Author Archive

Take the Dark Passage

Posted: April 15, 2012 in fiction, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews
Tags: , , , ,
10

Title: Dark Passage “Chosen” 

Author: M.L. Woolley 

Every now and then I read a book that catches me by surprise. Expecting a haunted house story, I instead discovered a tale about the human struggle to find our place in this world. This story is told from multiple points of view which made it fun and easy to understand.

The story centers around an old Victorian house in Olalla, on the Dark Passage of the Puget Sound.

Bill has come to Olalla looking for inspiration about a book. He is drawn to an estate sale at an old house and for reasons unknown to him he feels compelled to buy it. It has a sense of familiarity to him. Before he can complete renovations he has an accident which puts him in a coma.  While unconcious, he sees a woman in a tunnel beckoning him.

Desperate  to escape the frequent, violent attacks of her abusive husband, Jen accepts an offer from her friend Peter to rent an old house. The strange man from her dreams, the one she loves in this other reality, has given her the confidence to leave her abusive relationship and take her life back. She senses something special about the house, something otherwordly, but is unsure if it is evil or good. There is something or someone watching her.

Strange forces have drawn Bill and Jen together through their dreams. They will need each other as they slowly come to understand what the house is and where their place is in the coming events.

There are many characters that have important roles in this story of darkness and light.

Bill’s cousin Lisa has been corrupted by something evil and commits unspeakable acts in her hunger for fortune. You will loathe her.

David is ensnared by Lisa’s manipulations and blindly follows her wishes, ignoring an inner voice that warns him not to.

Jen’s best friend Ivy gets drawn into the mystery of the house and discovers she has a very important part to play in the times ahead. She really endeared herself to me. the guilt she has carried around for years over the death of her brother and sister has led her to pick all the wrong men.

Peter has been friends with Bill since childhood and is his guardian in more ways than one while he lies in a coma. He begins to receive messages from Bill, but that is impossible. Bill is still in a coma.

John’s life spins out of control after Jen leaves him and, in his madness, dark forces control him for their own purposes.

I could write so much more about this book but then I would be telling too much. Now that the stage has been set and I have come to know the characters, I am ready to dive into the Guardians, the second book. Due to be released soon, you can read a little bit about it at the end of Dark Passages.

I am now hooked and the author has reeled me in.

A resounding 5 Stars for Dark Passages.

Related articles

DIVERGENT, Need I say more?

Posted: April 7, 2012 in Dystopian, Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , ,
13

Title: Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth

Source: Bought for my pleasure

My Review

 

When reading a book I do not cheat and read ahead or peek at the ending. I had a difficult time not skipping ahead with Divergent. I could not read it fast enough and had to make myself slow down and absorb the story.

Imagine yourself at sixteen having to choose the course of your destiny. Today is the Choosing Day and Beatrice(Tris) has to choose which of the five factions she will join. She must make the right choice because there is no going back.

This story brought up many questions as I read it. Could we survive in a world where a person’s natural instincts separate them into individual factions? Would our lives be better if we lived only with other like-minded people, or would human nature take over and one faction come to believe that theirs is the only right one? Would being separated save us or destroy us?

This story flowed so smoothly that I was unaware of even being pulled into it. The characters and scenarios were so real that when I reached the end I felt like I had woken up. I wanted to go back to sleep and pick up where I left off.

I am anxiously awaiting the release of Insurgent in May, the next book in this series. I recommend this book to dystopian fans and anyone looking for action and adventure.

 

My rating: 5 STARS

Not Your Typical Small Town

Posted: April 1, 2012 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , ,
2

Title: A small Case of Murder (A Joshua Thornton Mystery)

Author: Lauren Carr

Source: Net Galley

 

Recently widowed Joshua Thornton, a retired Navy Jag Commander, has packed up his 5 children and the family dog, returning home after almost 20 years to open his own legal practice.

Chester, West Virginia is like most small towns, where everybody knows each others business. That all changes when Joshua’s children discover an old, unopened letter dated on the day of his parents death 30 years ago. Joshua’s curiosity about the contents of the letter opens up a can worms and the bodies start to pile up.

