Review: Spiraled Byendra Elliot

Title: Spiraled
Author: Kendra Elliot
Source: Amazon

Blurb:

Wall Street Journal Bestseller

FBI Special Agent Ava McLane solves crimes; she doesn’t witness them. When she’s trapped in a mall without her weapon as a shooter picks off victims, she hides with a wounded teen and prays for her survival.

But that’s only the beginning…

An epidemic of mass shootings has swept across Oregon. The young shooters terrify the public, committing random murders before taking their own lives. The task force assembled to solve the case—which includes Ava’s boyfriend, detective Mason Callahan—remains stumped. And on top of this chaos, Ava’s troubled twin sister reappears, throwing Ava’s already-tumultuous life into a tailspin.

An old-fashioned cop with a strong sense of duty, Mason struggles to find the cause of the shootings as workaholic Ava spins ever closer to breaking down. But can one detective save the lives of countless innocents—and prevent the woman he loves from going over the edge?

Review:

This is seriously one of my favorite series, book three was just as good as the first two books. What I really like about this series is it strictly follows one couple but it isn't the same ole same ole every time.

I love when authors keep characters in a series constantly because then you can really learn the characters and they become more alive to you.

This author has a talent of making the words on the page appear in your mind just like a movie. It was really was a great read.

Solid 5 star, I've already started book four and I can't wait to see what new adventures happen

Sunday Review: Sage Blog Tours Presents: The Cypress Trap: A Suspense Thriller by JC Gatlin

Title: The Cypress Trap
Author: JC Gatlin
Source: Given in exchange for an honest review
Purchase: AMAZON

Blurb

What if your spouse was not who you thought he was and you got caught up in murder mystery you had no control over? This best-seller suspense thriller draws you in to not only Rayanne and Owen's failing marriage, but also their nightmarish last ditch getaway on a Georgia lake. It is a heart-thumping story of betrayal, brokenness, and horror where the protagonists do all they can to stay alive. 

Check out this stand-alone story in a murder mystery series that will make you think twice about going on a camping trip. 

Review

What an interesting book! It was a very different mystery and I always love different when its one of those books you just can't stop reading.

This cover made me question my sanity on reading. I usually look for something more catching but I was just curious on what on earth a Rabbit could have to do with a mystery.

Stand alone stories are always my favorites because it pulls you into the authors style but doesn't over play the characters.

If you like stand alone mysteries, or mysteries in general I think you will like this one.

While I'm only giving it 4 stars that isn't really for anything other than I just felt like a few things could have been more tight in the writing and story. It is a very solid book and I don't think anyone should pass it up if mystery is your thing.

Sunday Review: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Title: Sharp Objects
Author: Gillian Flynn
Source: Purchased
Buy Links: AMAZON

BLURB

WICKED above her hipbone, GIRL across her heart
Words are like a road map to reporter Camille Preaker’s troubled past. Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, Camille’s first assignment from the second-rate daily paper where she works brings her reluctantly back to her hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls.

NASTY on her kneecap, BABYDOLL on her leg
Since she left town eight years ago, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed again in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille is haunted by the childhood tragedy she has spent her whole life trying to cut from her memory.

HARMFUL on her wrist, WHORE on her ankle
As Camille works to uncover the truth about these violent crimes, she finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Clues keep leading to dead ends, forcing Camille to unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past to get at the story. Dogged by her own demons, Camille will have to confront what happened to her years before if she wants to survive this homecoming.

With its taut, crafted writing, Sharp Objects is addictive, haunting, and unforgettable.



REVIEW

It has been a long time since I picked up a physical paperback book and just sat in bed staying up way to late reading. BUT! That is exactly what I did with this book. It was just a faced paced but still detail orientated book. The characters were so impacting. Any mental disorder you could think of I think was touched on by these characters and it was fantastic.

Not that disorders are fantastic but how they were woven into everyday life by seemingly everyday people was great. These characters COULD have been your girls next door or your boy next door growing up.

