The Miracle Inspector by Helen Smith Review

The Miracle Inspector

By Helen Smith

In the near future, London has become an oppressive society, one in which women are not allowed out of the home to work or even socialize with other women. Lucas and Angela is a young couple who have become restless in this society, Angela is tired of being a captive in her own home while Lucas is tired of working as the miracle inspector and facing day in and day out of women fabricating miracles just so they can have some company. Soon they decide they will try to escape London throwing them into more conflicts then they had imagined.

Helen Smith writes novels with a wicked sense of humor; anywhere from dark humor to crude nothing is safe when Helen Smith begins a novel. This novel is a little different with a lot less of the absurd content, though it is not what I expected from the author I found myself falling in love with this story. Now granted, I am a sucker for a dystopian novel, but this novel is so realistic it is scary. The women are sheltered from the cruel world and the dangerous men who live in it they are not beaten or abused just sheltered to the point they are not allowed to leave the house. Unlike many dystopian novels this one does not lean towards the extreme or the science fiction making it unique and definitely an interesting read.

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Love in a Nutshell by Janet Evanovich and Dorien Kelly Review

Love in a Nutshell

By Janet Evanovich and Dorien Kelly

Down on her luck Kate Appleton walks into Matt Culhane’s office and demands a job since it was his skunk beer keg that had gotten her fired from the only job she could find in Keene’s Harbor and after she was dumped by her husband and fired from her position as magazine editor and has decided to turn her family’s lake side cottage into a bed and breakfast she needs every penny she can scrounge. Matt is intrigued by the feisty woman and decides to hire her, he has had a run of “accidents” and needs someone inconspicuous to spy for him and Kate seems perfect for the job, and if she can find the culprit then he will give her a bonus of twenty thousand dollars.

These two authors have managed to produce a fun and witty novel full of love and laughter. Not only do these two bring together a flirty romance but I love the dogs in the story with Matt’s three-legged mascot to Kate’s spoiled miniature poodle, I don’t think the story would have gone quite so well without them. This contemporary romance will surely leave you giggling as you follow along on some of the best antics that have been compiled into a beautiful love story.

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Glass Houses by Rachel Caine Review

Glass Houses

The Morganville Vampires Series Book One

By Rachel Caine

Super smart sixteen year old, Claire Danvers, is a misfit through and through especially considering the fact that she is a freshman in college. Soon after she starts her new life in Morganville Texas she bites off more than she can chew when she insults Monica and her gaggle of followers who are now out for her blood. After Monica pushes Claire down a flight of stairs she decides she must leave campus and find somewhere else to stay otherwise she may end up dead next time. She soon finds an add that takes her to a house that is best described as “Gone with the Wind meets the Munsters” and three new roommates each eccentric in their own way. Shortly after she moves in she discovers that Morganville is more than just the party town that it seems and is full of dark and dangerous secrets.

Ok so when I first heard about this novel I thought “Young adult romance called Morganville Vampires, another typical vampire romance, Skip it!” Once I started reading this novel it took me completely by surprise, not only is the vampires the bad guys in this book but it surrounds an entire town controlled by vampires and the humans know and most are under a vampire’s protection. After I read this I was hooked, I could not get enough of this novel with its witty repartee and a storyline like this it is an amazing read. Be forewarned this book has one heck of a cliffhanger so have book two ready to continue on!

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Hereafter by Terri Bruce Review

Hereafter

By Terri Bruce

After a night of bar-hopping with her friends Thirty-Six year old Irene gets into her car and starts to drive home, when she wakes up she is on the side of the road and she soon realizes she has been gone not just over night but for days. When she is wandering around she runs into a fourteen year old boy who explains to her that she is actually dead. Now Irene is determined to find the “tunnel” and make her way to heaven.

This is an interesting look into a ghost story, it is not scary it is more of a dramatic novel than anything else. The only problem I had with this novel is the May-December romance. I am not sure the author initially created a romance between the fourteen year old and the thirty six year old but when you have them “joking” with each other and it ends with one or both of them blushing and looking away that scream flirting, add in how Jonah gets highly upset when she gives attention to anyone but him, and how “over protective” he is it screams romance. Besides this you have an arrogant woman who has to reevaluate her entire life and come to terms with the position she has found herself in it is a great novel.

