Book Review: Pack of Lies

      Today's review is on Pack of Lies by Sara Dailey & Staci Weber

I'm a bit conflicted with my opinion of Pack of Lies. On the one hand I actually enjoyed it. But on the other...well, there's a lot of room for growth. There were some inconsistencies that just bug the hell out of me. There were also quite a bit of times where there should have been contractions used. I mean writers should write how "normal" conversation flows right?

The beginning of the story starts out with the heroine, Allison Wright, engaged in a fight at school. While the principal takes the other girl, Allison is to report to the counselor. Seeing that this is her third fight since the beginning of the school year, and it's only October, I can't see her being sent to the counselor in today's times or in the past. Even if she wasn't the one to start the fights.

So what happens in the counselor's office? The counselor tells Allison that this is basically her last chance before being sent to an Alternative Education School. Though she doesn't want to say it, she also offers Allison some advice and life lesson. All the girls at school hate her because “Females can be catty, conniving, evil bitches. And for the most part, we don’t like women who are better looking than we are.” Then she continues by saying, "you are taller, stronger, and more beautiful than any other girl in this school, and let’s face it child, you have a killer body too." Now yes, the first quote is extremely true of high school girls and lets face it, a lot of adult women as well. But what counselor would say that?

Poor Allison is at the end of her rope by this time. She has no friends; while her brother Aiden is Mr. Popular, and she doesn't know why she can't seem to control her anger. But that's about to change. After years of secrecy, their mother tells them that she is a werewolf and that both of them are too. As if that isn't a big enough shocker mom tells them that in order to "help" them deal with this new information the family is moving to Red Ridge to live with their pack.

Blah Blah Blah happens and then Allison experiences her first shift and finds that it not only feels comfortable being a wolf, but that she finally feels like she is home. Then, while running around the estate, she bumps into another wolf whom she instantly falls head over heels for. But this is no ordinary guy. He's the Alpha's son Cade, the soon to be Alpha. Not only that, he's also spoken for.

Kendall Stuart, Cade's girlfriend as well as intended mate, is definitely an Alpha. An Alpha bitch that is, and she will do anything to maintain her status in the pack. When she finds out that Cade and Allison have been "seeing" each other her claws really come out. With the help of a rogue werewolf, Kendall may have her way as well as her revenge.

Here's where the biggest problem of the book lies. This rogue werewolf shows up in the story all mysterious and tough, but then he turns out being a stupid flunky. What happened there? He's suppose to be all badass. He was kicked out of his own pack!! Villain 101: Badass stays Badass.

I'm scheduled to read the next book in this series, Circle of Lies, and I'm hoping that there is some improvement and growth in the writing. Besides that, I have to know what happens next. A book series has to be pretty bad for me not too.

3 of 5 stars
Available at Amazon


Book Description: via Amazon

Seventeen-year-old Allison Wright is convinced she’s losing her mind. Uncontrollable mood swings, hot flashes, and the urge to punch anyone who gets in her way are suddenly becoming everyday occurrences. Before her erratic behavior gets out of hand, Allison’s mother finally comes clean about her dark secret. Mom is a werewolf, and soon Allison and her brother Aiden will suffer the same fate. When Allison reaches her breaking point, the family leaves their life in Texas to move to Red Ridge, New Mexico where they rejoin the pack that Allison’s mother left behind almost 20 years ago.

Unfortunately, not everyone in Red Ridge is thrilled about Allison’s arrival, especially when she attracts the attention of the very handsome, very taken, soon-to-be alpha, Cade Walker. Little does Allison know, her mere presence is causing a rift in a once unified pack. Not only has Cade been forbidden from being with Allison by his father, the pack’s alpha, Cade’s girlfriend, Kendall Stuart, will stop at nothing to get Allison out of the picture. Well on her way to becoming the next alpha’s mate, Kendall expects to rule the pack by Cade’s side even if it means teaming up with a rogue werewolf with an agenda of his own. Determined to get rid of Allison permanently, when Kendall and the rogue join forces, all hell breaks loose and no one in the pack is safe, especially not Cade and his true mate.

