From Goodreads: When a visit to the Tower of London triggers an overwhelmingly real vision of a beheading that occurred centuries before, Cole Ryan fears she is losing her mind. A mysterious boy, Griffon Hall, comes to her aid, but the intensity of their immediate connection seems to open the floodgate of memories even wider.

As their feelings grow, Griffon reveals their common bond as members of the Akhet—an elite group of people who can remember past lives and use their collected wisdom for the good of the world. But not all Akhet are altruistic, and a rogue is after Cole to avenge their shared past. Now in extreme danger, Cole must piece together clues from many lifetimes. What she finds could ruin her chance at a future with Griffon, but risking his love may be the only way to save them both.

Full of danger, romance, and intrigue, Transcendence breathes new life into a perpetually fascinating question: What would you do with another life to live?

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Initially, I had a hard time getting into this story.  I felt like everything was a bit pushed and I didn’t understand what was happening with the flashbacks.  I liked the introduction of Griffon, but then he disappeared and I was confused as to his role in the book.  But then, it all came together, fairly quickly, and Omololu did a great job putting together the pieces of the puzzle, explaining everything, and capturing my interest, especially as the truth behind the Akhet came to light.

In my opinion, Omololu does a phenomenal job revealing bits and pieces of the truth at a time, leaving the reader constantly trying to decipher what is happening to Cole.  Though I tend to like instant gratification, and would have loved for the characters to spill it all out on the table in one fowl swoop, I found that I really liked being led along, trying to figure it out by myself.  While it was a bit frustrating, as Griffon isn’t completely forthcoming with his information, it did endear him to me heart, which is funny because usually I would have been highly annoyed by the character’s tight-lipped responses.  However, I think this is a testament to Omololu’s characterization abilities—though the characters are slow in divulging information, and though they make some serious errors, they are very real, and I liked that about them.

The idea of reincarnation was very interesting, and I enjoyed learning all the ins and outs of the Akhet.  I’m not sure if I would like to live multiple lives, especially if I could remember them all, but the idea is intriguing, to say the least.  Overall, Transcendence was a highly enjoyable book that I recommend to any YA novel lovers.  Four stars.

Bloomsbury Children’s Books has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on June 5, 2012.

From Goodreads: After shy, quiet Lucy and her family move from their small hometown in Minnesota to Seattle, Washington, she is surprised when Ryan, the most popular boy at school asks her out. Soon, she is swept up in a whirlwind romance and her naïve and trusting nature allows her to fall head over heels in love with her too-good-to-be suitor. Suddenly, Lucy finds herself enraptured by the excitement of her new relationship, leaving her blinded to the warning signs of danger ahead. Can her fairy tale romance last, or will she find that her prince charming is more like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

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Carling writes a compelling novel that had me on pins and needles. Lucy is a very naive teenager, as many teenagers are, and her story is extremely compelling—one I think all females should read, especially as abuse in relationships comes in all forms and crosses all age barriers. This isn’t just a book for teens, but for all women.

I found myself, on many an occasion, vocally chiding the characters, especially Lucy, as the novel progressed. Unfortunately, Lucy tends to make poor decision after poor decision, so blinded by the “love” she and Ryan share that she gives into his every demand without much thought. Now, while some of the situations in the novel seem far-fetched, the more I think about them, the more likely I think they are to actually happen. While I am able to sit here and say that Lucy makes some extremely stupid decisions, I am removed from the context and, quite honestly, might have made some of the same choices had I been in her shoes, and I’m a grown woman.

I liked the back and forth narration within this novel, giving readers a glimpse into the mind of both Ryan and Lucy, which helps explains some of the crazy choices they make. Though I admit that I am not a fan of Ryan in the least, obtaining his viewpoint did put the novel in perspective and explained a lot to me in terms of his actions, especially as I began to understand his home life. There are no excuses for what he does throughout the novel, but I loved that Carling gives her readers an inside glimpse, explaining where the possessiveness comes from and, even though I highly dislike Ryan and his father, I enjoyed gaining an understanding of them.

Overall, I really liked this novel, especially as it focuses on psychological abuse and not sexual abuse, which I wouldn’t have been able to handle.  This is a very creepy story, and it’s one everyone needs to hear.  Five stars. 

 I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, prior to its release on June 1, 2012.

From Goodreads: Thou shalt not kill. A contradictory message written in blood at the scene of a young woman’s murder. Within days, another body surfaces, and to Detective Ramon Faust and Criminalist Kelly Garret, it’s clear a deadly game is underfoot. Delving deep into the most terrifying case of Kelly’s career, threatening phone calls and flashblacks challenge her sanity and the lives of everyone she loves.

