Peter Thompson - Summer on Earth

33. Summer on Earth by Peter Thompson (2017)

Length: 294 pages

Genre: Science Fiction 

Started: 7 September 2017

Finished: 26 September 2017

Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy 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 7 September 2017

Why do I have it? I like science fiction and Peter Thompson is a new author for me.

In the summer of 1978, eleven-year-old Grady Johnson is grieving the recent loss of his father. Times were already tough for the Johnsons, but Grady suspects now that it’s just the three of them: him, his Ma, and his younger sister Luanne, this summer will be especially hard. After all, his dad was the rock of their family. Now dad has died and the family just isn’t the same.

Grady knows that Ma is trying her best, but they just don’t have enough money to get by. He wishes that he could do more to help, but he doesn’t know how. The night that he looked out his bedroom window and wished upon a shooting star, Grady had no idea how much his life would change. And ultimately, the summer of 1978 will stay in Grady’s heart forever.

Actually, the shooting star that Grady saw that night was a spaceship plummeting to Earth. Secretly landing in a pasture behind Grady’s farm, extraterrestrial engineer Ralwil Turth has only one goal - to repair his craft’s power source and go back home. The mission should be simple enough to accomplish on an unpopulated planet such as this one. However, Ralwil’s mission doesn’t go quite as well as he planned...

Due to an equipment malfunction, Ralwil finds himself stuck in human form as he works on the Johnson farm. As he gets to know Grady and his family, Ralwil begins to learn what it means to be human. He also discovers more about the exotic charms of this planet Earth - things such as the taste of potatoes and how amazing bugs are. These are all extraordinary experiences and situations for Ralwil, and his strange reactions and odd behavior causes Grady no small measure of bafflement to witness.

As Ralwil grows to care more for Grady and his family, he comes up with a plan to try and help them, certain that it will solve all their problems. However, when trouble comes, the family’s survival and Ralwil’s very life will be on the line. The question is: will Grady find the courage he needs to help his family and save his new friend?

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I found the story to be poignant and well-written, and fully appreciated that the plot was about so much more than just the science fictional element. In my opinion, this was a refreshing change from most science fiction novels, which seem to be told from a more galactic point of view, rather than a personal point of view.

The historical setting of the story was also intriguing, and not necessarily overwhelming. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future and I would certainly give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Joni Parker - Spell Breaker

20. Spell Breaker by Joni Parker (2015)

The Chronicles of Eledon Series Book 1

Length: 345 pages 

Genre: Fantasy
Started: 1 May 2017
Finished: 31 May 2017
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Joni Parker and to Dorothy at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read. I also downloaded a second copy of this book for free from Amazon.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 19 July 2016 as a physical book; Since 7 October 2016 as an ebook.
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

After spending one thousand years stranded on Seaward Isle - exiled from their home world of Eledon, and trapped by a ring of relentless storms - the Elves have finally found a way to escape from the secluded island. Their escape is entirely due to the magical nature of a half-elfin sixteen-year-old girl. Lady Alexin Dumwalt - an orphaned half-elfin tracker and descendant of the Titans - has somehow managed to break through the ring of perpetually raging storms that surrounds the island. Despite her obvious delight at releasing the inhabitants of Seaward Isle - Alex is still reluctant to celebrate their freedom right away; as she can sense that whatever has imprisoned the inhabitants on the island, is determined to retaliate against them.

Nevertheless, Alex is absolutely delighted to have found an escape from Seaward Isle - for all those who want to leave, at least. Although, she herself has a certain amount of ambivalence towards the situation. Despite her personal misgivings, she joins the exodus of Elves, Dwarves, and mortals who stream through the entry point into the land of Eledon. According to the Elves - once they return home - a second entry point will be created to allow the mortals to go back to their own realms.

Although she was born and raised on Seaward Island, Alex has only recently connected with the elfin side of her family. With the recent discovery of an entry point between Seaward Isle and Eledon, Alex is faced with an extraordinarily difficult decision. Her grandmother Lestin - a Water Elf and a high-ranking member of the House of Oceanus - expects Alex to live with her in Eledon; forsaking her tracker's lifestyle, and fully accepting her new place within the House of Oceanus. However, Alex was born and raised as a mortal, so she is not quite sure how her arrival in Eledon will be received.

Apparently, the price that must be paid for success is terribly steep. Alex wasn't entirely certain how the Elves of Eledon would treat her, but she never believed they would actually attempt to ostracize her. Despite having elfin relatives, Alex still notices that her recent arrival to Eledon is met with equal parts suspicion and hostility. Yet, she will soon be faced with an extraordinary dilemma: either to stay with her family in Eledon or to strike out on her own into the mortal world.

It is her mixed blood - Elf and mortal - that forces Alex to make such a tough choice. She must make her choice soon; yet whatever she decides to do next can never be reversed. Apparently, the special entry point that was created for the mortals will only remain open for a short period of time. So, what will Alex do?

I must admit that reading this book took much longer than I expected. However, this was entirely due to my own leisurely pace of reading, and nothing else. I was delighted to be able to reacquaint myself with many of the same characters that I had met in The Seaward Isle Saga. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and am looking forward to reading further books in the series. I give Spell Breaker by Joni Parker a definite A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Christine Nolfi - Sweet Lake: A Novel

5. Sweet Lake: A Novel by Christine Nolfi (2017)
The Sweet Lake Series Book 1

Length: 306 pages

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Started: 8 February 2017

Finished: 26 February 2017

Where did it come from? Many thanks to Christine Nolfi for sending me a copy of this book to read from Netgalley.

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 16 December 2016

Why do I have it? I like contemporary romance and have read and enjoyed Treasure Me by the same author in the past.

Like the populations of so many other small towns across the country, the residents of Sweet Lake, Ohio, pride themselves on knowing everything about their neighbors' business. Sometimes they even know more about their neighbors business than their neighbors do. However, the town of Sweet Lake certainly lives up to its name - it's a close-knit, caring community that takes care of its own. Such is the case with Melinda Wayfair.

The most prominent family in Sweet Lake is the Wayfair family; who have been the sole proprietors of the Wayfair Inn for generations. While the inn has been passed down from father to son for as long as there have been Wayfairs living in Sweet Lake, the Wayfair Inn has recently fallen on hard times. After her father suffers a serious medical crisis and is forced to retire, her scoundrel of a brother suddenly decides to run off and make movies in California. Linnie Wayfair is absolutely livid.

