Tag Archives: Book Reviews

Review: Conditioned Response

Conditioned Response
Conditioned Response by Marjorie F. Baldwin

There’s always a Plan.

The World Council is corrupt, but Shayla has a plan for that. After 13 years living with the humans as the only Phoenician in the Outside, Shayla is making her own plans, instead of defaulting to the Seven Chiefs – who got her into this mess to begin with! At least she has Raif with her, ever caring for and guiding her along. But things are set in motion that she can’t control, Shayla must finish what she started – before it’s too late.

The story is told by several of the characters, letting the reader get a glimpse of what motivates them and what hides beneath the surface. Hints of past transgressions and future possibilities abound as the Councillor and Proctor try to prepare for anything and everything the humans and Phoenicians can Throw at them.

A gripping tale speckled with war, conspiracy, love and loss, Conditioned Response explores the future of humanity as they interact with the Phoenicians, trying to live together on the Phoenician planet in peace. With advanced technology and mind-tampering, AI’s and repros, Conditioned Response is a must-read for sci-fi lovers.

**Note: I was part of the editorial team that worked on this book. Because of this, there is no rating, since it would be biased.

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Review: Lies and Deceit

Lies and Deceit
Lies and Deceit by Catherine Forbes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Silence is bliss…

Believing that their home world was destroyed, Mystren’s kind, lead by their King, take over a planet that humanity is squandering. Fueled by the desire to stop her race from being tortured, Myst takes part in a fact-finding mission, content to sneak out with precious files.

Or so Myst thought until a gargoyle stepped in her way and smacked her with more lies. Unless he’s telling the truth.

Fast-paced, Lies and Deceit introduces several paranormal creatures that struggle to see the light of day. Who is lying and who is telling the truth is left to be seen.

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Review: A Bloody End – Chronicles of Myra

A Bloody End - Chronicles of Myra
A Bloody End – Chronicles of Myra by Catherine Forbes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nobody hurts our girls.

Mistress Myra, a succubus, runs her brothel well and takes care of her girls. Feeding off the life force of her customers, Myra is spurred to vengeance when one of her best girls is found dead, desecrated in her own room.

This very short tale is a quick look at Myra, almost a character profile. The set-up is done well, so that it would make a good intro to a longer work. A Bloody End – Chronicles of Myra opens the door for a different type of character that goes bump in the night.

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Review: The Adventures of Jerry the Golf Ball

The Adventures of Jerry the Golf Ball
The Adventures of Jerry the Golf Ball by Robert Siegel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

And then there it was the lip of the cup, and finally that glorious sound, KERPLUNK!

Jerry the golf ball dreamed of being used in a professional tournament by a big-name golfer. But what he thought was an easy trip to a trophy case turned into a path through the hazards, Jerry encounters all the different hardships of being a golf ball with some pretty interesting results.

Carefree and fun, though short, The Adventures of Jerry the Golf Ball will keep you shaking your head – it’s amazing what that little golf ball can get into, and out of, before he’s run his course.

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Masquerade (Heven and Hell #1) Read-Along Week 2

Welcome to my read-along answers for Masquerade by Cambria Hebert! This week’s questions were provided by Candace at Candace’s Book Blog and next week’s questions will be at Rainy Day Ramblings.

Hope you enjoy! And if you haven’t read this book yet, what are you waiting for!?

Week 2/ Chapters 8-16 Discussion Questions

1. Sam is admittedly drawn to Heven before they even meet. Why do you think this is?

Heven just seems like an innocent girl to me. She had this horrible thing happen to her and is scarred, but Sam can see/feel the goodness in her, the hope she still carries inside. Even disfigured, Sam knows she’s beautiful, inside and out, and is drawn to her because of it. Continue reading Masquerade (Heven and Hell #1) Read-Along Week 2

BestSeller for a Day 4/12

This April, it’s your turn to grab Anew for the incredibly low price of 99 cents and see for yourself why it makes readers sigh with appreciation.

Just purchase Anew at the promotional price, or send it to a friend who you know would love finding a fun, fast-paced read at an awesome price, and grab the 3 Bonus Buys that are the perfect companion reads to this supernatural suspense.

I’ve had the pleasure of reading this book, and WOW, this is a great deal for anyone who loves YA paranormal! Be sure to check out my review, then head on over to grab Anew at this great price! It will leave you begging for Awry!

Continue reading BestSeller for a Day 4/12

Review: A Story not Wished to be Read

A Story not Wished to be Read
A Story not Wished to be Read by Nicola Black
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Are you willing to risk
Getting lost in the shadows
To bring me light?

This collection of poems takes the reader down the mental wanderings every reader can relate to. Tales of love, loss, pain, faith, etc. are all wrapped up in neat little poetry lines, begging the reader to understand and delve into deeper thought.

A Story not Wished to be Read is a misleadingly quick read – it will have you thinking about those words long after you turn the pages.

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Review: Wraith’s Forest

Wraith's Forest
Wraith’s Forest by L J Leger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

Every twenty-five years, the Tree of Providence blooms, and a girl is chosen to go into the Wraith’s forest to pick the harvest. Jenna knows that as long as she stays on the path she is safe from the Wraith. But after she finds a bruised fruit and sees the Wraith following her, she is shaken and stumbles – into the forest.

To atone for the bruised fruit – needed to brew a magic draught to keep the valley protected – Jenna is sent to find the Wraith and retrieve the magic blade. But meeting the Wraith changes Jenna, and she finds out the truth behind the harvest.

Though short, Wraith’s Forest quickly captures the reader’s interest in Jenna and her world, as well as her fear of and curiosity towards the Wraith. Her character develops, showing courage and fortitude that others who walked the forest lacked, while the Wraith’s character is slowly learned about throughout the story as Jenna learns about him.

Reminiscent of “Beauty and the Beast,” Wraith’s Forest is a fast read that puts a new spin on a classic love tale.

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Review: Draykon

Draykon
Draykon by Charlotte E. English
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

‘People should know, at least. They can make those choices for themselves.’

Llandry stumbles upon a cave with a curious stone in it. A glittering dark indigo gem, the “istore” is her favorite to work with. When she gets talked into taking her jewelery to the Darklands market, her pieces are a huge hit and become the talk of the Seven Realms. Among her admirers, Lady Eva, the High Summoner herself, is also drawn to the gem.

But when Eva’s ring is stolen and her best friend is murdered for her own jewelry, both Eva and Llandry are pulled into a mystery that sets them racing to figure out what the istore before more deaths occur.

Once acquainted with the terminology of the world, the story flows smoothly, alternating between the viewpoints of the two main characters. The difference in the “high society” and “working class” are interwoven, yet they work together well. The characters grow, transforming into stronger people, and develop relationships and traits that add further depth to them.

Beautifully written, Draykon brings the reader into the Seven Realms to travel along with Eva and Llandry, learning with them as they try to save their land. A strong read for any fantasy/mystery lover, and a great intro to the series.

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