Fantasy Review: Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym Martineau

Kingdom of Exiles
by Maxym Martineau

Description:
Fantastic Beasts meets Assassin's Creed in this epic, gripping fantasy romance from debut author Maxym M. Martineau.

Exiled beast charmer Leena Edenfrell is in deep trouble. Empty pockets forced her to sell her beloved magical beasts on the black market—an offense punishable by death—and now there's a price on her head. With the realm's most talented murderer-for-hire nipping at her heels, Leena makes him an offer he can't refuse: powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.

If only it were that simple. Unbeknownst to Leena, the undying ones are bound by magic to complete their contracts, and Noc cannot risk his brotherhood of assassins...not even to save the woman he can no longer live without.


My Review:
Kingdom of Exiles takes you on a journey through a world of assassins, magical beasts, curses, and romance.

What I most enjoyed about this book is that it’s both romance and fantasy, and both are done equally well. I get a bit tired of contemporary and historical romances, but toss in some magical beasts, a curse, and a quest, and I’m one happy reader. I loved the dynamic of the budding romance, and the tension builds on multiple levels. None of that mess where the love interests hate each other, but true internal conflict, desire, and sacrifice. Solid.

That being said, while the beast magic is fleshed out, the world building isn’t quite there. I picked up that the Charmers live separately, but didn’t understand where until the very end. I understood that there was a kingdom, but there were only hints and inklings of it and its history, as if it were a faraway place rather than the country where everyone in the story lives. The story tends to focus more on the character interactions, the building tension, and the development of backstory, but at the expense of the larger world.

As for the steam rating, it’s up there, especially later on in the book. Detailed, steamy, and a bit coarse. Nothing is left to the imagination, so yeah. If you’re in it for the fantasy alone, you might be in for a surprise. I read through the first scene, but the others, well, I just kind of skimmed through. The good thing, in my opinion, is that the racy content doesn’t take over the book. It’s a part of it, but not the main event.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of romance who dig fantasy as well. Definitely targets adult readers who either prefer or don’t mind erotic content.

I received the review copy of this book from NetGalley.


About the Author:

 

Maxym M. Martineau is a staff writer by day, and a fantasy romance author by night. When she's not getting heated over broken hearts, she enjoys playing video games, sipping a well-made margarita, binge-watching television shows, competing in just about any sport, and of course, reading.
Following her passion, Maxym earned her bachelor's degree in English Literature from Arizona State University. She's a member of Romance Writers of America, and currently lives in Arizona with her husband and their dogs. She is represented by Cate Hart of Corvisiero Literary Agency. Her debut, Kingdom of Exiles, is slated for release in June 2019 with Sourcebooks.

Amazon  |  Goodreads

Paranormal Thriller Review: Twelve Spirits of Christmas (Tessa Lamar Novels, #2) by Kathryn M. Hearst

Twelve Spirits of Christmas (Tessa Lamar Novels, #2)
by Kathryn M. Hearst


Description:
Two amazing men. A serial killer. A Christmas to remember.

Tessa Lamar is dreading her first Christmas without her beloved grandfather. They say the holiday season brings out the best and the worst in people. This year, it’s brought out a serial killer, who chooses his victims based on the carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

As Tessa comes to terms with her life as a Nunnehi, the Cherokee equivalent to a fairy, she finds herself in cahoots with a ghost to stop the Christmas Killer before he strikes again. She must wrangle her magic, manage family responsibilities, juggle the men in her life, and discover the person she was meant to be, in order to save…

Seven Swans a Swimming - Eight Maids a Milking - Nine Ladies Dancing - Ten Lords a Leaping - Eleven Pipers Piping - Twelve Drummers Drumming.

Twelve Spirits of Christmas is the second of the Tessa Lamar Novels, Paranormal Romances with a Southern twist. If you like Southern humor, supernatural creatures, and a healthy dose of romance, then you'll love this series. Be sure to check out Kindle Scout winner, The Spirit Tree, to read the beginning of Tessa’s journey.


My Review:
This is a solid sequel to The Spirit Tree. Not exactly a Christmas story, though it’s definitely caught up in that holiday by nature of the killer’s theme.

I think what I liked best was the romance. It’s one of those where you can’t figure out who should end with whom, and it plays out in a way I didn’t expect.

Besides that, the thrilleresque vibe tickled my fancy. I enjoyed the paranormal edge and the race against the killer’s progress through the song. Very well done.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to folks who like a good thriller, a bit of romance, and a healthy dose of the paranormal. Fans of romance with non-traditional twists will likely enjoy this as well.

I purchased my copy of this book.


About the Author:

Kathryn M. Hearst is a southern girl with a love of the dark and strange. She has been a storyteller her entire life, as a child, she took people watching to new heights by creating back stories of complete strangers. Besides writing, she has a passion for shoes, vintage clothing, antique British cars, music, musicians and all things musical (including theater). Kate lives in central Florida with her chocolate lab, Jolene; and two rescue pups, Jagger and Roxanne. She is a self-proclaimed nerd, raising a nerdling.

The Order of the Sinistra Dei is her first series and includes titles, Feast of the Epiphany and Feast of Mercy. Kate's novel, The Spirit Tree, won a publishing contract with Kindle Press through the Kindle Scout contest. Her short stories have been published in various anthologies.

Visit Kathryn's website for more information.

Author Links:
http://www.kathrynmhearst.com/
Goodreads
Twitter @kathrynmhearst
Amazon

New Release and Review: Giving Her Promise (Crawford Falls #2) by Kate Carley

Giving Her Promise (Crawford Falls #2)
by Kate Carley

Description:
Who plans a two-week engagement?

