Category: books

The Sword and the Song, by C.E. Laureano

(I do not own this image. Image belongs to NavPress.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to NavPress.)

C.E. Laureano was an aspiring ballerina until an injury sidelined her. While she recovered, she decided to write a novel. That horrible first novel led to a literature degree, and eventually, to writing contemporary romances and young adult fantasy. The Sword and the Song is the third book in the Song of Seare trilogy.

War has come to the island of Seare. The Red Druid is gathering his forces, but he is also lurking in the shadows to spring his nefarious traps when least expected. No place is safe from his magic, even behind the powerful wards of the city.

Conor and Eoghan clash over who will lead the city in this time of darkness, while Aine struggles to save those she can within the city. When Conor sets out on a mission to thwart the Red Druid, Aine fears for his life, and that he won’t return home in time. They face betrayal, evil forces, and dissention from their friends as they race to figure out the Red Druid’s plans before he can destroy them all.

The Sword and the Song is an action-packed adventure story, filled with magic, danger, and faith. The almost-Celtic setting comes to life with Ms. Laureano’s vivid descriptions, and the characters become family by the time the reader reaches the last riveting page.

(Galley provided by NavPress via NetGalley.)

The Vile Desire to Scream, by Oisín McGann

(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Oisín McGann.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Oisín McGann.)

Oisín McGann is an Irish author and illustrator. After some exploratory employment, he decided that working as a security guard or in advertising wasn’t for him, so he returned to his first love (and Ireland). His newest offering, The Vile Desire to Scream, is a novella in his series of books in the Wildenstern Saga.

The Wildenstern family is all about power, money, and family loyalty. Unless, of course, another family member is in the way of climbing the ladder of success. Then it’s okay to kill that person and take their place. It’s just business, and as long as the Wildenstern men follow the rules, the family supports them. But removing a woman is against the rules. Even a woman that the rest of the family doesn’t like.

Daisy Wildenstern doesn’t have many friends in the family, and her open defiance of family tradition doesn’t help. When adventurer Peter Barnum arrives at the family mansion with a shape-shifting engimal for sale, Daisy is entranced. She’s not sure what the living machine does, but she wants it, despite her mother-in-law forbidding its purchase. The next morning, Daisy and the engimal are both missing, and it’s up to her brother-in-law Nate to find her, without the aid of the family that dislikes Daisy so much…and may be responsible for her disappearance in the first place.

The Vile Desire to Scream is set in the world of the Wildenstern Saga, and intriguing blend of family intrigue, living machines, and adventure. The family itself is larger than life, and this is a great introduction to the saga.

(Galley courtesy of Open Road Integrated Media via NetGalley.)

Darkness of Light, by Stacey Marie Brown

(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Mark My Words Book Publicity.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Mark My Words Book Publicity.)

Stacey Marie Brown writes paranormal fantasy for the young adult/new adult genre. Her heroines are edgy and have an attitude, her heroes are bad boys. She is the author of the Collector series and the Darkness series. Darkness of Light is the first book in the Darkness Series.

Ember Brycin isn’t normal. She’s always known it, and her different colored eyes, strange hair, and unusual tattoo lets everyone else know it, too. Not to mention the inexplicable things that continue to happen around her.

When the latest explosion at her school lands her at a school for other “troubled” teens, she meets Eli Dragen: dark, mysterious, and surly. Not to mention hot. Eli knows who—and what—Ember is, and she’s determined to find out. But the knowledge is more than Ember imagined. It’s enough to change her life forever. Enough to alter her views on Light and Dark. To force her to choose between love and destiny, even when she’s not sure where each choice will lead. Her life will never be the same.

Darkness of Light is a fast-paced, riveting read, full of action and mystery. The reader is drawn into the secrecy that surrounds Ember, as she struggles to finally leave the horror of her past behind to find out the truth about herself and her world. The attraction between Ember and Eli is raw and untamed, and will have the reader flying through the book to figure out what’s going on. A must-read for anyone who loves paranormals or strong, conflicted characters!

(Galley provided by Mark My Words Book Publicity via NetGalley.)
Just an fyi: I stayed up way too late finishing this book, because I couldn’t put it down, then I bought all three of the other books in the series immediately. Wow. Love this series, and these characters. Fantastic world. I’ll probably add this author to my must-read list.

Shizzle, Inc., by Ana Spoke

(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Ana Spoke.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Ana Spoke.)

Ana Spoke is a writer/middle manager who promised herself she’d finish a novel, and started a blog to keep her motivated and follow through on her goal. Her first novel, Shizzle, Inc. is a comedy that just hit shelves.

