Review - Goddess by Julie Anne Lindsey

TITLE:    Goddess (A Calypso Novel)
AUTHOR:    Julie Anne Lindsey
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 246 pages
PUBLISHED:   Lyrical Press, 2015
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:   Two weeks ago, Callie Ingram was just another high school senior with her sights on a swimming scholarship. Now, she’s the resurrected leader of the Vikings, balancing her classes with learning mythological history—and sparring sessions with her gorgeous demigod boyfriend, Liam Hale.

 
When Zeus returns to collect the favor she owes him, Callie is tasked with uniting the warring Viking clans and leading them into battle against Gaia’s frost giants. If she fails, everything she risked her life for will be destroyed…and her best friend will die. But one teenage girl rallying all of the vengeful clans won’t be easy. And things only get more complicated when a new prophecy puts her future with Liam at risk. Now, Callie will not only have to win the battle, but she’ll have to take the fate of her heart into her own hands.

MY TAKE:   While this is an enjoyable stand alone second book in the series, I think it would be helpful to have read the first book Prophecy. There are a few points that would probably be a lot clearer if the backstory was in hand. 

I ended up liking the main characters Callie and Liam. There were times when they were a bit annoying, but I attribute that to their "youth" and having a lot of responsibility thrust upon their shoulders so quickly. There are a few lesser characters that I hope will get their own stories down the line in the series. 

The storyline made for a quick, fun read. I always like tales spun around the Gods and Goddesses, whether they be Norse or Greek or other.  I am planning on reading the first story in order to get the "rest of the story". Then I'll be set to read the next books as they develop.
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Available now at:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

The Book Depository / Powell's Books

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Julie Anne Lindsey is a multi-genre author who writes the stories that keep her up at night. She’s a self-proclaimed nerd with a penchant for words and proclivity for fun. Mother of three, wife to a sane person and Ring Master at the Lindsey Circus, most days you'll find her online, amped up on caffeine and wielding a book. Julie started writing to make people smile. Someday she plans to change the world.

Julie is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW), Sisters in Crime (SinC) and the Canton Writer’s Guild.

For More Information

Visit Julie Ann’s website, Facebook, Twitter

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~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - One Last Time by Denise Daisy

TITLE:    One Last Time

AUTHOR:    Denise Daisy
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 200 pages
PUBLISHED:   Lyrical Press, 2015
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  When it comes to love, time is all they need...Averie is terrified of anything remotely scary, but when she finds herself short of cash, she has not choice but to work on the catering staff at the creepy historic Faulkner mansion. The Faulkner Plantation was the site of a bloody massacre in the 1800s, and the event is an attempt to change its reputation. There's just one catch: the host has more in store than dinner. Soon Avery, along with a handsome guest named Quillan, is transported - back in time...

It's one month before the massacre and Averie and Quillan must find the courage to do more than survive. Together, they must uncover the truth about the Faulkner family and try and stop the murders. But as Averie and Quillan grow closer, the stakes are higher than they expected. Will they be able to put their feelings aside to change the past - and find life, and Love, in the place Averie fears the most?
   
MY TAKE:   I wasn't too sure what to expect with this book, but it seemed to have many aspects of a good story that I would enjoy. I was right in choosing to review it, it was a fun, quick read. 

Avery was a fun character to get to know. She had had a rough time of it and could be a bit much at times, but I ended up liking her. I liked that she bucked tradition and propriety by actually interacting with the slaves in the past. Her modernness finally served her well. 

One issue with the time travel was the fact that there wasn't complete continuity with the timeline and the changes made in the past. I think if the loose ends were tied up a little neater I'd have liked it a little bit better. 

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Available now at these fine literary retailers:

AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / KOBO / POWELL'S BOOKS         

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born and raised in Tennessee, Denise Daisy sets her stories in the Deep south. In addition to writing, Denise enjoys directing for the theater, and has brought to the stage many wonderful stories, from The Legend of Pocahontas to Great American Tall Tales. To Denise, there is nothing more thrilling than bringing charactes to life, whether on stage, behind the camera , or in the pages of her books. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her four daughters, watching fireflies in the evenings, dreaming up her next story, and inspiring others. 

