Melissa Petreshock's Blog
March 5, 2016
Psychocat Reads Review: BIRTH OF AN AMERICAN GIGOLO by Deek Rhew
Psychocat Reads Reviews are brought to you by Newbie Writer Jen and her Psychocat. These weekly reviews will include Jen's ratings for a book (traditional star system) as well as Psychocat’s five claw system when she cooperates. Each review will include criteria specific to the genre, as well as any other key notes. Psychocat’s ratings will include far less logic.
Authors: Interested in having your book reviewed? Contact Jen via Twitter or email.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
In a stretch where real life has been full of chaos and change, I jumped at the prospect to read and review something that promised to be more fun and less serious drama. Let's see if BIRTH OF AN AMERICAN GIGOLO managed to live up to my hopes.
The Characters: There were four characters in the book I found myself most caught up with. The central focus of the story is on Lindsey, the wife that is pretty much over everyone's shit and ready to reclaim her life. While in real life I may not agree with her choices, as a fictional character I absolutely loved them. There's Stewart, the cheating asshole, that was just too much fun to hate. Then there's Cindie, the "holier-than-thou, tree-hugging, no-tits and no-hips girlfriend," that makes you sympathize with Lindsey's reaction to the entire mess. Finally, there's Dios as the sexy and at times naive boy toy. It didn't take long for the author to evoke a reaction from me for each of the, and as the story progressed it was pretty clear my reactions were as intended.
The Relationships: Messy. If I had to describe the relationships in the book in a single word, that would be my choice. If you read the blurb, you know going in that the marriage between Lindsey and Stewart is going to be nothing short of a train wreck, and those two deliver. But the fun in the book is just starting with those two.
The Smut: I rate the smut in this one as more of a fun tease that added an edge than anything hardcore. And I don't mean that as a bad thing at all. What's there fits the tone of the book. Anything more would have detracted from what the story was meant to be.
Jen's Final Rating: 4 STARS!! BIRTH OF AN AMERICAN GIGOLO was a short, fun read. It made me laugh, cringe, and shake my head in turns, and I enjoyed the entire thing. Deek's writing is smooth and engaging. On the whole, the book doesn't seem to take itself too serious, and that was just what I was looking for.
Psychocat's Final Rating: If Stewart and Cindie thought Lindsey was hard to handle, they should start running now and pray that Psychocat doesn't get a hold of them.
Title: BIRTH OF AN AMERICAN GIGOLO
Author: Deek Rhew
Released: January 19th 2016 by Tenacious Books
An old party girl turned domestic diva, infuriated by her husband's cheating--and his holier-than-thou, tree-hugging, no-tits and no-hips girlfriend--inflicts her wrath by training a local boy in the fine art of seduction. She and her new boy toy turned love god, start a gigolo business as a distraction for the neglected and mistreated housewives of Alabaster Cove.
Find it on Goodreads and Amazon.
Find Deek on Twitter and his website.
February 29, 2016
Psychocat Reads Review: FUSION by S. Usher Evans
Psychocat Reads Reviews are brought to you by Newbie Writer Jen and her Psychocat. These weekly reviews will include Jen's ratings for a book (traditional star system) as well as Psychocat’s five claw system when she cooperates. Each review will include criteria specific to the genre, as well as any other key notes. Psychocat’s ratings will include far less logic.
Authors: Interested in having your book reviewed? Contact Jen via Twitter or email.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
The Book as Part of a Series: As I've said in the previous reviews from books from The Razia Series, they are best read in order. Don't just try to pick up FUSION and expect to seamlessly fall into the story. You'll be missing far to many pieces if you do. Have a little patience, start at the beginning, and it'll be worth the time.
The Characters: One of my favorite parts about a series like this is returning to characters I already know. FUSION didn't disappoint. Lyssa/Razia is as much herself as ever. By which I mean she spends a great deal of the book being a total mess. She has the art of self-doubt mastered, let's her mouth run away with her sometimes, comes off as a rather prickly bitch at times, but is still one of my favorite characters in a book. Whether you agree with her actions and decisions or not, you're almost guaranteed to have a reaction.
As far as secondary characters go, I believe this is part of where The Razia Series has really started to shine for me. FUSION includes Sage, Lizbeth, Vel, Dorst, and a host of other familiar names to those that have read the other books. In a couple of cases in particular, we're seeing these secondary characters go through some major steps in their own journey as we watch Lyssa's. Honestly, I'd love to see Vel get a story or two of his own (even short ones) based on where we're leaving him.
The Relationships: Relationships are complicated. Relationships in FUSION are doubly so. This is the book where Lyssa has to figure out where things stand with almost all the relationships in her life and take a good hard look at why things so often seem to blow up in her face.
