Introduction/Update

The idea, or plan, for this blog is to post reviews for the books that I read. The reviews I've already posted are ones that I've written over the past several years. These include my earliest attempts. As I read and review more books I will continue to strive to improve.

The Blue Door by Christa Kinde
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

In The Blue Door, the first book of The Threshold Series, we are introduced to Prissie Pomeroy. Prissie discovers that she has a unique ability, she can see angels. Prissie struggles with the realization that people she thought she knew are angels living among the humans. With spiritual battles raging Prissie finds her faith tested as she learns of God’s plan for her.

I found the premise of the book intriguing and the characters well developed. However, I was disappointed to find it slow moving and hard to get through. I ended up not being unable to finish it.


View all my reviews

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

J. K. Rowling makes a grand debut to screenplays with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Magizoologist Newt Scamander is in New York for a quick stopover, but things change when his magical case is misplaced with and a no-maj (muggle) and some of his fantastic beasts escape into the city. Now, with the help of some new friends, Newt is in a rush to find them before it spells trouble for everyone…. wizard and no-maj alike.

With an extraordinary cast of characters, this is an epic, action-packed adventure fans of Harry Potter have come to expect.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this screenplay and am now looking forward to seeing it onscreen.


View all my reviews

The Fallen Vampire by Beata Blitz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.

When an accident reveals Chloe’s psychic abilities, the community condemns her as a witch and threatens to burn her alive. Attempting to escape into the next territory, she yearns for acceptance.

While on the run Chloe finds herself in the middle of a battle between the Cloud Lord (shape-shifters from another dimension) factions. A fight between the rulers of her people, the Drakonin (dragon-shifters) and the Vampirii (vampires). By sheltering a fallen Vampirii warrior, her destiny is radically altered. If she can survive the test of her resolve, she may just reach a place where her latent powers can bloom.

This first book in the FLUX & FIRMAMENT series sets the stage by introducing us to a new universe created when a catastrophic experiment at the Large Hadron Collider led to a collision between our world and the dimension of the Cloud Lords.

With well written characters and a plot that seems well thought out, I really enjoyed this one and look forward to seeing what happens next.

View all my reviews

Priscilla the Great: Vampire Slayer by Sybil Nelson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Priscilla Summers pretty much has it all. She has super powers, an awesome boyfriend, keys to an invisible jet, and she is officially an eighth grader. With all the potential she’s not about to let some out of control armpit hair ruin the perfect summer. To solve her unwanted hair problem, Priscilla enlists the help of her best friend to become a certified vampire slayer.

A hilarious cast of characters makes this a fun story to read.




View all my reviews

The Big Book of Random Facts Volume 6: 1000 Interesting Facts And Trivia by Bill O'Neill
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fun, interesting read. Although I did come across a couple of the facts that were not accurate.

View all my reviews

Operation Overlord by Jack Patterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story follows Pat, an 18 year-old high school dropout, as he volunteers for the draft during World War II. As a member of the 1st howitzer gun crew of A Battery, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division follow Pat as he goes from Normandy just six days after D-day through France, into Germany, and eventually Czechoslovakia. As the story unfolds Pat faces the difficulties of war including but not limited to: the fear of battle, going days without sleep, constant relocation and emplacement, and watching as friends become casualties of war. Shortly after the end of the war Pat finds himself discharged from the military, however those experiences stay with him throughout his life. In fact, forty-nine years later he finds himself back in Europe retracing his journey and recounting those events.

I found it easy to visualize the events taking place, thanks to the author’s excellent use of description. The characters were well written, and I found myself invested in their well-being. Dialogue between characters offered some much needed comic relief in the midst of some tense, dramatic scenes.

Although the story moved forward at a decent pace there were just a few places where it seemed a bit slower than necessary.

Overall, a compelling read that I would recommend to anyone who has an interest or curiosity in the events of war.

View all my reviews

A Trail of Ink by Melvin R. Starr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although I haven't read the first two in the series yet I was able to follow the story just fine.

The author Mel Starr has a remarkable gift for language. This story takes place in 14th century Oxford and is written in a way that really makes you feel as though you're there.

The characters (especially Hugh, Kate, Master John, and Arthur) are well written. I enjoyed the relationship development between Hugh and Kate.

Overall this book was well written and enjoyable to read.

