it to mean something far different.

Aoife, who has always found solace in the woods hides her pain and anger, as nature responds, her spark of spirit draws her magic, that of her kindness and regrets, but it is another, a strange interloper that finds his own home in the forest that takes notice of her pain and anguish as well as her affinity for magic and her beauty. So begins the strange friendship that begins with fondness and love and turns to hate and anger, that takes a tortured soul into the very depths of despair.

As Aoife finds herself in trouble trying to live up the talents her father has bragged of, the stranger from the woods uses his own twisted magic to help. Aoife, soon finds herself in love with the Duke, and with child. The temper of her rescuer from the woods sparks her urgent need to find his name, and takes her into further danger as she tries to save the child of her love.

The twisted tale of love and darkness builds in a direction both like and unlike that of the fairy tale of youth. Hennessy does a great job of holding true to the outline of the work but adds more depth of character, making you feel both appalled and sad, yet as the same time, the tension keeps you intrigues as to how it will all come together.

If you enjoy magic romance and danger, you will love this take on a fairy tale of old. It is darker and more thought provoking, but yet carries that same feel of the fear you felt as a child. Hennessy brings the tale to stark life and into the twentieth century.

This would be a great book for a reading group or book club.

 Bonnie M. Hennessy's Web Site:
http://www.bonniemhennessy.com/Bonnie M. Hennessy's Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/twistedthebook/Bonnie M. Hennessy's Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/bonniemhennessyBonnie M. Hennessy's Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16075736.Bonnie_M_HennessyBonnie M. Hennessy's YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC23yBSLSEcbE2Bw98_4k-WQTwisted Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32962973-twisted?from_search=trueTribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

Twisted blog tour site:
http://twistedblogtour.blogspot.com




Bonnie M. Hennessy's Bio: Bonnie grew up a shy, quiet girl who the teachers always seated next to the noisy boys because they knew she was too afraid to talk to anyone. She always had a lot she wanted to say but was too afraid to share it for fear she might die of embarrassment if people actually noticed her. Somewhere along the line, perhaps after she surprised her eighth grade class by standing up to a teacher who was belittling a fellow student, she realized that she had a voice and she didn’t burst into flames when her classmates stared at her in surprise.

Not long after that, she began spinning tales, some of which got her into trouble with her mom. Whether persuading her father to take her to the candy store as a little girl or convincing her parents to let her move from Los Angeles to Manhattan to pursue a career at eighteen as a ballet dancer with only $200 in her pocket, Bonnie has proven that she knows how to tell a compelling story.


 
Twisted Book Summary:
Now she spends her time reading and making up stories for her two children at night. By day she is an English teacher who never puts the quiet girls next to the noisy boys and works hard to persuade her students that stories, whether they are the ones she teaches in class or the ones she tells to keep them from daydreaming, are better escapes than computers, phones, and social media.

An old tale tells the story of how a little man named Rumpelstiltskin spun straw into gold and tricked a desperate girl into trading away her baby. But that’s not exactly how it happened.

The real story began with a drunken father who kept throwing money away on alcohol and women, while his daughter, Aoife, ran the family farm on her own. When he gambled away everything they owned to the Duke, it was up to her to spin straw into gold to win it all back.

With her wits and the help of a magical guardian, she outsmarted the Duke and saved the day.

Well almost… Her guardian suddenly turned on Aoife and sent her on a quest to find his name, the clues to which were hidden deep in the woods, a moldy dungeon, and a dead woman’s chamber.

This is not the tale of a damsel in distress, but a tenacious, young woman who solved a mystery so great that not even the enchanted man who spun straw into gold could figure it out.

Not until Aoife came along.

Prices/Formats: $2.99 ebook, $12.99 paperback
Genre: Fantasy, Mythological, Fairy Tale
Pages: 306
Release: November 11, 2016
Publisher: self-published
ISBN: 9781539753421

Amazon buy link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3MC1K4?&tag=tributebooks-20

Blood Sky, Book 4 of The After Series by Traci L. Slatton

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Blood Sky, Book 2 of The After Series', A Dystopian Romance by Traci L. Slatton.

In Blood Sky, Book 4 of the After Series by Traci L. Slatton we are once again taken into the future world where danger reins. The once lovely planet has been destroyed by the very people trying to save it. Introducing the mists was meant to cleanse the land yet they quickly turned deadly to those it touched.

All over the world the danger continues and yet there are those whose lives have changed in differing ways based or the presence of the mist, gaining powers unimagined in the history of time. While Arthur continues to battle his own demons, Emma tries to move on without him. Having nearly lost him on several occasions she must now make a choice between her love and the lives depending on her.

Trying to get one of her young chargers to where the destruction all began, Emma knows she must stay out of reach of Arthur. While he has deep regrets for being a part of the team that brought the mists to the world he is still convinced that if corralled and controlled they will be the saving grace of the world that has now been beleaguered for so many years.

That makes him extremely dangerous, and Emma is convinced that madness is over taking him. She must harden her heart and stay ahead of him to rescue the world and eradicate the mists. She is determined to do what it takes, even destroy Arthur if necessary. Can she really take a part of her heart that has a life of its own, and move beyond for the betterment of mankind, or will Arthur convince her of his sincerity?

Slatton builds tension and romance in such a way that you are involved from the beginning. As you view the happenings from the eyes of her characters you are at once, appalled and even in love. Arthur is the epitome of that one who draws you in, with both the danger and the caring. She has done a great job or making the characters so real that you relate to them.

She draws you into a dystopian world of destruction and pain and yet portrays the beauty of what still stands. For among the destruction there are still the vistas to behold, the power of the sunsets and the icy bit and tingle of the frost in the air that glitters upon the damage. You often feel you are there, struggling with her group of survivors.

