Blog Tour: Awaken

Author Kristen Day has stopped by today with a guest post for the Awaken (Daughters of the Sea #2) blog tour!

What inspired you to write The Daughters of the Sea series?

Paranormal is my normal: I may or may not be completely in love with YA Paranormal Romance Series. Actually, it’s more of an obsession. I devour them like strawberry shortcake cheesecake (best dessert EVER) and have no control over the need to read them over and over. I’ve read The Hush, Hush series four times so far, but who’s counting? I fell in love with writing since succeeded in writing that pesky letter G in cursive (or Z for that matter). Then I fell in love with it all over again when I learned how to diagram sentences. It became more of a work of art to me. It just…made sense. So anyway, after reading every YA paranormal romance novel on the planet, I found myself craving certain aspects to the story that I wasn’t getting in the books I was reading. I wanted a stronger heroine, less drama with more action, and a different kind of ‘darkness’. That’s when I decided to create my own imaginary world and characters; intertwining all of the things I couldn’t seem to find in other books. Life’s a Beach: Choosing the beach as my location for the series was a balancing act. I despise mermaids, but love the idea of having a connection with the sea. This is where my favorite classics came into play: The Odyssey and The Iliad. I know what you’re saying - seriously? That awful monstrosity of a story we were forced to read in high school? Yes, that’s the one. I didn’t have the normal gag reflex most of my friends had to reading them though; I fell in love. The challenges, the beasts, the sirens, the twists and turns and the intertwining love story; all sucked me in and had a profound effect on me. Couple that with a love of the beach and it suddenly occurred to me what I wanted to write about. My family lives on Oak Island, with Bald Head Island a mere ferry ride away. Bald Head is truly magical and enchanting (if you have never been, you should go!) and was the perfect setting! Reality meet Fiction: I desperately wanted to read about a heroine that had a real reason for being strong. Last I checked being gifted with magical powers doesn’t make you an instant leader/hero/bad*ss. Experience is the only thing that can give you that kind of mental strength. So, that’s what inspired me to incorporate a little bit of tough reality into my fiction. Thank you so much for hosting the Awaken Blog Tour! I hope everyone has enjoyed reading the Daughters of the Sea series as much as I enjoyed writing it!  

Title: Awaken (Daughters of the Sea 2)   Author: Kristen Day   Publisher: Self Published   Release Date: October 2, 2012   Blurb:   The sacrifices we make have the power to shift the very fabric of who we are, and ultimately who we are meant to be…   After learning of her true destiny as the intended Leader of the Tydes, Anastasia Whitman must now embark on a perilous quest to the Underworld before the age of eighteen in order to plant the seed of immortality and complete her essence to become a true Sea Goddess. But before she can make her legendary journey, an unexpected new student transfers to Lorelei; initiating a sequence of events that will unravel Stasia’s new life, and test the boundaries of her relationship with the mysterious, dark, and sexy Finn Morrison. The line between the Underworld and the Living begins to blur as gruesome ghosts, morbid reveries, and pure evil haunt her waking hours as well as her sanity. Once the details of Finn’s own startling destiny are revealed, the dangerous secrets he’s been hiding will threaten the very love Stasia believed to be indestructible. As time begins to run out, she will be forced to choose between the one she loves and the destiny she cannot escape.     About Kristen Day   Kristen Day is a southern belle at heart with a crazy streak that desperately tries to escape at every opportunity. She loves all things nostalgic, rustic, and quirky. She’s been told she sees the world through rose-colored glasses, but she prefers to think of them as kaleidoscope glasses - swirling and morphing reality into something she can digest (who hasn't pretended those pasty lima beans were really kiwi strawberry jelly beans?).   She is the author of the DAUGHTERS OF THE SEA trilogy, which includes FORSAKEN, AWAKEN (Oct 2012), and CHOSEN (Winter 2012). She loves all books, but really enjoys writing young adult, paranormal romances. She’s loved to write for as long as she can remember. Her first published work was her poem RED in second grade (you guessed it - it was a poem about the color red - life altering, right?) that won her 5 gold stars and a spot in her elementary school's poetry book. That's when her addiction to the written word officially began. She was the only kid in fifth grade that actually enjoyed diagramming sentences. Go ahead and laugh - its okay.   When she’s not writing she’s making jewelry, painting, feeding her addiction to sweet tea, watching the Discovery Channel, or going on random adventures in the mountains of North Carolina with her amazing husband. She was born in Boone, NC and graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Marketing in 2001.   Author’s Links   Purchase on Amazon Purchase on Barnes and Noble   Goodreads Blog Twitter Facebook        

Book Review: Deadlocked by A.R. Wise

David was caught in the middle of the city when the zombie outbreak started. His wife and daughters were at home, stranded on the roof as zombies waited below. He would have to fight through hordes of undead, merciless other survivors, and a series of death defying stunts to get home. However, even if he makes it there, how can he be sure they're safe?