As much as I LOVED this book, and I did. I did not like the ending. It was very very quick like all the sudden we had to wrap every story line up with a nice neat bow and then we are done. Which made me feel robbed as a reader. It was like why have all this awesome detail and story and build up if you're just going to cheap out in the end.

But overall I would read another book by this author anytime. Because I felt so robbed by the ending I'm only going to give this book 4 stars. But it was still a fantastic read!

Sunday Review: : Let's Talk About Tickling by Veronica Frances

Title: Let's Talk About Tickling
Author: Veronica Frances
Source: Received in exchange for an honest review
Purchase Link: AMAZON

BLURB

Let's Talk About Tickling is an honest, straightforward discussion about tickling. Discover the many different aspects of tickling the fantasies, the realities, the many paradoxes of the tickling fetish and how to come to terms with ones own sensuality. A refreshing and very welcome find, Let's Talk About Tickling is for anyone who wishes to expand their awareness of tickling and other related fetishes. This book will be of great interest to anyone who wants to get in touch with their sensual self, whether they have a tickling fetish or not. Author Veronica Frances offers her readers the chance to improve their relationships in and out of the bedroom by shining a light on the powerful significance of tickling. She reminds us that tickling is not merely the whisper of a feather on the flesh. It is an echo that calls us from deep within, beckoning us to listen and respond.

REVIEW

When I was asked to review this book it didn't click that this was a non-fiction. I don't typically read those books.

So please keep that in mind while you read this review.

I thought the quality of the writing itself was some of the best I've read all year. This author wrote very cleanly and there wasn't any moments of confusion or potential for confusion for readers I thought.

However with all those positives ... this just wasn't the book for me. I feel like I learned a lot and def don't regret spending my time reading it. I just really got the confirmation that I am not a non-fiction kinda gal.

Overall I'm going to give this 4 stars. I really think the writing quality was good and I think if non-fiction was my thing this would be a slam dunk. But since it isn't my thing I just cant give it 5 stars.

Sunday Review: So Much More by Janet Gibbs

Title: So Much More
Author: Janet Gibbs
Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review
Purchase Link: AMAZON

Blurb

Three young women live in Morristown, New Jersey in 1902, the home of more millionaires than Newport.

Alice Hastings is an accomplished painter but her devoted, widowed father insists she marry a young man from town.

Francesca Dunbar has a secret which she longs to tell. Her parents spoil their only child and keep their past hidden lest it shake up this small conservative town.

Claire Armstrong is headstrong and opinionated and comes from a boisterous family of daughters. Her father is intent on having at least one of them marry well, but Claire has other ideas.

The arrival of Sir William Barrett, a charming English aristocrat adds to the confusion of these three women. Alice’s childhood friend, Richard Dickerson, is at a loss to declare his love since he loves another. Alice, Claire and Francesca take different paths to happiness and so much more.


Review

This was a refreshing break from the typical stories I have been reading. I always enjoy a good period piece and this one seemed like it had a lot of research done in order to bring out very believable characters. The writing was easy to read and the plot was solid. It is always good when you read a new author and find their work so enjoying you want to pick up the next book.

This was a solid 4 stars. A good read for a nice quiet weekend.

Enchanted Book Promotions Presents: Capturing the Muse by Madison Avery

Title: Capturing the Muse

Author: Madison Avery

Genre: New Adult Erotic Romance / Collection

In this mixed genre, erotica collection, Capturing the Muse, find out just how far these writers are willing to go to gain back their creativity, or keep it from shattering their perfect world.

Through tragedy, life lessons, mentorship, and even a hint of the paranormal, these writers will find one thing in common, steamy romance comes with consequences.

 Luck Be a Penny:

A bestselling author is unable to finish her series, and figures out the kindness she shows to a stranger can unleash more than just the plot to her upcoming book.

Dances with Muses:

One writer discovers the prince charming she created might just be better than the real thing. But coping with her delusions of the perfect romance interfere with the reality of real life.

Filling in the Blanks:

When a Muse doesn’t know she’s lost, a connection with a writer yearning for inspiration, brings her story to life.

