Rogue Shift by AJ Skelly

 

An outcast all his life because of his half-human, half-werewolf genes, Kyp is finally getting a chance to belong with the Wolfe pack.

Though fully human, Rachel never cared about his mixed blood. When a family tragedy strikes, Rachel makes an impulsive decision with deadly consequences. Kyp must come to her rescue. But when saving her turns her into a werewolf, it sets off a chain of events that puts them at odds with the Wolfe pack, and brings them straight into the path of the Wolfe's greatest enemy—Victor Atwood.

War is coming to the packs, and Kyp and Rachel are at the center of it. With their fledgling love and a tenuous mental tie their only weapons, they must overcome the wrath of Atwood. But a toxic secret threatens to devastate them, destroying not only them but the entire Wolfe pack as well.

Review:

Uhoh... I think I may be on a werewolf kick right now. Only reading the first book of AJ Skelly's series would be akin to only taking one bite (no pun intended, haha) of a delicious, decedent piece of a chocolate cheescake. Unthinkable. Unfathonable!

So, despite the fact that my own book DESPERATELY needs my attention, it was impossible not to steal a few hours to sink my canines into this juicy read. I quite literally devoured it - going so far as to read in the car, which is a big no-no for me. Rogue Shift was worth the potential for car sickness. So go read it. Now. Duh.

Book two of the 'Wolves of Rock Falls' features Megan's larger-than-life best friend with her insatiably zest for, well, everything. Rachel is impossible not to love. She takes the stage in Rogue Shift with style, and I was thrilled to have a book where she was the star. As for Kyp.... who could have guessed that the quite rogue from book one would turn into THIS. I love Rachel, and let me just say that Kyp turns in a guy completely worthy of her by the end of this fast-paced read. 

Rogue Shift has everything. Kyp made me laugh out loud as he stepped over the dark line and into the world of frilly lattes.... tear up when his own self doubt brought him to his knees... crow with delight when he kicked some major werewolf tail... and swoon just a little (okay a lot) at all the right points. 

I'm looking forward to reading book three!

Woodencloak by Dawn Ford

I get to do a pre-book release promo! I am so excited to be part of Dawn Ford's new young adult fiction release. I read "The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes" by Dawn earlier in 2022, and I really enjoyed that book. So when I was given the opportunity to read and help promote "Woodencloak" I didn't hesitate to say "Yes!". I am glad I did!

 

Woodencloak is a creative, fantastical adventure with no shortage of imagination. It is a twist on the norm - instead of having a beautiful heroine with flowing locks and a beautiful smile, you have a warty troll with claws, a thick hide, and tusks. Horra isn't the main character we are used to, and I absolutely love that. She'll eat swamp gruel and isn't bothered by the rats, the tinkling laughter of the fairies makes her grind her teeth and want to plug her ears, and more than anything she wants to be a fierce warrior worthy of her queen mother's dynasty. 

 

Not once does Horra swoon over a prince, worry about an outfit, or complain about getting her hands dirty. She did not ask for the disaster that befell her kingdom, but she knows that hard work is what makes her kingdom prosper, and no amount of magic can outdo that. While her enemies are mighty, her grit and perseverance are strong, as are the unlikely allies she picks up along the way.

 

This is a great read for your pre-teen to young teen. There isn't any content that needs mentioning and there are some great moral morsels tucked into this super entertaining read. 

 

Thank-you Dawn for letting me be part of your promo team!

 

The End of the Magi by Patrick W Carr

Review: The thought passed through my mind, after I finished reading this book, that all of Patrick Carr's writings to date have all been leading him towards this story. I have read his series with Errol Stone and his Darkwater Saga series, and I dearly loved all of those books. However, none of them felt as important nor touched me as deeply as The End of the Magi.

I know a large part of the reason is because The End of the Magi focuses on something infinitely precious to me - the coming of the Messiah. I was riveted by the tale of the magi, and of the possible story that led those wise men to an innkeeper's stable thousands of years ago. The prophecies of Daniel rang true throughout the pages and roused my interest in the dates the magi so carefully kept.

This story brought to life, in a more vivid fashion than I have ever seen before, the boiling pot of turmoil our Savior was born into. My word, but what a time and place to be born! You'll never forget your history again as you ride alongside Myrad, in a valiant attempt to follow the star, as he fights deserts, raiders, skirts an embroiled political disaster as Rome smashes its head against the other world leaders and more.

The writing in this book is typical Patrick Carr, and you will find yourself not wanting to put this book down. Myrad, one of the magi, is a seriously flawed but heroic character. From his club foot to orphaned state, he is an unlikely candidate to survive the journey set before him. The cast of characters that Carr draws around Myrad brings the story to life and leaves you falling in love with some and narrowing yours eyes at other. Carr does a great job of weaving multiple story-lines together, and I loved following Myrad through his wild adventure.

I loved this book, and I loved the story most of all. I would definitely recommend this book.

Back Cover: 

Centuries before the magi arrived in Bethlehem,
a prophecy sets a young magus on his path . . .
Following his vision of the coming Messiah, the prophet Daniel calls forth a select group of men who will count down the calendar until the arrival of Israel's promised king. Centuries later, as the day draws near, Myrad, a young magi acolyte, flees for his life when his adoptive father and others are slain by a ruthless Parthian queen.