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Paradise Misplaced By Lisa April Smith Review

Paradise Misplaced

By Lisa April Smith

This novel revolves around three stories. First you have Charlie who is a successful model then one day she is brutally attacked leaving her in the hospital. Second you have Naomi, a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust working on a dig in Israel when she comes across a picture of a woman in a magazine who must be one of her long lost daughters. Lastly but not least you have Jack who spends his days romancing and swindling women in Buenos Aires after he faked his own death leaving Charlie to fend for herself. As Charlie recovers she begins to help the investigators find her attacker, being pulled once again into a scheme of art forgery.

This is an interesting novel not only bringing to life several places around the world but also creating an interesting and dysfunctional family dynamic full of drama. There is so much that happens in this novel but it isn’t over-whelming in its execution it only succeeds in keeping you wrapped in the story until the very end. With Charlie being attacked, Jack trying to survive the only way he knows how, and Naomi who struggles against her feelings each moment you will be drawn further into an intertwining story.  Though there is less romance in this novel than in the first it is highly dramatic and involving, as the character focus is less on Charlie and more on her parents. When you add in the suspense with the drama and mystery you have a brilliant book that will take you around the world and back making you anxious for more! 

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The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis by Sharon Ledwith Review

The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis

By Sharon Ledwith

When five eighth grade students get into a food fight at school none of them thought it would lead on an adventure through time, the five students are sentenced to yard duty as punishment for their crimes shortly after they arrive at Melody’s home the stumble upon an arch that was buried in her back yard.  Once they excavate the mysterious arch they are whisked away to Atlantis where they meet up Lilith who is in charge of keeping watch over the gate, she informs them they are the last timekeepers and must travel through time to stop an evil magus from changing time.

Not only is this an original novel in itself but also a retelling of a classic story, Robin Hood, as the teens travel back to Nottingham on their search to stop Belial.  The author does a wonderful job in crafting this novel, blending the two stories seamlessly such as when you think the timekeepers are going to inadvertently change history themselves the author weaves the story back to the original. The only problem I had with this novel is in the beginning when we are getting to know the characters. The author would call them by their first name and a paragraph or so later start using their last names to refer to the characters, as she is building the foundation of the story I would get lost thinking, “Okay, who is Treena and Mui?” when they are actually the same person. So be sure to pay attention to the characters last names as you go along, other than that this was a great young adult novel, it was highly unique and entertaining to read.

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Something Witchy This Way Comes by H.P. Mallory Review

Something Witchy This Way Comes

Jolies Wilkins Series Book Five

By H.P. Mallory

Back from time traveling to the past, Jolie Wilkins Queen of the Underworld is having a bit of a problem sorting through what are now her two realities. What she does know is that Sinjin, her sworn protector, went back into the past to protect her from the Lurker threat and may or may not have had designs on making her fall in love with him for his own selfish wants, either way he must face punishment, being stripped of his title and banished from the kingdom. When Jolie starts to become violently ill she starts to fear that it is another attack from the Lurkers, what she soon realizes is that morning sickness can make you feel like you are dying as well. Shortly after she finds out she is pregnant she is kidnapped by the Elder of the Lurkers. Will she make it out alive, even more importantly will she be able to protect her unborn child?

This is book five in the Jolie Wilkins series, but for me this is the first novel I have read. I thought surely I would be lost, but surprisingly I was able to stay right on top of the story line and it was fascinating. H.P. Mallory creates a world full of vampires, witches, werewolves, and even the Fae and her main character is the Queen of them all, but the author does not stop there she throws in the Lurkers. At the beginning of the book you have no idea who they are so I assume you have no idea who they are in the rest of the series, but as you continue reading they turn out to be a formidable foe for all of your usual “supernatural” characters. I definitely hope to go back and read the previous novels if this one is any comparison they are going to be worth the read.