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Haze does a great job creating an exciting, bloody mystery novel that keeps readers engaged and rapidly turning the pages.  I found myself constantly trying to figure out the identity of the Grim Reaper, though no matter how close I thought I was, I never pinpointed his/her identity until the big reveal.  While there was foreshadowing, Haze does a phenomenal job blindsiding the reader, keeping interest piqued with all the new information as crime after crime is committed, killing off despicable people.   

This is one of those novels that revolves around a vigilante who slowly disposes of the rift-raft around town.  While those who are killed are revealed to be the worst of the worst, the police are unable to allow someone to take the law into his/her own hands; no one deserves to die under such horrible circumstances. I am always torn with these novels, understanding that the police need to do their job, but also secretly spurring on the killer(s).  Yes, there are truly evil people in the world, and yes, they shouldn’t be allowed to wreak havoc on the innocent, but no, I can’t condone murdering them in such ghastly ways as the Grim Reaper does, even though I think such evil people should be severely punished. Being locked up forever, though… well, that’s something I think they definitely deserve.

But moving past personal philosophy, I must say that Haze writes a great CSI style novel that will keep readers guessing and intrigued from start to finish.  The immense characterization was great, and though I didn’t connect with all the characters (and that’s a good thing), I think they were portrayed expertly.  Four stars.

I won a Kindle copy of this novel in a giveaway.

From Goodreads: At nearly 30 years old, Brandon is barely able to make it through life, much less enjoy it.  He is weeks away from what should be one of the happiest days of his life, his wedding day to his fiancée, Clarissa, but his attention is distracted when his estranged, erratic and oddly eccentric father suddenly reappears with a bizarre demand: to accompany him to Stockholm, Sweden, where they will meet a man who he claims will change their lives.

Desperate for even a brief escape from his reality, Brandon reluctantly goes with his father, ready for a disaster.  But his life changes completely the moment his eyes meet the mysterious Swedish man’s daughter, Saga.  On a cobblestone street in the middle of Stockholm, Brandon reawakens to life, though struggles to navigate the messy love triangle with Saga and his fiancée, which includes multiple arrests, hospital stays, terrorist bombs, acts of heroism and foolishness, family secrets and even a bit of public nudity.

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I in no way, shape, or form, condone cheating.  That being said, this is a pretty hilarious book, and had the details of the sexual escapades been left to the imagination instead of being constantly expounded upon, I would have probably given this a five star rating.  Call me a prude, but I’m not into rampant sex in my books—never have been, never will be, but to each his/her own.  Thus, if you have no qualms about such things, then I highly suggest this novel—if you’re like me, tread carefully, but it’s a funny story nonetheless, so you might want to at least try it. 

Sills tells the story of Brandon, a 30-year-old man in a rut.  He has a beautiful fiancée, though I found her a bit boorish and much too demanding, a dead end job, and a snobby, millionaire father who won’t give him a cent.  As Brandon narrates his life, explaining the ins and outs of the male mind, the story gets wilder and wilder, and yet the characters are believable and, dare I say, lovable?  Yes, I think Sills’ makes Brandon a loveable character in that he is brutally honest and, though a bit explicit, really trying to find himself, though it comes at the expense of others, namely Clarissa, but by the end of the novel, I didn’t like her all that much anyway, so…

Overall, Sills does a wonderful job keeping the reader engaged as the plot unfolds.  The novel is easy to follow and, as I’ve said before, quite funny.  Four stars. 

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: I don’t do dangerous.  Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that’s me. But I just couldn’t pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me…something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It’s like part of me is missing-and I don’t know if I can get it back. Then there’s Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he’s keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he’s what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me…. 

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This novel presents a different side of the angel/demon phenomenon that has taken books by storm.  Yes, there is still good and evil, but the differences between the two are so blurred that it’s hard to tell who is on which side.  Rowen has created a tale that is intriguing, to say the least, and I think many readers will adore this new series, especially as the demon curse is passed along through kissing. Yes, that’s right, steamy kisses that eat away a soul and make the characters rapidly change, yearning for all that is bad.  This wasn’t what I was expecting, though it fits the title well.  I’m not sure how I feel about all the kissing,  but I am glad that the novel stops there and doesn’t go into any more explicit details, keeping this YA novel PG rated, which is a plus.    

With evil demons abounding, heaven’s number one defense is to lock down the city, placing it in an invisible bubble, and I thought this was a cool aspect that drove the plot of the story.  With the dispatch of angels to help rid the city of the death defying demons, only one angel, Bishop, remembers who and what he is. Bishop is a dreamy angel and I really enjoyed getting to know him, though I would have liked to get to know him better.  There is a lot to him that isn’t explained, and I found myself yearning to know more about him and his demon brother as well.  Overall, I liked all the characters, but I didn’t feel the deep connection with any of them that I had hoped for.  Rowen does a great job fleshing them out in terms of the story, but I was still left wishing I knew them all better.

