Lori Pescatore - Human Blend

33. Human Blend by Lori Pescatore (2009)
The Blend Series Book 1
Length: 234 pages
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Started: 28 December 2010
Finished: 31 December 2010
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Lori for sending me a copy of this book to read
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 1 December 2010
Why do I have it? I like paranormal mysteries and Lori Pescatore is a new author for me.

When Laney escapes her captors, she runs to Marion, Virginia, hoping to escape an abusive childhood and trying to find any family that she may have left. She is older than she looks - about 18 in human years - can see numbers and is a healer. She begins work in the local hospital and generally lies low until she meets Austin and the dour Dr. Eli Elsworth. Now known as Julie Miller, she doesn't have any idea that she is being followed by her captors and when the murders start she attempts to shun her newfound friends.

However, she may find that her friends have more secrets about them then she does. And they may have all the answers that she seeks about who she is and what she can do - if she would just ask. I really enjoyed this book and it leaves a lot of questions for a sequel. I give it an A!

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Tia Nevitt - The Sevenfold Spell

32. The Sevenfold Spell by Tia Nevitt (2010)
The Accidental Enchantments Series Book 1
Length: 97 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Started: 26 December 2010
Finished: 28 December 2010
Where did it come from? From Netgalley
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 17 August 2010
Why do I have it? I like short stories and Tia Nevitt is a new author for me.

Since she has always known that she is not typically beautiful, Talia has instead relied upon her abilities as a spinster to earn her dowry. However, she and her mother soon find themselves in dire straits. Apparently by royal proclamation, the local constabulary and those so-called "good fairies" have gained the right to confiscate their spinning wheel. Something to do with a curse on the princess...or so they say.

Having essentially destroyed their livelihood, the constables and the fairies expect the hardworking townspeople to pick up the pieces of their various lives - and to learn an entirely new trade - however they can. Without the promise of a continued income from her spinning, Talia's marriage prospects soon disappear. When the father of her most ardent suitor sends his son to a monastery, rather than allowing him to marry Talia, she and her mother face utter destitution. They become desperate.

Since she understands that not every young lady has a fairy godmother rushing to her rescue, Talia realizes that she must rely on her own ingenuity to survive. So she determines to build a new spinning wheel - the only one in the nation. Although she knows that such a rebellious act could inevitably lead to her death, Talia is past the point of caring about breaking some arbitrary and cruel law. After all, she could not possibly be prosecuted for something done in secret - could she?

However, Talia has no idea just how much her final decision will play right into the evil fairy's diabolical plan. She will ultimately discover that finding a truly happy ending requires sacrifice. But is that sacrifice going to be one that Talia is willing to make?

I downloaded this story in August and didn't get a chance to read it until now. I wish I had read it earlier because it was a wonderful story. I love fairy tales and give it an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Graham Parke - A Gomessy New Year: Random Acts of Senseless Kindness

31. A Gomessy New Year: Random Acts of Senseless Kindness by Graham Parke (2010)
Gomez! Book 2
Length: 26 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started / Finished: 26 December 2010
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Graham for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 25 December 2010
Why do I have it? I have always been interested in contemporary mysteries and Graham Parke is a new author for me.

Gomez Porter is at a loose end - he just recently inherited an antiques store after his parents had an accident, his girlfriend is acting strangely and he hasn't been invited to any New Year's parties. Add in a suspicious homeless man who seems to be testing him and it all adds up to quite a New Year for Gomez.

I have never read Mr. Parke's No Hope For Gomez!, so I think I missed some characters relationships but I did enjoy this short story. I give it an A!

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Kathryn Meyer Griffith - The Last Vampire

30, The Last Vampire by Kathryn Meyer Griffith (1992) (Revised Author's Edition 2010)
Length: 259 pages
Genre: Horror
Started: 17 December 2010
Finished: 20 December 2010
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Kathryn Meyer Griffith for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 1 October 2010
Why do I have it? I like horror and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

Emma Bloodworth had survived the earthquake which took her husband and children and left the world clinging to life. The apocalypse had started a year earlier with plague, starvation, war and death. Emma tries desperately to locate the rest of her family in Maine, and along the way struggles to keep alive.

When a calamity befalls Emma and she is initiated into a frightening new world, she still struggles to survive what she has become. It becomes more and more difficult to hide what she is from Matthew Whitefeather, a Cherokee Indian who has lost his wife and daughter to the plague. As they grow closer to each other, Emma must make a choice, to fulfill a promise she made to herself - a human promise - or succumb to what she is.

I truly enjoyed this story and give it an A! I would definitely recommend Ms. Griffith's books to anyone who likes horror with a little romance woven in as well.

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Amanda Wolfe - Secrets of the Black Box

29. Secrets of the Black Box by Amanda Wolfe (2010)
Beneath the Silver Lining Series Book 1
Length: 382 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction
Started: 7 December 2010
Finished: 17 December 2010
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Tracee at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 1 August 2010
Why do I have it? I like autobiographies and Amanda Wolfe is a new author for me.


Amanda Wolfe writes about overcoming her abusive childhood in this gripping trilogy. Secrets of the Black Box starts out by introducing the reader to nine-year-old Amanda, who was born in Ottawa, Canada and first dealt with parental neglect which grew into sexual and physical abuse by her father and grandfather. Her spirit and spunk shines through this book continually and, in my opinion, this is a book that needs to be read even though it is truly difficult to read. I give it an A!

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Michael Sheahan - The Roof Top Hop

28. The Roof Top Hop by Michael Sheahan (2010)
The Mr Holidays Presents Series Book 1
Length: 32 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Started/Finished: 16 December 2010
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Anita from Daly Communications for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 1 December 2010
Why do I have it? I received a copy of this book to give away on the radio


This is going to be a different kind of review for me. You see, Anita Daly is involved with sending Rosefire and me Irish CDs to play on our Irish Radio Show. As I have said before, I don't usually tell anyone outside my family that I have a blog. Ms Daly doesn't know that I have a blog, either but I thought that since I recieved this book from her, I would review it here. Anyway, on to the book. It's a beautifully illustrated children's book with a four-song CD and a DVD that teaches children 'The Roof Top Hop' - a dance that Santa does every Christmas while delivering presents. The book is rather simple but fun for children. I give it an A!

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Tim Slover - The Christmas Chronicles: The Legend of Santa Claus

27. The Christmas Chronicles: The Legend of Santa Claus by Tim Slover (2010)
Length: 160 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Started: 3 December 2010
Finished: 13 December 2010
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Tracee at Pump up Your Book
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 5 November 2010
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and Tim Slover is a new author for me.

This is a wonderfully new Christmas story that is destined to become a Christmas classic. In 1343, orphaned Klaus is adopted by the Craftsmen Guild to become a master woodcarver with a true gift for making toys for children. He meets Anna, the woman who will become his wife. But it's not all snowflakes and candy canes: envious Rolf Eckhof shadows Klaus ready to subvert him at every turn. In the end, it's a battle between good and evil fought under snowy skies which unleashes Santa's true magic to the world.This is truly a sweet Christmas story which I loved for its portrayal of Santa Claus. I give it an A+! It's very like A Christmas Carol in its portrayal of the Christmas spirit. A Christmas Carol is one of my favorite holiday stories.

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often