Chester may be a small town, but this becomes a huge investigation with mysterious car accidents, drug overdoses, a missing body and flying bullets. This book has it all.

With plenty of build up and a well developed cast of characters, Lauren Carr has written a great who-dun-it. She gives you a huge wrap-up and just when you think it is over, she delivers an ending reminiscent of Perry Mason.

I wanted to stand up and cheer, and I will be rushing to get her next book in the series.

 

I gave this book 4 stars.

 

For more about the author and her books:

http://mysterylady.net/

http://fromthewritersstudio.blogspot.com

TRILOGY OF HORROR

Posted: March 25, 2012 in Short stories and collections
Tags: ,
9

Title: Diary of a Madman

Author: L. Vera

Copyright: 2011 by L. Vera

 

I received this book from the author in exchange for my review.

I have great respect for the authors of short stories. Compressing so much detail into a quick, compelling read takes true talent. This story was written in a very unique way and I really enjoyed it.

Todd  Casil’s life is spiraling out of control. Experiencing episodes of missing time, he begins to question his own sanity when he discovers missing pages and entries he did not write in his personal diary. Why does he keep seeing green eyes? Who is killing the people around him?

As I was pulled into Todd’s life, I began to dread the conclusion that was racing towards me as I turned each page.

Also included are 2 unpublished stories.

I Hate Every Beautiful

This story will make you ask yourself if you believe in coincidences. The lives of 6 people are about to converge in a mind-blowing final scene.

Cut

Henry awakens to find himself on the floor of his apartment. His attempt at suicide was a failure, just like his life. An emergency broadcast on the TV warns everyone to stay inside. Darkness has descended on the planet and there is something in it! Now Henry must decide if he wants to live or die.

Each of the stories was powerfully written, containing many twists and turns. If you like gut-wrenching, edge of your seat tales of horror, then these are for you.

I gave this book 4.5 stars

Now available on Amazon

For more about the author and his books

Http://www.amazon.com/L.Vera/e/B007IV8K92/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

www.lverawrites.wordpress.com

Zombies And So Much More

Posted: March 23, 2012 in fiction, horror, reviews, Zombies
Tags: , , , , ,
13

Title: Wanted: Dead or Undead (The Zombie West Series, Book 1)

Author: Angela Scott

Published by: Evolved Publishing

WANTED: Dead or Undead (The Zombie West Series, #1)

goodreads-badge-add-plus

I received this ARC from the author in exchange for my review.

Wanted: Dead or Undead. I have to admit I started reading this expecting a zombie western with lots of eating and being eaten along with some humor. What I got was so much more.

The story starts with a nail-biting scene that leaves you with no choice but to continue reading.

Trace is an opportunist, a card shark, and a bit of a trickster. All he wants is to stroll through life with no complications. That wasn’t hard until the zombies started moving westward.

Red is a no-nonsense woman on a mission.  Traveling west towards California, she is hoping to find her brother. He joined the cavalry to fight the zombies and she hasn’t heard from him since.

The zombie plague has consumed the larger cities on either coast and is rapidly extending to the midwest.

Thrown together by a chance encounter, Trace and Red slowly begin to trust each other. They will have to in order to survive. As they travel westward their group of two slowly grows along with their attraction for each other. They both have secrets kept to themselves for fear they will shatter the tenuous bond growing between them.

Angela Scott takes her time developing the characters and establishing her story, weaving in new characters along with their stories and building genuine relationships. The scenes were so well written I could swear I was there. I shuddered in horror, feared the worst, and sighed in delight.

The cliff-hanger ending left my jaw dropping in surprise, already anticipating more. This ending is very satisfying and one of the best I have read.

I gave this book 5 stars and recommend it to anyone looking for a great read and a new series.

