Monthly Archives:: October 2013

Review: Halloween: Magic, Mystery, and the Macabre by Paula Guran (Editor), Laird Barron, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Norman Partridge, John Shirley, Carrie Vaughn, Maria V. Snyder

October 29, 2013 Uncategorized 5

Magic, Mystery, and the Macabre by Paula Guran (Editor), Laird Barron, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Norman Partridge, John Shirley, Carrie Vaughn, Maria V. Snyder

Published September 11th 2013 by Prime
Books
Paperback, 380 pages
Series: Stand-Alone


Genre: Anthologies


Heat Level:

Source: From the Publisher through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads 

Some Mature Content and language Advisory

Summary from Goodreads

The farther we’ve gotten from the magic
and mystery of the past, the more we’ve come to love Halloween - the
one time each year when the mundane is overturned in favor of the
bizarre, the “other side” is closest, and everyone can
become anyone (or anything) they wish… and sometimes what they
don’t. Introducing nineteen original stories from mistresses and
masters of the dark celebrate the most fantastic, enchanting, spooky,
and supernatural of holidays.

Okay I have to admit, when I saw the
title I was so excited to get my hands on a Halloween book, as it
happens to be one of my favorite holidays of the season and who
doesn’t enjoy a bunch of Halloween stories? Well, when I cracked it
open I only then realized it was an a bunch of anthologies and it
made me cringe because I knew exactly how this was going to go… and
I was right.
Not all of it made me cringe, some of
the stories have been actually well put together. I don’t normally
dislike anthologies, I just don’t read a lot of them based on the
type of writing they are. Some of the stories in the book confused me
with either the writing or the ending, and quiet a bit of them ended
abruptly. There was a handful of creepy ones and the rest where just
okay.

Aside from Carrie Vaughn, Maria V. Snyder and Jonathan
Maberry I think the rest of the authors for the most part are new to me. I liked discovering some of the new authors and one of my
favorite stories in the book which was The Mummy’s Kiss was by an
author that I have never heard of before.
Looking at it now, I can see how this
book would have an appeal to people who would want to pick up a
Halloween short stories book that enjoy anthologies. I guess my
biggest pet peeve is the fact that most of the stories that I was
enjoying ended too quickly, and I ended up wanting more.
I would still recommend this to the
paranormal fans that don’t mind short stories or anthologies, because
in the end, this book is kind of nice for the holiday!

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Review: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen #1) by Joanne Fluke

October 27, 2013 Uncategorized 3

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen #1) by Joanne Fluke

Published September 1st 2006 by Kensington

(first published April 1st 2000)
Hardcover, 436 pages
Series: Hannah Swensen


Genre: Cozy Mystery


Heat Level: Clean-Read

Source: Borrowed 
Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads 

Summary from Goodreads

Hannah Swensen already has her hands
full, between dodging her mother’s attempts to marry her off, and
running Lake Eden, Minnesota’s most popular bakery, The Cookie Jar.
But when the Cozy Cow Dairy’s beloved deliveryman is found murdered
behind Hannah’s bakery with her famous Chocolate Chip Crunchies
scattered around him, Hannah sets out to track down a killer. The
more Hannah snoops, the more suspects turn up. This is one murder
that’s starting to leave a very bad taste in Hannah’s mouth, and if
she doesn’t watch her back, her sweet life may get burned to a crisp.