Freddie may believe that he's only fulfilling a lifelong dream and not harming anyone else, but Linnie would respectfully disagree. In her opinion, not only did Freddie leave when he was needed most - essentially deserting the family business to go do his own thing - he left without telling his family anything about where he was going. Linnie is also horrified to discover that Freddie has left all his responsibilities to the Wayfair Inn behind him - and squarely on her shoulders.

She knows that there are so many people depending on her, but realizing that the entire population of Sweet Lake is expecting her to become the savior of the Wayfair Inn is truly daunting. Everyone in Sweet Lake is looking to Linnie to employ all of her business acumen - mustering every ounce of her good business sense to restore the Wayfair Inn to its former glory. Her parents hope that she will find it in her heart to forgive her prodigal brother and reconcile the family. The eccentric Sweet Lake Sirens want Linnie to open the inn - and her heart - to new possibilities.

Meanwhile, her lifelong friends Jada and Cat continue dropping not-so-subtle hints for her to ignite something with Daniel Kettering, the sexy attorney who has been pining for her for years. Her friends might not be able to wait to see Linnie in a romantic relationship, but she feels that she just has way too much on her plate at the moment. Now, a shocking turn of events will open old wounds and flip Linnie's world totally upside down; threatening everything that she has worked so hard to make her own. She finds herself having to make alterations to her plans for the future - and to make those changes quickly - and the results, while not quite what she might have expected, just might be exactly what she has needed and has been yearning for all along.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Ms. Nolfi creates such loveable and funny characters - characters that I found myself really connecting with and caring about in a fundamental way. In my opinion, this was a beautiful start to a wonderful new series, and I'm avidly waiting to see where the story will go from here. I give this book a definite A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Michael Phillip Cash - Collision: The Battle For Darracia

4. Collision: The Battle For Darracia by Michael Phillip Cash (2014)

The Battle For Darracia Saga Book 2

Length: 176 pages
Genre: Science Fiction
Started: 25 January 2017
Finished: 6 February 2017
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Michael Phillip Cash and to Red Feather Publishing for sending me a copy of this book to read.

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 13 May 2014

Why do I have it? I like science fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

The Battle For Darracia Saga continues as a majority of the key characters find themselves at a soul-defining crossroads for themselves and their entire planet. The tensions between the social classes on the planet of Darracia have now reached their respective boiling points. Peace talks between the Darracians and their nearest neighbors the Quyroo people have essentially collapsed with the assassination of the Quyroo ambassador. Crown Prince V'sair's villainous uncle Staf Nuen has also attempted to stage a coup to seize his brother's throne, but although King Drakko was assassinated and Staf Nuen escaped, his conspirators were captured and brought to justice.

As Darracia is being rocked by the waves of violence and societal turmoil, certain members of the royal family find themselves separated from each other and spread throughout the galaxy searching for a meaning to the death of a much beloved and benevolent monarch. Shaken by his father's assassination - and unsure how capable he will be in ruling a kingdom that he views as still belonging to the late king - Prince V'sair struggles to hold the fractured kingdom together. Despite being surrounded by many of his father's most trusted advisers, V'sair still feels extraordinarily isolated and alone without so many of his loved ones by his side.

V'sair's mother, Queen Reminda's own faith in the elusive Elements that have guided Darracians for centuries has been shaken to its very foundations. Although she grieves the loss of her husband, she remains steadfast in her support of her son as he contemplates his upcoming coronation. V'sair's stepbrother Zayden has spent much of the past year since his father's death searching for his uncle's whereabouts. He is on a self-imposed mission of vengeance - ranging from one side of the solar system to the other - determined to bring Staf Nuen back to Darracia to face justice; or die trying.

Reminda's handmaiden Tulani is trying to navigate both of her worlds, attempting to find the best way to bring them together. While she essentially grew up in service to the Darracian royal family -  Tulani is still a Quyroo - and her family lineage requires that she leaves service to the Darracians to begin training among her own people. Tulani's grandmother Bobbien is in fact the High Priestess of her tribe, and she wants her granddaughter to succeed her. Tulani loves her grandmother very much and feels obligated to fulfill Bobbien's wishes; but she is also devastated to be leaving behind Reminda and V'sair - the only family she has ever really known.

The villainous Staf Nuen has gone into hiding after orchestrating the initial coup. Having lost his wife, only son, and youngest daughter in the coup, Staf Nuen realizes that his own life is essentially forfeit if Zayden ever finds him. Although that coup wasn't entirely successful - and his cohorts were dealt with appropriately - Staf Nuen is still determined to form other nefarious alliances with certain diabolical new allies elsewhere in the galaxy.

However, like the vibrant comet zipping across the horizon, all the various factions of Darracian society are heading into a direct collision course. They are heading along a path that will test the power of their belief in themselves, their planet, and ultimately, in the power of the Elements that have guided them for centuries. This is a battle that will test the boundaries of their faith and challenge the balance of power.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. While the plot definitely reminded me of Star Wars, the story was intriguing and highly original. I avidly wanted to know what happened next. I look forward to reading the conclusion to this trilogy; and give this book a definite A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Beth M. Caruso - One of Windsor: The Untold Story of America's First Witch Hanging

21. One of Windsor: The Untold Story of America's First Witch Hanging by Beth M. Caruso (2015)

Length: 345 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction 

Started: 17 October 2016

Finished: 23 November 2016

Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy 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 17 October 2016
Why do I have it? I like historical fiction and Beth M. Caruso is a new author for me.

Young Alice Ashbey was born into the Tinker family of Berkshire, England in 1615. As a distant cousin to the Tinkers, Alice soon came to see her cousins more as adopted brothers and sisters. Orphaned at the age of ten, she also soon discovers that she has inherited her mother's talent for intuitive insights. With the deaths of the patriarch of the Tinker family - as well as of the eldest son and namesake, Robert - within a few weeks of each other, the Tinkers find themselves at a heartrending crossroads.

Deciding to leave England for the promise of the New World, first one and then more members of the Tinker family begin to make plans to settle in America. Alice - now a lovely young woman of twenty - hopes to stay with the only family she has ever known and everyone that she dearly loves. Yet sadly, her wish is not to be, as she stubbornly remains unmarried and seemingly indifferent to all potential suitors. The frustrated matriarch of the Tinker family, Mary, subsequently secures a position for Alice as a housemaid and nanny with an affluent family who is also sailing to America.

