Archive for the ‘Paranormal or fantasy’ Category

A Fractured Soul

Posted: May 6, 2012 in Paranormal or fantasy, Uncategorized
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Title: A Demon Made Me Do It

Demonblood Series #1

Author: Penelope King

 

My review
When an Amazea demon curses Lucky her soul is split in half. During the day she lives as Liora, a 17 years old human and by night she lives as Lucky, an Aequitas demon whose duty is to dole out justice and torment those that deserve it. While they share one body, each one lives in their own realm with totally different lives. Not particularly caring for each other, they have developed an uneasy truce.

Enter Kieron, a demon that moves through both worlds.When Liora meets him she begins to hope that she has a chance at a normal relationship and happiness. The s*#t hits the fan when Lucky finds out that they have been hanging out together. She doesn’t trust Kieron and feels that he is a threat to both of them.

The author makes you feel a strong connection to all of the characters, which I find new and refreshing. She tells the story from Liora’s and Lucky’s points of view and writes it so well that you have no trouble following along. Actually, you can’t help but keep reading as you are drawn deeper into the story and discover a world of incubi and demons of all kinds.

The ending is exciting and satisfying with plenty of room for more. I am anxious to read Fire with Fire, Book 2, which is out now.

Also available: Witchy, Witchy (Spellbound Trilogy #1)

4 STARS

This book is appropriate for mid-teens to adults. I would recommend it to anyone that loves YA/ paranormal romance and fantasy.

About the author

Penelope King is a native Californian who now lives in beautiful South Carolina. She says “ya’ll” more often than she’d like to admit, eats more fried food than is probably healthy, and still hasn’t gotten used to the scary thunderstorms that seem to appear out of nowhere.

She stays up way too late and does the bulk of her writing in the witching hours. She rarely misses a sunrise, and needs to include a special “thank you” to Starbucks caramel frappuccinos.

When she’s not writing, she’s reading any and all YA out there, swimming, kayaking at the river, doing Zumba and kickboxing, or watching a trashy reality show. She can BBQ better than most men, and if she had to marry a food it would probably be pizza, but she’d cheat on it with sushi.

You can find her at:

http://authorpenelopeking.blogspot.com

Angels on Earth

Posted: May 1, 2012 in Paranormal or fantasy
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Title: Neophyte

Author: Emmalee Aple

 

Description from Goodreads

Addisyn White thought that she had her new life, her after life, all figured out. Granted, death had not brought her to the pearly gates, she hadn’t even left Earth. But death had its perks; she got to live forever with her best friend and her assigned Link of Angels in a beautiful beach house. Even with the changes she was going through to turn her human body into an angelic one, everything seemed pretty easy. Until a gray winged angel comes into her life, then all the secrets and lies her link had been keeping start crumbling away, exposing a whole new world of dangers she didn’t even know about.

Now Addisyn must fill in the blanks before things escalate too far. Will she save her Link? Or will she be buried in their secrets forever?

 

Here is my take

Addisyn was your typical teenage girl with dreams and plans for the future. That all changed the day she died. Three days after a school shooting ends her life she awakens to the best of her best friend Hunter. He, along with four other angels, is her Link. She is now a Neophyte, a changed angel, and they will be training and protecting her for the next five years until she becomes a full-fledged angel and gets her assignment.

It has been two years that Addisyn has been living with her link. When she is tricked into breaking the rules by Sebastian, a gray winged angel, she witnesses his death at the hands of her Link. Discovering that she can still die, she is furious and demands to know what other secrets they are keeping from her. Who was the strange angel and what did he mean about who she was? Not allowed to tell her what she wants to know, her fellow angels just make her more determined.

I really came to like Addisyn. She knew what she wanted and set out to get it. One of the things she wanted was Greysan, an angel in her Link. The romance grew slowly and made me remember the confusion and self doubt of young love. And the anticipation! Remember this feeling?

“Slowly, his perfectly sculpted face leaned in toward mine, his warmth surrounded my entire being as the moment of my much=anticipated first kiss neared. I could feel his fingers as they weaved through the hair at the nape of my neck, and tilted my face upward toward his. My heart raced in my chest, my breath caught in my throat, seconds slipped by like hours as I waited for his lips to greet mine.”