Deadlocked puts you into David's head as he struggles to get home. Then a final confrontation occurs that will guarantee his family's survival, but at what cost?

*Excerpt from Goodreads.com

Plot: The plot was a little too abrupt for my liking in this book. There was no build-up to anything. The suspense of the plot was lacking in my opinion. It was almost like reading a check list. The thought of the plot was good, but the it just didn't get there for me. 

Characters: I know I harp a lot on this blog about characters and the right amount of development. Having said that, I feel like the characters in this book were very much under-developed. They lacked depth in my opinion therefore it made it hard to get into the book as well.

Readership: This book is for someone looking for a quick read that is into zombie books.  

I appreciate the author sending it to me, but I probably would not recommend it to anyone to read.

Overall Rating: 1/5

Book Review: From Out of Chaos by Nathan Wrann

The Cor Griffin Bloodsuckers' story continues in the thrilling sequel to Dark Matter Heart.

Cor, Taylor and Caitlyn have put an end to The Creeper’s reign of terror, but at what cost? The teens’ lives are thrust deeper into turmoil as Detectives Tolliver and Orlovsky keep Cor under surveillance; Caitlyn copes with her transformation, and Taylor sets off a cataclysmic chain of events that will tragically change their lives forever.

"From Out Of Chaos" is Book 2 in the "Dark Matter Heart" Trilogy.

* Excerpt from Goodreads.com

 Plot: Since this is the second book in a series, I'm always worried about the plot. It always seems to be that the second book pales in comparison to the first book. That wasn't the case with this book and it was a pleasant surprise. The plot picks up seamlessly from the first book while still doing a great job of identifying the characters for someone who may be reading this book without having read the first one. My favorite part of this book by far is the fact that Nathan ties in things from classic horror novels such as Frankenstein and Dracula. I think it is great that he his tying into the roots of the genre that he is not writing in. It's not a knock off of those works in any way either. He has carved out a fresh new niche while incorporating elements from these wonderful classics. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. 

Characters: I really enjoy the characters in this book series. They are easy to follow and understand (as much as you can understand a vampire and his friends). They are well developed and all play an intricate part in the story. Without just one of the characters in the book it would leave an irreparable void in the plot and story overall. 

Readership: This book is readable for anyone that's in middle school or older. I would recommend high school as a good starting point though. I believe this book will appeal to you if you like vampire books, horror books, suspense books, and action/adventure books. It's got a little bit for everyone. 

This book is another solid effort by Nathan Wrann.

Overall Rating: 4/5

A Beautiful Gift

Thank you to the fine folks at Sterling Publishing for sending me these beautiful books to add to my collection. These covers are a wonderful redesign by noted fashion illustrator Sara Singh. They are part of the new "Classic Lines series" and they both were published just last month. They are gorgeous to look at and a colorful and fun addition to my bookshelf. Check them out and pick up a set of your own here.

Book Review: The Mad Science Institute by Sechin Tower

Sophia "Soap" Lazarcheck is a girl genius with a knack for making robots-and for making robots explode. After her talents earn her admission into a secretive university institute, she is swiftly drawn into a conspiracy more than a century in the making. Meanwhile and without her knowledge, her cousin Dean wages a two-fisted war of vengeance against a villainous genius and his unwashed minions.

Separately, the cousins must pit themselves against murderous thugs, experimental weaponry, lizard monsters, and a nefarious doomsday device. When their paths finally meet up, they will need to risk everything to prevent a mysterious technology from bringing civilization to a sudden and very messy end.

*Excerpt from Goodreads.com

The Mad Science Institute was a fun read for me. It was a very easy book to just sit down and get into. I feel like Mr. Tower has crafted a very thoughtful and well written book.

Plot: The plot was very well done in this book. It's a deviation from just about everything else that's out there right now. I like the fact that Mr. Tower went out on a limb and created something that isn't popular in the mainstream right now. There aren't a lot of folks talking about mad scientists trying to take over the world and a group of college aged scientists trying to stop them. I'm not going to get into too much of the plot in this review because I would much rather you read it for yourself. It is well worth it.

Characters: The characters in this book are really well done. Soap and Dean are easy to relate to and easy to follow through the book. I like that each chapter of the book alternated from Soap to Dean. I love it when authors give me the point of view of more than one character in the book. I think it really helps to move the characters along in the story and keeps the reader engaged with each character.