Other Things to Note: I'll admit I had something of a false start with FUSION. I got it, opened it, read a bit, and had to step away for a while. Part of it was general chaos happening in my life, but part of it was Lyssa's reaction to the big revelation early on in the book. I'm not going to spoil anything, but if you pick up the book and find yourself thinking you're not so sure you want to keep going after the first couple of chapters, just give it a while longer. It'll be worth it.
Jen's Rating: 5 STARS!! Despite the false start, once I settled back in I had the book done inside a day and am as in love with these characters and their journeys as I've ever been. There were plenty of twists and turns for Lyssa, and some revelations that make her rethink a thing or two. While we may not all be splitting our time between science and piracy or have nearly the complicated family life that she does, there's still plenty to learn from her journey.
Psychocat's Final Rating: The character she loves to hate was back again, though in a much different way that the previous books. Still he stirred up his fair share of trouble, and Psychocat is still gunning for him.
Lyssa Peate has everything she thought she ever wanted. She's finally earned the respect of her fellow pirates, she's got a finger on the pulse on her scientist life, and she's got a core set of friends (and more-than-friends) that have her back. But deep down, she knows none of this goodness will last. And when she finds out a life-changing secret, she wonders if this is the end of her good life.
Piracy is a game. How do you win?
Fusion is the fourth book in S. Usher Evans' Razia series. Grab the first three books - Double Life, Alliances, and Conviction - and "get sucked" into this fun space opera series.
Find FUSION on Goodreads and Amazon.
New to The Razia Series? Check out the Psychocat Reads Reviews of Double Life, Alliances, and Conviction.
November 3, 2015
Psychocat Reads Review: FILTHY RICH
PSYCHOCAT READS REVIEW OF FILTHY RICH BY VIRNA DEPAUL
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
The Characters: In the very beginning, I had high hopes for Cara. She's one of the few women in a male dominated world , driven to succeed and willing to work hard to succeed. Unfortunately, as the book progressed I found myself a bit frustrated with her decisions and the way she handled herself. It was like she couldn't make up her mind.
Branden on the other hand, kept my interest throughout the book. He's filthy rich, but so much more than just a wealthy playboy. Everything we find out about him as things progress made me love his character just a bit more.
The Relationships: There's a ton of back and forth with the romance angle of this story. Fortunately, there are other relationships to help round things out. I think my favorite elements of the book involved Branden and his collection of sisters. Those relationships are both adorably funny and oh so sweet.
The Smut: There's plenty of sexual tension going on between Cara and Brandon. The book has heat, but I wasn't quite as enamored with the sex scenes as I have been in some other recent books. At times the word choices threw me off just enough to dampen the mood.
Too Perfect or Perfectly Flawed: Cara and Branden come up against their fair share (and more of struggles) between Cara's indecision, their positions at work, the past trying to haunt them, and other issues. FILTHY RICH managed to steer clear of being too perfect in my book.
Jen's Final Rating: 3 STARS! Overall it was an interesting story and I found it easy enough to settle in and read. I enjoyed FILTHY RICH, but it wasn't quite enough to make my favorites list. That being said, I've heard great things about the author's other works, so I'm going to check out at least one more before I call for a verdict on where Virna DePaul rests on my authors to read list.
Psychocat's Final Rating: There was more than enough trouble and drama for Psychocat. Where Jen may have been a bit disappointed with some of the smut, Psychocat was thrilled with the hints of violence.
ABOUT THE BOOK
High finance and a sizzling office affair raise desire and passion to the boiling point in Virna DePaul’s seductive new contemporary romance—perfect for fans of Carly Phillips, Lori Foster, and Molly O’Keefe.
Cara Michal has had to fight every step of the way to earn her place in the glittering seven-figure world of Wall Street. Years ago her hardworking father, a small-time investment adviser, was humiliated and wrongfully accused of fraud. Now Cara is at the top of her game, trying to support not only herself but her mother and brother. The occasional night out dancing soothes Cara’s soul, even as a bitter need for revenge against the man who destroyed her father makes inner peace elusive.
Then, in a moment of heat, Cara kisses a sexy stranger at a party—only later to discover that the man is Branden Duke, her new boss, an infamous operator with a wicked reputation in bed and on the Street. Branden is a man who seemingly has it all—except a woman who connects with him on a physical and emotional level. Now that he’s found Cara, he’s not sure he can let her go, even if he should.
In spite of herself, Cara is drawn to this charismatic guy. He is a challenge like none she has ever faced in her life. Their passion for each other is unquenchable, surprising them both with its ferocity. Even as Cara wonders if she can trust this man with her heart and soul, the ecstasy of their love cannot be denied. But when the past threatens the present, the two are faced with a truth from which they may never recover.
