ARC Review: Vision of Serpents by Vincent Morrone

Title: Vision of Serpents by Vincent Morrone

Publisher: Silence In The Library

Release Date: June 1st, 2015

Genres: Action, Romance, Drama, Supernatural

Medium: ARC EBook, Received for Review

I can honestly say without a shadow of a doubt that Vincent Morrone has written one of the best pieces of fiction I have ever read. When I say that he has quickly became one of my favorite authors of all time. He has never disappointed me and likely never will. 

The plot was fantastic. Before starting this novel, I thought to myself, "there is no way that he can top Vision of Shadows." Well, I proudly stand to be corrected. Somehow, Visions of Serpents was even better than the prequel, a feat I originally thought was impossible. It was simply amazing. There are few novels that can throw me for a loop, and honestly have me on the edge of my seat. There was so many plot twists that literally had my heart racing. There is such an ideal mix of action, romance and drama, and a perfect amount of paranormal. Sometimes, novels have too much of the paranormal aspect and it drowns out the rest of the plot. That is definitely not the case with Vision of Serpents. I loved every second of this novel.

The writing was perfection, as I have come to expect from Vincent Morrone. Every word was precise and flowed perfectly. It was natural and smooth, so much, that I finished the novel in practically one sitting. It was that great. It was suspenseful, dramatic, and descriptive, and it made you feel as if you were right there inside of the novel yourself. The characters were effortlessly written and to experience their many relationships and emotions, whether it be friendships or fall outs, was an amazing feeling. Reading one of Vincent Morrone's novels is always an enjoyable experience.

Overall, I loved every single bit of this novel. I absolutely fell in love with the plot and the characters, and I was truly sad when I finished the novel. I hadn't wanted it to end. This novel truly is unique and a breath of fresh air in the literary world. I recommend it to everyone, no matter who they are. This novel is most definitely worth anyone's time.

Preorder it now at
http://www.amazon.com/Vision-Serpents-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00V8RYF6Y/ref=sr_1_13?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1427393515&sr=1-13

Review: Remember Me by Stacey Nash

Title: Remember Me by Stacey Nash

Publisher: AUS Impulse

Release Date: October 1st, 2014

Genres: Drama, Romance, Action, Fantasy

Medium: Ebook, Received for Review

Stacey Nash has written yet another knockout. I've come to expect nothing less from her! This novel quickly became one of my absolute favorites and will definitely stick with me for a long time. It was powerful, romantic, and super dramatic.

The plot was utter perfection. I, of course, fell in love with Forget Me Not, and doubted a sequel could top that fantastic debut, but alas, I was pleasantly surprised. This novel exceeded all of my expectations and blew the sequel our of the water! It was edgy and left me on pins and needles. I have never wanted to bite my nails because of nerves so much. This novel pulls you in and leaves you on the edge of your seat. The memory loss is an amazing element. It's painstaking and nerve wracking, but perfect for the plot of the series plot. Getting to experience the "bad guys" for once was so refreshing and such a unique experience. You see a lot of character development here and it really changes your perspective.

The writing, as usual, was phenomenal. It was fun, emotional, and so very dramatic. I loved how easily Stacey Nash can switch over from a lighthearted and fun scene, to a deep and dark dramatic scene in literally seconds. It was so addicting. The plot twists and turns kept me turning pages at every spare second for two days straight. And that cliffhanger... This novel really is a nail biter from beginning to end.

Everything, from the characters (which were emotional and real in every way)  to the unique plot and fantastic writing, was perfect. I recommend this series to everyone! 

Review: The Ups And Downs of Being Dead by Marsha Cornelius

Title: The Ups And Downs of Being Dead by Marsha Cornelius

Publisher: Self

Release Date: May 26th, 2012

Genres: Science Fiction, Action, Drama

Medium: Paperback, Received for Review via author

Overall, it was fantastic and I cannot stop singing the praises of Marsha Cornelius. The novel was fun, emotional, exciting and fresh. It was one of the most unique novels I have ever read. I've read science fiction before, usually about aliens or something unbelievable like that, and I never once expected that I would be reading a novel about cryogenic technologies. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it!

The writing and characters were spot-on as usual. Her writing was quick-witted, emotional, and suspenseful. I literally flew through the first 3/4 of the novel, then slowed down at the end because I didn't want the story to be over! It was that addicting. The ending was one I definitely did not expect and one that thoroughly satisfied my hunger for a fresh new novel!

This concept, while not completely new and unique, has been taken in a completely original direction by Marsha Cornelius. If you are wanting a fresh new novel with something that you've never experienced before, then this is definitely the story for you.

Review: H10N1 by M.R. Cornelius

Title: H10N1 by M. R. Cornelius

Publisher: Self

Release Date: April 12th, 2011

Genres: Action, Horror, Romance, Drama

Medium: Paperback, Received for Review

Once again, Marsha Cornelius has blown me away with her writing. Her novels never cease to astound me. This novel is an emotionally gripping tale of survival in a post-apocalyptic wasteland devastated by disease, featuring two of the most addicting characters I have ever experienced.

The plot was perfect. As a die-hard fan of shows like The Walking Dead and Helix, post-apocalyptic themes are my favorite. I was really excited about reading this one, and I definitely was not disappointed! It lived up to every expectation I had, and entertained me so much, I simply flew through the pages. It's fast-paced, packed with unexpected plot twists, and full of humor, romance, and action that will all take your breath away. There were several instances where my jaw was literally on the floor.

The writing was also spot-on, as usual. I have come to expect nothing less than perfection from Marsha Cornelius! Her writing is so consistent and so descriptive. She is quite skilled at mixing several different elements into one concise story. She effortlessly crafts a novel with conflicting personalities, steamy romance, laugh-out-loud humor, and edge of your seat action. This exciting mix makes for incredible writing and some of the most original characters ever. This, added to the already eye catching and original plot, makes for an novel of epic proportions. No other writer, nor novel, can compare. Marsha Cornelius writes on a level few others can reach.

