Thursday, October 30, 2014

Draw Me In by Regina Cole





Draw Me In
Regina Cole

Rating and Recommendation

Rating: 3 1/2 teacups

Recomendations: Yes, with the caveat that it 
                                     will only appeal to the 
                                     Adult Romance crowd who 
                                     want a quick fast fun read.

Book Club Worthy: Only to an Adult Romance 
                                        group.

Review

This is a difficult review for me as I would give this novel a 3 ½ if I could. I actually loved the concept of the plot, it has so much possibility for greatness. Some of the pieces felt like they were just thrown in to let the story of Neill and Hailey play out. I think the story was a fun quick read, however, I wanted to know more and have the characters and the plot filled in a little more. Instead of the roommate, mostly gone, I would rather know more about the advisor. More background on both main characters would help fill this novel out. While I did enjoy the book, it just left me wanting more, not in a good way. If you are a fan of Adult Romance and want a little angst, a touch of mystery, and a happy ending, here is a fast and fun read. I do recommend this novel for the above group(s). I even like it and the plot enough, even with the 3 ½ rating, that I would like to read another novel with either less plot twists, or a longer novel and a touch more depth to main characters by Cole.

Disclosures

*I would like to thank Random House Publish Group - Loveswept via NetGALLEY for giving me an unreleased copy for an honest and fair review.

If you buy this book through the above link money is generated, however, donated to the non-profit American Association of University Women (AAUW). 

www.aauw.org

AAUW works empowering women, since 1881, standing up for causes in the areas of educational, social, economic and political issues especially important to women. Marie Currie was one of the first beneficiaries of the group that would become AAUW receiving monetary help to attend college. I am a proud member and believe that the profit from books seems a fitting donation.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Dark Prayers by Natasha Mostert




Dark Prayers


Natasha Mostert

Rating and Recommendation

Rating: 4 teacups

Recommendation: Yes

Book Club Worthy: Yes, especially Sci-Fi, Paranormal and even Mystery fans

Review

Will Eloise choose Jenilee or Jack before she is murdered?

I actually loved the twists and turns in this plot. That being said the reason it received only a 4 instead of 5, is the first few chapters, to all appearances, were incongruent. One later realizes this knowledge was necessary to the plot, however, I wish it could have been introduced a little less bumpy. The rest of the book flowed easily along and swept me along to where I could not put it down. I needed to know what happened next, not want, I needed.  Mostert kept her cards close all the way to the end of the book. The answer to the above question posed as teaser is all the way in the epilogue, and no, I do not give spoilers, please find the answer in the book.

Although I did not think a couple of the beginning chapters flowed together, they stilled were quite a joy to read. They just gave the impression of puzzle pieces from the wrong puzzle, but it turns out that you do need them for this outstanding Paranormal, Sci Fi, and Mystery work. So if you are into Paranormal, Sci Fi, or Mystery you will like this novel. If you like all three, you are going to love Mostert for this great journey she takes you on. Enjoy the ride, I know I did.

                                                             Disclosures


*I would like to thank Portable Magic, Ltd. who allowed me to preview this book via Net GALLEY for a fair and honest review.

If you buy this book through the above link money is generated, however, donated to the non-profit American Association of University Women (AAUW). 

www.aauw.org


AAUW works empowering women, since 1881, standing up for causes in the areas of educational, social, economic and political issues especially important to women. Marie Currie was one of the first beneficiaries of the group that would become AAUW receiving monetary help to attend college. I am a proud member and believe that the profit from books seems a fitting donation.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Seven to Die by T. G. Roberts




Seven to Die

T. G. Roberts


Rating and Recommendation



Rating: 4 ½ teacups


Recommendation: Yes



Book Club Worthy: No






Will Lex Save the Day?

Roberts sets the stage for the fantastic start to a great series or a terrific stand alone with this novel. I love the characters as there is no room but to like or not like them. It is great old school Sci Fi with a marvelous plot and good old girl power to the rescue. I love that Lex has a human side kick that always ends up on the scene.  If you want your Sci Fi with a little feel of old school comics, this is right up your alley. Only drawback was that it started a little slow in the beginning. After the first few chapters I could not put the book down. I would definitely recommend this book to the Sci Fi and Fantasy crowd. I wish I could give this book the 4 ½ that it truly deserves. 



Disclosures

*I would like to thank Treanne Gomes who allowed me to preview this book via Net GALLEY for a fair and honest review.




If you buy this book through the above link money is generated, however, donated to the non-profit American Association of University Women (AAUW). 

www.aauw.org


AAUW works empowering women, since 1881, standing up for causes in the areas of educational, social, economic and political issues especially important to women. Marie Currie was one of the first beneficiaries of the group that would become AAUW receiving monetary help to attend college. I am a proud member and believe that the profit from books seems a fitting donation.


