The Red Wolf Conspiracy by Robert V.S. Redick

The Red Wolf Conspiracy

Book One of the Cathrand Voyages

By Robert V.S. Redick

Pazel is stranded by those he trusted and is left to fend for himself he soon finds himself on board The Cathrand, a six hundred year old behemoth of a ship. Also on board the ship is Thasha who is on her way to her betrothed in order to seal the unity of Arqual and Mzithrin Empire, but it soon becomes apparent that the true mission of the Cathrand is not peace but war Thasha and Pazel along with the help of some extraordinary companions can put a stop to it.

There is no way I could have done this book justice in my brief synopsis, so much takes place and there are so many varied and interesting characters. The book itself starts off a bit slow but this is due to introducing us to the characters, once the book does kick off though it is one twist and turn after another keeping you on the edge of your seat as you wait to see what will happen next. Robert V.S. Redick does a magnificent job of bringing each of his characters and even the side characters to life, but not only this he also adds in some stunning scenery on top of it being a high paced adventure. This is definitely one of the best fantasy novels I have come across and with an ending like this one I cannot wait to see what will be in store.  

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Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Book One

By Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Elizabeth Bennet has trained her entire life to fight against the unholy plague of unmentionables that have overcome the English country side. Along with her sisters they make a fearsome assembly of warriors, but not only are they warriors they are still young women who attend balls and tend to their duties. During one of the balls the girls attend Miss Elizabeth is introduced to the arrogant Mr. Darcy. Through a series of events the two soon become close against Elizabeth’s own wishes.

Most of us know the story of Pride and Prejudice, with five movie adaptations and over twenty million copies sold of the book itself it’s hard not to know the story, but Seth Grahame-Smith has taken the classic story to a whole new level. I didn’t think I would enjoy this book as much as I did, even though you know the story the changes that have been made only seem to improve the overall experience. Seth Grahame-Smith takes the original story and adds zombie encounters here and there and a few innuendos making a classic romance novel into and action packed comedy on top of one of the most amazing love stories. I absolutely loved this book it’s definitely worth the read even if you have yet to read Pride and Prejudice. If you’re not a fan of regency romance novels this book is a great introduction into the world of Jane Austen so when you wife or girlfriend swoons over Mr. Darcy you’ll know why.

 

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Enchanted Ever After by Robin D. Owens

Enchanted Ever After

Mystic Circle Series Book Three

By Robin D. Owens

Kiri Palger has dreamed of working for Eight Corp., the creators of Fairies and Dragons an online game that Kiri is absolutely addicted to. Shortly after Kiri moves into the cul-de-sac of mystic circle where a number of Eight Corp. employees live, she is approached to start work on a new virtual reality project this is a dream come true and Kiri jumps at the chance. Soon she finds out that there is another purpose altogether for the new virtual system.

This is such a fun book, though you can definitely tell it is not the first in a series the author does an amazing job of making this a “stand alone” novel so that even though I haven’t read the previous two myself I can jump into the story and not once do I feel lost or confused. First off you have the gaming aspect of the book which I must admit I love video games so it automatically appealed to me but the author goes further than that she not only brings the game to life but she brings the multiple realms it represents into such vivid perspective I know I was definitely jealous of Kiri and wanted to jump head first into the game myself. Then you have some of the best scenes I have come across in a long time and Robin D. Owens descriptive proficiency comes into play once again sucking you into the story and the world in which she has created even further. This is a fascinating fantasy and with the heartwarming romance and touches of the gaming world it is highly unique. With such a well written book and an amazing story this is definitely a book worth reading. 

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Holy Suspicion By Melissa Love

Holy Suspicion

By Melissa Love

Victoria Winter was once First Lady of a mega church in Indiana, then while they were broadcasting live her two oldest daughters exposed their Christian husband’s sinful acts bringing the Winter family down to its knees, but not to pray. Nine years later they are still working to overcome what has happened to them, Victoria is trying to get her youngest daughter, God Fearing Naomi, to marry the pastor of the third largest mega church. Will Victoria’s persistence tear this family apart or can Naomi live happily ever after?