Overall, I was impressed beyond words. I enjoyed ever page of the story and didn't want it to end. This novel is one that will stick with me indefinitely and one I recommend to all readers. If the plot doesn't hook you, the writing definitely will. Be sure to pick up this novel and keep and eye on Marsha Cornelius for future works. 

Review: High Wire by Angela Biera

Title: High Wire by Angela Biera

Publisher: Self

Release Date: January 16th, 2015

Genres: Romance, Drama

Medium: EBook, Received for Review

First of all, let me start off by saying that the first novel in this series (Haywire) was one of the most amazing stories I had ever read. That novel simply blew me away. After finishing it, I remember thinking "no sequel can top this." Well I was so very wrong. This sequel blew Haywire out of the water, something I originally thought was impossible. I cannot put into words how utterly perfect this novel is. It is rare that I "fan-girl" over a novel so much.

The plot was effortlessly beautiful. You get to experience an amazing mix of gut-wrenching action, rollercoaster-of-a-ride drama, traumatic experiences, and steamy romance. This plot is one of the most addicting stories I have ever encountered. It is very hard for me to describe how emotionally powerful, hilarious, and suspenseful this novel truly was. I think my next words may get the point across: I finished the novel in one sitting. Yes, it was so delicious and addicting, I sat down and read it straight through. It was that great.

I can also attribute my addiction to this novel to Biera's wonderful writing. It literally astounds me how effortlessly she weaves a story that is as emotional and heart-warming as it is romantic and sexy. From page one, the novel will pull you in, and will not let you go, even long after you have finished reading the last page. This is a story that will stick with you forever. Her writing is spot-on perfection, and I don't think I have ever said truer words.

Overall, this is one novel you will not be able to put down. The characters are perfection, they plot is a once-in-a-lifetime rollercoaster ride, and the writing tied everything together beautifully. It is emotional and dramatic, and also the steamiest, sexiest novel I have read all year. One word: wow. Purchase this novel now. I can, without a doubt, promise you you will love it! Perfection.

Review: Werewolf Nights by Mari Hamill

Title: Werewolf Nights by Mari Hamill

Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing

Release Date: May 19th, 2014

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Horror, Drama

Medium: Paperback, Recieved for Review via author

Werewolf Nights is an interesting read that mixes multiple genres, including fantasy, horror, drama, romance, and of course, the paranormal. It's an exciting new twist on werewolves, one that is full of unexpected twists and turns, and a multitude of exciting characters.

I have to say that in the beginning, I wasn't very sure of this novel. The beginning is slow and a little confusing. Some of the writing is generic and parts of the plot were very predictable. In this sense, some parts of the werewolf lore used in this novel were very stereotypical and could have been better reinvented. I feel as if she focused more on a historic retelling of werewolf lore, rather than creating her own, and at times, the mixing of various werewolf tales was too much and created confusion, which clouded the overall plot of the story. However, aside from this, I liked the plot well enough. I thoroughly enjoyed the filmmaking aspect that was thrown in (as I work in filmmaking myself) but there was an inconsistency here. Sometimes, the filmmaking was simplified (which was a good thing, so that those unfamiliar with the industry could still understand the story) but sometimes this aspect was overdone and over the top. Other than that, I felt that the plot flowed quite nicely, and there was a good amount of unexpected plot twists.

The writing was also very nice. Hamill writes with obvious skill, and can easily project a scene into the reader's mind with just a few chosen words. Her writing flows nicely, but lacks description. 

I feel that one thing could have improved this novel immensely, is to have "fleshed out" the plot and the writing. I rarely say this, as usually, authors use too much filler in their stories, trying to fill up pages. That is not the case with this novel, as I needed more. I needed more description and more added to the plot in general. If this had been dragged out a bit more, some of the story wouldn't have been so sudden and confusing. I also would have liked to have seen more character development. The majority of the cast of interesting characters (including the main protagonist) felt very one dimensional. They lacked emotional connect to the reader. They rarely had anything to base their actions of words upon. It just seemed very mechanical. But I did enjoy the ending (which was a big plot twists, and one that I loved) and it left us with a fantastic cliff hanger.

Besides all the negatives, I do see potentional. Her writing was very nice and her storytelling-vibe matched the story's overall feel. Eventually, I could see this novel becoming a favorite of paranormal-fans. It's there, but it needs some work. But I really did enjoy it, and I look forward to seeing what she does next.

ARC Review: The Lynchpin by Jeffrey B. Burton

Title: The Lynchpin by Jeffrey B. Burton

Release Date: February 24th, 2015

Publisher: MP Publishing

Genres: Action, Drama, Horror, Mystery

Medium: Received for Review, Via Author

The Lynchpin by Jeffrey B. Burton is an exciting and fresh serial killer thriller that offers new mystery and action at every turn of a page. It's a scarily-realistic novel that makes you want to check and double check that your windows and doors are locked, and leaves you with a suspicion that you should be checking over your shoulder. It brings new meaning to "scary good." It's an ingenious mix of a murderous thriller, FBI crime drama, and James Bond-esqe missions. The Agent Drew Cady series is one we all definitely will want to follow.

The plot of this novel is one of the most exquisite, detailed and thought-out plots I have ever had the good fortune to read. The plot is so rich and life like (quite scarily, at times) you feel like a special agent yourself. As you turn the pages in this novel, you delve deeper into a thought provoking thriller that has mysteries so entangled, you'll be thinking of every character as a possible suspect. It really makes you think and brings out the inner detective in all of us. This engaging, rollercoaster ride of a novel leaves no stone unturned and never seizes to surprise. Just as you get comfortable, you'll be thrown for a loop and be sucked right back into suspense. You'll never want to put this novel down. Even the most seasoned action/thriller/horror fans will be thrown off guard with this one, and will be swept into the addicting story of special agent Drew Cady, just as I was.

