Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Gameboard of the Gods

Age of X Book One

By RIchelle Mead

In the future the world was nearly destroyed by religious extremist so now religion is outlawed and treated as fictitious.  Justin March was a servitor whose job is was to investigate claims of paranormal activity and ensure that the religions followed strict guidelines; however he was sent into exile following an event that forever changed his life. One day Mae Koskinen, warrior elite for the Republic of United North America, comes bearing a message that will allow Justin back into the civilized world and redeem his name.

Gameboard of the Gods is an amazing science fiction novel mixed with paranormal fantasy. The characters are complex yet blend together wonderfully as their relationship grows into something adjacent to a friendship. I absolutely enjoyed Mae’s storyline, not that Justin’s wasn’t excellent as well, from her past as a debutante into the present as the warrior she has become and the losses she has faced in her life it is intricate and wonderful to follow along as her character develops and the story progresses. Richelle Mead has done a wonderful job with this book and though she is known for her young adult series she has seamlessly taken over the adult world with her new novel. With action packed scenes and tantalizing “steamy” scenes it’s sure to have a little bit of something for everyone.  This book is highly original and definitely worth the read.  

For more reviews please visit:

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

Tiaras & Texans By Laina Turner Narrated By Lee Ann Howlett

Tiaras & Texans

A Presley Thurman Mystery

By Laina Turner

Narrated By: Lee Ann Howlett

Presley wins a bet against her boyfriend allowing her to finally work for his security company. Though she starts the assignment especially excited knowing she will be good at this job she ends up annoyed when she finds out that the job in question is to protect beauty queens at a Texas pageant. Soon after beginning the job she and Cooper, her boyfriend and now boss, find that this will be more than just protecting the girls against childish pranks now they will have to find out who murdered one of the girls before it happens again.

I absolutely loved Lee Ann Howlett’s narration of this book. First off her characters where each distinct from the low timber of cooper to the high pitched whine of some of the beauty pageant contestants making the story come to life. What really made this an excellent performance though weren’t just the different voices of her characters but also the accents. I am a native Texan and so many times I come across audio books or even on television where an actor or narrator will butcher the accent but Lee Ann Howlett was spot on, I didn’t even cringe once. The story itself is a great cozy mystery, which is a subgenre of crime fiction where the sex and violence are downplayed or even portrayed humorously. (Thanks Wikipedia!)  Laina Turner did a wonderful job with the mystery aspect of the book not once did I suspect who had done it until the very end which is great! You can tell this is not the first book in the series but the fun of a cozy mystery is you don’t really have to start at the beginning this book is no exception Laina Turner makes sure you can keep up with the story from the very beginning. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries or even a beginner I definitely recommend this book, and be sure to check out the great audio book the narration makes it so much better.

For more reviews please visit:

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

Black Rose by Nora Roberts

Black Rose

Book Two of In The Garden Trilogy

By Nora Roberts

Rosalind Harper married young to the love of her life, but life had other plans for her she was left widowed, years later as her children grew and moved on with their own lives she decided to get married again her second husband turned out to be a liar, a cheat, and a thief. Now at forty seven she is independent and has no intentions of every being married again but as she gets to know the man she has hired to investigate her family to find out who the Harper Bride is the more she fights the fact she is falling in love all over again.

This book is not as a good as the first one, but was great in continuing the story of the Harper Bride. It’s not bad it is more of a classic romance with touches of the ghost as the ghost becomes more aggressive I think the ghost was scarier in the first book considering it focused more around two young children. This book is a great romance Nora Roberts is a fantastic romantic author and there is no wonder why she is such a bestseller and has so many books under her belt, I can’t wait to read the next book and see what happens concerning the Harper Bride and if they can appease the ghost once and for all.