Equipped with very little, in haste Myrad escapes the city and, searching for a way to hide from the soldiers scouring the trade routes, tries to join the caravan of the merchant Walagash. The merchant senses that Myrad is keeping secrets, but when the young man proves himself a valuable asset, an epic journey filled with peril, near captures, and dangerous battles begins.

With every day that passes, the calendar creeps closer to the coming Messiah. And over everything shines the dream of a star that Myrad can't forget, and the promise that the world will never be the same.
Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and to Baker Publishing House for a complimentary copy of this novel. 

Flight of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse

Review: I am seriously in love with this new fantasy series published by Morgan Busse. I've just purchased the first book of her steam-punk trilogy because I can't get enough of her work. While I wait for it to arrive, I picked up "Flight of the Raven" and read it again. I am incredibly short on free time these days, so to say I read something twice is remarkable. I realize I'm gushing, but I had a fantastic time escaping into this world of make-believe.

The first thing that captured me about this series (there are two books so far, the third comes out in February) is the depth of soul in the characters - particularly in Selene. I want to tread carefully here as it is way to easy to give the story away, but Selene is forced into a life she would have never asked for at the hand of her own mother.... a life that has hardened her and changed her to a point where even she doesn't know who she is anymore. Now, at the hand of another person (to avoid a spoiler I won't say who), she has been given an ultimate choice to decide what her future is going to be, how she is going to live, and what deity she is going to follow. Her inner struggle is as real as the physical war building in her land, and her burgeoning magical powers add yet another dimension to her changing world.

I would definitely recommend this book (read the series in order though). A warning though... once you enter this magical world you won't want to leave it. The Ravenwood Saga is fast paced and the use of magic in the realm of the dream walkers is creative and mysterious. I am looking forward to the next book in February.

Want a sneak peak of Flight of the Raven? Click HERE

Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and to Baker Publishing House for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Back Cover: 

Selene Ravenwood, once the heir to House Ravenwood, is now an exile. On the run and free of her family's destiny, Selene hopes to find the real reason her family was given the gift of dreamwalking. But first she must adapt to her new role as wife to Lord Damien Maris, the man she was originally assigned to kill.

While adjusting to her marriage and her home in the north, her power over dreams begins to grow. As the strongest dreamwalker to exist in ages, her expanding power attracts not only nightmares but the attention of the Dark Lady herself.

With a war looming on the horizon and a wicked being after her gift, Selene is faced with a choice: accept the Dark Lady's offer or search out the one who gave her the gift of dreamwalking. One path offers power, the other freedom. But time is running out, and if she doesn't choose soon, her decision will be made for her.

Mark of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse

Review: I don't rate books on a point system, but if I did I would give "Mark of the Raven" five stars. I am a huge fan of fantasy fiction, but unfortunately there is a sorrowful lack of quality fantasy that isn't filled with trashy content. Hence, when I do find a fantasy novel that is well written, possessed of a believable world, has dynamic and creative characters, is clean enough for my mother to read, and last but not least, has a good plot...well, I get pretty excited. Mark of the Raven ticks off all of these marks.

The Seven Houses that make up the land have each been blessed with a certain power or magical type ability. These houses guard their powers and the secrets wrapped around them with fierce jealously. At one time in history, these houses all worked together to keep the land and their people safe. Now, many years after the first invasion of the Dominia Empire, the land is fractured and the houses view each other with suspicion and distrust. Evil has crawled its way into the hearts of many of the people and now some of the houses serve the Dark Lady.

The House of Ravenwood is considered the least of all the houses. Most believe that the ladies of Ravenwood no longer contain their gifting. No one except for the ladies of Ravenwood themselves are aware that they still have the power to dreamwalk. Lady Selene has been trained hard since childhood to take on the mantle of dreamwalker once her gifting is placed on her. However, none of her training could have prepared her for the brutal truth of what her gift all implies.

Meanwhile, as Selene discovers what her gift means and learns the scope of her power, the Dominia Empire is threatening to attack once more and the fractured houses are poised to meet once again... to dramatic results.

I would highly recommend this book - I read it in one sitting.

Thank you to Graf-Martin Communications and to Baker Publishing Group for a copy of this novel

Back Cover: Lady Selene is heir to the House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person's dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. Soon after the gifting, however, Selene discovers that the Ravenwood women have been secretly using their gift to gather information or to assassinate those responsible for the fall of House Ravenwood to the Dominia Empire hundreds of years ago. 

As she becomes more entrenched in Ravenwood's dark past, Selene longs to find out the true reason behind her family's gift, believing that its original intent could not have been for such evil purposes, but she is torn about upholding her family's legacy--a legacy that supports her people. Selene's dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations--but who is also prophesied to bring about the downfall of her own house.

One path holds glory and power and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and likely death. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen?

The 49th Mystic by Ted Dekker

Back Cover: 

Some say the great mystery of how one can live in two worlds at once died with Thomas Hunter many years ago. Still others that the gateway to that greater reality was and is only the stuff of dreams.

They are wrong. 