If you enjoy futuristic worlds, heroes, danger and tense passionate romance you will find Slatton’s newest release, Blood Sky, a great addition to your library. If you enjoy this work you will want to find the rest of the After Series to catch up on all the events.

Rating 4/5

The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen by Katherine Howe

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review : 'The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen," a Paranormal Mystery by Katherine Howe.

In The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen by Katherine Howe we are taken into the strange and unique world of Wes Auckerman.  Having just arrived in New York to begin his summer term he finds himself on a film shoot for a séance at the home of a psychic in the East village.

As he views the setting through his viewfinder, he sees a beautiful young woman that intrigues him. Continuing his shoot his is disappointed when he cannot find her.  He is smitten and cannot forget her beauty and finds himself returning to the home of the psychic to find her.

When he finds her she too seems very attracted to him. Her name is Annie Van Sinderen, but she is mysterious as well as beautiful. She often seems to disappear just when he is getting settled and there is a great deal of mystery surrounding her. Yet even as his concern grows she reappears and often seems to have no memory of occurrences. She wonders why he has not shown up when in fact he has been waiting on her.

As the mystery deepens Wes begins to wonder if she is even real, yet his heart assures him she is. But is it possible that he is only imagining her beauty and nature. Others have seen her so she must be real. Can he find the mystery of her being, in order to find a way to smooth their path? His emotions are in turmoil and he is afraid for her. Annie is convinced that she has lost a ring, and Wes must help her before it is too late. Will this missing ring solve the mystery?

Howe has given us a paranormal mystery and love story of emotive and serendipitous proportions. Her characters are just the right mix of mystery and heart. You find Wes to be a romantic and he falls hard for Anne.  Anne is a mix of beauty, mystery and kindness that draws you in an unexpected way.  You are haunted by the beauty and beguiling mix of this story, and Howe takes you into a New York of both old and new.  Be prepared to fall in love with romance and mystery all over again, as you find yourself immersed in a strange yet fascinating tale.

If you love romantic, paranormal mysteries you will need this work for your library. It is a wonderful work of mysterious secrets twisted with romance and bits of darkness. Howe has given us a beautiful tale of love and threaded it through the beauty of New York.

This would be a great book for a reading or discussion group with interesting topics to discuss throughout.

Rating 4\5

Curiosity House: The Shrunken Head by Lauren Oliver and H.C. Chester

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Curiosity House, The Shrunken Head,' A Young Adult Mystery by Lauren Oliver & H.C Chester.

Entertaining, intriguing, dangerous and full of action, Curiosity House: The Shrunken Head by Lauren Oliver & H.C. Chester takes you on a fun filled journey with a group of children who have grown up in Dumfrey’s  Dime Museum of Freaks Oddities and Wonders. Each with different abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam and Thomas call the museum home. When they are joined by a new member, Max everything suddenly changes.

When the Shrunken Head exhibit is unveiled, resulting in the death of one customer, suddenly the museum is drawing a different kind of crowd. Everyone wants to see the acts of the children but more importantly the curiosity known as the Shrunken Head. When it disappears, Dumfrey knows that his world has changed. With that loss he knows the children will be in trouble as well. They are not willing to let things change for good though. They have decided to investigate the disappearance on their own first, but as they begin their own interference, they find that as they move forward, each person in contact with the shrunken head seems to be dying.

When their very own Dumfrey becomes a suspect in murder, they scatter to find every clue. They know that their lives will change if they are broken up, and there are those who just do not understand their abilities. Their own safety and well-being lie in being a family, and Dumfrey is their most ardent supporter. Can they find the answers before he is taken away for good?

Oliver and Chester have given us a remarkable group of children and set them in a fun, exciting setting, the New York of the 30’s. While gifted with strange abilities they have come under protection of a man who is more then he seems. Unable to care for them in the normal way he makes them a part of his shows, but for him, they are his children. The love and respect that is engendered into the story create warmth of relationship, and the antics of the group keep you both interested and just a bit appalled.

This is a great work of humor, danger, interest and historical settings that catch your attention from the beginning.

If you enjoy adventure, oddities, family and mystery this will be a great copy of work for your library. Written with the young adult in mind, the antics create a great interest in reading, but make no mistake this is also a work of mystery and novelty that will keep the curious and young at heart entertained as well.

Rating 4/5

The Shadow Cabinet by Maureen Johnson

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Shadow Cabinet' by Maureen Johnson.

Beginning with Ghost Busters  and moving on to Men in Black we have become enamored of the idea that there is a special squad out there, helping to keep us safe from the strange and unnatural. Could such a hidden group exist in secrecy so deep it remains under the radar?

In The Shadow Cabinet by Maureen Johnson, we meet one such group and follow their exploits into the world of ghosts and darkness.  Reeling from tragedy Rory and her friends find themselves looking for one of their own who has been lost. Has he moved on to the other side, or is it just possible that Rory acted in time to save him.

As they begin their search, Rory’s friend Charlotte is kidnapped by a woman named Jane.  Known to Rory as a teacher and counselor, she is now recognized as the leader of a cultish organization that has its roots in the disappearance of a group of people from 40 years prior.

Rory and her group, known as the ghost squad find their own time running out as they search for their friend, and contain the damage that is engendered by Jane and her own group as they try to unleash a nightmare on the city. Can they stop the damage and still find Stephen before it is too late?