For more reviews please visit:

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

Cleopatra Ascending by Maureen Lipinski

Cleopatra Ascending

Shadow’s Edge Series Book Two

By Maureen Lipinski

Rhea has just turned sweet sixteen and discovered she is Cleopatra’s reincarnate. This really isn’t much of a surprise, more like a let-down, she wishes she had cooler powers like her sisters or her mom the most she can do is draw attention from the people around her. That is until her powers begin to manifest themselves and she is soon in danger from people who would wish to use Cleopatra’s abilities against mankind.

I had no idea that this was the second book in a series; you can definitely tell you’ve missed something when you start reading but it’s still a great story even if you start in the middle like I did. Maureen Lipinski has created a fantastic story here centering on Rhea and her past life. Even though Rhea is absolutely intriguing and the main character of the novel there are several times when her sisters and mother draw the attention away from Rhea making you want to know more about their unique gifts. Through the blending of dreams Rhea glimpses events in her past life that are so well written and descriptive you can almost see yourself in ancient Egypt.  The author takes something simple from Egyptian mythology and plays it to its fullest captivating readers and transporting us into another world. I cannot wait to see what else the author has in store for Rhea.

For more reviews please visit:

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

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. 

For more reviews please visit:

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

City of Dark Magic By Magnus Flyte

City of Dark Magic

City Of Dark Magic Book One

By Magnus Flyte

Strange things are happening in Prague, beginning with a party where all the guests in attendance begin to jump to their deaths. Shortly after this Sarah Weston receives the opportunity of a lifetime to travel to Prague Castle and begin cataloguing Beethoven’s manuscripts. As a musicologist who specializes in the life of Ludwig van Beethoven how could she turn down such an invitation? Soon after she arrives however she learns that her mentor had committed “suicide” but his is the first in many unusual deaths that begin to occur.

I am a fan of Beethoven’s music so it’s no surprise I wanted to read a book in which present day seems to intertwine with the story of Beethoven himself. I had no idea how amazing this book would actually turn out Magnus Flyte has taken multiple pasts and managed to bring them into the present in an unusual way yet it all blends together so wonderfully and precisely. I must warn you that this is truly an adult book with drugs and sex mixed into the storyline it may not be suitable for everyone, for me however the free spirited Sarah is the perfect character to tell this story. The theory behind the book is absolutely intriguing strange deaths, a drug that can let you see into the past, and all tying in with Ludwig van Beethoven what more could you ask for? 

For more reviews please visit:

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

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

For more reviews please visit:

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

The Bridge By Karen Kingsbury

The Bridge

By Karen Kingsbury

For thirty years Charlie and Donna Barton have run The Bridge a book store in Tennessee, not only do they sell books but through the years have touched the lives of many people around them. This includes Molly Allen and Ryan Kelly who met in college and would use The Bridge as their own secret hideout. Years later Molly and Ryan have drifted apart and The Bridge has been hit by hard times after a devastating flood. Now Molly and Ryan are reunited to save their beloved bookstore and maybe work through the hurt of their pasts.

Karen Kingsbury has now made it onto my “Evil Evil Authors” list, I think I cried throughout three fourths of this novella so I definitely recommend grabbing a box of tissues to have by your side as Karen Kingsbury is a master at playing with your heart strings. This was such a beautiful novel of how the smallest thing can truly change a person’s life forever. Each person has a story and Charlie has become a part of that by showing a simple act of kindness to those around him. Karen Kingsbury manages to incorporate so much in such a short book not only Molly and Ryan’s story but also Charlie and Donna and even glimpses into the lives of the many people who were affected by the bookstore. I absolutely loved this book it’s just a simple yet beautiful Christian romance yet the story will stay with you.

Heather

For more reviews please visit:

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

Mumma Shana by Dana Wolf

Mumma Shana

By Dana Wolf

This is the story of Dorie’s life from the tribulations in her childhood to the heartbreak in her teenage years and through to her adulthood where she continues to face one trial after another. Dorie is raised as a good Jewish girl she struggles with her faith, works to overcome her dysfunctional family, and learns about loss and finds out how to love for the first time.