Thursday, October 23, 2014

Bewitching the Enemy by Dawn Chartier




Bewitching the Enemy
Dawn Chartier

Rating and Recommendation

Rating: 4 ½ teacups

Recommendation: Yes

Book Club Worthy: Yes for Sci Fi Paranormal, Romance


Review


Love thy enemy!

This is a fantastic beginning to what I hope will be a phenomenal series following the remaining Morgeaux sisters. The main characters sweep you into the story right away. The sisters are adorable, even with their personality quirks, especially Storm, as they struggle with secrets kept from them their entire lives. Nathan the super-hot hero fights himself, fate, and his could be fatal attraction to Storm. Chartier even includes some super steamy, toe curling, and romantic sex for us.

While the sisters try to learn these secrets to save the lives of their mother and themselves, Storm engages in her own private battle with Nathan. Drawn into more and more secrets and mysteries yet to unveil, this novel is a page turner I could not put down. Sci Fi Paranormal types if you like yours with some hot romance thrown into the mix, then come and get it! 

Disclosures

* I would like to thank Entangled Publishing, LLC who allowed me to preview this book via Net GALLEY for a fair and honest review.


If you buy this book through the above link money is generated, however, donated to the non-profit American Association of University Women (AAUW). 

http://www.aauw.org/ 


AAUW works empowering women, since 1881, standing up for causes in the areas of educational, social, economic and political issues especially important to women. Marie Currie was one of the first beneficiaries of the group that would become AAUW receiving monetary help to attend college. I am a proud member and believe that the profit from books seems a fitting donation.




Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Point of Direction



Point of Direction
Rachel Weaver

Rating and Recommendation
Rating: 4 ½ teacups

Recommendation: Yes

BooCluWorthy: Yes, will appear in mine!

Hampton Roads BooCluMeetuCalendar:
To be determined


Review
Beautiful, mysterious novel that is quite pleasing and exciting reading you do not want to miss.

The prose alone would carry this manuscript to the presses; couple that with a fine story of multiple antagonists and this is sure to be a thriller you will enjoy. At times, one wonders if our protagonists may fall victim to their adversaries. You will have to read the story to see if this happens. No spoilers here as is always the case on my blog.

You might think that with multiple story lines running throughout, with a couple flashbacks thrown in, that it would be too busy. Weaver actually pulls it off quite well.  And, did I mention the prose Weaver writes. I could not put these words away as the writing style just kept flowing and leading me to the next page. 


Okay, why only 4 ½ teacups with such high praise. In the beginning, the sequencing jumps a little. An example is how they are just at the ranger station signing up as caretakers for the lighthouse. The other segue ways are much smoother. I promise if you just go with this jump, or if you do not mind it (the book might just be a 5 for you), you may find it irresistible, as I did. That may seem a little picky of me to some of you, but that is what would have brought it to 5+ teacups in my opinion.    


Disclosures

Thank you to Rachel Weaver for contacting me and sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review and possible spot on the book club calendar.



If you buy this book through the above link money is generated, however, donated to the non-profit American Association of University Women (AAUW). 


http://www.aauw.org/ 

AAUW works empowering women, since 1881, standing up for causes in the areas of educational, social, economic and political issues especially important to women. Marie Currie was one of the first beneficiaries of the group that would become AAUW receiving monetary help to attend college. I am a proud member and believe that the profit from books seems a fitting donation.














Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Stillwater Rising by Steena Holmes



Stillwater Rising

Steena Holmes

Rating and Recommendation

Rating: 4 teacups

Recommendation: Yes

BooCluWorthy: Yes

  Hampton Roads BooCluMeetuCalendar: 



Review

Enjoyable read! I was engaged from the first page. I love the premise of the book and where it could take the town and the main characters. Holmes covers the subject matter quite well, although it seems one meets everyone in town and quite a few characters take the voice of the story. The novel does carry quite a few story lines added as Holmes carries one away on the journey to the end.

What is the difference between a good book and a great book. In the case of Stillwater Rising there are two things that keep it from greatness. 

First, while I realize that it does have at least one more novel following, there were two many voices competing for our attention. Not so many that the novel was completely unreadable or not enjoyable.

Second, the characters need more depth, at least the true main ones for the concentration of this novel. Perhaps fewer voices may lead to fuller characters.

This could have made what is a good 4 star into a great 5 star novel.

Disclosures

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for providing a copy of Steena Holmes' novel Stillwater Rising via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

*If you buy this book through the above link money is generated, however, donated to the non-profit American Association of University Women (AAUW). 


http://www.aauw.org/ 

AAUW works empowering women, since 1881, standing up for causes in the areas of educational, social, economic and political issues especially important to women. Marie Currie was one of the first beneficiaries of the group that would become AAUW receiving monetary help to attend college. I am a proud member and believe that the profit from books seems a fitting donation.