It’s a valid question. But Claire Bronstad—a tenth-grade biology teacher and aspiring fiction author— doesn’t have time to analyze it. Her flight home to Crawford Falls is in a few hours, and there is no way she’s missing her brother’s wedding. Her roommate, Greyson Westcott, apparently isn’t feeling that same time crunch, announcing he’d like to take their platonic relationship to the next level. “I’ve been thinking it’s time we start exploring us.”

Exploring us? Is that code for sex?

Another solid question. One Greyson answers by stopping Claire’s heart with a passionate, toe-curling kiss. Oh, yes! Exploring the possibilities could be simply scrumptious.

But is having sex with her closest friend a good idea?

Not without jeopardizing their friendship, a risk Claire refuses to take. Reeling with uncertainty, she meets sexy groomsman, Jesse Morland, and after a night of slow dancing in each other’s arms, he has a question of his own:

“Come home with me tonight, Claire?”

As Claire’s feelings for Jesse blossom, she finds herself at odds with Greyson while their close friendship all but unravels, leaving her grasping at threads and questioning the true motivation behind his kiss, not to mention, the authenticity of their entire friendship.

Can Claire find all her answers in the picturesque river town of Crawford Falls?

My Review:
Giving Her Promise is a book about trust, giving it and losing it and getting it back. Paired with that is quite a steamy romance.

I enjoyed Claire’s dilemma regarding Greyson and Jesse. I particularly thought it interesting that Claire trusts too much, and Jesse too little. Then there’s Greyson. While I had guessed how things would go with him, he still managed to surprise me.

Again the family and friend dynamics play an excellent counterpoint to the romance, and the next pairing is set up nicely. It was cool that Dylan and Kelly are still involved, though they take a back seat. Ras’s progression and history are explored more deeply and explain some aspects of Claire’s story.

Overall, I really liked this story. There was a lot more intrigue in this one and even some danger. Fans of romance with some meat will like this.

I received the review copy of this book from the author.

Add it on Goodreads!

About Kate Carley:

How Kate Carley went from majoring in mathematics and computer science in college to writing steamy contemporary romance still remains a mystery. She broke out into the indie publishing scene in 2015 with her debut novel, Challenged, a 2017 RONE award winner. Two more books completed her romantic suspense trilogy, Changing Krysset.

With three published works under her belt, Kate is excited to launch her new contemporary romance series. Just like her first novels, the Crawford Falls series is set in a small town in Kate’s home state of Minnesota.

When Kate isn’t busy at her desk writing, you’ll find her dreaming up new characters and plotting perfect ways to make their lives miserable before giving them their happily ever after.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | Pinterest

Superhero Spoof Review: The Adventures of Technicality Man by Jessica Meats

The Adventures of Technicality Man
by Jessica Meats

Genre: Superheroes, General Humor, Literature and Fiction

Publication Date: December 19, 2016

Description:
Everyone knows how the stories are supposed to go. The good guys win in the end, the hero ends up with the designated love interest, and the plucky band of misfits pulls together to save the world.
But what happens when a villain targets the nature of stories themselves? All the tropes that the heroes have come to rely on are under threat.

Technicality Man and his trusty companion Continuity Leopard must join forces with a group of minor heroes to save the day. They won’t let any barrier stop them. Not even the fourth wall.

My Review:
Ah, The Adventures of Technicality Man, a book I picked up on NetGalley due to the comic bookish cover and the satirical and corny description.

It was pretty much what I expected, but also not completely so, basically a play on comic book heroes and stories in general. The good guys and the bad guys play their parts, all with clever and highly descriptive names: Technicality Man, Origami Man, Chesty Cough Girl, to name a few. And yeah, their powers are exactly what their names imply. The girl is hilarious, her superpower is to appear highly contagious, which scares off guards and minions.

The other characters, besides the named heroes and villains, are several named cats who are responsible for all normal story conventions. Their names, of course, have everything to do with the elements of the story they control. I thought they were a bit clever and got a kick out of how the heroes knew when one was around or, in one case, summoned one to help them.

It’s not a terribly deep story, but it is amusing. I got through it in a few days, so there’s enough to entertain, but it is short enough to finish in a sitting in an afternoon. Good for a laugh or two if you’re familiar with comic book or hero stories and are game for a laugh or two at their expense.

Overall, I liked the story. It was amusing, clever in places, and light. I’d recommend it to folks who enjoy stories that poke fun at common themes by using those themes in the most obvious of ways. Good stuff.

I received the review copy of this book from NetGalley.

Interested? Add The Adventures of Technicality Man to your shelf on Goodreads.

About the Author:

 

 

Born in the United Kingdom, Jessica Meats is the author of a number of a number of intriguing science fiction books including the Code Name Omega series, the Shadows of Tomorrow series, and Child of the Hive. She also contributed a short story, Reading Between the Lines, to the MCB Quarterly magazine's 5th quarterly anthology.

 

Adding to all that, she has an active blog where she posts reviews, writing advice, and other bookish topics. Definitely worth a look.

 

Author Links:

Blog http://plot-twister.co.uk
Twitter @jessicameats

Amazon Jessica's Author Page

Goodreads Jessica's Author Profile

 

Fiction books by this Author:

 

Cover Reveal: All That Glitters by Tracy Krimmer

Today is the cover reveal for All That Glitters by Tracy Krimmer. This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The cover is designed by K Creative Designs.

All That Glitters (Songs of the Heart #1)
By Tracy Krimmer
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction
Age category: Adult
Release Date: summer 2017

Blurb:
Country-music star, Dory Walker, never wanted to come back to the small town of Sycamore Bay. But after her fairy-tale life is flipped upside down, and her marriage becomes a casualty, she has no choice.