View all my reviews

Remember Me by Christopher Pike
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As three books in one (including REMEMBER ME, THE RETURN, and THE LAST STORY) I almost feel as if this one deserves three different reviews.

I very much enjoyed REMEMBER ME. I have never read anything quite like it it before. Although it was written for teenagers and young adults, I feel that is expresses some very adult concepts and life views. It definitely made me think.

The second story, THE RETURN, was also good. However, although it also included an interesting concept it wasn't as well written as the first one. It seemed to have a much slower pace.

The final story, THE LAST STORY, was a terrific end to the trilogy. I found it to be better written than the THE RETURN yet still not as good as REMEMBER ME. Although this one's pace was also a bit slow it made up for it with the ending.

Overall, I say that Christopher Pike is a very talented author and I look forward to reading some more of his work.


View all my reviews

The Summer Without Men by Siri Hustvedt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I very much enjoyed reading this book. The author Siri Hustvedt has a remarkably gift for storytelling and for writing. Her characters really come alive.

"The Summer Without Men" is the story about what Mia Fredrickson goes through when her husband of thirty years decides, seemingly out of the blue, that he wants to "pause" their marriage. The story follows Mia through a mental breakdown that temporarily lands her in a mental hospital, after which she returns to her childhood home in Minnesota for the summer. There she regularly visits with her mother, and is hired to teach poetry to a group of prepubescent girls. In the midst of struggling with her own issues, Mia begins communication with an unknown person calling himself Mr. Nobody. She becomes immersed in the drama of her students, as well as in life inside the "home" where her mother and the group of ladies dubbed "the swans" reside. She befriends Abigail, an old woman who introduces her to the secret amusements (scenes embroidered and hidden within other things). Mia also finds herself friends with her young neighbor and her two children.

Overall, "The Summer Without Men" seems to tackle many issues in a comical manner which include but are not limited to: marital issues, growing older, childhood issues (such as bullying and imaginary friends), and the pain of loss.


View all my reviews

Eyes Wide Open by Andrew Gross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Author Andrew Gross seems to have a gift when it comes to writing suspense. Although I figured out the basic plot early on, the events leading up to it kept me guessing. This was a well developed story that messed with my mind and made me think as the characters were introduced and the plot was revealed. I really enjoyed the character shifts that took place, mainly the development of Detective Don Sherwood's larger role in the story.

Overall, this was a well written story that I would recommend for fans of psychological thrillers.

View all my reviews

Tabloid City by Pete Hamill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a refreshing piece of writing? I have never before read anything quite like it. The author Pete Hamill truly has a gift.

The story follows several characters through New York City over the span of twenty-four hours. It was interesting to see how even the characters who don't come in direct contact are still related to or affected by the events that unfold.

I very much enjoyed this unique combination of drama mixed with just the right amount of humor.

View all my reviews

A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man by Celeste Bradley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow... What a book! I was drawn in from page one. I found it to be almost as though I were reading two stories at the same time. That of Ophelia Harrington in the past and of Piper Chase-Pierpont in the present.

The authors did an extraordinary job of intertwining the past with the present. This book was a thrill to read. It was an endearing love story that I would recommend highly to fans of romance.


View all my reviews

Kevin My Military Man by Shane Kaelle
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I was disappointed with this book because although I thought the story itself had a great deal of potential, I did not find it to be written very well.

View all my reviews

Prophecy-The Fulfillment by Deborah A. Jaeger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

WoW... What a story? This was a very intense tale of immaculate conception that kept me on the edge of my seat. Honestly, it was better than I initially expected it to be. I very much enjoy it and will most definitely be reading it again in the future.

View all my reviews

Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the Anita Blake books but in my opinion this is one of the best out of the latter half of the series. I am pleased that sex didn't seem to be such a major part of the plot as it has been in several of the earlier books in the series.

Hit List has reminded me why Laurell K. Hamilton has been and will continue to be one of my favorite authors. Her creative mix of genres in her writing makes reading her work an excited adventure that never grows old.

View all my reviews

Thieves Get Rich, Saints Get Shot by Jodi Compton
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads.

I gave up on being able to finish reading this one. Although I thought the storyline and plot was decent, the pace was far too slow.

View all my reviews

The Marriage Solution by Megan Kelly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads.

This was a sweet little story. I enjoyed the relationship development between the main characters.



