Rainy Day Ramblings

Charade(Heven and Hell #2) by Cambria Hebert

Dying at the hands of a psycho was a shock. Having my life returned to me by an angel was incredible. Being named a Supernatural Treasure and being given Sam as my guard was pretty darn awesome. Acquiring a debt for it all—well, I should have seen it coming.Now here we are, fighting demons from Hell, caring for a boy that I just don’t trust, and traveling to faraway places to return a treasure to its rightful place. Nothing is as it seems. Everyone wears a mask; everyone puts on a charade. It’s up to us to separate the truth from the lies and reality from fiction. A hard task when my new reality involves fallen angels, witches and dragons… and did I mention Hell?Anchoring me down through it all is Sam. Sam, who must face tragedies of his own and is put to the test again and again.If we fail in our task, life as we know it—life as you know it—will end. Forever.
Paperback, 331 pages
Published May 18th 2012 by Otherworld Publications

 

Five stars!  The sequel is even better! Full of surprises and secrets!

For Heven, having her life returned comes with a heavy price.  She is the guardian of a secret treasure map that must be returned to the catacombs of Rome.  If this scroll falls into the wrong hands, it would mean chaos, war and demons plaguing the Earth.  Thankfully, she is not alone in her epic quest.  At her side and always her guardian is Sam.  Her boyfriend and protector, a boy she loves more than her own life.  Together they intend to fight off the demons of Hell and make sure the document is securely placed in Rome.  Unfortunately, the demons of Hell have other ideas.  Daily it seems, Heven is attacked by demons.  Luckily, Sam’s abilities allow him to destroy the demons to dust.  As the two prepare for Italy, the stakes are raised higher and higher.  When the forces of Heaven and Hell collide, you know it is going to be an epic battle.  The question is can Heven and Sam return the scroll and prevent the onslaught?  

What I Liked:

• Grab you catching mitt because Cambria Hebert is going to throw some curve balls at you.  If you thought she yanked you around in Masquerade, she is back to shock and surprise you with all the twists and reveals in book two Charade.  It seems that this time around everyone has some secrets, as if Before everyone was a Charade and now the masks are starting to fall and true colors are bursting forth.  
• If you love all things paranormal, this book is full of supernatural beings.  This time around there are demons, witches, angels, dragons, shapshifters, dreamwalkers and more.  This book is jammed packed with paranormal.   
• This book takes you from the calm confines of Grandma’s quiet farm in Portland, Maine to Italy and its wondrous sights from the Coliseum to the Catacombs and then you are plunged into the depths of Hell.  Quite the change in scenery. 
• Again I was soothed with Ms. Hebert’s gentle, easy flowing writing style and then without warning she socks it to you!  Be on your toes when you read a book by this author she knows how to surprise you.
• I loved that this book has layers of depths and numerous storylines.  You have Sam battling his dark side trying to maintain control and protect Heven.  He is also trying to help Logan find his way and maintain a balance between his brother and his girl.  Heven is evolving and growing as well.  Last time around she was a bit meek, no more she is coming into her own and learning to fight and stand up to protect those dearest to her heart.  At the center is the strong relationship between Heven and Sam, it is lovely!  In addition to Sam and Heven’s storyline, there is the thread that follows Logan and his battle to gain control of the darkness within him.  He also proves to be a bit of a thorn in Heven’s and Sam’s relationship, but is there more to it?  Kimber and Cole return and add their two cents.  At the end of Masquerade, there was just a flash of Kimber’s true colors, this time her intentions are revealed.  Cole plays a key role in Heven’s life as well.  Finally, Gran, rounds out the cast and I still get this niggling that she is hiding something.  All of the characters and story lines combine to provide a thrilling, adventurous read.  
• I can tell Ms. Hebert has done her research to bring us this one.  From the colors of auras and their meaning, to dreams and dreamwalking to the lore of angels, demons, Heaven and Hell.   

And The Not So Much:

• The story opens with a bang, a scary assault and then everything settles down a bit and you are lulled along.  The plot moves a bit slow in the beginning, but don’t be fooled, during this time, Ms. Hebert is laying down her threads and building the foundation for the upcoming trip to Italy and the exciting revelations that await at the end.  Be patient and pay attention, everything little detail has its place.
• This is a personal preference, I wanted a bit more time Italy.  I was expecting the book to open and immediately take me to the Italian setting, but we don’t get there until the midway point.  Once there, it is a whirlwind and there wasn’t much time to settle in and enjoy the scenery.  Don’t worry this is not a bad thing, there is plenty of action and excitement instead of a grand tour.  
• I was hoping for a bit more insight into Heven’s mother and their relationship.  I can’t go into details here, but there is development but I want to see past the charade and get to the bottom of it.  I am curious as to whether their relationship will be salvaged after the events of Masquerade.  I am certain that more details are coming in the next book, I just need to be patient. 
• A new character, Gemma, is introduced.  Gemma is a fallen angel but she is guarded and hides her secrets.  I wanted desperately to know more about her.  Why she fell from Heaven and what happened to her?
• Finally, the end is a bit of a cliffhanger.  You all know how I dread the cliffhanger.  This wasn’t too terrible, but it did it’s job.  I am know eagerly waiting for the next installment, wondering what is in store for Heven and Sam.  Thankfully, the wait won’t be too terrible, as Book Three Tirade should hopefully be out early 2013.

Charade certainly does not disappoint.  Ms. Hebert has proven that Masquerade was no fluke.  This book has a rich, deep story line as well as fascinating characters who are playing a game of charade with the reader.  Can you guess their secrets?  In order to find out who is hiding what, you must enter into the pages of this book.  Don’t miss this fun and exciting series.  You can snag a copy of the prequel, Before on Amazon for free. Both Masquerade and Charade ebooks can be purchased for $2.99 on Amazon.  An excellent price for these fun novels!

Favorite Quotations:

“It was oddly gray outside and the trees looked black against the sky, making everything appear as though it was a scene from an old black-and-white postcard that has yellowed slightly from age.”

“I was standing in front of him, accepting who I am and exactly what he fought to ignore.”

“You don’t get it.  It isn’t part of me.  It’s a stranger.”

“He folded his arms around me and I sighed deeply.  This is where I fit, where I belonged, everything else was just details.”

“If you cannot breathe, I will breathe for you.  If your heart will not beat, mine will beat harder.  If you do not live, neither will I.”

“I loved this boy.  More than myself.  More than life.  More than anything.”

“I pretended not to, but pretending something wasn’t wrong didn’t make it go away.”

“Sam.  His eyes were like warm sunshine and his mouth was cured up in a smile.”

“Note to self: it is good defense to knee demons in their ‘man parts’.”

“I was afraid that when day arrived and the sun came out, it would shine light into all the shadows from the night before, revealing all that the darkness had hidden.”

“I shook my head.  The only thing that hurt was my chest, where my heart used to reside.”

Make sure to stop back by tomorrow for an exciting guest post from the Charade Tour with Cambria Hebert and some chickens!?  See you there!

Jaguar Sun (Jaguar Sun #1) by Martha Bourke

DECEMBER 21, 2012 Will that fateful day destroy our world, or did the Mayans have something else in mind? Maya Delaney knows. Unfortunately.Maya Delaney is just an average sixteen-year-old. She’s busy dealing with exams, her soon to be ex-boyfriend and fitting in.But Maya’s got bigger problems. She’s hiding a major secret from her dad and having strange visions she can’t control.In her struggle to figure out who she is, she learns that she is meant to fulfill an ancient Mayan Prophesy and bring forth a New Age on earth.Will the spirit magic Maya wields be enough to defeat Toltec, an evil society bent on keeping her from her destiny?Or will that destiny destroy her?
Paperback, 258 pages
Published January 3rd 2012 by Balam Press

 

Three Stars: An interesting entry into the YA field; shape-shifters, Mayan lore, December 2012...all combine in this unique read.