Isa Maxwell is a (sort-of) typical young adult: she managed to graduate community college by some miracle, she’s broke, and her boyfriend just dumped her because his dreams of a NFL career require someone more than Isa at his side. Isa is determined to be discovered, be able to pay off her bills, and show Brad just what he’s missing so he realizes he still loves her. Despite a nasty hangover and having no idea what she’s doing, Isa manages to win a contest and land a job as the personal assistant of the Mr. Hue of Shizzle, Inc. Finally, her plans are falling into place!

Being a billionaire’s go-to girl is nothing like Isa imagined. Soon she has a handful of new love interests, a bitter enemy who thinks Isa is out to steal her spotlight, and even less idea what she’s doing as Mr. Hue piles insurmountable job expectations on her plate. Between the corporate espionage, someone out to get her, and her own ineptitude, Isa wonders if getting discovered was really worth it. Between her own disasters and her family’s drama, being a grownup really isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Shizzle, Inc. is a comedy of errors, with Isa stumbling from one disaster to the next with no idea what’s going on. Her cluelessness is an accurate portrayal of the entrance to adulthood, and readers will relate to her fumbling and frustration. Perfect for readers looking for a laugh, wanting to feel better about themselves, or just escape from reality a bit, Shizzle, Inc. is a great comedy choice.

(Also posted to Examiner.com.)

A Bride’s Agreement

(I do not own this image. Image Courtesy of Barbour Books.)
(I do not own this image. Image Courtesy of Barbour Books.)

A Bride’s Agreement is a collection of five stories by authors by Elaine Bonner, Ramona K. Cecil, Nancy J. Farrier, JoAnn A. Grote, and DiAnn Mills. The stories all feature the theme of two people who agree to marry virtual strangers, and romance blossoms between them.

One woman marries a man for the sake of his children. One woman’s family arranges a marriage with a man from another country. One woman is bartered in marriage to pay off her father’s debts. One woman agrees to help a man run his family farm and care for his siblings. One woman must marry a trail scout for propriety’s sake.

These stories are just the right length to get to know the characters, without adding unnecessary drama. They are all set in the 1800s, and are sweet Christian romances about couples overcoming great odds to find happiness. This book is perfect for a relaxing, inspirational read.

(Galley courtesy of Barbour Books via NetGalley.)

Death Before Daylight, by Shannon A. Thompson

(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Shannon. A. Thompson and Clean Teen Publishing.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Shannon. A. Thompson and Clean Teen Publishing.)

Shannon A. Thompson is a young adult author, a poet, and a blogger. Her newest book, Death Before Daylight, is the third book in The Timely Death trilogy, and hits shelves tomorrow. Shannon is currently with Clean Teen publishing. She loves cats and coffee, and both keep her going while she works.

The time for the showdown between the Light and the Dark has finally arrived. Someone must die. All Eric wants is Jessica by his side for the battle to come, but as soon as they are reunited, fate intervenes and they’re torn apart again. With a new breed of shade in play, the three descendants finally meet, but Jessica and Eric aren’t expecting to hear the truth from Darthon, who reveals his identity to Eric, who cannot divulge the secret. Jessica must find out the truth for herself—and make a decision that will decide the fate of the shade worlds forever.

Death Before Daylight is the last book in The Timely Death trilogy. The characters are believable and realistic, and the relationship between Eric and Jessica grows on every page. This world is a unique creation, with the Dark being good, and the Light bad, and the dual identities of all the shades is a great twist. This series is a fascinating, fast-pace read that will appeal to readers who love paranormal, fantasy, young adult, and romance.

***

My apologies to Ms. Thompson for the delay. I was about to post my review when you announced you would be leaving your prior publisher, so I decided to wait until that situation was resolved, and the book was available again. (Also posted to Examiner.com).

(Galley provided by Shannon A. Thompson.)

Winell Road: Beneath the Surface, by Kate Foster

(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Jet Black Publishing.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Jet Black Publishing.)

Kate Foster is an English author who lives in Australia. She has three sons who keep her very busy, and she has loved to read and write for as long as she can remember. Her newest book, Winell Road: Beneath the Surface, is the first book in a middle-grade series reminiscent of Men in Black.

When you’re 12 years old, living in a boring neighborhood with weird neighbors is the worst thing that can happen. Welcome to Jack Mills’ life. His mom likes to spy on the neighbors and create odd recipes. His dad is the inventor of such things as the Camera Belt and the Self-Closing Window. His best friend is away on one of his clandestine vacations and can’t be reached. So when Jack sees a spaceship one afternoon that no one else has seen, he’s on his own.