Readership: I think that this book would appeal to teenagers, middle and jr. highers, and anyone that is fascinated by robots and science. It's got a great plot and it's a breeze to read. You won't be sorry you picked this book up. It's great for a light read.

Overall Rating: 5/5

Book Review: Dark Matter Heart by Nathan Wrann

A new town. A new school. A new beginning. Seventeen year-old Cordell Griffin and his mother move from Los Angeles to the Pacific Northwest to deal with his "allergies," and start a healthier new life. Cor has one goal: To blend in and be invisible. Unfortunately for him, no matter how far he goes, he can't run away from his secrets. Secrets about who he is. Secrets about why he's sick. And secrets about why so many people he meets end up dead, drained of blood.

In "Dark Matter Heart", the origin novel in the "Cor Griffin Bloodsuckers" Young Adult Paranormal Thriller series from filmmaker Nathan Wrann, Cor must uncover the mysteries of his past and conquer the secrets of the present in order to protect the girl of his future, and save himself

*Excerpt from Goodreads.com

To be honest, I was not in love with this book when I started it. I thought it had some Twilight type undertones to it. I also thought that it moved along way too quickly and I wasn't sure how there was going to be any good closure to the story. This just goes to show that you can't judge a book until you are done with it. By the time I was through with this book I was loving every minute of it. I understood why the plot was moving along so quickly and Nathan did a fantastic job of wrapping it up at the end of book one. 

I usually like more character development in my books. As I have said on here before, there is a fine line between not enough character development and too much character development. But, as I neared the end of the book it dawned on me that Nathan was keeping the characters somewhat mysterious and enigmatic on purpose. So, I would have to say that the characters are right on par with the mood of the story.

The plot was well done, even though I thought it moved too quickly in some parts (I think the whole book takes place in the span of less than one week...). I'm excited to see how the characters that came to light in the end of book one play into the plot of the following books. 

If you are a fan of vampires, thrillers, and ya novels then I would recommend this read to you. It goes by very quickly. You could easily sit down in a day and read this book. I can't wait the start the next book in this series. 

Overall Rating: 4/5 

Book Review: The Orphan, The Soul Catcher, and The Black Blizzard

Most of his life, Charlie Reese has been surrounded by a loving family and all the comforts of home. But when a house fire claims them, he and his cousin, Jimmy are sent to an orphanage in the heart of ‘Depression Era’ Chicago. A year later, Charlie’s life is shaken by yet another tragedy and with it comes the mysterious introduction of a secretive runaway, named Bartholomew. As Charlie begins to discover more about his new companion, he unknowingly becomes a participant in a two-hundred year old secret. Come the morning of the Black Blizzard, Charlie finds he must make a choice - flee the destiny laden at his feet or take on his responsibility and follow a path full of supernatural wonders.

*Excerpt from Goodreads.com

This was an interesting read for me because I didn't remember that it was the beginning of a series (doh!). So, until the end of the book when I saw there was another one coming, I was really confused about the lack of closure in the book. Stupid me...

Having said that, this was a fantastic book with a perfect ending to set up a sequel! The plot is well thought out and well crafted. I love the setting of depression era Chicago. It is such a gritty and nasty place. It's the perfect setting to move the story of Charlie and Buck through. Charlie is a kid that has had to grow up too fast. He has a problem with not being able to leave "project" children alone. He feels the need to take them under his wing and help them along. Well, he get's more than he bargains for with "Buck". Buck gets him into more trouble then he really knows what to do with. It's an interesting relationship to watch develop and I'm excited to see how the author (Kimberlee Bastian) works all of the sub characters into the rest of the story. 

This book has something for a wide range of readers. There is some action and adventure, some mortal vs immortal, and some mystery going on. If you are at all a fan of any of these things then this book would be a worthwhile read for you. 

I apologize for the vagueness of this review because it's hard to tell you much about the story and what I liked about it without having some spoilers, and I hate spoilers. Just know that this book has a lot going for it and that it will keep you turning pages to the very end. If you have the time, pick it up and give it a read. 

Overall Rating: 4/5 

My First Giveaway!!!

Thank you to the fine folks at Sterling Publishing for giving me an extra copy of "The Blackhouse" by Peter May to give away to another lucky reader.

A brutal killing takes place on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland: a land of harsh beauty and inhabitants of deep-rooted faith. A MURDER. Detective Inspector Fin Macleod is sent from Edinburgh to investigate. For Lewis-born Macleod, the case represents a journey both home and into his past. A SECRET. Something lurks within the close-knit island community. Something sinister. A TRAP. As Fin investigates, old skeletons begin to surface, and soon he, the hunter, becomes the hunted.