Samantha, an enigma to both angels and demons alike, is an interesting character to watch as she struggles between good and evil.  On one hand, she might finally meet her father, on the other, all she holds dear will disappear as the evil around her takes hold of the entire world.  Faced with a huge choice, two demons and two angels fighting by her side, Samantha is forced to make a harrowing decision.  Although Samantha may seem wishy-washy as she goes from making logical decisions to illogical ones, I think that her interactions with those around her make perfect sense.  She is torn between two decisions and, like any teenager, she is going to be sporadic in her decision making.  So, even though she occasionally drove me insane, I found her to be a great likeness to that of the teenagers I see every day. Three stars.

Harlequin has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release tomorrow.

From Goodreads: When Potter disappears from Hallowed Manor for twenty-four hours, he goes in search of the only person he thinks will be able to give him answers as to why the world has been pushed. That person is his first love, Sophie.

But Sophie has been pushed, too, and is running for her life. In a world where wolves live amongst humans, Potter must save Sophie while trying to search for answers.

During his search, he discovers that some things are best left secret.
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Without fail, every book O’Rourke writes ends up leaving me breathless.  The many twists and turns always make his books a riveting read, and this novella, following Potter as he embarks on a journey of his own, is spellbinding.  I loved the shift between viewpoints, and getting to hear Sophie’s side of the story was amazing.  For those of you who have not followed this amazing series from the beginning, Sophie is Potter’s first love.  Until now, she’s always been glossed over—readers know the general gist of things, but she’s never been a true part of the story.  But O’Rourke changes all that as he shows his readers what life is like in this new pushed world.  And it’s amazing.

Perhaps my favorite element of this entire novella is the constant referencing and intertwining of his Black Hill novels.  If you haven’t read the Black Hill Series, the referencing won’t stand out, and the novella will just read as another epic piece produced by O’Rourke, but if you’re familiar with events in the psychologically thrilling Black Hill books, then you’re in for a treat.  I just about fell off my chair when I realized what O’Rourke was doing, and I smirked at all the many references throughout.  I love it! 

Dead Night-Potter’s Secrets is an amazing novella that, like the title denotes, divulges secrets that will have the reader dropping his/her jaw in surprise and cheering in triumph at some of the revelations.  It’s a must read, though you’ll need to have read the prior novels in the series in order to understand much of what is going on.  Five stars.

I received a copy of this novella from the author in exchange for an honest review.

O’Rourke’s Amazing Novels YOU NEED TO READ  (On Amazon):

Kiera Hudson Series 1

• Vampire Shift (#1)
• Vampire Wake (#2)
• Vampire Hunt (#3)
• Vampire Breed (#4)
• Wolf House (#4.5)
• Vampire Hollows (#5)

Kiera Hudson Series 2

• Kiera Hudson: Dead Flesh (#1)
• Dead Night: Potter’s Secrets (#1.5)

Black Hill Farm Series:

• Black Hill Farm (#1)
• Black Hill Farm Andy’s Diary (#2)

Doorways Series:

• Doorways (#1)

From Goodreads: An invisible evil has been stalking the overweight chefs of the merchant ship, the Wingo Hocking, and feasting on their fat. With the help of Squad 8011, baker Tillie Teraclés seeks to exterminate this menace, in hopes of redeeming herself in the eyes of the sister she accidentally crippled.

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This is a great read for middle school aged children.  Complete with a vampire that lives off fat, Seegitz sets the stage of this novel with the theft of a yummy treat made by none other than Tillie Teracles, the heroine of this novel.  The owner of a floating bakery, Tillie must battle against the fat vampire, with the help of Ruby and her crew (Ruby and the Mix Games), in order to save the lives of the overweight chefs and restore Tillie’s good standing with her sister.   

Seegitz expertly captures the reader’s attention with his often comical situations, opening readers to a fantastical world unlike any other I’ve read about.  The practice of Hue, the ability to project colors from the hands for combat, is extremely interesting, and younger readers will really get a kick out of all the intriguing happenings within the novel, especially with the fat vampire on the prowl.  I think this would be a great story for parents and children to read together as it is comical, but also has great themes.  Three stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Galen, a Syrena prince, searches land for a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. It’s while Emma is on vacation at the beach that she meets Galen. Although their connection is immediate and powerful, Galen’s not fully convinced that Emma’s the one he’s been looking for. That is, until a deadly encounter with a shark proves that Emma and her Gift may be the only thing that can save his kingdom. He needs her help–no matter what the risk.