Maya is a normal teenager, surviving high school, confused over her current relationship; typical problems plaguing a young lady.  However, her life is about to get interesting when she starts having strange visions and dreams involving a jaguar.  She can't shake the ominous feeling, and then she wakes after another vivid dream to find a tell tale mark on her neck.  She now wears the mark of a shapeshifter.  Maya's strange premonitions have come to fruition, she is indeed a shapeshifter, able to transform into a jaguar.  As she learns to navigate this new found ability, she quickly finds that danger is stalking her.  Maya discovers that she is the target of a dangerous group known as Toltec.  This group is made up of shape-shifters determined to see that the coming age, predicted by the Mayan calendar,  that promises a new era of peace and enlightenment is not ushered in.  Instead they intend to maintain greed, corruption and power as the status quo.  Maya quickly finds herself caught between the corrupt Toltec and the other shape-shifters who want to help usher in the new age.  Maya may be the key to fulfilling the Mayan prophecy.  Can she learn to use her new skills to help fulfill the Mayan prophecy? 

What I Liked:

• I enjoyed this creative and original book filled with many exciting concepts such as: Mayan prophecy, shape-shifters, and the looming calendar date of December 21, 2012.  This book combines all of these ideas to create an exciting adventure.
• I appreciated that this book moves away from the traditional recipe for YA books.  There is no love triangle, instead this book presents a relationship between Maya and Matt that becomes a bit more complicated with the shape shifting element.  The romance is a small focus, which is nice.  What you get is a romance that ends up being intense and focused.
• I really enjoyed the addition of the twins, who are Maya's best friends.  Lyssa and Damian are funny, witty and a bit sassy, not mention, exceedingly loyal.  They totally liven up the book. 
• I liked the presentation of the upcoming end of the Mayan calendar.  Instead of presenting the catastrophic end of the world type scenario, we get the ushering in of a new era focused on peace and spiritual enlightenment.  I liked this vision versus an apocalyptic event.
• I liked learning about the Mayan culture and many of the prophecies and history of the Mayan people.  Again this is such an interesting departure from a lot of the books in the YA genre.  Very unique and refreshing! 

And The Not So Much:

• This book is very fast paced.  I enjoy a book that moves at a quick clip, but the problem for me was that the speedy movement meant that a lot of detail was glossed over or not discussed at all.  I felt that so many things could have been improved if they author had slowed down and expanded on some of her ideas. 
• I liked the presentation of shape-shifters in this book.  This book presents a culture where shape-shifters are not secretive.  Shape-shifters bear a telling mark on their neck.  The author gives us a setting where they are accepted.  The problem was that there was really not a complete discussion on the shape-shifters and how they fit into society, nor was there an adequate discussion on how they came into being.  This is of the topics that would have benefitted by adding more detail. 
• The book mentions numerous times Maya's loser mother who abandoned her, yet this idea is never expanded upon.  I was curious to discover all the details surrounding Maya's mother.  Sadly, the book never provides anything more than mentions of a mother who abandoned her daughter.  The whys and hows are never revealed.
• The climax and ending came across as hurried.  The book builds to the pivotal calendar date, but when it arrives I was a bit disappointed in how quickly everything come to pass.  Then the ending itself was one of those where you are left thinking, "That's it!?"  Granted, there is no cliffhanger but it is one that just cuts off abruptly with no resolution, which to me is extremely frustrating.  I had no idea going into this that it is the first of a series.  This novel would have been so much better if it tied off better at the end.

Jaguar Sun is a fast book that presents us with shape-shifters seeking to bring about a new era as foretold by the Mayans of old.  This book is full of Mayan culture and legend.  If you are looking for a unique book that steps away from the well worn plots of traditional YA books, you should give this book a chance, especially if you love shape-shifters and Mayan prophecy. You can grab a copy on Amazon for $.99. The clock is ticking down to December 2012.  Are you ready?   

Favorite Quotations:

"Your dreams are where our world and the unseen world meet."

"The wall that had been between us melted away as though it had never existed.  I had always cared about him, but somehting inside me changed at that moment.  My soul understood his, and I knew that he felt the same."

"Every muscle, every nerve ending, every fiber of my being was completely attuned to him.  He was my mate.  I was home."

Please come back tomorrow for a guest post and giveaway from the Jaguar Sun Tour.

Darkhouse (Experiment in Terror #1) by Karina Halle

Time for another bargain find! Today a scary ghost story that takes place on the coast of Oregon. A good read for a buck! 

Darkhouse(Experiment in Terror #1) by Karina Halle

 
Enter the world of the highly-acclaimed Experiment in Terror Series by visiting...the Darkhouse: There’s always been something a bit off about Perry Palomino. Though she’s been dealing with a quarter-life crisis and post-college syndrome like any other twenty-something, she’s still not what you would call “ordinary.” For one thing, there’s her past which she likes to pretend never happened, and then there’s the fact that she sees ghosts. Luckily for her, that all comes in handy when she stumbles across Dex Foray, an eccentric producer for an upcoming webcast on ghost hunters. Even though the show’s budget is non-existent and Dex himself is a maddening enigma, Perry is instantly drawn into a world that both threatens her life and seduces her with a sense of importance. Her uncle’s haunted lighthouse provides the perfect catalyst and backdrop for a mystery that unravels the threads of Perry’s fragile sanity and causes her to fall for a man, who, like the most dangerous of ghosts, may not be all that he seems.
Kindle Edition
Published (first published May 1st 2011)

1/2

 Three and a half stars: A book with plenty of thrills and chills! 

Perry is a twenty two year old stuck living at home and in a dead end reception job that she hates.  As much as she detests her job she is grateful to be working and happy to have both feet on the ground after a rocky past.  When her parents decide to head to the coast for a weekend stay at Uncle Al's, Perry joins them along with her fifteen year old sister, Ada.  For some inexplicable reason she is drawn to the dark, boarded up lighthouse on the edge of her uncle's property.  Going against her better judgement, she breaks into the light house, armed only with the weak light from her iphone.  Is she crazy to be prowling around a deserted creepy lighthouse at night?  During her hasty explorations, she hears banging overhead.  Terrified she fears she has wandered into the lair of a crazed rapist.  She tears out of there, but finds her escape route barred; she collides with a figure in the dark and nearly dies of fright! The man in the shadows turns out to be a guy named Dex, who is not a rapist, but a cameraman investigating the rumors of the lighthouse haunting.  A few days later, Perry returns to her boring job, but things aren't quite right.  In the lobby she sees a strange, clownish looking old lady.  Is she going crazy?  At home, Ada is ill with the swine flu.  She begs Perry to post to her fashion blog.  The fashion inept Perry writes up a post on her ghostly lighthouse encounter.  The blog goes crazy! Perry receives an unexpected call from Dex, the mysterious man in the lighthouse.  He offers her the chance to go back to the lighthouse to do some filming to hopefully launch a ghost hunting show.  Will their escapades into the old, abandoned lighthouse uncover ghosts or something more sinister? 