Harris Malone is a man with few commitments. He keeps a low profile most days while he cares for his young daughter and helps run his dad’s hardware store.

But when he and Dory run into each other at the local gas station, all either can think about is the searing kiss they shared many years ago.

Can a woman who only wants to rekindle her career and a man who enjoys a no-strings attached lifestyle find everlasting love?

You can find All That Glitters on Goodreads

About the Author:
Tracy's love of writing began at nine years old. She wrote stories about aliens at school, machines that did homework for you, and penguins. Now she pens books and short stories about romance. She loves to read a great book, whether it be romance or science fiction, or any genre in between, or pop popcorn and catch up on her favorite TV shows or movies. She's been known to crush a candy or two as well. Her loves include fitness, reading, coffee, dogs, and naps (not in that order), and her dislikes are blue cheese, cold weather, and burpees.

You can find and contact Tracy here:
- Website
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Instagram
- Newsletter

Romantic Suspense Review and Blog Tour Stop: A Cunning Plan by Astrid Arditi

This is my stop during the blog tour for A Cunning Plan by Astrid Arditi. This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 1 till 14 August, you can view the tour schedule here.

A Cunning Plan (Sloane Harper #1)
by Astrid Arditi
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Age category: Adult
Release Date: 8 May, 2016

Description:
Determined to put her family back together, Sloane Harper stalks her ex husband and his annoyingly stunning mistress, Kate. And she’s not the only one. Handsome IRS agent Ethan Cunning is surveying them too, but not for the same reasons. He is attempting to nail Kate’s playboy boss.

Ethan and Sloane decide to help each other, which sends Sloane’s wobbly life spinning out of control. She’ll have to face danger, humiliation, and scariest of all, the dating scene, to lure her daughters’ father home.

Losing control was the best thing to happen to Sloane… until it turned lethal.

My Review:
A Cunning Plan is about a woman who’s resorted to staking out (not stalking) her ex’s new girlfriend in the hopes of figuring out how to get her husband back. She’s pretty much in denial, and it’s obvious she’s going down a desperate path. And then the most unexpected thing knocks her off that path, and she’s drawn into the plans of the mysterious and handsome agent, Ethan Cunning.

The description sparked my interest from the start. I was intrigued, hoping this would be what I thought it was, a romance/unlikely-spy thriller. Perhaps with some humor. Perhaps with a good dose of danger. I wasn’t disappointed. It had all of that, plus a really believable main character who grows from desperate ex-housewife into confident, self-reliant single mom.

And I think that character arc is what I love the most from this book. Sloane’s obviously never been on her own, and she’s still not convinced she is. I just wanted to shake her at times and say, “Lady, drop him! He’s no good.” But, then Ethan and even the target, mmm, and watching her figure it out and make mistakes, and eventually start making fewer of those, until finally, wow, what an awesome turnaround.

I also like how this is a clean read, but still honest and realistic about sex and desire. And, to be honest, I burst into giggles every time she mentions her hoo-ha’s reaction to something. On that note, I’d have to say that this feels like a read that women, in particular, would enjoy. The issues, the perspectives, the plot, all of it really. But it isn’t mushy, or boring, or full of poignant emotions, or something that’s so woman that it’s sickening. It’s unique, fun, and dangerous, with a touch of romance. It simply resonates. Take out the spy stuff, and it feels like Sloane and her family are real. Her girls, her mother, her housekeeper/friend. I love that.

So yes, overall, I loved this book. It’s a great read, and I would strongly recommend it to folks who enjoy romance, thrills and a bit of inept sleuthing.

I received a free copy of this book from the author via Lola’s Blog Tours so that I could review it on my blog, I read too much!

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You can find A Cunning Plan on Goodreads

You can buy A Cunning Plan here:
- Amazon
- Amazon UK
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- iBooks

About the Author:
Astrid Arditi was born from a French father and Swedish mother. She lived in Paris and Rome before moving to London with her husband and daughter back in 2013.

After dabbling in journalism, interning at Glamour magazine, and teaching kindergarten, Arditi returned to her first love: writing.

She now splits her time between raising her kids (a brand new baby boy just joined the family) and making up stories.

A Cunning Plan is Arditi’s first published work.

You can find and contact Astrid here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of A Cunning Plan. These are the prizes you can win:
- a Kindle Fire
- a 20$ amazon gift card
- 2 signed copies of A Cunning Plan by Astrid Arditi

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Adult MC Thriller Review: Iron Goddess by Dharma Kelleher

This is my stop during the blog tour for Iron Goddess by Dharma Kelleher. This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 18 till 31 July, you can view the tour schedule here.

Iron Goddess (Shea Stevens Thriller #1)
by Dharma Kelleher
Genre: Noir Thriller
Age category: Adult
Release Date: 28 June 2016

Blurb:
In this gritty, fast-paced debut thriller, an ex-con biker chick turned law-abiding citizen risks everything to save her new life—and confront the demons of her past.

Shea Stevens is biker royalty. Her father was the president of the Confederate Thunder Motorcycle Club. Under his watchful eye, she learned how to pick locks, disable alarms, and hot-wire cars like a pro. But all that is ancient history. Or so she thought . . .

After a stint in prison, Shea has worked hard to make a quiet, happy life for herself in Arizona. She spends her time bonding with her big-city girlfriend and running her bike shop, Iron Goddess Custom Cycles, with her dedicated team of misfits. But when one of her employees is shot and three of her specially commissioned bikes are stolen, Shea’s new life collides with the criminal underworld she tried to leave behind.