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This amazing read left me breathless with its cliffhanger, and I honestly can say that I couldn’t put the book down, nor did I want to! I’m already highly awaiting the sequel and the first book hasn’t even technically released yet; it’s just that good!

I think what really drew me into the story was the gruesome shark scene.  Banks first introduces readers to Emma and her friend Chloe as they make their way to the beach on vacation.  From the synopsis, it is plain that something terrible is going to happen involving a shark, but it isn’t until the two friends make their way into the ocean that the panic begins to overtake the reader.  We know it’s coming, but we don’t want it to.  And then it comes, a bit graphic, though I really liked how Banks portrayed it.  Though bloody and ultimately leaving Emma is a state of shock, especially with the loss of her best friend, I was thankful that the author made it a quick scene.  It also happens early enough in the story to pique interest, and the reader hasn’t yet learned to love the character that dies, so while it’s impossible not to feel bad for all the characters, it doesn’t leave the reader feeling destitute, or taint his/her thoughts throughout the reading.  While I was a bit shocked by the violent end that Chloe endured, and the detail that went into it (I think all death scenes of innately good people leave readers a bit flustered), I think it was a great way to draw in the audience. 

My favorite type of narrative is first person, and I loved that Banks chose to write most of her novel from Emma’s point of view.  Now, the text does alternate between Emma’s point of view, and that of Galen’s, but when it comes to Galen, there is a switch to third person.  It’s a little strange in regards to the flow of the story, but Banks is not the first to use this strategy when writing.  I’ve actually seen it in a lot of books over the last year here, where alternating viewpoints range between first and third person.  I’m not sure why this is, but although it’s jarring, it’s actually kind of nice at the same time.  The reader is able to not only get the first person thoughts of Emma, but also see the situation through a third person omniscient speaker, who takes the reader from being right in the middle of the story, to more of a bird’s eye view.  This back and forth storytelling actually gives the reader more details, in my opinion, though I do admit it’s something one has to get used to. 

This probably sounds strange, but I actually really loved the anxiety that this novel made me feel as I read it.  Though not a horror story, not even close, there was a constant feeling of trepidation that surrounded me as I read—partially because anything to do with sharks and the ocean gives me the creeps, and partially because Banks adds an unknown entity to the novel, a shadow, if you will, that constantly follows Emma through the ocean.  Unsensed by the others until it is already gone, the stalker gave me goose bumps and I half expected an arm to reach out of the water at any moment and attack Emma.  As I’m deathly afraid of the ocean, you can see how my overactive imagination ran rampant with this scare.

Of course, I loved the budding romance and the pacing.  Banks did a great job explaining how things worked in Syrena, who Emma was, and though I wasn’t a fan of the whole “you must do what authority tells you” thing (just like Emma), I think Galen played it off well and wasn’t overbearing in the least.  I love him—he’s so dreamy!  In terms of other characters, I enjoyed Emma (though I wish I was her—how cool to control the animals in the ocean?), and Galen’s twin, Rayna, while originally obnoxious, grew on me as I read, especially as she began to warm to the idea of her suitor, Toraf, and I just loved how that all came together.  It brought a smile to me face.

The cliffhanger, of course, left me breathless, though I have to admit I figured it out just a moment before the characters.  There is just enough foreshadowing to make the reader wonder if perhaps there is more to the story than originally told, but it’s not so obvious that it stands out from the get go.  I cannot wait for the sequel to see what is in store for Galen, Emma, and all of Syrena after such a big revelation!  This novel is, in my opinion, a must read for all ages! Five stars.

Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read a copy of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on May 22, 2012.

From Goodreads: A mistake from birth, half Lab, half Rottweiler, weaned in a puppy mill and dubbed “Star” for the white furry blotch on her chest, the valiant pooch unwittingly becomes the “bag man” in a diamond heist when the thief, hoping to hide the stones from his greedy wife, implants them under the puppy’s skin. After Star is mistakenly sold, the bumbling villains set off to retrieve the diamonds, but are bested at every turn by our lovable canine hero.

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This is a very cute story following the life and times of Star, a half Lab, half Rottweiler mix.  Star’s life starts out rough, and as she grows through the years and experiences many triumphs and tribulations, she learns to protect those she loves, and fear those she doesn’t.  Full of mischief while also kindhearted, Star is easy to fall in love with as her tale unfolds.  Looking for her niche in life, Star embarks on some crazy adventures the further endear her to readers.  This is a great story for dog lovers, especially as Star is extremely smart and capable.  Three stars.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Man no longer worships the old gods; forgotten and forsaken, they have become nothing more than myth and legend. But all that is about to change.