Bookstores and Dreams:

Believing a “how-to guide” is the key to her success, a burgeoning writer will have to trust a handsome bookstore owner when a devastating accident turns her life upside.

Beneath the Inhibitions:

A depressed author collides with a prolific editor during a literary conference. And a one-night-stand becomes a source for new material, and regaining her confidence.

Capturing the Muse, Volume 1 in the Courting the Muse Series, will leave you breathless, aroused and inspired.

Review

Capturing the Muse was an alright book. I liked the concept and the blurb interested me with the collection of short stories. But the problem with short stories is everything moves so quickly.

I think had each story been more of a novella, so the characters could have been better developed and you could have spent more time with them it would have been better.

The writing style was easy to follow and the plots were decently done, even if they needed to be longer.

If you like short stories, then you will probably like this book. It takes a special kind of reader to enjoy short stories since they go by so quickly.

I give this book 3.5 stars.

Author Bio

Madison Avery doesn’t kiss and tell. Except when it comes to writing. She lives in Red Deer, Alberta, where she spends way too much time reading, writing and avoiding house work.

Capturing the Muse is her first foray into the world of erotica, but where she feels right at home.

You can find Madison, and her counterpart, Yong Adult Novelist, Avery Olive, on many social media sites like Facebook, Twitter (@AveryOlive), Tumblr, Goodreads and on her website, http://www.averyolive.blogspot.com, which is currently under construction 

Author on Facebook

Facebook Fan Page

Twitter

Goodreads

Links

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Amazon US

Amazon CN

Amazon UK

iBooks

Sunday Review: THE GHOUL ARCHIPELAGO by Stephen Kozeniewski

Title: The Ghoul Archipelago
By: Stephen Kozeniewski
Source: Received in exchange for an honest review
Purchase: AMAZON

Blurb

After ravenous corpses topple society and consume most of the world’s population, freighter captain Henk Martigan is shocked to receive a distress call. Eighty survivors beg him to whisk them away to the relative safety of the South Pacific. Martigan wants to help, but to rescue anyone he must first pass through the nightmare backwater of the Curien island chain. A power struggle is brewing in the Curiens. On one side, the billionaire inventor of the mind-control collar seeks to squeeze all the profit he can out of the apocalypse. Opposing him is the charismatic leader of a ghoul-worshipping cargo cult. When a lunatic warlord berths an aircraft carrier off the coast and stakes his own claim on the islands, the stage is set for a bloody showdown. To save the remnants of humanity (and himself), Captain Martigan must defeat all three of his ruthless new foes and brave the gruesome horrors of...THE GHOUL ARCHIPELAGO.

Review

This was a weird one for me. I looked at the cover and shuddered and was like um no way am I going to read this book. Then I read the blurb and thought about it. I needed to expand my horizon again. I've been bogged down with the same boring blahness in reading for a while and thought why not give it a try.

I am really glad I gave this book a second glance. This was very different and extremely enjoyable. I really liked the authors writing style and this whole plot of the novel

It is different than anything you've read before.

When I saw the print book price I thought oh this is a tad much, then I read it. This is deff a book that is worth the price listed.

And if you're a Kindle Unlimited member its free. There is literally no reason to not go out and try something new.

Because even if you are into zombies (I've read all of like 3 Zombie books so I may be wrong on this) this premise and story line is different! It is unique and it is refreshing!

I highly recommend this book!

4.5 Stars

Sunday Review: Sage Blog Tours Presents Yeager's Law by Scott Bell

Title: Yeager's Law
Author: Scott Bell
Source: Given to me in exchange for an honest review
Purchase: AMAZON


BLURB

Abel Yeager is dead broke, down on his luck, and suffering from a serious case of what-the-hell-does-it-matter. His transition from active Marine to stateside long-haul trucker hit a wicked speed bump when his rig was involved in a wreck that claimed the life of a pregnant woman and laid him up for several months. Back at work but deeply in debt, Yeager meets bookstore owner Charlie Buchanan in St. Louis and jumps at the chance to haul a load of remainder books to Austin for her. On the way south, a crew of truck thieves tracks his every move. But none of them know what Charlie’s ex has smuggled inside the book pallets, who he stole it from, or how far the owner will go to get it back. Charlie’s the first person Yeager has cared about in a long time, but as their bond deepens, so does the danger they’re in. With enemy forces closing in, Yeager battles greed, corruption, and his own fatalism in a bid to hold true to Yeager’s First Law: come home at the end of the day.