*Excerpt from Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Home Library? Maybe one day...

As my wife and I are looking at homes in hopes of moving one day in the not so distant future; there is one thing that I would love to have...a home library. Now, it doesn't need to be as fancy as these two, but one can dream can't he?

If any of you have home libraries that you don't mind sharing pictures of; please feel free to post them here in the comments :)

The Orphan, The Soulcatcher and The Black Blizzard by Kimberlee Ann Bastian

 

Inspiration for the Billiards Scene By: Kimberlee Ann Bastian
Movies have always been my biggest inspiration and some of my best teachers when it comes to life. I can blame this obsession on my Gramz (my mom’s mom). When I was younger, if my Grandpa didn’t have the Vikings football game on, my brother and I (later my brother, sister and I) would go through the movies that make up our Gramz movie library. And boy, does she have a library. We stuck to the classics, which were pretty much all a part of the Disney Catalog. And I’m not talking about just the animated features. Some of our favorites were Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Mary Poppins, Candleshoe, The Apple Dumpling Gang, That Darn Cat (the original), The Love Bug, Parent Trap (the original), just to name a few.
Now I can’t say for sure if I actually saw this movie at her house first, but I’m pretty sure I did. When trying to build a conflict between the gang leaders Victor and Kalvis, I thought of a scene from this movie. What is this mysterious movie you might ask? It is Disney’s 1978 classic “The Cat from Outer Space”.












Original Poster 1978 (Movieberry.com)













DVD Cover (Amazon.com)

For those of you who don’t know what this movie is about here is IMDB’s description. A UFO is stranded on earth and impounded by the US government. Its pilot, a cat with a collar that has special powers, including the ability to allow the cat to communicate with humans, has eluded the authorities and needs the help of a man named Frank in order to reclaim and repair his ship to get back home. (IMDB)
From it, I borrowed a few things, particularly the idea of the billiard scene, the names Link and Honest Harry, and the idea of a talking cat to be the first image of my shape shifting spy, the Chameleon. Without this childhood classic, I’m not sure what the landscape of the story would look like and I shudder to think, because I can’t see it any other way.

Throwback Thursday (4)

Throwback Thursday is where I talk about the classic books I would love to read when I get the time (who knows when that will happen).

The Book

Catch 22 has always been a book that has interested me. I tried to read it once in High School (I wasn't the avid reader then that I am now) and didn't have much luck. The writing style wasn't something I liked back then. I would love to give it a try again and make it through this time. Hopefully it won't be another 10 years before I can pick it up again...

What classics would you love to read?

Book Review: The Gatekeeper by Jason Morrow

With the war in Marenon escalating quickly, Silas Ainsley is running out of time. The relentless Stühocs are attacking villages, and an assassin is tracking his every move, making it difficult to find the one person who has all the answers: The Gatekeeper.

Meanwhile, after learning that the Dunarian Council is compromised, King Julian Hobbes scours Marenon for the truth about how deeply the Stühocs have penetrated the freedom fighters.

When Julian discovers what he must do to uncover that truth, he must decide whether the result can justify his actions.
*Excerpt from Goodreads

This is the second installment of the Marenon Chronicles; a trilogy by Jason Morrow. As I have said before on this blog, I'm always worried about the second book in a trilogy. The second book is usually the worst book of the lot and I cringe when it comes to it. However, this book was a glorious exception to that notion.

The Gatekeeper is a fantastic followup to "The Deliverer". It keeps the story moving at a break neck pace that keeps you turning pages long into the night. I loved this book from beginning to end. There was no long drawn out sections where you could tell that the author was just trying to fill up space on the pages. The characters didn't become stagnant as some are prone to do in second books of trilogies.

In this book we see Silas and his companions continuing their quest for the six medallions that they believe will bring peace to Marenon. Along the way Silas is also trying to embrace his role as the "deliverer" of Marenon. There are some unlikely twists and turns in his role as the "deliverer" during this book and I'm excited to see how Jason continues this plot line in the third and final book in this trilogy. There are also a lot of players involved in the quest for retrieving the medallions. I have so many different ideas in my head for how this could end that I'm excited to see how Jason wraps it all up.

Overall I would say that Jason Morrow has crafted a trilogy that is a must read for lovers of the fantasy genre. If you haven't picked up these books or heard of Jason then it's time to start reading his books and finding out what he has to offer. I give this book two thumbs up.