 
So I was in the mood for a cozy mystery
again. Lately I really been enjoying them. They really are a nice way
to kick back and relax and just enjoy what you are reading without
much hassle. If you can find one that you don’t want to shout at.
It’s getting cold outside here, and while waiting for the snow the
cozy is just another perfect book to read while huddling under the
covers.
The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder was
just the right book. I did find it terrific. When her delivery man
turns up dead in the back of her cookie shop, Hannah sets out on the
mission to find the killer and help her brother-in-law Bill serve the
murder.
First, this book had a cookie shop so
right away there was a lot of talk about cookies in the book. I
couldn’t help it, most of them sounded yummy as well. I loved the
fact that there was a cookie recipe every few chapters after the
characters talks about the type of cookies she had made through the
book. I had to write them down as they sound absolutely delicious,
especially with the holiday season around the corner. I am always on
a look out for new cookie recipes to try out, even if my hips might
scream otherwise.
The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder was a
delightful start to the series. I love Hannah, she is so much fun,
and smart. The fact that her dream job is making cookies put her up
top in my book. Also, the book took place in a small town which is
always a bonus in my opinion for cozy mysteries. I suspect a bunch of
the people we met in this first book will continue to pop up
throughout the series and I already have grown quiet attached to Lake
Eden’s residents!
Like most mysteries it had it’s twists
and turns, and a bit of a predictable ending as far as how the killer
will be discovered – not to who it was. I had to admit, it kept me
guessing till the end.
Also, there is potential for romance
through the series as Hannah manages to rake up two suitors. One is a
dentist that her mothers keeps pushing to set her up with and the
other is a new comer cop who will now be working with her
brother-in-law.
I am looking forward to more of this
series and what other recipes I will discover along the way!
Speaking of cookies. If anyone has any
recipes to share, I’d love to hear them!

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Review: Mafia Girl by Deborah Blumenthal

October 26, 2013 Uncategorized 3

Mafia Girl by Deborah Blumenthal 

Expected publication: March 1st 2014 by Albert Whitman & Company

Hardcover, 256 pages
Series: Stand-alone


Genre: Young-Adult Contemporary


Heat Level: Kissing to Steamy-ish

Source: I got this book for free through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review!
Goodreads 

Some Mature Content Advisory (One scene at the end)

Summary from Goodreads

What’s
in a name? Everything if you have my name.” At her exclusive
Manhattan high school, seventeen-year-old Gia is the most hated/loved
girl in school. Why? Her father doesn’t have a boss. He is the
boss-the capo di tutti cappi, boss of all bosses. Not that Gia
cares. But life gets complicated when she meets a cop she calls
“Officer Hottie” and feels a suprising chemistry. Then
Vogue magazine wants to feature Gia in a fashion spread about
real-life bad girls. On top of this, she’s running for class
president. Can Gia step out from under her dad’s shadow and show
everyone there’s more to her than “Mafia Girl?

 
I jumped back and forth with this book
rating between 2.5 stars and 3 stars. In the end I settled a little.
Growing up in your father’s shadows
isn’t easy, especially if your father happens to be the boss of all
bosses and is suspected of multiple crimes. Gia is a 17-year-old high
school student who attends one of the most prestigious schools in
Manhattan and where half the students either love her or hate her
based on her family name. Not to mention that life is about to get
even more complicated when she meets a cop that she calls “Officer
Hottie” when he arrests her for speeding in a car that isn’t hers.
How do I feel about this book?
On the fence with this one I think. I
like how easy it was to read the book, even thought at times I felt
like I was reading a run on sentence. Gia’s tone grips you from the
beginning of the book and holds on to you till the end. Unfortunately
to me, even thought it was fast paced,she seemed a little immature
for a 17-year old. Some of the things she says and the way she says
them is a bit immaturish sounding to me. – Like What? On top of it
all, there was a lot of caps used to express her feelings when she
got overall excited. And oh my gosh I won’t even go to the
conversations she has with other character’s in the book because
there was a time or two where I was completely put off by her
behavior.
The fact that she was 17-years-old and
chasing a cop well over 21, was a bit awkward for me too. Especially
the fact that they were two very different people and I just couldn’t
find the spark between them. Not to mention that I had a really hard
time believing that someone with his personality is okay with a
teenager who has the personality of a 14 year old. I was once again,
completely put off.
So what did I like?
Besides those two points, the book was
kinda of a nice, easy and relaxing read. I like the theme, the plot
was pretty straight forward as well as Gia goes through everyday
motions of trying to deal with school life along with her family
life. It was interesting to see how it effected her, but at the same
time I was pleasantly surprised by her strength. When the other girls
and kids at school teased her and picked at her and where downright
mean, she was the bigger person.
The thing that saved this book for me
was probably Clive, her best friend. He was just amazing, and his
story itself is heart touching and sad but he kept the book together
for me.
The ending was a bit more emotional and
with a few exceptions I kind of liked it, because the turn of events
really effected Gia I think significantly and where her life would
lead from there.
Overall, it was an easy read. Kind of
enjoyable if you don’t let her ton of voice, some of her behavior,
and the weird cradle-robbing theme get In your way.