The characters of this novel were spot on. Burton managed to create a cast of characters with a multitude of varying back stories and waring personalities. Each character played a vital part in the plot, and all claimed a special place in my heart. The subtle romance and conflicting personalities are clear evidence of Burton's outstanding writing capabilities and imagination. His ability to craft characters and weave a fantastic story around them, with virtually no effort at all, simply astounds me, not to mention leaves me wanting more.

I am simply envious of Burton's writing. He is able to write flawlessly, weaving a flowing, exciting tale that leaves readers speechless. Clearly, he is a force to be reckoned with, and one we will definitely keep an eye on for future installments in the series or new works. Whatever the case, his (and I don't use this word lightly) perfect writing has definitely brought out the fan in me!

Overall, this flawless novel that is an exciting mix of thriller, horror, and action genres, is one to be greatly acknowledged. Please do yourself a favor and pick up this novel as soon as possible. You will not regret it.

Review: Breaking Rules by Christopher Reardon

Title: Breaking Rules by Christopher Reardon

Publisher: Self

Release Date: September 29th, 2014

Genres: Fantasy, Drama, Action

Medium: Paperback, Received for Review

Breaking Rules is a wonderful novel full of fantasy, drama, and action. Engaging and unique, Reardon weaves a tale both exciting and interesting for men and women of all ages. It is a cute little short story that can be read over and over. 

The plot is quite the one of a kind story. It's a cute little story about magic and witches. At times, the plot did seem to be a little lacking. There was very little back story to the characters and it makes you feel as if you are thrown into the middle of the story. It needs a bit more added to the plot to justify the actions in the story. However, the plot had many twists and turns I didn't see coming, which pleasantly surprised me. It was fast paced and fresh, and quite the enjoyable story.

The writing was quite nice. Reardon wrote it to be fast paced and unique. However, it does need some work. The dialogue seems stiff and fake and the writing in general could use some elaboration to be more descriptive and deeper. Because of this lacking, I couldn't exactly connect to the novel.

Overall, Breaking Rules is a neat little story that I think young kids might most enjoy. It had a nicely thought out plot and pretty good writing. With some work, though, it could be fantastic. 

Review: Tangled by Brandi Leigh Hall

Title: Tangled by Brandi Leigh Hall
Publisher: Self
Release Date: October 31st, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Action, Drama
Medium: Paperback, Receieved for Review

An epic and final conclusion to the BirthRight series, Tangled is the novel you all have been waiting on. Fans of the series will be happy to know that this exciting conclusion does not disappoint. Full of completely unexpected twists and turns, this novel will grab hold of you and not let go. Even when you reach the very end, it's impossible to stop thinking about the story. It is that addicting!

The plot of this novel (just like all the ones that came before, written by the brilliant Brandi Leigh Hall) is an intricate web of drama, action, romance, and most evident, magic. I can easily compare this novel to a roller coaster. From the very start, there are plot twists and turns from every angle and they do not stop until the very end. Even then, you are left wanting more. Every single character in this novel grabs your attention, and I was very pleased when I got to experience all of them personally by reading chapters from their POVs.

The writing, as usual, was magnificent. It was dramatic, description, and fast-paced. At absolutely no point in the story was I bored. This novel will keep you interested at all times, and the humorous banter and friendly style of writing makes reading this novel easy and enjoyable to read. 


With Tangled, I can once again say a novel has beyond exceeded my expectations. With each novel, this series gets increasingly better. Brandi Leigh Hall has knocked yet another one out of the park. This is one magical thrill-ride of a story you do not want to miss.

Review: Obstacles by Christopher Reardon

Title: Obstacles by Christopher Reardon

Publisher: Solstice Shadows

Release Date: December 18th, 2013

Genres: Action, Fantasy, Drama

Medium: Paperback, Received for Review from author (Thanks Chris!)

Obstacles by Christopher Reardon is a unique new novel about making difficult decisions, facing your fears, and fighting for what you believe in. It is a perfect mix of action, drama, and fantasy. With an intricate plot and many plot twists, this novel is a good read for those looking for an original fantasy tale.

The plot of this novel is truly one of a kind. In it, a man named Alcott is faced with a difficult decision; let a small child die or compete in a set of obstacles to win the child his life... and Alcott take his place and lose his own. This original plot makes for a suspenseful ride. There's plenty of action and drama, making this novel perfect for both genders, and a fantastic fantasy element that ties everything together and makes it enjoyable for any age. It's fast paced and full of twists and turns you never see coming.

The writing was good. I won't say great, because it was lacking in many places. Most noticeably for me, the sentence structure was off and needed some variation. It felt like every single sentence was short and had the same number of syllables. There needed to be some differentiation here and this would have improved my opinion greatly. Secondly, the writing could have been a bit more natural. It would have flowed so much easier if this has been done. Thirdly, the dialogue could have been more natural as well. I just wish the writing hadn't been so rigid and fake at times. Aside from these few problems, the novel is very descriptive and keeps a good pace. The creativity is there, but the writing needs some work.

I'll briefly touch on the characters. They were all very nicely done and each played an important part. They each had great back stories (may I say I was pleasantly surprised to see that one of the characters had a sister with Down Syndrome. As I, too, have a sibling with Downs, I love seeing representation in fiction today.) Every character was perfection.

Overall, the novel was quite good. It was unique, with a great plot and wonderful characters, and although the writing needs a little work, I will recommend this novel to fantasy-lovers. Christopher Reardon is definitely one to keep an eye on for the future.

Review: Vision of Shadows by Vincent Morrone

Title: Vision of Shadows by Vincent Morrone

Publisher: Silence In The Library

Release Date: July 15th, 2014

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Drama

Medium: EBook, received for review

Oh. My. Gosh. Where do I start? Well, I usually don't start off a review sounding like a fan girl, but this is an unusual case. I have to say, I fell head over heels for this novel. From the very beginning, I was entranced in the amazing story of Bristol and her paranormal infused life. And the moment Payne enters the story... I haven't flipped pages that fast in along time. This story is exactly what I've been looking for. Easily one of the best novels I have ever read and one of my absolute favorites.