Review - The Biggest BUT in the World by Natalie K. Hodge

TITLE:    The Biggest But in the World
AUTHOR:  Natalie K. Hodge
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 108 pages
PUBLISHED:   CreateSpace, 2015
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  The biggest BUT in the World is a hilariously insightful self-help book designed to assist readers in their journey to ditch excuses and pursue excellence. Author Natalie K. Hodge not only shares tips and strategies she has acquired working with thousandss of college students and professionals over the years, but also candidly discusses her own BUTS. She asserts that the number one reason people don't achieve the success they desire is because of the excuses they hide behind. 

The strategically written personal development masterpiece uses plain yet colorful language, periodic micro-assessments and tons of real life examples to reach wide audiences of all backgrounds. Natalie even made a conscious decision to limit the page count in an effort to maximize accessibility in a world where blog-style writing rules. The structure supports the highly original content she shares chapter after chapter. Readers will laugh, cry, become frustrated, but absolutely grow as a result of this read. 

MY TAKE:  This book definitely had me laughing at points, as well as stopping to ponder things at other times. The author has a fun way of laying it all out there for the reader. 

It is a quick read, but I think it can definitely be helpful in trying to push past our own procrastinations and "buts". I do love that title!
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Amazon / The Book Depository / Powell's Books

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - The Carols of Christmas: A Celebration of the Surprising Stories Behind Your Favorite Holiday Songs by Andrew Gant

TITLE:    The Carols of Christmas: A Celebration of the Surprising Stories Behind Your Favorite Holiday Songs

AUTHOR:    Andrew Gant
INFO:    Paperback Hardcover, Non-Fiction, 216 pages
PUBLISHED:   Thomas Nelson Books, 2015
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:   From Oxford professor and renowned British composer, a joyous account of the history behind our favorite carols. 

Everyone loves a carol - in the end, even Ebenezer Scrooge. They have the power to summon up a special kind of mid-winter mood, like the aroma of gingerbread or the twinkle of lights on a tree. It's a kind of magic. 

But how did they get that magic? Andrew Gant - choirmaster, church musician, university professor and writer - tells the story of some twenty carols, each accompanied by the lyrics and music, unraveling a captivating, and often surprising, tale of great musicians and thinkers, saints and pagans, shepherd boys and choirboys. Readers get to delve into the history of such favorites as "Good King Wenceslas", "Away in a Manger", and "O, Tannenbaum", discovering along the way how "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" came to replace "Hark, how all the welkin' ring" and how Ralph Vaughan Williams applied the tune of an English folk song about a dead ox to a poem by a nineteenth century American pilgrim to make "O Little Town of Bethlehem".

A charming book that brims with anecdote, expert knowledge, and Christmas spirit, this is a fittingly joyous account of one of the best-loved musical traditions.

MY TAKE:   Anyone who grew up singing and listening to the classic Christmas carols will enjoy reading of their origins and their paths to becoming the songs we now know. Many of them have roots in Pagan culture as well as beginnings that have absolutely nothing to do with celebrating Christ and Christmas. 

This is a very well-researched book, filled to the brim with lovely details and facts. I did find myself bogged down in a couple of spots just because of the sheer amount of information presented. It was very interesting but at times a bit of a job to get back on track. I always did though. 

I was very pleased that the author included the (sheet) music and lyrics. I found myself singing along to many of the carols as I was reading. I'm looking forward to getting to the piano and seeing if I can remember how to play - just in time for Christmas.
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Get your copy in time for the upcoming holidays, will make a lovely gift.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo 

Book Depository / IndieBound / Powell's Books

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Starry Knight by Nina Mason

TITLE:    Starry Knight
AUTHOR:   Nina Mason
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 248 pages
PUBLISHED:  Kensington, 2015
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  Can these star-crossed lovers bridge two worlds?

