Very short story introducing Kismet and the fact that she's a Therapist to vampires. I liked it very much, but I'd describe it more as a slice-of-life...moreVery short story introducing Kismet and the fact that she's a Therapist to vampires. I liked it very much, but I'd describe it more as a slice-of-life glimpse than an actual story with a plot arc. Good premise, interesting characters, I'll see if I can dig up any more related (full-length books) soon!(less)
This is a fabulous sampler of some of the most creative, talented indie authors on the market right now. Each story was inventive and wholly captivati...moreThis is a fabulous sampler of some of the most creative, talented indie authors on the market right now. Each story was inventive and wholly captivating. And I loved the way multiple genres were represented in the collection-- having a little bit of something for everybody.
On a side note, the way each author approached the theme with such different techniques really jump-started my own creativity, so I'd highly recommend reading short stories in this format in order to get your own creative juices flowing :-)(less)
This was a steamy little novella that wasted no time getting to the goods, so to speak. Underlying all that was a decent plot and great characters tha...moreThis was a steamy little novella that wasted no time getting to the goods, so to speak. Underlying all that was a decent plot and great characters that were fleshed out as much as they could be in the shorter novella format. Several inventive scenes skirted the lines of taboo, making the novella more memorable in my opinion.
Interesting enough that I'll certainly go on to look for the next novella in the series. (less)
A quick paranormal read... great characters, interesting setting and details. I was a little irritated by the way the main character Elle, went along...moreA quick paranormal read... great characters, interesting setting and details. I was a little irritated by the way the main character Elle, went along with being man-handled by her so called friend... It felt a little too out of character and flimsy. But overall, I was ecstatic to see one of the main tenants of paranormal mythology so morphed into something quite new and original.
Nice way to spend a relaxing spring day outside reading!(less)
I read the first novel by Stallings (Beautiful, Naked & Dead) and loved that one, so I don't know why I was surprised to find myself deeply engros...moreI read the first novel by Stallings (Beautiful, Naked & Dead) and loved that one, so I don't know why I was surprised to find myself deeply engrossed in Out There Bad as well. Maybe it's because I never love books in a series equally-- they're a bit like children in their own unique way with good points and mediocre points.
But Stallings hit another grand-slam with this one. I finished it well over a week ago and bits of it still haunt me, and my heart breaks all over again for Moses and everything that haunts him so. I don't know how Stallings does it; he turns readers inside-out, flips them around and drops us on our tails with a thud. And we beg like children, "Do it again!"
Damn fine writing.
Fast, gritty and real is this novel. Don't dawdle. Read it. (less)
I've been putting off writing a review of this book, because I just don't think any collection of words that I can come up with will do it justice. It...moreI've been putting off writing a review of this book, because I just don't think any collection of words that I can come up with will do it justice. It's good, so very good that I'd like to take it home with me at closing time.
It may be a memoir, but All the Wild Children reads more like a cross-genre novel (hints of literary, suspense, coming of age, etc.) Like Stallings' other books, the writing in this book is gut-punch powerful. The bit about the boys being home alone when (can't say...spoiler!) gave me rolling waves of goose-bumps that lasted damn near five minutes.
Despite having a sh*tty lot-of-it as a child, Stallings isn't blaming anyone, so much as just telling it like it was. And brilliantly, I might add. I don't even know if that makes sense, but hopefully once you read this memoir you'll understand.
One thing I loved is the way Stallings spins a phrase. There were several examples in this book, but the one I loved the most is the one that went something like "This will read better then it lived." Hell, I probably butchered that one too.
So I'm yelling at you now-- go read All The Wild Children. Then check out the novels by Stallings. Your gray matter will thank you. (less)
Very nicely done. The juxaposition of past and present were well-done, never jarring or hard to follow. And both time lines were brought nicely toget...more Very nicely done. The juxaposition of past and present were well-done, never jarring or hard to follow. And both time lines were brought nicely together near the end.