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Review: Redemption (Soul #1) by C.J. Barry

October 24, 2013 Uncategorized 6

Redemption (Soul #1) by C.J. Barry

Published October 1st 2013 by Forever Yours

Paperback, 336 pages
Series: Soul


Genre: Adult Paranormal


Heat Level: Kissing to Steamy-ish

Source: I got this book for free through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review!
Amazon | Goodreads 

Mature Content Advisory, must be 18+ 

Summary from Goodreads

Reya
Sinclair is the last person a man sees before he dies. As a Redeemer,
she offers the soon-to-be-departed one last chance to atone for their
sins. It’s a painful job, but it’s her only shot to secure her own
salvation. She won’t let anyone stand in her way-not even a ruggedly
sexy cop hot on her trail. Bound by her duty, Reya must shake him
before he ruins her . . . but her heart can’t seem to let him
go.

Detective
Thane Driscoll has watched too many criminals get away. The man who
murdered his father was no exception. Now Thane carries out his own
brand of justice, even if it means compromising his soul. When a
string of deaths leads him to a beautiful woman in black, he
discovers there’s more to his father’s murder than meets the
eye. 

As
fate brings them closer together, Thane discovers that only Reya’s
touch can calm his rage. Racing to uncover an evil plot, they must
fight together to stop the coming storm. But when the time comes, can
Reya sacrifice her own redemption to save Thane?

 
Reya is a redeemer, her sole mission is
to find the names on the papers before they die and tell them their
sins, then ask them if they wanted to be forgiven before their death.
Unfortunately everyone she talks to dies no sooner after and it
raises red flags for the local cop Thane.
Thane is a good cop, at least in his
mind he has the right purpose. Unfortunately, he goes about the wrong
ways of bringing the bad people to justice.
They come together in order to find the
one responsible for the mysterious deaths in their city and stop them
before it’s too late.
Where do I even begin?
What I liked…
  • Redemption is the first book in a
    paranormal series Soul. So Obviously it comes with good and bad. I
    liked the characters in this one. I actually really liked Reya, for
    most of the book. Some parts left me, not so sure, but she was
    mostly likeable. I thought her job was kind of interesting. She is a
    redeemer in order to guide her own soul towards the right path of
    redemption, so in order to get there she has to help a lot of
    people. Thane was just mostly your typical bad boy. He had the right
    intentions, but he had his ways of going about it. A hard head that
    did things besides people asking him not to.
  • The whole idea behind the book was
    different and I kind of liked it until it got a bit too complicated
    and then downright confusing. I liked that there was so much more to
    the world and the after life in this book. It bought in several
    different layers of life, enlightenment and where your souls can go
    and what they can reach. Especially how everything is bought on by
    Free Will and how people choose their life and purpose before they
    take on their earthly bodies.
  • The relationship between Reya and
    Thane before they got too series. I thought they where great working
    partners.
I was hoping there would be a little
more points then that. But I guess I was wrong. To me the book seemed
largely character driven and it was working great until it spun out
of control.
What I wasn’t so sure about…
  • There was romance in the book, but
    I honestly wasn’t feeling it. I didn’t feel the attraction between
    Thane and Reya and since the romance happened in the end of the book
    where everything was starting to go wrong for me, I guess it might
    have played a big part of it. Honestly I thought they had a better
    working partnership-friendship then they did as lovers. It just
    wasn’t there for me.
  • Is it just me or do some of the
    paranormal book these days have the most irritating theme going for
    them…let’s see.. Like when the hero gets asked to help save the
    world but then they don’t tell him everything he needs to know, so
    he goes into it blindly and then get’s pissed off cause they aren’t
    telling him everything. I understand it’s one thing when he learns
    something no one know, but seriously, Why are they always keeping
    secrets that are bound to come out anyway and just get the main
    character and the reader both angry!? Sorry, but oh gosh was I so
    upset in some parts of the book – especially when these secrets
    had no business being secrets!
  • Thane was a legacy, which was
    briefly explained by what exactly that is, but I don’t feel like I
    knew enough about it – nor did I feel like it played the role it
    should have in the book. Maybe later in the series his powers will
    become more prominent, but given the way the book ended… I don’t
    see how.
  • The ending battle was abrupt and
    made no sense to me. Especially since it ended with literally the
    snap of the fingers… uh… Maybe it just me but the entire second
    half of the book downright confused me.

