Review Unseen by Stephanie Erickson

Book Title: Unseen Book 1

Author: Stephanie Erickson

Length: 222 pages

Series: The Unseen Triolgy

★★★

Blurb:

Mackenzie Day constantly struggles to silence the voices in her head. The inner thoughts of those around her intrude upon every aspect of her life, threatening to turn it into chaos. All her life, she thought she was alone as a mind reader--a freak. Then a member of a secret organization called The Unseen suddenly introduces himself, and she's immersed in a world she never knew existed. They teach her to hone her skills as a reader, but to what end? Secrets surround her, humming just out of reach, filling her with questions. Who are they? What do they do with their mind-reading abilities? In the end, just how far will Mackenzie go to be part of The Unseen?

My Review:
 <Sigh>, I really, really wanted to like this book. Mackenzie Day is a mind reader. She thinks she is the only mind reader until she meets Owen. He introduces her to the Unseen, a group of mind readers that fights the bad guys. There are several things that I did like about this book. I like the idea of a group of mind readers. I like the concept of music therapy. I liked Owen and the other characters introduced. My main problem was Mackenzie Day. She complained the entire book about being alone and having no one like her and etc. Yet when she was introduced to others like her she balks at joining them even when they make exceptions for her. She complains, a lot. That is one of my personal pet peeves in a book. Other than that it was an okay book. For me the last quarter of the book was the best. If Mac keeps the same mindset in the next book I will be first in line to buy it.

Review of Prowl By Amy Shannon

Book: Prowl
Author: Amy Shannon
Series: Profilers Book 1
★★★
Blurb:
Andrea Wallace cannot go anywhere without her shadow, Keith Leonard Fontana … a man obsessed with her. Stalking her for years, his behavior escalates. When she starts dating a police officer, Fontana becomes unhinged, killing or attacking anyone she encounters. 
Andrea meets local FBI profiler, Special Agent John Marshall, who is assigned to her case. He helps her realize her natural talents of observation and perception. 
After he finally catches her, the story is not over. Andrea reaches inside herself for inner strength and turns the tables on her stalker. As the search for Fontana increases, she retreats to the comfort of her own home, and new pet, a retired police dog, Ralph. 
Fontana is on the prowl, but is he alone in his stalking?

My review does contain spoilers. When I read the blurb I had to read this book. I do tend to read darker books. I did have a hard time with this book. Why? I just could not seem to care what happened to Andi, because I could not connect with her. The storyline was good. I was really wanting to see where Ms. Shannon would take this book. Stalking is one of those crimes the police can not do anything about until sadly it is too late.
One of my many problems with this book was when Andi was tortured and raped, she went willingly in the bed with another man within a couple weeks of the traumatic event. So much trauma that she had damage done to her cervix and had to undergo surgery. To me that just seemed a little too soon. She also had a rich, almost step father that shelled out money whenever there was a need.
Now for the good things I liked in this book. I liked how Andi's friends reacted during the whole ordeal. I liked that Andi did not allow herself to become a victim. She used everything she had to stay alive another day. The writing was good.
With all that being said I will more than likely get the next in the series. Maybe Andi will grow on me.

Reed by Allison Saltz

Reece Reed has her fair share of baggage. After an abusive childhood and a less than ideal love life she tends to keep people at arm’s length. When she is hired by the FBI she accepts hesitantly, knowing this will mean fostering relationships with coworkers. As she develops new equipment to investigate crime scenes, she also develops relationships with those around her. she begins to let her walls down and let herself believe she may be able to have a normal life. Just when she starts to think true love may be within her reach, her dark past comes back to haunt her. Will she ever be able to live without looking over her shoulder?

Reed is an inspirational story about overcoming obstacles. It contains crime, romance, drama, action, and snarky sarcastic dialogue. Witty and compelling, if you are looking for a good read, then read Reed.

Reece Reed is strong flawed, protagonist. She was severely abused by the man she thought was her father. She worked hard to get out of the abusive environment to end up in a marriage that was even worse. Then one of her only childhood friends offer her a job with the FBI on a special task force. That is when she meets the man who brings her out of her shell and shows her just how strong she truly is.