This is a fun and unique story of a group of those who find themselves in a position of powerful secrets as they clean up the city of London. Only a select amount of the chosen are included, but there is only one way that seems to lead to the abilities necessary. Near death experience seems to turn the tide and Johnson has given us an action packed thriller with humor and adventure as well as the danger of real crime. 

She has done a great job on creating characters, with the downright creepy to the smoldering and dangerous.  To be in such a group there must be a strength, yet along with that also comes the flaws, and that is what makes this a work to follow.

If you enjoy the paranormal connected with romance, danger, mystery and adventure you will find this a work to follow. Well written you will find the strange but likable characters keep you interested. If you are reading into the night be sure to keep your doors locked and your lights on for the strangely intense, creepy quality will makes the hairs on your neck stand at attention.

For those who enjoy this type of work it will be a great addition to your library, but make space for the series as it is sure to be spectacular.

Rating 4/5

The Jack of Souls by Stephen C. Merlino

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Jack of Souls,' An Epic Fantasy by Stephen C. Merlino.

In The Jack of Souls by Stephen C. Merlino, Harric lives his last day knowing the curse on his family will be his undoing. An outcast and a rogue he begins having nightmares about his upcoming death. He has no intention of giving in; he knows that he will survive, but how?

He has some allies but they too are outcasts. Caris is a horse-whispering runaway, she is planning on becoming one of the Queens female knights, but she also feels she must help Harric survive. She is strong and bigger than even most men, but she is also very shy, comfortable only around her horses.  Then there is Sir Willard, he was once immortal and a champion, but had given it up, but is now addicted to pain-killing herbs. With their help Harric plans on keeping the curse from killing him.

Each of his compatriots has their own secrets, Caris is haunted and Willard wars with the Old Ones, an order of knights who have become immortal and mad. They have every intention of seizing the throne from the Queen, and Willard is desperate to save her.

Yet these are his allies and his friends and together they must find a way to eliminate the curse, and save their Queen.  Yet Harric is now faced with a magic that could break his curse, one that is forbidden. Can he stay focused and not fall into the temptation, for that way too leads to danger and possible death.

As they work their way through the dangers he finds more than he anticipated, including a love that is more than he ever expected. He must tread a path of duplicity and utilize his tactics to save them all from the dangers that face them.

The characters are an eclectic and amazing array of good and bad, with issues that seem both real and honest.  The depth of description helps you to visualize them as well as get into the minds assigned to them by the author. They become very real, like your own friends and advisers. The story too is bold and epic, a journey to safety and romance, but a journey of growth and courage as well.

You will find yourself immersed in the characters and the countryside as they travel to find the answers. Be prepared to spend some time because once started you will find it difficult to put down.  And even as you do put is down, you continue to think and worry about them, each with the situations they must overcome.

If you enjoy epic fantasy, magic, immortality and a mixture of the things that go bump in the night this will be the work you need for your library. For the romantic there is also fodder for your heart, for the dedication and courage that shines forth creates a corresponding glow in your own heart.

Stephen C. Merlino is an author to watch.
Rating 5/5


Stephen Merlino
stephenmerlino.com

 
In paper, hardback, eBook on Amazon
Read reviews on Amazon
Read reviews on Goodreads

Watch the book trailer on YouTube

Vanished, The Search for Sally Hunt by Jan Joseph

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'Vanished, The Search for Sally Hunt,' A Paranormal Mystery by Jan Joseph.

In Vanished, The Search for Sally Hunt by Jan Joseph, we are taken into the life of a young woman who has been chosen. As with any college student Sally Hunt is searching for herself. Yet when she is visited by a strange phenomenon that reveals she will be a healer, she realizes the stress of her life may be just a bit too much.  One of her best friends is just as stunned, yet they chalk it all up to nonsense, and too many late nights.

Yet how does that explain the accident where Sally hits a young man with her car. As she waits for the paramedics to show and places pressure on the wound, she feels lightheaded, in pain herself. When they bring the gurney they are just as concerned for her, as she has just as much blood on her as does the victim, yet neither of them has injuries. Witnessed by Jeanie, her best friend they are both at a loss. It is only as she meets Jeanie’s Grandma Rose that pieces begin to fall into place, as Rose too met her own guide in much the same way. 

As the years pass, Sally is involved in healing, not always by choice. She has become close to Rose, and estranged from Jeanie.  Her husband is the love of her life, yet he too has his own struggles, but for him she is everything.

When Sally Hunt vanishes no one understands what has happened. Jane Peters gets the case and is unaware of all the drama. Receiving a call from Sally’s mother, Jane wonders why her husband was not the one calling. Something seems so strange about the situation. Yet as she begins to dig, she finds the most extraordinary story unfolding. Who will believe her, and why would they? Speaking to Sally’s friend Jeanie they find bitterness and estrangement. Yet Jane feels in her gut that Jeanie has a part in the disappearance, but her life is a mess, drugs and lifestyle have changed her from the young woman who was Sally’s best friend and confidant, to a walking wounded pile of nerves.

As Jane begins her search she finds her own faith and beliefs being tested. Can what she is hearing really be correct. Where are the husband and Jeanie in all of this? And what about Rose, Jeanie’s Grandma, she has now become a ward of Sally, taken care of as one of her own. Can she find the answers before it is too late for a woman to whom everyone has come to depend on?

Joseph has given us characters that are at once lovable and in many cases extremely flawed. Sally is just as messed up in life and anyone would be that received her visions, yet she has managed to be relatively normal most of the time. She finds herself drawn to those in need of saving, and this is both her friend Jeanie, and her husband. There is such a vulnerability about them you find yourself wanting to ease their pain. Rose is a wonderful older woman and full of love as well as spunk. You can’t help but relate her to many of your own relatives. 