There was also a lot of faith and I
guess a bit of religious theme going on in this book, which I kind of
don’t mind – but I do like it being separate from my paranormal
reads. Other then that, I guess it has some sort of potential.
Especially if Reya grows stronger, and maybe less touchy feely.

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Review: Hear No (Hidden Evil Trilogy #1) by Lizzy Ford

October 22, 2013 Uncategorized 4

Hear No (Hidden Evil Trilogy #1) by Lizzy Ford

Published October 22nd 2013 by Indie Inked

ebook, 196 pages
Series: Hidden Evil Trilogy


Genre: Paranormal


Heat Level: Steamy

Source: I got this book for free through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review!
Amazon | Goodreads 

Mature Content Advisory, must be 18+ 

Summary from Goodreads

Save the world or save her?

Nathan’s job for the past three thousand years has been to clean up supernatural messes. Jaded, ruthlessly effective and selfless, he’s seen it all and can handle anything - demons, homicidal angels, even bad bosses. 

His latest challenge: A creature named Shadowman is seeking out three keys it believes will open a portal between earth and hell. Nathan must eliminate the human host guiding Shadowman to the keys. Except Nathan isn’t expecting the woman anchoring Shadowman to the human world to be beautiful, innocent and completely unaware of the creature manipulating her. Worse, she makes him feel alive for the first time in his long existence. 

Kaylee convinces herself stress and a tired mind are to blame for the ominous presence following her everywhere. On a routine visit to a client’s workplace, she stumbles across a deaf girl with a supernatural gift who warns Kaylee about Shadowman – and then stabs her. 

No longer able to pretend stress is the problem, Kaylee turns to the mysterious man who promised he can help, only to discover his plans for her may not involve her surviving the ordeal. She has nowhere else to go and no one else to trust. Does she take a chance on Nathan or risk facing Shadowman alone?