British aristocrat Vanessa Bentley has beauty, fame, and fortune, but she gets no respect for her decision to become a paranormal investigator. Determined to prove the naysayers wrong. Vanessa ventures to the misty moors of Caithness, Scotland. There stands the immense Castle Barrogill, where a vampire is rumored to be stalking the dungeons - a vampire Vanessa is determined to find. She'll just have to get past the resident shape-shifter...

Callum Lyon is the gorgeous reclusive astrologer and faery knight who guards the castle. For free-spirited Vanessa, seducing him proves to be easy. After all, he was once a breeding drone to a Queen. But astrologically, their differences are harder to overcome Will Vanessa's mission - and Callum's secrets - be more than their burgeoning love can take? Or will flesh - and blood - win over the ghosts that haunt them both?

MY TAKE:  The blurb on this book jumped out at me and seemed to have many of the elements I look for in a story: historical, fantasy, romance, Scotland, knights, castles - need I say more? While it did have all of those things, Starry Knight was just an OK afternoon's read. It did what a good book is supposed to do, entertain the reader, but it didn't grab a hold of me like I'd thought it might. 

Ms. Mason has created an alternate/adjacent world that I believe has a lot of promise in the stories to come. Her building the imagery was done quite well. I could picture the scenery as she was describing it and could easily place myself into the setting. It was somewhere I'd be interested in being. 

What didn't make this a "great" read for me, is well, pretty much Vanessa and the political/environmental messages. I could not connect or empathize with the woman. She'd say one thing while doing the opposite. Her "cause" seemed to be first and foremost with her when it was convenient. She had the spoiled brat thing down to an art form.

As for the political and environmental slant, it is not that I am not also very concerned about doing what is right for our world. I just don't want to be bombarded with it throughout a story that I'm reading to escape reality and be entertained. I am of the same mind when it comes to the political vein. 

All in all, I think many readers will enjoy this story and the ones to come. As I noted, the author is quite adept at world building and creating a place you want to go back to. 
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

You can grab your copy of Starry Knight at the fine literary retailers below:

 Amazon / Powell's Books / Book Depository
Kobo / Barnes & Noble

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Midnight on Julia Street by Ciji Ware

TITLE:    Midnight on Julia Street
AUTHOR:    Ciji Ware
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 487 pages
PUBLISHED:   Sourcebooks, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:   Ciji Ware's acclaimed time slip novel weaves together romance and history with the sultry and timeless flavor of two eras of New Orleans.


TV reporter Corlis McCullough's investigation of a century-old mystery involving spectacular 19th-century buildings under the threat of the wrecker's ball brings her back into the orbit of her old college nemesis King Duvallon. But now they're mature and companionable, and King shows Corlis a fascinating, hidden side of New Orleans society. Then she begins to be pulled back into the past where corruption, violence, and greed mirror the events of the current day.

MY TAKE:   I enjoy contemporary novels with characters that slip back in time, whether it is physical or just in the mind.  The back and forth perspectives of the modern Corlis and her namesake from the past was a very interesting tactic.  I appreciated the fact that it didn't step too heavily into the paranormal, but was right in line with the mystic qualities that surround New Orleans.


I admit to knowing just about nothing about New Orleans and its past so this was a very educational as well as entertaining story for me.  I learned quite a bit about The Big Easy's history from the 19th century up to today.  The plot was well done with a lot of historical fact mixed in with the drama of trying to save the condemned buildings.  The tension and attraction between Corlis and King was palpable with their own tumultuous personal history tied into their race against time and the bureaucracy.  


Ciji Ware is a master at giving her readers historical romance mixed with various other elements.  This book was a treat because it is actually a contemporary story with a heroine that can "see" into the past.  It was very apparent that the author's extensive experience with that of television reporting came in handy when she gave us the spitfire Corlis.