October 30, 2015
Psychocat Reads Review of CONVICTION
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
My how things change sometimes. When I first agreed to review DOUBLE LIFE, the first book in this series, it sat on my tablet for quite a while before I had to read it for the scheduled review. I'm not usually one to drag my feet with reading books, but I honestly wasn't convinced I was really going to like it.
Fast forward to this book - I'm curled up in bed in my hotel room looking at Facebook after a really long day when I see a semi-cryptic post on the author's page. I squeal, jump out of bed, and boot my computer back up, prepared to battle the evil hotel wifi because I'm pretty sure CONVICTION is waiting in my inbox, and I'll be damned if a little thing like sketchy wifi will stop me from getting it.
Jump ahead to the next day, and I'm on a plane somewhere between Minneapolis and Atlanta writing this review because I'm finished with the book.
So let's see if CONVICTION was worth the lack of sleep.
The Book as Part of a Series: You've got to start at the beginning with the Razia series. The books are about her journey, and you won't appreciate that if you skip ahead or skip around. This book continues to build on the character development we've seen with Razia. It also builds on the relationships we've watched progress in the last two books. It gets solid marks for me as an addition to a series I've already fallen in love with.
The Characters: Lyssa / Razia remains one of my favorite characters to read. She's smart, sarcastic, a bit of a bad ass, stubborn as hell, and so very insecure. In other words, she is so very relatable. Seeing her incredible growth, and all the associated backward steps and stumbles that go with it, has kept me invested in her adventures and that's not showing any signs of stopping.
The other characters that return for CONVICTION were a delight to revisit, even if some of them are total assholes. Seeing lots more of Sage and Lizbeth was a blast (though I will always want more). Those two just balance Lyssa's character so well.
The Relationships: As I mentioned, this series has been all about Lyssa's journey. While it isn't a romance (Lyssa would run screaming from that), the relationships in her life are driving forces in her path. Whether it's with her family, other pirates, or her friends, each relationship gives us another clue about who Lyssa / Razia really is.
Jen's Rating: 5 STARS!! I continue to be head over heels in love with the Razia series. CONVICTION is another strong book that continues to push the lead character. On a whole, the characters are engaging, the story compelling, and the package is worth every minute you'll spend with it.
Psychocat's Final Rating: To that one character in the book - she's coming for you when you least expect it. Psychocat is seriously attached to Razia, and she's coming for vengeance. You've been warned, but I really hope you don't listen.
Now available - Conviction, the third book in the Razia series! Catch up on this fun, sassy space opera about a wayward scientist living a double life as a space pirate bounty hunter.
Missed the first two? Pick them up on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Smashwords, and Kobo.
About Conviction:
Clink.Razia is in trouble. Captured by a fellow pirate, she now finds herself back on probation with a bounty worth zero credits. In the cold reality, she begins to question herself and everything she has been working towards all of her life--and what she's willing to do to reclaim her glory.
Piracy is a game. What do you stand for?
Buy now on
Sneak Peek:
Razia's eyes snapped open and she grasped at the wall to steady herself. She stood outside the supposed poker game location, in a dimly lit alley that smelled like trash. There was something wet leaking from the bin next to her, so she didn't dare sit down. She had fallen asleep against the dirty brick wall for a split second, but was now wide awake and ready for Loeb to come out.
The door remained closed.
Poker, she reasoned, must be Loeb's chosen vice because he'd been there playing this game for over an hour. She wondered how many times he'd have to go to Temple to ask the Great Creator for forgiveness for this break in his piety.
She snorted at her own joke then burped a little beer. She rubbed her face roughly, hoping the increased blood flow would wake her up. She wished she hadn't had that that third beer (or however many she had from Sage's pitcher) at Eamon's, she wished she had some coffee, and she wished Loeb would just get a move on already. She had other pirates to capture, and he was being awfully selfish with her time.
She jutted her lip out and stared at the door, and her eyes began drooping again.
Her mini-computer began buzzing at her hip and she jumped ten feet. Scowling, she answered it without thinking.
"What." She blinked at the face looking back at her and for a brief moment saw Vel. With another shake of her head she realized it was Heelin scowling back at her. "Oh, it's you."
"Yes, it's me." Heelin looked nothing short of livid. "The brother with whom you are supposed to be working."
She grimaced. "Oh God in Leveman's, I don't have time for this."
"Well you'd better make time, because this stupid planet was approved for membership, so Dorst wants me to accompany you on your next excavation."
Excavation, what was that again? She rubbed her eyes, trying to make sense of the word. Slowly, her brain readjusted from a month of bounty hunting back to her life as Lyssa Peate.