  If you have read any of my reviews you know how much I hate “insta-love”. You also know I am not really big on reading romance novels. This novel does not have “insta-love” The relationship takes time to build, making it seem more realistic. I laughed out loud and I even cried in a scene or two. I was appalled and even felt proud when Reed made progress in making friends.

  A lot of Reed’s past is told in flashbacks. I really do not like flashbacks. The writing was good, a bit choppy in a couple places, but the story is worth sticking it out. This is about coming from less than humble condition and rising above it to have a happy ever after.

Blood Slaves By N.L. Hoffmann Review

Blood Slaves By  N.L. Hoffmann

In the vampire world the Covert has been around for hundreds of years. They take girls off the streets and then sell them to vampires who are looking to “collect” women for unpleasant purposes. It is a nasty business but vampires see humans as objects so buying one from the Covert is like adding another car to your collection. It wasn’t uncommon to hear another girl go missing off the streets, but when girls from well-known families begin to disappear, the Supernatural Crime Division begins to take notice.

Blake Noble is assigned by her superior to investigate the disappearance of his niece and to take down the Covert. Blake being the daughter of Lucifer and a famous vampire mother uses her abilities to survive through the investigation. Between demon lessons from her father and falling for the Deputy Director she tries to find a way to take down a several hundred year old business. Only she soon realizes people she trusted are involved.

Blake Noble is a half vampire, half demon with a little witch thrown in for good measure. When we first meet her she is working for the SCD, Supernatural Crime Division and is going undercover to find out who kidnapped her boss’s niece. From there she gets betrayed,  discovers new powers, gets kidnapped,kicks some ass,reconnects with an old friend,falls in love, meets her father, who just happens to be Lucifer.

  What did I think about Blood Slaves? If you have had read any of my reviews you know I am not a fan of the “insta-love” aspect. Which we have in this book. Though Blake didn't go overboard like a lot characters tend to do, that he wasn't the only thing that mattered to her. Blake is independent, strong willed, snarky and has more courage at times than common sense. She tends to barrel into situations without being prepared. I felt that about half way through the book it was a bit rushed. I thought that something that needed more explaining was brushed over. Even with all of that I finished the book in one sitting. It kept my attention and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

"Hateful Burden - Book One of the Carrier Trilogy" by Natalie Gibson

I finished Hateful Burden a couple days ago. I wanted to wait to write my review. I was really engrossed in Ramillia's world. Ms. Gibson had my undivided attention from page one till the conclusion. It has been quiet a while since that has happened. I am not going to say a whole lot about what goes in the book because I do not want to spoil any of the story

We first meet Ramillia when she awakens in an insane asylum and has no memory how she got there or how long she has been there. Ramilla goes from being in depraved conditions with unspeakable things done to her body and mind to being released and living in the lap of luxury where it gets even worse.

Ramillia is such a strong woman, not many people could withstand all the she went through without becoming completely broken in mind, spirit and body. She over comes all the trauma in her life and well you will have to read the book to find out.

Ms. Gibson's writing and knowledge of the time period is spot on without a doubt. There are only a couple books in this era that I like and for me to not only like it be to be consumed by this wickedly delicious novel speaks for itself.

Phoenix By Thea Atkinson

I normally don't read short novellas. This one caught my eye, though. After I read the blurb I knew I would regret not checking it out. I was right. This is a good start to a series that I am going to anxiously wait to devour. I tend to like darker books with a strong female lead that is flawed. I have that in Phoenix

We first meet Theda eight months after the end of the world and God has came and went. Everyone that is left does all they can do just get make it through the day. The only thing that is not allowed is religion of ANY kind. Theda is a drug addict with a gift that is going to be her death. I am not going to say any more, you will have to read it to find out what happens.

Ms. Atkinson writing is smooth and left me wanting more.