So it was that in 1635, Alice Ashbey reluctantly set sail from her home in England for the colony of strict religious dissenters in the Massachusetts Bay. She had made such a treacherous journey filled with the hope that she would be reunited with the Tinker family again, after the family had resettled themselves. Despite her initial misgivings, Alice is astonished by her first sight of the rich American wilderness and its inhabitants. She subsequently begins to appreciate the beauty of her new home.

However, Alice's first impressions of the New England colonies are not all good. Eventually settling in Windsor, Connecticut, Alice soon learns to use her own healing abilities and strong intuition to help those around her. She even learns to open her heart to the possibilities of a love of her own. However, she also encounters the suspicions and blinding fears of Puritan leaders which inevitably collide and set the stage for America's very first witch hanging - her own - on May 26th, 1647.

Although it was this horrendous event as well as Alice's strong ties to her beloved family which eventually influenced Connecticut's Governor John Winthrop, Jr. to put a halt to any further witchcraft hangings in the New England settlement; such horror could never be truly eradicated even in much later years.

Paradoxically, forty-five after Alice's death - her strong familial bonds were again used to further enflame witchcraft hysteria. This time, the influential Puritan minister and prolific author Cotton Mather, used his knowledge of Alice's tragic story as the secret impetus behind the writing of his dangerous and destructive commentary in support of the Salem witch trials of 1692. Alice's strong family ties - as much as the painful memories of the tragedies which resulted in the accusation of witchcraft being leveled against her - served only as a cautionary tale for the righteous to always remain vigilant in their neverending battle against the minions of evil.

In my opinion, Alice Young was such an extraordinary young woman and her story was remarkably  poignant. Actually, while I knew all about the Salem witch trials in 1692, I had never actually heard of any previous trials before that time. To be perfectly honest, I didn't really realize that there were any other outbreaks of witchcraft hysteria before 1692, although I knew that the hysteria spread elsewhere around New England after that time.

Actually, I enjoyed this story very much. In my opinion, the time period was well-researched and the characters and story were sympathetically written. I was drawn into Ms. Caruso's writing from the first few pages and would certainly give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Michelle Madow - The Prophecy of Shadows

16. The Prophecy of Shadows by Michelle Madow (2016)

The Elementals Series Book 1

Length: 309 pages 

Genre: Fantasy

Started: 4 September 2016

Finished: 23 September 2016

Where did it come from? Many thanks to Michelle Madow for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 24 June 2016
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and Michelle Madow is a new author for me.

When Nicole Cassidy and her family first moved to the small town of Kinsley, Massachusetts from sunny Georgia, she initially thought that the most unusual thing that she would have to deal with would probably be the sudden change in the weather. Well that, and the close proximity of Kinsley to the town of Salem. Of course, all that superstitious nonsense about witches and witchcraft just isn't real - no matter what the townspeople may believe. However, right from the first day at her new school, Nicole is in for a terrible shock - and is soon swept up into a secret world that she never knew existed.

Nicole believes that she is nothing more than a typical teenager. She has absolutely no special powers whatsoever - she's just an ordinary, average girl who has recently moved to Kinsley with her mom, dad and younger sister, Becca. However, according to her new teacher - who insists that she call him Darius - Kinsley is a town of many secrets...full of magic and extremely dangerous mythical monsters. As a matter of fact, Darius' own home room is a clever cover for a secret coven of witches.

Apparently, in the town of Kinsley, witches are absolutely real. They are actually superior beings who use their powers to shield themselves from ordinary humans and to protect humanity from danger. What Nicole doesn't realize about herself is that she actually does have some pretty extraordinary powers - powers given to her directly from the Greek gods themselves. Although she is doing her best to adjust to her newfound heritage, Nicole has no idea of how much that heritage will soon be tested.

During an evening magical practice session - cunningly disguised as a teacher-guided astronomy study session at Darius' house - the Olympian Comet shoots across the night sky. Darius' students are the only witnesses to a cosmic event that has been foretold through the words of an ancient prophecy. While the majority of the students under Darius' tutelage don't necessarily experience anything out of the ordinary, for Nicole and four other students: Chris, Kate, Blake and Danielle - their powers become subtly enhanced to include mastery over the five elements - Air, Earth, Fire, Water, and Aether.

While the five new friends struggle to control their newly-awakened powers, they can't even begin to realize that the words of the prophecy are being fulfilled in other ways as well. With the arrival of the comet, the walls of a multitude of different dimensions have been stretched to their very limits. In fact, the portal to a dimension that has kept the mythological creatures known as the Titans imprisoned for centuries, has been severely weakened. After an ancient monster escapes and attacks Nicole and Blake; it falls to them and the others within their circle to decipher the ancient prophecy and to follow the cryptic clues that are revealed in order to save their town...and possibly the entire world.

I must say that I have always enjoyed reading stories based on Greek mythology. Actually, The Prophecy of Shadows by Michelle Madow was just the sort of story that I frequently enjoy reading. I found that this story was intriguing, exciting and well-developed. It captured my attention right away, and I avidly wanted to know what would happen next to the characters. I look forward to reading more in this series in the very near future, and I would certainly give this book a definite A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Stacy Juba - Twenty-Five Years Ago Today

8. Twenty-Five Years Ago Today by Stacy Juba (2009)

The Young Ladies of Mystery Series Book 1

Length: 262 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Mystery 

Started: 1 May 2016

Finished: 8 May 2016

Where did it come from? From Amazon 

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 25 December 2012

Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and have read and enjoyed 25 Years in the Rearview Mirror: 52 Authors Look Back by the same author in the past.

Kristine Langley is obsessed with murder. This obsession stems from a tragic and traumatic event that occurred when she was twelve-years-old. Kris has always blamed herself for her twelve-year-old cousin's disappearance and brutal murder.

For the past two decades, she has kept a guilty secret to herself: she was actually the last person to see Nicole alive; and a childish argument was the reason why Kris had left her cousin to walk home alone. She has allowed the guilt of her actions that day pervade every aspect of her life. Her family may never realize the full extent of Kris' guilt, but she is determined to find some way to make amends for her mistake.

Kris has since become an editorial assistant and obituary writer for a Massachusetts newspaper. She enjoys her job - for the most part - and the schedule works very well for her. While compiling items from the microfilm to run in the "Twenty-Five Years Ago Today" town history column, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder. She grows increasingly fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods.