What I Liked:

• Perry is a well written and developed character.  I liked that she is portrayed as an average girl.  She has overcome some difficulties in her past: weight issues, drug abuse, numerous cycles of career choices and a history of seeing ghosts.  I found myself eagerly cheering for Perry.  She is shy and awkward, a bit sassy and a totally believable character. 
• I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Dex and Perry.  This book does not have the hated love triangle or an insta-love relationship.  Instead the author takes the time to create a hesitant friendship that grows into a shaky trust.  Part of the beauty of the involvement of the two is watching Perry struggle with and often deny her steadily growing attraction to Dex.  I liked that Perry was insecure in her feelings.
• This book has plenty of scary, chilling scenes but nothing too over the top.  I especially enjoyed the appearance of the creepy, clownish old lady.  She gave me the heebie jeebies! 
• I loved the Oregon scenery.  Living in Portland I could totally relate to the setting of the story. Ms. Halle manages to capture perfectly the essence of Oregon at the end of summer moving into fall.  

And The Not So Much:

• While I loved Perry, my opinion of Dex vacillated throughout the novel.  Is he a good guy or a bit shady? What are his intentions toward Perry?  What was the deal with the medications? Where did he keep vanishing to? I wish I had a clearer understanding of him, I really want to like him.
• One aspect that annoyed me, was that every time they visited the lighthouse they were ill prepared.  I found it a little hard to believe that they would venture into a supposedly haunted lighthouse without adequate lighting. 
• I wasn't terrified by the Old Roddy character.  I think part of the problem was he needed more development, revelation into his lurid history and details as to his motives for haunting the lighthouse would have made him more terrifying.
• This book starts out slow.  Granted the beginning chapters are focused on developing characters, which is one of the highlights.  However, I found the pace dragging a bit, thankfully it picks up and gets more exciting as the book moves on. 
• I was disappointed in the resolution.  This book does not have a cliffhanger, but there were so many unanswered questions, that were left hanging.

Darkhouse, is an entertaining read.  There are some good, fun creepy scenes that will hold you hostage.  The best part of this book is a realistic and like able protagonist.  If you are looking for a scary read, give Darkhouse a try. This book is available on Amazon for $.99.  For a buck you can delve into the darkened lighthouse on the Oregon coast in search of ghosts or perhaps something evil hidden inside.  The adventure continues for Perry and Dex in the sequel, Red Fox, available on Amazon for $2.99.

A big thanks to Karina Halle for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Favorite Quotations:

"I walked over to the mirror and searched my face for blazing signs of craziness. I looked like crap but often did in the morning before my five cups of coffee kicked in."

"The night sky was still clear with millions of stars sprinkled across the smooth slate above, though off in the distance the hazy, grey mass of mist could be seen. "

"Fall had arrived overnight. The sunshine was gone. The wind hurled itself at our car and tore green leaves off of the trees, scattering them in the air."

"Answering phones and barely able to concentrate on doing so. I could only think about the blog all morning. How many people visited in the last hour? How did they find me? What did they think? How many comments were there now?"

"Today the ocean was a stranger. Cold, rough, and ready to take me out. As the waves sucked back, they grasped the wet sand like desperate fingers, reaching for me."

"He was staring at my ass. At least that's what it looked like. I guess when it's the biggest thing in the room, it must be hard not to stare at it."

"Man, if looks could kill then I was trying to commit a triple homicide with mine."

"The moon was in a permanent grave somewhere in that tumultuous sky, and the only light we had was from the lightning as it moved further north of us and inland."

"Because I find life to be scarier than death.”

"The blackness and unknown nipped at my heels."

Bargain Book Bin: In My Dreams by Cameo Renae

Time for another great find in my Bargain Book Bin!  This week's find:

In My Dreams by Cameo Renae

It was happening again. The dreams. The nightmares. It was something seventeen year-old Elizabeth "Lizzy" Hayes thought she'd outgrown; dreams that would come true; detailed premonitions of how people would die. This time she dreams about her boyfriend, Michael Young, and soon discovers that he's been found... dead.  Michael hasn't crossed over because he was murdered, and now his murderer is coming for Lizzy. His spirit won't rest until she is safe, and as a newbie spirit, the easiest way for him to make contact is through Lizzy's dreams. When she dreams, it's as if he hasn't died. Lizzy must learn to pull on her inner strength to survive horrifying events. Meanwhile, in the spirit world, Michael learns everything he can about his supernatural gifts to help. But will it be enough to save her?
ebook Published May 16th 2011 by Cameo Renae, via Smashwords (first published April 17th 2011)

1/2

Three and a Half Stars: A touching, heart felt romance for the sentimentalists.

Lizzy shudders awake, trembling as the remnants of her nightmare slide away.  Blinking she glances at the glaring, red numbers on her digital clock.  It is just a few minutes after six.  The clock seems to jeer at her as it marks off the seconds.  Each tick a jabbing reminder that Michael is over an hour late for their date.  He is never tardy and to be delayed on tonight of all nights.  He has a special anniversary surprise planned to mark their four years as a couple.  Michael and Lizzy have always been destined to be together.  They were childhood friends and high school sweethearts.  Her eighteenth birthday is just a few days away and they have so many budding plans for their promising future.  Where is he?  Desperately, Liz punches the speed dial on her cell.  Again it clicks to voice mail.  She tries to shake the feeling of unease.  A sharp, stabbing pain emanates from the back of her neck and a wave of nausea overtakes her.  A few minutes later she staggers to the couch and slips into an uneasy slumber.  When she opens her eyes, she is gliding down the darkened road in Michael's car, her fingers tightly intertwined in his.  At last Michael is finally here.  He draws her into the tight, protective circle of his arms and promises that she has his heart forever.  Why are his eyes so sad? Then the jarring sound of the phone fractures the dream.  Lizzy rouses to her cell buzzing with horrendous news.  Michael is dead!  Her life forever shattered.  Michael's death is just the beginning of the nightmare that haunts her while she is awake.  Someone is stalking her.  Can Michael somehow from beyond protect the girl he loves?

What I Liked:

• This is such a tender, poignant story.  The devotion between Lizzy and Michael will touch your heart.  There are so many sad, emotional moments in this story, I found myself blinking back the tears.  If you adore sweet, love stories then, In My Dreams will speak to you. In addition it tells the tale of forgiveness, second chances and redemption.  I appreciated the positive messages that this novel conveys.
• I enjoyed the additional supernatural elements in the story, the enigmatic Inuit Lucy Crow with her unique ability that allows her to interpret the whisperings she hears from the spirit world.  I was intrigued by the appearances of the protective white wolf with the sapphire eyes.  I was certainly surprised to learn its origins.  I loved the guardian angels and being able to interact with the souls of the deceased through dreams.  The grandparents were especially moving for me, as they reminded me of my grandparents that have passed on.
• I liked the descriptive settings.  The main story takes place in Alaska during winter.  The author does a marvelous job conveying the darkness and biting cold that envelopes the population during the long, dark days.  I could totally relate to the brisk, arctic wind and the sting of its chill especially while Lizzy shivered in her car waiting for it to warm.  Anyone who endures a long winter will be able to feel it's frosty breath blowing out of the pages.  I also enjoyed the fun trips that I took with Lizzy and Michael in her dreams.  I soaked in the sun of Hawaii, visited the lake, ice skated and snowmobiled.  Ms. Renae does a fabulous job taking the reader along on the journey.  
• This book can be purchased for the low price of $1.99 as an ebook on amazon.com (this price reflects the cost at the time of this review 2/12).  For less than two dollars you can read this romantic, emotional story of true love.  That is a bargain! So click the link (the book cover) and head over to Amazon and get your own copy.

