M.M.F.F Challenge: Week #25

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place
have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #25:

 

I love this picture.  :)  Stop back on Friday to see what I can come up with for this one.  

M

January Review Re-Cap

 

Good morning everyone.  Can you believe a full month has passed in the new year?  I hope the new year has been kind to you and yours so far.  :)

Here is a re-cap of the books I read this month.

5 Stars

Blood Song - Cat Adams
StormWalker - Allyson James
FireWalker - Allyson James
Monster Island - David Wellington
Crimson Wind - Diana Pharaoh Francis
Red Hot Fury - Kasey Mackenzie

4 Stars

Harvest Hunting - Yasmine Galenorn
The Fallen: Raziel - Kristina Douglas

3 Stars

Once Bitten - Kalayna Price
Sugar and Sin - Stella and Audra Price
All That's True - Jackie Lee Miles
To Have and To Kill - Mary Jane Clark


I had a pretty good reading month.  Kinda in a slump right now, but hoping to shake it off soon.  :)


How was your reading month?


M
 

Review: The Fallen: Raziel by Kristina Douglas

 

The Fallen: Raziel is the first book in the Fallen series by Kristina Douglas and a Paranormal Romance from Pocket Books.

Book Blurb:

She was just an ordinary mortal . . .

'You're dead' is so not what Allie Watson wants to hear. Unfortunately, it explains a lot. Like the dark, angelically handsome man who ferried her to this strange, hidden land. The last thing she remembers is stepping off a curb in front of a crosstown bus. Now she's surrounded by gorgeous fallen angels with an unsettling taste for blood - and they really don't want her around. Not exactly how she pictured heaven.

. . . until death catapulted her into a seductive world she never imagined.

Raziel is unsure why he rescued Allie from hellfire against Uriel's orders, but she stirs in him a longing he hasn't felt in centuries. Now the Fallen are bracing for the divine wrath brought by his disobedience, and they blame Allie for the ferocious Nephilim clawing at the kingdom's shrouded gates. Facing impossible odds at every turn, the two must work together to survive. Raziel will do anything to defend his spirited lover against the forces of darkness - because Allie may be the Fallen's only salvation.

My thoughts:

Allie Watson is an author who writes biblical murder mysterious.  Not yet on the NY Times best seller list, she supplements her income with temp jobs so she can afford her beautiful apartment and designer shoes.    

Growing up with a zealously religious mother, Allie has no use for religion of any kind and sees her writing as a way to ‘debunk the Judeo-Christian Old Testament’.

But now Allie is in a situation that has her rethinking everything she learned as a child. 

It would appear that Allie has died - and instead of going to heaven or hell, she was ‘saved’ by an angel.  A fallen angel.

Raziel was sent to escort Allie after her death.  At the last second, he changed his mind and saved her from sure torment - this set off a chain reaction that has shaken the fallen and their mates to the very foundation.

I enjoyed Raziel. 

Allie is somewhat blasphemous and very snarky about it - some people may be offended by this.

I think Raziel was a fascinating read and I can’t wait to read more in Demon, The Fallen: Book 2 available 05-31-11.

I give The Fallen: Raziel 4 out of 5 stars.

M

Book Cover & Promo: The Lost by Caridad Pineiro

 

The Lost is the first book in the Sin Hunters series by Caridad Pineiro.

Book Blurb:

Adam Bruno is no ordinary millionaire. The heir to an ancient race possessing a dark, powerful magic, he can shapeshift and create energy. His gifts make him a living weapon and have forced him to live in seclusion. But now an inhuman force hunts down Adam-just when he finds someone who makes him feel more human than he ever imagined possible . . .
 

Home from combat in Iraq, Bobbie Carerra wants only peace, yet soon joins Adam in a terrifying battle against paranormal enemies who hide in plain sight. She’s drawn to his strength of mind and body; he’s attracted to her courage and intoxicating energy. Their scorching passion can either transport them to the heights of ecstasy or-if Adam’s powers rage out of control-destroy them. But when an invisible brotherhood tightens its nets and someone Adam trusts betrays him, only a heartrending decision can save them. 

Release Date:  07-26-11

M

Cover & Promo: Born of Shadows by Sherrilyn Kenyon

 

Born of Shadows is the fifth book in the League series.

 

Book Blurb:

In the universe where the League is law, most live in fear. We fight back. Welcome to a world where corrupt assassination politics dominate everyone. It's kill or be killed.