After the death of her parents, Bristol Blackburn’s life is thrown into chaos and she’s forced to move to Spirit, a small town where shadows are stirring. As she learns to navigate her new school and figures out how to keep her psychic abilities secret from her family, Bristol comes face to face with the boy who makes a regular appearance in her dreams: the gorgeous, possibly deadly, Payne McKnight. Soon she’ll find out if Payne will be the love of her life, or the end of it — and she has no idea which possibility scares her more. 

And that’s not even the worst of it. Strange shadows are haunting her dreams, and they’re up to something that could put Bristol and the lives of everyone she loves in jeopardy. -Amazon.com

From the very first page, the plot takes off and you are hanging on the edge of your seat. Naturally, when some authors write a plot like this (action-packed to the point that it is at a constant climax) it is too much to handle and is too busy. With Vincent Morrone's novel, that is definitely not the case. He writes with constant suspense and action, throwing in surprises at every turn, leaving you guessing every second. It flowed naturally, but also had many twists I didn't expect. The plot was both so suspenseful and gripping that I rarely had a free moment where I wasn't reading this story. I was that hooked. And I can't say that very often.

The characters were unbelievably realistic and interesting. Bristol's POV was an absolute joy to read in, and the way she saw things was both intriguing and easy to believe. She harnessed that 'normal teenage girl' factor that most authors seem to miss, while still having the fantasy characteristics when she accepts her role of talking to ghosts. And Payne... Oh Payne. His character was one of the most refreshing I have read from this year. He was an all-around normal guy (aside from being a handsome gentleman with a special ability) but because of his normality, he also has his faults. That is what I liked about these characters. They were so powerful and unreal, yet at the same time, realistic and relatable. Their faults made them the strong characters they were in the end. They really are nicely formed, descriptive, interesting characters.

The writing also left me speechless. Not only was the plot written perfectly, and the characters' back stories impeccable, but so was every other bit of the novel. Just the normal transitioning of scenes and characters' actions were written with untouchable skill. And the dialogue shared between the characters absolutely blew me away! I have read novels before where every bit of the dialogue feels like filler and sounds robotic. The characters sound very predictable and the dialogue is either cheesy or fake. And when writing about characters in their teenage years, for a teenage audience, the characters need to talk like normal teenagers. Not like children off a 90s sitcom. With this novel, the characters spoke to one another spot-on, perfect dialogue. Theirs words actually meant something, were emotional, and constantly laugh-out-loud funny! I had the best time reading this novel.

Overall, this novel was an absolute joy to read. I wasn't disappointed with a single thing and found zero faults and a million things to love. From the plot, to the characters, to the overall writing of this novel, it left me breathless. It was so amazing, I want my own paperback copy now! This is definitely a novel I would recommend to everyone, no matter what genres you prefer. Because you will love this novel. I know I did! As soon as I get myself a paperback copy, I will have to simply wait on pins and needles until I can get ahold of the sequel. Oh, how I cannot wait!

ARC Review: Not Until Tonight by Jessica Sankiewicz

Title: Not Until Tonight by Jessica Sankiewicz

Publisher: Self

Release Date: May 23rd, 2014

Genres: Romance, Drama

Medium: ARC eBook, received for review via author (Thanks Jessica!)

Not Until Tonight was yet another fantastic work by the great Jessica Sankiewicz. It was fast-paced, attention-grabbing, and quite addicting.

The plot grabs your attention from page 1 and holds your attention until the very last word. It's unique and has great emotion. The characters inside this story also makes this novella addicting. Each character is different and has their own story. Together, they create a realistic and addicting tale of drama and romance.

The writing (like always) is fantastic. Actually, I believe Sankiewicz has actually outdone herself with this novella! It's simple, yet descriptive, addicting, and realistically romantic.

Overall, this novella is an enjoyable read that makes me long to read more. Can't wait.

Review: Just Breathe by Vincent Morrone

Title: Just Breathe by Vincent Morrone

Publisher: Self

Release Date: June 12th, 2014

Genres: Drama, Romance, Action

Medium: eBook via Author (Thanks Vincent!)

Vincent Morrone never disappoints, as this is also shown in his latest work, Just Breathe, a dramatic and romantic thriller about redemption and love beyond flaws.

This novel absolutely blew me away. Every time I had to bookmark it and put it down, I was alreadly looking forward to picking it back up again. It's original and full of moments that put you on the edge of your seat, throwing plot twists at you that you never see coming. Although there is a great amount of tragedy, heartache and pain in this novel, there is also a great amount of love and romance to be read. This novel is a delightful mix of drama, action, and romance, and definitely a novel I will not be forgetting anytime soon.

The characters in this novel are all one of a kind. I loved the inner conflicts and emotional problems that arose from between characters, and the fact that each and every single character had a unique story and personality. This individuality in the novel came as a surprise to me, as most novels I have read do not have this amount of detail within it. You either hate or love each character, but no matter what, the drama they create is always addicting and suspenseful.

The writing (like always) is outstanding. Morrone has a grand talent for writing with a "no-bull" initiative. There is no useless dialogue, no filler descriptions, no boring pointless rambling as many authors fail to eliminate from their writing. Morrone writes simply and effortlessly, skillfully creating novels with perfect description and details, yet saving us from lengthy pointless writing. It's unique, suspenseful, and addicting.

Overall, this novel quickly became one of my favorites. The plot was unique and fresh, the characters were raw and addicting, and the writing was spectacular. A must-read for anyone.

Review: Haywire by Angela Biera

Title: Haywire by Angela Biera

Publisher: Self

Release Date: May 5th, 2014

Genres: Romance, Drama, Action

Medium: Paperback via Author (Thanks Angela!

Haywire is a gripping novel of romance, drama, and edge of your seat action. It's a complicated, sophisticated, realistic love story, and I loved every second of it.