Wait…Heelin wanted to go on an excavation with her? "I don't think so."
"I think that you have to since Dorst ordered you to."
"I think that Dorst can get sucked."
"What is with you lately? You look different."
"I…what?" she said, looking down at the mini-computer.
"And where are you anyway? Are you in some kind of dark alley? Where are your glasses?"
Razia realized with a jolt of fear that she was, in fact, Razia and not Lyssa—her hair down, no lab coat, no glasses.
"Uh…gotta go!"
She ended the call quickly and breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't expect Heelin to recognize Razia from just a simple phone call. Unlike Lizbeth, who was sharp as a tack and made the connection almost immediately, the Peates seemed more eager to ignore that Lyssa ever existed.
Like Jukin.
She swallowed the lump in her throat, hating herself and her drunkenness for bringing him up. She still had no idea why she'd saved him. She'd told Lizbeth at the time it was because she wanted to believe he was a good person, but there was more to it than that. She was still harboring a little bit of guilt that she had been chosen as Sostas' assistant, and not Jukin.
And perhaps she felt a little responsible for everything Jukin had done.
She belched loudly in the alleyway, ending the drunken philosophical train of thought. In some part of her mind, she wondered if it was a good idea to be out in her current state, but then again, she was simply stalking Loeb. He wasn't going to surprise her and walk out…
Her eyes nearly fell out of her head as Jarvis Loeb exited the bar all by himself.
She braced herself against the wall, waiting to see if his body men were going to join him. Loeb got almost a block before she realized that he was alone. Whether this was some great twist of fate, or maybe some gift from the Great Creator, she didn't know, but it was definitely an opportunity.
She nearly tripped over her own two feet as she barreled after him, the beer sloshing in her stomach uncomfortably.
"OI!" she called out, standing in the middle of the deserted street.
Loeb turned to watch her with an amused look on his face. "Hello there, dear. Are you here to capture me finally?"
"Sure am!" she announced, perhaps louder than she should have.
She walked up to Loeb, who seemed awfully sober to her, and she reared back her fist to strike him. But she was moving so slow—slower than ever—and Loeb easily ducked it. She lurched forward, her center of gravity completely off, and watched the pavement fly up towards her face.
Loeb's hand clamped down on her wrist and she felt cold steel encircle it.
About the Author
S. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. Born in Pensacola, Florida, she left the sleepy town behind for the fast-paced world of Washington, D.C.. There, she somehow landed jobs with BBC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Television before finally settling into a “real job” as an IT consultant. After a quarter life crisis at age 27, she decided consulting was for the birds and rekindled a childhood passion for writing novels. She sold everything she owned and moved back to Pensacola, where she currently resides with her two dogs, Zoe and Mr. Biscuit. Evans is the author of the Razia series and Empath, both published by Sun’s Golden Ray Publishing.
Be sure to check her out on the below social media sites:
October 24, 2015
Psychocat Reads Review: EVERYTHING I LEFT UNSAID
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
The Characters: M. O'Keefe created a book full of characters that will hook you hard and fast. Annie may be one of my favorite female leads in an erotic romance in quite some time. She's one of those characters that embodies the idea that life isn't made up of black and white. You can be smart and strong and still become mired in a bad situation.
Dylan is a man of mystery, but one where you see there is so much more to him than even he seems to realize. I'm anxious to find out more about him in the future.
The Relationships: The relationship between Annie and Dylan is very unique as a result of the rather one of a kind plot the author developed. It works. I enjoyed reading it. Secondary to that are Annie's relationships in the new place she lands. Coming from an abusive relationship, it's great to see her actually taking some chances and being willing to build new relationships.
Too Perfect or Perfectly Flawed: There are too many secrets involved in this story for it to be anywhere near too perfect of a romance.
Jen's Final Rating: 4.5 STARS! I'm expecting a 2nd book based on the way this one ended, and I can't wait for it to come. This one is a great mix of plot and heated moments. It's not one for those that prefer light, fluffy, and sweet, but if you enjoy an edge and intensity in your reading, go check it out!
Psychocat's Final Rating: Kitty is on high alert with a few of the characters in this book. Her claws are sharpened and she's ready to teach a few lessons.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: EVERYTHING I LEFT UNSAID
Author: M. O'Keefe
Released: October 13th 2015 by Random House Publishing Group
I didn’t think answering someone else’s cellphone would change my life. But the stranger with the low, deep voice on the other end of the line tempted me, awakened my body, set me on fire. He was looking for someone else. Instead he found me.
And I found a hot, secret world where I felt alive for the first time.