After the ruins of a vast, ancient civilization are discovered on the ocean floor, Coast Guard officers find a series of derelict ships drifting in the current—high-priced yachts and leaking fishing boats, all ransacked, splattered in blood, their crews missing and presumed dead.

And that’s just the beginning.

Vacationing artist Larry Neuhaus has just witnessed a gruesome shark attack, a young couple torn apart right before his eyes….at least, he thinks it was a shark. And when one of these victims turns out to be the only son of Roger Hays, the most powerful man in the country, things go from bad to worse.

Now, to stop the carnage, Larry and his new-found friends must work together to unravel a mystery as old as time, and face an enemy as dark as the ocean depths.

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Michael West delivers a compelling tale of sea monsters and horror as this tale of Poseidon’s Children unfolds.  With its vast cast of characters and multiple viewpoints, West has created a story that flows nicely, splicing together horror, romance, intrigue, and betrayal.  The story is easy to follow and keeps readers interest, especially as the pieces of the puzzle begin to fit together.  Characters that previously did not seem to connect with others suddenly become key players and their plights are expanded upon as Poseidon’s Children, forced to hide their true nature among humans, decide to fight back. 

I really enjoyed the fantasy aspect of this story.  Though I wasn’t a fan of all the sexual escapades within the novel, the idea of Atlantis has always intrigued me, and I loved that this story was built around that ancient city, as well as evoking mythology and the gods as well.  It’s very well written, a bit gruesome, but definitely worth the read.  Three and a half stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: When Kiera and her friends return from the dead, they soon realize that the world is not the same – it has been pushed. Returning to Hallowed Manor, Kiera soon learns that it’s not only the world that has changed, she is changing, too.

Asked to help solve the murder of missing school teacher, Emily Clarke, Kiera and her friends soon discover that they are now living in a world where humans and wolves live together, sharing a fragile peace.

But during her investigations, Kiera soon discovers that the world is now a much darker and dangerous place than the one she left behind.

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This first book in O’Rourke’s new series hits the ground running hard, and doesn’t let up until the twisted finale that will leave readers yearning for more.  Kiera, Potter, Isidor, and Kayla are back, this time as the undead, and as they begin to piece together this new world they’ve been thrust into, they must work together to uncover the truths behind the pushed world.  Seeking to understand their new surroundings, Kiera once again becomes an amazing sleuth, deducing the truth with the help of her friends as they search for Emily Clarke and the mystery surrounding her disappearance at the Ravenswood School. Once again, O’Rourke easily takes the reader into the depths of this dark tale, mystifying him/her until the very last page.

The wolves, having always been evil, are even worse in this novel, and I loved the eeriness surrounding them and the Ravenswood School where Kayla spends much of her time infiltrating the system in search of the truth.  New in this series, O’Rourke introduces multiple perspectives, giving the reader inside glimpses into the characters as the novel unfolds in two different places.  This back and forth manner is a wonderful addition to the series, and I loved having the opportunity to follow all the characters through this new narrative style that O’Rourke invokes. 

Full of many twists and turns, this novel is a must read!  While those who haven’t read the books in the first series will be able to keep up with Dead Flesh, I highly suggest reading all five and a half of the novels in the first Kiera Hudson series before embarking on this next segment, as there are many allusions to the first series and it will make the twists in Dead Flesh all the more jaw dropping.  O’Rourke has made me a fan for life—his novels really are that good, and I highly suggest reading all his books.  Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!  Five stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

O’Rourke’s Amazing Novels YOU NEED TO READ  (On Amazon):

Kiera Hudson Series 1

• Vampire Shift (#1)
• Vampire Wake (#2)
• Vampire Hunt (#3)
• Vampire Breed (#4)
• Wolf House (#4.5)
• Vampire Hollows (#5)

Black Hill Farm Series:

• Black Hill Farm (#1)
• Black Hill Farm Andy’s Diary (#2)

Doorways Series:

• Doorways (#1)

From Goodreads: An exciting mix of the fantastic, the wonderful, and the frightening by the talented members of the Derby Scribes writing group. Overall it’s a versatile and multi-faceted anthology, blending the corners of reality with aspects of the fantastical in a refreshing way.

Contains eleven short stories from guest authors Simon Clark, Conrad Williams and Neal James, plus Derby Scribes members Alison J. Hill, Christopher Barker, David Ball, Jennifer Brown, Peter Borg, Richard Farren Barber, Stuart Hughes, and Victoria Charvill. Including an introduction by Alex Davis and artwork by Samantha Enyon.