The story is interesting and the mystery is solid. You will find yourself looking for clues along with Jane as she tries to find the answers.

If you enjoy the paranormal and like a great mystery you will enjoy this work. The depth of character draws from many of those you may know or meet in your lifetime, and give credence to the novelty of the entire work.

Rating 4/5

Suspicion by Alexandra Monir

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'Suspicion,' A Young Adult Mystery by Alexandra Monir.

In Suspicion by Alexandra Monir, we are introduced to a mysterious fantasy of impressive proportions. From England to America and back we follow a young woman who must find her dream and uncover the secrets of her family over the generations before it is too late.

When Imogen’s parents are killed in a fire at their English country manor, she is relocated to the United States to live with her guardians. Yet she never forgets her family and friends left behind in Rockford. Her Grandfather and her cousin are the sole surviving relatives, and while she feels shattered to have left them behind, she longs of news. Yet her guardians, close friends of her parents feel they know what is right, and she must forget about her old life.

She knows there is a secret that she should know, she remembers her father telling her to look to the maze, but she is not encouraged in any way to ask questions of her past. Even the boy she left behind is off limits, and she has finally relented. Her cousin is heir of the estate, and Imogen’s life is now in New York City.  Even at 17 she feels as though there is something missing, something she is meant to do. What about the odd thing that happened to her at the estate before the fire. How could the flower have grown so fast and created such a furor for those that saw. She knows there is something, but does not remember what it is.

When she receives a letter that tells her she is the only living heir left to the estate and that she must return to England, her guardians must relent and allow her to make the choice. All is not as it seems and there is a mystery at hand that seems to involve her, but also Sebastian–the boy she left behind.

The secrets of the manor are very delicate and Imogen is cautious about creating any further concerns. There is something very strange about the deaths of her parents and that of her cousin, something that someone is willing to kill to keep secret. But there is also the secret of the land and the magic that creates abundance, another situation that also causes consternation.

Unsure who to trust with her own secret, and unaware of the dangers to her own life, she tries to find the answers without stirring up the lives of the only people she really remembers.  Can her guardians give her any of the answers? Does Sebastian know what happened to her cousin?

If you enjoy mysterious and magical happenings you will find this story just the thing. The characters are fun and exciting and the story is rather enchanting.  There are secrets everywhere, and Imogen is just the character to find them out. She is full of contradictions and folly, but also brave and tenacious. The characters each play a piece and each is central to their own part of the mystery.

This is a wonderful Young Adult mystery, threaded with magic and romance. If you are looking for that special book for your young reader, you will find this to be just the thing. If you enjoy fairytale type settings and happily ever after, even those who are not young adults, but just young at heart can relate to this work.

Rating 4/5

Awoken: The Lucidites:Book One by Sarah Noffke

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'Awoken, The Lucidites:Book One, a Young Adult Fantasy by Sarah Noffke.

Have you ever looked at your family and thought you were not a part of them. Everything you are and do feels foreign. Do you feel as though you are treated differently and wonder if you just don’t belong in some way?

In Awoken, The Lucidites-Book One by Sarah Noffke, we follow Roya Stark who is an outcast in her own family. Abused by her parents and threatened by her own brother, she feels the presence of a shadowy manifestation that carries an evil taint. Every night she dreams she is drowning, and has strange premonitions. And always there is that burning question offered during her sleep by strangers she does not know. Who is she?  Not sure where life is headed she hears a story about herself she finds hard to believe. Yet as the presence of the shadow comes ever closer she takes an offer of protection, knowing that her life is about to change.

The presence of the evil infiltrates at all levels. Her dreaming has prepared her for her true task, and the water is a conduit for her to travel outside her body.  The world is in danger and the Lucidites, those who have been whispering to her in dreams, are looking for the one from their prophecies.  When she is chosen to be tested she is given very little direction. Only that there is only one that can save the world, and that one is her.  Yet when she reaches the compound, she finds it filled with others who are also testing.  Confused, she is both angry and aggrieved.

It is written that in a certain place at a certain time, the meeting and fight will take place. To eradicate Zhuang’s presence the Lucidites must be in concurrence on their champion.  Yet there is more, and as the training continues she finds and sees what others don’t. Each has a special gift and hers seems to be clairvoyance. Finally chosen as the leader, the rest become her backups. The gifts together make them strong, but can they truly beat the evil that is even now causing heartache and death in the mundane world. 

As the day of reckoning comes, she learns more of who she is and why she is chosen.  As the discoveries keep coming, she has to channel her hurt and anger and use it where it will do the most good. Can she protect her friends and be the destruction of Zhuang when all others have failed?
Noffke has given us a wonderful story of courage. It is powerful and well thought out once you get past the initial confusion of how Roya initially connects with the Lucidites. The characters are an eclectic mix of trembling and afraid, to the bold and humorous, much as teens are everywhere.  There is a certain bonding and binding that occurs as you move forward and you come to care for the characters.

The Lucidite teachers are either very strict, indecipherable, or just plain mean.  Yet each has their own part of the agenda and the necessity of seeing it through.  Knowing that they may be sending these students to their death may be a part of what they show themselves to be.

This is a great paranormal adventure for your young adult and would make a great Christmas gift. The young at heart would also find this a notable book for their library. The first book in the series, it will have you searching for more so you can keep up with these characters which will have captured your imagination.

Rating 5/5

Broken by Traci L. Slatton

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Broken' by Traci L. Slatton.

The years between 1939-1943 were a time of danger and intrigue in Paris. The German occupation created controls unused to in the city of love. While many Jews perished there were others, those who cared to try and protect them and their rights, who too disappeared never to be heard of again.