Book Review: Jax & the Beanstalk Zombies

****CONTENT WARNING: Fans at the ready, please. Graphic sexual content bound to steam up your e-reader!****


Today's review is on Jax & the Beanstalk Zombies by Avery Flynn


I have had the pleasure of reading several books by Flynn. Temptation Creek, Seduction Creek, and Up A Dry Creek. With that being said, when she asked me if I would be interested in looking at this short, I jumped at the chance. True to Flynn's style and flair, Jax & the Beanstalk brings all the sexy without being vulgar or degrading.

Treasure Hunter Victoria Kwon was in the store trying on her bridal gown when her fiance called to break up with her. Yes, I said called. What a major J-E-R-K! Although she was devastated by this turn of events so close to the actual Wedding Day, she was able to not only pull herself up, but she opened her own business and had become quite successful.

Southern, ex-fiance, Jax Taylor is also a Treasure Hunter, and a drop dead, sex on a stick, handsome one at that. He's been trying to juggle his treasure hunting business with taking care of his mother. He only takes jobs that are close to home and refers all the others to Victoria, with one caviat. The customers cannot tell her who the referral came from.

Antoine is not only a dear friend to both Jax and Victoria, he was their mentor as well. Now he's calling in a favor, and it's a favor that could cost the former lovers their lives. That is if they can keep their hands to themselves *wink, wink*.

I love it when an author takes a crack at rewriting a Nursery Rhyme and makes it their own. I like it even better when it comes out good, and Flynn does just that with her rendition of Jack and the Beanstalk.

A great short story! Now can you do one with Cinderella for me?

4.5 of 5 stars
Available at Amazon


Book Description: via Amazon

You know there’s trouble ahead when zombies aren’t your biggest worry.

The treasure hunter… Veronica Kwon is determined to be the only person in control of her destiny. After surviving a broken engagement and turning her back on her wealthy manipulative father, she’s started a treasure hunting company and is ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

The ex-fiance… Jax Taylor is a Southern charmer with enough sex appeal to melt the polar ice caps. He disappeared three months before their wedding and swore he’d never cross paths with Veronica again.

The magic beanstalk… Brought together again by their dying mentor, who has found three enchanted beans, Veronica and Jax agree to an uneasy partnership. Together they’ll climb a magic beanstalk to the cloud kingdom, but will their destiny be the riches they so desire, the passion they thought dead…or will the undead get them first?

Book Review: Talon, Come Fly With Me

                                     Today's review is on Talon, Come Fly With Me by Gigi Sedlmayer

Talon, Come Fly With Me is the first book in Sedlmayer's Talon series and is the first book that I have read by this author. Due to the obligations, illnesses, and daily life events that come with being a mom, it has taken me a long time to finally sit down and read it.

My first impression was that there were some formatting issues between the copy that I was given and the Kindle edition that is for sale on Amazon. That, in and of itself, doesn't really impact the story line, it just makes it more difficult for the reader. It interrupts the flow of reading and therefore should be addressed. And yes, young children do read on their parent's, or sometimes their own readers.

Matica and her Missionary parents move from Australia to a remote village in Peru. Though the native Indians generally accept her parents and younger brother, Matica is not accepted. She has a growth disability that makes her different from everyone else, and it is this disability that keeps the villagers at an arms length.

With no friends, Matica turns to the mighty condors and finds “someone” finally accepts her. It's not until her condor friends need help protecting their egg that the villagers finally begin to let go of their fears. They begin to see Matica in a different light, making her a very popular girl.

Geared towards the elementary school reader, Talon is an underdog story that I think many kids may enjoy. After all, there's poachers, danger, and dead lizards. What's not to love?