REVIEW

This was a refreshing story that started out a little different.


At first I thought the massive beat down that Abel provided these thieves was a bit much but then I realized it was just the set up to the rest of this great book.


The flow was very well written. I didn't feel like there were any holes in the plot or that the speed went too fast or too slow.

The Author did a nice job of painting this world and bringing the characters to life.


I enjoyed the dynamic between everyone and the main characters. I think that for a suspense it was very enjoyable.

Even if you don't like suspense you should try this one because overall it really pulled me out of my day to day world and helped me just relax and enjoy a good book.

Sunday Review: Cinderella’s Enchanted Night by Amber Daulton

Title: Cinderella's Enchanted Night
Author: Amber Daulton
Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review
Purchase Link: AMAZON

Blurb

Annalise Gallagher wanted Elijah Burleigh. Plain and simple. She’d watched him from afar for months, her friends called her ‘his own personal stalker’, and then she made a wish on a magic pendant for a full-body makeover. Transformed into the gorgeous knockout she’d always wanted to be, she asked Elijah out on a date and wore a haute couture gown straight from Paris to his friend’s wedding.
With just twenty-four hours on the clock, her enchanted night faded into the morning hours and everything crashed down around her. Annalise harbored a shameful secret and Elijah demanded the truth with the veil of magic gone.
The truth, however, could destroy her fragile confidence and push him away forever.


Review

This is the third or fourth book that I have read of Ms Daulton's and I have to say I can really see an improvement in her writing style.

When she asked me to review her novella I happily said yes. I've always found her stories easy to follow and easy to give you a smile.

This time her story did more than just make me smile, it made me really like the characters.

Novella's are hard because you have a short amount of time to cram a lot of emotion into the pages.

Amber did a really good job of that in this novella. Better than the other books I had read in the past.

I was very glad that I agreed to review this book because it was a delightful little read.

4 stars to the light and sweet novella romance!

Sunday Review: No More Black Magic by A.L. Kessler

Title: No More Black Magic
Author: A. L. Kessler
Source: Purchased on Amazon
Purchase Link: AMAZON

Blurb

Explosions, body parts, and black magic are all part of Abby Collins’ typical day. As the top Paranormal Investigation Bureau agent, she only gets the best cases, but when the Cult of Ra comes to play she might be in over her head. Finding a murderer while up against a hex, an overprotective coven, and a stubborn werewolf reminds her that nothing in the paranormal world is easy. As the death toll rises and a decades old crime, linked to Abby, is uncovered, disturbing information is brought to light. Abby must unlock an ancient language steeped in black magic to uncover the truth before the murderer comes for her.


Review


Do you know that feeling when you have an author that writes a series that you totally love and they come up with something new and you're scared about not liking it? That's exactly the feeling I had when Ms Kessler told me about her new series. Of course I wanted to support her. I love her DWC series and when you love an author you support them.

So I got No More Black Magic.

I am happy to report that I was very much captivated by the first chapter with this novel. It had a very Kim Harrison feel with better character development.

The different players in this world each were easy to see in my mind as the story unfolded. I really enjoyed the drama and the push and pull of Abby and the PIB mixed in with the Vampire and Wolves.

A.L. did a fantastic job building a world from scratch and I really cannot wait for the next novel.

With all of the reviews I have been doing this year I really had begun to become burned out with indie novels because it seemed each one I had been given to review dragged on, wasn't edited or just wasn't captivating me. And then this gem popped up.

Thank god for Abby and her crazy and wild life!!

This was a 5 star wonder because a wonderful story like this deserves as many stars as I can give.