Lovely treat for historical and contemporary fans alike.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Available now from:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, The Book Depository

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - The Landlord's Black-Eyed Daughter by Mary Ellen Dennis

TITLE:    The Landlord's Black-Eyed Daughter
AUTHOR:    Mary Ellen Dennis
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 474 pages
PUBLISHED:   Sourcebooks, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  A fast-paced and passionate retelling of the story of two timeless lovers who would die for each other. If only they didn't have to. This gorgeous romance by author Mary Ellen Dennis gives the poem a whole new depth and a happy ending.

"Take one highly successful Gothic romance writer who just happens to be an innkeeper's daughter; add one disillusioned, devil-may-care highwayman who robs only the rich on principle; set them down in the turbulent, hypocritical times of late 18th-century England; season with a dash of humor, a splash of the paranormal, and a dollop of danger; and let the adventures begin... A fast pace, fluid writing, and an exceptionally well-crafted plot..." - Library Journal

MY TAKE:     Loreena McKennitt's haunting musical version of "The Highwayman" by poet Alfred Noyes is what drew me immediately to this book.  I have always loved that poem and then Ms. McKennitt's lovely voice brought life to the words for me. It is one of my favorite CDs and gets plenty of play at our house.


So, on to the book by Mary Ellen Dennis.  I had high hopes that the story would basically be a fleshed out version of the original.  While the poem did provide a slight backbone for the book, it was more of a suggestion than a foundation.  I do realize that trying to create an entire full fledged tale out of a poem of 1000 or so words would be tough, but I really did expect a bit more resemblance to the original.


That being said, I did enjoy the story.  Elizabeth is a fun heroine.  She is strong and opinionated and her being an accomplished writer drew me to her.  I loved that she wrote Gothic Romance novels.  The fact that her book is what finally connects her and Rand is a lovely touch.


Rand is a perfect "Robin Hood" character.  He is suave and swashbuckling while still having what counts - a heart.  He and his "Bess" really do make a great couple and drive the story.  The supporting cast weren't especially helpful and I didn't care for most of them.


While I did say I'd have liked it to follow the poem a bit more, I really am glad that the ending for The Landlord's Black-Eyed Daughter is more upbeat than the tragic ending of the original Highwayman and his Bess.


Elements of adventure, romance, historical fiction and a bit of paranormal activity make for a fun read.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Available now at:  Amazon, The Book Depository, Barnes & Noble



The Book of Secrets

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - In the Aerie of the Wolf by Leonora Pruner

TITLE:    In the Aerie of the Wolf
AUTHOR:    Leonora Pruner
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 343 pages
PUBLISHED:   Noble Novels, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review and Blog Tour

FROM GOODREADS:  Another intriguing and uplifting novel from the author of Close to His Heart, Leonora Pruner has a gift for storytelling and creating compelling characters. Set in 18th century England, our heroine Anne is betrothed to a man she's never met and must leave behind her girlhood fantasies. When she arrives at the home of Lord Wolverton, Master of the Wolf's Aerie, the mysteries and challenges of her new life cause her to seek Biblical wisdom and guidance concerning honor, integrity, and faithfulness. In this story of the discovery of true love, there is also danger, betrayal, and sword fighting and it all takes place in a castle complete with secret passageways. Become lost in another time and place. You will not want to put this book down.


MY TAKE:    The author created a very interesting story with In the Aerie of the Wolf.  She has taken the bare bones of the classic Beauty and the Beast story and adapted it to fit a tale of her own making.  It makes for a nice historical fiction read.

I enjoyed the character of Anne.  She was brave and tried to put others ahead of her. The love her servants had for her showed how she treated others.  One of the parts that reinforced this was when she first danced with Samson at the inn.  She was torn because she had let herself relax and have fun with a servant in public.  Afterwards she pondered on the propriety of it even though she now considered him a friend. ~ On the subject of Samson, his manner of speaking was very annoying.  It was hard to follow and I found myself skipping over some of the times when he had a very long narrative.