While the back and forth dialogue and babying by Addisyn’s guardians irked me in the beginning, the rest of the story really took off.

Not wanting to spoil it for you I will just say that there is so much more to this story and the ending, while leaving me with some unanswered questions, satisfied me and led me to believe the answers would be found in the next book.

Come read about angels in a whole new way!

4 STARS

About the author

Emmalee Aple was born and raised in Wisconsin, but always dreamed of life on the coast. Now grown, with a handsome computer geeky husband and two beautiful blonde monsters of her own, she uses what spare time she can manage to squeeze out of her day writing, sewing and crafting.

Emmalee lives off of carmel fraps and sprees. She strongly believes that a child’s imagination is the most important part of growing up, and that the cleaning elves are avoiding her messy house.

She loves a good book that sucks you in and doesn’t let go until the pages run out. And can’t get enough of the show Glee. (Although she will admit she DVRs quite a few other shows.) Growing up, her favorite movie was Annie and she knows all the lyrics to almost every Disney song.

Feel free to connect with Emmalee via her web page:

www.emmaleeaple.com

What Tickles Your Funny Bone?

Posted: April 24, 2012 in Paranormal or fantasy
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Title: Enchantment, Book 1

Author: Charlotte Abel

A YA Paranormal Romance

 

You know that saying about something tickling your funny bone? Most people’s funny bones are on their elbow. Mine is in my heart and that is where this story tickled me.

Channie grew up in a community of witches in the Ozarks. When children are born the parents bestow upon them a magic name and bind it to them. Channies older sisters name is Abundance, Abby for short. When she gets pregnant and has triplets you can see how her name fits. Prudence is her mothers name and as you get to know her you will see that it suits her just fine.  Her father has a problem with gambling. He can’t hang on to his money and maybe that is because his magic name is Money. When his gambling problems endanger the family they have to run for their lives, winding up in Louiseville, Colorado.

Now. Let me tell you about Channie. Enchantment is her magic name and now that she has turned 16, her body has blossomed. In Louiseville she must hide the fact that she is a witch since everyone there is an Empty, slang for MD or Medically Disabled. They don’t know that witches are real. The boys at her school can’t shield themselves from Channie and her magic draws them like bees to honey. This is new and exciting for Channie and a cause of great concern for her parents.

They decide that the only way to protect Channie is to change her magic name. She is very upset and begs them not to. Her father tells her, “We made the mistake of naming your sister Abundance, and look what happened to her.” Her argument that it doesn’t mean she will get pregnant like her sister did falls on deaf ears. They’ve made up their minds.

My first spontaneous outburst of laughter was at Channies response when she learned her new magic name. “What?No! You can’t name me Chastity – not when our last name is Belks.”

Her new name comes with a curse. Any boy who gets too close to her gets zapped. This becomes a problem when she meets Josh. As their friendship grows into attraction, Channie is forced to tell him her secret in order to protect him from the curse. After several electrifying episodes Josh comes to believe her. They put their heads together, trying to come up with a way around it. This is what lands them in a pickle.

Channie is the girl I wished I could have been when growing up. She is strong-willed and confident, with plenty of sass, and Josh has stolen my heart. That grin of his! He is loyal and self-aware and never wavers in his affection towards Channie.

The whole time I was reading, I was rereading parts of it out loud to my mother. She is down here visiting for the summer and I am using her as a sounding board for my reviews. We were both chuckling and, at times, laughing out loud as I read to her. The book had me so excited that I told my sister about it also and she is now demanding that I tell her the ending. We were all wet-eyed from laughing about the IFB’s and had plenty of snickers throughout the day when one of us would say, “Those IFB’s!”

This is a delightful journey, filled with humor, drama and plenty of action. The pacing is smooth and the sexual content is handled delicately, suitable for young adults. I am still aglow about this book and I want everyone to read it and feel like I do. You too will fall in love with Channie and Josh. My fingers are itching and I am off to start reading Taken, Book 2 of this story. I’ll be back later to tell you all about it!

I gave this 5 Heart Filled STARS. The highest rating I could give.

Some praise for Enchantment

“If you crave excitement and danger with your romance and can’t get enough of Stephenie Meyer, Suzanne Collins, or Cassandra Clare, make room for Enchantment.”

“Every girl wants their prince charming to be just like Josh. It made me cry and laugh and gasp … a make your heart warm and tingle kind of love story!”