His name was Dylan, and, strangely, he made me feel safe. Desired. Compelled. Every dark thing he asked me to do, I did. Without question. I longed to meet him, but we were both keeping secrets. And mine were dangerous. If I took the first step, if I got closer to Dylan—emotionally, physically—then I wouldn’t be hiding anymore. I would be exposed, with nothing left to surrender but the truth. And my truth could hurt us both.
October 19, 2015
Psychocat Reads Review: UNDER MY SKIN
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
The Book as Part of a Series: UNDER MY SKIN, as the continuation of Sylvia and Jackson's story draws readers further into their world. I highly recommend reading starting at the beginning with the Stark books so you can fully appreciate the characters and back stories that come together in this book. By that I mean, start at the very beginning with the Stark Trilogy before picking up the Stark International Trilogy. Believe me, if you enjoy the hot, steamy books none of them will be a waste of your time.
That being said, you could pick up any of them and still enjoy them as a good hot, romance. Personally, I just prefer to really experience the world and characters as the author intended, and that includes understanding all the little (and not so little) nods to character development and events from previous books.
The Characters: The majority of the characters here are ones we meet in the initial Stark Trilogy or in the Stark International book. In many ways this book is like revisiting old friends and in some cases old nemesis. I loved the way the entire collectionof characters is utilized, especially with the growth and shifts we see in some relationship dynamics.
Possibly my favorite element of her characters is that they are all a bit broken in some way, but she doesn't make them helpless victims. She gives them each a strength and resilience that makes them far more compelling.
Too Perfect or Perfectly Flawed: there was a small piece of me that worried this book was going to too closely resemble the Stark Trilogy book with Damien on trial for murder, fortunately that f fear was completely unfounded. That being said, J. Kenner certainly ramped up the drama and angst with this one. There is just no way I could accuse the book of having a too perfect, too easy path for our leading couple.
The Smut: As expected from J. Kenner, the book is full of hot and steamy moments. Sylvia and Jackson continue to push each other and explore the boundaries of their relationship and the results may just leave you in need of a cold shower and a stiff drink. Fortunately, she also balances with with actual plot and character development outside of the bedroom, making it a all around good story.
Jen's Final Rating: 4.5 STARS! Another win for this author. J. Kenner has cemented herself on my Authors to Read list. I love the heat and passion of her books, but most of all I love the characters.
Psychocat's Final Rating: Kitty may not care for the romance (or the smut), but she's all about having someone to sink her claws into. J. Kenner gives her plenty of targets for varying degrees of reasons.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: UNDER MY SKIN
Author: J. Kenner
Released: September 1st 2015 by Bantam
Jackson Steele and Sylvia Brooks are back in the powerful finale of a provocative, sizzling-hot new erotic trilogy set in the world of J. Kenner’s beloved Stark novels: Release Me, Claim Me, and Complete Me.
He’s the only man I’ve ever loved, and the one man I can’t bear to lose.
Jackson Steele is my light in this world. Charismatic, bold, and always in control, he knows what he wants and how to get it—and absolutely nothing stands in his way. His hold on me is magnetic, his claim on me complete, his kiss my ultimate escape.
We both harbor dark secrets that could tear our lives apart. Though we’ve tried to bury our pasts, there are certain people who won’t let us forget. But the closer danger comes, the brighter the fire between us burns—our ecstasy consuming and soothing us both.
There’s no telling what lies ahead, but I know that Jackson never gives in without a fight. I’d do anything he wants to keep him safe, give him anything he needs. And now that we’re in deep, nothing can make me run.
Under My Skin is intended for mature audiences.
October 15, 2015
Psychocat Reads Review: THE FULFILLMENT
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
As the resident book reviewer, it should come as no surprise that I love books. I love all kinds of books - short ones, long ones, happy ones, sad ones ... The list goes on forever. But if I'm being honest, one of my favorite things is a series of books. Make me fall in love with a character or characters and then give me more of them and you'll have me hooked.
So when Erin Rhew, author of The Fulfillment Series, emailed me that the third book in the series was coming out, I didn't have to think twice about agreeing to review it.
The Book As Part of a Series: First things first, this is absolutely a series that must be read in order. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Be a good reader and start at the beginning. If you stubbornly refuse to heed that advice, don't complain when you don't understand what the heck is going on and who the heck all these people are. Honestly, I recommend reading them pretty close together. It was about 10 months ago when I read the second book, and it took me a bit to get my head back into the world, remember all the characters, and get it all straight.
That being said - if you haven't read the first two books, go find them and start reading. If you enjoy the YA Fantasy genre, this is a series well worth reading.
Now for how this book fits into things - I had noted in my review of the second book that I was a bit disappointed with where it cut off. The author resolved that issue quite nicely in book three. This time I was very happy with where the book left us. I felt like I got a complete story, but there's enough of a tease there that the series could be continued if the author wishes.