3 of 5 stars
Available at Amazon


Book Description: via Amazon

Talon: Come Fly With Me, is about the life of nine-year-old girl, Matica. Matica lives in a remote village on a dry plateau in the Andes of Peru. She moved here with her Australian missionary and schoolteacher parents when she was five years old. Ever since Matica could remember, she faced cruel rejection because of a growth handicap that traps her in a body a two-year-old. Because of her appearance, the local Indians wouldn't accept her into their community or allow her to play with their children. Under the watchful eyes of her parents, lonely Matica explores the plateau of the Andes. She found a pair of condors soaring near the mountains and with patience and a sense of adventure she befriended them. She named the condors Tamo and Tima and a strong bond and love developed between them. The adventure of this book begins two years later, as Matica helplessly witnessed poachers stealing the condors' egg from their nest. After a dramatic fight between Tamo and the poachers, the poachers abandoned the egg leaving it far from its nest. Being unable to bring it back to the nest, Tamo and Tima sent signals to Matica to take care of their egg. Later on, during Matica's tenth birthday, the condor egg hatches. The hatchling is called Talon and this story focuses on the self journey of Matica, as she teaches the little hatchling to fly. This experience changes her life completely and enables her to see a positive side to her handicap.

Book Review: Serenity Through the Storm

                                              Today's review is on Serenity Through The Storm by BJ Robinson

Serenity Through The Storm is the second installment in Robinson's Storm's of Life series, and though this is her first attempt at writing a series, she is above and beyond other writers embarking on such a feat.

Serenity Through The Storm flows seamlessly from its predecessor Calm Before The Storm, which has been rereleased on February 22, 2013. The central theme of not only believing and having faith in God, but to also let go of the heavy load that is upon your shoulders and giving it the Lord to carry is maintained effortlessly as well at the love, drama, and quirks of each of the beloved characters.

The woman who had caused so much pain for Vera and Mark is long gone and rotting in a prison cell leaving everyone to get on with their lives. Vera and Douglass have a beautiful daughter and Mark and Serenity tie the knot. After their honeymoon they return to everyday life vowing to maintain their honeymoon in some way.

Serenity continues working at the hospital while Mark goes back to working construction though not in the capacity he would like. He would rather be back working with the heavy machinery, not sitting behind a desk pushing papers all day long. He's confident that because he is able to drive his car with his prosthetic leg he should be able to drive the big equipment as well. So what does Mark do? He climbs up on the grader and grades the gravel road and driveway fronting the office with his best friend and partner Douglass watching.

While the two friends eat lunch at Sissy's Cafe one day, Mark finds himself looking into the eyes of a murderer. Though her nametag said Melinda, all he sees is Tillie. Take into consideration that two convicts had just recently escaped prison and you have one heck of a drama. Is Tillie one of those escaped convicts? Is Melinda really Tillie? And are our four friends safe from this new storm in their lives?

As is par for the course with Robinson's books, I thoroughly enjoyed Serenity Through The Storm. I loved how easily it flowed from book one through the end of this one. As I said to BJ after reading Serenity, I am always amazed that each time I get caught up in day-to-day life and need a reminder that the Lord is in control not me, I am given the opportunity to read another of her fantastic books.

I certainly hope that Douglass, Vera, Mark, and Serenity have seen the last of Tillie, but you never know what will happen next. I, for one, can't wait to find out.

4 of 5 stars

Available at Amazon

Book Description: via Amazon

Mark is a construction worker who loses his wife and a leg in Calm Before the Storm, Volume I of the Storms of Life Series. In Volume 2, Serenity Through the Storm, he marries Serenity, a nurse he met when he was hospitalized, hoping for peace and serenity. A tornado rips through the construction site, and Serenity's red Impala sweeps through the air. Two convicts escape. Douglass and Vera, the main characters from Volume I, and Mark find out storms in life keep rearing their ugly heads. Will he ever find the peace and serenity he's truly looking for? Will he ever find a woman who'll give him a child? Or, will the escaped convicts ruin any hope for peace and serenity? Mark hates his white smooth hands. He's not happy with the desk job Douglass has given him. Will he settle or will he fight to become a heavy equipment operator and foreman again? He wants nothing more than to be back in the motor grader seat again with Serenity for his bride. Can he accomplish such dreams with one leg? Will Serenity be happy and content with a one-legged man as her husband? Can he ever really be the man he once was?