You would think that being obsessed with church is not a bad thing, Melissa Love proves how wrong that assumption can be. At first you keep wondering what is wrong with Victoria, but as the story goes along you realize she is just straight up crazy. I absolutely loved it; the story is captivating the ending is absolutely astonishing. I am not sure if this is meant to be funny but it is one of the best dark comedies I have come across. With a sardonic look into modern day Christianity and a mother’s obsession the book keeps you entertained from page one.

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The Warwicks of Slumber Mountain By Cheryl B. Dale

The Warwicks of Slumber Mountain

By Cheryl B. Dale

This is the story of Belinda Rand, Lindy as known by close friends and family, and the struggle that she goes through to find herself and her destiny.   Lassitan is a quiet town in northern Georgia that like most small towns have their own folklore and rumors about other people in town, in this story that is the Warwick family. The Warwicks are said to be witches, or some other type of supernatural beings that if you crossed or mingled with them you would live to regret it. Lindy thought she knew all too well about the power the Warwicks had when she befriended a Warick named Gareth and soon after that experienced a loss in her family.  Gareth and Lindy had no further interaction until one night she was coming home from work, and saved his life and this is the turning point in the story when Lindy begins to realize she could be destined and capable of more than she had ever expected.

The story begins with introducing Lindy, her abusive and tragic past, the stories about the Warwick family, and how little of herself she thinks of. Lindy in the beginning of the story feels unworthy of  a successful life that she dreams of having. As I mentioned in the synopsis she saves one of the Warwicks, Gareth, from drowning in the lake but what I failed to mention is how. Lindy does however have one upper hand compared to everyone else, she can hear a subconscious voice that allows her to hear animals in stress, but can sometimes hear humans. The night she saved Gareth she heard him floating in the lake on the verge of drowning.  After taking a possibly drunk Gareth home, she makes a deal that changes her entire life, even though she thinks it is all a dream. I’m not going to tell you what the deal is because then you wouldn’t want to read this amazing book. Lindy leaves Lassitan and does not return until 10 years later, to fulfill her end of the deal she made with the Warwick family.

 Although I am leaving quite a bit of mystery for you, please note that this story captures almost every element of what a reader would want to read. It features magic, love, murder, mystery, and much much more. When I first saw the cover, and read the description I was highly skeptical but once I started this book I simply could not put it down, I was that enveloped in what was going to happen next. 

Katie

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The Portal By Alan Zendell Review

The Portal

By Alan Zendell

Set over one hundred years in the future in a declining society we meet a special boy, Harry who will soon leave his mark on the world. The story begins when Harry is fourteen after he loses his one friend and confidant, his grandfather, Harry spirals into a deep depression until he meets a remarkable girl that soon captures his heart.  Harry wants nothing more than to spend the rest of his life with Lorrie; instead he spends the rest of his life searching for her when she disappears.

Throughout the story we follow along through each of Harry’s loves and losses spanning his entire life, we also follow along through his triumphs in his own personal life as he is determined to effect change in the world around him and not just be a bystander in society.  The story itself is interesting, a love story mixed with futuristic political unrest. The author does a great job of getting his point across and describing the nation and the problems the world is facing drawing you into the story even further as you begin to hope for a solution. The only real problem with this book is that if you are going to set it in the future we need more descriptive scenery you wouldn’t know it was a futuristic novel if the author didn’t incorporate holograms and also add in dates so that you know how much time has passed between each event in Harry’s life. If you don’t mind relying on your own imagination when it comes to the scenery then this is definitely worth the read.

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Flight By J.A. Huss Review

Flight

I am just Junco Book Three

By J.A. Huss

Junco and her team must travel to earth in order to save The Siblings of Earth. Along the way Junco finds that everywhere she turns is full of secrets and revelations. What if you had the power to save a race of beings at the cost of the other? Junco may be strong willed but what she faces back on Earth will be a trial even for her.

I love Junco she is a loud mouthed character who doesn’t take crap from anyone. Plus she cusses like a sailor and chain smokes cigars, what’s not to love? What was annoying in this book though was that the men in Junco’s life seemed to turn into whining and needy men, each one vying for Junco’s attention and pouting if she didn’t reciprocate. Other than that the book is pretty good with tons of action and adventure, and so many twists it is hard to keep count. I did have one question, at the end of the book how did they keep everything straight? That’s all I will say or I will run the risk of ruining the book for those who haven’t yet read it. This is one of those books though you definitely want to read the rest of the series before jumping in. From page one this book held my attention I wasn’t a fan of the ending but it is definitely a great way to make sure you keep reading the series.