The first half of this book is all about the pain Dorie has gone through with a father who could care less about her and a mother who is manipulative and mentally abusive to her children. Which is interesting even though the story progresses slowly and the author bounces around in her story from one person to another and from one time period to a completely different one. Then you have the last half of the novel most of which is how Dorie is beginning to stand up for herself and make the changes she desperately needed to make. It isn’t until about eighty percent through the book that I wanted to stop reading completely.

**SPOILER ALERT**

Dorie has been married and has a child with this man and knows he has a drinking problem, when her husband finally confesses to the problem she does not decide “I should try to help him” no she decides “Oh well I wanted to leave you anyway” not only does she want to leave her husband but she wants to leave him for another man who is also married. As if the author caught on that this is a messed up situation she sends Dorie home to her husband and has him “attack” her and throw her on the couch in an effort to justify Dorie’s actions. If this isn’t bad enough the author also seems to take a carbon copy of the hated mother character and re-name her and label her as the wife of the man Dorie is now in love with the only difference being she is physically abusive as well as mentally. When I have already begun to hate the character once it seems deflated to try to hate her again.

** END SPOILER ALERT**

I talked to my husband about the book as I often do when I am reading and reviewing, and he says “Personal feelings aside, how is the story?” The only thing I could say was that it was boring nothing really happens until the end and by then I had already wanted to stop reading and pick up something else.

For more reviews please visit:

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

The Breeders By Matthew J. Beier

The Breeders

By Matthew J. Beier

In the future homosexuals are reigning supreme and through genetic manipulation control the sexuality of a child making heterosexuals are only a backup plan in case their plans fail most of them are sterile and only a handful are able to reproduce. Grace is a heterosterile, until she becomes pregnant after an encounter with Dex Wheelock. Now she must fight to save the life of her unborn child.

Some aspects of this book are really interesting, such as how Grace became able to reproduce, but then you have to world in which the author has created in which homosexual men are purely driven by their sexual organs. This book is highly adult with rape and consensual episodes around every corner, literally in some instances.  I think if Matthew J. Beier had integrated a perspective of a homosexual man not in the resistance but going along with the political regime then it would have been easier to relate to this book, as it is I just can’t imagine a world where homosexual men have turned into Nazis and all they care about is sex and destroying every last breeder out there. The afterword is a good touch to the novel itself as it explains some things but the purpose of a good book is to do this through the narration. I do think it’s an interesting concept I just wish it had been a bit more believable than it is. 

For more review please visit:

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

Shadow Woman by Linda Howard

Shadow Woman

By Linda Howard

After Lizette climbs out of the shower getting ready to go to work, she makes a startling discovery; she doesn’t recognize the woman looking back at her in the mirror. Every time she tries to understand what she is seeing, why her face has changed and two years are missing from her life she becomes violently ill. Determined to find out what is going on Lizette soon finds a way to work around the block in her mind and pieces together a life completely opposite from her own in every way except one. She has lived them both.

From page one you are assaulted by relentless action and intrigue as Linda Howard takes you through one twist after another. This is definitely a great romance novel, full of steamy scenes, high octane action, and a mystery unlike any other. This book follows your standard romance novel rules, girl has a problem, girl meets boy, boy helps solve problem, and they live happily ever after. What makes this book stand out from the rest by having some of the most intense action scenes with amazing descriptive detail Linda Howard draws you into the story and keeps you hooked as you try to figure out what is so special about Lizette and why someone would want to completely alter her appearance and even her memories. I loved how Lizette starts off as a kind of “wimpy” character and soon you start to see the real woman peak out from behind the mask. The transformation along with amazingly detailed action scenes and an interesting ending makes this a romance novel worth the read.

For more reviews please visit:

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

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.

For More Reviews Please Visit:

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

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. 

For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:

http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpress.com/

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/

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.

For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:

http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpress.com/

http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/