Shea knows better than to trust the police. So, with her Glock on her hip, she takes the investigation into her own hands. Shea’s search for the bike thieves leads her straight to her father’s old gang—and her estranged sister, whose young daughter has been kidnapped by a rival club. The last thing Shea wants is to be caught in the middle of a war—but if she learned one thing from her old man, it’s that when someone comes at you, you push back. Hard. And that’s exactly what she’s going to do.

My Review:
Iron Goddess is about Shea Stevens, a young woman with a past who’s made a life for herself building custom bikes for women and employing folks with a past to give them a second chance at a normal life. All that is great, and then she finds one of her young employees, a former addict, lying shot on the floor of her shop and the three, shiny new custom bikes her crew just finished gone. After that, she gets pulled into a dangerous game of trying to track down the bikes and the niece she never knew she had while, at the same time, reconciling with her estranged sister.

Alright, first off, wow. This book’s a lot of fun. It’s exciting and dangerous, non-stop. I really had trouble putting it down. And it’s all like something out of a TV show; I could totally picture myself getting addicted to it. The main character is strong, but not unrealistically so. She fights back, but doesn’t always win. I also dug how the story isn’t solving just one crime, but multiple ones, and the culprits aren’t obvious. It gets really scary at times, and I felt emotionally invested early on.

Folks who dig an action-packed thriller, but fear this may be more of a romance based on the LGBT tag need not worry. This isn’t a romance, and there aren’t any detailed love scenes. Really, it just happens that the main character has a girlfriend and her business partner used to be a woman. All of it just seems to be how it is, nothing special, as it should be.

More importantly for folks who are sensitive to it, this book features graphic violence and holds no bars for strong language. After all, the main character is caught up in a gang war. It fits the genre; just don’t be surprised.

Overall, I loved this book, and I would highly recommend it to adult fans of action, MC, and strong heroines. It’s a gritty read, but exciting and satisfying. I’m looking forward to another installment. Oh, and I love that cover art and how it portrays Shea.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley so that I could review it on my blog for my stop on Lola’s Blog Tours.
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You can find Iron Goddess on Goodreads

You can buy Iron Goddess here:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- iBooks


About the Author:
Dharma Kelleher writes gritty tales about outlaws, renegades, and misfits. Her hobbies include riding motorcycles, picking locks, and getting inked. Her debut novel IRON GODDESS will be published by Penguin Random House’s Alibi imprint on June 28, 2016. Learn more about her and her writing at dharmakelleher.com.

You can find and contact Dharma here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Instagram

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Iron Goddess. This giveaway is US and Canada only. Below are the prizes you can win:
- a 25$ amazon gift card
- earplugs with the Iron Goddess shop logo

For a chance to win enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dystopian Thriller Review: Only the Cold Remains by Curran Geist

Only the Cold Remains by Curran Geist
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book doesn't hold back...

Only the Cold Remains is a complex and action packed thriller set in a dystopian future where aliens (Kuljiks) have rescued the last surviving remnants of humanity from the Earth. The company, Medtronic, that is supposed to maintain their habitat and protect them from extinction is led by a perverted, evil Kuljik who has created a secret pleasure-ship, which features human slaves as the main attraction.

This book is well written and exciting. It is told from several distinct points of view, and this was used to good effect by the author to create tension, to build emotional connection with the characters, and to draw the reader onwards through the story. I found that it was difficult to put down the story while in a certain perspective, so it's probably a good thing the author switches between them every few chapters (episodes) or so or I'd never have gotten any sleep.

Like the previous book, this one features both the good and the bad, and let me say that the bad is really bad. The author handles the themes of good vs. evil well and is particularly skilled at showing how one cannot judge someone by their heritage. Even though much of the evil and degradation is spawned by the aliens, several of the most kind-hearted and relatable characters also happen to be aliens. I think this is one of the things that makes this book such a delight to read.

And, let's not overlook the fight and chase scenes. This book is packed with them. It truly is a thrilling experience, though sometimes they might have lasted a bit too long or followed action with action in too many sequences. Still, I think this is appropriate for this genre of book.

So, with all of this, I think the only thing, other than too much action for my taste in places, was the inconsistent execution of the inner monologue. This book, being told from many perspectives, is peppered with the inner thoughts, worries and dreams of it's featured characters. For those thoughts that were identified in italics as if the character was thinking them in real time, it would have been better to word them as one would word dialog, in present tense as if the thought were spoken aloud. Many of them were in past tense, not all, but many. If you're simply describing someones thoughts, past tense is fine, but don't italicize. If you're revealing someone's thoughts, it needs to be as if you are hearing their thoughts. I know I don't think in past tense for things that are happening now.

I must also reinforce the author's 17 and up warning. He wasn't kidding. This book doesn't hold back. Love, lust, violence, death, blood, gore, perversion, all of this and more is packed into this novel. It's not for the faint of heart, but mature readers who like a good thrill will likely love this story. I highly recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest, non-reciprocal review.

View all my reviews

Adult Fairy Tale Review: The Reflections of Queen Snow White by David C. Meredith

The Reflections of Queen Snow White by David C. Meredith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beautiful, yet heart wrenching. Not for kids.

Queen Snow White is in mourning. Prince Charming is dead and she finds herself in a haze, unable to feel anything but pain and loss, despite the joyous preparations for her daughter's upcoming wedding. Looking for a quiet place absent of backstabbing nobility, she wanders into a disused tower in her castle and finds herself face to face with the magic mirror her wicked step mother adored all those years ago.