 
I have to admit, I picked up this book
on the whim from Netgalley because I could read it now and I was
starving for a paranormal. I was actually pleasantly surprised with
this one. I have not read anything by Lizzy Ford before, but I have
heard great things about her. I walked away with a knowledge of a
new authors, and a brand new series to follow!
The world is in trouble. A creature
that is known as the Shadowman is on the lose and is looking for the
three keys that would open up the portal between earth and hell and
unleash the Archdemons of the apocalypse. Nathan’s job for the past
thousands of years is to clean up supernatural messes, unfortunately
this one is the biggest challenge of his life. In order to defeat
Shadowman he must kill it’s host, who happens to be a beautiful and
innocent woman who is completely unaware of the fact that Shadowman
is actually real and not a figment of her stressed out life.
What I really liked about this book…
  • The characters. I really liked the
    characters. Amira, Nathan, Kaylee, and Troy. They really gave life
    to the book and it started to take on the shape of its own. I liked
    Nathan, and I liked the fact that he seemed so real. Before meeting
    Kaylee, he was basically a man whore. Living his life the way he
    wanted and doing his job, in the most effective way he seemed fit.
    In a way his actions are questioned by others, but they seemed to be
    doing the job and that makes him one of the best. His a man whore
    who wants no attachment and the struggle continues when he meets
    Kaylee and all the way through the book. Especially when he finds
    out how she is really connected to him. I was glad when that posed a
    challenge, because it defied his character.
  • Troy and Amira are my other two
    favorites. It’s so cute to watch him protect a girl who is deft and
    has a lot hanging on her shoulders. Amira carries this stones that
    play a major part of the book and the Shadowman want’s them.
  • The theme of the book was kind of
    different for me. I have to admit, I have never read a book about
    reincarnated angels. So that being said, it’s probably not for you
    if you have a problem with that. Because the major characters are
    reincarnated angels, and the whole theme is a bit heaven versus hell
    basically, but on earth. I enjoyed it and found it much more
    refreshing over my last few paranormal reads.
  • I don’t think there was ever a
    dull moment. The book moved at a good pace and the entire time kept
    me hooked and on the edge of the seat. I found myself wanting
    answers, and what Nathan was going to do about this whole situation.
    Especially since he had to kill Kaylee in order to get rid of
    Shadowman and it was for the greater good and his inner battle did
    not disappoint. I did have a hard time putting this one down,
    wanting to know how it all turned out in the end, so I devoured this
    book quickly.
  • There was obviously romance, which
    I enjoyed. Especially the connection some of these characters
    shared. It will be interesting how it all plays out in the end. I
    love the fire between Nathan and Kaylee but there is also a great
    big wall between them. Especially the fact that Nathan needs to kill
    her.
  • The writing. Lizzy Ford really
    knows how to tell the story and she started this series already on
    the high note. Sure there was somethings that left me frustrated and
    hanging with questions – but I think she did a wonderful job. She
    knows how to pull the reader in, and the only downside is that it’s
    a new series and I have to wait for book 2!
Not so much…
  • Zyra ugh.. Not sure there is much
    to say here. I didn’t really like her. Her character makes me mad.
    She has special attachments to Nathan and I won’t go into what it
    is, or else it’s a spoiler but she irks me. She is the leader of the
    group 3G, which is a group of rebel I guess after the greater good
    and they are also after Kaylee. Her role in this book is kept kind
    of quiet, but it seems like it’s going to play a big one in the end.
  • The ending.. okay.. to be fair
    it’s only because it left me wanting more. I wouldn’t call it a
    cliffhanger, but the set up for book two is perfect. A lot of things
    are going to happen I think and my grabby hands itch to have it now!
  • The OTL… I won’t say what it
    stands for because it also plays a big part in the book – kinda.
    It’s sweet, I get it…but it’s also a bit cheesy. Or it appeared to
    me anyway. But! It did add to the drama of Kaylee and Nathan so this
    doesn’t bother me as much as it would otherwise I guess.

So in the nutshell, I really enjoyed
this series. It does have a naughty rate R 18+ moment near the end of
the book, so just beware. It doesn’t bother me, but the book is
meant for people 18 and older. I cannot wait for the next book in the
series to see what happens. I get so excited when I find a new
favorite paranormal! Oh and while I wait, I guess I am going to dig
into some other Lizzy Ford books I have picked up!

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Review: Ten Tiny Breaths (Ten Tiny Breaths #1) by K.A. Tucker

October 22, 2013 Uncategorized 6

Ten Tiny Breaths (Ten Tiny Breaths #1) by K.A. Tucker 

Published  February 12th 2013 by Atria Books (first published December 9th 2012)

Paperback, 262 pages
Series: Ten Tiny Breaths


Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance


Heat Level: Steamy

Source: I got this book for free through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review!
Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads 

Mature Content Advisory, must be 18+ to read.

Summary from Goodreads

Kacey
Cleary’s whole life imploded four years ago in a drunk-driving
accident. Now she’s working hard to bury the pieces left behind—all
but one. Her little sister, Livie. Kacey can swallow the constant
disapproval from her born-again aunt Darla over her self-destructive
lifestyle; she can stop herself from going kick-boxer crazy on Uncle
Raymond when he loses the girls’ college funds at a blackjack
table. She just needs to keep it together until Livie is no longer a
minor, and then they can get the hell out of Grand Rapids,
Michigan.

But
when Uncle Raymond slides into bed next to Livie one night, Kacey
decides it’s time to run. Armed with two bus tickets and dreams of
living near the coast, Kacey and Livie start their new lives in a
Miami apartment complex, complete with a grumpy landlord, a pervert
upstairs, and a neighbor with a stage name perfectly matched to her
chosen “profession.” But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle
all of them. What she can’t handle is Trent Emerson in apartment
1D.