Caillen's destiny was to become the next generation of Dagan smugglers. Until fate intervenes. Suddenly, his life is not his own and his loyalties are split in a way he could have never imagined.

In a world where everything's earned and nothing is given, Desideria has battled to have a place of honor in her mother's Royal Guard. But when she uncovers the plot to kill her mother and overthrow her government, she knows she has to move quickly to prove it.

Unfortunately, her only hope is a man whose past is as jaded as his present. Now they must find common ground to work together or more than just their lives will be forfeit. Their worlds and families will be enslaved.

Release Date:  04-25-11 

M

Possible Fix to Problem with Following

Hi everyone.  :)  I was checking the help board and a great many people were talking about how they had found a solution to the problem of the picture and profile info not showing up when they tried to follow a new blog - I was having this same issue.

Apparently if you go in and follow your own blog - it doesn't seem to matter if you do it publicly or privately - the problem is solved.

I did it - tried to follow a new blog - and there I was.  :)  So glad to be back.

If you are having trouble with your picture and profile info not showing up when you follow a new blog - please give this a try.  It worked for me.

M 

 

Decorating that Dorm Room - Or Not.

Many of you know that our daughter is a freshman in college - the local college, five minutes down the road.  She has changed her major from teaching to nursing and is going for her BS.  (Happy Dance)

Lately she has broached the subject of moving into the dorms.  Why?  I asked.  It's five minutes down the road.  Because, says she.  I can decorate my dorm room all pretty.

Great.  She wants to spend an extra few thousand dollars a year to decorate a dorm room.  But then she thought about it and decided that home is better; meals, laundry, maid and taxi service - all courtesy of Mama.  But she still wants to decorate a room.

So she has decided to do her own room.  New paint, bedding, art work and accessories.  Drapes, throw pillows and an area rug.  And a new flat panel tv.  

Oh yes.  

The tv I have now is too big Mama.  The tv stand takes up too much floor space.  I'd like a smaller tv and LCD TV Stand like this one.  :) 

And just think of all the money you're saving on room and board at college.  

She does have a point there.  :)

M

Flash Fiction Friday: Week #24

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place
have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #24:

Peace and Quiet
By Michelle Greathouse

She always wore a white dress.  White stood for purity, cleanliness, godliness.  Thrown from her home at the age of fourteen, accused of being possessed, of being an instrument of evil, the devil’s own...the white was a symbol to herself; if no one else - of her innocence.

As long as she could remember, Elizabeth had always been able to see those around her - those who could not be seen by anyone else.  She thought nothing of it, thought everyone could see them.  Until she was old enough to remark upon the woman standing near the kitchen window - the woman her father could not see.  She suffered a beating that day - and was threatened with more should she continue with her foolishness.

By an early age Elizabeth had learned to keep her ability to herself.  That is until the night she started her courses - then she began to hear those around her as well.  And they liked it.

Night after night the restless came to Elizabeth, some to talk and others to torment.  She began to lose sleep and her appetite waned, causing her to lose weight as well.  Her father took notice.
 
Feeling as though her very sanity was in jeopardy, Elizabeth told her father what was happening.  He immediately packed her bag and took her to Wallingford House - the local hospital.

Upon arrival Elizabeth was bombarded with the restless spirits of those who had died at Wallingford House - most of them insane in life and no better in death.  It was torture.

Due to her father’s standing in the community and the respect he garnered,  Elizabeth was afforded a modicum of respect herself.  This meant she was not beaten outright - merely suffering starvation and the occasional dunking in cold water to drive out the demon spirits inhabiting her body.

All of this Elizabeth suffered with dignity - but suffer she did.  Until he arrived.

She never knew his name or where he came from - but when he arrived the spirits gathered around him and listened.  They quieted and listened.  And when he turned, gathering his black cloak around him, they followed him.

And Elizabeth was grateful.  

For the rest of her life, because Elizabeth was never allowed to leave Wallingford House, whenever the restless spirits became too much for her to bear, he would come, and they would follow.

And it was quiet, for a time.

The End
Word Count: 406

I took a different route with this picture - and I am very pleased with how it turned out. :) I didn’t kill anyone - but then again, they were already dead.

Hope you liked it. :)

M  

Review: Red Hot Fury by Kasey Mackenzie

 

Red Hot Fury is the first book in the Shades of Fury series by Kasey Mackenzie and an ACE Fantasy.