Determined to solve the case and thus atone for Nicole's death, Kris immerses herself in the decades-old mystery of what happened to twenty-one-year-old Diana Ferguson. As Kris investigates the case further, Diana becomes more to her than just a murdered cocktail waitress; she was also an extraordinarily talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings based on Greek mythology. The more that she learns about Diana, Kris begins to feel a deep connection to her.

Yet there is also a certain amount of backlash to her sudden interest in such a cold case. Not only does Kris face resistance from her own family as well as her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana's hostile and highly suspicious nephew, Eric Soares - who is beyond certain that Kris only seeks to exploit his family for the sake of getting a story. However, as time passes, she and Eric can no longer deny the chemistry flaring between them.

Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday's headline can easily turn into today's obituary notice. Because discovering what actually happened to Diana Ferguson on that long-ago night could be dangerous. Finding out the truth about what happened that night twenty-five years ago may just shatter Kris' present; costing her everything that she has come to cherish: her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.

I have had this book on my TBR pile for quite some time. I actually don't know why I have waited so long to read it. This is the second book that I have had the pleasure of reading by Ms. Juba, and must say that I absolutely loved the story and characters. I really found myself connecting with Kris and many of the other characters. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading intriguing character-driven mysteries with fast-paced plots. I give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Scott Bury - Torn Roots

7. Torn Roots by Scott Bury (2015)

Kindle Worlds Novella: The Lei Crime Series Book 3

Length: 131 pages 

Genre: Short Story 

Started: 18 April 2016

Finished: 25 April 2016

Where did it come from? Many thanks to Scott Bury for sending me a copy of this book to read.

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 1 August 2015

Why do I have it? I like short stories and Scott Bury is a new author for me.

After successfully closing a case involving murderous poachers targeting Maui's national park, Detective Pono Kaihale gladly accepts the temporary position of Acting Lieutenant in Hana on the island's rain-forest coast. He is looking forward to spending the next six months working on a much easier caseload and just enjoying the beautiful scenery. After all, as quiet as Hana seems to be, Pono is fairly certain that he will only be called upon to redirect lost hikers or to moderate the occasional lovers' spat: nothing too strenuous at all. The rest of his time there, Pono intends to spend enjoying the natural beauty of the southeast shore.

Yet by his second week on the job, Pono finds that the trouble that comes to Hana just takes on a different form. Hawaii is known for its volcanoes and pristinely beautiful sandy beaches. But Pono Kaihale realizes that in Hawaii, beauty and danger reign side by side. Apparently, it doesn't matter how beautiful the scenery is, the crimes remain the same.

As environmentalists, property developers, protesters, arsonists, kidnappers and a rogue Homeland Security agent converge on his new post, Pono feels like he's sitting directly in the path of a hurricane. And when a rookie FBI agent is assigned to the case, Pono realizes that the stakes have just been raised. Hana is not turning out to be the quietest post in his career; lives will be lost if Pono doesn't solve this mystery soon.

I really enjoyed reading this book - Mr. Bury delivers an action-packed plot and a well-developed yet fast-paced story for its short length. I certainly appreciated the flashes of humor that were present throughout the story. I would definitely give this book an A+! and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Eden Baylee - Seal of a Monk

4. Seal of a Monk by Eden Baylee (2015)

Kindle Worlds Novella: The Lei Crime Series Book 2

Length: 92 pages 

Genre: Short Story 

Started: 27 February 2016

Finished: 29 February 2016

Where did it come from? Many thanks to Eden Baylee for sending me a copy of this book to read from Amazon.

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 28 July 2015

Why do I have it? I like short stories and have read and enjoyed A Snake in Paradise by this author in the past.

Madelaine Lee - a divorced bank fraud management consultant - has spent the past year and several months dreaming about returning to Hawaii. Despite the terror she experienced during her last trip there, Lainey cannot deny that the beauty of the island paradise still calls to her. She imagines that the ancient jungles of Kauai could provide the perfect setting for self-discovery.

To celebrate her upcoming fiftieth birthday, Lainey decides to treat herself by booking another trip to Hawaii. This time she is returning in the capacity of mentor and guide for a silent meditation course on the Coconut Coast. Twenty-five women - including her best friend's troubled eighteen-year-old daughter, Kristin - will be under her care for the next ten days in a beautiful and remote location.

Lainey expects to find inner peace - for herself, as well as for the students under her tutelage. For the next few days, the ladies are introduced to the basics of meditation and set on the correct path toward enlightenment. However, four days into the course, one of the meditation students - Kristin - disappears without a trace...

As Lainey frantically tries to discover what happened to the girl, her mind is filled with numerous questions. Did Kristin leave of her own volition, or was she lured away somehow? Lainey is desperate for answers to these questions - especially when she learns of the existence of a secretive community calling itself 'TruthWay'. Ostensibly, 'TruthWay' seems to be hosting a course fairly  similar to Lainey's - open to anyone who might be seeking spiritual enlightenment - yet, she can't help but be slightly suspicious of the community's cult-like behavior.

As her desperation grows, she finds help from an unexpected source - a retired Navy SEAL named Maximillian Scott. Now, Lainey has two mysteries to solve: what actually happened to the missing teenager and can she possibly overcome her fear of what happened to her in the past. Can Lainey ever trust a man again?

This is actually the second novella that I've read by Ms. Baylee and I must say that I absolutely loved it. I loved the plot of the story, and appreciated that even though the novella was written within the same world as Toby Neal's Lei Crime Series, it was an entirely new and different story. I enjoyed reading another mystery featuring such a strong character as Lainey Lee - I could really appreciate how much she had grown since I read A Snake in Paradise in May of 2015. I give this novella an A+!

In fact, this is the second of six recently released Kindle World Novellas set within the Lei Crime Series that I've had the pleasure of reading. I still have three more novellas from the July of 2015 batch of releases set on my TBR pile and ready to read. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

John Calicchia - Mirror World

3. Mirror World by John Calicchia (2015)

The Mirror World Series Book 1
Length: 384 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Started: 22 January 2016
Finished: 4 February 2016
Where did it come from? Many thanks to John Calicchia and Dorothy 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 29 December 2015
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and John Calicchia is a new author for me.

From the time she was little, Cailyssa Larkin has disliked mirrors. She doesn't understand why she feels that way, but the feeling has always been there. Whenever she does look into a mirror, Cailyssa has a sneaking suspicion that her reflection isn't what she should see. Instead, she has an ominous feeling that someone or something else is watching her. She can't see anything out of the ordinary, but it still makes her feel incredibly uneasy.