I must say this story left me speachless. The language is beautiful, as are the images it brings to mind, and Snow White's story is wrought with both heartache and joy. We learn the gritty truths behind the children's fairy tale as the mirror helps Snow White take a good look at who she really is. Some of the scenes are graphically violent, such as the one that reveals the extent Lady Arglist's abuse, made all the worse because it follows on a scene of an even younger Snow White sharing what she hoped her new mommy would be like.

But the story isn't all heartache. Snow White's happiest moments are just as important to whom she has become. I wasn't exactly surprised when I encountered Snow White's wedding night. I did a cursory look-over of some of the other reviews and saw tag lines like "not your kid's snow white" when I was deciding whether to review it. That's usually code for adult content. I've read a few mature-audience stories that have fairy tale origins, and I think it's important that reviewers are extremely clear, in those cases, that there is adult content. However, I think the author did a great job making the intimate content relevant to the story and bringing the emotional aspects into play. Sure, it was explicit, but it was also beautiful, one of the most cherished memories the aging Snow White possesses. It broke my heart when she awoke in the room with the mirror and reality crashed in on her.

The mirror keeps drawing her in to experience each heartache, each triumph, each fear, all reflections of her true self, someone Snow White had long forgotten and perhaps never quite understood. This journey of self-discovery is what made me love this story. I will definitely want to read this again.

On a lighter note, I did find myself trying to match the dwarves to their counterparts in the Disney movie. I suspect Snow White's close friend Erfruet is Dopey*, because he was the youngest, and Grantig was Grumpy. I enjoyed doing so, though I think these characters were likely meant to match up with the literary version of the story, not the Disney version. Also, some of the character and kingdom names and titles were quite a mouthful. I most likely butchered them when I tried to pronounce them in my head.

So overall, I loved this story, but I must caution that it is for adult readers only. This is not a children's book. I would recommend this to people who enjoy a grown up spin on classic fairy tales.

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest, non-reciprocal review.

*I learned something new after chatting with the author about my theory about his names. He informed me that Erfruet is actually Happy (in German) and that the Disney characters were actually the inspiration for the names. I managed to guess Grantig correctly, and Artz in the book is a tweak to Arzt, for Doc. In the Snow White book, they are never actually named. He used German names because the original Snow White story is from Germany. I love little tidbits like this.

View all my reviews

Adult Dystopian Review: Equal Part 3: The Destination by W.J. Costello

Equal Part 3: The Destination by W.J. Costello
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

End game. Short and dangerous.
Equal Part III, The Destination, picks up with the same conversation that ends Part II. The chase may be over, but Janus and Diana are far from safe. We are reminded early on that the citizens of Equal are unremarkable in all except for their hatred of those who are different. Janus and Diana get careless and things go sour rather quickly.

This is the shortest of the three parts of this novel, but it's packed with danger and information. Everything is explained: Diana's origins, the nature of Haven, and the Plan, two decades in the making, that spawned the chase. Meanwhile, Janus and Diana are far from safety, though their destination is within their grasp. The edginess and danger take a back seat to the philosophy and history revelations that make up most of this volume, but the final run for freedom ultimately makes up for the break in action.

Like in the other books in this series, sexual content and violence peg this story as adult fiction. Still, I found that the author uses every bit of it to progress the story, and though it's horrifying in places, it serves to highlight the degradation of the society of Equal.

I loved Part III and the overall novel. This final installment is quick, but packed with danger, and while everything is resolved, the ultimate fate of Janus and Diana, and of the country of Equal, is left to the imagination. The theme of equality versus freedom provides an abundance of fuel for thought well after the final page is turned and the book is set aside, especially when compared to some of the trends in today's society.

I recommend Equal to fans of adult dystopian thrillers, though those who are disturbed by violence and sexual content might want to steer clear. Since all three parts are literally just a single story broken up into smaller pieces, I would say pick up all three before you start reading and definitely read them in order.

I picked up Equal Parts I, II and III during a free promotion on Amazon.

View all my reviews

Adult Dystopian Review: Equal Part 2: The Journey by W.J. Costello

Equal Part 2: The Journey by W.J. Costello
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The chase is on.
Now that Janus has thrown his lot in with Diana, they are on the run. Part II: The Journey is just that, the part of the story when the couple makes their bid for freedom. Already a creepy and scary villain, Orcus reveals the full extent of his evil nature and is hot on their trail. Those who aid Janus and Diana in their quest to reach the rumored safety of Haven find themselves in his crosshairs.

This part of the story features narrow escapes, costly mistakes, and tragic endings. More of the history and make up of Equal are revealed, and the extent of mankind's efforts to standardize everything and everyone becomes chillingly clear.

Again, this reminds me of Logan's Run, in that Janus, a man formerly tasked with capturing runners and bringing them to justice, is now on the run himself with a beautiful companion, but the lawman who chases them is nothing like the one in Logan's Run. His sadistic nature adds an edge of danger to the story that makes you fear for the two on the run, not to mention any who help them.

As with the first, and perhaps even more so in this one, the violent and sexual content in this story bring it into the realm of adult fiction, though all of it works to progress the story. This installment features more violence than the last.

The danger, intrigue and scope of the chase in Part II catapults this story into the 5 star range for me. I absolutely loved it. I highly recommend Equal for adult fans of dystopian thrillers. Keep in mind that this is not a standalone book. This is Part II of a single novel, and as such does not include a resolution for the overall story, though it does resolve some things while it sets the stage for Part III.

I picked up Equal Parts I, II and III during a free promotion on Amazon.

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Adult Dystopian Review: Equal Part 1: The Confrontation by W.J. Costello

Equal Part 1: The Confrontation by W.J. Costello
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Equality taken to the extreme.