Book Blurb:

Hell hath nothing worse than a Fury scorned...

As a Fury, Marissa Holloway belongs to an Arcane race that has avenged wrongdoing since time immemorial. As Boston's Chief Magical Investigator for the past five years, she's doing what she was born to: solving supernatural crimes.

It's far from business as usual when the body of one of Riss's sister Furies washes up in Boston harbor. Riss discovers that the corpse's identity has been magically altered, but as soon as she reports her findings, she's immediately--and inexplicably--suspended from her job. Then a human assassin makes an attempt on her life, and Riss starts to realize that someone may be trying to stir up strife between mortals and Arcanes.

When a Fury gets mad, she gets even, and Riss is determined to untangle this case. Without the support of the mortal PD, Riss turns to the one man she can trust to watch her back--shapeshifting Warhound Scott Murphy. But since Scott is also Riss's ex, she'll have to keep a tight leash on more than just the supernatural rage that feeds her power as they try to solve a murder--and stop a war...

My Thoughts:

NEW FAVORITE!!  I absolutely LOVED Red Hot Fury!

Marissa Holloway, Riss to those she's not ticked off, is the Chief Magical Investigator for Boston PD - and one kick a$$ Fury.  This means that all crimes arcane in nature are her responsibility to solve - and she takes her responsibilities very seriously.

Her latest case is complicated - but before she can do more than report her findings - she's suspended from the PD.  Determined to do the right thing - Riss heads in to see the Conclave of Fury Elders - only to be told she needs more proof before they will get involved.

The only person Riss can trust to watch her back is her ex - Scott, who is a shape-shifting WarHound Mercenary.  But their break-up was less than amicable.  Deciding that this case is more important than her own hurt feelings, Riss contacts Scott.

With the help of Scott and his family, Riss begins putting together the pieces of a puzzle that spells disaster for both arcane and mundane - and one thing is certain, there is a traitor very high up the food chain.

Red Hot Fury is a fabulous debut novel and Kasey Mackenzie is now on my favorite author list.  :)  I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series: Green-Eyed Envy, available in June of 2011.

I give Red Hot Fury 5 out of 5 stars and recommend this book to all Urban Fantasy readers.  :)

M       

Blogger Problem with Following...

Hi everyone.  I wanted to bring this to your attention just in case it is happening to you.


I have a few new blogs I want to follow and when I went to the blog and pressed the follow button - my picture and profile info is not there.  I can follow the blog - but it shows up as a shadow picture, even though I follow publicly.

Are any of you having this problem?  I went to the help group and they are asking that anyone with this issue please answer a few questions for them - in the hope that they can figure out the problem.  :)

Thanks,

M

Review: To Have and to Kill by Mary Jane Clark

 

To Have and to Kill is the first book in the Wedding Cake Mystery series by Mary Jane Clark from William Morrow.

Book Blurb:

Piper Donovan never imagined that decorating wedding cakes could be so dangerous! A struggling actress with no immediate prospects and a recently broken engagement, Piper moves back in with her parents to take stock of her life. She steps tentatively into the family bakery business and finds herself agreeing to create a wedding cake for the acclaimed star of a daytime television drama. But soon someone close to the bride-to-be is horribly murdered and it seems that someone is ruthlessly determined to stop the wedding.

With the help of her former neighbor, Jack, a handsome FBI agent with a soft spot for the gorgeous cake-maker, Piper moves closer to the truth. And as she narrows in on a suspect, she realizes that it's hotter in the kitchen than she may be able to handle. . . .

My thoughts:

Piper Donovan is a twenty-seven year old actress who is currently working as a waitress and having a hard time making ends meet.  To save on money Piper decides to move back home with her parents.

When a good friend tells her that she is getting married, Piper offers her mothers cake making skills to the bride-to-be, but her mother is having some trouble that Piper is unaware of - and declines to make the wedding cake, but suggests that Piper make the cake herself.

Piper is excited about the upcoming wedding - but someone else is not.  The bride-to-be receives a threatening letter and Piper shows it to her FBI friend who thinks it’s just a prank.  But then someone is murdered and no one thinks it’s funny.

To Have and to Kill is an enjoyable read.  I like Piper very much and had no problem at all connecting with her character.  

This is the first book I’ve read by Mary Jane Clark and I really like her writing style - flowing and effortless. :)

I give To Have and to Kill 3 out of 5 stars and look forward to more adventures from Piper.