And the Not So Much:

• Ms. Renae spins an intriguing tale, filled with lovely metaphors and intricate descriptions.  For the most part the story flows nicely but there are some stumbles over a few grammatical errors and falling into the passive voice, which slows down the pace somewhat.  There was a bit of redundancy especially when it comes to tears and crying.  These are slight mistakes that do not mar or overtake the plot.  I am certain with a little polish and further editing, Ms. Renae will tighten up her writing in her next outing. 
• The story line is not particularly fresh or innovative.  The concept of a ghost reaching back from the other side is reminiscent of Ghost (one of my favorite movies).  Though the idea of the novel is not original, the author does spruce it up with the inclusion of other supernatural entities as well as an Alaskan, shaman, ghost whisperer, Lucy Crow.  I was excited when I met Lucy, I just wished that she had a stronger presence in the story.     

If you are pining for a touching story of a boy and a girl, who find their love can transcend the boundaries of mortal existence, then In My Dreams, will satisfy your longing.  Michael is an angel that you will cling to, as he fights to protect his girl. This book reminds you that love is forever, no matter the circumstance.  A sweet story that those with a sentimental heart will thoroughly enjoy.  Pick up your copy today while you can at a low price. 

Favorite Quotations:

"The sky was painted in pale lavender, and all the spruce and pine trees were flocked in white. "

"Sparkling glitters of snow fell from the sky. I closed my eyes and felt the cold flakes melt on my face."

“I’ll never leave you. I’ll always be here,” he said placing his hand over my heart. “Always remember that. Forever in my heart.”

 I won a copy of this book from Courtney over at Fuzzy.Coffee.Books. 

Tomorrow a guest post by the author, Cameo Renae and a giveaway! See you there!

Bargain Book Bin: Sophie and Carter by Chelsea Fine

Welcome back to another great Bargain Book Bin find.  This week I have a sweet, touching romance about two young, high school kids who are dealing with some very difficult, adult issues.  This great story can be purchased on Amazon for $2.99.

Sophie and Carter by Chelsea Fine

While other high school seniors are dreaming about their futures, Sophie and Carter are just trying to make it through each day. Carter is overwhelmed by issues at home as he struggles to support his mother. Meanwhile, next door neighbour Sophie is left to care for her three younger siblings in place of their absent and troubled mother. All that holds these two best friends together is each other, and knowing that each night they'll sit together on Sophie's front porch swing and escape from reality, if just for awhile. But as their relationship reaches a turning point and high school graduation nears, will their friendship become something more?
Paperback, 117 pages
Published by Acacia Publishing (first published June 20th 2011)

Four Big Stars! This a tender, touching story of two teens defining love amidst troubling circumstances.

Sophie pauses a moment in the hall, to chat with her best friend, Carter.  It is a quiet, stolen interlude, that inevitably makes Sophie late to class, as usual.  A  moment where their troubles fall away, and they are just a couple of normal teenagers.  They walk home together everyday but not side by side.  Sophie walks twenty feet in front while Carter follows behind, occasionally picking up scraps of paper that Sophie drops along the sidewalk.  They keep their tight knit friendship a secret from the outside world and that is the way they like it.  Carter smile as he picks up a note, telling him to stop staring at her butt.  It is meant to lighten his mood.  They both know they are set to face the hard part of their day.  The pair are next door neighbors. Each living in a home shrouded in hardship and pain.  Sophie and Carter, though barely eighteen are each a caretaker and head of their family.  Sophie's mother is a prostitute and drug addict.  She rarely comes home anymore, leaving Sophie to fend for herself and her three younger siblings.  No one knows anything about their father(s).  Carter, cares for his ailing mother.  She and Carter were repeatedly beaten by Carter's now absentee dad.  Her battered and bruised brain is damaged from the attacks and years of soaking in alcohol.  She is severely ill and nearly insane.  The two toil through their hectic afternoon and evening, waiting for those precious few, stolen moments when they meet on the old worn porch swing.  Here in the quiet of the evening, they can swing away their burden of woes and enjoy each others company.  Despite what you might think, Sophie and Carter are best friends.  Their friendship has never once moved toward a romantic level, but each secretly ponders on the possibility. This book is a look at two teenagers caught in a web of crushing and uncontrollable burdens.  Their ability to see beyond their sorrow, and to grab and clutch tightly to the promise of love, will speak to your heart.     

What I Liked:

• When I started reading this book, I thought that Sophie and Carter would be two normal teenagers, who fall in love.  I was pleased and surprised to discover they are anything but typical teenage kids.  They are mature, responsible young adults bearing oppressive burdens.  I couldn't help falling in love with this pair, because despite their heavy loads, they remain optimistic.  Neither has fully admitted their true feelings for the other.  Their relationship teeters precariously on the brink of romance, frozen by their timidity to push it beyond the edge, for fear of losing the one constant, positive spark of goodness in their lives: their friendship. The joy of this book is watching the relationship blossom, as you spend those treasured minutes with them on that worn swing.  
• Sophie, I loved this girl's indomitable spirit.  She single handedly takes on the role of parent to her three younger siblings.  Not for one minute does she resent them, she  responds that she "loves their guts". Sophie is an honor student as well.  If only more young teenagers were as wonderful and caring.
• Carter, girls this young man will make your heart sing. He is so patient, kind and his unconditional love for his mother will make you sigh.  His scars and his abusive past will cause you to wince in horror.  I am telling you this boy is a gem.
• The writing is simple and easy but so full of memorable lines.  Ms. Fine, managed to speak volumes to me with her simple, sweet,  short story.  This is a book you will devour and want to share. It will brush your heart, and you will find yourself blinking back a few tears.  It is a stark reminder to be grateful for the immeasurable blessing of love in your life. 

And The Not So Much:

• There is very little I can criticize with this book, I enjoyed it so much.  One complaint is that if you truly analyze the situation, the unrealistic likelihood of either one of these teenagers remaining as the sole custodians of their respective families.  Carter's mother is so severely impaired she couldn't function.  I wondered what happened to her during the day while he was at school since it was apparent she was nearly incapacitated.  Sophie and her siblings in the real world would likely have become wards of the state, since they were abandoned.  However, I shoved the reality aspects aside and let myself fall into their story. 
• This is a short book, more like a novella.  Ms. Fines manages to pack a bundle of emotion into these few pages.  The story resolves nicely, but I longed for the book to continue.  I hope perhaps at a little date, I can revisit Sophie and Carter and see if their lives have improved.

Sophie and Carter, is a book that will linger with you after you close the cover.  It is a poignant story of a young couple finding the beauty of love, in a cruel and convoluted world.  Slip into this sweet story, I am certain you will come away grateful for the blessings and luxuries in your life.  Ms. Fines is an author I will be keeping a close eye on. This wonderful book can be purchased for $2.99 on amazon.com.  

Favorite Quotations:

"He makes my heart stop, he makes my breaths shallow, he makes me want to sing."

"Life is what we make it."

"Turns out you can't shake jealousy off.  You've got to pet it and lie to it and soothe it until it settles comfortably in the back of your mind."

"She pulls her hand out of mine and a piece of me dies."

"He's careful with what he loves, and he's scared of losing it."

"I love her guts."

"I love his guts too."

A big thanks to Acacia Publishing for providing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Bargain Book Bin: Pantheons by E.J. Dabel

Welcome back to another edition of Bargain Book Bin.  Today's feature is Pantheons by E.J. Dabel.  It can currently be purchased on Amazon.com for the bargain price of $1.99!

