Month: March 2016

Feverborn by Karen Marie Moning

 

Feverborn (Fever, #8)

Feverborn is the eighth book in The Fever Novels by New York Times Bestselling author Karen Marie Moning. She is also the author of the Highlander Series. Feverborn was released in January of 2016 by Delacorte Press/Random House LLc.

 

I wasn’t sure what to expect after Burned but I am glad that I kept with the series, and that’s what it is ..a Series, installments on an epic story. When you know that then you are aware that the end is never The End. Where one story leaves off, another one begins.

In Feverborn Mac, Barrons, Ryodan, and Dani/Jada are all back, this time with Mac leading the story. This is the eighth book in the series and although you don’t have to read them all in order, I can’t imagine not doing it! But for those new to the series Ms. Moning has added an entire section in the back of the book explaining who is who and what is what.

When the walls between the Fae and Man fell, Dublin and the entire planet were up for grabs. You have your good fae, and your bad fae, along with your good humans and your bad humans. Only certain people can actually see the Fae and Mackayla Lane is one of those few.

The only way to put the walls back up and save the earth is to find the long lost Song of Making. The beginning of all Life. Unfortunately no one knows where it is but they are willing to bet Mac knows something and it seems that everyone wants her dead or wants to use her as a tool to get what they want. Thank goodness for Barrons,who always has her back as well as her heart.

We learn a lot more about the Dani/Jada story in Feverborn. No one or no thing is what it seems to be in this series. The Keltar are at odds with the Nine immortals concerning some unfinished business from the cliffs. The Immortals that “died” are getting back to their lives, but someone is controlling things and putting Mac, Jada/Dani, and all of the immortals in danger.

As fights are fought and wars waged, Mac and Jada will have to face their worst fears. Themselves

 

Cover Reveal for ‘Repent at Leisure’

Author Stevie Turner’s new Cover Reveal for Repent at Leisure. Sounds like a great read!

Stevie Turner

As you may have heard, I recently signed a contract with Creativia Publishing for my latest women’s fiction novel ‘Repent at Leisure’, which will be published soon.

The story is told from 2 perspectives, that of Paul and Anita McAdam, and focuses on their relationship leading up to and after their marriage.  Anita knows that Paul once lived with another woman, Catherine Taylor, who was found dead at their flat, but there was never any evidence or suspicion suggesting that Paul had been involved in Cat’s death at all.  However, Paul becomes strangely prone to increasing bouts of temper and aggression after their marriage, and Anita begins to see another side of her husband that she never knew existed.  In Paul’s darkest hours Anita cannot help but think about Cat Taylor’s death……

Here’s Creativia’s cover, which I’d like to share with you.  Creativia have a great Street Team of marketers, and many of their books are Amazon bestsellers. …

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Be Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson

Be Frank With MeBe Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a debut novel, Ms. Johnson has knocked one out of the park! I can’t remember the last time I was so captivated by a book. I laughed, I cried, I read out loud to anyone within earshot, constantly saying, ” Listen to this!”. What a wonderful treat this book is.

Literary legend and recluse, MiMi Banning has only written one book, but it was a hugely successful one. And now she has to write another after becoming the victim of a Madoff type Ponzi scheme. She needs help and is very specific about what and who she wants. Picture a Housekeeper/Nanny/Driver/Assistant rolled into one quiet and discreet bundle. And this is where we meet Alice. Sent by the publisher to oversee Ms. Banning and her household.

As soon as Alice arrives, she is put to work as a companion to the author’s son, Frank, age 9 ( going on 40 ). Frank is a font of information on any and all subjects and lives by his own set of rules. He dresses like an actor from the 1930’s and has an outfit for every imaginable circumstance.
He has a razor sharp wit and nothing in common with his peers.

As MiMi shuts herself in her office to write, Alice is left to see to everything else. As she and Frank get to know each other, they develop a special bond that at times had me in tears and on the next page in stitches.

Each character is so well developed it would be hard not to love all of them as flawed as some were. I didn’t want the book to end!

I read a lot of books and it isn’t often that I come across one that just makes you smile just looking at it! This is one of those unforgettable stories that made me a reader and a book I will proudly keep on my shelves.

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The United States of Jihad: Investigating America’s Homegrown Terrorists by Peter Bergen

United States of Jihad: Americans Fighting for Radical Islam--from al-Qaeda to ISISUnited States of Jihad: Americans Fighting for Radical Islam–from al-Qaeda to ISIS by Peter Bergen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mr. Bergen is well known for his books on terrorism as well as his work as a security analyst on CNN.
In this book he explores homegrown terrorists. Those who leave our country to train as well as the lone wolves who act entirely on their own.