In the small town of Eden, Utah, a blind girl named Rachelle Matthews is about to find out just how wrong.

When a procedure meant to restore Rachelle's sight goes awry, she begins to dream of another world so real that she wonders if Earth might only be a dream experienced when she falls asleep in that reality. 

She is the prophesied one who must find and recover five ancient seals--in both worlds--before powerful enemies destroy her. If Rachelle succeeds in her quest, peace will reign. If she fails, both worlds will forever be locked in darkness.

So begins a two-volume saga of high stakes and a mind-bending quest to find an ancient path that will save humanity. The clock is ticking; the end rushes forward. 

Ready? Set?

Dream.

Review: A week has gone by since I finished this book, and I am still digesting it. There are so many layers to this novel and so much to chew on that it's hard to even decide where to start with writing this review. To be honest, I really just want to pick it up and read it all over again - and then try and formulate my thoughts and feelings into a coherent opinion that won't be 10,000 words long. 

Unfortunately, life is hectic and reading a book once is a challenge .... twice isn't an option! So, I will have to try and muddle through this review with a single read-through. First, you might be asking why I'm having so much trouble giving my opinion on this book (for those of you that read this blog, you know I don't have trouble giving my opinion)? To be honest, it's because this book made me think deeply, which is not something that most novels do. Second, it's because this book was so good that I really want to do it justice.

Ted Dekker gives an incredibly powerful message within the pages of 49th Mystic, and that message in inescapable. He dives deep into several meaty theological concepts, all centered around the question, "Who is God?". Through his use of imagination/fantasy, Ted Dekker personifies good versus evil, angels and our Savior versus the devil and his demons, in character form. Through this story, you get to witness the power and struggle of both sides from the vantage point of the characters Ted Dekker brings to life. The result is a lasting and vivid impression on one's mind.

From a story perspective, our main protagonist, Rachelle, is alive in two time periods of our earth. When she is awake she is present in our time, and when she dreams she is present in the future. What happens to her in one dimension stays with her in the other. I won't say any more lest I give away too much, but Rachelle is an unique individual and it is her quest to uncover the five seals (truths about God's identity), in both realities, in order to save the world. 

I had some trouble understanding this novel and getting into it for the first few chapters, and honestly I almost gave up on it. However, once I got into the swing of things I couldn't put it down and ended up staying up half the night finishing it. The 49th Mystic isn't a light read and I wouldn't recommend it to somehow who simply wants some light entertainment for a summer afternoon. That being said, I would highly encourage you to read this book if you are up for something with some depth and that will really challenge you to consider your own beliefs and faith. And just in case I'm making this book sound boring, it isn't. It's highly entertaining. 

Thanks so much to Graf Martin Communications and Baker Publishing House for a copy of this book - I really enjoyed it. 

The Crescent Stone by Matt Mikalatos

Back Cover:

A girl with a deadly lung disease . . .
A boy with a tragic past . . .
A land where the sun never sets but darkness still creeps in . . .
A bargain that brings life, but may cost more than anyone can imagine . . .

Madeline Oliver has never wanted for anything, but now she would give anything just to breathe. Jason Wu skates through life on jokes, but when a tragedy leaves him guilt-stricken, he promises to tell only the truth, no matter the price. When a mysterious stranger name Hanali appears to Madeline and offers to heal her in exchange for one year of service to his people, Madeline and Jason are swept into a strange land where they don’t know the rules and where their decisions carry consequences that reach farther than they could ever guess.

Review:  I read the excerpt of this book, and then went half mad waiting for the rest of the book to be sent to me. I devoured this book in a sitting and was left wanting more. In short, I highly recommend "The Crescent Stone" to anyone who enjoys young adult fiction. It is a masterpiece along the lines of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and George Morris' Seven Sleepers Series. 

Despite having finished this book well over a week ago, the story of the Crescent Stone has been reverberating around in my mind ever since and refuses to let me stop thinking about it (surely, a sign of a good book!). In addition to being action packed and highly entertaining, this story had an unusual and thought provoking depth to it. Matt Mikalatos clearly has a passion for social justice, and in a seamless matter he managed to incorporate some rather strong themes of social justice and bring the reader's attention to present day social injustices without interfering with the story at all - in fact, it definitely added to the tale. 

The Crescent Stone takes place in a parallel universe that is linked to Earth - The Sunlit Lands. The world Mikalatos has created is vivid and multi faceted. He has clearly spent a lot of time figuring out the intricacies of his world, and it is a pleasure to read. I felt like I was actually there. The different races of 'people', the different religions, the currencies, the magic.... it was magnificent.  In addition, the characters were a very creative, unique, and delightful assortment of individuals. I sincerely hope there is another installment to this tale.

Thank-you to Tyndale Publishing House for a PDF version of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig

What a way to kick off 2018! I started the new year reading the sequel to one of my top picks from 2017. I know it's very early on in the 2018 book season, but I may have already read my favourite book of the year: Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig.