The Characters: THE FULFILLMENT continues to build on the characters we've already met. This is one of the reasons why I insist you need to read the series in order. If you don't know the background, nothing is going to make sense. There were some more minor characters that it took me a while to get straight again and remember where they fit in, but the author did drop hints along the way to jar my memory.
Overall, I adore the core group. Layla, Will, Nash, Vespa, Samson, Grant .... I love them all. Each of them is complex, vulnerable, and adds their own elements to the story.
The Relationships: Relationships in this story are something of a hot mess in the best of ways. If you heed my advice and read the previous books, you'll have a pretty good idea of the mess by the time you pick this one up. Of course, a pretty good idea still leaves room for things to get even more complicated. There are a few twists that made my head spin, in that delightful way that only a good book can.
Too Perfect or Perfectly Flawed: Even the one element that could be read as "well that was convenient" comes off as anything but convenient. Because the author manages to get us emotionally invested in all the characters (except the crazy ones that are not to be liked or trusted), it's hard to view any of the developments as too perfect.
Jen's Final Review: 4.5 STARS!! THE FULFILLMENT holds its own as a book and makes an excellent third installment in the series. The tangled path of family, betrayal, and a world struggling for peace comes together to form an engaging YA tale.
Psychocat's Final Review: Her fascination with Cataleen continues, and continues to scare the heck out of me. Anybody want a cat?
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: THE FULFILLMENT
Author: Erin Rhew
Released: October 15th 2015 by BookFish Books
Layla’s world tumbles out of control when she discovers the truth of her parentage and realizes the Prophecy—the one she upended her entire life to defend—is incomplete. When her new friends share the entire Prophecy, the revelations contained within it alter her destiny and challenge everything she and Wil believe in. Now, she must confront the Outlander queen to save the Ethereal kingdom while grappling with this new reality.
Tortured and imprisoned, Nash accepts his fate and offers the First Ones the one thing he has left to give: his life. In a desperate attempt to save the people he loves most, he surrenders himself to the Outlander queen and a destiny darker than he could have ever dreamed possible.
Wil, tormented by the consequences of his choices, realizes he may never be able to uphold his end of the Prophecy. His mistake casts a deep, foreboding shadow over his kingdom and those he loves, while its ripples threaten to shatter both the Prophecy and everything he and his family have sworn to protect.
In this epic conclusion, lives are lost, kingdoms clash, friendships are tested, and love and fate collide.
Find THE FULFILLMENT on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.
New to The Fulfillment Series? Check out the Psychocat Reads Reviews of THE PROPHECY and THE OUTLANDERS.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Erin Rhew is an editor, a running coach, and the author of The Fulfillment Series. Since she picked up Morris the Moose Goes to School at age four, she has been infatuated with the written word. She went on to work as a grammar and writing tutor in college and is still teased by her family and friends for being a member of the "Grammar Police."
A Southern girl by blood and birth, Erin now lives in a rainy pocket of the Pacific Northwest with the amazingly talented (and totally handsome) writer Deek Rhew and their “overly fluffy,” patient-as-a-saint writing assistant, a tabby cat named Trinity. She and Deek enjoy reading aloud to one another, running, lifting, boxing, eating chocolate, and writing side-by-side.
Find her online:
Twitter: @ErinRhewBooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Erin-Rhew-Books/182769448541270
Website: www.erinrhewbooks.com
Goodreads The Prophecy
Goodreads The Outlanders
Goodreads The Fulfillment
September 30, 2015
Psychocat Reads Review: THE MARTIAN
Psychocat Reads Review of THE MARTIAN by Any Weir
And it all started thanks to Dr. Bossy Beck ;)
If you’re familiar with Psychocat Reads Reviews, you might be wondering how The Martian landed on the review list. First, remember that I always maintain that I will read whatever I want. Second, it was a rather convoluted path. It all starts with Sebastian Stan and follows a chaotic path that ended with me reading the book. Honestly, when it comes down to it there were several possibly paths that could have led here. I would (and could) have taken any of them and the results would still be the same.
The long and short of it is, I was drawn to the book by the combination of personality and science shit that was evident as soon as I started poking around the movie information. Knowing that books are so often superior to their theatrical counterparts, and that there was no way I was going to make it beyond opening weekend without seeing the film, I knew I had approximately six weeks to read the book.
I bought it knowing I had three scheduled reviews that required my attention first and that the rest of my schedule wasn’t leaving a great deal of time to read. When the time came, I devoured The Martian in two days. I read at night. I read over breakfast. I read at lunch. I read and read until the book was done. And then I stared at that final page for several minutes wanting to cry because it was over.