About the author

Charlotte Abel was born and raised in Oklahoma. She spent many happy summers visiting relatives in Arkansas. She now lives in Colorado with her husband Pete, and loves hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and skiing in the Rocky Mountains, but will always have a special fondness for the Ozarks. Visit her at www.TheChannieSeries.com

Take the Dark Passage

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

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My Scary Good Review of Ghost of a Threat

Posted: March 15, 2012 in Paranormal or fantasy
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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

 

A “howling” good read

Posted: February 26, 2012 in Paranormal or fantasy, Uncategorized
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Imagine my delight when I found out that I had won this book. I’ve been wanting to read it and now I urge you to do so.

I sat down last night and started reading. At first it was a bit slow, but then I glanced up at the clock and four hours had flashed past and I was finished.

Howl is about Sophie and her family of werewolves, living as a pack and trying to remain undiscovered. Glimpsed by a hiker in her wolf form, Sophie later runs into him again in her human form.  A mutual attraction grows, but since it is forbidden to be with human mates, Sophie begins secretly dating Jaime.

The pack has troubles of their own when people are being viciously attacked and sightings  of an unusually large wolf are reported.

I really want to tell you more but I don’t want to spoil it for you.

Annalise Grey gives you just enough detail, with flowing diaglogue and well developed characters that you feel a genuine connection with.

I was left wanting more at the end of the story and will be watching for another book, hopefully several.

If you are looking for a “howling” good read, this is it. What are you waiting for?!

Update April 16,2012 – Next book to be released later this year.

 

Title: Howl

Author: Annalise Grey

My 5 Star Review of Resurrection by A.M. Hargrove

Posted: February 23, 2012 in Paranormal or fantasy
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A.M. Hargrove has written another gem.

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There is a lot more going on in Resurrection, the second book in the Guardians of Vesturon series.

The characters have matured and the focus is not only on Maddie and Ryan.

You get to learn more about the planet Vesturon, described in rich detail.

A superb read, fast-paced, with sub-plots that combine well and a flowing story line.

f you are looking for a solid adventure with lots of action, look no further.

I am anxiously hoping for a third book in the series and would like to read more about the stories behind Ryan’s family.

5 Stars

~~~

About the Author

Hargrove

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn’t do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life.  So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase.  Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodgeball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head.  Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what lap top out the window.   She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone and hit #4 on her speed dial.

Boss:  Hello

A.M.:  Boss, is that you?

Boss:  Why yes, A. M., who else would be answering my phone?

A.M.:  Er… right.  Well, I’m calling to let you know you can pick up my luxury Ford Focus at Starbucks near the interstate.

Boss:  Why ever would I want to do that?

A.M.:  Because I quit!

A.M. hit the end button and speed dialed her husband.

A.M.:  Hi hubs, can you pick me up at Starbucks?

Hubs:  Sure… Having some car trouble?

A.M.:  Not at all.  I don’t have a car to have trouble with because I just quit my job.

Hubs:  WHAT?!

A.M.:  It’s time for a new career and I am going to be a very famous novelist.

So began A. M. Hargrove’s career as a YA/NA and Adult Romance writer! Her books include Kissing Fire, Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge, the series the Guardians of Vesturon (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, Beginnings and the upcoming reEmergent) and Dark Waltz.

Author Social Media Links:

http://www.amhargrove.blogspot.com

http://www.amhargrove.com

http://www.twitter.com/@amhargrove1

http://www.facebook.com/anne.m.hargrove

http://www.facebook.com/guardiansofvesturon

http://www.goodreads.com/amhargrove1

My Review: Splitting Adam by John R. Ford Jr.

Posted: February 20, 2012 in Paranormal or fantasy
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     Pastor Adam Tyler is unhappy. In steps Anthony. He says he is an angel, but Adam is skeptical When Anthony asks what would convince him, Adam wished to see what life would be like if he had never been born.

     I don’t want to spoil this for the readers. I will just say that John Ford took a very unique idea and made it shine. As the story evolved, I felt a genuine connection to the characters, past and present. The flashbacks were perfectly placed to allow the scenes to flow effortlessly.

     I was left with a sense of wonder when I finished the last page.

     This is a wonderful book and I strongly urge you to open it up and turn the page.

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