Welcome to another adventure with the ultra-awesome, hard core, kick-butt amazing Tox Russel. Tox and his team of highly specialized operatives are faced with a mission that strikes close to home when one of Tox's old war-time friends becomes mixed up with a dangerous artifact. This artifact, a deadly crown, takes over Alec's mind. Crazed and aided by the supernatural powers of the mysterious crown, Alec becomes rapidly more wicked as he strikes with disturbing precision. Convinced that he's acting in the name of justice, Alec puts out an offer for Tox to join him. Tormented, Tox is faced with a struggle that is not only physical, but internal as well.

Enter Haven: deception expert and plucky girlfriend. She realizes quickly that Tox is identifying with Alec more than he should. As they madly chase Alec around the globe, Haven is hard pressed to keep Tox's head together. Things get trick when Alec sets his sights on her and Tox opens up to her about his past.

This book is filled with big-screen worthy fight scenes, unforgettable characters, and mind bending supernatural elements. These books need to become a movie. The plot is one big twist and I could NOT put this book down. It dug it's hooks into me with the first page, and now that it's over (with a major cliff hanger at the end!) I am dying to read the next one. Write quick, Ronie Kendig! And please.... a twenty or thirty part series would be amazing. :)

I would highly, highly recommend both books in this series. In fact, I insist. You must read it. 

Back Cover: When You Stare Into the Abyss It Also Stares Into You

The bullet that rips into Cole “Tox” Russell was never meant to kill. It was meant to send a message. Only one man is skilled enough to have taken the shot, a rogue Special Forces operator who vanished months ago.

Alec King is perhaps the only person as skilled as Tox, and he’s out for justice. Furious with orders that got his men killed, he intends to make those responsible pay. And he insists Tox join him, believing they are the same breed of soldier.

Afraid his old friend could be right, Tox battles a growing darkness within himself as he and his team are forced into another deadly encounter with antiquity. It appears Alec is harnessing the power of a mysterious artifact, a crown that history has linked to some of the worst slaughters in humanity. Racing to stop Alec before his vengeance is unleashed, Tox must fight the monster without becoming on

Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and Baker Publishing House for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. 

The Assault by Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt, and Alton Gansky

Back Cover:

As Darkness Threatens, Four Gifted People Will Give the World Its Best--And Maybe Only--Chance to Survive. This is Harbingers.

In Invitation, four beloved and bestselling suspense authors introduced supernaturally gifted characters on a race to stem the tide of growing evil. Now Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt, and Alton Gansky return with the next cycle of fast-paced and riveting tales.

In Bill Myers's "The Revealing" the team finds themselves in Rome trying to retrieve the mystical spear Hitler once stole. The task will take them from hidden chambers inside the Vatican to a mysterious seaside cave with unexpected and dangerous powers.

Frank Peretti's "Infestation" tells of a microscopic plague unleashed on the world that deceives, blinds, kills, then spreads and kills again. The Harbingers team must confront this faceless evil bent on seducing and destroying humankind.

In "Infiltration" by Angela Hunt, a seaside respite intended to buy time for the wounded team turns deadly when misplaced trust leads the Harbingers into dangerous waters.

Alton Gansky's "The Fog" reveals a supernatural mist unlike any other, filled with vicious monsters that kill whatever they find. When one team member realizes the only way to stop the fog is to enter it, the ultimate sacrifice must be made.

Review: YIKES! I couldn't put this book down.... literally.... I couldn't unlock my terror frozen knuckles (haha). Joking aside, I'm really enjoying this Harbringers series. As mentioned in a previous review, this series runs like a TV show. There are four authors and each author writes one novella for each book. Each novella contributes to the overall theme/story that the authors are telling together. Each author writes from a different character's point of view. Sound confusing? It's not. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this series brings in a whole new chapter of book writing where this type of style becomes very common. I love being able to pick the book up and read a complete story in thirty minutes.... but yet have that story adding to an overall story. It's very cool.

The characters in this series are all so different from each other and very engaging. The uniqueness of this cast of characters is so entertaining - from an atheist ex-priest, to a soft heart ex-football player with the gift of healing, to a little boy that can see into the spiritual realm, to a tattoo artist that tattoos prophecies, and lastly, a genius who sees patterns and numbers in everything. When these five get thrown together - watch out! Sparks fly and action happens. This series is fast paced and very exciting.

Of note.... it is scary. Like...chew my nails off and keep my feet covered in a blanket scary. I personally wouldn't give this book to anyone under about 16 years old (I am quite conservative, FYI). In my opinion, it is an older-teen/adult read.

Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and Baker Publishing House for a copy of this book!

The Day the Angels Fell by Shawn Smucker

Review: A smashing success for Shawn Smucker with his debut novel, The Day the Angels Fell! It was beautifully written, plotted brilliantly, and I fell in love with his cast of characters. I was asked minutes after finishing this book how I liked it. My reply was that I haven't read such a fantastic fairy tale in a long time. What was brilliant about this book was that it was an amazingly clever twist off the story of the two cherubim who were left to guard the Tree of Life from the Bible. I tell you, this book is a must read. In trying to find another way to describe it, I would also add that it had some definite ways it reminded me of the Chronicles of Narnia (I don't say that lightly, those have been my all time favourite books since I was five years old). 