So here’s where the review actually begins. Though it may go a bit different than usual.
Jen’s Final Rating: 5 STARS! But really, 5 doesn’t do The Martian justice. There are very few books that I will run around telling everyone I talk to that they should check out. I haven’t shut up about The Martian since I was only the first night into reading it. I’m even trying to convince my husband to read it, and he doesn’t read fiction books. He really should make an exception for this.
And in a rare act of defiance, I'm not even letting Psychocat near this one. I might regret that decision later.
So why all the raving ….
The Characters: I am so unbelievably in love with Mark Watney that it’s not even funny. He’s incredibly smart, he’s got serious balls (or serious lack of judgment depending on perspective), and he’s so full of sass that I wish he was real and I could meet him.
As I told Mel (my sister), I knew this book was going to be something special when the word “fucked” showed up twice in the first nine words courtesy of the main character’s narrative. As a couple of intelligent women that curse like sailors, you can sure as fuck bet we’re going to get a kick out of a character we can relate to. Alas, it does take more than a few quick fucks to make me fall in love with a book.
Mark isn’t the only character we meet. I will say, the other characters left me wanting more – not in the sense that they weren’t well done, but in the sense that by the nature of the story we spend most of our time with Mark. Andy Weir could write an entire companion book with more of what was going on with the folks on the ground and the rest of the Ares 3 crew, and I’d devour it. All the characters were well written, played their parts very well, and were enjoyable to read. When I say I wanted more, I mean I really wanted to spend more time with each and every one of them.
The Tone: A small piece of me was afraid this was going to be like Gravity where it was very well done but at the same time a bit serious, depressing, and slow. That concern really only lasted until I read the first sentence, and it never reared its head again. You never lose sight of the idea that Mark Watney is stranded on Mars and may or may not survive. There is always that sense of urgency and impending doom, but his character is so lively, his spirit so indomitable that it’s impossible not to laugh. I spent far more time than I would have anticipated laughing while reading The Martian.
That being said, the dramatic tone of the situation is not lost. There are people all over the world, and some still in space, working furiously to save Mark Watney.
The Science: Yes, there is lots of sciencing the shit out of things in this book. There are technical terms and descriptions thrown around that may make your head spin, but they don’t ever drag the book down. Even if you have no clue what they’re talking about, the science doesn’t overwhelm the story. It does help ground you in the idea that there’s a lot of really complex technical stuff that has to happen in order for him to have a chance to survive.
In the end … I found so many reasons to fall in love with the book. It’s humorous. It’s intelligent. It’s dramatic. Above all, it reaches out to that part of human nature that makes us care. Andy Weir says it very well within one of Mark Watney’s narratives.
“ … every human being has a basic instinct to help each other out. It might not seem that way sometimes, but it’s true.
If a hiker gets lost in the mountains, people will coordinate a search. If a train crashes, people will line up to give blood. If an earthquake levels a city, people all over the world will send emergency supplies. This is so fundamentally human that it’s found in every culture without exception. Yes, there are assholes who just don’t care, but they’re massively outnumbered by the people who do.”
To me, that is part of why the book has stuck with me so much even two weeks later. It’s part of why the movie will likely do so well. It is part of why the #BringHimHome social media lead up to the release resonates. We all want to be reminded that when shit really hits the fan, people can put aside petty differences and band together to do something amazing. We can recover from natural disasters. We can save lives. We could find a way to rescue an astronaut left for dead on Mars.
Title: The Martian
Author: Andy Weir
Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him & forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded & completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—& even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—& a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?
September 17, 2015
Psychocat Reads Review + Tour: EM & EM
PSYCHOCAT READS REVIEW
The tour invite for EM & EM show up in my inbox during a stretch where, for the most part, I was avoiding signing up for anything. My schedule was crazy, so I was avoiding any extra commitments. I read the info anyway, and decided I would find a way to squeeze it into my schedule.
Let's find out if it was worth it.
The Characters: Em, and I'm sticking with calling her Em as opposed to Emily or Ember to avoid confusion, was an fun character. Stuck in the Witness Protection Program because she decided to do the right thing, she's got to decide whether to make the best of starting over, or keep pining over the life she's lost, even if it's possibly only temporary. While the big picture of why Em find herself in a new place could have overwhelmed the story, and her character, the author did a great job of developing her in a way that gives a reader more to latch onto. At the heart of it all, Em is just another teenage girl dealing with all the drama that comes with that.
Charles was a fun little surprise. I won't say more, because I'd hate to ruin the way he's written and revealed in the book.
There are a host of other characters that play into the narrative. Each had a place and a purpose, and the author managed to give them each their own flavor to keep things interesting.