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Book Review: Black Dawn

            Today's review is on Black Dawn by Rachel Caine

Black Dawn is the 12th book in Caine's Morganville Vampires series, and thought there aren't many book series this long that actually keep me interested, some don't. Thankfully, the continued story of the Morganville residents just keeps getting better and better.

Caine is able to show different aspects to each of the main character's emotional struggles and personality. And in this book there is a lot of emotional struggling.

You can't not fall in love with Michael, Eve, Shane, or Claire. The way they come together and fight for each other, or the way they some times fight each other. Yes, there is great drama in each installment, but these four always seem to come out alive.

The Draug are the only thing that Vampires truly fear. Being captured by them and literally being sucked dry is a horrible way to die. And while humans that are captured experience "dreams", the Vampires do not. They are awake and know they are slowly being drained of their blood.

While trying to stop the Draug, our four hero's head to the water treatment plant. But tragedy strikes and Shane is captured. With nothing to do to help him, they do the unthinkable. They leave him there, thinking that he is most likely already dead. But is he?

Shane has always been a fighter, and now is no different. But can Michael, Eve, and Claire get to him before it's too late? And will the "Dreams" haunt Shane forever? Only time will tell, or in this case, the next book.

4 of 5 stars
Available at Amazon


Book Description: via Amazon

With its eclectic mix of vampire and human citizens, Morganville, Texas, has always been a risky place to call home. But with the invasion of the vampire’s deadliest enemy, Morganville isn’t just in danger—it’s dying…

Ever since the draug—mysterious creatures that prey on vampires—took over Morganville, the lives of student Claire Danvers and her friends have been thrown into turmoil. Most of the town’s residents have evacuated, but Claire, Shane, Eve and Michael have chosen to stay and fight.

Using the city’s water system to spread, the draug have rapidly multiplied. Things in Morganville look grim, especially since vampire Amelie—the town founder—has been infected by the master draug’s bite. Now, if Claire and her friends don’t figure out how to cure Amelie and defeat the draug, it looks like Morganville will become little more than a ghost town…

Book Review: Tempest's Fury

          Today's Review is on Tempest Reborn by Nicole Peeler

This sixth installment of Peeler's Jane True series was nothing but a disappointment. I usually expect a writers style to evolve and become better with each installment, but with Peeler it just didn't happen. Especially when it came to the sexual tension and dialog between Jane and Anyan. I understand that the series is YA so it has to be pretty PG, but it read more like Peeler was trying to amp it up. There IS some merit to the saying "Go big or go home".

In book 5 our hero Anyan was turned into the White King, leaving Jane devastated. She had just lost the love of her life and her lover. Yes, they finally did the horizontal dance. Finally! After a bit of grieving; where she is pretty much comatose, Jane vows to kill the White King and save him. Then they'll deal with Morrigan.

Speaking of Morrigan, her plan to turn the humans against the supernatural population backfires. Along with Jane's friends, the humans and the Alfar  join together and set out to defeat her. Of course many lives will be lost on all sides but, as always, there is a happy ending. Albeit a wimpy one.

I was a faithful follower of the Jane True series up until the fourth book, then my faith began to go down hill along with the series that ended with a big, wet, boring splat. I'm undecided if I'll read any other books by Peeler :/

3 of 5 stars
Available at Amazon




Book Description: via Amazon

Anyan may be trapped in an evil dragon and Blondie may be gone, but Jane knows one thing: she's not about to give up. She's ready to tear down heaven and earth to save her lover, despite those who believe he's lost.

Luckily for Jane, those who've given up on Anyan do not include those closest to her. Defying The Powers That Be, Jane and Company form their own crack squad of misfits, in whose hands the fate of the world may well rest.

With a little help from her friends, the Universe, and lots of snacks, Jane embarks on her greatest adventure yet, confident that with great sacrifice comes great reward. The question is, who will be that sacrifice?


JANE TRUE SERIES:
Tempest Rising
Tracking the Tempest
Tempest's Legacy
Eye of the Tempest
Tempest's Fury
Tempest Reborn