I will be watching for Survivor Roundup (The Zombie West Series, Book 2)

~~~

Angela Scott

deadplains angela scott

I hear voices. Tiny fictional people sit on my shoulders and whisper their stories in my ear. Instead of medicating myself, I decided to pick up a pen, write down everything those voices tell me, and turn it into a book. I’m not crazy. I’m an author. For the most part, I write contemporary Young Adult novels. However, through a writing exercise that spiraled out of control, I found myself writing about zombies terrorizing the Wild Wild West—and loving it. My zombies don’t sparkle, and they definitely don’t cuddle. At least, I wouldn’t suggest it. I live on the benches of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains with two lovely children, one teenager, and a very patient husband. I graduated from Utah State University with a B.A. degree in English, not because of my love for the written word, but because it was the only major that didn’t require math. I can’t spell, and grammar is my arch nemesis. But they gave me the degree, and there are no take backs. As a child, I never sucked on a pacifier; I chewed on a pencil. I’ve been writing that long. It has only been the past few years that I’ve pursued it professionally, forged relationships with other like-minded individuals, and determined to make a career out of it. You can subscribe and follow me on my website, where I blog obsessively about my writing process and post updates on my current works. I’m also on Twitter and Facebook, but be forewarned, I tweet and post more than a normal person.

Related articles

NIMPENTOAD. Nimpen… who?

Posted: March 21, 2012 in Children's books
Tags: , , ,
5

Title: Nimpentoad

Authors: Henry, Josh and Harrison Herz

Artwork: Sean Eddingfield and Bill Maus

I received this book as a gift from the authors.

You are now entering the world of Nimpentoad and his fellow niblings. They look to Nimpentoad for guidance as they travel through the shadowy unkown that is Grunwald Forest. Along the way you will have encounters with Goblins and Orcs and many other creatures. Neebels are the worst!

Henry, along with his two grade school sons have written an endearing tale, accompanied by beautiful illustrations.

While the target readers are 5-10 year olds, all ages will be charmed by the characters and the world of Nimpentoad.

I give this book 5 stars along with my sky-high recommendation.  

 For more about the authors and the book visit www.nimpentoad.com

A Story of Triumph

Posted: March 16, 2012 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , ,
6

Title: Center of the Storm

Author: Ann Simko

Published by: Musa Publishing

 

Dodge, an angry teenager, grew up in the foster care system. Shuffled from home to home, he has never stayed in any one place for more than 6 months. A miracle would place him with the family of Kate and Mike Landry, on a horse farm in Pennsylvania. There he forms a bond with a horse named Storm, also a victim of abuse. Can Dodge let down his barriers and accept the unconditional love offered to him? Is this what he wants from life, could it really be that simple?

Flash forward. Dodge is now a grown man, married, with an adopted teenage son. Chris is also a victim of abuse, found near death in an abandoned shed. Dodge can’t seem to get past the walls that Chris has erected. There is a late night call from Kate asking Dodge to come to the farm. Maybe taking Chris with him on the 5 hour drive will give Dodge the chance to reach him.

This story flashes from Dodge as a teenager and as an adult. It is superbly written, allowing you to easily follow the story line. Ann Simko writes about the sensitive subjects of abuse, cutting, and suicide. With humorous scenes well placed to lighten it, she writes a moving tale of healing, hope and love.

Rarely have I felt so many emotions from a book. I laughed, I cringed in dread, and in several places I cried.

I received this as an ebook by the author in exchange for an honest review. I will be purchasing it as a paperback because I want to feel the cover as it softens from being read so many times.

I gave this book 5 stars only because I could not give it more!

For more about the author and her books visit her website.

www.annsimko.com

My Scary Good Review of Ghost of a Threat

Posted: March 15, 2012 in Paranormal or fantasy
1

Title: Ghost of a Threat, Book One of the Betty Boo, Ghost Hunter series

Author: Beth Dolgner

Published by: Redglare Press

Copyright: 2011 by Beth Dolgner

I received this book as a gift in exchange for an honest review.

 

Betty “Boo” Boorman has no interest in dating. She spends her free time investigating hauntings with the rest of her team, the Savannah Spirit Seekers, in Savannah, Georgia.