Black Candles By Dab Ray

This is a very short story about a witch that has been imprisoned in a papier-mache doll dressed in rags for a long time. On Halloween she has a chance to be alive in flesh and blood. She could either say a spell and set herself free or stay and be a protect an innocent life.
 This is only about 35 pages long and I had to read it twice. Perhaps it lost something in the translating from Italian to English. I didn't really care for it, but it was not horrible by any means. If you like short story where a moral decision has to be made then this is for you..
 I was given a free copy by the lovely Mr. Ray in exchange for an honest review
 Find your copy at Amazon, Black Candles By Dab Ray

The Witch, the Wolf and the Vampire by A K Michaels Review

I liked the intended plot. I just did not really like Peri, at least not yet. She was supposed to have run away from home at the age of 15, by the time we meet her she had been living on her own for 6 years.  She is working for a Bounty Hunter, catching his skips and he pays her half the money in cash under the radar. This is where she meets Gabe and Josef. They lend a hand when she is in a bind...and of course she ends up passing out so they take her home with them. Then from this point on she acts like an innocent scared kid when she is supposed to have had a horrible childhood, and then toughened up by her life on the streets for six years.
  I am about the farthest thing you can get from the “Grammar Police”. Now with that being said the exclamation points in this book drove me crazy. It seemed that every other sentence ending it an exclamation point.
  I will read the next book when its released though...To sum it up it’s not that bad for the first book in a series but I am not going to be on pins and needles waiting for the next one, although I will be getting it.
 Just in case you need to know I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

Nights Undone By K.S. Broooks

I didn’t read the previous book maybe if I had I would have had more of connection to Kathrin and Aleksey.. To me at first she seemed  narcissistic. Then it was as if she was the only one giving or willing to compromise everything for Aleksey’s benefit. He didn’t put in consideration that all that Kathrin knew was how to be a spy and adjusting to civilian was very difficult for her. She couldn’t just flip switch to turn it off, though that is what it felt like that Aleksey wanted. I didn’t find him give up or even try to meet half way with anything.
  To me the story line was predictable. There wasn’t a lot of action. Though the action that was there was really good. The writing was good with very few errors. 
To me the book was okay. Also you may want to take in consideration if you're reading this review to determine if you would like to read Night Undone that I am not a real big fan of romance. With that being said I didn’t put the book until I finished. 
*I was given this book in exchange for an honest review*

Life of Recovery By Samantha Jacobey Book Review

If you are looking for a damsel in distress or a cutest helpless female in need of saving  then this is not the book for you at all. If you are looking for heroine that is flawed,honest and can take care of herself then look no farther. Slight spoilers in my review
  The book starts out with Tori Farrell in the aftermath of her escape from a crime cartel with unimaginable power and reach. Tori was raised and trained by a group mercenary bikers called the Dragons from a very early age. She has suffered more horrendous torture at the hands of her “family” than any one person should ever have to endure.She had to either learn to survive or die a very painful death.She chose to live.
 Then we have Eli,the FBI agent in charge of her case. Eli is enamored with Tori from almost the beginning. Which causes him some conflicting emotions later in the story. Eli is a good guy and Tori is not. She can’t be from what she lived through and the things she had to do. Tori is smart and resourceful but she is not good with emotions other than anger. She has never had anyone to be nice to her much less care for her the way Eli does.This makes her doubt Eli’s actions. At the end of the book we are left with a lot of unanswered questions that as Ms. Jacobey told us would be answered in following books. I am eagerly waiting on the next one.
 The transition from dialogue to action scenes was smoothly done. It was very easy to read Ms. Jacobey writing.The words seemed to flow off the page. I had no trouble picturing Tori’s world.
  Now with all of that being said I did have a couple issues with the book that I didn't like. When Tori was telling what she went through with  the Dragons she also told things that other people were feeling or thinking. How did Tori know what they were thinking or feeling? Its not even a real big deal just a irksome thing to me. There is some other small things but I don’t want to give away any more spoilers that I already have.

