Thursday, December 19, 2019

Book Review: Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels Book 1)

Image result for magic bites by ilona andrews     When the world of technology has fallen and magic has risen in it's stead a girl has to make her way somehow. For Kate Daniels that way is by being a merc. Much to her guardians disapproval, who would have rather her join the order, as he had. When her guardian is murdered he just may get his wish as Kate must make the most unlikely and hesitant allies in order to solve his murder.
     When all else fails there is a strong resilient story about a girl doing a typically male job. Always fun to lose yourself in a story of what may be and not even be bothered by the lack of romance in the book. There are a few things that I wish the author had explained better, such as what a level E magic means.
     When Kate fights with the Beast Lord after she tells him " Here, Kitty Kitty" and they go at it I really wanted her to say " Naughty Kitty" to further goad him, but I suppose what happened worked well. This was one of my lovely audio-books that I listen to so I am not sure how long it is, but it is worth a read. For once I was pleased with the narrator. I feel she did a job job of taking you into the story rather than droning through.
     My favorite character in the book would have to be Simon, or however you spell his name. I want to know more about him as the shape-shifter intrigues me. I feel like we could have gotten a bit more details when it comes to characters; such as why Kate and both of the clan leaders hate each other. All in all, though it was a good book and I will at some point get around to reading book two. After-all, who could resist a book with female mercs, shape-shifters, magic, vampires who are controlled by necromancers, and some sort of guild for all things paranormal?
This book is available on Amazon for $7.70 at https://amzn.to/2ZbOckm.

Monday, December 16, 2019

Book Review: The Hunt by Cassandra Wolf



     Sheba was a highly trained secret agent of the FBI whose mission was to protect Prince Damien and his family. When bombs are planted on board she is able to save herself and him; while his family and the rest of the security team perished. They have now both reinvented themselves and are hiding out in the mountains. Damien is set on revenge and Sheba is seeing a Jinn who tells her of a coming war with the legendary Red Wolves. As her feelings grow for the Jinn will she step up and use her training to take a side and change the tide for humans in the upcoming war or will she follow her Jinn into his realm and never look back?
     I think I may have found a new least favorite book for 2019. This book starts out telling about Red Wolves, moves to a sex fiend, then jumps to a plane crash, and then a woman who is having dreams of a jinn that is the prince of jinns that is bringing her sexual pleasure all night every night. Now there is something about an ancient typewriter. For once I am writing this as I am reading the book instead of at the end because 2 tweets about the same book in an hour seems to be enough for a while. Something needs to be said about this book, however, as the sentence I am currently on is " As she hung up the phone, spring was coming."
     At least in the other book that I will not mention in this the sentences made sense, no matter how poorly they were written. I understand that these are new authors and they are just starting out, but this is crazy. You have to proof read things or at least have beta readers before you release a book. An example of one of the poor transitions in this book is as follows: " Her day job paid the bills, her night job, writing her dark erotic poetry on her antique typewriter—she was dead to the world." This sentence does not even feel like it was finished. In the rest of this review I will do my absolute best to be more supportive and give suggestions and a helpful review; but things needed to be said.
      The author needs to sit down with this book and completely revamp it. By page 30 in a book you should have some idea of what is going on. When you are giving background you need to make sure that there is a clear bridge between the subjects or at least put the information in chapters. Sub-chapters would even be acceptable. Currently one paragraph you are reading about one thing and then in the very next chapter you are reading about something completely different and there is no tie in. Suggesting hallucinogenic drugs to help cope with blindness, or any kind of disability is not the thing to do. Making up a medication would have been more beneficial than basically saying oh, you're having problems becoming blind? Try LSD. I understand that the author is wanting to convey the attraction between the Jinn and the woman, Selba, but in serious moments don't just throw in intended "sexy" moments just to please yourself. They do not fit.
     Descriptive terms are great when they come to describing surroundings as well as characters. That being said, be careful with how you describe things. Describing a horse as flying gives the impression not that the horse is fast, as intended, but rather that he is winged. I have noticed a plot hole that simply does not add up. At one point the author mentioned that Sheba faked her death, but that she lived in a home that her uncle had left to her and ran a daily business with influential people using her real name. Also, why if the Prince is the one basically stalking her does he refer to himself by saying things like "You have a destiny with the prince, you’ve both got a past you may want to forget, but I know you want to forget the past of the prince which haunts you in this war. The royal family line was assassinated. He believes death is a second chance for reunion. He was given that chance when you saved his life when the plane crashed. You were both saved for a purpose together. He lost everything he knew, everyone he loved and cared for. His home, his people—dead. He vowed to never be anyone with an identity."? Things like this make it seem as if they are two separate entities, not the same.
     I feel as if this is the author's first attempt at writing a book after having read a lot of paranormal romance books in her past. Her thoughts are scrambled and I have no idea who the main characters of the book are other than Sheba. I am sure there is more than one prince, but it seems like stockholm syndrome or something horrid. One second she is afraid and running from these entities and the next she is acting like a female in heat. The plot lines are not clear. Or even which entity it is. There is so much jumping around and general confusion. How anyone had finished reading this book in the past is beyond me.
     On page 54 we have been given another character and we are back to feeling like we are bouncing around with random information like in chapter one. I hate to say this, but this is not a book I will be suggesting to anyone to read. This book, if you want to call it that, is painful to read. It does not make any sense. I cannot in good conscience recommend this book to anyone.
This book is available on Amazon for $4.50 at https://amzn.to/2ThWGmj