Answering a frantic call for help, Betty and her team agree to investigate a supposed haunting. Upon her arrival, she discovers that Carter Lansford, her rival, has also been called in. The haunting turns malevolent and Betty is viciously  attacked. Knowing she needs more help, betty accepts the offer of assistance from a stranger who calls himself Maxwell, Demon. He informs that he knows what is doing the haunting  and how it can be gotten rid of.

Beth Dolgner knows her stuff. The main characters are supportive to the story and evoke a wide range of emotions. I really like that the heroine is intelligent and self-confident with a lot of spirit.

A great, edge of your seat, ghost story with a flowing story line that makes it easy to read, Ghost of a Threat is scary good. I had goose bumps from beginning to end and was completely wowed by the ending.

If you like paranormal romance with a good scare thrown in, this is the book for you. Go get a copy, snuggle in and remember – keep the lights on!

My rating: 5 STARS

For more information about the author and her books contact

http://www.bethdolgner.com

 

Laura’s 5 Star Review of Gullah Ghosts

Posted: March 13, 2012 in Uncategorized
6

Title: Gullah Ghosts, Stories and Folktales

Author: Lynn Michelsohn

Published by: Cleanan Press, Inc.

My thoughts about Gullah Ghosts

Filled with colorful characters, vivid descriptions, and rich in the history of South Carolina, Gullah Ghosts was a pleasure to read.

You will be haunted by drolls, the spirits of children that died unnatural deaths. You will be entertained by a tale of thievery, touched and uplifted by the telling of overcoming adversity and learn about the first recording device and the trials of gathering the folk songs and stories to be recorded.

Lynn Michelsohn’s writing is rich in detail, giving you the sense of having been there as she takes you into the 19th Century during the times of the civil war and the depression.

I could tell you so much more, but that would spoil it for you.

I plan to purchase her longer work, Tales From Brookgreen, and delve deeper into the culture and history of South Carolina.

I give this book 5 stars and my highest recommendation.

 

My Afternoon With B-Movie Vampires

Posted: March 13, 2012 in Uncategorized
0

Mid-afternoon on March 10, 2012. Well, it happened again. No internet service. So, while looking through my DVDs I discovered one that I bought many months ago. It was in a bin marked $3.00 – $5.oo eacg. You had to dig in because they were all just piled in this big bin. I reached down deep and pulled one out. it was a set of four vampire films that I had never heard of before. I wanted to jump up and down with glee. I took it home and promptly forgot about it. Upon rediscovery, I thought this would be the perfect time to view it. So, here are my thoughts about these films.

Vampire Wars: Battle For The Universe

This movie takes place in the year 2210. During travels in space, we discover that there is life out there, or rather un-life. Outer space is filled with all kinds of vampires! A crew answers an SOS call, humans are being attacked by vampires. it is the crews job to rescue them.

Though the special effects are B-movie standard fare, the story is engaging and the acting is quite good.

Starring: Michael Ironside, Joe landa and Natissia Malthe

99 mins/Rated R/ Grisly Violence and Gore

Nadja

This one was a hidden gem with a dark noir presentation, filmed in black and white.

It takes place in present-day Manhattan. A husband and wife get caught up in the struggles between twin brother and sister vampires.

An erotic thriller, very well written scaenes and great acting.

Starring: Peter Fonda, Martin Donovan and Elina Lowensohn

92 min/Rated R/ Some scenes of bizarre vampire sexuality and gore

The Case of the Whitechapel Vampire

Monks are being found dead, puncture wounds in their necks. Set in Whitechapel, London, you feel a hint of Jack the Ripper in the staging of scenes.

What was most intriguing about the story was that Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were called in to solve the bizarre murders.

Starring: Matt Frewer and Kenneth Welsh

88 min/ Not rated – violence

Shadow Zone: The Undead Express

Welcome to the Shadow Zone – The only requirement to enter is a touch of evil.

14 year old Zach Kincaid just can’t stop himself from lying. Nothing major, harmless little ones and much embellishing of the truth. When he tells his friends he got lost on the subway and wound up on a train full of vampires, they naturally didn’t believe him. Kind of like :The Boy Who Cried Wolf”.

Valentine, the leader of the vampires, befriends Zach.  He says that Zach can trust him. But should he? After all, hadn’t Valentine also told him to never trust anyone?

Starring: Chauncey Leopardi, Wes Craven and Ron Silver as Valentine

97 min/ Rated PG-13/ Some horror and violence.

A great afternoon and evening with my B-movie Vamps. So glad I found this and I spent many happy hours  being thrilled and scared.

Older Entries
Newer Entries