The plot of this novel was so much more than I expected. What I expected was yet another romance story featuring an average pathetic girl torn between 2 perfect guys. The last thing I wanted was another sappy love triangle. I am so happy that is not what I got! Instead, I was happy to find that Haywire was an exciting and original story of a girl torn between 2 seemingly perfect guys; the ultimate sexy bad boy and the equally sexy romantic guy. They both can give her what she wants, but she'll have to choose between them first. What she doesn't know is that one of them harnesses a secret that will ultimately turn her world upside down. There is so much drama and sexy romance packed into this novel it is amazing. I couldn't stop reading! Every time I had to bookmark it, I was already excited for the next time I got to pick up the novel again. It was ultimately very addicting.

The characters in this novel are also very attention-grabbing. Sophie, our main character, is a feisty young woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to get it. The two men vying for her, Landon and Liam, are so similar, yet so different from each other. Both are baseball all stars and both are undeniably sexy. However, Landon is a total bad boy with a bad reputation and Liam is the good guy, focused on schoolwork and sports. Neither have shown any attention to Sophie before, but suddenly, they both want her. Badly. And she must come to a decision. But is it the right one?

The writing of this novel is spectacular. It's descriptive and dramatic, paced perfectly, and full of twists and turns you absolutely never see coming. For this being Biera's debut novel, it is awesome to see her start a career with such a hit! It can only tell of what she has to come. I cannot wait for the sequel! It leaves off with such a breathtaking cliff hanger... I'm going to have a hard time waiting.

Overall, this novel is a spectacular debut hit from an author we all definitely need to keep an eye on! If you are looking for a dramatic, romantic, rollercoaster-ride story that will take you in, this is the novel for you.

Review: Tempted by Brandi Leigh Hall

 

Title: Tempted by Brandi Leigh Hall
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: May 27th, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Drama, Romance
Medium: ARC Paperback, Received For Review via Author (Thanks Brandi!)

Another stunning addition to the series, Tempted is an exciting sequel to Tethered, the original tempting novel that began my love for the series. Tempted is everything and so much more than I expected. It totally blew the first novel right out of the water! It was dramatic, steamy, and packed with so many plot twists you will never see coming.

What if the very thing to save you—is the one thing beyond your reach?

Torn between the two men who have fallen for her—and the evil who wants to possess her—twenty-year-old Chloe Bishop can no longer remember the fatal vision which threatens her future happiness. But when the magical link is severed between Chloe and her Wiccan family, they must find a way to save her before temptation leads her into darkness—and into the welcoming arms of Mr. Wrong. - Goodreads.com

The plot of this novel is spectacular. With the first novel, the story is just taking off. You meet all the characters, get introduced to the dramatic plot line, and the adventure begins to unfold. After Tethered ends on a great cliffhanger, Tempted starts right back up with even more suspense and drama. The plot thickens as there becomes a definite war brewing in the background between good and evil, and how magic may be the very thing that saves or kills them. Action-packed, full of delicious drama and steamy romance, this novel is sure to appease the hunger of fans of the series, and even entice more readers into the realm of the BirthRight series.

The characters in this novel are one of the reasons why this novel is so hard to put down. The characters are imaginative, emotional, and very unique. Chloe, our main character, faces many difficult situations and decisions. Through these situations, however, Chloe does develop and change, maturing into her character. This character development is quite exciting, and we get to see such a different side of Chloe. Hunter also changed and developed in this novel. If possible, he becomes even braver, and truly expresses his love for Chloe. These two characters, along with all the others, are all nicely developed, interesting, and unique.

The writing was also terrific. Might I say, I believe the writing was even better in book 2 than it was in book 1. I mean this in a good way! It seems as if Hall has really matured as a writer and taken her readers suggestions and comments to heart. That is why this novel was so good! And why I believe that Tempted definitely outshines Tethered. And because of this, I must say that everyone should at least try book 1. Maybe you'll love it or maybe you'll just like it. Whatever your feelings, you should definitely continue on and read book 2. You won't regret it. The writing is daring, flowing, funny, dramatic, romantic, and more, all rolled up into one big story full of plot twists and unexpected scenarios. You definitely don't want to miss this.

Overall, this story is one you don't want to miss. It's packed full of magic, drama, romance, and hilarious comedy, and one novel sure to appease readers. Full of plot twists and ending with one of the best closing scenes ever, this novel is fantastic.

Review: Tethered by Brandi Leigh Hall

 

Title: Tethered by Brandi Leigh Hall
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Release Date: December 29, 2013
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Drama
Medium: Paperback, Received for Review via Author (Thanks Brandi!)

Action-packed, dramatic, and full of magic, Tethered is a surprisingly unique novel of magic and witches. Definitely an author to watch, Brandi Leigh Hall crafts a novel of epic proportions.

No matter how you try to fight it—destiny has a mind of its own! Since foreseeing the imminent death of her parents six years earlier, Chloe has lived a simple, not-so-charmed-life away from her remaining Wiccan family. Zero magic. No close friendships. While struggling to bench-press more guilt than any nineteen-year-old ever should.

But fate intervenes and forces Chloe to return home. As if being an in-the-closet-Seer wasn’t bad enough, now she has to spend summer break with the snarky sister who hates her—and the magical birthright she was hell-bent on denying for all eternity.

Luckily, meeting Mr. Perfect takes the edge off her endless family drama. Hunter’s twenty-five, sometimes old-fashioned in a Jane Austen hero sort of way, and more delicious than molten-lava cake. But the more she tries to hide her family’s magical secrets from this ever-present stranger, the more quickly she realizes he’s hiding a few doozies of his own.

Will the lies and betrayal destroy their relationship before it really begins? Or will learning of their tethered future create an unbreakable bond neither can deny? Either way, their hearts will be forever entwined by destiny. -Amazon.com

The plot of this novel is surprisingly unique and original. Magical witches are not usually my favorite kinds of fantasy by far, and there hasn't been many books about witches that I have enjoyed since the age of Harry Potter. This novel has changed both of these statements, however. This plot is quite an attention grabber. It's full of depth, dramatic family ties and relationships, and an enriching plot full of plot twists and interesting characters. This all makes for a creative novel that constantly leaves you wanting more. Shrouded in mystery and magic, Tethered is a novel with a perfect amount if romance, drama, and fantasy, and a series sure to captivate readers.