In Broken by Traci L. Slatton, we are given a view of the times through the eyes of a fallen angel.  Having lost her twin Ariel, Alia makes a choice to become human.  Not sure if her choice of times is intentional, she loses herself in lust and fornication. Parties and orgies are the means of her escape from her pain and loneliness. The danger of the times creates an added thrill, and yet she has inner anguish and questions that drag her down.  Even in her falling, she is watched over by Archangel Michael. He can see the true nature and is disturbed by the turn of events.

Yet he can only watch, aware just how vulnerable she had made herself. She toys with men and two of her favorite lovers are Pedro a bullfighter, and Josef a musician. She has become very close to her neighbor Suzanne, a young Jewish widow, and her daughter Cecile.  Alia soon realizes that she would do anything to ease their pain and fear.  

Yet as her lovers both join the resistance and the Nazis come knocking on doors, Alia works hard to find a way to save Suzanne and her daughter. As she moves forward she too becomes a danger, both to them and to herself.  As her other friends flee Paris, she must stay and find a way to rescue them, but can she.  As torture and pain create those who would do anything to escape the treachery, will betrayal of those closest to her be the end.  

While Arch Angel Michael warns her of her doom, she too has visions of how things will be as differing turns are taken. Can she make the right choices and save them all, or is it too late.

Slatton has created characters that seem to leap off the page, and the danger of the time is palpable. The cruelty displayed raises the hair on your neck, and creates a knot in the pit of your stomach.  In the beginning you don’t know if you will like Alia, and as the story progresses you begin rooting for her. While she continues her lifestyle, there is so much bravery and pain behind the façade. 

The passion and egos of the Parisians depicted is both alarming and bold. Sex, alcohol and drugs are the rules of their group, and their friendships often borders on the absurd.

If you enjoy heat and passion with erotica and danger you will find this to your liking. It is riddled with bits of history and twisted into a paranormal tale, full of greed, romance and a beauty that shines through in the form of Cecile. Her character seems to break the pall that surrounds Alia and helps her move beyond the darkness of her soul.

There is a deadly menace as well, creeping forward and devouring all that is pure and innocent. Inexorably the Jews are hunted and their supporters as well. The times were horrible for so many, leaving broken homes and families in the wake of Germany’s fury.

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the Author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Ghost In The Electric Blue Suit by Graham Joyce

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'The Ghost in the Electric Blue Suit' by Graham Joyce.

Sometimes we find ourselves a bit dissatisfied with life. Are we really living where we are meant to be, what draws us to another place? Can memories that are deeply hidden be the answer?

In The Ghost in the Electric Blue Suit by Graham Joyce, we follow the exploits of a young college student David Barwise.  He has always known that his father died when he was quite young, and he is more than happy with his Stepfather and their relationship. His mother has never really shared any information with him of his father, and generally gets flustered when any questions are asked. David has always carried a photo of his father, an old black-and-white, with only one word written on the back––Skegness. Skegness is the small beach town where his father suffered a heart attack fifteen years previously and died.

David has decided that during summer break, he will do something totally different. He will head to Skegness and work in an old family resort instead of his usual summer job of working with his Stepfather. His family is hurt by his choice, and his mother seems horrified. Yet he must find what draws him to such a place.

From the beginning he finds himself in a world of change. He becomes a part of the staffers in every way, including being attracted to several of the women. There is also the strange occurrence of the millions of lady bugs that have descended on the town causing a ruckus. He finds himself drawn into strange circumstances that are dangerous, and even worse an affair with a married woman puts him at odds with the beautiful woman's husband.

When a friend disappears he begins to understand the danger of his own situation. If that is not enough, he begins to see things.  A blue suited man who carries a rope, often attended by a child roams the town. They are not visible to anyone else. Can he make it through the danger and cleave to the life and love he has found? And why is there clearly a ghost vying for his attention.

This is a strange and mysterious town full of decidedly odd characters. That David finds a way to fit shows the abilities of those who are open to change. Joyce finds a way to bring the characters to light in a manner that helps you to both see and understand them–at least in a fashion. The danger he portrays is palpable.

I found the story a little slow at times, and yet the action when it did occur was fun. I am still confused by the lady bugs and why they were a part of the theme of the work, yet they did add strangeness to the already eclectic atmosphere. The introduction of the ghost and the young boy kept you interested and wondering what was happening, encouraging you to read further. The romance and the danger added the spice necessary to tie it all together.

If you enjoy romance, danger, and mystery with a ribbon of the paranormal threaded through you will find this an interesting read. There is a satisfaction gleaned when you reach the end that clears up many of the questions and draws David and his family back together.

Rating 3/5

This book was received through the Authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Made For You by Melissa Marr

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'Made For You' by Melissa Marr.

Being a part of the in crowd is fun and exciting. There is the adulation, the copycatting, and the popularity that abounds. Yet there can be darkness when you are the center of attention directed from anyone of those around you–especially those you call friend.

In Made For You by Melissa Marr we are introduced to a group of young adults that have known each other most of their lives. Eve Tilling is one of the leaders, beautiful and fun, and surrounded by those who are in the same league of money. Yet there are also those she calls friend whose circumstances are not the same, friendships that occurred at a younger age when status was not the deciding factor. Her best friend through school, Nate, is one of them–or at least was. He no longer talks to her shutting her down whenever she approaches. She decides she does not care, for there are others, like her friend Grace who does not see the division of money or status. She likes people or dislikes them indiscriminately. Eve is thankful for her friendship, and tries to be kind, but it is difficult to be herself when expectations from those around her are so high.