Stranger still, she has visions of the future. From the time she became an adolescent, these visions have had the potential to come true. Cailyssa's visions are never usually about herself - except for having occasional flashes of insight about the minor things happening in her life - her visions have primarily  been about other people. Whether they are friends, relatives or classmates, her visions come true with a remarkable and alarming regularity.

One evening, while visiting her Uncle Spencer at his house, Cailyssa gazes into a mirror and sees a disturbingly dark vision of the future. This vision is one that Cailyssa refuses to accept - a vision that only she has the potential to change. So, with the future of her own world hanging in the balance, Cailyssa bravely enters this portal into another realm - the Mirror World. 

In this realm, the Dark Lord Speculus controls all the mirrors as well as the reflections within them. He bends every reflection so that all creatures can see only evil within themselves. So, with the help of her uncle, her sister Terry, her mysterious best friend Daemon, and a variety of weird and wonderful creatures, Cailyssa embarks on an epic quest to overcome the evil forces intent on destroying her world. She can only defeat the Dark Lord by finding her true self and discovering the family secret that has led her to Mirror World.

I must say that I absolutely loved this book. I have always loved reading books about fantastic realms and epic quests, and featuring battles against good and evil. I so enjoyed reading such an action-packed plot, there was never a dull moment in it. I'm looking forward to seeing how this story will develop in subsequent books. I give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Christine Nolfi - The Shell Seeker

1. The Shell Seeker by Christine Nolfi (2015)
Kindle Worlds Novella: The Lei Crime Series Book 2/Lei's Magic Series Book 2
Length: 105 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started: 30 December 2015
Finished: 4 January 2016
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Christine Nolfi for sending me a copy of this book to read from Amazon.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 30 June 2015
Why do I have it? I like short stories and have read and enjoyed several books by the same author in the past.

Leilani Texeira - a recent police academy graduate - is exactly two weeks away from accepting her newest assignment with the South Hilo Police Department in Hawaii. However, before Lei embarks on her future career, she reluctantly accepts a gift from her aunt Rosario: a five-day vacation at a relaxing Bed and Breakfast in South Carolina. While Lei truly appreciates her aunt's kindness, she isn't at all sure if she'll enjoy herself, because she is just so anxious about starting her new job. Lei still embarks on her vacation - but with absolutely no idea of how magical the trip will actually turn out to be for her.

Anyway, Lei arrives at the beachside Bed and Breakfast, and discovers immediately just how charming it is. Everywhere she looks, Lei sees signs of the laid-back, easygoing Southern lifestyle: the place is definitely a tourist's definition of absolute paradise. The hostess of the Bed and Breakfast is an honest-to-goodness Southern belle named Pixie, for heaven's sake! Ms. Pixie Delacorte is first and foremost, the quintessential genteelly-bred Southern hostess: offering up copious pitchers of sweet tea along with her Southern hospitality and gossip - oh, and she claims to have psychic powers as well!

However, there is so much more than magic in the air of South Carolina. Leilani Texeira - rookie police officer - will soon be drawn into her first case: the case of the Pirate Necklace. According to Pixie - the fount of all knowledge when it comes to the history of South Carolina - the legend of the Pirate Necklace can be traced all the way back to the eighteenth century. Apparently, the famed emeralds had once belonged to Edward Teach - the infamous pirate also known as 'Blackbeard'.

In the 1700s, the emeralds were spirited away from Blackbeard's ship sometime during the middle of the night by a resourceful young thief named Nathaniel. Since that time, the illustrious Pirate Necklace has belonged to an elite family in South Carolina's social scene - the Belvedere Family. Unfortunately, the necklace has been snatched once again. This time, the emeralds were stolen from the statuesque matriarch of the Belvedere family: Marie-Therese, a woman whose petty cruelty is only exceeded by her overwhelming arrogance.

Although Lei doesn't really care for the prim and proper socialite's icy demeanor, she feels an instant connection to Marie-Therese's stepdaughter: a highly-proficient, if struggling artist. It seems as if an supremely unlucky star has followed Sydney Belvedere for the majority of her life, and Lei finds that she can relate. If history continues to repeat itself, Sydney may always be star-crossed: because if the necklace isn't found soon, she stands to lose a treasure much dearer than the most precious gem. And it's only the magic of Lei’s intuition that stands between Sydney and her unspeakable loss.

So, back in April of 2015, I read Ms. Nolfi's first book in her Lei's Magic Series: The Shell Keeper. This second book in the series picks up relatively close to the end of the first book. I just want to say that in my opinion, The Shell Seeker was definitely worth the wait to read.

The characters and plot are all so well-developed; I found myself really caring for the characters and hoping that they would come through their various issues relatively unscathed. I definitely appreciated that the story itself was so well-developed for its length. I would give this novella an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Kimber Leigh Wheaton - Tortured Souls

39. Tortured Souls by Kimber Leigh Wheaton (2014)
The Orion Circle Series Book 1
Length: 349 pages
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Started: 7 December 2015
Finished: 16 December 2015
Where did it come from? I originally downloaded a copy of this book for free from Amazon; although, many thanks to Kimber Leigh Wheaton as well for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 15 December 2014 from Amazon; Since 18 November 2015 from Kimber Leigh.
Why do I have it? I like paranormal mysteries and Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a new author for me.

Fifteen-year-old Kassandra 'Kacie' Ramsey has always been able to see ghosts - ever since she was a little girl. Some people might call her ability a gift; but Kacie would definitely say it is a curse. In fact, she has done her absolute best throughout her life to completely ignore her power, since all her so-called 'gift' has brought her is heartache and pain. As a matter of fact, Kacie would go so far as to say that her gift is ruining her life.

Kacie's mother left the family after walking in on Kacie talking with a spirit, and her father and brother still blame her for it. They may not have said anything about the incident specifically, but Kacie has sensed the subtle changes in their attitudes toward her all the same. Since her mother walked away from them, Kacie has done all she can to keep the spirits away. Yet as much as she has tried to ignore them, the ghosts have continued to be remarkably persistent in their attempts to communicate.