Sunday Review: Sage Blog Tours Presents: Unholy Bargain by Travis Hallden Holt

Title: Unholy Bargain
Author: Travis Hallden Holt
Source: Received a copy in exchange for an honest review
Purchase Link: AMAZON

Blurb:

An assassin is at work—one of the best in the trade. His body turned to dust long ago, but his spirit roams the Earth freely, undetectable to the five senses. He stalks his victims waiting for just the right opportunity. Then, in quick succession, he possesses a human host and strikes down his quarry. For a century and a half he has served this way.

Deputy Sheriff Nate Barrington is riding the crest of a new relationship. Kaitlyn Spencer is beautiful, altruistic, enlightened—everything he's not. She teaches classes in New Age philosophy at her growing school. Nate doesn't share her spirituality, but the physical passion hasn't subsided enough for him to care.

Nate's nirvana quickly unravels when Kaitlyn's life is threatened on two separate occasions. With no apparent motive or any evidence suggesting collusion, the police are stumped. Even more troubling to Nate, Kaitlyn is eventually convinced she is the target of unseen forces.

A hardheaded pragmatist, Nate isn't prone to believe that spirits can possess people. As far as he's concerned, Kaitlyn's claims of perpetrators possessed by a spirit assassin are on par with comic book stories and have nothing to do with reality, and her esoteric, New Age mumbo jumbo begins to drive a wedge into their relationship. And why Kaitlyn? What secret is she hiding?

Even with the sheriff's resources at Nate's disposal, the odds for Kaitlyn's survival are not in her favor. The true enemy is virtually invisible, and Nate's conventional police tactics have no effect on the spirit world. Strikes come from anytime, anywhere, and from random, unwittingly manipulated people. With their relationship buckling under the strain, they must pull together and join an unlikely ally if Kaitlyn is to remain alive.


Review:

Wow ... I gotta say I wasn't sure what to expect but this wasn't it! What a REFRESHING book!!!

I really enjoyed this one.

Okay lets see where to start ...

First I loved that there were multiple story lines all mingled into one. I really enjoyed the equal balance of different characters all while it happened concurrently.

I would have liked to have seen more backstory on each character some because I really enjoyed them all and felt like because it was so shared you missed out on other things regarding their lives.

The writing style was very easy to follow and kept at a steady pace. I didn't really feel like there were any lag times or things that just didn't need to be in the story. Very tight editing.

What I really enjoyed was how different this story was. The whole spiritual possession and all of that, very good!

I am so glad I agreed to review this book because for so long it felt like there had been a slue of disappointing books. And then this came along.

4.5 stars for a great story!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sage Blog Tours Presents: Pennies for the Damned by Edward Lorn

Title Pennies for the Damned
Author Edward Lorn
Source Received in exchange for an honest review
Purchase Link AMAZON


BLURB

Ex-hitman Larry Laughlin got out of Mexico alive, but now he’s a haunted man. The final step to laying his ghosts to rest requires killing his newly paroled father. Before he can take action, a trio of killers break into Larry’s house, and he overhears their scheme to murder his brother, Jaime. Old habits kick in, and Larry emerges the sole survivor. But while he’s gathering hidden funds to finance his plans, he’s ambushed by an abused teen named Brooklyn, who refuses to be left behind. Larry and Brooklyn set out to save his brother and complete his patricidal task, but one misstep drops yet another aching tragedy on Larry’s burdened shoulders. Nearly mad with his hunger for vengeance, Larry seeks his final nemesis in the heart of New York City. But what he finds will threaten more than just his life: Larry Laughlin damned himself long ago.


REVIEW

When I read the blurb for this book I got really excited. I love hitman type stories and thought this would be a good addition.

I selected correctly. The story is in first person and you know how I love first person. It is so easy to be drawn in.

The writing style felt different than my normal authors but that isn't a bad thing. One of the good things about branching out and reading new people.

Before I agreed to review this book I looked up some of the other reviews about this author and he seems to be very well liked. I can understand why.

I always love books where the main character has a bit of issues. If you like books like that too then I recommend this one. I don't think you will be let down.