My heart ached for Isobel and all that befell her. I was drawn to most of the characters in a similar way. The interaction between the characters felt "true" and complex, like it should. Particularly, the interaction regarding pagan/ Christian beliefs was very well thought out by the author and added another layer of "realness" to the novel.
I'd recommend this novel to anyone who likes women's fiction, light-historical, or paranormal romances. (less)
I've read (and loved) the first book in the Breakers series, finding it extremely well-written and creative to the Nth degree. So it's no surprise tha...moreI've read (and loved) the first book in the Breakers series, finding it extremely well-written and creative to the Nth degree. So it's no surprise that I was sucked into this novella with such force that my neck feels a little stiff :-)
While the series starts out during the tail-end of the viral outbreak, this novella goes back to the beginning and shows the reader exactly how mankind fell so quickly. I adored the characters and the plot. Robertson paints a vivid picture of just how wrong things can go, and how basic liberties can been taken away in the blink of an eye, and without one's knowledge even. And it's all in the name of the Greater Good.
Worth reading. But don't stop there-- go on to read the series as well!(less)
Reminiscent of Beautiful Disaster (but with Vampires) this book captivated me almost from the get-go. I even recommended it to a friend the very next...moreReminiscent of Beautiful Disaster (but with Vampires) this book captivated me almost from the get-go. I even recommended it to a friend the very next day, as we have similar tastes in paranormal books. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, is that at times I felt the book could have stood some pruning of the "-ly" variety -- to remove some of the extraneous "softly" and "slowly" type words.
Overall though, the flourishes didn't detract from the top-notch plot, complex characters or swoon-worthy romance so definitely give this series a try!(less)
What was Great: The plot, characters, emotions, scenery and plight of the horses.
What I had a problem with: the chunks of "story teller" passages.
I u...moreWhat was Great: The plot, characters, emotions, scenery and plight of the horses.
What I had a problem with: the chunks of "story teller" passages.
I understand the need to condense larger amounts of information for the sake of book length, but I didn't care for the longer voice-over type of narratives toward the beginning of the novel. I felt like a really good editor would have pruned and condensed these areas for better readability. Had it not been for the things that were great about this novel, I wouldn't have been able to overlook the parts that irked me.
Now, with all that said, this is a book that I could see some Hollywood big-shot making into a fabulous movie. It has it all-- heartache, tragedy, a man on a mission, second-chance love, beautiful scenery, historical references, and an ending that you won't see coming. (less)
A little heavy on the religious aspects (mainly concerning the MC and her marriage), but over all a decent book showing how things work out the way th...moreA little heavy on the religious aspects (mainly concerning the MC and her marriage), but over all a decent book showing how things work out the way they are supposed to, and not how you think you want things to go...(less)
Interesting book... part mystery, part off-beat romance, with a dash of steamy goodness. I particularly like the way certain quirks of the main charac...moreInteresting book... part mystery, part off-beat romance, with a dash of steamy goodness. I particularly like the way certain quirks of the main characters were handled by the author. I'm a fan of Weir's, and this book fit in with what I'm used to reading with her. Recommend whole-heartedly!(less)
As a fan of author Suzanne Tyrpak's other novels (both which are more historical in nature) I was pleased to discover that she writes just as well no...moreAs a fan of author Suzanne Tyrpak's other novels (both which are more historical in nature) I was pleased to discover that she writes just as well no matter the time period or sub-genre of the book.
Not every author can pull of a novel with some of the things that this one contains (violence, betrayal, sadism) without it being bleak and depressing. Tyrpak's that talented- even after reaching the novels conclusion I felt light and sated the way one does after feasting on a worthy tome. (less)
Compelling plot, interesting and complex characters. Young Adult. I've read some of the author's other series and liked them better, but this novel wa...moreCompelling plot, interesting and complex characters. Young Adult. I've read some of the author's other series and liked them better, but this novel was still enjoyable and I'd recommend it!(less)
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