When Eve wakes up in the hospital after an accident she is confused. What could have happened? Holding hands or touching people suddenly brings strange visions and death. Initially she believes she has had some form of concussion, and that it will go away. Afraid to mention her feeling to anyone, she continues with the vision when she reaches out for that comfort.  When the visions do not go away, she realizes that she is seeing how people die. Suddenly afraid she does not know where to turn. Her friends surround her and yet there is now a prickling of fear for the police have determined there was no accident. Someone has tried to kill her.  That is when her friend Nate comes back into her life. He too has someone in the hospital and when he realizes that Eve may be in danger the past and their friendship comes back into focus. And yet that friendship is more, there is a heat between them that seemed the deciding factor in driving them apart. Can Nate and her friend Grace help her to understand the darkness that is now settling around her? Who tried to kill her, and will they try again?

Marr has introduced us to a spectacular group of characters. The personalities and flaws are found in schools throughout the country. The tension she creates is remarkable, and the story line hooks you from the very beginning. At some point we have all known someone just like many of the characters she has created.

The danger of popularity often brings obsession and Marr found a way to weave that obsession into a story of romance and friendship, creating a friction that gives you chills. There is something cold and strange about the killer, for he has begun preying on her friends in an effort to woo her.

If you like suspense, mystery and romance with a dash of the paranormal you will find this a wonderful read. This would be a great book for your library and one well capable of keeping a discussion group in full dialogue. Melissa Marr has given us a strange and twisted tale of love and romance.

 Rating 5/5

This work was received free from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Iron Shinto by Tricia Stewart Shiu

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Iron Shinto' by Tricia Stewart Shiu.

When life changes and you find things are out of control, how do you rewind and settle the dust. Or can you?  Once you have begun a new journey in both your mind and your soul the difficulty lies in the fact that once you believe and have seen the proof of your beliefs, everything transforms.   ‘You can’t un-ring the bell.’

In The Iron Shinto by Tricia Stewart Shiu, you will follow the lives of Hillary House, her sister Molly and niece Heidi as the journey of discovery moves them into the inferno of the war over control of the portal of the guardians.  

In Moa  by Tricia Stewart Shiu, Hillary and her family were instrumental in saving the Hawaiian Islands as well as Moa the guardian of the gate.  This then moved them forward to the story of the God Ku, and his missing essence.

In The Statue of Ku by Tricia Stewart Shiu, we follow the young women into Egypt where we learn of the God Ku, and how he came to be, as well as the history of Hillary and her family, and how they come to be the ones chosen to put their history to rights. 

The Iron Shinto furthers the story as having found the abilities of astral travel, transporting and protection with the help of Moa, the young women now appear to have lost themselves.  An evil force has found and separated them from their bodies.  They must now find a way to heal the rift that set them asunder and find their physical bodies before time runs out.  Can they decipher the clues that have torn them apart and find the integral beings where they have been hidden?  Moa comes back for the challenge but it is already too late.  

This family is so beset with complexities that the depth is like looking through a bottomless pool.  The story is interesting and Hillary, Molly and Heidi are great personalities, with flaws that make them altogether human.  The beginning of each chapter assigns blessings and chants to help clear chakras and issues to move into a better experience. This adds a dose of spiritualism that enhances the work. This is the third book in the series, with the others listed above.  A final coup de  grace of emotional turmoil.

This would be a great book for the young adult or anyone who really enjoys a good mystery with a dose of spirituality and the paranormal thrown in.  If you are intrigued with the story and the characters you will find that the first two books of the series will give you that extra dose of richness.  Each story can stand alone, but when combined with each other there is a fullness of heart.  

You may find yourself memorizing the chants and rooting for the characters to win and for life to right itself. This is an amazing series, and Shiu has given up a series with teeth.  These are a great addition to your library or that of your young reader.   

Rating 4/5

Each book of the series is an amazing part to the puzzle and receive the same rating.

This book was received from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based on my reading and understanding of the material.

Fairydust by Simon R. Taylor

Posted first on Blog Critics as Book Review:'Fairydust' by Simon R. Taylor.

In a world where disease is common and there is only one remedy, now under control of the ruling power, how do you save your family from sure death?

In Fairy Dust by Simon R. Taylor we are introduced to a word struggling to move forward.  The elves are slowly dying due to a natural crisis. They must find a hero, but only the most unlikely seems to be available. The White Fairy is the only one who can spare the answers to the extinction of the elves. But can Daniel a young man, enamored of the kings daughter, find the fairy in time.  When Maria, the Kings daughter, finds that Daniel has been chosen, she makes a decision to follow.

The King has already promised her hand to another, and is incensed, accusing Daniel of kidnapping. Daniel continues his quest, unknowing of all the trouble he has brewed. When he is saved by Maria, he is both ecstatic and relieved. Could she truly love him? As they move closer to the answers, little do they realize that they are being hunted? Both by the Kings men, as well as those who do not want the Elves to find an answer to their extinction. Can they escape the pitfalls and become the heroes necessary to end the scourge or is it already too late.

The story is unique, one where the Elves lives hang in the balance, and all depends on a particular plant that is now dying out. When the King commands the use of all for his own family, he sets a series of events in motion that are both strange and hurtful.  The King is not a good man, and makes an easily dislikable protagonist. His every move and plan is deceitful, and even his family suffers.

The personality of the different groups and individual elves keep you enthralled and pulling for Daniel to find the solution to their problem. Even as those you begin to care about hide their troubling disease, you begin to fear. Will they make it?

