Book Review: Arianna and the Spirit of the Storm by Robbie Ballew and Stephen Landry (Temple of the Storm Book 1)

     The kingdom has been plagued by a curse as long as Arianna has been alive. In fact, it started when she was born, although it wasn't her fault. The night she was born was also the last day it rained. Since then there has been a drought that her father has been intent on fixing. He just needs to find the spirits of the storm in order to break the curse. But, when her father is murdered Arianna takes it upon herself to continue his journey and save her world with the help of her best friend and some unlikely friends upon the way. 

    I received a copy of this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review. I know I have said it a lot recently, but I am so sorry I am so behind on reviews. I am working on it, and again, I am sorry for how long the authors have been waiting on their reviews. 

    This is a YA fantasy adventure book that I completely enjoyed. While I don't remember Arianna's exact age, she is late teens to early adulthood. She and her best friend team up to leave their village and break a curse that has been going on her entire life. During their journey she finds out more about her father than she ever before knew. While he was one person with her there was so much more to him that she never got to experience, except through his friends and journals. 

    While a quest to find 3 artifacts housing the spirits is difficult enough, Arianna and her friends must also contend with some knights that wish to do away with her, as the drought is a very lucrative business for the mine owners. Who they can trust is constantly being called into questions, and the voice of her powers is rarely helpful. 

    There is non-stop action within these pages, with just a dash of romance. Don't forget the elves, dwarves, and fauns that make up the characters within. If you think you know who the romance aspect includes before you start the book based on what you know from this review, I think you will be happily surprised. 

    All in all it was a good book that ended on a point where you can easily end the series if you would like, or you could continue reading to see how Arianna adjusts to what happened in book one. 

    This book is available on Amazon for FREE by clicking here. 

Book Review: The Manic Mission by C.J. Simone (Children of the Mob Book 1)

     Gabe Giodarno has to make up for all the bad things his father has done. He isn't perfect...Hell, he isn't even close. In fact, he is basically the fuck up of the family. Still, he is intent on making a difference. His music is his passion, Savannah is his love, and the girls? Well, they need him and if he won't help them, who will? But, his own penchant for screwing everything up has him losing the girl he has loved his entire life, getting into someone who is completely dark and punishes him. Still, he deserves it for everything he has done. With tighter restrictions and his father moving them out of town, Gabe is still intent on doing whatever it takes to save these girls....even if it means sacrificing his own freedom. 

    I received a copy of this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review. I am very behind in reviews and I can't even tell you with any accuracy when I finished this book. Still, I am generally very good about remembering the important parts of the books I read. 

    I enjoyed most of this book, although it is VERY dark. There is a child prostitution ring, rape of both sexes, and abuse. Just a heads up before you go any farther with the review. In addition to those not so wonderful points above Gabe is bipolar and has a lot of depression issues. Given everything that has happened in his life, it does not surprise me. Still, if you try to avoid books with those things in them, this is your warning. 

    Despite everything Gabe genuinely does try his best to be a good person. No matter how much he hates himself he self destructs versus taking it out on those around him. For the most part. To get the full picture of everything that is going on in his life the author changes perspectives between him, his siblings, his ex girlfriend, and the young girl next door who has a crush on him. Each of these people give us more details on what is going on without the sometimes clouded mind of a person who has seen too much. 

    The book is well written and you hope the best for most of the characters throughout. Although, I can't say I wanted the best for Gabe's father at the end, but I will leave you to draw your own opinions on that one. That being said, although the book is good, I don't think I'll be looking for any more in this series in the future. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here.