Monday, December 9, 2019

Book Review: Dark Thoughts by Shawn Van Horn (The Dark Testament Saga Book 1)

 

  Manson awoke in a graveyard with amnesia and no one who seemingly wanted to be in his life other than a priest. This mattered little to him however as he was constantly plagued by dark thoughts of torturing and killing those around him. Constantly he wondered what kind of person he had been and what crimes he had committed. Maybe it would be best to just start over like the priest wanted him to. The only problem was that the only emotions he felt was anger and hatred. That is until he met Lucy.

     Lucy is sex and sin all wrapped in a beautiful package. Her goal is simple. Help Manson achieve everything that he is meant to achieve and help him become himself. When a string of murders and unnatural events begin to transpire will they be able to stop it or is something much more sinister going on?
     Alright, so from the second I began reading this book I was hooked. Mind you, the grammar is terrible. But, I have spoken with the author and he is aware of the issue. He may also release a resolved copy at some point without the grammatical errors. That being said, the issues do not detract from the book themselves.


      I hate that he ended a book filled with so much pain, misery, and sickly twisted triumph with a cliffhanger. I know why it was done; (so that he could continue in book two that he hopes will be released in 2021) but that does not make me like that fact any more. I want answers about how this all plays out and I am rooting for Manson, no matter how dark that may be....I will not spoil it for you but if you're a religious person you may not enjoy this book.
     If you are not religious or if you are and are not easily offended then you need to read this book. If you are of a dark and twisted persuasion, as I am, then loose yourself in this book as well. I got this book through Booktasters on Twitter and have posted many updates there as well as I sped through this. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
This book is available on Amazon for $1.99 at https://amzn.to/2LyUXVs.

Friday, December 6, 2019

Book Review: The Bear's Unwanted Baby by Amy Star (Star Bears Book 1)

     Julia got herself pregnant after a one night stand that she never planned to have. But a deep connection to the drifter made her find comfort in his body. Since then she found she is pregnant. With no way to contact him she assumes he would want nothing to do with the baby or her until he shows up at her home. Can she trust this man enough to let him in her life and around her son?
Image result for The Bear's Unwanted Baby by Amy Star     Shane has regretted having to walk away from his human from the day he spent the night in her tent, but now that she is back on the mountain and has his child he may be able to reveal himself as he truly is. The only problem is with all of the pain in his past can he really move past that in order to be the mate and father that he wants to be?
     There are a few things about this book that I personally do not like. For instance, the title. The book is called the bear's unwanted baby. But, he wanted him from the moment he knew he was his and there was never a moment of hesitation when it came to that. Another thing was that the author often referred to Cody as "the baby" or "the child". That bothers me as a parent and it is also poor writing. The other and final thing that I do not like is this one book was basically two little novellas crammed together.
     This is not a bad book or even a hard read but at the end of the day it is not my preference. Considering that I love paranormal romance and devour them every chance that I get this is surprising but everyone has their own preferences. The book could use a little bit of a re-write and be transitioned into two novellas but things happen.
This book is available on Amazon for $2.99 at https://amzn.to/2yXEiZe

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Book Review: Dollhouse by Anya Allyn (Dark Carousel Book 1)