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Memoirs of a Geisha By Arthur Golden Review

Memoirs of a Geisha

By Arthur Golden

In 1929 Sayuri’s mother has fallen ill and her father is no longer able to care for her and her older sister, she is soon sold to a representative of a geisha house in the Kyoto district.  The she works as a maid and is trained in music and dance with hopes of becoming a geisha one day. But when she is caught trying to run away she is deemed too much of a risk to continue her training, until an accomplished Geisha decides to take her under her wing and teach her everything she knows to introduce her into the society. As she is an apprentice she comes across a man, the only man that had shown her kindness when she was a child, increasing her determination to become a Geisha and gain his approval.

This is not only the story of a Geisha it is the story of Japan during the great depression and during world war two, beautifully written around the struggles of a woman who must work as hard as she can to support herself. The romance is flawless and the drama is poignant and breathtaking this was an amazing read. The movie that followed this book is one of my favorites, though the movie could not come close to the beauty within this novel.

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Forever Werewolf by Michele Hauf Review

Forever Werewolf:

Forever Werewolf and Moon Kissed

By Michele Hauf

On occasion Harlequin publishing house offers a two for one book deal, this book is one of those occasions so to make it easier not only on myself but also for everyone who reads my reviews I will write a separate  review for each book. I hope you all enjoy!

Forever Werewolf:

Trystan Hawkes has been tasked by his father to deliver an important package to the pack leader, “principal” in this case, at Castle Wulfsiege. Shortly after he arrives he is captivated by the enchanting Alexis Conner, daughter to the Alpine Prinicipal. As Alexis is informing her ailing father that the package he has been anticipating has finally arrived, an avalanche strikes the castle trapping them inside but with some of the pack out skiing at the time soon everyone begins a rescue mission even the Lone-Wolf Trystan. Soon as Alexis and Trystan become closer they soon realize each one has a secret, Trystan is not full blooded werewolf but mixed with vampire, and Alexis hides behind her blue sunglasses. Not only must they overcome their differences but each must contend with the entire Alpine Pack.

There is no way my brief synopsis could have done this novel justice; this novel alone has at least four story lines all intertwining into a seamless and fascinating world of Werewolves. Though this is a romantic fantasy it is not what you expect, yes it gets rather “steamy” in some parts but the world that Michele Hauf has brought to life is so captivating. Not only does this author blend the storylines into a flawless novel she also captures the scene, from the beautiful landscape of the Alpine mountains, to the relationships between each of the characters, and even if you have not read any of her novels, which this is my first, the characters she introduces from previous works do not fall flat in this novel. This first novel definitely sets an exceptional tone for this anthology.

 

Moon Kissed:

Belladonna Reynolds loves to stay fit and being a flamenco dancer it comes with the territory, one night as she is jogging she runs into a bit of trouble in the form of three bloodthirsty vampires. Luckily she runs into an abandoned warehouse to hide and straight into the arms of Severo a werewolf. As Severo is holding her in his arms he realizes that the connections he feels to this woman can only mean one thing, that she is destined to be his mate. This is just the beginning as the vampires soon begin to stalk Bella and Severo vows to protect her.

This novel doesn’t get really good until about chapter eight before that it is more a “Romantica” and has less of a storyline, but once it does kick off the book is fantastic. It turns out Bella’s best friend who also happens to be a man, is dating a vampire which Severo had nick named Elvira in years past for her outrageous appearance. When it comes to light that Elvira is the jealous sort it leaves Bella in a world of trouble. Though I read this one along with Forever Werewolf, this one was not as well written as the first but it still held its own, it is a quick and fun read even if it does start off a bit slow story wise.

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Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly Review

The Lincoln Lawyer

Mickey Haller Series Book One

By Michael Connelly

Mickey Haller is a criminal defense attorney whose client list ranges from bikers and prostitutes to drunk drivers and drug dealers. One day a bail bonds man who is “on his Christmas list” calls him up with what they call a franchise case, a person who can pay your high fees and a trial that will subsequently drag on, but when Haller takes on the case of the innocent rich kid supposedly attempting to murder a prostitute, he may get more than he had bargained for. What happens when the client in question turns out to be truly evil?