The story is told from the point of view of an old man - an old man we almost immediately find out is the young boy in the story, Samuel. Samuel is about twelve years old, and he and his best friend are the main drive behind this story. Samuel and Abra find themselves thrust into the craziest adventure of their lives when the veil between physical and spiritual is pulled back and a thousand year old drama begins to play out on the land of Samuel's farm. Ancient foe, heavenly hosts, devilish monsters, legend, and a supernatural weapon weave their way through Samuel and Abra's summer as they fight to deal with the scenario they find themselves at the head of. 

The Day the Angels Fell is clever enough for an adult or teen to be fully engrossed. The content could have been written quite easily for an older audience, but the way Shawn Smucker penned this book I would be comfortable giving it to a young teen, no problem. There are some mature questions asked about right and wrong, "just because you can do something, should you?", what is death?, is death a gift or a curse?, and so on... The Day the Angels fell definitely made me think in addition to thoroughly entertaining me. I really hope that this book is the start of a long series (ten or more books please!). Congratulations to Shaw Smucker and his team for an excellent job well done. I am quite spellbound and waiting for me. 

Back Cover: It was the summer of storms and strays and strangers. The summer that lightning struck the big oak tree in the front yard. The summer his mother died in a tragic accident--and young Samuel Chambers would have done anything to turn back time. Even today, he can hardly believe it all happened . . .

Prompted by three strange carnival fortune-tellers and the surfacing of his mysterious and reclusive neighbor, Sam begins his search for the Tree of Life--the only thing that could possibly bring his mother back. 

His quest to defeat death will entangle him and his best friend Abra in an ancient conflict, forcing Sam to grapple with an unwelcome question.

Could it be possible that death is a gift?

Thank-you to Baker Publishing House and Graf Martin Communications for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Fault Lines by Thomas Locke

Review: It felt mighty good to step out of the historical romance genre for a few hours and take a crazy ride through this psychological, futuristic thriller. If you are searching for a book that will refuse to let you go until you flip the last page, then you have found the perfect book for your autumn read.

Fault Lines surprised me in that it is not a continuation of where the last books (Trial Run and Flash Point) finished off. Instead, Fault Lines takes us back to the beginning to where Charlie Hazard and Gabriella first meet. If this were a superhero story (which, in a sense, it sort of is), then this would be the "origin story". And who doesn't love a good origin story? Fault Lines grabs hold of characters we have already come to love (or hate) and takes us back to their beginnings. In Fault Lines, you really get to know the characters on a much more intimate level - particularly Charlie Hazard.

Prior to Fault Lines, I considered Charlie a great secondary character. He is now, officially, my favourite character of the series. The dude is seriously kick butt awesome! Being an army ranger, he can out-plot, out-fight, and out-maneuver even the craziest strike teams - and hardly break a sweat doing it.

In this book we also get a glimpse into why Gabriella is so gun-shy on relationships and why the experiments had to be so top secret (won't get into more here.... you'll have to read it for yourself).

This book can be read first (where it is set chronologically) or if you are like me and have already read the first two books, this one fits in fine as a back flash story.

The concept behind this series is a little weird and some parents might want to have a chat with their kids before letting them read it. I don't think there is any harm in giving this book to your kids, but it is worth having a talk to them about outer-body experiences (books are about being able to "ascend" and leave your body and teleport yourself around and travel through the 'spiritual' realm, in essence).  Other than that, there is no inappropriate content. There is some violence, though it is not graphic, and there is a love interest, though it is entirely appropriate for a teenage audience. This was a fun read and a great addition to the series.

Back Cover:  There isn't much that can throw Charlie Hazard off balance. But the mystery woman with the striking eyes and the intense request to follow her--now--is about to shake his world. Knowing little more than her name, Charlie leaves his post as a guard at the Satellite Beach community center for what he thinks is just another risk-containment job. But Gabriella, an experimental psychologist, has far more in store for him than protection duty--if the two of them survive the test.

Reese Clawson relishes her work at the Combine and all the perks and power that come with it--including the ability to manipulate perceptions. But the Combine never anticipated this mind-shifting technology. If Gabriella's experiments succeed, the Combine would be destroyed. And Reese will never allow that to happen.

Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and to Baker Publishing House for offering me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Recruits by Thomas Locke

It's a world they've seen only in their dreams--until now.

Twins Sean and Dillon Kirrel have dreamed about a world beyond their own since they were children, but it has always been a fantasy. Not long before their eighteenth birthday, however, the arrival of a mysterious new neighbor and the revelations he shares bring that far-off world within reach. 

When Sean and Dillon learn they share a unique gift--the ability to transfer instantly between worlds--they are offered an opportunity to prove themselves as recruits to the planetary Assembly. But unlocking their abilities awakens an enemy beyond anything they ever imagined, thrusting them into an interplanetary conflict that could consume the entire human race.

Review:  Recruits is a fast paced, action packed blend of Avatar and Star Trek with a whole lot of unique spins, clever ideas, new worlds, romance, and teenage super powers. 

It is pretty hard not to enjoy a book like this one. It has everything. 