Equal Part I opens with Mors, an old man at 49 years on the eve of his last day alive. He watches the other guests, people like him whose time is up, and thinks back on his life. The time is up so soon, and now, just as he and the others have gained some measure of understanding and competence, now, just as they finally find their grooves in life, life is over for them, for at midnight they turn 50. And at 50, all citizens of Equal are euthanized, cremated and distributed to the farmers to fertilize the crops for the coming year.

This is our introduction to a chilling dystopian future where equality is valued above all things. Natural reproduction, too prone to variance, has been replaced by science. No longer able to produce offspring, each new generation is designed and produced by scientists, all born on the very day the generation turning 50 is recycled. People who are born with inconsistencies are given equalizer devices which either enhance or inhibit their unique attributes to bring them in line with everyone else.

But the story isn't about Mors, it's about a man named Janus, a Sheriff, who is tasked with retrieving an elusive runner named Diana. With attributes that are too much for the equalizer device to handle, she has been named a lawbreaker and must be captured and destroyed before her very existence can threaten the balance of Equal's society.

I found this to be a captivating read. The society and mindset of Equal are frightening. The story is well-written and well-paced. Details and nuances are used effectively to convey just how bad Equal truly is. The story features sexual and violent content that pushes it into the adult category, though both are used effectively to build the story, the characters, and the world. There is nothing frivolous in this book. All has a purpose.

Overall, I really liked Equal Part I, The Confrontation, and I would recommend it to those who like adult dystopian thrillers. It reminds me of Logan's Run (the movie). Keep in mind that this is not a standalone book. This is Part I of a single novel, and as such does not include a resolution. That is reserved for Part III.

I picked up Equal Parts I, II and III during a free promotion on Amazon.

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Adult Eco-Fiction Review: Water (Akasha #1) by Terra Harmony

Water by Terra Harmony
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More graphic than I expected.

Kaitlyn is snowboarding when an avalanche sweeps her off her feet and buries her. When she awakens, she discovers that she's been kidnapped. Her captors are running tests and experiments on her, and one in particular seems to instantly hate her. But she finds one of the others attractive and ends up shacking up with him not long into her captivity. Meanwhile, she discovers more about the organization that holds her. They are an ancient group of environmental protectors, and they believe she is their next Gaia, a woman who can affect the elements.

Overall, the story is well-written and decently edited, though in later chapters I noticed an increased number of errors, like mind instead of mine. That being said, I'm on the fence about this one. I think it was written to champion the plight of the Earth, and at several points the prose is diverted into various environmentally friendly topics. The organization that kidnaps Kaitlyn at one point stops to try to explain composting to a food vendor and at another holds a meeting with an airport to convince them to adopt an energy savings program. It's kind of odd in a book featuring people with a mystical affinity to the elements (i.e. superpowers). I kept thinking Captain Planet. The powers are somewhat interesting, but the way they are described seems to change part way through the book.

Still, the story might have been much better were it not for the overload of sexual situations, consensual and non-consensual. It is good that the author posts a warning about this content in the very front of the book, but perhaps the warning should be worded a bit more strongly. There are three or four graphically detailed scenes (and perhaps a few not so graphic, too) definitely not suited for younger readers. The attacks, yes that's plural as in more than one, are particularly disturbing to me. I knew they would be bad going in, because I read some of the reviews beforehand, but they were worse than I thought they'd be.

As for Kaitlyn, I think she's suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. She has plenty of opportunities to escape The Seven, but meekly stays with them, though she plays at being rebellious. I don't buy it. Especially when they are in Spain, she could have gotten away or at least made another attempt instead of just helping them put together pamphlets. I also found it odd how we have so much unconscious traveling going on. Both when she is first rescued/captured and later when she is again kidnapped. Going halfway around the world, I would imagine one would come to at least a little bit at some point.

I would say this one is ok and I kind of liked it (held my attention), but it's not one I'd really recommend unless you're comfortable with the adult situations (graphic and otherwise) and don't mind a good deal of eco-content. It was a quick read.

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ARC Review: The Quest for Truth (Paranoia) by Jonathan-David Jackson

The Quest for Truth 
by Jonathan-David Jackson

Description:
Oscar's orderly paranoid world has been turned upside down by the Red Fist Army and he now lives in exile. With the help of Penelope, Jim, and Mr. Hodge the hedgehog, he must free their hostage town, take on the Red Fist, and discover the truth about Dr. Boggs.

However, when things go wrong and Oscar loses his closest friends, he has to rely on an unlikely group of refugees with surprising mental abilities. As he continues on his journey to freeing the town and himself, he finds out more of his own truths than he ever imagined, and absolutely nobody shoots lasers out of their eyes.


My Review:
Gives a totally new meaning to the term egging...

The Quest for Truth is book two in the Paranoia trilogy by Jonathan-David Jackson. Oscar Well, having narrowly survived the hostile Red Fist takeover of his town and state through shear luck and paranoid overreaction, is hiding out with his new best friend, Hodge, and his new girlfriend, Penelope. But they cannot hide forever. Red Fist is searching for them. In fact, they could be watching right now.

When I read the first in this series, I wasn't sure which direction a sequel might take. The Quest for Juice went from the ramblings of a paranoid man trying to track down the mysterious man named Ron, who stole his favorite orange juice off the shelves, to a surreal conspiracy proving to Oscar that his paranoia may not be all that far off. Now that I've read number two, I'm happy to report that it did in fact take a direction, and that direction was just as twisty, unpredictable, and absurd (in a good way) as the first.