     Cassie, Aisha, Lacey, and Ethan have traveled into the forest to take some pictures for a school project. Ethan is there for his girlfriend, Aisha, and he knows these woods better than anyone else. When Aisha goes missing he has to set out to find her. The only problem is with Lacey and Cassie following close behind him they wind up as toys to a demented desires of the underground.
     Sometimes when escape isn't possible is it best just to accept your fate and become a good little toy or can a few 15 year olds really be strong enough to endure and come out of the Carousel?
     I am just going to flat out say that I loved this book with everything in me. I started it and hated every single time that I had to put it down. It seems like a dark and twisted version of mortal instruments mixed with Mrs. Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children but at the same time I will go on record as saying I prefer it over Mortal Instruments. It is dark and twisted and creepy. From the first second you pick up the book you are spirited away to Australia as you go through every thing these children have to go through.
      You go from hating characters to feeling bad for them, and then to loving them. Others that your adored and felt bad for you grow to hate. I loved every twist and turn that this story took and I would not have changed it. I did feel like when I started this book that there would be giants, but in the absence of them I am not disappointed. The story was well rounded and left just enough unanswered that I crave the next book without feeling as if the book stopped in the middle. All in all it is one I would suggest for both young adults and adults!
This book is available on Amazon for Kindle Unlimited at https://amzn.to/2TfQ1cx.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Book Review: Nightmare at Horror High by Luke Klein


     Elliott has been forced by his parents to leave the only home he has ever known in order to move to Utah. The schools architecture belongs in the Gothic era, the jocks love to era him up, his teacher hates him, and the girl he crushes on is dating one of his bullies. But, can he and the two other misfits he has banded together with help change their futures?
     This will be my first truly negative book review; so if you do not wish to read it stop now. I have never not finished a book; but there has never been a book I wanted to complete less than this one.
     I am on Twitter and was approached by Booktasters to begin doing reviews for them. My first choice was this book. I get the book and within the first few chapters I know everything that I need to know. This same chapter is then used later verbatim.
     Unfortunately, this was not just a case of not caring for a book as it was painful for me to read and I will be being deleting my electronic copy soon. There were so many grammatical errors. There were even run on sentences that made me feel like I was losing brain cells. Such as "We went down the stairs to the very long ways aways away, way down, down, down the very long flight of stairs and into the basement, and I couldn't believe my eyes; white shaggy carpet, a humidified wine cellar, a home theater at one end, a pool table at the other, a bar to the side, pinball machines, arcades, video games, darts, chess, loveseats, couches, poker, ping-pong, beer-pong, and a library-study in the corner, filled with expensive glass-encased antique books."
     That being said, it is not that there is no hope for the book. It just needs a lot of help. If the first part where it gives everything away was completely removed and a very thorough grammatical check was completed it would be a decent book and possibly enjoyable. It has the potential to be enjoyed but not as it is. For now those reading it would likely put it down at chapter three, which is where I wish I had stopped reading, and I can't say I would blame them.
     This book is available on Amazon for $4.99 at https://amzn.to/2WHiaek.

Book Review: Roaring up the Wrong Tree by Celia Kyle (Grayslake Book #3)

     Trista is a half hyena shifter who had had to fight for every day of her life. Her dad didn't want her, her half-brother wanted her dead, and even after he was gone the Eton's rules decided that there was a purge on all hyenas. So long as she didn't stay in one place over 12 hours she was safe from the bears.
Image result for Roaring up the Wrong Tree by Celia Kyle
     Keen may seem like the play-boy younger brother of the Eton and Keep of the clan rules, but he was so much more than that. For one he didn't like having to use the women but his bear didn't give him much choice. Until he scented Trista and his bear had to have her no matter the cost.
     As always I have a soft spot for paranormal romances. I look for features of my own mate in every book and I am rarely disappointed. Especially when it comes to the gruff and over-protective types; but I love him. Within the book we get to see a male stand up for what's his while the females tries to decide if she should stay or run like she has always done. Personally I chose a random audio-book and had not read the others in order to have known some of the characters first hand. As this is book 3 I have little doubt that I will get around to reading others.
     I didn't want to give too much away but 2 outcasts that everyone looked down upon finding each other will always be at the top of my list of books to read.
This book is available on Amazon for $4.99 at https://amzn.to/2WE4sZK

Book Review: Miss Taken by Milly Taiden (Raging Falls Book 1)

Image result for Miss Taken by Milly Taiden     Kiera owns a constructions company, but her father left her with the condition that she had to marry in order to inherit it. Only, that wasn't an option. She had tried multiple times but she would not be with someone who wanted to control her or change her in any way. So now all she had to do was wait until she turned 40. Just 3 more years. Until then she has to smooth over things with some land owners her brother keeps pestering.
     Luke found a half frozen human on his land during a snow storm and his peak mating time. When he takes her home he finds out that she is his mate and now he just has to convince her to stay with him. Too bad the annoying people from that construction company will not leave him alone.
     While I love Milly Taiden and her books I don't feel the correct time was taken with this one The book itself was great and I loved every second of it. The main problem as that Luke did not properly explain what being mated or "mine" means.
     Other than that the fact that Kiera is a big girl rather than a stick figure is great. It would be great if the guys didn't have to be buff stereotypical sex on legs. Although that could just be my adoration for fluffy fuzzy males like my own big burly growly mate.
   This book is available on Amazon $3.99 at https://amzn.to/3dPbikW.