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Anthologies aren’t something I usually read, but my interest was piqued after I perused “In the Spirit of Darwin” by Simon Clark.  It’s a highly interesting tale about an 84 year old man, Lloyd Jefferson, who meets Sir Charles Darwin in 2010.  It’s written in such a way that the reader, like Lloyd, is a bit confused concerning the presence of Darwin and questions his being—is it a dream, or reality?  As the story progresses and the two men discuss reality, evolution of the human mind, of human behavior, race, and even football.  While I’m not one to be completely engaged by scientific speak, this was a very interesting story, and the discussion present in the piece was highly engaging.  I really enjoyed it, and I think that Clark does a wonderful job bringing the story to a point and it ends perfectly.   

“Brylcreem and Pipe Tobacco,” by Stuart Hughes, is a different type of story, dealing with the supernatural as a middle aged woman, Claire, takes her fiancé, Rodney, to a medium in order to obtain her deceased husband’s blessing prior to her marriage.  Claire, unable to release the past without Charlie’s blessing, coerces Rodney into accompanying her, but once there, things don’t go as planned as Rodney, a skeptic, soon loses his temper and leaves.  Hughes then packs the ending of his story with a twist that will bring a smile to readers’ faces as they realize what has actually happened throughout the story.  This is another gem of a story that I really likes.

The third story in the anthology is called “Stump” and is by Victoria Charvill.  I really enjoyed this very short story as well.  Charvill has a wry sense of humor, and her sarcastic wit makes it such an enjoyable read.  Sophie has a dire track record when it comes to pets; her latest one, a guinea pig, is aptly names Stump, as readers will find out when they read this very short story depicting the life of Sophie’s animals.

“Leaving Jessica,” by Jennifer Brown, is another great story in this anthology.  Haunted by her past, Hannah, a woman on the run, opens the piece describing her death as Jessica, then changes course and explains how and why it happened.  Currently a nanny, Jessica finds she has once again been tracked down by her ex-husband’s henchmen, and must go on the run once more.  Having many previous identities, Jessica is sad to, once again, put aside her latest life.  This is an intense read and I highly enjoyed it.  I would love for this story to be fleshed out even further and, possibly, become a full fledge novel.  The potential is definitely there, and I’d love a more detailed story, though the short story is great just as it is.

Richard Farren Barber’s piece, “Last Respects” is a completely different tale, focusing on a group of soldiers fighting in France during what I believe is WWI.  This story is a very real, heartbreaking look at the life of soldiers, who give their all in order to serve their country.  These young men, some under age, are in the midst of a bloody war, and many of the characters die a terrible death. Unlike the prior stories in this anthology, “Last Respects” is not a light hearted tale, but rather leaves the reader feeling jarred and empty.  Bryan, the hero of this short story, charges on through the midst of the gun fire and bombings, carrying a note a fellow soldier gave to him, only to have the story end with a twist that I didn’t see coming, a twist that literally knocked the air out of me.  This fictitious story holds much truth concerning the atrocities of war, and I really liked it.   

“The Wake-up Call,” by Alison J. Hill, follows Roy Harpur as he sets his car on fire after hitting a woman in the street.  Highly drunk and paranoid, Roy begins to lose his sanity as the story unfolds, only to have a rude awakening as the reader realizes what really happened.  This was an interesting story and I enjoyed it, especially as realization set in and I grasped the truth of the story.

Conrad Williams write “The Gallery,” a science fiction piece that, in my opinion, was a bit too long.  I had a hard time following this story in the beginning (science fiction is hit or miss with me), but in the end I found that this story was actually really good.  Though a bit verbose, Williams gives life to this strange dystopian novel in which the outside is dangerous, people must wear hoods, and there are public burnings.  Of course, this is a bit violent, but overall it was good; I’m glad I stuck with it and kept reading, as the end is worth it all.

Peter Borg writes “Dave’s Dinosaur,” which is a very short story involving a dinosaur that wreaks havoc on a couple camping.  I was under the impression that this story was some sort of hallucination of some sort, but it turns out there really is a dinosaur outside the tent.  This was an interesting story, but too short, in my opinion.

In David Ball’s “An Interstellar Taxi Ride,” an ambassador ends up taking a lowly taxi (a flying taxi, no less) to get to his destination and ends up learning more about the taxi and its previous occupants than he ever wanted to know.  Originally I wasn’t too interested in this science fiction short, but as the story progressed and the “too good for anyone” ambassador learns more about his ride, I found myself laughing aloud at his circumstances, and cringing at the same time. 