4 solid stars for this book.

Sunday Review: HEA Book Tours Presents: NOLA'S OWN series by Kelli Jean

Over The Hills and Far Away
AMAZON

Kenna MacGregor was raised to believe that music is the language of the soul. That life is a song, pulsing with beats and rhythms, harmonizing the inner spirit with the energy of the universe. In a fated moment, she discovers the one person whose music reaches deep into her being, speaking to her in ways no one else ever could. He is the dominating, larger-than-life, in-your-face Phil Deveraux. He's the lead singer of her favorite band and her adolescent fantasy. She's just a face in the crowd. A face Phil is destined to see and never forget. Their lips touch, igniting an inferno-hot passion--awakening an incredible spiritual connection between them--melding their souls in ways neither of them could foresee. Time stands still for Kenna and Phil and real life relentlessly thrusts them in different directions, while they each cling to that one moment when their destiny was sealed with a kiss.


No Quarter
AMAZON


Kenna
“All of his pain, I was always the cause of it. Even if indirectly. All roads led to Kenna, I supposed.”
My Madman brings me to life—but it comes at a price. I’m the one who faces his demons when they decide to crawl out of the hell inside his head.
One thing is certain: it’s not my forgiveness that is needed. Phil must forgive himself before there’s chance for us. I’m afraid he won’t be able to. What will I have then?
Without him, I’m just existing.


Phil
"Looking back now, I think I wanted to scare her a little, wanted to see if she'd run screaming from the demons in me."
My Baby Girl owns me. Always has, always will. My heart beats for her, my soul is only half without her. Then The Madman surfaces and rips into her. My demons are threatening to rip us apart.
I'm going to lose her, lose my only dream, the only future I'll accept.
How do I fix this? She speaks of forgiveness. Deep down, I'm afraid I'm too weak to find it.
Kenna is strong enough to walk away from us. She’s giving me No Quarter.


REVIEW

This is going to be a review of the series.

I was given both in exchange for an honest review.

This series was complicated for me to write about. There were some excellent things. For example, the authors writing style was very fluid. The plot seemed to be solid and didn't really leave me 'wanting' lots more of unfinished business. I like books like that - that have clear cut beginning middle and ends and tie up all lose ends, or as many as possible.

What has me struggling with this series is there was just so much sex. And while I love good sex scenes I felt like these sex scenes weren't there for real purpose but just because. It felt very much inundated with them and it was just too much for me.

I've read the reviews others have posted and I can see why it has so many 5 stars. I very much can see how some readers love these types of books. And maybe it just isn't for me in that sense.

And that's okay.

Overall I'm going to give this one 3.5 Stars.

I am going to chalk up my issues to it just not being my cup of tea because the writing itself was well done.

Sunday Review: A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

Title A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES
Author Diana Gabaldon
Source Purchased on Amazon
Purchase Link AMAZON


BLURB

Since the initial publication of Outlander fifteen years ago, Diana Gabaldon’s New York Times bestselling saga has won the hearts of readers the world over — and sold more than twelve million books. Now, A Breath of Snow and Ashes continues the extraordinary story of 18th-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his 20th-century wife, Claire.

The year is 1772, and on the eve of the American Revolution, the long fuse of rebellion has already been lit. Men lie dead in the streets of Boston, and in the backwoods of North Carolina, isolated cabins burn in the forest.

With chaos brewing, the governor calls upon Jamie Fraser to unite the backcountry and safeguard the colony for King and Crown. But from his wife Jamie knows that three years hence the shot heard round the world will be fired, and the result will be independence — with those loyal to the King either dead or in exile. And there is also the matter of a tiny clipping from The Wilmington Gazette, dated 1776, which reports Jamie’s death, along with his kin. For once, he hopes, his time-traveling family may be wrong about the future.

REVIEW

Thank God I'm finally done!! This series is just TOO MUCH! I hate that I keep reading and can't stop. I don't get why the author does such horrible things to her characters!!!