M

Good Books/Good Cause, The Best Reads Go To Sundance 2011 - And Are Being Given Away!

For The First Time, The Best Reads Go to Sundance 2011

To Benefit Literacy

Friday, January 21 – Sunday, January 23

 

Like a love affair that spans decades, books have inspired many of the world’s greatest motion pictures.   Now for the very first time, books will play a leading role at one of the most popular gifting suites at Sundance 2011.  The GOOD BOOKS GOOD CAUSE literacy campaign was developed by Media Muscle, a marketing and publicity firm that has handled books and authors for over 20 years.   Always seeking breakthrough opportunities to bring great books to new audiences, Media Muscle president Meryl L. Moss has created the GOOD BOOKS GOOD CAUSE literacy campaign to remind readers of all ages that, despite the technical maelstrom that surrounds us, books still light up our imagination --- and for nearly a hundred years they have motivated filmmakers to produce some of the greatest movies of all time.    

 

A contribution from the Media Muscle GOOD BOOKS GOOD CAUSE literacy campaign will be donated to Charter Oak Challenge Foundation, a Connecticut-based organization that bridges the academic achievement gap of at-risk students by funding worthwhile educational, after-school and community outreach programs.  

 

Among the books featured are:

·         The Emperor’s Tomb (Ballantine/Random House) – Steve Berry

·         The Trial (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press) – Larry D. Thompson

·         Willow (Penguin) – Julia Hoban

·         Emily & Einstein (St. Martin’s Press) – Linda Francis Lee

·         eChook – a digital publishing app that offers “ten-minute escapes in the palm of your hand”

·         Reckless (Morrow/HarperCollins) – Andrew Gross

·         The Iron Queen (Harlequin Teen)– Julie Kagawa

·         Toxic Friends (St. Martin’s Press) & You’re Grounded Forever…But First Let’s Go Shopping (St. Martin’s Press) – Susan Shapiro Barash

·         The Hypnotist (MIRA)– M.J. Rose

·         Dr. Nieca Goldberg’s Complete Guide to Women’s Health (Ballantine/Random House) – Dr. Nieca Goldberg

 

Singer Aubrey O’Day picked up a copy of THE IRON QUEEN by Julie Kagawa. http://mediamuscle.com/sundance2011/Oday_kagawa.JPG

 

Singer Nicole Holness grabbed WILLOW by Julia Hoban. http://mediamuscle.com/sundance2011/Holness_willow.jpg

 

Television personality Shar Jackson got lost in WILLOW by Julia Hoban. http://mediamuscle.com/sundance2011/Shar_willow.jpg

 

Louisa Krause, star of Martha Marcy May Marlene, was snapped with THE IRON QUEEN by Julie Kagawa. http://mediamuscle.com/sundance2011/Krause_kagawa.jpg

Media Muscle (www.mediamuscle.com) is a publicity, marketing and business development firm established in 1993 by Meryl L. Moss to promote authors and their books through media exposure, speaking engagements and creative marketing opportunities.  Media Muscle maximizes exposure and builds bestsellers resulting in such blockbusters as ”“Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,”  “The World Without Us,” “The Extreme Fat Smash Diet” and “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.” Meryl L. Moss is also the co-founder and entrepreneurial force behind The BookTrib (www.booktrib.com), the first online portal to aggregate the best content from thousands of book blogs -- now rated in the top 1 percent of websites worldwide.
 

All books brought to Sundance are being given away on BookTrib.com in a special giveaway: http://booktrib.com/sundance-2011-book-bundle-giveaway.

M

Review: Crimson Wind by Diana Pharaoh Francis

 

Crimson Wind is the second book in the Horngate Witches series by Diana Pharaoh Francis and an Urban Fantasy from Pocket Books.

Book Blurb:

There are Good guys.  There are Bad guys.  And then there’s Max.

Max knows what trusting the wrong person can cost you.  Her former friend Giselle, a powerful witch, enslaved Max years ago, turning her into a Shadowblade - a deadly warrior compelled to fight for Giselle.  But there’s more at stake now than Max’s thirst for revenge. 

The Guardians, overseers of the magical world, have declared war on humanity and on any witches not standing with them.  Max and Giselle have come to an uneasy truce in order to protect what’s left of Horngate, their coven’s home. 