And it seems like things are getting steadily worse for Kacie, if that's even possible. A startling new power is beginning to emerge - a terrifying and gruesome new talent that Kacie sincerely wishes would go away. Nightly visions of a crazed psychopath's viciousness - scenes of ritualistic and murderous brutality - have recently begun to plague Kacie's dreams. And now, some malevolent presence is relentlessly pursuing her and driving her to the brink of insanity.

When the phantom manifests itself at a party, Kacie's longtime secret crush - Logan - saves her. When he invites her to join 'The Orion Circle', Kacie is genuinely flattered - yet undeniably mortified - by the exclusive society's sudden interest in her. 'The Orion Circle' is a group of supernatural hunters and investigators with chapters in schools all over the country. So, with the help of the Circle, Kacie soon learns to embrace her supernatural abilities; and for the first time in her life Kacie feels more in control of her powers rather than simply being a victim of them.

Yet the being known as the Foxblood Demon will not give up so easily. In life, he was a demented serial killer who targeted children. During that lifetime, he kidnapped and murdered thirteen children - imprisoning their innocent souls within the walls of his mansion. Now in death, he searches for a way to return to the mortal realm and continue his demonic mission.

Drawing his power from the pure souls of the children that he trapped inside his house so long ago, he travels into the realm of dreams to find the perfect vessel. He recognizes something in Kacie that he has never seen before - a medium powerful enough to provide a vessel for his tainted soul. Kacie can't ignore the tortured souls of the children crying out to her every night. With Logan by her side, Kacie must fight the Foxblood Demon. Yet can they banish such a powerful phantom, or will Kacie lose not only her body, but also her eternal soul to the monster.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. In my opinion, this was a captivating story with an intriguing and fast-paced plot. I found these characters to be well-developed and extremely likable. This was such a great start to the series; I can't wait to read the next book. I give Tortured Souls by Kimber Leigh Wheaton a definite A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

J. J. DiBenedetto - Dream Student

36. Dream Student by J. J. DiBenedetto (2013)

The Dream Series Book 1

Length: 285 pages 

Genre: Paranormal Mystery

Started: 2 November 2015

Finished: 11 November 2015

Where did it come from? From Amazon 

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 23 August 2014

Why do I have it? I like paranormal mysteries and J. J. DiBenedetto is a new author for me.

Sara Barnes is just a normal college junior; suffering from all the typical stressors that studying pre-med classes will cause. Honestly, she believes that the most that she has to worry about are final exams, 'Secret Santa' Christmas shopping and deciding whether she likes the cute freshman who lives in the next dorm who's apparently got a serious crush on her. She never would have thought she'd have to contend with a recently acquired psychic ability as well.

The ability to see other people's dreams is incredibly embarrassing, disturbing and peculiar to Sara's way of thinking. Watching someone else's private, personal fantasies and uncovering their deepest darkest secrets, leaves her feeling extremely uncomfortable...especially when she can't seem to control this extraordinary ability. Her sixteen-year-old brother might believe whole-heartedly in the paranormal, but Sara is far more skeptical - more scientific and logical in her reasoning.

The worst part of Sara's newly acquired ability is that nobody else realizes that she can see into their dreams. This may be fine for 'nobody else', but Sara is nevertheless mortified by her nightly revelations. She's learning more than she ever wanted to know about her friends and fellow classmates...almost too much. Her abilities are getting stronger too; and way more dangerous: she's beginning to see into someone else's dreams - a terrifying stranger whose dreams could possibly get Sara killed.

In my opinion, I consider myself to be a pretty healthy skeptic when it comes to people having psychic abilities - not entirely disbelieving, but also not completely accepting of such claims. It just seems to me that so many people who claim to have psychic powers, tend to use such gifts for their own purposes. On the other hand, I would say that it must be incredibly difficult to have such powers; especially if the psychic feels the necessity to tell someone about their visions or dreams. There is always the possibility that they will not be believed, or even ridiculed for having such powers.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was a well-developed story and an intriguing plot. Sara is such a savvy, strong character and I could totally sympathize with her situation. I would give this book an A+! and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Mike Hartner - I, Mary

35. I, Mary by Mike Hartner (2015)
The Eternity Series Book 3
Length: 255 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Started: 16 October 2015
Finished: 29 October 2015
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy 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 10 September 2015
Why do I have it? I like historical fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

Mary Crofter has spent the majority of her life on the water. Since the age of two, she has felt the call of the sea, and has always had an affinity with the ocean that most people could never understand. Her first trip aboard a ship was when her parents, James and Rosalind Crofter, sailed from her birthplace of Kilwa in Tanzania to Portsmouth, England. This was shortly after Mary's first birthday in 1635.

At the age of twelve, Mary is finally allowed to realize her greatest dream in life - she becomes an honorary crew member on one of her father's trading ships. Mary is absolutely delighted to be given such a chance, but she still has her doubts. While she has been on several trips from Portsmouth to London and other ports as well, Mary knows that she still has a very long way to go before she is accepted entirely.

Despite having such an affinity with the water; and sailing with her parents, will Mary be able to survive on the water? Will people ever take her seriously as a sailor? Is a girl truly competent enough to sail with a crew of men? Mary only knows that she will never know the answers to these questions for certain unless she takes the plunge.

And yet, once she does, will Mary ever tire of the sailor's life? Will there ever come a time in her life when she will want to come off the ocean and eventually settle down? And if she does settle down, will the lure of the ocean ever prove strong enough to draw her back?

I must say that as with the previous two books in the series, I absolutely loved I, Mary by Mike Hartner. In my opinion, the plot  was well-developed and fast-paced; and I was drawn into the story right from the beginning. The characters were extremely likable, and I connected with them all rather quickly.

I'm not sure if there will be a sequel to this book, but I certainly hope so. I'm invested in each of these characters and the time period, and avidly want to know where the story will go from here. I give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Christine Amsden - Madison's Song

34. Madison's Song by Christine Amsden (2015)

Length: 271 pages 

Genre: Paranormal Romance 

Started: 28 September 2015

Finished: 27 October 2015

Where did it come from? Many thanks to Christine Amsden for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 11 July 2015
Why do I have it? I like paranormal romance and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

Being raised in a family that views magic as inherently evil - in a town where magic rules supreme - Madison Carter once believed that learning that she was adopted was the only knowledge that could truly shock her. As a child, her father had always told her that her musical talent wasn't a magically-gifted affinity, but a devilish curse that she must never use. Her friendship with Cassie Scot may have given Madison the needed strength to defy her adoptive father and become an elementary school music teacher; but nothing could have possibly prepared  her for learning the true identity of her birth father, or for being kidnapped by an evil sorcerer.