Action? This book is fast paced from start to finish and simply leaves you wanting more. Romance? Absolutely. Creativity? You bet. The potential for these books is limitless with hundreds of worlds left to explore. Magical powers? Of course! This was probably my favorite part of this story. I loved following along as Sean and Dillon figured out their abilities, pushed the borders of their skills, and kicked butt with their mad new talents. Good story line? Yes. Very clever. 

So in short, I really enjoyed this book and would certainly recommend it as a young adult sci fi read (Not saying an adult wouldn't like it, I think they very much would).



Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and to Baker Publishing House for a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Merchant of Alyss by Thomas Locke

Back Cover:  Beneath the hills of a primeval city, a vanquished enemy is gathering power. As this new threat arises, can Hyam summon his true heritage and overcome the forces of evil?

When Hyam reluctantly returned to the Long Hall, he never imagined how his life would change. Latent powers were honed, chance encounters brought new wisdom, and even love found a way into his heart. With is wife, Joelle, he now makes a home in Falmouth Port.

Hyam is slowly recovering from his battles when a mysterious shipment of Milantian scrolls arrives. Soon his is haunted by dreams of mythic beasts and coming conflicts. When Joelle falls under a sorcerer's spell, he must venture through the desolate lands to save her - and his community.

One particular scroll seems to hold the promise of new powers, but it also caries a hidden warning about an unfathomable threat. As Hyam sets out on another journey, he is keenly aware that he must rely on all his abilities - and his forbidden past - to succeed. His quest could bring deliverance... or devastation.

Review: It's been a few weeks since I wrote a review. I don't really have an excuse other than that the sun has come out and it's way too much fun being outside after a long, dreary winter.

Merchant of Alyss was a wonderful read and well worth coming inside for. As much as I have had trouble picking up a book lately, once I did  pause and open Merchant of Alyss, I honestly couldn't put it down. I am a huge fan of the fantasy genre. As much as it is not the main genre that I read it is definitely my favourite. The reason I don't read more fantasy is that good, wholesome fantasy is hard to find.

I read the first book in the series, Emissary, two weeks ago after reading the first chapter of Merchant of Alyss and realizing that the books need to be read in order. So I went to a local book store and picked up Emissary. This review is about the second book, but I have to throw this in here: Emissary is an amazing book! Before reading Merchant of Alyss make sure to read the first book. Not only will you understand the subsequent book much better, but the first book is incredible.

So, what did I like about Merchant of Alyss? Well, I loved the world. There are so many different tribes of humans, non-humans, and magical-type animals; best of all, these different 'species' are not your stereotypical fantasy creations. Thomas Locke has made the effort to make them unique. For example, the elves are not tall, willowy, blonde human-types like those found in Lord of the Rings. Instead, they are smaller, green folk that live in enchanted worlds accessed by the forests. I appreciate the author's efforts to make his world unique by not borrowing characters from other stories. I also liked how the worlds were layered. There is the world that the main character (Hyam) lives in, but then there are mirrored worlds where the *spoiler alert* dragons and elves are. An interesting touch to the story!

Like any good fantasy, Merchant of Alyss has magic. I loved how the mages don't have power on their own, but have to draw their power from "arteries" that flow through the earth...rivers of magical energy, if you will. Only by tapping into this strength can they do anything. This clause creates some rather interesting circumstances of Hyam and his fellow adventures.

Speaking of Hyam, he really is the main reason behind this series. I will try not to ruin the first book, but Hyam is a half-human with some pretty wild mage abilities. *Spoiler alert* During an epic battle in the first book, he destroys his ability to connect to the rivers of power and thus destroys his magical ability. Enter the second book and Hyam is reeling and trying to recover from his brutal injury. Despite no longer being a mage, the enemy is moving and he needs to keep fighting. His wife, Joelle, who is a warrior alongside him is cast under a brutal spell by the enemy and Hyam's search for answers becomes desperate. He teams up with a multi-faceted group of characters as he barrels head-long into madness. Hyam is a driven, self-controlled, general-type who sees the final goal and does whatever it takes to get him there. He is all business and isn't afraid to take risks or to sacrifice himself, if need be.

I'm trying not to ruin the story by giving away too much - needless to say there is more than enough action in these stories to keep the most impatient reader very happy. The plot is drawing but not too complicated and the characters are engaging and believable. Both Emissary and Merchant of Alyss are great teenage/adult fantasy read.

As a caution, I will mention that there is some more mature content in these books that I would caution parents of younger teenagers about. There are suggestions of intimacy between Joelle and Hyam, though nothing is stated explicitly (PG), there is a woman who lusts after Hyam even though he's married, there is mention of sheer garments on women and the use of sexual dances to lure in men, and there is a lot on magic, mages, and witches. So, I would personally not give this book to anyone under 15 or so (parental judgement required here), but for a mature audience these books are a great find.

Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for a free copy of Merchant of Alyss for me to review.

Lightening by Bonnie S. Calhoun

Back Cover: Selah's past and her future are about to collide.... and time is running out.

Selah Rishon thought that finding her real father would solve her problems. Instead it has created a host of new ones. She is feeling strange, destructive flashes of power within her body. The family she left behind is being sequestered in the Mountain. And if her father and his team cannon find the key to the West and make contact with the Third Protocol of Landers, Selah will fracture.