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Devil’s Bargain By Rachel Caine Review

Devil’s Bargain

Red Letter Days Book One

By Rachel Caine

All Jazz wants to do is drown her sorrows, her partner is in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, she has been shunned by most of the cops in the city, and she has just enough money left to get really drunk. While she is minding her own business a man comes up to her in his brand new leather outfit making him stick out like a sore thumb in the biker bar, but what is truly weird is the man knows her name and has an envelope for her. She has never been to this particular bar before and only just decided right before arriving.

I have to say it, I loved Jazz, she is a smart mouth who can back it up but there is so much more to her than just that she is kind and caring even if she pulls her gun first and asks questions later. I wasn’t sure what the story would be about as the synopsis I had read was fairly vague but it turned out to be a unique and fun read. I know Rachel Caine has also written the Morganville Vampire series, even though I have only read two of those I have to say that Rachel Caine is a truly surprising author. She has come up with two of the most original series that I have ever come across but not only that none of her books that I have read even come close to anyone else’s.  This book in particular you have great characters an amazing storyline all surrounding the good versus evil premise. This is certainly a must read and I look forward to what Rachel Caine has in store next. 

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A Widow’s Guilty Secret By Marie Ferrarella Review

A Widow’s Guilty Secret

By Marie Ferrarella

★★

Suzie Burris is waiting for her husband to get home so she can ask for a divorce. Having agreed to have a child to try to connect with each other she is now the new mother of a two month old baby and has had enough of her philandering husband. As Suzie is anxiously waiting for her husband Detective Nick Jeffries shows up to inform her that her husband has been murdered.

I usually like what Harlequin releases, this is one of those instances where it was a miss for me. Granted Marie Ferrerella is a great author, she does a wonderful job in bringing her story fully to life. The problem is the story itself. First off you have a woman who has just given birth and whose husband has just been murdered but she is constantly taking off and leaving her two month old son with her sister. Then you take into account that this is a romance novel and she will inevitably fall in love with the detective, again I see what the author is trying to say that the marriage has been over for a while but her husband died what a few hours ago and she is falling for someone else? I think that if the author had switched Suzie and her sister Lori characters with each other she would have had a much better novel. The third problem I have follows the not so subtle:

**Spoiler Alert**

The absolutely biggest problem I had was when as you may have predicted her son and sister are kidnapped. And what does a grieving widow whose child is in danger do? You guessed it, have passionate sex with the man who is supposed to be working on her husband’s case.  Wait what?

**End Spoiler Alert**

Unfortunately I did not like this book which is rare from me as I said I usually like what Harlequin puts out there, this one was just too much. There’s drama then there is “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

Trouble in Texas by Katie Lane Review

Trouble in Texas

Deep in the Heart of Texas Book Four

By Katie Lane

★★★★★

Brant Crates is searching for answers to what happened to his great-granddaddy; however he doesn’t expect to run into three old ladies who leave him drugged and tied to a bed. Elizabeth Murphy has just inherited Miss Hattie’s Henhouse, for an uptight and proper librarian all she wants to do is get rid of it one day she finds a man tied to a bed and soon her life takes an unexpected twist.

When I first started this book I kept getting angry, let me explain. I am from West Texas where Brant is traveling to Miss Hattie’s, there actually is a Miss Hattie’s in West Texas so when the author was describing the fallen down mansion I knew she was way off the mark. Miss Hattie’s is in San Angelo, Texas and has actually been made into a museum; it is located above a jewelry store in downtown San Angelo. Finally I came to the part where the author says “Bramble, Texas” and I was completely relieved that she did not mean the actual Miss Hattie’s. Once I was over that little hurdle I actually loved the book. The three old “Hens” who still live in Miss Hattie’s were my absolute favorite as they always seemed to be getting into trouble one way or another. These ladies may have been my favorite characters but Katie Lane created some absolutely fabulous characters including Brant and Elizabeth, but also a wide range of supporting characters that truly add new dimensions to an already fun read. Katie Lane has created an amazing romance, fantastic characters, and a storyline that is completely captivating. This is definitely worth the read.

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