The characters were terrific. Chloe is a girl full of surprises and humor. In the beginning, Chloe constantly finds the good in every situation and person and never let's a moment to without making a joke. Although, you do see a lot of character development going on here as she slowly transforms into a more serious person by the end of the novel. She matures and grows into her destiny 100%. Hunter was also very interesting. He was loyal, brave, and a total romantic. I grew very fond of his character over time. Every character in this novel, lead or supporting, plays a huge part in the prophecy. Every character is crucial to the plot and each one is unique.

The writing in this novel is also quite nice. Hall describes a complicated world in very descriptive yet simple means, and writes a story that is easy to follow and even easier to get lost in. Her writing is very clean cut and simple, full of nicely timed humor and drama. Although the dialogue sometimes comes off as fake and a little more than scripted, it doesn't all the time. Some of the character's lengthy responses sound very fake and definitely not the way a regular person would respond. However, it isn't majorly noticeable, and didn't really affect the reading experience for me. Overall, I was rather pleased.

Overall, Tethered is a uniquely magical book that is sure to please readers. It's interesting, nicely written, and full of great plot twists and drama. A very nice read.

Review: The World Without A Future by Nazarea Andrews

 

Title: The World Without A Future by Nazarea Andrews
Publisher: A&A Literary
Release Date: December 1, 2013
Genres: Horror, Romance, Drama, Post-Apocalyptic
Medium: Ebook, Received For Review via Author (Thanks Nazarea!)

The World Without A Future is an action-packed, zombie-filled, sexy drama that will have you unable to stop flipping pages. It's interesting, original, and definitely worth your time.

She was born the day the world ended…

Nurrin has lived her entire life with zombies—trapped behind walls meant to keep them safe. She’s mostly happy there. But when a zombie horde breach the walls of her Haven, she has to trust her brother, Collin, and his best friend to keep her alive.

He just wants his past to die…

Finn O’Malley has given up on voicing warnings that are ignored. No one cares that the zombies are changing. Now all that matters is keeping Collin and Nurrin safe from what’s outside the walls of a Haven. But when Nurrin’s best friend picks up a contact infection, he agrees to get the medicine needed to save his life. Forced together, relying on each other in a strange Haven, zombies aren’t the most dangerous thing they’re facing.

In their world, only one thing remains true: everything ends in blood. -Goodreads.com

The plot was very interesting. From page one, you are instantly enveloped in a completely different world, one were zombies run the earth and people live in Havens, some (like Nurrin) don't even remember the world before the biters. This world is slightly different from the usual post-apocalyptic novels. This is just one of the things that makes it original. The dramatic and almost romantic tension also makes this novel so good. When Nurrin and Finn are thrown together to go in search of medicine, it is sure to make things interesting. Two problems exist: 1) they hate each other and 2) the ever present zombies. This road trip creates an attention grabbing plot and brings all the characters, lead and supporting, together to make a novel well worth reading.

The characters were also very interesting. Nurrin is everything I like in a female character. She's independent, strong, and knows what she wants. She takes charge in this novel and really changes into the person she is destined to be. And Finn... Woah. Finn is the ultimate bad boy. In the beginning, we experience Nurrin's opinion of him through her point of view. She doesn't like him at all, hates him really, but when they are thrown together with unusual circumstances, things are bound to change. Their relationship is odd, yet sexy, as they must go in search of the medications to save her friend and brother. This relationship is one of the most interesting I have come upon, and definitely one I will follow throughout the series.

The writing was also very nice. It was concise with perfect flow; there was no unecasary wordiness and never a boring moment. This keeps the reader engaged at all times and makes it very hard to put the novel down. The author perfectly conveyed the feeling of the apocalypse and what would truly happen if zombies ever really were to happen in the future. You would have the fall out and the uprising of a new government, havens, and the real emotions you see in this novel. People would miss their lives from before the zombies, and so,e would be lucky enough to not know anything but their current life. People would change and resort to different things during the apocalypse. Some wouldn't change at all. Andrews writes this all in perfectly.

Overall, this novel is a fantastic novel, and one of my favorite zombie novels to date. The zombies are terrifying, the setting is great, the characters are interesting,and the romance is hot. I will say, some of the language and sexual scenes in this novel could have been too much at times, but definitely something you can look over if needed. Frankly I really enjoyed this novel and I cannot wait to see what happens in the sequel. Taking the great cliffhanger Andrews left us with into consideration, I can say definitely say the action isn't about to stop anytime soon.

Review: Losing It All by Marsha Cornelius

Title: Losing It All by Marsha Cornelius
Publisher: Hickory Flat Books
Release Date: March 8, 2013
Genres: Contemporary, Drama, Romance
Medium: Paperback, Received For Review (Thanks Marsha!)

Losing It All by Marsha Cornelius is one of my favorite novels ever. It was painfully realistic, interesting and dramatic, and full of romance and plot twists that you never see coming. Honestly, this novel is a roller coaster from beginning to end, a gripping and edge-of-your-seat novel that is so painstakingly real, you are entranced from page one. Addicting and one of the most realistic contemporaries I have ever read, this novel takes hold of both your mind and heart and takes you on an emotional ride.

Frank Barnes is content living on the streets of Atlanta. A soup kitchen and a makeshift shanty sure beat his days as a POW in Vietnam. But Chloe Roberts can’t handle the eviction that sends her into the hell of homelessness. With no family or friends to turn to, Chloe and her children are sucked into the traumatic world of night shelters, and dangerous predators.

When they bump into each other at the soup kitchen, Frank offers Chloe a glimmer of hope that she can pull her life back together. She rekindles his lost sense of self-worth by taking his mind off his own problems. But they will not meet again until Frank is riding high as a working man, and Chloe has hit rock bottom. 