Book Review: Firefly Hollow by T. L. Haddix

   Sarah had to come home early from college in Berea when her Dad got sick then passed away. Her one reprieve was the small pond she went to, where she was not allowed. But when the owner of the land, Own Campbell, tells her to stay away what can she do?
Firefly Hollow; Paperback; Author - T. L. Haddix    Owen has seen Sarah since she was 15, first as his deer then his wolf. He didn't mind her coming to his pond until he realized this woman would be the only one for him and he could't bear enduring the pain he'd grown up with again.
      Some things in this book stumped me, some hit home, and I was dragged through emotions. I generally try to avoid period pieces because they simply aren't my preference but this book drew me in because it is based out of Kentucky and mentions London and Lake Cumberland multiple times. This is close to where I consider home so I just had to read it. This book is set in the 1930s and I can't think of any other books I have read from this period. The characters are formal, shy, and innocent. You never stop to think about just how much times have changed since then until you read something like this. All of my books I am typically buried in are so blunt and blatant in their desires. The birth control is appalling and if people actually stuck a vinegar soaked sponge in their vagina as a contraceptive I am so sorry. That just sounds terrible. And the fact that women had no control over even purchasing birth control? I think not.
     Anyways, if you have a love of shifters, forward thinkers for that time, weird contraceptives, and shy romances pick up this book!
This book is available on Amazon for Kindle Unlimited at https://amzn.to/3g0bcZK.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Book Review: Scrooge Me Hard by Milly Taiden

    Aurelis is a curvy baker who wants children with her mate; but the scrooge she is married to doesn’t want kids. So, she left him thinking he’d chase her. Oh, how wrong she was. But, that hasn’t slowed her down. She has lived the last 5 years without him and she will be damned if him showing up out of the blue will make her change her mind. Maybe he finally wants that divorce she told him to send her all those years ago. 
    Reed has spent the last 5 years taking care of his father and his little brother. Now the only thing on his mind is getting his mate back. The only problem is she won’t even speak to him without throwing things at him. Frankly, he can’t blame her. He tied her to him all the while knowing what she wanted and what he would never be willing to give.  
    Can the changes that have happened over the last 5 years be enough for them to become the true mates they should be or will they each be forever pining for the other? 
    I have been in a reading slump for a while due to things in my personal life but with this small audio-book I have dived back in with a fervor. This book catches me in the feels because I am now back with my high school sweetheart whom I broke up with over some differences in opinion 5 years ago. In our case it wasn’t children that was our soft spot as we both wanted and want kids. None the less this book brought me out of a reading slump and brought more than one smile to my face as I pictured myself and my boyfriend in Reed and Aurelis’ shoes. Sometimes love can find a way and no matter how much time and what went wrong the first time it can be worked though as long as both are willing to work on it. This time you guys got a bit more of me in here than the actual review but if you are in a reading slump as I was and just want a short romance to kick-start you this is definitely one to curl up with. No promises that once you pick it up you will be able to put it down, though.
This book is available on Amazon for $2.99 at https://amzn.to/2ZfHSse

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Book Review: Verdigris Deep by Frances Hardinge

Image result for Verdigris Deep by Frances Hardinge    Ryan, Chelle, and Josh missed the last free bus from Magwhite home and must now find a way to get bus fair for the lay-over bus so they would not get in trouble with their parents. When their plan to return a shopping cart for the money goes awry they seek out the local wishing well, pulling 3 coins from its depths. Now they owe the goddess of the wishing well the wishes they have stolen from her and must now grant them. Be it a motorcycle, a new robot toy, or even revenge. With the help of some new powers they now know the wishers wishes but how far are they willing to go?
    This was an odd book that had me simultaneously confused and enthralled. It is one of those books that you can't help but enjoy while you're reading but once you set the book down you ave to focus on it to even remember what you have read. I love that it was very obviously written by a brit and they used some very British terms that we don't use here; such as fag for a cigarette, and trolley for a shopping cart. It is often fun to read things from another country and view it from their perspective for once. All in all it is a cute book. It is a teen fantasy fiction.
This book is available on Amazon for $8.99 at https://amzn.to/2TgnVh2.