Overall rating: 5/5

Blog Tour: Last Time Keepers by Sharon Ledwith

Today Sharon Ledwith has stopped by with a guest post for her Last Time Keeper's Blog Tour hosted by Young Adult Novel Reader. Check it out!

Top Fav Time Travel Movies

I love all things time travel. I guess that’s one of the reasons why I started writing a time travel series. I decided to write for middle-grade/YA readers, starting with The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, debuting May 18^th through Musa Publishing. I thought it would be fun and fitting to do a little time traveling in my mind (with the help of my trusty search engine) and recall what movies had planted their seeds and rooted me firmly in this genre. It was tough to nail five picks from so many to choose, but ultimately I went for how the movie left me feeling when it was over. I still could have made the list bigger, but after careful consideration, I was happy with my decisions. So, without further ado, my top five fav time travel screen gems…

• Back to the Future (1985)—Michael J. Fox and Hello, McFly? Can you hear me, McFly?
• The Terminator (1984)—Arnold came back, all right. Two more times!
• Somewhere in Time (1980)—Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour together again. And again. And again.
• Time after Time (1979)—time traveling H.G. Wells versus Jack the Ripper.
• Timeline (2003)—stop groaning, despite the terrible acting, Michael Crichton wrote a good time travel yarn worthy of the screen.

Here’s the blurb for The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis: When Amanda Sault and her four classmates are caught in a major food fight at school, they are given the choice of suspension or yard duty. It was a no-brainer. A two-week crash course in landscaping leads the kids to discover a weathered stone arch buried in an overgrown backyard. Instead of a forgotten lawn ornament, it turns out to be an ancient time portal from the lost continent of Atlantis. Chosen by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers—legendary time travelers sworn to keep history safe from an evil force—the five children, along with two offbeat adults, are sent on the adventure of their lives to save the Earth from an uncertain future. The Timekeepers’ first mission lands them in England in 1214, where they must find an adolescent Robin Hood and his band of merry teens before history is turned upside-down. Sharon Ledwith is the author of the middle-grade/YA time travel series, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS, debuting through Musa Publishing this May 18, 2012. When not writing or digging up the past, she enjoys reading, yoga, kayaking, time with family and friends, and single malt scotch. Sharon lives in the wilds of Muskoka in Central Ontario, Canada, with her hubby, a water-logged yellow Labrador and moody calico cat.  

Sharon’s Website

Sharon’s Blog

Sharon’s Facebook Page

The Last Timekeepers Series Facbook Page

Twitter: @sharonledwith

Musa Publishing Buy Link

Goodreads

Blog Tour: the Unsacred Gift by C.S. Dorsey

 C.S. Dorsey

Description:
Have you ever had a dream that came to life? How about losing the one you love and
not being able to save them? What about a gift that you were cursed with? Well image having all three like Sicily "Sissy" Monroe.

 "Some might say what I have is a gift. I say, I want to return it." Sissy declares.

 Sicily "Sissy" Monroe has all the qualities of a perfect young lady. She is almost where she wants to be in life. But lying deep in the pupil of her eyes hold something that she cannot get rid of which interferes with her plans. She fights everyday with no one but herself. After having her first vision at age six of her sister's (Misty) disappearance and the dreams of failing to save her, Sissy wants no part in another person's fate. For years Sissy tried hard to avoid contact with people because she feared foreseeing their death. In keeping with this, she tries to stay away from her family. Little did Sissy know she could not run from her past, or her gift. She hopes someone will put her out of her misery, but she will soon discover that her visions and dreams were just a mere image of herself.

About the Author:
C. S. Dorsey currently lives in Northern California. She graduated from the University of Phoenix with an Associate’s Degree in Financial Services, and is currently working for a financial institution. She never thought about writing until one day this girl started talking to her in her head and never stop.

My Review

 

The Unsacred Gift by C.S. Dorsey was a bit of an interesting book for me. What I mean is this, I loved the plot and the characters. They were both superb; but for some reason I really had a hard time with the way the book was written. I don't know if it's the way the characters talk to each other or what, but I just struggled a little bit getting into the dialogue of the book. That's not to say that I didn't like the book. I really enjoyed reading this book. The plot was very intriguing and I didn't see the ending coming at all. Sissy is a great character to get to know (despite the fact that I couldn't stand the way that she called her mother "Ma" throughout the entire book).

 

Dorsey does a fantastic job of plot development. When I first started reading I thought that the days of Sissy's life were a little too detailed for my liking, but as I got farther into the book I realized that it was necessary to have all of the information that you were being given. So, the plot is well developed and flows very well. 