On the streets, they call fifteen year old orphan Isaiah Marshall the “Indestructible Diamond”. Isaiah is the leader of the “Redrovers”, a group of teenage misfits consisting of his friends Jeremy, Monty, and Pipsqueak, but when they trespass into “Kaliber Academy” to get even with the arrogant Jason Ollopa, they are in way over their heads. 

Principal Webb enrolls them into the High School and Isaiah soon learns about the existence of the gods of the Ancient World. Because the gods have refused to fight the last War for fear of the Mysterious Dark, the Powers-that-Be have stripped them of their spiritual bodies and given them mortal, teenage forms. 

Isaiah discovers he's not only a god, but that he's the child of the Greek goddess Metis, the son destined to overthrow his cruel and sadistic father Zeus, the Darkener of the Sky, and become the greatest god in all the Pantheons. 

Isaiah is thrown into a world where the democratic Olympians, war-mongering Norse, Gothic Celts, firstborn Egyptians, the enlightened Hindu, the animal-like Aztecs, the martial artist Asians, the intelligent Babylonians, the great spirits of the Native American Indians, and the fierce Finnish will war against one another for the greatest of all prizes: the Dominion.
ebook, 1st Edition
Published January 5th 2012 by Sea Lion Books

Four Stars: Fans of mythology will love the collision of all the Gods in this book.

Isaiah Marshall has not had an easy go in life.  As a homeless orphan, he lives under a bridge, using newspapers at night to keep out the cold.  Despite his circumstances he is content.  Isaiah is the leader of a small gang, with three other members.  The small quartet are inseparable.  The others, follow Isaiah with loyal admiration, even though he rarely speaks, due to his inability to pronounce the letter "s".  A series of events leads the group to a prestigious school.  Before they know what has happened, the mysterious principal has offered all four of them places in the school.  It is a golden opportunity they simply can't turn down.  They hesitantly accept and head home to prepare for their first day, tomorrow in their new school.  As they turn the corner, a drove of chaotic people running a screaming meets them.  What on earth are they running from?  Isaiah spies a beautiful girl with silver hair sprinting ahead of a giant, charging moose like creature.  Without thinking, Isaiah dives between the girl and the monster.  He is transported to an alternate reality, where he comes face to face with the teenage god, Odin with his two ravens perched on each shoulder.  This is just the beginning of the strangeness that awaits the unsuspecting Isaiah.  He learns he is a minor god, born of prestigious, Greek god parentage.  Isaiah uncovers the truth of his heritage and the circumstances behind the demise of his mother. He vows to kill the one who murdered his mother, despite the fact that his father and mother's murderer, just so happens to be one of the most powerful gods of all time.  Can Isaiah destroy the god who vowed to kill him? 

What I Liked:

• I was fascinated by the presentation of the mythological gods from all over the world.  This book showcases them all from the Greek, Norse, Mexican, Egyptian, Indian, etc.  Rediscovering and learning about all the gods was the highlight of the book.
• I admired the main character, Isaiah.  He survives a tough childhood on the streets by utilizing his street skills and smarts.  He is courageous, loyal, protective and refuses to back down to a challenge.  He proves to be an admirable young hero.
• I enjoyed the tournament of gods at the end of the book.  The strongest gods from all over the world meet to do battle to determine the ultimate champion.  This battle is fast and furious! 
• I was drawn to the character of Odin, he was mysterious and calculating.  I liked the two ravens poised on his shoulders, it reminded me of the angel and devil concept.  Later at another appearance, he has two wolves with him, and one of the wolves was smoking.  I wish that there was more of Odin in the story. 
• I liked the two educators and role models, Prometheus and his brother, Epimetheus.  I loved Mr. Dabel's interpretation of these two Greek Titans.  

And The Not So Much:

• This book presents many story lines, Isaiah discovering his powers, training and fulfilling his quest, protecting his friends, the God battle, the coming fourth war and Zeus' maniacal schemes.  At times the shifting story lines was abrupt and a bit confusing. 
• The death match at the end is exciting and thrilling, but the author uses multiple view  points, and it was a lot to keep track of.  I think I would prefer a simple third person narrative vs. the varying first person narratives.  I feel this book would benefit with the inclusion of a list of all the gods, their cultural origin and their characteristics.
• This is a nit picky point, but several times throughout the book, characters called each other "retard" in derogatory manner.  I would prefer another name to be used, instead of one that is a reference to someone who suffers from slow mental capabilities.
• The ending, though not a cliffhanger left me with several unanswered questions.

If you are a fan of mythology then you will enjoy Pantheons.  Mr. Dabel presents a complex book filled with mythological gods from all cultures.  If you are a fan of Rick Riordan's books, then Pantheons is a book you want to check out.  Follow the homeless, speech impaired Isaiah as he learns his true identity and sets out to destroy one of the most powerful gods of all time.  Will our reluctant hero conquer and prevail?  

Favorite Quotations:

"Everything you do in life do it with all of your heart."

"All I know is I should only be seen for who I am and what I do, that’s all.” 

“By Cronos, he’s gone and done it,” the goddess laughed.  “He never could keep his python in the grass."

"You must understand that there is a difference between revenge and justice.  Figure out the difference and you both will have your peace."

An advanced copy manuscript was provided to me by Sea Lion Books, in exchange for a fair review.

Come back tomorrow for a guest post by the author, E.J. Dabel and a giveaway!

Until Next Time by Amy Lignor

How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul? Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache. 

When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans. 

From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart.
ebook, 1st Edtion
Published February 1st 2012 by Tribute Books

Four stars: A complex story involving angels trying to redeem humanity.

Emily and Matt are an inseparable team.  Emily is the angel and Matt the warrior.  They are meant for each other, soul mates.  They live in Heaven under the protective care of some of Heaven's most famous archangels.  Michael, is their ever wise teacher, Gabriel coaches on the warrior aspects, while Francis is a loving and supportive friend.  The pair has spent their entire heavenly existence training and preparing for their missions on Earth.  Emily's job is to answer the requests of those humans in need, while Matt's mission is to eradicate the evil doers, while protecting the innocent.  As the pair readies to ascend to Earth, they learn that while in their human shells, they will not retain any of their heavenly knowledge, nor will they recognize each other on Earth.  Yet, somehow their  souls will know one another, for they are destined to be together.  Or are they?  Can Emily and Matt as humans fulfill their mission to gather information to help save humanity? Will Emily lose her heart to another? 

 

What I Liked:

• My favorite aspect of this novel was Ms. Lignor's characterization of the arch angels.  I loved meeting Michael, Gabriel and Francis as she envisions them.  They are endearing, kind, patient and caring.  They also are a bit mischievous and funny as well.  St. Francis was my favorite, I loved the way he morphed into a form compromised of animals.  I enjoyed the snippets of famous quotable quotes that kept popping up as phrases the archangels were "trying out." I loved the cameo appearance of Joseph at the end.
• I enjoyed the scenes in the Heavenly realm.  I liked seeing Ms. Lignor's ideas of Heaven.  It was a beautiful but not uptight or too religious.
• I appreciated the complex philosophical ponderings  on souls, soul mates, free will and the redemption of humanity.  There are many deep concepts presented that I enjoyed exploring.
• I liked the Earthly characters of Faith and Liz.  Liz is Emily's human form and Faith is her best friend.  These two girls are resourceful and hardworking young ladies who take care of themselves.  They have spunk and a bit of sass.  I especially love Faith, she is not afraid to take on the dragons of the upper class and she does it with style. 
• I enjoyed the two plots in the book.  One story line follows Emily and Matt in their earthly forms of Liz and Daniel, while the other is about their heavenly education and purpose as an angel and warrior.  Even though on a couple of occasions it was a bit confusing to follow the shifting scenes between Earth and Heaven, I had fun with the alternating story lines. 