“Obsolete,” by Chris Barker, is by far my favorite tale within the anthology.  This could easily become a highly intriguing, full fledge novel, and I’m hoping that perhaps Barker will, in fact, toy with the idea of fleshing it out.  The story opens with an elderly gentleman gardening and one quickly assesses that this man doesn’t ever leave the house.  Originally thought to be a choice, it becomes apparent that his home is rather a jail cell in its own rights.  However, he does get out, carrying two flowers, and his reactions to the world around him tell the reader that this man hasn’t been out in a very long time.  As the story progresses, Barker adds in some very interesting twists that explain the sentence this elderly man is serving, and it piqued my interest to the very core.  Like I said, I’d love to see this one become a full novel.  There is so much Barker could do with it; I highly recommend this one!   

“The Smell of Fear,” the final story in this anthology, is another favorite of mine.  Neal James, the author, has the reader believing they are reading about one thing, while in reality, it is about something completely different, which readers will find as the story concludes.  It is very well written, and I enjoyed this aspect of the story immensely, especially as I never saw it coming.   

Overall, I really liked this anthology and, as I said in some of the personal reviews of the shorts, some of these would make great novels, while others are perfect just as they are.  The Derby Scribes are a very talented group of writers, and I’d be happy to read more by these authors.  I’ll have to look into them and see if there are any novels by these authors as well.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this anthology from the publisher in exchange for an honest to review.

From Goodreads: Caleb faces possible jail time for using Clyde as a undeadly weapon. When he’s exonerated with probation lasting a year, Caleb has to watch his every action. Tensions run high when after the death of Jade’s only relatives, she must live with an undesirable foster family who are anything but what they seem….

Life gets complicated for everyone when the scientists responsible for the paranormal manifestation threaten a parallel world to Caleb’s own. In a bid to stop the destruction of their world, while saving his own, Caleb must defend two peoples against the long arm of the Graysheets.

Time begins to run against him when he discovers, through an unlikely source, that his friends have been given a drug that causes progressive insanity. Can he find the anecdote in time to save them? To save Jade?

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This was an intense read.  With Caleb on probation, the parallel world of the sphere in jeopardy (I just love the intermingling of these two series!), and an insanity drug tearing Caleb’s friends apart, this novel keeps the reader immersed in its pages until the very last page.  Be prepared to visit the entire spectrum of emotions as you read this harrowing novel, especially as Caleb must battle not only the physical threats around him, but also his inner turmoil and rage, a constant threat to those around him, and what landed him on probation in the first place.

If you’ve read The Savage Vengeance, then part of this novel involving the sphere will already be known to you, but Blodgett does a great job altering the scene so it focuses more of the teens in this version, than on the Band as in The Savage Vengeance version.  And… unbeknownst to us readers when we first read TSV, but Caleb and his friends don’t just visit once, but twice—the second of which is the most savage and heart pounding or the two encounters (and if you’ve read TSV, then you know just how heart stopping the first encounter was!!!) . 

I was on pins and needles throughout this entire novel, worried for the safety of everyone, but especially the females as worlds collide and the Graysheets willingly subject their own “creations” to highly evil circumstances.  While I hate to ever add a spoiler in my reviews, I think it is important to note that there is no rape in this novel, or in any of Blodgett’s other novels, for that matter.  While the fragment do exploit women, Blodgett has never written in a rape scene, or had anything so vile happen to any of her female characters.  I think it is important to note this because, as a female, I know that I shy away from all novels that deal with such a vile, touchy topic, and sometimes so much as the fear of an allusion to rape will cause me to refrain from picking up a novel.  So, readers, rest assured, no females are raped in this novel, though there are close encounters.

One of the things that I really love about Blodgett is how real her characters and situations are, even though elements of the paranormal are throughout the entire story.  Blodgett captures the truth that is growing up and coming of age.  The friendships, humor, heartache, and anger, are all present and very real.  I especially loved how, in this novel, Blodgett tests Caleb and Jade’s connection, presenting truths to both that they were previously blind to, and I am highly interested to see where their relationship goes in future novels. Five stars.

I recieved a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.  Death Weeps goes on sale on May 18th, 2012.

From Goodreads: It all started with a murder. Two victims lay dead at the hands of Peter Dawes, but what laid in wait for him was not the sound of sirens or the banging of a gavel. It would turn a doctor into a killer and a man into a monster.

Follow Peter as he exchanges his blood-stained clothing for tailored suits, his scalpel for fine-crafted daggers, and reinvents himself as the newest vampire-child in a coven of decadent sophisticates. He even takes on the name ‘Flynn’ – a child of red – in honor of his new-found devilish side, and to remove one of the last tethers to his human past.