Madison has been terrified of Scott Lee ever since the night that he saved her life - then melted into a man-eating monster right in front of her. She actually hasn't had a good night's sleep since her rescue, and the nightmares that plague her aren't only about her kidnapping. The werewolf may be ruled by the moon, but Madison's nightmares definitely are not.

Despite her own fears, when Madison's brother Clinton is bitten by a werewolf, she knows that there is only one man who can possibly help him. He is the one man who frightens Madison to the very marrow of her bones, all the more so because even in her nightmares, he thrills her. Now Madison must swallow her fear, and turn to Scott Lee for his help. Clinton's very life may depend on it.

Together for the first time since that terrible night, Scott and Madison drive to Clinton's apartment. Learning from Clinton's roommate that he hasn't been there for close to a week - and hasn't been seen anywhere else in the community - Madison begins to worry that her brother has completely vanished. Frantic now, she must overcome her fears and discover her inner strengths if she has any hope of finding her missing brother and saving him.

Madison may feel utterly alone as she struggles with her internal demons, but she is not the only one who is fighting them. Scott's inner demons are entirely too real for him; too literal. And they have him utterly convinced that he will never be worthy of the woman he loves - that he will never deserve her love, no matter what he does.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. This is a standalone companion to the Cassie Scot Series - and while I loved the character of Cassie Scot - I often found myself wanting to know more about the character of Madison Carter. In my opinion, Madison was such a poignant character to watch throughout this story.

She was so painfully shy and had such a low self esteem at first, that I felt sorry for her situation. I must say that I never felt sorry for Madison as a character, and was delighted to see her development throughout the story. I give this book a definite A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Emily Kimelman - A Keiki Mystery: Warrior Dog

29. A Keiki Mystery: Warrior Dog by Emily Kimelman (2015)

Kindle Worlds Novella: Lei Crime Series Book 4/The Keiki Mystery Series Book 1
Length: 60 pages

Genre: Short Story

Started/Finished: 4 August 2015

Where did it come from? Many thanks to Emily Kimelman's assistant Jen for sending me a copy of this book to read.

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 27 July 2015

Why do I have it? I like short stories and Emily Kimelman is a new author for me.

Deep inside of all animals there dwells an innate fear of fire; and for the Rottweiller Keiki - Detective Leilani Texiera's most loyal friend and fiercest ally - the fear of fire is no less insidious or terrifying. As a decendant of the Drover Dogs of Rome, Keiki definitely understands the enormous legacy that she must honor. In ancient Roman times, these Rottweiller ancestors followed men into war, helped herd animals, and protected the flock from predators. All these tasks required a certain bravery and great skill to accomplish; yet it was also a noble responsibility for such creatures to undertake.

In more modern times, Keiki's role remains much the same. She must protect Lei and her family from any and all predators. They are members of her pack and rely on Keiki's indomitable strength and wily intelligence for their protection. This is a responsibility that Keiki takes enormous pride in and treats very seriously.

Yet, when the enemy that you must face is also one that fills you with the most shameful fear, what is a mighty protector to do? How will Keiki save her family from such a raging, uncontrollable beast? For the sake of her pack, Keiki must rely on her own protective instincts, and the assistance of some new friends in order to do what needs to be done. Because when you're only one dog - the protector of the pack - and facing off against a particularly devious enemy, your number one priority in this mission becomes crystal clear: protect the family.

I must say that while I do have at least five books by Emily Kimelman sitting on my virtual TBR pile, this was the first book by this author that I've actually had the pleasure of reading. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; it was extremely fast-paced and very well-developed for its length, and I absolutely loved both Keiki's and Blue's character development. I give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Joyce DiPastena - The Lady and the Minstrel

26. The Lady and the Minstrel by Joyce DiPastena (2015)
Length: 613 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Started: 3 June 2015
Finished: 27 June 2015
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Kathy at Ebooks For Review for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 8 April 2015
Why do I have it? I like historical romance and Joyce DiPastena is a new author for me.

During the reign of King John - in thirteenth-century England - Robert Marcel chafes under the law that holds him bound as a villein on his lord's manor; serving at the whim of his master and denied any chance at freedom. He attempts a daring escape, determined to leave everything behind - his family, his security, the only life that he's ever known - to seize the only viable chance he can see to determine his own fate. He is very nearly caught by his cruel master, but a young girl's quick thinking actions allow him to slip away.

Several years pass and Robert takes up trade as a minstrel; traveling around England and earning a living through plying his musical talent. Invited to play at the betrothal banquet of the notorious Earl of Saxton, Robert is stunned to come face to face with the one girl he's never forgotten - the girl whose single act of kindness towards him quite literally saved his life. She is now the Lady Marguerite of Winbourne, and she is betrothed to the earl. Robert is determined to find some way to show his gratitude to Lady Marguerite for the assistance she gave him so long ago, but her status as a noblewoman puts her completely beyond Robert's reach - yet he is completely smitten by her shy smile.

Lady Marguerite has often thought of the young man she helped escape. Over the intervening years since she crossed paths with the runaway serf, Marguerite has fondly remembered their brief encounter. She had always hoped that the small service she provided to the desperate young man might have helped him in some way, but was unsure if what she had done was actually successful. Marguerite has absolutely no idea if Robert remembers her, although she has never forgotten him.

Marguerite's tender feelings for Robert quickly turn into so much more when they are finally brought back into each other's lives. Despite the difference in their stations, Robert vows to himself that he will win Marguerite's hand, come what may - he knows they are meant to be together. Marguerite herself, longs to be free to marry Robert - her one true love - but that will require her to sacrifice all she holds dear.

Robert and Marguerite share a forbidden love and a past they just can't leave behind. They are tested at every turn by those who would do everything in their power to drive them apart - people whose every intention is to destroy what Robert and Marguerite have found together. Yet, can their love survive and truly conquer all?

I have always enjoyed reading historical romances - particularly those set in the Middle Ages. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. At 613 pages, The Lady and the Minstrel by Joyce DiPastena is certainly long and very richly detailed - but by no means is the story dull or in any way over-written. The story itself was very well-written and strongly grounded in the medieval time period. I was quickly immersed in the plot and found myself wondering what would happen next.