Max would do anything for Horngate - even give herself over to a mysterious otherworldly creature in the nearby mountains in exchange for his help.  But first, she intends to save the mortal family she left behind.  And Alexander, the Shadowblade warrior who could be her closest ally or her deadliest enemy, is going with her.

On a road trip into the unknown, Max and Alexander face wild magic, desperate enemies, and battles that bruise both body and soul.  But the greatest challenge will come from unexpected revelations that test everything Max believes about who she is - and where her loyalties lie...

My thoughts:

Max and her coven are still rebuilding from the battle waged a month ago over Horngate - at that time Max needed the help of a creature made of Divine magic - a creature that can take the shape of a man - but is not nearly human.  Max calls him Scooter.

Now Scooter wants to collect on the debt owed him by Giselle for his help - and he wants Max.

The Guardians have decided that humanity no longer deserves to be at the top of the food chain on Earth - so they have unleashed wild magic from thirty or so portals around the world.  Wild magic does not have a set form - which means that it can take on any form it chooses - light and airy or dark and scary.  Either choice will have humans running for cover.

Max is concerned about the mortal family she left behind thirty years ago.  She wants to get them and bring them to Horngate where they can be protected - but the journey is anything but smooth.

When Max finally gets to her family she realizes that she is not the only one who has kept secrets all these years.  Her family has secrets of their own - and Giselle, well she just put another nail in her coffin as far as Max is concerned. 

I love this series. 

Max has a one track mind - do what needs to be done, no matter who or what is standing in her way.  She is tough and no nonsense - but has a wicked sense of humor.

Crimson Wind is action packed, full of interesting characters and unexpected twists and turns - a wild ride.

I give Crimson Wind 5 out of 5 stars.

M 

M.M.F.F. Challenge: Week #24

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place
have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #24:

This picture has a very gothic Victorian vibe to me.  :)  Should be interesting to see what we all come up with.  

If you would like to participate, we'd love to have you.  Just leave a comment letting us know where you've posted your story.


See ya Friday.


M

Review: All That's True by Jackie Lee Miles

 

All That's True is a novel of fiction by Jackie Lee Miles from SourceBooks Landmark.

Book Blurb:

"My life was close to being perfect until my brother Alex got killed.  Then my mother started drinking and my father started having sex with Donna, my best friend's stepmother.  She's not even thirty years old."

Andi St. James's privileged Atlanta life is turned upside down after her brother's tragic death.  As the relationships around her crumble, Andi embarks on a poignant and sometimes laugh-out-loud journey of self-discovery, when she learns the devastating consequences of deception and realizes that making the most of what you've got is a big part of all that is true.

My thoughts:

Andi is from a very affluent family.  Her father is a well known attorney who makes a generous living, affording their mother the comfort of staying home with a maid/cook and a gardener/driver.  Andi does not know the meaning of doing without the material things in life.

When Andi's brother is killed in a hazing gone wrong - the family begins to show cracks.  Andi's mother starts drinking, her father begins an affair with the next door neighbor and her sister shows signs of discontent with her soon to be husband.

But everyone retains their manners.

This is where I have my 'what' moments.  All That's True is a lovely book, full of humor and the coming of age story of a young girl - however, the time period does not ring true for me.  This book is set in 1991 - but it reads like 1971.  Everyone is so mannerly and the girls seem so naive.  I know this is before cell phones and the internet craze - but '91 was not tame by any stretch of the imagination. 

I enjoyed All That's True as much as I've enjoyed the previous books I've read from Jackie Lee Miles, because let's face it, Ms. Miles is a wonderful story teller and her books do take you to another time and place.

I give All That's True 3 out of 5 stars.

M

Cover & Promo: Ascension by Sable Grace

 

Book Blurb from GoodReads:

The gates of hell have opened, and one woman will stand in the crossfire as the Dark Breed -- vampyre, demons, shape shifters -- and mankind fight their last battle for survival.

Kyana is half Vampyre, half Lychen... and the last of her kind. Determined, dangerous, and damned, she has no love for the mortals who have imprisoned and misused her. But when the Order of Ancients entrusts her with a mission -- to find the key that will send the Dark Breed back into Hell for eternity -- Kyana has no choice but to accept.

She is furious to learn her assignment comes with an escort... Ryker, a demigod and fierce warrior who long ago found a way under her skin and stayed there. In a shaky alliance, they discover an ancient cult with dangerous motive and a god who seeks to destroy all others. And as Kyana begins to feel the heat that threatens to bind her to Ryker, she knows she has to resist. For it could only mean the undoing of them both...