By helping Chloe rebuild her broken life, Frank banishes the demons from his own past. Unfortunately, the past comes strolling back into their lives, threatening to destroy the happiness they have finally found. -Amazon.com

The plot is fantastic. As I have previously said several times by now, this novel is both tragically and beautifully realistic. It perfectly showcases the ups and downs of basic human life and displays relationships and flawed lives in flawless clarity. There is no sugar-coating in this novel. It plainly tells the truth, not trying to make the blows of life any easier. Several touchy subjects are confronted in this novel, including divorce, rape, war, and especially the subject of the homeless and those in women's shelters. These subjects are carefully weaved into this novel, so that several topics are covered, many that will change your mind and leave you questioning. Both the topic of returning Vietnam soldiers and those who are living homeless on the streets resonated deeply with me, and left me with newfound knowledge. These weren't the only things in this novel that made me rethink, but they were two of the most prominent. The plot is perfectly paced and flowing so that you are never bored and never confused on what is going on. It's intriguing, educational, and full of emotion and a rawness so shocking, it's hard to imagine how the author came to compose this novel.

The characters were some of the most deeply interesting characters I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Frank's character was one I was instantly enamored by. He starts out kind of questionable; he's known as a bum on the streets, when actually it is much deeper than that. Once a star football player with his life going great for him, it wasn't long until he was drafted into Vietnam. When he got back home, not only was he met with the nation's anger and scorn, he was also faced with the fact that his life was going downhill. He ended up on the streets trying to survive. Dynamic, funny, romantic, and a very caring person, you find much more to Frank then one would first thing. This is because of the amazing character development you find throughout the entire novel. Chloe, the other side of the story, is also a very interesting character to experience. Her character begins as a troubled mom who can never stick up for herself and is left homeless and alone with her two children after her husband runs off and leaves her with nothing. Evicted from their apartment, Chloe and the kids are forced to stay in a women's shelter and face many more challenges before crossing paths with Frank... And everything changes. Truly interesting, addicting, and both having a part in a simply emotional and complicated relationship, these characters will always leave you wanting more.

The writing was absolutely amazing and everything I had been wanting. Cornelius writes with the mind-blowing capability to copy reality to paper almost effortlessly, and show real and raw human emotion. It's real writing, not forced or fake, but true. There's no "filler" type writing, no unnecessary wordiness, no lengthy passages that seem to drag on forever and forever... Every word is vital to the plot and conveys its meaning perfectly. I really can't say much more than the fact that Cornelius harness fantastic writing ability and a complete understanding of reality and human emotions.

Overall, this novel is an exciting and emotional tour de force, full of completely unexpected plot twists and true life situations. The writing is clearly there, the plot is fantastic, and the novel will quickly become a favorite of yours. Five stars, without a doubt.

Review: All That Is Red by Anna Caltabiano

Title: All That Is Red by Anna Caltabiano
Publisher: New Generation Publishing
Release Date: May 20, 2012
Genres: Drama**
Medium: Paperback, Received For Review

I'm going to start off this review by saying that I'm not really sure how to write it. There was a few things I didn't like about the novel, but there is also many things I did like. Overall, this all boiled down to this novel being slightly confusing and overly poetic, but still a very creative and interesting novel.

If you could choose a world without loneliness, without shame, grief, misery, or feeling of any kind, would you, if it also meant that you lost the simple pleasure of a picnic on a sunny day or the joy of falling in love? Would the allure of a comfortable numbness prove too tempting to resist? Could you choose between feeling pain and not feeling anything, ever again?

A girl is caught in a world where this choice is fiercely contested. In the cross-fire between the Red and White empires, the feeling and the unfeeling, each bent on the other's destruction, the girl must choose between emotion and oblivion, joining the ranks with the Reds as they fight to resist the Whites, but all the while struggling with her own desperate ambivalence. All That Is Red is a story of survival and a journey through the human condition, revealing how the intimate euphoria of pain can sometimes be all we have to remind us that we are alive. -Goodreads.com

The plot of this novel is very interesting. The beginning is slightly confusing in the way that neither the main character nor the reader has any idea where they are or what is going on. The war between the Red and the White feels a little overly-complicated and more than a little metaphorical. I understand what the author was trying to convene here, the difference between feeling and unfeeling and how feeling emotions is a good thing, but the plot about the battle between Red and White seems a little 'out-there.' The point of the novel is "feeling emotions is a good thing" and though I see what the author was trying to do when she wrote this, I feel like that point could have been better exemplified in a different, less-confusing matter. To be honest, when I started reading about the Red and White world and the three-faced people, I was instantly reminded of Alice and Wonderland for some reason. It is that type of unbelievable, almost fairly-tale fantasy. Not to say I didn't enjoy it though. It was original and creative, and definitely one of kind, seeing as I have never read anything like it before (this should explain my trouble of coming up with ideas on how to write this review and difficulty picking out a genre.) It was magical, flowed at a good speed, and was slightly interesting.

The characters were also very unusual and interesting. The main character (who has no name, mind you) suffers from self-harm, and who has flashbacks of cutting herself throughout the novel. She finds herself in this world where the Red and the White (the feeling and unfeeling) are at war with each other, and she must lead the Red cause. There is some nice character development going on here as she matures into a leader, but sometimes feels rushed, because she goes from being a normal teenage girl who has no clue where she is in this world and pages later, is thrust into the position of being a leader. It comes a bit too fast. Then there is her friend (also nameless, until the last few pages of the book; simply called "The Boy") who helps her lead and fight the White, and also finds himself in the process. There is several supporting characters who also have a share in the fight, like the girl's possible love interest, a three-faced Red creature called a Trigon. These characters all bond together to fight an impossible fight between feeling emotions and the rather.