And The Not So Much:

• The book opens with Emily being disillusioned by her role to protect humanity, I never learned why she was unhappy fulfilling her mission on Earth as an angel. It is discussed in the beginning and revisited at the end, as an ongoing theme for future books.  I would like to know what happened to make Emily want to push away Matt and her heavenly calling.
• I wanted to get to know Daniel (Matt) better.  At first I thought that this book would be told from a dual perspective but there is only a couple of small chapters devoted to Daniel's point of view.  I would have liked more insight on his character and actions.
• I was a little perplexed by the insta-love between Faith and Charles and even Liz and Jason.  Liz and Faith are two resourceful young ladies running a small Irish pub in the 1800's.  One stormy night the bedraggled pair, Charles and Jason pound on their door seeking shelter from the storm.  Liz lets them in, despite Faith's misgivings.  Faith and Charles fall in love instantly and the four end up running off together.  I guess I am just not a big fan of the love at first sight theme, the relationships were a little too hurried for my taste.  
• I was confused a bit over Liz's dreams and visions.  I wasn't quite sure how that all worked and why she bled and bruised during the night. I think this needed a touch more clarification.

Until Next Time, is a complex and engaging book that follows a pair of heavenly inhabitants as they endeavor to fulfill their mission on Earth, while being tutored by some amazing, celestial favorites.   Their time on Earth not only will test their will and faith in their teachings and humanity but also in each other.  Will Matt and Emily rise to the occasion and find redemption for the human race? Ms. Lignor leaves us musing on the outcome until next time....

Favorite Quotations:

"They were the color of the thin line that separated the ocean from the sky.  His gaze was that brilliant horizon that kept her steady so she wouldn't lose herself in the wide majesty of the stars, or the treacherous depths of the ocean.  Their souls were one, keeping each other on the right course, oblivious to the rest of the world."

"Even though I am sure the romantic candlelight that our kiss creates would burn through the night, I'm more the roaring inferno type."

"Your thoughts make you wise, your heart makes you strong, but your soul is who you are."

"I hope to never have a son.  I would have to hit him over the head and beg the good Lord to take him back and insert a brain."

"Some get tired of waiting and settle for less than what they really want. Their souls grow heavy and they forget what was good in the first place. They don't remember the wonderful things that they can have, the good people they can become, and the true love they can experience- so they simply settle for not being alone."

"Never settle for someone less than the one who can fulfill your soul."

"Her kiss was quick and light, like a butterfly landing on his soft cheek and then fluttering away."

A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

A big thanks to Amy for her patience and allowing me to reschedule my post due to illness.  Please come back tomorrow for a guest post and giveaway with Amy Lignor!

Bargain Book Bin #3: The Ghosts of Arlington by D.G. Gass

Welcome to another great Bargain Book Bin find! 

The Ghosts of Arlington by D.G. Gass

NOT ALL GHOSTS REMAIN ON THE BATTLEFIELDAs an Army wife, Candace Benning understood and was prepared for what might happen. She was prepared when her husband was sent to the Middle East twice. She was prepared when they told her of his injuries and the months of therapy that would be needed. She was prepared for the psychological battles he might face. She was prepared for everything - or so she thought.After witnessing her husband's suicide, Candace tries to move on, despite the emotions and the memories that haunt her. But memories aren't the only things haunting her. Recurring dreams and unexplained events have her worried for her sanity. Was she experiencing the effects of posttraumatic stress or was there really something beyond the grave reaching out?And what about Everett Bayard, the reporter in search of a story in the wake of the Walter Reed scandal?. Was his appearance just a coincidence or was there something else behind it? Whatever it was, Everett would be the key that draws Candace back into a fight she had hoped she'd left behind.A fight to save the Ghosts of Arlington.
Kindle Edition
Published October 27th 2011

1/2

Three and a half stars: A book that is a stark reminder of the sacrifices of our service men and their families.

 

Candace paces the floor anxiously waiting for her brother in law to return her husband, from their boys night out.  They promised not to drink too much, but Candace knows better.  She hates the drinking, mainly because the mix of alcohol and anti depressants tends to have severe repercussions for her husband.  Aaron, an Army veteran, has recently returned from one of many tours of duty overseas.  This time though, he returned minus a limb.  His leg was blown off by an I.E.D.  He lost more than his limb.  Aaron is suffering from severe depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Candace along with rearing their two young twin sons, is doing everything she can to nudge him gently back into his life.  All that goes out the window,  when she awakens to glass shattering, the next morning.  She finds Aaron standing in front of the smashed mirror, shards of glass sticking out of his knuckles.  He is shaking and holding his gun, the one she took away to protect him, to his temple.  Candace begs him to put the gun down....In an instant he is gone. Candace is left to pick up the pieces.  As she slowly tries to climb the towering mountain of regret and sorrow, she meets a journalist, Everett.  With some prodding he convinces her to share her story.  What follows is a heartbreaking and necessary look at the lives and struggles of our military men and women and their families.  It seems though, that Candace's meeting with Everett is not left up to fate alone.  Can a loved one from beyond help to set things right?

What I Liked:

• I liked the protagonist, Candace.  She is a character, who is representative of the many brave women and men out there, facing the burdens and sacrifices, that are the reality of having a spouse serving in the military.  Faced with grief and hard choices,  Candace tackles her problems head on, without despairing and feeling sorry for herself, even though she has every right to.  I truly admired Candace, she is a courageous woman.
• This book shares some important insight into the difficulties facing our service men and women.  It shows how the greed of money and politics sent our troops into battle with sub par equipment. After serving many return home to find their jobs are no longer waiting.  For our veterans who were disabled or injured, they are treated in hospitals with mold growing in the walls, if they are lucky to get the care they require.  Many veterans suffering with debilitating psychiatric disorders, such as PSTD, are ignored because the government fails to acknowledge the need for properly treating these victims.  Many are homeless, forgotten by the same country they protected.  This book is an eye opening experience on the deplorable treatment of our servicemen.  I applaud the author in the way she relays this information.  She doesn't preach or sensationalize it, instead she shows us Candace's story.  Her message, while woven subtly into the story, comes across loud and clear.
• The biggest impact of this book is the way it gently reminds us the importance of supporting our military personnel.  I admit I am guilty, I thank the servicemen when it is called to my attention, but I don't go above and beyond.  This book conveyed to me the importance of doing more to support these brave people, who sacrifice so much for the American people.  Supporting our troops, according to Ms. Gass, is more than saluting,  flying flags and placing tattered magnets on our cars.  Get out there volunteer, do something to help make a difference for these families. 
• I enjoyed the supernatural element in the book.  It is rather inconspicuous.  Not over the top, most of the ghostly encounters are in dreams, which is a believable way to incorporate a bit of the paranormal into what could be a real life story. 

