Book Review: Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes

Today's review is on Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank

Twenty-eight and a Half Wishes is another home run for Swank.  This multi award winning author will need more shelves to showcase her success. With the success of her other series; The Chosen, it's no wonder that this well written and easy to read tale has sparked immediate attention.

Swank creates mystery and romance effortlessly, leaving a clear message to the reader.  "Life is short so you have to start living it."

Rose Gardner is "good girl".  She still lives at home with her mother, she's never been late to work, and she's never even had a boyfriend or kissed a boy.  It's not that she's ugly or that she has a terrible personality.  It's because she's different.

Rose is "gifted" with THE SIGHT and has "visions".  Usually they're of silly little things.  Things like, your daughter sneaking out at night to see her boyfriend, or your dog is going to escape under the fence in your backyard. Nothing of great importance, but that all changes when she meets Daniel Crocker and sees her own future.  When she sees her own death.

Before Rose knows what hit her, she is thrown in the middle of a police investigation full of murder and mayhem and she doesn't even know it.  It seems there is no one on her side as everything around her seems to fall apart.  No one that is except the handsome new neighbor Joe McAllister.

With twists and turns abound, Twenty-Eight and a half wishes will leave you wanting the Twenty-Ninth wish.......The next book in the series.

5 of 5 stars
Available @ Amazon
 

Book Review: Mark of the Seer

               Today's review is on Mark of the Seer by Jenna Kay

Mark of the Seer is a unique tale of good vs. evil, or should I say God vs. Satan, as that is the overall premise of the book. And though I did like the book overall, I personally feel that it was a little flat. Yes the characters were believable and faced the temptations of most teenagers; alcohol, drugs, sex, unplanned pregnancy, etc, but I kept waiting for the excitement only to experience it at the end of the book.

Clarity Miller can't wait until she graduates from high school so she can get out of her "hick" hometown. Orphaned at the age of thirteen, she lives with her aunt and works as a cashier. She gets decent grades, has a great best friend, and is crazy about her boyfriend. What could go wrong?

Receiving a visit from her Guardian Angel; Sam, Clarity finds out that she has been given a "gift" from God. She has been given the "gift" of being a Seer. With this "gift", she will be able warn others when demons are wreaking havoc. But will she have the courage or the faith she needs to save her town? You'll have to read the book to find out.

As a debut, Mark of the Seer is off to a good start; if just a bit slow. The story line is well thought, the character development is decent, but the editing needs a bit more work. I look forward to seeing growth form Kay, as I think she is very close to the mark. (No pun intended)

3 of 5 stars
Available at Amazon

Book Review: Defy (Firstborn #1)

Today's review is on Defy (Firstborn #1) by Raine Thomas

If you are a follower of my blog you know that I have read Thomas' Daughters of Saraqael series, and you know that I enjoyed each and every one them. Not knowing what to expect from Defy, I was happy to discover that I had no need to worry about anything.

Though time has obviously passed since the three sisters had become pregnant with their first children, Thomas' writing flows flawlessly into this next series. You can not help but to continue to fall in love with the new major players or swooning with the possibility of love in the air.

Wanting to keep all of the children safe, they have not been allowed to leave the area surrounding their homes. And even though Tate knows deep down that she should obey, she knows that she can take care of herself. Unfortunately when she is unexpectedly taken by a strange creature that she has never before seen, she realizes that perhaps she cannot. Thankfully she has one saving grace.

Zachariah isn't much for emotions, after all he is an Estilorian. But when Nix; his "pet", brings back the female as a gift for him, he has to do something to save her life. In doing so, he unknowingly creates a bond with her and now he just can't seem to keep her out of his head. She is annoying, weak, selfish, and the best thing to ever become a part of his life.

Through various bouts of danger; some of which may cause Tate her life, Zachariah has been able to help her. But when she is finally captured by the Mercesti will he be able to get there in time?

I have to confess that I will be anxiously awaiting Shift, book 2 of the Firstborn Trilogy.


4 of 5 stars

Book Review: Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead

Today's review is on Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead by Christiana Miller

While looking for a book to read between author requests, I came across this quirky, snarky, cute tale full of ghosts, love, and friendship. And though I loved it, and had difficulty putting it down, it was chock full of editing mistakes.

Mara is an untrained witch trying to make ends meet just like every other person living in LA. While waiting at a red light she pulls out her trusty tarot deck and pulls three cards to see what is going to happen in the coming year. She pulls Death, Three of Swords, and The Tower. The Fates have transformation, sorrow, and change through destruction in store for her. What a wonderful thing to learn on of all days, her birthday.