Taylor has written a story twisted with spite and evil, yet lightened it with a bit of humor as well. He has chosen to incorporate some rather unusual accoutrements to the work, some unlikely narration, different wording techniques, and a visitor that drops in occasionally. Some of this I found charming and other annoying, but the differing styles keep you looking to see what else is happening.

Regardless of whether you enjoy the innovative writing or not, the story is spellbinding and full of power.  The romance is fun, and the circumstances are dire. Not everything is as it seems and you will find romance, chills, and a bit of humor throughout.  If you enjoy the novelty of being pulled into the story you will find this up your alley. Taylor takes you on a journey you are sure to remember.

Rating 3/5

This work was received free from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Raven's Tears, Book 1: The Raven and the Iris by Alesia & Michael Matson

Posted first on Blog Critics as Book Review:'Raven's Tears, Book 1: The Raven and the Iris' by Alesia & Micheal Matson.

Trust is often the most important part of any relationship. Yet there are times that real knowledge is impossible to garner due to length of time and knowledge. Is that trust then no longer the overriding factor for ‘love at first sight’ relationships?

Ravens Tear's, Book 1: The Raven and the Iris by Alesia & Michael Matson, takes us into the lives of Sir Vincent Soltaire, known as the Raven and Lady Angelique Blakesly, a wealthy widowed baroness. Angelique is a devout member of the Guardian Paladin church, known for its conservatism.  Raven knows a different side of her, hidden from the others. In public she is exactly what is expected of her station in life, beautiful, devout, and part of many ladies groups. In private Raven knows her to be someone very different.

Lovers in private, Raven finds he has fallen for her, yet he has nothing to offer. He is a known rake and is indentured and serving a term for burglary and extortion. His family has written him off, and he has continued on as playboy and rakehell. His relationship with Angelique is carnal and exquisite, and they both find themselves in an untenable situation. They have fallen in love.  Raven’s proclivities are well known and an open book, but Angelique has a secret that can ruin both their lives forever.  Can she save herself from her tormentor without losing all she has gained? Will Raven understand the situation and realities of her life, or will this be the crack that breaks them apart?

Raven is charismatic and strong, with a devious and yet sensual side that leads him into the underworld to meet and frolic with friends of his past. There are two sides to his nature, and you alternately find yourself impressed and yet at times horrified by his demons. Angelique is wonderful in many ways. She is beautiful, honorific, likable, and bad. And she carries a secret that could bring down society. Her heart has been won by Raven and her entire life hangs in the balance. Her fierceness is initially just a cover, and she must dig deep to find the true warrior she truly is. Their world is exciting and bold, with just the depravity necessary to make things interesting.

The theft of a beautiful gem brings the two together in a powerful crescendo, with Raven becoming the lead investigator as part of his indentured time and title. Will this be the end to their beautiful union? Can Angelique head off the disaster that is sure to follow?

The heat between the two is stormy, tempestuous and ‘rock your world’ over the top. The eroticism is strong and sweet, yet at times vulgar and explosive.

If you enjoy romance and mystery, laden with magic and erotic visuals this would be the book for your library. The characters are well written and the story holds you enthralled. Be prepared for both action and erotica for you will find that Raven and Angelique are both masters of the game.

Rating 5/5

This book was received from teh Cadence Group for review prurposes. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Far Shore, Book Three of the After Series by Traci L. Slatton

Posted First on Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Far Shore' by Traci L. Slatton.

'The heart wants what the heart wants' seems like such a redundancy. Yet there is that simple truth to the adage where there often seems to be no real choice in the matter. We can ignore it and yet there will always be that ‘what if?’

In Far Shore by Traci L. Slatton Book Three of the After Series
takes us further into the devastation of earth and the causes, yet it also creates a sort of yearning.  With the damage, the abilities that follow seem strange, yet without them the suffering is even more extreme. Emma is home again and with her family, and yet her heart is not whole. Her friends are far away and she has no idea what is happening to Arthur.
When a sudden appearance of a small group of friends appear, only then does she learn of the danger Jeannie faces with her upcoming birth, and worse, Arthur is a prisoner of their worst enemy.  Having unknowingly caused the death of Alexei’s wife, he has been tortured to near death.  She must ride out to use her skills in Jeannie’s upcoming birth, and then she must go to Arthur’s rescue.  Her husband Haywood does not see it that way and offers an ultimatum.  Still, she has no choice, she must choose the path that can save the world and the man she loves beyond all reasoning.

Are her healing powers strong enough to bring him back from the brink of death? Can she arrive in time to save Jeannie’s unborn child. The outcomes of each act have far reaching consequences.  The results can go either way, reducing the earth to rubble, or driving the mists away for good.

Slatton continues to give us a heart rending love, one that can tear apart a family. Yet she somehow imbues the situation with all the right reasons, so where the outcome could be tragic, there is somehow a bit of magic.  The empathy and pain leap off the pages as you suffer with the characters. As some of Emma’s past comes to her in dreams, you miss the characters that have moved on. They are like friends and family and the loss creates a somber atmosphere.  The horror of the acts perpetrated against Arthur creates anger, making you want to hate Alexei. There is much at stake with all the characters that comes into play with the telling.

The heat and passion that sizzles between Arthur and Emma does not abate even when they are at their wits end.

If you enjoy mystery, science fiction, heated romance, adventure and dystopia stories this is a shining example. Book Three of the After Series, you can read stand alone, but even better with the rest of the series. The amazing backdrop and dangerous situations will keep you enthralled and asking for more of these exciting characters.

Rating 5/5

This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Not From Around Here by Larry Hochwald

Posted First on Blog Critics as Book Review:'Not From Around Here by Larry Hochwald.