I will say the writing is nice. It is not spectacular, but neither is it terrible. It felt quite "put-on" really. For example, the writing could be very complicated and unnecessarily wordy at times, then be very plain and sparse at others. There was no real balence here. There was several instances of lengthy and almost pointless inner conflict and dialogue that could be described as poetic rambling. Most of the time, while reading this novel, I felt like the author felt a need to use big strong words and lengthy descriptions, yet in reality, the plot really went nowhere. It was fake feeling because the writing was very robotic and forced. I wish there had been a few things cleaned up about the plot, and the writing needed some polishing, and honestly, some time to mature and grow. In my personal opinion, when writing an emotionally-charged novel, there needs to be some discipline here, otherwise the writing gets very hard to read and get through, almost like trudging through waist-deep mud. It also causes novels with good potential to become very DNF-worthy. In this case, I stuck through it to see how it would end.

The plot description of the novel asks what you would do if you could choose between feeling emotion (heartache, pain) and not feeling these emotions, if you would choose to not feel them, if it meant not being able to experience love or pleasure. This sounds like a very good hook for a novel, but in reality, the writing inside this novel doesn't match the plot description that much. The plot's definitely one of a kind, but yet almost in a bad way. The writing could use some work, but I respect the fact that the author was at the time 15 and chose to write about a subject so controversial as self-harm. I commend her for this, and because of it, I will watch her in the future to see how her writing progresses. I think she has real potential if she could hone her craft.

Overall, I found this novel to have had very good potential, but yet came out lacking.  With some more polishing and some time, this novel could have been much better. Yet, It is nicely paced and full of creativity and things I never would have thought of. Even with the few problems I had with the novel, I still found it to be a very interesting read written in a unique perspective that is quite original and interesting.

Review: Angel Fever by L. A. Weatherly

 

Title: Angel Fever by L. A. Weatherly

Publisher: Candlewick

Release Date: November 26, 2013

Genres: Fantasy, Drama, Romance, Paranormal

Medium: Hardback, Received For Review. Thanks Bauer Teen!

 
Angel Fever is the exciting third installment of the Angel Trilogy by L. A. Weatherly. Dramatic, action-packed, romantic, and full of plot twists you never see coming, Angel Fever is a novel sure to satisfy the hunger of the fans of the series. Or in my case, excite readers who are new to the series.

As half-angel Willow strives to save the world from her parasitic otherworldly kin, romance and tension heat up to a climactic finale.

In the devastated remains of the world, millions of people live in "Edens" provided by the angels who have all but enslaved humanity. As the angelic stranglehold on humanity tightens, Willow and Alex are recruiting and training new Angel Killers while struggling to hold ground on the celestial battlefield. Willow continues to struggle with feelings for Seb, and her love and resolve are tested as a shattering revelation sends Alex on a separate journey. Now that the final battle versus the angels is about to begin — and the fate of the world hangs in the balance — each of them must face the consequences of their own choices. Will love endure? Will the human race survive? -Amazon.com
Angel Fever is a fantastic, exciting novel of epic proportions. In just the first few pages, I was already literally blown away by both the plot and the style of writing. The plot was fresh, dramatic, and completely unique and original. I am a big fan of paranormal fantasy, especially when the theme at hand is a heavenly creature like an angel. Paranormal angel fantasy, however, is usually very repetitive and feels like the same story over and over, because authors refuse to do anything new with the subject. There's always a predictable love story playing out between a simple human girl and a bad-boy dark angel. And because of this lack of originality, most readers will pass up on a fantastic series like this one the second they see the word "angel" in the plot description. You really should pick up this novel anyway, despite the subject of angels, because this novel is completely original and unique. In this novel, all angels are bad (and not in the hot bad-boy way.) They feed on humans as they threaten to take over our world. And coming to the rescue is a small group of humans called the Angel Killers, and they must take down the angels one by one. This plot makes for a dramatic and exciting conclusion that will leave you gasping in surprise and flipping pages as fast as you can. Some of the things that happen in this novel surprised me so much that I literally yelled out in frustration. You know a book is fantastic when it makes you want to throw it across the room. It was that dramatic and addicting.

The characters in this novel were just as addicting. It is very hard to write this review without giving away many plot twists and spoiling the whole thing. Actually, I'm debating spoiling it right now. It seems impossible to describe the characters without telling what big part they each played in the big dramatic finale battle between the angels and the Angel Killers. But I will try. First of all, Willow is an inspiring, strong, independent female who is faced with the fact that she is the key to saving the world. She is also faced with the dilemma of being caught in a love triangle and having to choose between her guys... especially when something happens to one of them so sudden, it will leave you nearly in tears. Alex, her faithful, protective boyfriend is determined to finish his father's plans on how to save the world from the angels, no matter what the cost- Even if that means risking his life... Seb, Willow's devoted, confused best friend is convinced he is in love with Willow... even though she only sees him as a brother. This exciting love triangle and the plot that weaves through it creates exciting twists and dramatic relationships sure to keep readers immersed.

The writing in this novel was also fantastic. L. A. Weatherly manages to write a flowing, concise novel with constant plot twists and turns, and still keep the fantasy believable. It is very easy to imagine yourself in the shoes of Willow, the main character, as Weatherly writes a novel that is as believable as it is imaginative. The plot flows at great speed; fast, and this makes it very hard to put down. The novel is concise and every single word of the novel feels perfectly chosen. There is absolutely no "filler" type writing in this novel. My favorite parts of this novel were the exciting and unexpected plot twists and the steamy romance brewing between the main character and her lovers. The realistic and relatable human relationships in this novel make it all very enjoyable. I had absolutely no qualms with this novel and I loved every single bit of it.

First, I must also mention that I still have not yet read the first two novels. Even though I started out reading the final novel and will likely just have to read the series over in order, it was very easy to catch on to what was happening. L.. A. Weatherly wrote well enough so that you can pick up the series at any point in the story. Overall, this novel is an amazing paranormal fantasy with a new variation of angels. There is killer-action, steamy romance, and dramatic relationships, and when these things are mixed with a perfect plot, you get something amazing and well worth your time. Five stars.