And The Not So Much:

• I can't criticize this book too much because the author is trying to convey such an important message.  I only have three tiny criticisms.  Everett, the political reporter, is a sympathetic character once his past is revealed.  I liked him, but I was a little disappointed in the way he immediately starting trying to prod Candace into a relationship, so soon after her husband's death.  Given his history, I expected him to be a little more understanding in giving Candace the space she needed to grieve.  I did not like the hurried movement toward a romantic relationship, especially with the scene at the hotel at the end. 
• The writing lacks frills, it is straight forward and simplistic, which is not necessarily a bad thing.  Ms. Gass gets the job done, by getting her important points across, but the plot lacked a bit of depth.  
• I was left wondering about the encounter Candace had with Everett's brother at Arlington, was there more to his story?

The Ghosts of Arlington, is a heartbreaking story of a military wife, shouldering a heavy load of grief.  Candace, gives us a glimpse at the many difficult challenges facing those who sacrifice freely to protect the masses.  Pick up a copy of this book to gain an understanding of the obstacles they face during and after their time of service.  I hope that I can do more on my part to help better the situation, as can we all.  This ebook can be purchased on Amazon and other ebook retailers for $2.99.

Favorite Quotations:

"The public would be content knowing they've done their part for showing support for our troops by tacking a magnetic yellow ribbon to their bumper and flying their tattered flags from the antennae of their cars."

"Do you believe that a random act of kindness needs to be earned?"

"..she stared out the kitchen window, pondering on the fingernail moon that hung in the sky." 

"Her lips became his addiction as she matched the intensity."

"I watch over those who wander."

Come back tomorrow for a special guest post from the author, D.G. Gass.

Bargain Book Bin #2 The Reluctant by C.S. Splitter

Welcome back to the second edition of Bargain Book Bin.  This week another gem for you.  Normally this book is $.99 on Amazon, but when I checked today it is currently listed for free.  Even better.  So head over to Amazon and pick up your copy. 

Bargain Book Bin presents:

The Reluctant (Crayder Chronicles #1) by C.S. Splitter

Action, adventure, suspense, and thriller in one story told with a liberal dose of humor.Tom’s problems are not unique. His business is failing and his wife has to work too many hours to make ends meet. He is under some rather large financial pressures and wants more from his marriage and his life.He finds his respite in the air as a private pilot. Unfortunately for Tom, he is behind on payments for his plane and is forced to take odd jobs from a local crime boss. Tom is no criminal, but the errands he is running are just slightly on the wrong side of the law and the money is almost good enough to allow him to make his plane payments. Just as things begin to come under some semblance of control, he meets a woman who just might represent the adventure he seeks. He soon discovers that appearances, and beautiful women, can sometimes be deceiving.“The Reluctant” is the first in the Crayder Chronicles series and yet is a stand alone story with a satisfying conclusion of its own.
Kindle Edition  (approximately 320 pages)
Published April 12th 2011 (first published April 10th 2011)

Four Stars: Are you ready to delve into the mind of a man?

Tom Crayder is hoping for a quick, routine flight in his small Cesna plane.  He is a private pilot, who thoroughly loves to fly.  Today his cargo is a man named, Tiny, who for the record is not so Tiny.  Tom, desperate to make ends meet and keep up with payments on his plane, occasionally transports passengers and items for cash for his friend, Jake.  The money is good but the jobs often fall into that "grayish area."  Tom isn't certain of the specifics on Tiny (the man who weighs about four hundred pounds), he prefers to remain in the dark and just do the flying.  What he plans on being a simple, easy flight, goes south when one of the engines suddenly stalls.  Tom makes a crash landing, err scratch that, an excellent forced landing in a cow pasture, all while listening to an enormous man, scream like a girl.  A few scrapes and bruises and a few cow pies later, our hero is ready
to put the event behind him.  Little does he know that his graceful, crash landing, I mean emergency landing with style, has caught the attention of some powerful, clandestine people.  Tom, armed with his formidable Lady Smith gun, is in for a life changing adventure.  Will he live to tell the tale, or will he screw up and get shot in his private parts?

What I Liked:

• Tom Crayder, okay ladies are you ready for the next super hot, debonair, smooth, gun wielding crime fighter? Well, Tom Crayder is not any of the above.  Instead, this action hero is an unassuming, regular guy.  He is happily married to a wonderful, supportive, beautiful woman.  He, like many Americans, is fighting to stay afloat.  His business is struggling and he is trying to stay current on his plane payments.  Is he sexy and hot? Not exactly.  He is a slightly paunchy, middle aged man, who is still trying to prove he is a suave ladies magnet.  Now you must be thinking, why on earth would I want to read about this average Joe?  I will tell you, because he is a realistic portrayal of a normal guy.  Ladies, if you want to get into a guy's head and see what they are really thinking, then this book is for you.  No big surprise, to find that men think about sex, food, sex, guns, sex, planes, sex on planes...ok you get the point.  This is a humorous look into the mind of a typical, ordinary man suddenly thrust into a dangerous situation.   
• The humor in this book is so much fun.  The Reluctant, is brimming with witty, slightly sarcastic commentary, that will definitely have you grinning and chuckling.  I found it to be the perfect amount of sarcasm, not over the top by any means. 
• As I mentioned, this is a guy's book but it is fun for a girl to get inside a man's head.  I found it refreshing to see how a man thinks.  Sure he leers at other women, but his heart belongs to his wife.  I liked all the numerous references to the coolness of being a pilot and flying.  I even for the most part, enjoyed all the discussion on flying.  I know nothing about aerial transportation, so it was fun to learn the specifics of piloting small planes. 
• Tom's gun.  It cracked me up that Tom didn't carry a weapon with clout.  Instead he chooses to pack a small, Lady Smith pistol. He gets a bunch of flack for it too.  Not really what you would call "packing some heat", it is more like some warmth.
• I have to throw this in, I found it particularly funny that one of the female characters threatened Tom twice, with shooting him in his nether regions.  Obviously, a man's biggest fear.
• This book is a self published book that can be purchased for $.99.  Now, before you turn away and write this off as a "no thank you read", because it is self published, I will tell you that this is one indie title you do want to read.  This book is properly edited and well written.  In fact, the author, C.S. Splitter recently did a post on his blog regarding everything that a self published author should be doing to get a good product out to market.  If you are an author, who is thinking of self publishing your work, then I would highly recommend you check out The Reluctant and Mr. Splitter's blog, Splitter's World.  The Reluctant, is how a good self published book should be done.  In reality, I wouldn't have known it was self published while reading it.

And The Not So Much:

• This is a man book, that doesn't mean a lady can't enjoy it.  Just be prepared for some boy talk, mostly sex talk and typical guy stuff.  The only problem I had was after awhile all the pilot and flying detail became a little much toward the end.  Again, I am not the target audience, so perhaps if you are man, you will love every detail on planes and piloting.  
• Near the end, the book had a couple of graphic scenes involving animals.  To be fair, the author did warn me up front before I read the book that there was a bit of animal cruelty.  He said it pained him to write those scenes, as he is an animal lover himself.  He told me, it was necessary to establish the bad guy as a scum bag. Armed with that information, I chose to gloss over those pages.  Mr. Splitter makes up for it by including a fat feline, with an affinity for scrambled eggs and the appearance of a lovable chihuahua at the end.   
• While this book drew me in with the comedic commentary and interesting story, it took awhile for the plot to settle in and reveal itself.  I was over half way in before I uncovered the true story line.  Up until that point, the book focuses on character development and introductions. Thankfully,  I was never bored due to the humorous quips, while I waited for the real story to be told. 