Kacey
doesn’t want to feel. She doesn’t. It’s safer that way. For
everyone. But sexy Trent finds a way into her numb heart, reigniting
her ability to love again. She starts to believe that maybe she can
leave the past where it belongs and start over. Maybe she’s not
beyond repair.

But
Kacey isn’t the only one who’s broken. Seemingly perfect Trent
has an unforgiveable past of his own; one that, when discovered, will
shatter Kacey’s newly constructed life and send her back into
suffocating darkness.

 
I was so excited about this book,
especially when I got approved for reading and reviewing this. I came
into it knowing it had amazing reviews, but I didn’t know why. The
story is about a girl named Kacey, who’s life changed drastically
four years ago. After her car was hit by a drunk driver, Kacey
watched her parents, her best friend and her boyfriend die while she
laid there unable to do anything about it holding her boyfriends
lifeless hand and listening as her mother took her final breaths.
The ten tiny breath is something she
lives by, something her mother told her to do if she felt like she
was starting to lose control. Kacey was never sure why, as far as she
sees it, it never worked for her.
With a bus ticket in hand, she escapes
her uncle with her younger sister Livie and moves to a small
apartment in Miami in hopes of starting over.
It was a beautiful emotional story
about a girl that’s quiet broken as she struggles to provide some
kind of a life for her younger sister, without relapsing to the old
days when she spend drinking and always staying in trouble in order
to numb herself from the pain. With the help of one of her neighbors,
Kacey gets a job as a bartender in a strip club in order to survive
but her inner struggles continue. They say you go through five stages
of grief, but Kacey seems to be stuck and unable to move on
emotionally.
Until Trent comes along… Her
mysterious neighbor next door that pays cash for everything that he
owns. Trent wants to help Kacey move on and because of him she had
never felt so alive. But Kacey had been dependent on sex before, and
Trent is a living, breathing male that she has a hard time with the
attraction between them.
This story was just an emotional wreck,
digging deep into grief, telling a haunting tale of loss, love and
friendship. Kacey’s journey to recovery is an emotional one, that is
also very heart breaking. I found myself spilling tears a couple of
times. But the support that she had from her new friends was also
very endearing. The author tore my heart, healed it, and then dropped
the biggest bomb in the book that had my nerves and feelings
frazzled.

Okay so I saw it coming, but I guess I
just didn’t prepare myself enough. That is what happens when you get
so emotionally invested in the book. When everything came crashing
down on Kacey, it was impossible not to feel the pain and devastation
she had to endure. I love how much passion the author had put into
the book, I felt every grief, it made me sad and angry but that was
part of the books appeal to me.

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Review: Baby Santa’s Worldwide Christmas Adventure by M. Maitland DeLand, Phil Wilson (Illustrator)

October 22, 2013 Uncategorized 1

Baby Santa’s Worldwide Christmas Adventureby 

Published September 1st 2010 by Greenleaf Book Group

Hardcover, 32 pages
Series: Stand-alone


Genre: Childrens

Source: I got this book for free through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review!
Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads 

Summary from Goodreads

What in the world is Santa going to do when his sleigh breaks down? The presents are packed up, Santa is ready . . . but where is his magical sleigh? For the first time in history, Santa’s sleigh is broken. Santa is grounded on the most important night of the year. How will children around the world get their presents?

Baby Santa, the youngest member of the Claus family, comes to the rescue. With his boundless energy, bright smile, and bouncy enthusiasm, Santa’s son hatches a plan to save Christmas and have a traveling adventure at the same time.

 
Ah another Christmas read in October. I
do enjoy these, especially Christmas books. It gives me ideas when I
do go out and shop for the young ones. Baby Santa’s World Wide
Christmas Adventure does not disappoint. It’s a perfect book to teach
the young ones International theme. When Santa’s sleight brakes down
he isn’t sure how he is going to deliver all the gifts for Christmas,
when baby Santa jumps into help. With the help of local
transportation around the world, baby Santa and Santa join together
to save Christmas and deliver all of the gifts in time for Christmas
morning!
This is not a rhyme book, its a nice
Christmas story book. I did enjoy it. It was cute and delightful and
perfect for Christmas story telling. Each country they visited there
is a globe on the side showing where the country is located in red
for the young readers. Which can be used as an educational tool! It
was a quick read and would be easy for the young ones to follow.