The book follows the stories of some of the key players over the years since 9/11 and even before.
It did read like a true crime novel, which I enjoyed. We hear these stories on the news, but there is usually not a lot of in depth coverage or follow up. Even now I wonder how many people know where the Boston bomber Tsarnav is or what we have learned from him?

His research is well documented in the end notes and I learned quite a bit of information I did not know before.
I don’t think this book could have come at a better time. For anyone wanting more information on the subject of terror at home and why this cause can seem so compelling to our youth, this is a must read.

Mr. Bergen’s writing style is straightforward and easy to read which is a big plus when trying to understand another culture and language.

I would highly recommend this book.

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It Takes One (Audrey Harte #1) by Kate Kessler

It Takes One (Audrey Harte #1)It Takes One by Kate Kessler

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Audrey Harte is a Criminal Psychologist, working in Los Angeles, specializing in kids who kill.
It’s a topic she is all too familiar with and would rather forget, but when she returns home to Maine for a short visit, the past not only comes back to haunt her, it could be repeating itself

As a child, Audrey and her best friend, Maggie, killed Maggie’s abusive father..
After that their lives took very different turns and when another death happens soon after Audrey’s return home all eyes are on her..

The book had a nice flow to it. The pace was steady and even I had no idea who the killer was until the end!

I was very glad to see that this will be a series of books featuring Audrey as she helps the police and the children who have been both victim and killer.

I have definitely found a great new Thriller author!

I received this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review. The book is set for release April 26, 2016

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4 Tips For a Successful Author-Assistant Relationship

Reblogged from Toby Neal at tobyneal.net

 

I have the most gloriously overqualified assistant ever. Two years ago, another author friend, Christine Nolfi, heard I was looking for someone to help me manage the increasingly overwhelming demands of my self-publishing career. She gave me her sister’s name. Tricia was in graduate school at the time, and had a small consulting business. She… Read more »

Source: 4 Tips For a Successful Author-Assistant Relationship

Shot Heard Round the World

aurorawatcherak

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

(Original Draft – When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for a people to advance from that subordination in which they have hitherto remained, & to assume among the powers of the earth the equal & independant station to which the laws of nature & of nature’s god entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the change.)

Our Founders grew up as…

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Find Her by Lisa Gardner

Find Her (Detective D.D. Warren, #8)Find Her by Lisa Gardner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Seven years ago, college student, Flora Dane was kidnapped on spring break. Held for 472 days, mostly in a cheap wooden pine coffin.
But miraculously Flora survived or rather the person who used to be Flora Dane survived.

5 years later Flora is investigating the missing persons case of another young college girl when Flora is abducted again.

Detective D.D. Warren is back at work after her injury, but she is still on restrictive duty.

Something about Flora bothers D.D. but she isn’t quite what it is. Is Flora a victim? A vigilante? Or is there more to this than anyone knows.

This has to be one of the most emotionally painful books I’ have read from Ms. Gardner. Some parts were hard to read but once I opened the book it pulled me in so fast and so deep that I had no choice but to read it all in one sitting. I had to find out what happened!

In my opinion Lisa Gardner is the best at this type of thriller and D.D. Warren is one of her best characters. And as a bonus I learned quite a bit about how many girls and women go missing and how difficult it is to find them alive. If I had a daughter, I may never let her out of the house!

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Toward Democracy by James T. Kloppenberg

Toward Democracy: The Struggle for Self-Rule in European and American ThoughtToward Democracy: The Struggle for Self-Rule in European and American Thought by James T Kloppenberg

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Toward Democracy takes us on a ride through history not only in America but through Europe as well.
With the thoughts and experiences of our forefathers as well as the views of Tocqueville, Rousseau, and many more including Montesquieu and Robespierre, the author gives us many different views and definitions of democracy.
It is a fact that democracy came out of violence and that violence is still happening, things are ever evolving where democracy is concerned.

As a lover of all things History, this was a wonderful look into the opinions and facts of how we got where we are today and maybe even a bit of a warning for us. I don’t think this book could have come at a better time in our history.
How will it all turn out? What will our democracy cost us? This should be mandatory reading in our schools!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Oxford University Press in exchange for an honest review.  Stay tuned for release date, set for July of 2016 at the present time.

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