For four years, Flynn embodies every bit the bloody immortal he was sired to become. Under the reign of his maker, Sabrina, he establishes a reputation as the most feared assassin to ever terrorize the covens of Philadelphia. But the surefooted-steps and quick hands that make him a virtuoso when it comes to killing humans and vampires alike are a mark of the mortal destiny which haunts him even beyond death. And despite his efforts, Peter’s humanity is not as dead as some would prefer.

On the verge of completing their vie for power, Sabrina’s ‘dark-killer’ will suddenly find himself at odds over his devotion to his mistress when an impish sorceress named Monica awakens the hidden powers he was destined to possess. In this world of macabre and shrewdly practical immortal beings, will Flynn’s supernatural gifts be used to orchestrate the wicked deeds of his maker? Or can the cold-blooded nature of a vampire be warmed by the compassion of a Seer?

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This was another book with an interesting concept, but I feel like it fell short of hitting its mark.  It wasn’t a bad read, don’t get me wrong, but it felt like the story took a very long time to transpire.  Peter Dawes automatically captures the reader’s attention as he explains how he came to be a vampire—the cold blooded murders he commits are intense and Peter quickly sets the scene for a read that seems like it will be fast paced and incredibly intriguing.  But, once Peter becomes a vampire, I found that the story almost came to a standstill.  Dawes then describes the next couple of years of his life as a vampire in a way that made me feel like everything was being glossed over; that it wasn’t important information to the story as a whole, but needed to be told in order for the story to move forward.  Unfortunately for me, I found these periodic “in-between” times of the story to be a bit boring for my taste, and couldn’t wait to get to the important information, including the bit about Seers and how everything molded together to make Peter special.  A lot of the novel he seemed like another run of the mill, holier than though, sadistic, self absorbed vampire, and I found myself, quite quickly, learning to dislike him, mainly because so much time was spent showing him in this light.

One of the aspects of the novel that I really didn’t care for was the vampire sex.  And there was a lot, in my opinion.  I didn’t find that the sexual encounters furthered the story by any means, but were more of a distraction to the plotline, and I don’t need the acts spelled out for me as a reader.  I know it’s a personal preference, and a lot of readers may disagree with me here, but I, personally, found these encounters to be out of place and not something I cared to read at all.

Overall, the idea behind the novel was good, but Dawes takes a very long time getting to the meat of the story.  Some readers may really like this slower pacing, but I am in-between.  Too fast and little development leaves me yearning for more, but too slow and too much development leaves me a tad bored.  This novel lends itself to those looking for a good vampire story that slowly develops its characters over the years within the novel.  Two and a half stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Cat Colvin
Average Teenager?
Or Something Else Entirely?

Cat Colvin is pretty much your typical run-of-the-mill teenager. Sure, she’s taller than most girls, has a mane of fiery red hair that’s impossible to tame, is left-handed, and her eyes are two different colors, but that’s where the differences end… unless you include the minor detail of her slow transformation into a Childe.

High school can definitely be challenging, and for Cat it’s no different. This is especially true when she’s faced with the daunting task of trying to hide her budding Childe traits as they begin to reveal themselves at the most inopportune times. To make matters worse, her family is oddly dead set against Ryan, the boy she grows to like. But everyone has their secrets: is Ryan really what he seems to be, and what is Cat’s family not telling her?

The Childe is the first book in this coming-of-age fantasy series which follows Cat’s life through the twists and turns toward finding out whom and what she really is. Come and take the plunge with Cat into a world filled with mystery, biting humor, and the paranormal.

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I picked up this book mainly because all my blogger friends have written rave reviews of this novel and, since I really wanted to know what a Childe was, I decided to read it.  Unfortunately for me, this book didn’t leave me with the same sentiments as it did my friends.  I liked it, but I felt that it was a little pushed—too fast paced for my reading style, and I had a hard time connecting to the characters because of it.  Events just seems to unfold too quickly for me, jumping from events to event, leaving me feeling like there was no build up, which I intensely love in my novels.  I also am still uncertain as to what a Childe really is, what its merits or detriments are, etc.  I think, and someone please correct me if I’m wrong, that a Childe is a half vampire and half human mix… and as intriguing as that is, I think I got lost in my inability to connect to the story on the level I anticipated, and might have missed something vital in the story.  I think the concept is ingenious, but the novel just didn’t draw me in.  Am I curious to know what will happen next for Cat?  Certainly!  Will I read the sequel?  Of course!  I still want to know what’s going to happen to the characters, and the storyline is good, but, like I said, it didn’t grab me and hold me captive, which I feel is no fault of the authors’, but a reflection of my own personal story preferences.  Three stars.

I purchased a copy of this novel from Amazon.