This is the first book by Ms. DiPastena that I've ever read, but it certainly will not be my last. I have placed this author's name at the top at my Wish List, and give this book a definite A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Eden Baylee - A Snake in Paradise

23. A Snake in Paradise by Eden Baylee (2015)
Kindle Worlds Novella: The Lei Crime Series Book 8
Length: 67 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started: 25 May 2015
Finished: 30 May 2015
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Eden Baylee for sending me a copy of this book to read from Amazon.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 12 April 2015
Why do I have it? I like short stories and Eden Baylee is a new author for me.

Madelaine Lee is a forty-something recently divorced woman, who is finally spreading her wings after spending way too many years trapped in a loveless marriage. For her fresh start in life, Madelaine is determined to make some changes about herself that will make her feel like an entirely new person. She changes her name to Lainey, and does something that she is absolutely sure her old self would never even have contemplated: she gets an intriguing, artistic and intricately done tattoo on her back and books a dream vacation to Hawaii.

Yes, Lainey has always dreamed of going to Hawaii. As a matter of fact, she and her new husband Elliot were supposed to go there on their honeymoon trip, only it never happened. Now, in what Lainey sees as a poetic twist of fate, she is finally making the trip by herself - twenty-seven years later - as a gift to herself following a messy divorce.

Once she arrives on the Big Island, Lainey finds herself in absolute heaven - a true paradise of white sand beaches and brilliantly blue skies. She is having a truly amazing time, and even finds time for a little flirting and romance. After spending such a long time in a loveless marriage, Lainey is certainly eager to shed her fears and take a chance with Julian - a dashing and mysterious stranger ten years her junior. After all, it seems to Lainey that they shared an instant connection.

However, Lainey will soon find that romantic strolls along white sand beaches and leisurely swims in vibrant turquoise lagoons is not all Hawaii has to offer. Her budding relationship with Julian might prove to be a tempting distraction; a precious but fleeting chance at true love; or a date with the most charming snake in paradise. Will Lainey's Hawaiian vacation ultimately turn out to be a dream come true, or a waking nightmare?

I really enjoyed reading this book; it was fast-paced and subtly dramatic, I enjoyed Ms. Baylee's writing style and her development of such strong yet sympathetic characters. I give this book an A+! and I am eagerly waiting to read more from this author in the future.

This is actually the first book by Eden Baylee that I've read; although at 67 pages long, it really should be classified as more of a novella. In fact, this is the fourth of eight recently released Kindle World Novellas set within the Lei Crime Series that I've had the pleasure of reading. I still have Hidden Poppies by M. L. Doyle set on my TBR pile and ready to read.

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Corinne O'Flynn - Half Moon Girls

20. Half Moon Girls by Corinne O'Flynn (2015)

Kindle Worlds Novella: The Lei Crime Series Book 6

Length: 75 pages 

Genre: Short Story 

Started: 6 May 2015

Finished: 9 May 2015

Where did it come from? From Amazon

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 12 April 2015
Why do I have it? I like short stories and Corinne O'Flynn is a new author for me.

In her time with the South Hilo Police Department in Hawaii, Detective Leilani Texeira has seen any and all manner of evil crimes perpetrated against the innocent. Despite Hawaii having a justified reputation with the tourists for being an idyllic island paradise, Lei often finds herself astounded that even paradise can hide such a dark side. As a matter of fact, Lei's present case is turning out to be just that sort of inexplicable crime.

Lei is called in to investigate a murder on Kaua'i. The body of a young woman - wrapped tightly in a net, and with an unusual tattoo on her ankle - has been discovered washed ashore on the beach. As soon as Lei sees the victim's body for herself, she is immediately struck by one thing: the dead young woman looks eerily similar to herself. Also, upon further inspection, Lei notices that what she originally thought was a tattoo, seems to be more of a burn.

As she battles the traumatic memories that surface within her at seeing the victim's likeness, a friend calls; worried that her daughter hasn't come home yet. Lei soon discovers that the dead girl and the missing girl were friends and that they were last seen together at a party the previous day. Will Lei ultimately conquer her personal demons and capture a ruthless killer in time to rescue the captive?

I must say that I really enjoyed reading this book. In my opinion, this was a well-developed, dramatic plot that held my attention throughout the story. This is the first book that I have had the pleasure of reading by Corinne O'Flynn, but it will most definitely not be the last. I give this book an A+! and I am certainly going to put some more of Corinne O'Flynn's work on my Wish List.

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Julie C. Gilbert - Never Again

18. Never Again by Julie C. Gilbert (2015)
Kindle Worlds Novella: The Lei Crime Series Book 1/Defining Moments Series Book 1
Length: 83 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started: 18 April 2015
Finished: 21 April 2015
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Julie C. Gilbert for sending me a copy of this book to read from Amazon.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 12 April 2015
Why do I have it? I like short stories and Julie C. Gilbert is a new author for me.

College junior Alana Adams would never have believed that one breakup could cause such problems; yet for her ex-boyfriend Nathan their breakup was just the beginning. It all begins when Alana catches him passionately kissing another woman after she comes home from her class. After she unleashes an angry and emotional tirade against Nate and his bleach bottle blonde bimbo, Alana promptly dumps Nathan and turns to her best friend, Michael, for advice and emotional support.

Nathan is initially shell-shocked and utterly dumbfounded by what he sees as Alana's obvious overreaction to the situation. At first, he apologizes and showers Alana with gifts in an effort to win her back. Then, as time passes, Nate convinces himself that although Alana may have had a legitimate reason for her initial treatment of him, her continued avoidance of him is becoming entirely unacceptable. Nate tries his best to get her to see reason - he tries to convince Alana that they truly belong together; that they are ultimately meant to be - yet she still insists on being stubborn.

When all his subsequent efforts to win her back fail - and as Alana's rejection further sinks in - Nate concludes that the only real obstacle to their relationship seems to be Michael. Apparently, if they are to have any hope of a lasting relationship and a bright future together as a couple, Alana needed to forget about her best friend. Eventually, Nathan comes to the sobering realization that there is only one viable solution to their problem: kill Michael Stevens.

This is the first book by Julie C. Gilbert that I've ever read. In my opinion, this was a really thought-provoking, totally believable story. The plot was realistic and well-developed, filled with a poignancy that touched me. While the scenario described in the story has never actually happened to me - and I hope that it never does - this story still resonated with me.

The characters were well-developed and reacted plausibly within the story; and I truly felt that I could relate to them. Overall, I really enjoyed reading Never Again, and look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often