Before getting into my favorite characters or my opinions about the plot, I'd like to mention the footnotes, which I realize I left out of my review of the first book. These spice an already humorous book with off-hand comments and asides that make these stories hazardous to read in public (if you value your reputation as a sane person). I found myself giggling uncontrollably before getting more than a few pages in, and I even had my son read those initial pages so he'd know his mother wasn't, in fact, losing her mind. My advice is to follow those links as soon as you come to them in the story, don't even finish the paragraph, just follow.

As for characters, I must say I'm pleased that Mr. Hodge plays such a big role in this story. Mr. Hodge is a hedgehog (the cover promises more hedgehog, and it delivers). He's also Oscar's conscience. I'm not certain if this was intended, but it's definitely how it plays out. I love how Mr. Hodge enforces his advice, though I'm pretty sure Oscar doesn't. It's also fantastic that there's another charismatic critter in this one. I'll leave it at that, so as not to spoil the surprise.

I think another cool thing about this book is that it pits people that are different, in particular the mentally ill, against superior forces that want nothing less than their complete and ultimate destruction. In the story, some of these disorders take on superhuman proportions (my favorite is the one that makes enemies feel minty fresh), though others are more mundane disorders like cleptomania and many are downright silly.

But, the underlying plot is that these people are being targeted by Red Fist specifically because they are different. They are being captured, experimented upon, and killed, all with the goal of ultimately purifying the human race of the genes that caused their conditions. There are some parallels that can be drawn to certain real-life events, making this story chilling in places. Sure, the humorous approach makes this an entertaining read, but the underlying plot is sinister and all the more scary because it could and has happened before (if not targeting this particular element of humanity).

So, overall, The Quest for Truth is a hilarious yet frightening book. Adult humor, gore, and mental instability color everything in this story. So, in short, this is not a book for kids. However, adults who enjoy books that embrace the absurd, who like hedgehogs, and who like a good bit of action will likely enjoy this story and its predecessor, The Quest for Juice. I eagerly await book three, The Quest for Nothing in Particular.

I received a copy of this book as an ARC from the author.


About the Author:

Jonathan-David Jackson was born in Gastonia, North Carolina, at 3 in the morning on May 14, 1987. At first, he could not walk, talk, or indeed use the toilet. After a year of intensive training in NC, he moved his family to Kingsport, Tennessee, where he finally overcame those early disabilities. Soon, he was walking and talking as good as anyone, and perhaps better. Walking and talking wasn't good enough, though, so he also learned to write.

He wrote and wrote, and with gentle encouragement from his wife, he finally wrote a book. Then he wrote this biography. Then he wrote other books. Perhaps he'll do more things; that would certainly be exciting.

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Review: Sergeant Obvious by Donald Meisenheimer

Sergeant Obvious by Donald Meisenheimer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Absurd, crazy and vivid. A rollercoaster ride.

I found this book for free on Smashwords and bought it for no other reason than the quirky title. Great story.

The story is told from the perspective of a young man who is trying to find his missing uncle. Although the main character is a teen, this book seems like it targets adult readers.

The story features stopped time, ninja girl scouts, clones, aliens, and overly friendly enemies. Everything is connected with everything else, and nothing happens without a reason, no matter how absurd. Although some (or perhaps all) of the scenarios are outrageous, they are all described in a way that I could picture them clearly in my mind.

Overall, I really liked this story for its vivid storytelling and meticulously interconnected absurdity. People who like over the top stories featuring humor, mysterious happenings, and quirky, yet well-developed characters may like this story.

It's number two in a series. I didn't realize that until nearly through. I imagine that some of the things that confused me would have made more sense if I had started with the first one. Still, in my opinion, the book's good enough to stand alone. Now I have to go pick up number one.





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Short Story Review: Stray (Feast, Stray, Love #2)

The author enjoyed my first review so he asked me to review #2 and #3 as well!  I always love hearing that my reviews are well received  and getting follow up review requests.  Plus, I like "collecting" an entire series in my reviews.  If you scroll back far enough in my blog (especially on Goodreads, which is where I started off), you'll find a few of my collections.  Some of them are still in progress.

Feast, Stray, Love by Kevin Anthony
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Funny follow up to Feast (Feast, Stray, Love #1).

Stray takes up a bit after the final showdown in Feast. The story is short, funny, and doesn't lose track of the original storyline. I thought it did for a while, but the threads were being laid to tie everything together. Damien has left Mayson for Port Rising, a cozy seaside town. Living and working at Dirty Betty's, a gay bar, and moonlighting at the local Church for Pastor Abram in gratitude for help when he first came to town, Damien finds himself living a double life.

My favorite character in this one is Sparkles, the owner of the gay bar. I can totally picture him in his evening gowns, or in his teddy bear pajamas. Although he seems silly at times, he as a person comes across as realistic. He's afraid for his bar and his staff, and acts desperately to save them. I also love that Ava pops up again. She is the jack of all trades from Feast, who pops up everywhere performing her latest "part-time." It's funny, but also intriguing. Why is she everywhere Damien goes?

Besides the characters, there is an underlying theme of being true to yourself, even when the mainstream thought is against you. Caleb, the pastor's son, is the primary vehicle of this message. Damien, who sees the good side of the pastor, is surprised to learn that his son was written off when he came out, but doesn't truly believe the pastor is all that bad, just a strict follower of his beliefs. Then he begins to learn more.

Another theme is one of moving on after loss. Damien is coming to terms with the loss of his boyfriend and is avoiding any romantic entanglements, a difficult proposition when the handsome Detective Jaxom rolls into town on a basketball trip. Sparkles says go for it, but Damien feels it would be a betrayal to Ben.