Selah is trying to accept this new world, but none of the facts she's learned about novarium or Landers are adding up. Determined to find answers, she launches a new rescue effort to the Mountain. But will the prison that holds her family become Selah's grave?

Review: Imaginations are a fabulous thing, and Bonne Calhoun has ample of that. The world she has created for this series is developed and intriguing. The world as we know it has been destroyed by massive tsunamis, earthquakes, and other natural disasters set off by nuclear war. Many species, including humans, have been altered by the catastrophic events. Animals that were previous edible are no longer and humans no longer come in the normal varieties. A breed of human, called "Landers" seem to be at the centre of it all.

Selah discovered in the last book that she wasn't who she thought she was. *Spoiler Alert* Raised as the daughter of a scavenger with a loving mother, brothers, and an unaffectionate father, Selah has done what she needs to do to survive. When a stranger washes up on a shore near her home, her entire life changes. She discovers that the father she was raised with is not her true father, and that she is actually part of the marked race called the Landers. She sets out to free her real father, who is a Lander held captive in the dreaded Mountain, and eventually lands up in the Lander city with her father. Oh, and along the way she becomes the novarium, some sort of prophesied being that is going to change the world.

Enter book two...

The only problem? Being novarium means that she only has months to live before her body begins to fracture... No one seems to know very much... about anything... and Selah believes that even her father is keeping secrets from her. Frustrated and lost, Selah fights to figure out who she is and how she is going to survive this curse... or blessing?

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

The Shock of Night by Patrik W. Carr

Back Cover: When one man is brutally murdered and the priest he works for mortally wounded, Willet Dura, reeve to the king of Bunard, is called to investigate. As he begins to question the dying priest, the man pulls Willet close and screams in a foreign tongue. Then he dies without another word.

Willet returns to his task, but the clues to the crime lead to contradictions and questions without answers, and his senses are skewed. People he touches appear to have a subtle shift, as though he can divine their deepest thoughts. In a world divided between haves and have-nots, gifted and common, Willet soon learns he's been passed the rarest gift of all - a gift that's not supposed to exist.

Now Willet must pursue the murderer still on the loose in Bunard even as he's pulled into a dangerous conflict that threatens not only his city, but his entire world - a conflict that will force him to come to terms with his inability to remember how he escaped the Darkwater Forest - and what happened to him inside it.

Review: This book was positively excellent. At 455 pages, "Shock of Night" is a hefty read - but every second of it was captivating. I could not put it down.

The only complaint I have with this book is that it had to end. I hope the second book in the Darkwater Saga is not long in coming? I don't think I can wait very long - I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to read what happens next!

So, due warning: This books is addicting.

I was fascinated by the world that Patrick Carr created. It is detailed and incredibly believable. The integration of politics versus religion, religion versus religion, poor versus rich, gifted versus not, and good versus evil makes for a gripping read. I have not read too many books that encompass such a vast range of conflicts and contradictions - the complexity of this world is wonderful.

Despite being a bit complex, the world of The Darkwater Saga is made easy to understand by Carr's gifted story telling. I appreciated how he used the story to explain his world instead of just telling the reader. I also enjoyed the fact that this book is heavily centred around the action but is fully complemented by interesting relationships with the main characters.

The use of gifts in this book is unique. The society has gifted and non-gifted individuals. The gifts include such things as the ability to sing or play an instrument extraordinarily well or to use a sword the uncanny ability. The gifts are not magical, but more an enhancement of abilities people would normally have. I loved how this series takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary.

All in all, a wonderful fantasy saga. I can't wait for the next one!


This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. in exchange for my honest opinion.

Trial Run by Thomas Locke

Back Cover: Dr. Gabriella Speciale has assembled an international team of elite scientists with one goal in mind - to create and control out-of-body experiences that transcend the limits of time and space. Reese Clawson's mind-bending experiments aim to explode the boundaries of human consciousness - and annihilate the opposition in the process.

When a terrifying discovery and a string of failed tests threaten to dismantle both programs, they key to survival may reside in the mind of a gifted grad student whose unsettling dreams have thrust him into the centre of a dangerous battle for control.

As the threads of perception and reality become tangled and time itself twists in unexpected directions,

One warning remain clears: 

WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW CAN KILL YOU.


Review….

Fault Lines. A fitting title for this series. Think beyond the fault lines of the earth. Think about a fault line between your present reality and your future reality within the depths of your own mind - this is the fault Dr. Gabriella Speciale and her team are exploring.

This is a fast paced, high-intensity, edge-of-your-seat thriller that kept me engaged long after I flipped the last page.

Two elite organizations are battling the frontier of this high-tech and abnormal technology. Reese Clawson, a woman who works for American Intelligence, is bent on not just mastering the stolen technology she ripped from Dr. Speciale, but annihilating the other team in the process. The plot thickens and the twists begin to weave faster and faster as a brilliant grad student turns up on the radar of both groups. His dreams are far passed the norm, and border on the unnatural. What he dreams makes him a very valuable asset for both teams, and perhaps the deadliest person ever born.

I found this book to have very strong writing, great characters, and a fantastic plot. I just signed up for the author's news letter so that I know immediately when the next book is out. I hope it's soon because I'm dying to find out what happens. Fault Lines is a fantastic new series and I certainly give it a high recommendation if your are in the mood for a thriller.