I really adored the illustrations, I
thought that was very well done! Very colorful, eye-catching and
beautiful. Really reminds me of Christmas time and is kind of perfect
for it. It would probably look even better actually holding the book
in your hands instead of the reader. Very well done!

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Review: Santa’s Cookie Elf by Richard Thomas Parrette Jr., Muideen Ogunmola

October 21, 2013 Uncategorized 3

Santa’s Cookie Elf

Published August 20th 2012 by High Hopes Publishing LLC

Hardcover, 32 pages
Series: Stand-Alone


Genre: Childrens

Source: I got this book for free from High Hopes Publishing LLC through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

Amazon | Goodreads 

Summary from Goodreads

Christmas is a magical time of the year. Santa’s toy factory builds a lot of toys for children all over the world. His flying reindeer help him deliver all those toys in one night and at every house the kids leave Santa their favorite cookies. Wow! That has to be millions and millions of cookies. Now if elves help build the toys, and flying reindeer get Santa to every house in one night, ever wonder if someone helps him eat all those cookies?

 
Yup it’s almost that time of the year again! I know it’s only October and Halloween and Thanksgiving have not even come yet but I always enjoy a book or two around this time meant for Christmas anyway..


Santa’s Cookie Elf is a very cute children’s Christmas time book about what happens with all the cookies that are left out for Santa to munch on during his visit.


I did enjoy the book, it was a cute, fun and quick read. The illustrations are well done, very colorful, eye-catching and fit the story-line and the exact lines you are reading well.


I thought the end of the book was cute how they took opinions from several children and asked them how to make cookies for Santa, made me giggle!


Great book for that Christmas time.



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Review: Blackmoore: A Proper Romance by Julianne Donaldson

October 18, 2013 Uncategorized 3

Blackmoore: A Proper Romance by Julianne Donaldson 

Published September 10th 2013
by Shadow Mountain


(first published September 9th 2013)
Paperback, 320 pages
Series: Stand-Alone


Genre: Romance


Heat Level: Kissing

Source: I got this book for free from Shadow Mountain through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads 

Summary from Goodreads

Kate Worthington knows
her heart and she knows she will never marry. Her plan is to travel to
India instead—if only to find peace for her restless spirit and to
escape the family she abhors. But Kate’s meddlesome mother has other
plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: India, yes, but only after Kate
has secured—and rejected—three marriage proposals.

Kate journeys
to the stately manor of Blackmoore determined to fulfill her end of the
bargain and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry
Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are
meaningless and plans are changeable. There on the wild lands of
Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive.
Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing
that will set her heart free?

Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a Regency romance that tells the story of a young woman struggling to learn how to follow her heart. It is Wuthering Heights meets Little Women with a delicious must-read twist.

 
Kate Worthington had made a promise to
herself that she would never marry. Instead she wants to be an
independent woman and travel with her aunt to India. Of course her
dreams of India are crushed when her mother decides to make other
plans for Kate. Because Kate has rejected marriage, her mothers wants
Kate to receive and reject three proposals when Kate goes to
Blackmoore for the summer (a place she always dreamed of as a child)
– in order to be granted the permission to go to India.
Gosh this story, the writing, the
characters. It was all beautiful! I loved every second of Julianne’s
story writing and the gripping tale of unexpected love.
Henry is Kate’s dearest childhood
friend and although his mother does not like Kate, and especially
Kate’s mother – he finds a way for Kate to finally visit his future
home of Blackmoore. When Kate gets it into her head to use Henry in
her marriage proposals, she didn’t expect the price she would pay
with it.
Through the story I learned a lot about
Kate and Henry and how deep their relationship runs. Even thought
Henry has been forced by his mother to consider marrying someone
else, the fact that he would do everything for Kate had my heart
melting the entire story. Julianne knew how to weave a beautiful
story with memorable characters that made you fall in love, broke
your heart several times but at the same time in the end mend it all
together.
I think this was probably the best
romance novel I have read the entire year. I loved the characters.
Kate, strong and independent and Henry such a sweat man. So real,
they provided just the right amount of anger, heart-break and love.
Ugh seriously I think I am speechless and repeating myself more then
anything. I have to say, Henry’s mother and his sister left me kind
of angry. I did not appreciate the way they treated Kate, who is so
full of life and has been the bestest of friends to Henry. I
understand the hatred towards Kate’s mother, that woman is simply
terrible, but I did not understand why she had to reflect all her
anger on Kate. Especially when Kate was nothing like her mother and
didn’t deserve it..
Anywho… I loved Henry, so naturally I
found myself rooting for him the entire time. Some moments were so
touching and so sad, it really made me feel for the characters. I
couldn’t put the book down, even if some might describe it moving in
sort of a slow pace. I for one never wanted it to end. I would love
to back track and read more of this authors wonderful work!