Book Review: Kiss Assitude By Trish Jackson

I won Kick Assitude over on Goodreads. When I got then book I didn't realize that it was a second book in a (hopefully) series. Even though I hadn't read the first book this one filled me in without it being an information dump for someone that had read the first one.Here is the blurb about the book:
Small town redneck P.I. Twila Taunton is hell-bent on solving her mother's murder. Accompanied by her canine companion, she follows the trail of a cold murder case and discovers a secret code on the skeletal remains--Cyder Hill 1952. Sexy cowboy Tanner Ferrano makes a concerted effort to seduce her and drive a wedge into her relationship with long distance boyfriend, hunky Harland O'Connor. When hard-drinking, weed-smoking Great Aunt Essie cracks the code, they head to a haunted mansion in the dead of night, mindful of the man-eating wild boars that patrol the grounds... Twila is not certain whether she'll succumb to Tanner's advances or end up rolling in the hay with Harland. She does know one thing, though. It's gonna be wild and passionate.

I liked most of the book. Once I started I had to finish.I was unsure of who the murders were until the end. I also liked how Ms.Jackson didn't make Twila out to be a "Saint" in her love life nor did she make a umm what is the word I am looking for..I will go with promiscuous.

Twila is what you see is what get type of woman. She is stubborn,loyal,strong and smart. She gets in a little overhead and knows when she needs to call for backup. If you like a want a book with a good southern girl,beer drinking weed smoking Harley riding Aunt,an adorable pup named Scratch and a mystery to solve well your search is over.

Keeper's Watch By Cynthia Robert

I won Keeper's Watch here on Goodreads. I entered the contest because the blurb sounded interesting but I wasn't too sure if I would like it.I don't normally read many books where romance is a major part of the book as it is in Keeper's Watch. I finished reading it this morning. It turns out that I did like it and will be buy the next book in December. 
Detective Beth Hunter has worked for the Alta police department for several years so when she woke up to the sound of someone breaking into her home she thought she was prepared to face the intruder. When she discovered the would be burglar was FBI agent Jeremy Steele and when he told her that he was there looking for an artifact that her recently deceased Archaeologist had found. Beth has no clue what Jeremy is talking about and sends him on his way. Then Beth finds a riddle her father left and the adventure begins. At first she refuses Jeremy help but when it becomes obvious to her that she isn't going to be able to get rid of him so they team up to find the artifact her father hid.
There is romance,mystery,action,adventure,volcano,mountain climbing,car chases,mysterious bad guys,sci-fi scavenger hunt and when they find what they are searching for it is so much more than Beth had expected.
Ms. Roberts writing flows well and is smooth. Her descriptive details is excellent. 

However there is a couple things that bothered in a couple of the scenes Beth went from the strong,independent woman to cowering behind Jeremy. Another thing and its just one of my issues. Beth is described throughout the book as a redhead then near the end of the book someone compared her to having wheat colored hair. 

Keeper's Watch was a good book. I recommend it.

This Side of Forever by Jo Chandler-Book Review

I won This Side of Forever By Jo Chandler over on Goodreads. I am glad that I did. I don't think I would have picked this book out for me. I tend to shy away from YA books. Especially one where the mail character has the issue that this one does. With that said I had to finish the book when I started it. I wanted to shake Annie and give her a hug all at the same time. 
                                                            ****SPOILER ALERT****
                                        Stop reading here if you don't want some spoilers!!
Our Protagonist,Annie, is a 16 year old alcoholic. Her best friend,Lexi,and Annie were going out partying one night. They both were drinking. Annie let Lexi drive her car. As you can imagine what happens next. Yep Lexi totals the car and dies. Now Annie is wracked with survivor guilt. So, she drinks more and pushes everyone that cares from her away. It takes a very dramatic experience after a night of binge drinking before Annie finally realizes she has a problem. She realizes what her actions have done to all that people that love and care for her.
   Three quarters of the book we see Annie abuses herself.I think that the ending of the book was a little rushed.  Annie woke up from nearly dying from alcohol poisoning and decides to stop drinking. It doesn't go into her treatment or anything along those lines. It does set it up for a sequel though.
But other than that, this is a sobering book that I think parents of teenager should read along with teenagers.