 

The characters in this book were fascinating. Just when you thought you had everyone figured out then a new little twist or turn would come into play that would have you rethinking your whole mindset for the book. I really love books that keep me on my toes when it comes to the characters. This book does exactly that. If you are looking for a book that is a quick read with a great story line then this is the book for you. I would recommend this book to anyone that's into ghost's and other-worldly stuff.

 

Overall rating: 4/5

To find out more about C.S. Dorsey and her books check out her blog here.
Stalk her on facebook here
Follow her on twitter
To purcahse The Unsacred Gift:
Amazon for Kindle or Paperback
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords

Book Review: Dizzy Miss Lizzie by R.M. Clark

Thirteen-year-old Kasey Madrid finally has the freedom she's always wanted. Instead of putting up with sitters or camps, she can spend the summer home alone in their "new" house. Never mind that the house is a creepy old place built in the nineteenth century. The creep factor skyrockets when Kasey meets a nineteenth-century girl named Lizzie Bellows in the basement. It takes some time for Lizzie to convince Kasey she's not a ghost, though neither girl understands why they can see each other when they live 120 years apart.

The difference in their worlds doesn't stop the two from becoming fast friends. Lizzie's life isn't easy though. In her time, her parents died in a fire many believe Lizzie started herself. As the summer passes and Kasey learns more about her own past, she is shocked to discover Lizzie is part of a terrible Madrid family secret. It's up to Kasey to go back to Lizzie's world to unlock the secret and clear Lizzie's name.

*Excerpt from Goodreads

First of all I would like to thank Mr. Clark for sending me this book for review.

When I first heard from Mr. Clark about this book I was unsure about whether or not it was something I would enjoy. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by what I read. Dizzy Miss Lizzie is a very well written book. The characters are fun to follow and easy to relate with. Kasey is your typical inquisitive 13 year old and Paula plays the perfect role of best friend.  


When the book first started I was kind of confused about where the plot was going and what the point of the book was. It didn't take me long to get into it though and from there it was smooth sailing plot wise. It had a nice little touch of mystery to it that I enjoyed. It wasn't too in depth of a plot either, which is good for the age group this book is written for. 

The character development was good and not over done, which is important for a shorter novel. I thought Mr. Clark did a wonderful job of crafting all aspects of this book. I was curious as to how Kasey would break the mysterious curse and also by what her grandmother had to do with everything. If you are looking for an entertaining, quick read then this is the book for you. I would also recommend this book to any reader, regardless of gender. Sometimes people will look at a title or a cover and immediately write a book off (no pun intended). Please don't let that be the case with this book. It is well worth the read.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Book Review: The Deliverer by Jason D. Morrow

Prophecies are not always clear. That is what seventeen-year-old Silas Ainsley learns when he finds himself in a realm called Marenon.

The people of Marenon are on the brink of war and many of them claim that Silas is the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy that can save them. Each group wants to use him for their own purposes, but he doesn't know who is trustworthy.

Forced to make his way through Marenon alone, Silas finds himself with a band of lawless mercenaries, knowing he must uncover the meaning of the prophecy before Marenon falls to ruin.

The only way to get to Marenon is to die, and Silas has just arrived.

*Excerpt from Amazon

To be honest, it has been a long time since I have read a book in the fantasy genre so I was somewhat apprehensive about whether or not I would like this book. Now that I have finished it I can say that not only did I like it, I thought it was one of the best books I've read in a while.

Jason has a wonderful ability to paint mental pictures with the way that he writes. I could vividly see the landscapes he described and the battles that took place. The character development in this book is very well done, but not overdone. Some authors spend so much time developing their characters that it cripples their plot development, not so in this book.

Jason does a fantastic job of keeping the tempo of the book upbeat. There were rarely times that I found the book dragging along. Silas and his group were constantly on the move going from one part of Marenon to the other trying to collect the medallions they are after. I'm still on the edge of my seat waiting to see what will happen when they can get their hands on all 6 of them. This book does a fantastic job of leaving you wanting more, which is good since it's a series. There have been many series that I don't bother going on to the next book. That will not be the case with this one. The second book, The Gatekeeper, has been added to my TBR list.

Overall I think that if you are a fan of the fantasy genre this is a wonderful series for you to start. You will not be disappointed with the way that you are whisked off into the world of Marenon to follow along with Silas as he strives to live up to his title of "The Deliverer".