Andrew was also a very complex character.  He is very mysterious in the beginning and when we learn how he came to be disfigured, it is heartbreaking.  His story gets more interesting as it goes.  He also endears himself to his servants by treating them with love and respect.  Anne remarks early on about what a happy household lives at the castle.

There are numerous threads running through this book.  It was one of those that has a touch of just about everything:  mystery, romance, paranormal, thriller, fantasy and fairytale. 

Leonora Pruner uses words well in her storytelling.  She was very descriptive without being overly wordy.  I was able to imagine being in the cave overlooking the castle and felt like I could almost touch the wet walls of the tunnels. As for the tunnels,  I thought it was funny when Samson made Anne remove her hoopskirt so that she could fit in the tunnels. ~ After having to wear some of the dreaded things myself, I can't imagine NOT wanting to take them off at any given moment.  Of course Anne is much more of a lady than I could ever be..

While I wasn't completely thrilled with the excess of Biblical references and the growing religious feel towards the end of the book, I still recommend it as a very good fictional story.  I think most readers will enjoy the nice love story, the slight paranormal/magic elements and the message of acceptance and tolerance that pervades the tale.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon 

Leonora Pruner

While born in Dubuque, Iowa, Leonora Pruner was brought to California by her parents during the Second World War, which has since been her principal residence. In 1953, she graduated from Westmont College then earned an MBA from Pepperdine University in 1981. Having married in 1953, she has seen her family expand from two children to thirteen grandchildren and five great- grandchildren.


Writing has been an important activity since junior high. In the late ‘60s, an eighteenth-century English character on The Wonderful World of Disney, captivated her interest. The desire to create a variation of him, led to five years of extensive research, followed by the publication of two period novels in 1981 and 1987, Love’s Secret Storm, and Love’s Silent Gift. Feeling that all that research should be reused, eighteenth-century England continues as a setting for her work.

From 1987 to 1997, she lived in the Republic of Maldives collecting folklore and teaching economics and computer science. While there, she wrote the first drafts of Close to His Heart and The Aerie of the Wolf on her computer.

You can visit Nordskog Publishing to learn more about Leonora as well as see what other bloggers are saying about In the Aerie of the Wolf.

Read an excerpt  and check out the other bloggers participating in the tour.

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Blood Memories by Barb Hendee

TITLE:    Blood Memories
AUTHOR:    Barb Hendee
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 243 pages
PUBLISHED:   Roc, 2008
SOURCE:   Purchased myself

FROM GOODREADS:    Eleisha Clevon has the face of a teen angel, but she is no angel. Unlike most vampires, she doesn’t like to kill, but self-preservation comes first.

When an old friend destroys himself by walking into sunlight right in front of her, Eleisha is shocked. And what she finds afterwards points to how very sick of his existence her friend had become—piling drained corpses in the basement and keeping records of other vampires’ real names and addresses. That’s a problem.

Because now, there are policemen on the case: two very special humans with some gifts of their own. They know who Eleisha is, and, even more dangerous, what she is.
MY TAKE:  This book was first published in 1998 and has been reprinted.  There are two more books in print with two scheduled in the next year or so.  Barb Hendee is the author of The Noble Dead saga as well as The Vampire Memories series.

With all of the sexy, sparkly teenage vampire stories out there right now, this was a welcome change in the genre.  Eleisha and her fellow vamps were much more cerebral, darker and maybe "realistic"?  This was a very nice change of pace from the love triangles and teen angst.  This was a short book that read very quickly.  There was a lot of action and drama that kept me turning the pages. 

The characters were quite interesting.  Besides Eleisha, I really enjoyed Maggie, Wade and eventually even Phillip.  They added quite a bit to the story.  In some small ways, this reminded me a bit of Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire.  I think it was probably because of the dependant relationships the vampires shared.

Enjoyable book that I think most vampire fans will enjoy - especially if you're looking for something a little less sparkly.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon and The Book Depository

The Vampire Memories Series

  

 
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.