I noticed much less cursing than in Feast, which I felt was good. The sexual situations are relatively tame, but they do focus on m-m relationships. Personally, I don't mind that, but it's worth note. If the reader is uncomfortable with such things, this is not the book for them. I also noticed an improvement in the execution of the dialog, making it seem more natural and easier to picture what's happening while the characters are talking.

As for things I didn't like, I found a couple of places where I felt like something changed in the matrix (pardon the pun). The people would be talking, then something would be said that I thought had already been said. I'd flip back and it wouldn't be exact, but it would be close enough to throw me off. It wasn't too bad, but it was confusing when it happened. I also noticed a few minor errors in grammar such as using a singular verb for a plural noun.

Overall, I really liked this one. It's primarily funny, with underlying themes of social acceptance, dealing with loss, and learning to be oneself. Plus, the creepy Factory is still in play, though not quite as much as in the first, so it has the horror component going for it. I'd recommend this to people who enjoy humorous and scary stories and who either prefer or don't mind the portrayal of m-m romantic relationships.

I picked up a free copy of Stray during a promotion on Smashwords after completing an author-requested review for Feast. When the author requested a review for Stray, I had already added it to my TBR list.

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Short Story Review: Feast (Feast, Stray, Love #1) by Kevin Anthony

I picked up this book during a free promo day on Amazon after the author requested a review for it.  As horror and m-m fiction, it's not in a genre I typically read, but sometimes a story will surprise me. As far as the theme goes, this one comes just in time for Halloween, but this story is meant for a mature audience.

Feast by Kevin Anthony
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A dish of humor served with a side of gore. Short, creepy, creative...

Feast is the first in the Feast, Stray, Love short story trilogy. The story begins with Damien being rescued by his teacher after passing out and causing a massive fire at the local college. Upon waking in the hospital, he learns he has a brain tumor, and his doctor performs the surgery to remove it. Unfortunately for Damien, his doctor is a bit of a quack and scrambles a few things up while working on him. Luckily, Damien's mother and boyfriend are there to support him through his recovery, but the extra job his boyfriend picks up to help cover expenses soon leads to unexpected complications in their relationship, and his doctor's shoddy operating techniques lead to complications of their own.

First off, I must say I don't frequently read stories specifically focused on men in romantic relationships with each other. That being said, I found the relationship believable and, for the most part, tastefully done. There are some sexual situations, but none are too explicit and the focus seems to be more on the emotional relationship, which is an approach I tend to like in a story. However, I would classify this book as horror, rather than romance.

The true focus of the plot is the doctor's mess of a job on Damien's brain and the creepy factory outside of town that subverts his boyfriend and later threatens his mom. People enter the factory, never to return. Those who land jobs there either disappear or leave their families to stay at the factory, and strange shipments arrive frequently. Besides that, the question is, what exactly does the factory do? The dodgy answers Damien gets from his boyfriend and later from a detective leave much to be discovered in later books in the series. Adding to the horror aspect of the story are the relationships. The author builds a highly admirable and likeable boyfriend, who the main character loves deeply, and then puts him in harm's way. He does the same with Damien's mother, building her up into someone the reader likes, and then showing her becoming a bit too enamored of an ironically named self-help book, "Feast, Stray, Love."

As for the vastly unqualified doctor in the story, I'm not certain the details or credentials surrounding him or his work on Damien are exactly believable, but his bedside manner is humorously atrocious, and his less than stellar operating skills are responsible for Damien's subtle transformation throughout the book. Again, is it believable? Not really, but it is entertaining. A good bit of the humor in the book stems from this crazy, irreverent doctor and the reactions of those around him.

Besides the romantic angle, the plot, and the crazy doctor, which I enjoyed and led me to like the story overall, there are a few things that kept me from loving it: one, grammatical issues, primarily the punctuation of the dialog; two, the frequent use of the F-word, not a surprise since it's also used in the book description; and three, various plot points for which I had to hit my "I believe" button. The dialog and other minor grammatical issues might detract from the story for those who find that sort of thing annoying, but could be fixed in a future edition. The F-word usage bugs me, but I think it fits into the story and the style of the writing, totally a personal preference type thing. The things that were vague could be due to the constraints of writing a short story, namely details are often cut to keep the story short. However, some of the details and situations presented are hard to imagine in a real setting, but are portrayed as being normal or realistic, which made some of the fictional aspects of the story less believable.

Overall, I liked Feast. It's a good, short book with a bit of humor and romance and a whole lot of mystery and creepiness factor, good for a horror story. The romantic relationship between Damien and his boyfriend isn't too explicit, focusing more on their relationship, but I would caution that it is aimed at mature readers. I'd recommend this story to those who like the horror genre, want a quick read, and either prefer or aren't bothered by books that feature a male-male romance.

I picked up a copy of this book from Amazon during a free promo day after the author requested a review.

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Review: Exile by R.L. Kiser

Exile by R.L. Kiser

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Genius star man crash lands on Earth in 1600's Japan.

Exile is really two complete stories in one, although it isn't broken down that way in the table of contents.

Part I:
Exile begins as Kendrick surveys his new home. Having narrowly escaped the empire who destroyed his own civilization, he's picked an out of the way, undeveloped world where he hopes they won't follow. But his arrival does not go unnoticed. A local lawman, or Shukido, investigates the "meteor" landing site and discovers him. Kendrick becomes friends with these surprisingly civilized natives and proves himself to them early on by helping them deter an invasion force from a local warlord. A rebellious daughter of the local shipbuilder catches his eye and the two hit it off.