My Rating: 5/5

IMM (2)

Last week and the beginning of this week have been the busiest weeks I have had by far since I started this blog. Thank you to everyone who has sent me things for review. Here is what I got this week:

The Deliverer by Jason D. Morrow

Dizzy Miss Lizzie by R.M. Clark

The Unsacred Gift by C.S. Dorsey

Dark Matter Heart by Nathan Wrann

 












From Out of Chaos by Nathan Wrann

Needless to say I will be quite busy in the coming weeks! Once again, thank you to everyone that sent me these books. I can't wait to get through them and get reviews up for you.

Throwback Thursday (3)

 

Book:

Why

The premise of this book has always been interesting to me. I've got a pretty tall stack of books in my TBR pile, but rest assured that once I get around to reading some of my classics this will be very close to the top of the list. I mean, who doesn't want to read about a crazy middle aged guy that thinks he's a knight? Sounds like a good time to me!

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

"Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by “Breaking the Spine”, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My Pick This Week:

Description:

Whatever happened to Calico Joe?

     It began quietly enough with a pulled hamstring. The first baseman for the Cubs AAA affiliate in Wichita went down as he rounded third and headed for home. The next day, Jim Hickman, the first baseman for the Cubs, injured his back. The team suddenly needed someone to play first, so they reached down to their AA club in Midland, Texas, and called up a twenty-one-year-old named Joe Castle. He was the hottest player in AA and creating a buzz.

In the summer of 1973 Joe Castle was the boy wonder of baseball, the greatest rookie anyone had ever seen.  The kid from Calico Rock, Arkansas dazzled Cub fans as he hit home run after home run, politely tipping his hat to the crowd as he shattered all rookie records.

Calico Joe quickly became the idol of every baseball fan in America, including Paul Tracey, the young son of a hard-partying and hard-throwing Mets pitcher. On the day that Warren Tracey finally faced Calico Joe, Paul was in the stands, rooting for his idol but also for his Dad. Then Warren threw a fastball that would change their lives forever…

In John Grisham’s new novel the baseball is thrilling, but it’s what happens off the field that makes CALICO JOE a classic.

*Excerpt taken from Goodreads

Book Details

Title: Calico Joe

Author: John Grisham

Genre: Adult Fiction

Hardcover: 208 pages

Publisher: Knopf Doubleday

Release Date: April 2012

ISBN: 0385536070

ISBN-13: 9780385536073

 

Why I'm Waiting

John Grisham is one of my favorite authors of all time and I have a love for baseball so this book seems like a no-brainier for me. 

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Book Review: The Black Book of Secrets by F.E. Higgins

A boy arrives at a remote village in the dead of night. His name is Ludlow Fitch—and he is running from a most terrible past. What he is about to learn is that in this village is the life he has dreamed of—a safe place to live, and a job, as the assistant to a mysterious pawnbroker who trades people’s deepest, darkest secrets for cash. Ludlow’s job is to neatly transcribe the confessions in an ancient leather-bound tome: The Black Book of Secrets.

Ludlow yearns to trust his mentor, who refuses to disclose any information on his past experiences or future intentions. What the pawnbroker does not know is, in a town brimming with secrets, the most troubling may be held by his new apprentice.

*Excerpt from Amazon

This book was an interesting read to say the least. At the beginning of the book I had no idea what a "secret pawnbroker" was. And, to be honest, most of the way through the book I still didn't know. This book keeps you going until the end because you just have to find out what's going on. I enjoyed this quick read. It's geared towards middle school kids I would say.

Higgins does a great job with his character and plot development. The only criticism I would have is that there were a few parts where villagers were telling their secrets that got a bit repetitive. The secrets were all different, but the way the book read was repetitive, if that makes any sense. There were a few twists and turns that I was not expecting, which made for a good read.

If you are looking for a quick read to pass a weekend and you are into middle grade literature then this would be a good book for you to pick up. I believe it is part of a series as well so I'm sure I will end up reading the other books in the series.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Book Review: Casting Stones by G.M. Barlean

First of all I would like to thank Gina Barlean for sending me this book for review. Having said that, lets get to the review.

It has been a very long time since I have had an emotional investment in a book. Casting Stones had me in it's grip from the beginning of page 1. There were times when I was reading that I wanted to literally yell and scream at the characters in this book. There where times where I felt sad for some of the characters in the story. There were times when I had to set the book down and come back to it because I couldn't stand to read anymore about what was going on. This book was a masterpiece when it comes to getting you invested in the characters and the story.

Speaking of the characters; they were so well crafted! James, one of the main characters was a prime example of this. In the beginning of the story I felt sorry for him, then there were parts that I was so angry at him that I probably would have tried to deck him if I met him in real life, then I went back to feeling sorry for him. There was just an emotional connection with all of the characters in this book.