This book was provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group and Graf Martin Communications

Siren's Fury by Mary Weber

"I thrust my hand toward the sky as my voice begs the Elemental inside me to waken and rise. But it's no use. The curse I've spent my entire life abhorring - the thing I trained so hard to control - no longer exists."

Nym has saved Faelen only to discover that Draewulf stole everything she valued. Now he's destroyed her Elemental storm-summoning ability as well.

When Nym sneaks off with a host of delegates to Bron, Lord Myles offers her the change for a new kind of power and the whispered hope that it may do more than simply defeat the monster she loathes. But the secrets the Bron people have kept concealed, along with the horror Draewulf has developed, may require more than simply harnessing a darker ability.

The may require who she is.

Set against the stark metallic backdrop of the Bron kingdom, Nym is face with the chance to change the future.

Or was the Draewulf's plan for her all along?

Book 1

Book 2

Review: I received the a copy of Storm Siren from the author about a month ago, and absolutely loved it. I was enchanted by the cover immediately, and have since decided to buy a hard copy of both of these e-books just because they will look oh-so-pretty on my shelf. 

Mary Weber delivers a story just as good as the one that the cover promises. Nym is a slave girl, born in the country of  Faelen where it is against the law to possess elemental powers. A hundred years before Nym's birth, Faelen had an abundance of elemental men who had powers over earth and sky. However,  after years of battle against the monster Draewulf, the rulers of Faelen agreed to kill all elementals in return for peace from Draewulf and his army. Therefore, by law, Nym should have been destroyed at birth. However….not only has she survived to adulthood, she possess one of the most powerful storm-wielding elemental powers ever and she is the only known female elemental.

Enslaved her entire life, Nym has struggled to hide and control her wild and out of control powers. Through fate and misfortune, she finds herself enslaved to a master who recognizes her ability and decides to train her as a weapon. 

Skip ahead to book two (but honestly don't skip book one… it's awesome and there are a lot more fabulous parts that I have skipped over), and Nym has won a major victory against Draewulf… in a way. Unfortunately, Draewulf has managed to rob Nym of all her powers and has designs to mass murder thousands of people. Left without her abilities, Nym attempts to fight evil as a mortal. When she realizes that she is hopelessly out-gunned, she turns to Myles - a man she does not trust - for help. Myles delivers, and once against Nym has power… but it is not anything like the pure power she had before. No. This is much different. And in many ways… much more dangerous. 

Overall I am really enjoying this series so far. There are character traits in Nym that are a bit stereotypical of a powerful, magic wielding heroine, but it is quite easy to forgive those as she also embodies some pretty unique ticks. The grammar and writing in these two books is quite good. I believe with some time and more practice that Mary Weber's writing will go from good to fantastic. I'm certainly going to keep following her work. Her imagination is lovely, and I am really enjoying the worlds she has created in both these novels and am looking forward to reading more. 

BookLook Bloggers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Writing Bug

I've wanted to be an author for as long as I could remember. I have books written from when I was five years old with their hand-stiched bindings, child-like illustrations, and carefully penned descriptions. I wrote missionary stories about China, mysteries, fairy tales, and of course, more fairytales. For as long as I can remember, I've seen stories in the clouds, imagined every-day people in my life to be part of some wild story-line playing out in my head, or pictured dragons chasing me down each time I went for a wild gallop through the woods.

I learned how to read in kindergarten, and the first books my parents gave me were the Chronicles of Narnia. That gift changed my life. I began to read and write for hours….EVERY day. When I wasn't writing, I was daydreaming about it. My characters would run amok in my brain, arguing, fussing, and stamping their feet… and I loved it.

I wrote hundreds and hundreds of thousands of words about my imaginary worlds and the crazy elves, humans, and other creatures that lived in them.

Then something happened just after my eighteenth birthday.

I went to university.

My creative side survived the first year… barely …

The characters in my head struggled to keep  themselves alive through the second year.

But by the third and fourth year, living on a zombie-making 3 to 4 hours of sleep each night, I began to experience something I'd never gone through before. My mind was empty of everything except medical facts, exam dates, and assignments. There were no stories dancing before my eyes, no annoying characters telling me what to write, and no fantastic ideas that had me scrambling for a pen.

University had driven a stake through my muse.

I finished university in imaginative silence. I traveled and worked… a lot. I was too busy paying off student loans, moving, meeting the love of my life, and eventually getting married to really stop and recognized what I'd lost in that concrete institution.

Then something amazing started to happen over this last winter… I started to see the magic again. It's not like it was before, but it's there. My muse's heartbeat is back - weak the fluttering, but it's still there. Plots are beginning to unfold, potential characters are starting to flex their muscles, and my fingers are beginning to itch for a pen.

What do I do?

Over the past few years of dead creativity, I've turned my attention from writing to reading. I now review books for multiple publishers. I love it. I always have a book in my hands… but it is someone else's book.

Is it time to review a few less books and take the brave step back into the writer's chair? After years of reading other's works, is it time to see what novels are hidden in me?

What do you think? Comments?