The main character is not your ordinary sleazy lawyer, but a man with two ex-wives whom are still a part of his life, a daughter, and compassion for the so called criminals he defends even if they are guilty. The way the author not only has his main character feel compassion for the criminals he defends but you soon find yourself having the same empathy. The main character seems to be rounded out by the cast of this novel, taking him from an almost despicable man to one whom you care for in the end. Not only does Michael Connelly do a brilliant job with his cast of characters but he also had a storyline so full of twists and drama that this is a remarkable read.

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A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness Review

A Discovery of Witches 

All Souls Trilogy Book One

By Deborah Harkness

Diana has spent her entire life denying herself anything to do with witchcraft, though she is descended from a long line of witches. When she was a child her parents were killed and she knew that it was because their deaths had, had something to do with magic. Now Diana is a historian focusing on alchemical texts, when she pulls stumbles upon an enchanted book within Oxford’s Bodleian Library she is soon pulled into more magic than she had ever imagined.  With the help of vampire geneticist, Mathew Clairmont, Diana must survive witches who want her to recall the manuscript at any cost and she will soon realize that she is not quite as inept in witchcraft as she had previously thought.

First and foremost this is a romance novel; I say this because the synopsis you read on the book or even on goodreads make it seem as it will be more of a novel like a Game of Thrones with only slight romance, and this is not the case. I don’t have a problem with romance it was just not what I had expected when I started reading it. Most of the novel is rather slow; it’s more of a building of the story and the characters than having a story of its own but when you get towards the end the author truly sucks you into the story. It is a well written novel and the world that Deborah Harkness has created in which there are four types of beings, Vampires Witches, Demons, and Humans, is truly fascinating. Demons are eccentric and focus more on the arts as Vampires focus more on science in their lives, now I know the Vampire aspect is not quite original but to take that theory and use it with demons is truly interesting. All in all this is an amazing start to a trilogy and worth it if you don’t mind the slow start.

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Eve by Anna Carey Review

Eve

Eve Book One

By Anna Carey

Ninety Eight percent of the world’s population has been wiped out by a deadly virus, leaving many children orphans in the aftermath. Eve is one of these orphans, she lost her mother when she was a child and sent to a school where she became the top of her class and the best student they had seen. Eve looks forward to being sent across the lake to the dorms where the graduates will learn a trade, until she discovers that the girls sent to the dorms will never leave instead they are used to breed children, as many as they possibly can at a single time, after her world has been shattered all Eve can think of is escaping.

This is certainly an interesting novel as we travel along with Eve into the true aftermath of a world that has been left decimated. Once Eve escapes and is in the outside world the author truly brings to life a scary possibility full of gangs and the worst form of human nature possible, but she also shows the best side when Eve reunites with a classmate and is saved by a young man we see both sides of the coin, true love and true evil. Not only is Anna Carey able to create a world that you come to fear, and make you fall in love with each character along the way she also manages to pull on your heartstrings at every possible moment, if you are highly sentimental I recommend a box of tissues by your side as you read this novel. This was a fantastic beginning with an unexpected ending ensuring you will continue on Eve’s journey.

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Professor Gargoyle by Charles Gilman Review

Professor Gargoyle

Tales From Lovecraft Middle School Book One

By Charles Gilman

Robert Arthur’s neighborhood has been redistricted so now Robert will be starting middle school at the new state of the art school Lovecraft Middle School. To add to his misfortune of starting a new school the one person he recognizes from elementary is his long time bully, Glenn, having to deal with Glenn after so many years may not be so bad, but when a cute girl comes up asks if you are ok, well for a teenage boy life just gets worse from there. But soon Robert will make one or two new friends depending on how you count the two headed rat he finds in the Attic above the library, and this is just the beginning of Robert’s adventures at Lovecraft Middle School.