Until a new neighbor moves in, extremely tall Roxy Fox. With Roxy’s help, Jack is soon on a mission to find an item that could save the galaxy from horrible aliens intent on destroying the world. But Winell Road has secrets that Jack never suspected, and these secrets could be enough to thwart Jack’s mission. For good.

Winell Road:  Beneath the Surface is a fast-paced middle-grade adventure story with the feel of Men in Black. Jack is a smart, resourceful boy with more abilities than he’s ever dreamed off, and he finds out that the world is a far stranger place than he imagined. The action is non-stop and will keep readers riveted.

(Galley provided by Jet Black Publishing via NetGalley.)

Chivalrous, by Dina L. Sleiman

(I do not own this image. Image courtesy of Bethany House Publishers.)
(I do not own this image. Image courtesy of Bethany House Publishers.)

Dina L. Sleiman is a resident of Virginia Beach where she spends a lot of her time outdoors, when she isn’t writing or editing. She is a graduate of Regent University, and she writes inspirational fiction. Her new novel, Chivalrous, is the second book in the Valiant Hearts series.

Gwendolyn Barnes wishes she were a man. Then she could become a knight and compete in tournaments: her secret dream. Instead, Gwendolyn is at the mercy of her domineering, brutal father and her submissive mother. Her father intends only to see her married to a man just as controlling as he is so she will further the family’s fortunes. So Gwendolyn keeps her knightly training a secret, not wishing to raise the ire of her father.

In disguise, she competes in a tournament, where she meets the handsome Allen of Ellsworth. Allen is determined to prove his worth as a knight, but he sacrifices his chance to win the tourney to save a child. His sacrifice results in Allen’s whirlwind rise through the ranks, and soon he’s living a live he never imagined. Gwendolyn could see herself by his side, but fate conspires to keep them apart as murder, mayhem, and marriage stand in their way.

Chivalrous is a tale of days gone by, a story straight from the world of Arthur. There is action a plenty: knights, battles, courtly intrigue, and betrayal. Gwendolyn must learn her own worth, and how God values her, while Allen must place his faith wholly in God, instead of man. Chivalrous is an entrancing read that will keep readers glued to every page.

(Galley Provided by Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley.)

Skeleton Plot, by J.M. Gregson

(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Severn House.)
(I do not own this image. Image belongs to Severn House.)

J.M. Gregson is an English writer who taught for 27 years before moving to writing full-time. He writes about a variety of subjects, from golf to murder. His newest book, Skeleton Plot, is a Lambert and Hook Mystery, and hits shelves September 1st.

When a teenager helps his grandfather with the gardening, he finds a skull buried in the ground. An old skull. No one knows whom it belongs to, or if they do, they aren’t admitting to it. Now detectives John Lambert and Bert hook are investigating a cold case from 20 years ago.

In the small community where the skull is found, most people know everyone else, so it’s no surprise that everyone has a theory about who killed the victim. A lucky break identifies the remains, but doesn’t help narrow down the suspect list. The pair of detectives will have to see past the pointing fingers and festering animosities of bygone conflict if they are to figure out who’s responsible for the mysterious skull.

Skeleton Plot is the latest in a long line of Lambert and Hook books, but new readers will have no problem keeping up. The characters are distinctive and realistic, with all the drama common in small towns. This is a standard police drama that will feel comfortable to readers of this genre.

(Galley provided by Severn House via NetGalley.)

Recent Reads

I’ve been doing quite a few book reviews, since I usually get a bit behind with those during the semester. I’ve also started going through the plethora of e-books I got for free at some point. There are so many of those hanging out on my Kindle that it gets discouraging when I think about it.  Sure, some free e-books are worth about what I paid for them, but some of them are truly worthwhile finds.  The last two I’ve read have actually been really enjoyable.

Lulu’s Cafe, by T.I. Lowe:  Honestly, I enjoyed this book so much!  The main character, Leah, has been through a horrific, abusive relationship that she is desperate to escape from when she ends up in the small town of Rivertown.  She’s taken in by Lulu, who recognizes a woman in need of healing, but Southern gentleman Crowley is not so easily convinced. Leah’s journey is wrenching, but life in Rivertown is so enchanting that I wanted to move there!

Embers, by Karen Ann Hopkins:  I do read a lot of YA paranormal, but this one was different, and I enjoyed it so much.  I had a few personal issues with the mythos here, but I liked the characters a lot.  The setting was a totally different choice for a paranormal, too, and that made it really refreshing.