The Reluctant, is a fun, entertaining book that will keep you laughing as you follow the adventures of the reluctant and unassuming, Tom Crayder.  Take a chance and step outside of your normal reading zone and pick up a copy.  For $.99 this comedic gem is a steal.  Ladies, you will enjoy an entertaining and revealing look into a man's head.  This book made it even more clear to me, that men and women must be from two different worlds.  I can say that I won't be reluctant to read the next installment of the Crayder's Chronicles. The Willing, available now at amazon.com and other ebook retailers, for $2.99.   

A copy of this book was provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.

Favorite Quotations:

"He needed one of those slaps that calms people down in the movies but I couldn't reach back that far. Even if I could, I didn't have a third hand to spare."

"Fiery death was to be avoided at all costs."

"Being tough can suck."

"Macho was mandatory in these kinds of encounters."

"I didn't want to abandon the adventure. I felt like Chevy Chase standing beside the pool, swinging his arms, and muttering, “This is crazy.”

"I wasn't sure how much of my decision making was coming from either head, but that lack of knowledge didn't affect my thinking. I was on an adventure and I felt alive."

"The one thing I had never liked about the Lady Smith pistol, besides not being able to find one without “Lady Smith” printed on it, was the trigger."

"A new smell, open sewer, had also been added to his repertoire."

"I swear stores train their people to sneak up on customers. "

 

Stay tuned tomorrow for a special guest post by C.S. Splitter.  You won't want to miss it!

Rainy Day Ramblings Bargain Book Bin

At last I am excited to debut a new weekly feature here at Rainy Day Ramblings. Bargain Book Bin is a look at a book, that I purchased for my Kindle in the price range of $.99-$2.99.  With the advent of ebooks, we the readers, are lucky to have access to an abundance of books for a few bucks.  I would like to highlight and share some of my great, bargain finds.  Isn't sharing it with others the best part of getting a great deal?  I love that these books are readily available to all readers, unlike many of the Advanced Copies, that bloggers are lucky enough to screen.  Grab your e reader and start hunting.  Feel free to leave me your comments and links for all your Bargain Books.  I would love to hear about some of your favorite Bargain Book Bin Reads!  If you are a blogger and would like to be a part of Bargain Book Bin contact me.  Happy Reading! Now, here is my first Bargain Book Bin Feature:  

The Apocalypse Gene by Suki Michelle and Carlyle Clark

Global pandemic is raging. Olivya Wright-Ono's once loving home has been converted to a hospice for the dying. Her ability to see auras forces her to witness, with agonizing detail, the vibrant colors of life consumed by malignancy. The beautiful and troubled, Mikah, is an elite Empath in the ancient Kindred clan, led by the brooding, ever-morphing, monster named Prime. Mikah has learned a terrible truth . . . the plague is linked to Kindred origins. When Olivya sees evidence of disease creeping into her mother's aura, she has no one to turn to but Mikah. Can he unearth the Kindred secrets and find a cure? Can she trust this boy whose power allows him to manipulate her very emotions? With her mother's life, and that of the world, in the balance, Olivya and Mikah embark on a quest to stop the Pandemic, only to discover it is far, far more than a mere disease. 
Paperback, 1st Edition, 252 pages.  
Published October 17, 2011 by Parker Publishing.

 1/2 

Three and a half stars: A book that is a blend of dystopian, science fiction and mythology all in one!

Olivya wakes to another day of stink and death in her own home.  Outside a global pandemic is raging.  Healthy people are succumbing to all forms of cancer and dying within weeks.  All existing cures and medicines are ineffective against the deadly disease.  No one can explain why cancer is ravaging through the population.  Olivya’s mother to make ends meet, converted their home into a hospice care center.  Now, the young teenager spends her days among those that she considers GAD= Good As Dead. The streets of Chicago are mostly deserted.  People rely on the internet for all forms of social interaction.  Olivya longs to run away and break free from the death but where can she go?  She is burdened by a unique ability.  Olivya can see auras.  Her vision allows her to peek inside someone’s soul and learn their true intentions.  Each day her world constricts a bit more.  Feeling trapped she makes a rash decision to sneak out from underneath her mother’s watchful eye and meet up with her friend, Mikah from holo school.  She has strong feelings for him, even though she has never met him in real life.  Little does she know that things are about to change radically.  Will Olivya survive the raging pandemic?

What I Liked:

• This book is unique.  It marries a dystopian setting, with a science fiction plot, immersed with ancient mythological characters.  This blend of genres provides a wild and crazy ride, due to the many twists and turns in this book.  There is even a section where you are taken into the internet with a holograph.  This novel is definitely ingenious and creative. 
• I enjoyed not knowing who the good and bad guys were, until I completely read the entire book.  This novel has a full cast of characters, and all of them keep you guessing as to their true intentions.  I was surprised numerous times to find out a character that I surmised was evil or good was the opposite of my initial impression.  This book will keep you on your toes until the final pages.
• I enjoyed the mythological elements threaded through the story.  This book relies heavily on old legends and stories.  It was interesting to see a current view on some  past ideas.  This book is brimming with one of a kind characters and creations.  I especially liked Pandymone, a living star ship, in the form of a whale. 
• I was fascinated by the use of auras and the fifth energy plane. Psychic energy is an essential component of this story.  I loved learning the different colors of the aura and what they represented.
• I really enjoyed delving into the computer world.  It was a fun adventure for me to see the world as a character, caught in the matrix of the internet.  
• This has a neat resolution, no dreaded cliffhanger but the door is left open for a continuation.  I will be interested to see where the story goes from here.

 And The Not So Much:

• This book from the first pages drew me into the desperate world of the dying population, plagued by cancer.  I was completely absorbed in Olivya’s story, but then the narration switched to Mikah’s point of view.  I liked Mikah but for some reason I wasn’t as engrossed in his side of the story, perhaps it was just me.
• This book as I mentioned is a combination of three different genres.  It is loaded with information.  I found the first quarter of the book highly entertaining.  The middle portion was weighed down with a load of information dumping on the reader.  At times, I was a bit confused by all the characters, their complicated names, the legends and everything else.  There was a lot to keep track of and I really had to focus and pay attention.  Once I got past that portion, the climax and ending pick up with quick paced action.  It is an exciting journey to the finish.
• Again, this might just be me,but one of the characters,Ayvilo’s (a computer holograph come to life) dialect was a type of hip slang, after awhile though, it was too much and I felt it was a bit annoying.  This character needs to be toned down. 

The Apocalypse Gene, is a Young Adult book that steps way outside of the boundaries.   It is unique and full of surprises.  This book is unlike anything you have read before.  Prepare for a bit of dystopian, a dash of science fiction and a splash of mythology.  This book will have your head spinning.  If you are wanting a book that is different, then I recommend that you check out The Apocalypse Gene.  Especially since you can purchase your own  ebook on amazon.com for $2.99. 

Favorite Quotations:

“They kissed, and the place where their lips touched became the world, the galaxy, the universe.  His mouth tasted of cinnamon and sunshine and music.”

“Oh that voice so sweet.  Rich like the taste of vanilla ice cream, vowels like flute music, warm carmel consonants.  She could float in that voice forever and not miss a thing.”

“A single beautiful word bobbed through the sea of pain like a scrap of wood from a shipwreck.  He clung to it to keep from drowning. Olivya.”

“Her colors reminded Olivya of the eager, waxy scent of a new box of crayons.”

“What good was it to absorb droplets of negativity when the earth itself was an ocean of pain.”

“For the first time in many years, with no Internet or cellphones, everyone seemed to be rediscovering and celebrating the kindness of each other’s arms.”

Stay tuned tomorrow for a special guest post from the Apocalypse Gene Tour!