Where do I start with this novel? Ok, how about the obvious, the cover. My favorite part of having the cover transform from a solemn looking man to a smiling red skinned yellow eyed “gargoyle” is not telling anyone about it. For example I was in the middle of moving from Germany back to the U.S. when I was trying to receive this book so I had it sent to my mother, I am on the phone with her right after she receives it and she is telling me she is going to open it. Well, there is no arguing with my mother, so the next thing I hear is “Oh, Shoot!” to which I calmly reply “Oh, you saw the cover?” Not only does the cover provide hours of fun but when you add onto this fact that the novel itself is full of twists and turns at every step, you start with an average kid trying to survive school add in a two headed rat and the fun is exponential. Then the book is rounded off by amazing illustrations making this a book that is truly fun for all ages.

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Taking the Day Off!

Well today is a special day, so I decided to take a break. Today Just so happens to be my Birthday. 

I feel a bit like the guy driving this car, Out of nowhere my birthday has snuck up on me and I am yet another year older. 

Thank you to everyone who has already left me Birthday wishes I will see you guys tomorrow with an ARC, Squeee! 

Painted Black by Debra R. Borys

Painted Black

By Debra R. Borys

Jo Sullivan is a reporter for a Chicago newspaper, Winds of Change, one night she and her friend Keisha run into a young woman who is selling herself on the streets. Keisha knows this girl from her work with an outreach program, insisting she stop and talk to the girl; Jo goes along and soon becomes wrapped up in a strange tale. When Lexie disappears the reporter in Jo must find out what has happened, along the way she soon runs into Chris a street kid who is trying his best to rescue Lexie after he leaves her alone with a perverse mortuary attendant.  

This is such an interesting story, though this is not for everyone, there are moments when it is crass and takes an unforgiving look at life on the streets. That being said, this is a fantastic novel full of suspense and intrigue. Each character comes to life in these pages making it almost impossible to put it down for even a moment as you wonder what is going to happen to Chris and Jo. I think the author has come across an interesting setting for an entire series of novels featuring Jo and hopefully Chris as well, at least I hope so. The only thing I must say that it does need a bit of editing other than that the author has certainly struck gold with this novel.

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The Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux Review

The Summerhouse

Summerhouse Book One

By Jude Deveraux

On their twenty-first birthday three women met in New York as they are renewing their driver’s licenses. The three soon hit it off Leslie has come to New York to become a dancer, Madison was sent by her small home town to become a model, and Ellie has dreams of becoming an artist. Nineteen years later after Ellie has been through a horrific divorce she decides to reconnect with the two women who touched her life forever inviting them to spend their fortieth birthday at a Summerhouse in Maine. What turns out to be an ordinary vacation soon turns into an extraordinary opportunity that will alter their lives.

This is a novel of choices, the choices we have made in our lives and where those decisions have brought us. What if you had the chance to change something in your past? This is the idea that Jude Deveraux takes on with this novel, not only is it thought provoking the author is simple brilliant in the execution of this novel intertwining three very unique stories. The only thing I must say is that the story itself starts off a bit slow, but each character has an interesting back story somewhat making up for the lack of anything truly happening, the novel truly kicks off about halfway through when the three women meet Madame Zoya. Once this happens you truly cannot put this novel down until you find out how it will end, I cannot say weather this novel is suprising the first time I read it myself I was a teenager and I absolutely fell in love, so re-reading it for review I knew what would happen and I find myself falling in love with this novel all over again, definitely worth the read.  

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Sneak by Evan Angler Review

Sneak

Book Two of the Swipe Series

By Evan Angler

Logan Langly is searching for his sister, when she was preparing to receive her mark that would make her a true citizen she was “flunked” at the last minute; she was taken from her family and everyone she knew. Logan has come across a lead in search that will take him to one of the worst places imaginable, Acheron, a prison for the markless. As Logan continues on his search he soon becomes part of an underground “river” for the markless who wish to find freedom.

Though I haven’t read the first novel in this series this book was absolutely amazing. The beginning can be a bit confusing if you don’t know what is happening but soon you are wrapped up into a story full of outstanding characters each one bringing a different aspect of this story to life. Though the main story centers around Logan and his sister it also encompasses Peck, the leader of “The Dust” a rebel group of teenagers, who is also searching for Logan’s sister as they had been very close before she went missing and also Erin a marked girl whose father is one of the men sent to track down Logan though she does everything she can to help Logan himself. Each storyline intertwines flawlessly making this an interesting and captivating read.

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