Release Date:  04-26-11 from Avon

M

 

Flash Fiction Friday: Week # 23

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place
have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #23:

 

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s Off To Work I Go
By Michelle Greathouse

“What the hell”?  A startled Jonathon carefully eased his 2008 Ford Taurus to the side of the road and cut the ignition.  He climbed from the driver’s seat and stared into the growing twilight, easily spying the blown rear tire.

“Just what I need.”  He raked his hand through his dark hair, mussing the perfect waves.  “Can’t I just once catch a break?”

Taking a deep breath Jonathon reasoned to himself that things could have been a lot worse.  He was only about a quarter mile from his home - he could see the arch to the drive - he was in great shape and would have no trouble walking even with his baggage.  Feeling much better after the internal pep talk Jonathon grabbed his cell phone, closed and locked the doors and made his way to the trunk.

He opened the trunk.

“Veronica, are you awake?”  He patted the young woman, smoothing her red hair and gently freeing the few strands that adhered to the duck tape over her mouth.

“Still sleeping?  Well, it’s probably best, we have a small walk ahead of us and it might not be too comfortable for you.  I apologize in advance.”

Jonathon pulled the sleeping Veronica from the trunk, checked to make sure her hands and feet were still bound, and slung her over his shoulder.  He closed and locked the trunk and began walking towards the arch in the distance.

He didn’t really worry about being seen, this was a very secluded area.  Once he had Veronica comfortably settled he could come back for the car.

Feeling pleased with himself, Jonathon began whistling a song from one of his favorite Disney movies.

“Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s Off to Work I Go”.

Jonathon was very eager to get to work on Veronica.

The End
Word Count: 311

What do you think?  A huge departure from my usual stories. :) I am so pleased with it.  It is so creepy - and so unexpected.  LOL

I am also doing the happy dance because I got my PC back about two hours ago and I am so glad.  I missed my puter. :) And it is running like a dream.

Have a great weekend.

M        

Review: Monster Island by David Wellington

 

Monster Island is the first book in the Zombie series by David Wellington and a Novel from Running Press.

Book Blurb:

It's one month after a global disaster. The most "developed" nations of the world have fallen to the shambling zombie masses. Only a few pockets of humanity survive — in places rife with high-powered weaponry, such as Somalia.

In New York City, the dead walk the streets, driven by an insatiable hunger for all things living. One amongst them is different; though he shares their appetites he has retained his human intelligence. Alone among the mindless zombies, Gary Fleck is an eyewitness to the end of the world — and perhaps the evil genius behind it all.

From the other side of the planet, a small but heavily-armed group of schoolgirls-turned-soldiers has come in search of desperately needed medicine.

Dekalb, a former United Nations weapons inspector, leads them as their local guide. Ayaan, a crack shot at the age of sixteen, will stop at nothing to complete her mission. They think they are prepared for anything.

On Monster Island they will find that there is something worse even than undeath.

My thoughts:

Dekalb was a UN Weapons Inspector in Africa when the Epidemic hit.  He and his daughter have made their way to Somalia seeking refuge - and the sitting warlord, Mama Halima has said she will grant them refuge.  On one condition - Dekalb must help her soldiers, the Free Women's Republic find medicines.

Dekalb agrees and the search is on - leading them from town to town, city to city, until finally they arrive in New York.  Dekalb is certain that the medicines they need will be at the UN.

What he didn't take into account is the shear number of people who lived in New York - those people are now zombie's and they are hungry.

When Dekalb's small group of teenage soldiers meet up with a couple hundred survivors - a plan for evacuation is hatched.  But now, the zombie's have a leader - and he has retained his ability to reason - and does not want his food source leaving New York.

I really enjoyed Monster Island.  :)

Mr. Wellington has added his own twist to the zombie lore and it is very unique - made me think about it for a bit.  :)

I give Monster Island 5 out of 5 stars and I can't wait to read the remaining two installments in this trilogy.

M

Review: Firewalker by Allyson James

 

Firewalker is the second book in the Stormwalker series by Allyson James and a Paranormal Romance from Berkley Sensation.

Book Blurb:

Janet Begay's Crossroads Hotel has attracted the supernatural from the day it opened.  Witches, Changers, and a mouthy magic mirror have decided to make it their home.  But a new, dark power is rising - this time inside Janet herself.