I'm not going to go into the plot because I don't want to give anything away. You have to read this book to fully appreciate what goes on it it. My retelling of the plot would not do it justice. If you would like to see a trailer for the book you can click here.


This book is a must read for any and all readers. It doesn't matter what genre you like; I believe you will like this book. Thank you again Gina for sending me this book. I can't wait for your next book to come out! You can find this book here.

Overall Rating: 5/5

Book Review: The Hunt for the Seventh by Christine Morton-Shaw

A haunted mansion.
Six dead children.
A garden of statues.

With every step he takes around the carefully manicured grounds of Minerva Hall, Jim is haunted by the ghosts of children, long dead, whom no one else can see. Urging him to "find the Seventh," the children leave him cryptic clues pointing to a devastating ancient prophecy that only he can stop from being fulfilled.

Jim befriends another boy--Einstein, who lives at the Hall. Einstein is autistic and very, very smart. If anyone can help Jim find the Seventh, perhaps he can--Einstein clearly knows more than he is saying. At the same time, the dead children seem to be leaving Jim some sort of macabre treasure trail.

If Jim doesn't figure out the clues, innocent people will die. But how can Jim find the answers while the dangers of the Hall grow ever more threatening? And even if he can, the real question is--is Jim already too late?

Linking ancient rites with modern mystery, Christine Morton-Shaw has crafted an eerie thriller that will keep readers guessing until its startling conclusion.

*Summary take from Goodreads

Review:
I just finished up this fascinating read by Christine Morton-Shaw. The Hunt for the Seventh was a wonderfully written book. There were many times in the book that I had no idea where the plot was heading so that makes it a great thriller I suppose.

The characters and plot of this book were excellent. The characters were well developed, but not over developed. I never found myself bored with an over explanation of what was going on, as some authors are prone to doing. The plot had sufficient twists and turns to keep you reading all the way to the end. Morton-Shaw did a fantastic job in crafting this story.

This book is written for middle school aged kids I would say. If you are a parent and you don't like the idea of ghosts, witches, and magic then I think it would be best if you steer clear of this book. If you don't mind those things then this as a fantastic, and quick, read.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Book Review: Daddy Dates by Greg Wright

Daddy Dates by Greg Wright is a thought provoking and often humorous book about a father raising 4 daughters. In this book Greg lays out his road map for what he calls "daddy dates". The concept behind it is so simple that it's beautiful. He calls his daughters and sets up real live dates with them. He picks them up from their house (which is also his house), takes them out for a date, and then brings them back home. This probably sounds pretty simple, but there's so much more.

The genius of his idea is that during the date he actually spends time listening to his daughters and learning about them as people. You may be thinking to yourself that that's stupid because everyone should do that, but they don't. Many times we just lay out a list of rules for our kids and leave it at that. He has taken a hands on approach to learning what his daughters like, who they hang out with, and a host of other things. All the while he is shaping and molding his daughters into wonderful women who are well grounded and well balanced.

I applaud Greg for his approach to raising his daughters and I would recommend this book to anyone that is raising kids (sons and daughters both). Not only would I recommend this book; I would recommend adopting Greg's approach of "daddy dates". I know that I'm going to be doing this with my 18 month old daughter when she gets older. Thank you for the wonderful book and ideas Greg.

This book is a must read!

Watch for my next post; which will be an author interview with Greg.

Overall Rating: 5/5

Kill the TBR Pile Challenge

This is a challenge put on by Lindsay Mead over on her blog. Click here to be taken to the challenge page or you can click on the button that is on my challenges page to be taken there. The basic goal of this is to read the books in your TBR pile. I know for most of us book blogging type folks that is unheard of. What are we going to do without our precious TBR piles??? Well, I like this challenge and I'm throwing myself into it with reckless abandon. Since by TBR pile is large and I don't want to list all of the books in it; I will be posting the books as I read them in a panel over on the sidebar to the right. So, you will be able to see the books that I knock off of my TBR mountain throughout the year of 2012.

Thanks for the great challenge Lindsay!

Books Read So Far:
1. Daddy Dates by Greg Wright
2. The Hunt for the Seventh by Christine Morton-Shaw
3. The Black Book of Secrets by F.E. Higgins

First post of 2012

Happy 2012!

I am going to be placing high expectations on myself for this year and this blog. I don't feel like I committed enough time to this blog in 2011. Thank you to those of you who still continue to check in on the blog even though there isn't a lot of new content. I hope to change that in 2012. I'm going to try and read many more books and have many other non-review posts during the 2012 year. So, whether your a new reader or an old friend I look forward to hanging out in 2012.