More importantly I don't understand, WHY I CAN'T STOP!!  I can put the book down for spurts. You almost have too with the amount of insanity that happens. But I HAVE to finish the book. I can't just, walk away from it.

It is probably something to do with the fact I've spent over 220 hours with these characters and I have become vest3ed in their lives.

But why does this author have to be SO DAMN CRUEL TO THEM!?!?!?

If I was one of her characters and met her, I'd probably strangle her.

I mean the amount of horrid things that happen to them is just crazy.

At this point in the story lines EVERY main character of this series has been raped. Except one.

RAPED!

How much bloody rape does one freaking series need???!?!?! Do you HAVE to defile each and every one of them???

I have started book 7 and I already regret it ... but I will save that for the next review....

4 stars because I just can't stop reading ... even though I want too.

Sunday Review: Sage Blog Tours Presents: An Ordinary Magic by Jason Thibeault

Title An Ordinary Magic

Author Jason Thibeault

Source Received from author in exchange for an honest review

Purchase Link AMAZON
BLURB
A new sorcerer has moved into La Croix, upsetting the tranquility of the other otherwise idyllic Caribbean fishing village. But Panon, the town's priest, can't afford to waste time wondering about the newcomer. He needs to concentrate on fixing his relationship with his son, Jaime, who has been called by Dela Luamba, a powerful spirit, to join the church. The problem? Jaime doesn't believe in magic or the spirits anymore. To protect his son from a potentially terrible punishment, Panon must hide the truth from Dela while he tries to make everything right. But when Panon trades for a bit of magic guaranteed to help Jaime believe again, everything goes horribly wrong, turning Panon's world upside down. Drawn into an epic struggle of good versus evil with the mysterious sorcerer, Panon, Jaime, and the whole town must battle the walking dead, malicious spirits, and potent Voodoo. It's up to Panon to discover the only power capable of saving his son...and redeeming himself. An Ordinary Magic is a fast-paced, entertaining, and thought-provoking work of literary magic realism.

REVIEW

This author did a very good job of writing a very different book. It felt like a story within a story. It takes a magic story and brings a whole new feel and element to that world.

I really didn't know what to expect. When I read the blurb i simply thought hmm could be interesting.

I was pleasantly surprised to see how much I enjoyed this one.

I listened to it via my Kindle on the drive to and from work. It made the time fly by and I was curious as to what kept happening in the story.

Now it was slightly hard listening to the Kindle read to me because like I said it felt like there was a story inside the story itself. I don't know if that's what it actually was or not but I really liked it.

This story didn't suck me in right away. It took me about a day and a half of listening to it. But once I was in, I was in.

Overall this was a 4 star book! Had it not been quit so confusing about the book inside the book at the start I probably would have gotten hooked sooner and it would have been a 4.5 star.

Sunday Review: The Writers Coffee Shop Presents: Matronly Duties by Melissa Kendall

Release Date: May 21 , 2015

Published by The Writers Coffee Shop

Genre:  FICTION / Romance / General / Science Fiction ISBN e-book:    978-1-61213-369-0

Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH

 

~~REVIEW~~

 

This writing was very enjoying. There was excellent character development and the fact that the author kept my attention was much kudos.

 

There wasn't anything inherently wrong with the story itself but it didn't suck me in 100% of the way so I can only give it a 4 star. It may have been my fault since I've been quite distracted. So I think that this is an off shoot on my part.

 

This story had a lot of very positive things inside of it. I'd like to read another story by this author. I know this one was a sequel so when the next one comes out I def would give it a shot!

 

 

 

 

~~SUMMARY~~

Hundreds of years after an asteroid slammed into Earth and sent it into a new ice age, what remains of the human race lives on in underground sanctuaries. Now, as the bicentennial anniversary of the impact approaches, a new leader prepares to take her place at the head of the government. At least, that’s what she thinks.

Bethanie Greene’s life has been planned out for her since the age of thirteen. Beautiful and intelligent, she’s spent the last twelve years training to become the next Matron of the underground nation of Oceania. But when Bethanie is kidnapped by rogue extremists just six weeks shy of taking office, her world is turned upside down by the handsome stranger who rescues her.