View all my reviews

Trouble Down South and OTher Stories by Katrina Parker Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads.

I found this book to be rather interesting. Knowing that the fictional stories were in fact based on historical events allowed me to take a new perspective as I read. I found this to be a well written collection.

View all my reviews

My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I very much enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading the entire Soul Screamers series.

Kaylee Cavanaugh is shopping at the mall with her best friend when she becomes overcome with anxiety and starts to scream. She finds her worst fears exposed when she awakes in a psychiatric hospital, where she tries to convince everyone that she's fine. All she wants is to go home; however, she fears that may not happen when the urge to scream returns accompanied by the shadows she sees surrounding another patient.

Everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, a patient with some special abilities of her own...

View all my reviews

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads.

What do you do when the real world goes to hell? For many, the answer is quite simply to avoid it as much as possible. In a time when the world is consumed by war, famine, and poverty the Oasis offers and much desired escape. Not to mention the opportunity to win over $200 million. When the creator of the Oasis dies, he leaves behind the ultimate challenge. Somewhere is the Oasis an egg has been hidden and whoever finds it will receive hundreds of millions of dollars along with ownership of the Oasis. A prize with killing for.

The main character Wadd Watts (avatar name Parzival) is among millions of gunters (egg hunters) who are searching for egg. After five long years of research he makes history by being the first gunter is find one of three hidden keys. Now its a race against time to win the race while being hunted down both in the game and out.

Who will come out on top?

I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys video games and/or pop culture.



View all my reviews

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow... What a book! Although the beginning was a bit slow, it finished with a bang. The ending had a few surprises I hadn't seen coming. I very much enjoyed reading it and can hardly wait to see what happens next.

Kaylee Cavanaugh can sense when someone around her is about to die, and forces beyond her control cause her to scream. She just wants to live a normal life and survive high school; but when she catches the attention of Nash, the hottest guy in school, she quickly learns that he knows more about her than she does. When her classmates start dying, Nash lets Kaylee in on the secret of who she is and together they discover what is going on and wonder who will be next.

View all my reviews

Reaper by Rachel Vincent
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this one. It was nice to get the story of how Tod became a reaper.

View all my reviews

Bookstore Lore by The Staff at Tro Harper Books
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a quick entertaining read. It makes me question the stupidity of some people. The only downside is that its a bit repetitive.


View all my reviews

100 Quotes to Make You Think! by Wolfgang Riebe
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting this to be, but it was alright. It did have some funny quotes and others that really did make me think. All-in-all, it was good for what it was.

View all my reviews

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this one very much. What a great continuation of an already amazing series. I can hardly wait to see what happens next.

Kaylee Cavanaugh is a bean sidhe; when she screams, someone dies. But when pop star Eden dies onstage Ksylee doesn't scream, and she knows something is wrong. Teenaged stars are trading their souls for fame and fotune, unaware of the eternal torment that awaits their souls when they die.

Kaylee can't let that happen. Even if it means breaking her father's rules and risking her own life and soul.


View all my reviews

My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is a new drug out there. Frost (as it's called in the human world) begins to make an appearance at the high school. Can Kaylee and Nash cut off the supply and protect their friends? One of whom is already hooked.

And so is someone else...

I very much enjoyed this one and can hardly wait to see what happens next.


View all my reviews

The Sea Is Not Black & other stories by J.V. Love
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This collection includes four short stories including the following:

1.) The Sea is Not Black:
Anatoly Ranakov is living to Kiev, only a few years after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He is able to make a fortune illegally, but he spends every day being haunted by his past. Of a split second decision made fifteen years earlier. He begins to fear for his sanity when he starts hearing a voice that curses and berates him. As this voice forces him to remember a past he tried so hard to not to think about, even he doesn’t know what to expect.

The word ‘’irony’’ took on a whole new meaning to me as this story kept me on the edge of my seat. It was very well written and an interesting read.

2.) Alice’s Sasquatch:
As a very unhappy graduate student in paleontology, Alice will do almost anything that will help her get finished and be able to graduate as soon as possible. While on a rather unsuccessful dig in Montana she makes the discovery of a lifetime. Now she finds herself faced with two options, either make a lot of money or graduate. As she struggles with her decision it really comes down to two things, will she forever change the life/existence of her find or will it change her?