Mara then looses her job, is black listed in Beverly Hills, and is evicted from her apartment. Good thing she still has her best friend Gus who keeps reminding her that she is in fact a witch and should use some of her power to help herself out. After all, he never seems to suffer any negative effects. So she crafts a spell for herself.

After having strange dreams that seem all to real, Mara finds that her aunt Tillie has died in a tragic car accident and she is the only heir.
But things are rarely what they seem, and Mara is thrown into a journey she will never forget.

A great first book in this series even though it is full of mistakes. I will be looking for the next installment.

3 of 5 stars
Available @ Amazon

Book Review: Naughty Little forest Nymph

     Today's review is on Naughty Little Forest Nymph by Roxanne Rhoads

Erotica author Roxanne Rhoads has an uncanny ability to turn the mundane into a hot and sexy event. Whether the story is filled with Vampire's and Werewolves, or regular Humans, you know you'll need the coldest of showers when you are done reading one of her books.

When Sam arrives at the work cite he's faced with a bunch of tree hugging protesters. Among them is the beautiful Cassie, who has chained herself to a tree. So what does a tree cutter and a tree hugger have in common? A mutual attraction and interest in a little bondage.

Naughty Little Forest Nymph is a little less racy than the others I have read, but it is just enough to put a smile on your face and a little heat there as well.

4 of 5 stars
Available @ Amazon

Book Review: Ember

                  Today's review is on Ember by Madison Daniel

It is so disheartening to read a book that could have so much potential, only to be thwarted by editing mistakes. Though a decent story, Ember has some serious errors to correct. Not only were commas missing in action in some spots, but some were present where they were not needed. But that is not the only problem. There were several instances where it's obvious that the writer needs to brush up on his synonym's and make sure he uses the right words.

Most importantly however is the POV of the writing itself. If the book is from the POV of Max, how can he know what is happening from Sam's POV, or Asia's? It doesn't make sense the way it is, and interrupts the flow of reading.

Max Valentine hasn't had the easiest life. He's lost his baby sister, his mother, and now his father, and blames himself for all of it. Now he has come to Hawaii to start over. With his guitar slung across his back he lands on Maui and moves in with his uncle.

The drama comes on full force when he saves the life of dog that was the victim of a hit and run. Then while practicing to control his power, he ends up saving the life of the beautiful local girl, Asia. Instantly he feels drawn to her, but is shocked by her retreating response.

The next morning he is picked up for school by the daughter of one of his uncles friends. Again he is instantly attracted to the angel he sees before him. Sam makes him smile and makes him feel safe.

Instead of feeling sad for Max's dilemma; having two beautiful girls wanting him, I found that I was actually angry at him for stringing them both along for so long. The fact that he actually had "relations" with one of them, and just about had "relations" with the other, only intensified my anger. Was this what the author wanted? I'm not sure.

Max ends up leaving everyone behind as he seemingly runs away from his problems. Is he leaving to find Asia, or to find himself? Will he be able to let go of the blame he carries for the death of Mia? Can he ever forgive himself?

There is a second book; Downpour, expected to follow Ember. Will I read it? More than likely, but I will be looking for better editing, better writing, and a better story line.

3 of 5 stars
Available @ Amazon

Book Review: The Progeny

               Today's review is on The Progeny by Ashlynne Laynne

The Progeny is the first book I have read by Laynne, and I have to say, the story was sweet, touching, and has potential to be a decent series. That said, it needs quite a bit of work to get there.

At the forefront, it seems that the editor of this book had no idea on the proper usage of punctuation. Commas, for example, were appearing where they were not necessary and absent where they should have been. That however is just one of the many issues I have with this book.

I'm also curious about the audience the author is writing for. Though not explicitly written, the sex scenes do not leave much to the imagination. If you are going to write for young adults, there are things you just do not write about OR imply. If the book is for adults, then by all means bring it on, don't hide it.

In essence, The Progeny is your basic vampire/human romance with just a little twist. The vampire isn't a full-blooded vampire, and the human doesn't know that she is a witch. The rest of the story pretty much follows much like Twilight. "Epic" fight with another vampire clan, an unplanned pregnancy, and a happy ending.

Though the book was enjoyable to read; once I ignored the poor editing, I have to base my rating on the book as a whole. And with the number of negatives outweighing the positives, I feel I'm being generous with a 3 star rating.

Being a good writer is not something many people are born with. It takes time to develop and grow. The more books you read, the more you notice what works and what doesn't. Most importantly, don't be afraid to ask for help, and if in doubt remember that you ultimately get what you paid for.

3 of 5 stars
Available at Amazon