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Review: Murder a la Mode (A Savannah Reid Mystery #10) by G.A. McKevett

October 18, 2013 Uncategorized 2

Murder a la Mode (A Savannah Reid Mystery #10) by G.A. McKevett

Published
April 1st 2006
by Kensington (first published 2005)

Paperback, 288 pages
Series: Savannah Reid Mystery


Genre: Cozy Mystery


Heat Level: Kissing

Source: Borrowed
Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads 

Summary from Goodreads

Voluptuous private eye
Savannah Reid’s cravings for tasty treats come second only to her
appetite for adventure. Of course, every girl needs a little down time,
and when things are quiet, Savannah loves nothing more than to curl up
in bed with a box of chocolates, a steaming Irish coffee topped with
whipped cream, and an even steamier romance novel-preferably one with
Lance Roman on the cover. Lance Roman is everything Savannah has ever
wanted in a man: hunky, handsome, and incredibly sexy. Savannah can’t
believe her luck when her friends surprise her with a special birthday
treat: the opportunity to compete for Lance’s affections on a reality TV
show called “Man of My Dreams.” But life in the castle soon takes a
sinister turn. No sooner has Savannah started strutting her stuff than
one of the show’s producers, Tess Jarvis, turns up dead-tragically
felled by a carton of Killer Fudge ice cream. Savannah’s got her work
cut out for her. When she’s not working overtime charming Lance Roman,
she’s racing to uncover all sorts of surprises about the late Tess. As
“Man of My Dreams” quickly descends into the worst kind of soap opera,
all the juiciest, most unpredictable drama is taking place off-camera.

 

Ah I cannot believe that this was my
first Savannah Reid book! I wish I picked up the series sooner, but
alas there is only so much time and so many books to go through. I
picked this one up as a loan on a whim and oh my gosh I loved it!
Savannah is a voluptuous ex cop who now
owns her own Private Investigator agency and she is one awesome, fun
and amazing character. I love how well rounded she is. I also love
the fact that she is one of a few characters that I have read about
that has curves and pretty damn proud of em.
When Savannah;s friends arrange for her
to compete for the affection of Lance Roman (a guy on the cover of
every one of her romance books) on a reality TV show, she didn’t know
what came with the package. Now stuck in a medieval castle, with four
other woman compete for the man of her dreams – the last thing
Savannah imagined was for the shows produce Tess Jarvis to show up
dead.
First off all I loved the setting of
the book. The geek in me totally enjoyed that it took place in a
medieval castle. I could totally picture the entire scene and in my
head this entire book played out like a movie. It was pretty
exciting. I loved Savannah and her supporting cast, especially Dirk –
who I am rooting for in the end!
Now it’s up to Savannah with the little
help of her friends to find the killer, while doing the best she can
to survive the other contestants. It was fun and entertaining! I
loved the conversation between all the characters, it was sassy and
quick, that left me giggling most of the time. The author did a good
job, I thought, in describing the castle. The characters were
original and their different personalities really made the book a fun
read. I really did have a hard time putting this one down. I must
have finisehd it in a day. In the end, I couldn’t help but fall in
love with Savannah Reid and this series. I will be looking forward to
picking up more books.

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