Howard James’ life has been the polar opposite of Bethanie’s. Struggling to survive in a world where those in power wished he didn’t exist, he harbors a deep-seated resentment of the government and all its representatives. Together with his unconventional family, he shows Bethanie a life she never knew was possible, while at the same time, opening her eyes to the injustices of the government she is meant to lead.

But can she trust a stranger? And can a few days change everything she believes and desires? Against all odds, Bethanie must decide if her heart and her duties can coexist.

 

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~~EXCERPT~~

My body shakes at the thought of what could have happened to me yet again. I’ve heard stories about the slums, and I have to take a few deep breaths to calm myself.

“I was silly running away, I get it. I just couldn’t stay in your home any longer.”

Howard sighs. “Just because my parents raised us with traditionalist values doesn’t mean we are anything like the Trads. You accused us of being a drain on society, but you don’t even know us.”

“You’re right, I don’t. But you don’t know me either. If you did, you would understand why it’s hard for me to understand your way of life. It goes against every law, moral, and convention I’ve been taught. So I can’t be sorry for what I said, even if I’m sorry I ran out of the house.”

Howard takes a deep breath, then exhales long and slow. The expression on his face looks a bit like pity but with a dash of guilt mixed in. “Look, maybe I’ve judged you unfairly based on preconceived notions, but—”

A loud bang echoes outside. Howard glances at me with a panicked look on his face, and then pulls me off the crate onto the floor behind. I sit up, and turn to yell at him, but male voices outside keep my mouth closed. I instead huddle closer to Howard as he puts his hand around my shoulders. He pulls me in until I’m tucked against him.

“Did you see where she went?” a man’s voice asks.

“Nah, she just vanished.” The voice of this one sounds young.

“Damn, the boss isn’t going to be pleased about this.”

The crunch of shoes against pavement indicates they are on the move again. The sounds trail off until they’re no longer audible. I sigh in relief, all the tension fleeing my body.

“Are you okay?’ Howard asks, rubbing my shoulder.

I glance up, only then noticing how little space is between us. His blue eyes have flecks of grey in them, and there’s a smattering of freckles covering his nose and cheeks. His warm breath tickles my cheek almost like a caress, and his jaw has the barest hint of a five o’clock shadow. He really is captivating.

“I’m fine,” I eventually say, the words a mere whisper.

The butterflies in my stomach return with a vengeance. Howard licks his lips as they turn up ever so slightly in a smile.

“Good.”

I can’t stop the sigh that slips past my own lips. Howard leans forward a little, then moves closer still until his mouth is pressed against mine. I don’t dare move. A zing of something, I’m not sure whether it’s pleasure or fear, shoots through me. His lips are soft and wet, and the sensation is unlike anything I’ve felt before. I can’t even decide if I want him to continue or stop. When he pulls away though, a feeling of disappointment bubbles up inside me.

My first kiss.

Goosebumps cover me from head to toe, and unbidden, my fingers move to my lips. Glancing at Howard, he stares at me for a minute, then moves to sit further away.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

I shrug. “It’s okay.”

Howard frowns and then looks across the room.

Part of Matron training is learning not to form close relationships. It doesn’t mean it never happens. I’ve heard the odd story here and there from the other women, and I realise that’s probably what Gail was trying to tell me at breakfast the other day. But in all honesty, I can’t remember the last time I had real physical contact with anyone, above all with a man.

We sit in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes. Tension rolls off Howard in waves.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Come on,” Howard whispers. “We need to get to the house before those guys come back.”

 

~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~

 

Melissa Kendall is an almost forty-year-old mother of two from Perth, Western Australia, the second-most isolated capital city in the world. Predominantly a stay-at-home mum, she works a few hours a week as a software support consultant. She has always loved to read and write, and spent most of her teens writing poetry and short stories. Over the years, daily life got in the way and she lost the passion for it, but after the birth of her first child, Melissa discovered e-books and her interest in writing rekindled. She is now the author of two published short stories. Matronly Duties is her first full-length novel.

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