Although I enjoyed this story, I feel like it was missing something. It seems to me as though the story was cut short. As if the conclusion wasn’t finished.

3.) Without Regret:
A historical fiction, based on a true story, about a German soldier who defects prior to the Nazi invasion of the USSR during WWII. Although he hopes to stop this deadly conflict, he instead finds himself in an endless series of interrogations. Will he be able to stop change the out of the German Blitzkrieg or will his efforts be lost?

An interesting perspective of the war that I have never before read.

4.) Hold the Line:
During WWII, at the start of the Nazi invasion the USSR, Felix Varilensky and his friend Dima volunteer to help defend Leningrad. With the Germans fast approaching they soon find themselves fighting the ineptitude of their regiment, all of them being under-equipped and under-trained. How will be able to hold the line and keep the Nazis from taking Leningrad?

I very much enjoyed reading this story. I found myself getting invested in the well being of the main characters.

View all my reviews

Shortcake by Christopher Gorham Calvin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Deep in the Soul Wind Forest, outside the city of Eden, is a government facility where two young children of science were born or engineered as super human soldiers. A boy and a girl, both demonstrating remarkable abilities and each endowed with the ability to kill. When the girl, Amanda, escapes the facility things begin to change. Focus shifts to the boy, Evan, as a way to redeem the project and the substantial investment it represents. Things begin to spiral out of control when two later Evan escapes an island dedicated to top secret government training and makes his way back to Eden looking for revenge.

Meanwhile, a serial killer from nearby Jericho City makes his way back to his hometown of Eden. The police comb the forest searching for any sign of the killer or what he may be planning.

Chaos ensues as these two events near their conclusions. It becomes a race to not just catch the bad guys but to save the city.

I very much enjoyed this book and was drawn in from the beginning. Because the author did such a good job with character development, I found myself invested in the characters and their well being.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers, especially those that make you think.

View all my reviews

Soul Seeker by Jacquelyn Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In a world where the destiny of every elf is laid out for them, what would you do if your fate was the only one that remained a mystery? How far you go to, how long would you search for answers?

Iarion has spent millennia searching for his life’s purpose. Now, after all this time, he may be the only one who can stop the dark powers from rising. Treachery looms around every corner as he is joined by his unlikely companions on a quest to save their world.

When I first began reading, I was struck by the similarities to “The Lord of the Ring” trilogy by J.R.R. Toilken. That being a band of unlikely companions on a seemingly impossible quest, on which they encounter opposition at every turn.

The author did an incredible job creating the world in which this story took place. I found it easy to envision what was happening. The literary environment along with strong character development made it easy for me to really become immersed in the story and invested in the outcome.

Overall, this was a well written story that I would without a doubt recommend to fans of the fantasy genre.



View all my reviews

They Still Call Me Sister by Deborah Plummer Bussey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kathleen Carpenter is a former nun turned psychologist. When one of her patients is found dead and suicide is deemed the cause, she sets out to prove that her patient was murdered. The closer Kathy gets to discovering the truth, the closer she comes to putting her own life in danger. Can she find the killer before she becomes the next victim?

As the novel unfolds, two stories parallel each other. We see the path the led eighteen year old Kathleen to take her vows and become a nun in the first place, what lead her to leave that life and reenter the world and become a psychologist.

Although the story started out slow, once it got going it was hard to put down. The characters were well written and believable. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.




View all my reviews

Gunslinger Girl Omnibus 1 by Yu Aida
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Henrietta barely survives the murder of her family, after which the Social Welfare Agency uses the latest in cybernetic technology to save her life. All memories of the past are erased from her mind as the Agency turns her into a deadly assassin.

Henrietta is plagued by fragmented memories of her past even after the programming given to her by the Agency. As her handler Jose is charged with keeping her feelings in check and ensuring that she stays focused on her mission. Jose finds this difficult due to her resemblance to his younger sister.

I very much enjoyed reading this and look forward to seeing what happens next.


View all my reviews

A Brewing Storm by Richard Castle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Featured in the TV show Castle...

For Derrick Storm leaving the CIA involved faking his own death, so when his former boss calls in an old favor, he knows there must be more going on then the kidnapping of the son of a U.S. Senator. Working alongside FBI Agent April Showers, Storm must sift his way through a web of lies and ransom notes to find the truth.