Her boyfriend, Mick, a sexy dragon shape-shifter the Navajo call a Firewalker, knows what terrifying magic is threatening to overwhelm Janet and her Stormwalker powers.  He watches over her, ready to fight for her, to do anything to keep her safe.

But then a mysterious corpse is found near the Crossroads Hotel - and Janet becomes Sheriff Nash Jones's main suspect.  Trouble is, even she can't be sure she didn't do it.  Now Janet and Mick must uncover what really happened, and their investigation leads to the most perilous decision of their lives:  Mick must choose between protecting his own people or guarding Janet, the woman he loves, from the many forces amassing against her.

My thoughts:

Janet Begay is a Navajo Stormwalker - she can harness the energy of a storm and bend it to her will.  This ability is considered earth magic by her Navajo ancestor's and she inherited it from her grandmother.

But Janet is not just Navajo - her mother is a goddess from the world Beneath - and her magic is not so nice.  As a matter of fact the earth magic and the Beneath magic work against each other all the time and Janet has a hard time keeping the Beneath magic contained.

The Dragons are fearful that if Janet can't (or won't) keep her Beneath magic in check - she may become a threat to their existence - and the Dragon do not take threats lightly.

They want Janet dead.

Mick loves Janet and he will use any means necessary to protect her - even defying the Dragon Council - but that comes with a price - and now Mick has to stand trial.

Janet is being pulled in so many directions - she wants to help Mick, she needs to find out who killed that man near the hotel and she has to find a way to control the Beneath magic inside her - before it gets her killed.

I love this series.  :)

Firewalker is a wonderful read - full of interesting characters, paranormal beings, myth and magic....I couldn't put it down.

I give Firewalker 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for the next installment: Shadow Walker coming 06-07-11.

M

ARC Review: These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf

 

These Things Hidden is a novel by Heather Gudenkauf from Mira.

Book Blurb:

When teenager Allison Glenn is sent to prison for a heinous crime, she leaves behind forever her reputation as Linden Falls’ golden girl.  Her parents deny the existence of their once-perfect child.  Her former friends exult in her downfall.  Her sister, Brynn, faces the whispered rumors every day in the hallways of their small Iowa high school.  It’s Brynn-shy, quiet Brynn-who carries the burden of what really happened that night.  All she wants is to forget Allison and the past that haunts her.

But then Allison is released to a halfway house, and is more determined than ever to speak with her estranged sister.

Now their legacy of secrets is focused on one little boy.  And it the truth is revealed, the consequences will be unimaginable for the adoptive mother who loves him, the girl who tried to protect him and the two sisters who hold the key to all that is hidden.

My thoughts:
 
These Things Hidden is the story of four woman:  Allison Glenn, Brynn Glenn, Charm Tullia and Claire Kelby.

When Allison was sixteen years old she was convicted of a terrible crime and sentenced to ten years in prison.

Brynn was fifteen the night she tried to help her older sister and she has spent the last five years trying to forget everything that happened that night.

Charm was also fifteen the night her life was turned upside down - and she has spent the last five years trying to make sure that the decision she made was the best thing she could have done in the situation she was placed in.

Claire Kelby is a woman in her forties who had given up on becoming a mother in the conventional way.  When becoming a foster parent ended in another heartbreak - Claire and her husband had almost given up entirely on becoming parents.  Until the call.  

A child had been found and was in need of foster parents.  Would the Kelby’s take him?  Could they take him and the risk of losing him?

Yes they could.  And they became a family.

But now, five years later, the past is coming back to haunt them all...

These Things Hidden is heartbreaking - plain and simple.  I don’t think anyone could read this story and not be touched in some way.  

I am not a person who cries when watching a sad movie or tv show and I’ve not really read a book that made me sad - but These Things Hidden made my heart hurt.

I give These Things Hidden 5 out of 5 stars.

M

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Mira; Original edition (January 18, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778328791
• ISBN-13: 978-0778328797

M.M.F.F. Challenge: Week #23

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place
have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #23:

 

I can't believe this is the 23rd week we've been doing these flash fictions.  I am having so much fun.  :)

Computer is still MIA and I am beyond ready to have it back.  LOL  I freely admit to having a computer addiction - my daughter says admitting it is the first step to recovery.  :)

If you are interested in participating in this weeks flash fiction, we'd love to have you.  Just leave a comment and let us know where you've posted your story.

Stop back on Friday to see what I can come up with for this great pic.  :)

M