Have you ever looked in a mirror and wondered what was behind the reflection? How about meeting someone for the first time and realizing you will be lifelong friends?  With an influx of bizarre tales and strange phenomena many stories of the unusual tend crop up.

In Not From Around Here by Larry Hochwald, you are treated to a collection of 18 just such stories. The amazing a bizarre happenstance keeps you going as each creates and indelible mark in your thoughts.  Can such things truly happen? There are times when a short story is all you need.  This is a fine material for waiting for your kids at the school, or even waiting at the Dentist or Doctors office, you don’t have to worry about not being able to get back to the ending.

Each story is unique, and in cases just a bit creepy. In some there is a thread of humor that keeps you chuckling, as you move to the next. Some contain morals that make you think while others are just on the verge of the impossible, but with just a question mark of ‘what if?’

Hochwald does a great job of building his protagonists with believable characteristics, as well as making them memorable. Each story has a unique and solid character in which you find the interactions to be stimulating and at times amusing. Then he takes his setting and either makes them dreamlike, or creepy, or just out of this world. Yet his descriptions are able to draw a picture that is often difficult with short stories.

If you are looking for a fun gift for that hard to please friend for Christmas, this might be a great direction to take. If you enjoy a bit of fun as well as the unbelievable you will enjoy Hochwalds zany imagination. A unique point of view, and shared with verve.  

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Love of My Other Life by Traci L. Slatton

Posted first on Blog Critics as Book Review:'The Love of My Other Life' by Traci L. Slatton.

The possibility of a parallel universe is an interesting phenomenon. If such a reality existed, could you cross over and if so would you take such a chance?

In The Love of my Other Life by Traci L. Slatton, we meet painter, Tessa Barnum. Never easy, her life has just become a struggle. Her husband left her, she is about to be evicted, and she has all but stalled her career. Now suddenly she has a stalker. A scruffy, yet good looking man seems to be following her. When she finally confronts him, she realizes that he could be just a bit touched. He claims he was married to her in an alternate universe. There, their love was the stuff legends were made of. When his wife of that world died he built the machine that allowed him to cross dimensions, just to find her.  Shaking him off, allowing for his mental instability, she continues on with her life. Yet he is only a step away. Unable to shake him, she soon finds that while he is a mess, she is comfortable around him.

So begins a strange friendship. Yet she is still trying to make her mark, and in doing so puts herself at risk of the law. Brian, her stalker, becomes her conscience. As his own story unfolds she finds her own world turned upside down as she learns the truth behind love and loss, and second chances.

This is a fun and romantic take on the power of soul mates.  As Slatton creates her characters, she imbues them with warmth and recklessness. There is a boldness and vulnerability attached to Brian that draw you to his character. Tessa is also a fun character, but a bit more ambitious and not quite so forgiving.  As you follow these characters you are drawn to the possibility of their connection. It creates a warmth and yearning as you find yourself encouraging Tessa to choose love over logic.

If you enjoy romance and science fiction you will find this a surprisingly lighthearted dose of both. I was charmed by the story although the surprise ending rattled me in a strange way. This would be a great book for the romance reader, take it along on a trip. An easy read, you may find yourself chuckling over the antics as they unfold. The comedy and romance keep you entertained, with just that small bit of satisfaction.  

Rating 4\5

This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Prodigal by Michael Hurley

Posted first on Blog Critics as Book Review:'The Prodigal' by Michael Hurley.

Romance and Romanticism, are they one and the same, or is the distinction just so complicated they sometimes get interchanged. Or can they also be just a part of the same whole. In real diction romance is about that feeling associated with love, while romanticism is often a description of that romance or a feeling emphasizing inspiration, subjectivity and the primacy of each individual.

In the Prodigal by Michael Hurley, both come together in a battle of supremacy.  The romance of a story from long, long ago, one of star crossed lovers finds a way into the present. In 1851 a pair of young lovers steel away from their parents disapproval, stealing a sailing ship known as the Prodigal. With this beautiful ship known for its blessings and unnatural speed, they escape leaving behind both grief and loss.  

150 years later we meet Aidan Sharpe. As an attorney he has done well, rising to the top, but he has never really lived his dream.  Yet visiting on Ocracoke Island he finds himself in an untenable situation. Some of his time is lost in memory, yet he remembers wine given to him by a nude woman on the beach, and when gathering himself together as best he can in his aftermath of the evening another woman offers him water.  A seeming portent, his life is soon infected by scandal and disbelief.

Hiding away from his painful dismissal he finds himself caught up in the story of a two-thousand-year-old mystery when the sudden appearance of a ship is found off the coast, adrift and unmanned. As he researches the possibility of its history and the chance it could be the Prodigal, he finds himself even deeper in the morass as he races against time to pit himself against the best in the regatta world.  

Hurley has given us a story of hope and romance, yet the romanticism is what drives his motivation. There is something magical and majestic in his descriptions of the sea and the character of his histories.

His protagonist, Aiden, is like many of those people we sometimes think of as oily in their choice of career, yet when he finds himself down and out, he discovers a different person inside. We are there as he becomes a hero to many and we go from thinking he got his comeuppance, to rooting for him to win the race now the most important thing. The others along the way try to stop him, yet he somehow comes up with solutions even as all seems lost.

This is a story of amazing depth, and exciting adventure. There is a deep and abiding belief in both magic and religion, but the true mystery is the ship and the ocean. You will find this an interesting contrast to most romance, but will be intrigued with the vagaries.  

This would be a great book for a reading group or book club. It would also do well as a curl up on the couch and dream of adventure story. Hurley has given us something to think about and believe in. (ourselves)

Rating 4/5

This book was received from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.