The author Richard Castle (or whoever really wrote the book) did a good job of combining humorous dialogue with suspenseful themes. I found the characters to be well written although I found some of their names to me rather cliché.

Overall, I would say that it was an excellent read and I look forward to seeing what will happen next.

View all my reviews

The Lincoln Conspiracy by Timothy L. O'Brien
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads.

In the Spring of 1865, as America mourns the death of President Abraham Lincoln, a shocking discovery is made. Police detective Temple McFadden stumbles upon two diaries that together reveal the true story behind the Lincoln assassination.

With many people after the diaries, Temple's quest to bring the conspirators to justice endangers his life as well of the lives of his wife and friends. Temple's journey to the truth takes him through the Civil War-era capital district, into bawdy houses and back alleys where he struggles to remain one step ahead of the enemies that await him at every turn.

With an interesting and diverse cast of characters this story follows many twists toward a climax that may leave readers gasping.

The author did a fantastic job making his characters believable.

The story was well developed and I enjoyed reading it, although at times it did seem to drag a bit. Overall, this was a great story that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good conspiracy theory.



View all my reviews

Beauty by Laurell K. Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An outtake from the bestselling novel, Kiss the Dead by Laurell K. Hamilton.

It's easy for Anita Blake to doubt her beauty when there are sexy vampires like Jean Claude around. However, with the help of a large hot tub two incredibley sexy men (well vampires)- Jean Claude and Asher- will make her feel like the most desirably woman alive...

Although short, only 30 pages, this was a hot little preview into the newest Anita Blake novel that left me anxiously awaiting the release of Kiss the Dead.


View all my reviews

Syndrome E by Franck Thilliez
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

When Ludovic Senehal develops a case of spontaneous blindness after watching an extremely rare film from the 1950s, it leads to his old friend Lucie Hennebelle to investigate. Especially after realizing that nearly everyone who comes into contact with the film ends up dead. With the help of Inspector Franck Sharko, who is investigating the film's connection to five murdered men, Lucie begins to unravel the mystery of what is arguably the most disturbing film ever made. As the story unfolds, readers will find themselves questioning the very nature of humanity.

Franck Thilliez, the author did an outstanding job with his plot. I have never read anything quite like it.


View all my reviews

Pattern Recognition by William Gibson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cayce Pollard, a cool hunter paid to predict the hottest trends, is in London where she has been hired to evaluate the redesign of a famous corporate logo. Upon completion of this project she is offered another assignment: to track down the maker of the obscure video clips that have taken the internet by storm and created a worldwide underground subculture.

While in pursuit of this mysterious maker, traveling from London to Tokyo to Moscow, she finds herself thrust into the seedy underbelly of the marketing world of which she's observed for so long. Along the way she finds herself facing questions surrounding her father, who disappeared in Manhattan on the morning of September 11, 2001.

Just as Alice descended into Wonderland, the lines between what was real to Cayce and what could only be perceived begin to blur.

The author, William Gibson, truly has a gift. His characters are believable, if not directly relate-able. He is able to set the scene without overuse of description.

I found the idea of the footage very intriguing. I found the sensitivity of the main character, Cayce, to be rather amusing while still being believable.

Overall, I found this story to be well-written and intriguing without going beyond the realm of possibility.



View all my reviews

The Accidental Sorcerer by K.E. Mills
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Professor Gerald Dunwoody is a Third Grade Wizard. Just not a very good one. After blowing up a staff factory and losing his job, Gerald is desperate to prove that he can be a competent wizard. Now it's off the New Ottosland, as the new Court Wizard to King Lional.

Along with his companion, a talking bird that wasn't always a bird, Gerald soon discovers that King Lional is not what he appears to be. With a princess in trouble and a kingdom to save, Gerald suspects that he may be out of his depths. Armed only with a power he doesn't fully understand, Gerald finds himself in the fight of his life. How it ends is anyone's guess...

The Author, K. E. Mills, does a terrific job giving her characters personality and depth. As the story unfolds I find myself being drawn into its world and becoming invested in its outcome and the well being of its hero.

Well-written with just the right amount of humor. This book was fun to read and difficult to put down. I look forward to reading the remainder of this series and well as other books written by this author.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys snarky humor.


View all my reviews

American Gods by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After spending three years in prison, all Shadow wanted was to get back into the arms of his loving wife. However, sometimes fate can be cruel. Just days before he is scheduled to be released, Shadow learns that his wife has been killed in a car accident. Suddenly his world begins to crumble and become a much colder place.

On his way home for the funeral, Shadow meets Wednesday. When the stranger offers him a job, having nothing to lose, Shadow accepts. Little does he know that his life will never be the same.

It doesn't take long before Shadow realizes just how dangerous his new job is. While working for Wednesday, Shadow embarks on a road trip unlike any other. He encounters many unique and interesting people, all of which have their own stories to tell and know more about him then he does about himself.

As an epic storms brews, Shadow has many lessons to learn. The past doesn't always die and everyone, including his late wife has secrets. The stakes are high as he finds himself pulled into a battle, a conflict, as old as humanity itself. Hidden away from the everyday world, a great war is fought over the very soil on which they stand. The soil of America is the prize.

American Gods will take the reader on an exhilarating journey across America and through myths, some long forgotten, that may challenge their perspectives long after they turn the final page.

The author, Neil Gaiman, does a remarkable job making his story and characters come to life. I often found myself on the edge of my seat, being drawn into the story. The plot was well thought out and kept me guessing as each new twist was introduced.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and say that for fans of myth and legend, this is a must read.


View all my reviews

The First Adventure by Anthea Sharp
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Jennet Carter decides to hack into her father's sim-game (Feyland) she has no idea that she would actually be opening a gateway to the Realm of Faerie. Moving through each level, encountering its levels and completing its quests becomes ever more treacherous as the final battle approaches. As Jennet faces off against the Dark Queen of Fearie, she begins to realize that there may be more at stake than the outcome of a game.

The author, Anthea Sharp, does an extraordinary job making high-tech gaming and magic collide as the story begins to unfold. The characters are well written and the relationship, between Jennet and her father, is believable.

I enjoyed this brief introduction and look forward to reading the rest of the series.



View all my reviews

Rise of the Red Dragon by A.C. Quinn
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I was unable to finish reading this one. Although, I feel that the story has potential I find it difficult to follow.

The author seems to have a good grasp of the use of descriptive language; however, that apparent mastery is overshadowed by the lack of clear transitions between the changes of character perspectives.


View all my reviews

Caught Dead Handed by Carol J. Perry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads.

Salem, Massachusetts is generally associated with witches, but to Lee Barrett its home. Halloween is approaching and Lee has returned home to interview for a job as a reporter for WICH-TV, the local television station. After finding out the position had been filled Lee discovers the body of Ariel Constellation, the station’s resident psychic. Lee takes on the character of Crystal Moon and begins hosting Nightshades, a late-night horror movie/talk show. When Lee begins seeing images in the obsidian ball, a prop on her set, she begins to wonder if she might really have some psychic abilities.

Along with her beloved Aunt Ibby, Lee confronts/struggles with her long forgotten childhood abilities as they investigate the connection between the murders of Ariel, one of her regular callers, and the attempted kidnapping/murder of O’Ryan (Ariel’s cat whom Lee and Aunt Ibby adopt). What do these three events have in common and who at WICH-TV may be involved?

A well written mystery with a well paced plot. The author has a gift for describing the scene without giving too much away. The characters are well written making them easy to connect with, yet still able to surprise.

I very much enjoyed the story and the characters. I look forward to reading the next in the series



View all my reviews

DEAD[ish] by Naomi Kramer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Meet Linda, she’s had a very bad day. First her boyfriend killed her, and then she woke up as a ghost with a strong determination to find her body. Her now ex-boyfriend, Mike, won’t tell her what he did with it so she torments him in an attempt to force the information out of him. Enter Trent, the P.I. (private investigator) she hires to find her body. Posing at as an exorcist, Trent gets hired by Mike and begins to investigate but quickly discovers that getting to the truth may be harder and more dangerous than he thought.

I find myself on the fence with regards to what I think of this one. I feel like the story has the potential to be very entertaining. The author does a great job of bringing to life the inventive torments of a woman scorned. However, the excessive use of profanity (the f*** word) did more to detract from the story than accentuate any strong feelings.

Although I am curious to see what happens with the characters later in the series, I am unsure if I can overlook the language enough to continue reading the series.

NOTE: This is not a book suitable for younger readers.

View all my reviews