The Relationships: In many ways, I think the most important relationship in the book is Em's with herself. She has to decide if she really is the person she'd become at her old school, or if that was just a result of circumstance. That internal struggle feeds into her relationships with the other people around her.
As the book progressed, I enjoyed getting to see how Em's relationships with her family and peers both at her old school and new shifted.
Too Perfect or Perfectly Flawed: EM & EM may be a sweet, YA romance, but that doesn't mean it's as simple as boy meets girl, they fall in love, and live happily ever after. There are decisions to make, obstacles to overcome, and that's not even counting the fact that Em is building a life that may just big one big lie when the trial is over. If that's not enough to keep things from being too perfect, I don't know what is.
Jen's Final Rating: 4.5 STARS! EM & EM was a great mix of characters, sweetness, and plot. If this is an indication of Linda Budzinski's writing, I'll have to find time to read more.
Psychocat's Final Rating: True to form, if a book is too fluffy, Psychocat gets irritated. Thankfully, she spared Jen the claws on this one, opting to save her ire for a few of the characters instead. EM & EM gets her seal of approval.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Em and Em by Linda Budzinski
Publication Date: Sept 15, 2015
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Genre: YA, Contemporary
The last thing sixteen-year-old Emily Slovkowski wants is to move away from her home at the Jersey shore, gorgeous surfer boyfriend Zach, and her entire identity. But that’s kind of how Witness Protection works, and Em must prepare herself for an epic do-over as she starts a new life in the Midwest.
Even as she pines for sandy beaches and the night life of the shore, the newly-named Ember O’Malley finds herself making new friends, taking photos for the high school newspaper, and thinking an awful lot about the paper’s editor, an oddly cute cowboy named Charles.
When Em stumbles upon a shady beneath-the-bleachers exchange between one of the school’s football coaches and a student, she refuses to get involved. The last thing she needs is to be witness to another crime or call attention to herself. Besides, she finally has some real friends – well, real except for the fact that they don’t know a single thing about her – and she prefers to keep it that way until the trial.
But as her day in court approaches, Em begins piecing together what she saw that day beneath the bleachers. And, as her own past secrets start to catch up with her, Em needs to figure out who she really is – Em or Em.
Find EM & EM at Goodreads | BAM | Chapters | Amazon | B&N | TBD
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linda Acorn Budzinski decided in the second grade that she wanted to be a “Paperback Writer,” just like in the Beatles song. She majored in journalism in college and now works in marketing and communications. She spent 18 years at a trade association in the funeral service industry, where she discovered that funeral directors are some of the bravest and most compassionate people on earth. Linda lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Joe, and their chihuahua, Demitria. She has two step-daughters, Eris and Sarah. THE FUNERAL SINGER is her debut novel. She is represented by Andrea Somberg of Harvey Klinger Inc.
THE FUNERAL SINGER is Linda Budzinski's first novel.
Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
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September 8, 2015
Psychocat Reads Review + Tour: UP FOR FOREVER
PSYCHOCAT READS REVIEW
When the invite came across to participate in the tour for Heather Young-Nichols' latest book, UP FOR FOREVER, there was no hesitation on my part. After all, I adored UP FOR GRABS (review here), and this promised more time with the quirky characters I'd fallen in love with.
Let's see what happened when I curled up with UP FOR FOREVER.
The Book As Part of a Series: This is a series where I'm going to highly recommend you start with the first book before jumping into this one. The author does a great job of giving enough of the background in UP FOR FOREVER that you wouldn't be totally lost, but you'd be cheating yourself on the experience. Just trust me, and read them the way they were intended. It'll make the jokes and the drama much more fun.
The Characters: Adam and Kendra were two of my favorite parts of the first book in the series, so getting a book focused on the two of them had be excited. That UP FOR FOREVER still manages to keep the dynamic of the entire group of friends instead of just paying attention to the two of them made it even better.
The characters are, across the board, full of life and fun to get to know. They each have their own set of flaws and insecurities, but that just makes you love them all the more. There is enough snark, sass, and genuine caring shared between the group to fill at least a few more books, and I hope we get them.
The Relationships: As you might have guessed from the preceding sections, we don't just get a book focused on a single relationship in UP FOR FOREVER. The nuclear relationship meltdown happens in the center of this close knit group of friends, bringing up the drama by a notch. Everything is from Kendra's POV, so we get to see how everything plays out for her not just in relation to Adam, but with Flannery, her brother, and the rest of their friends. That these relationships are all woven pretty tightly together made me fall in love with UP FOR FOREVER even more.
Too Perfect or Perfectly Flawed: When you start a book with a couple that has been together in some capacity for two years, there's a slight fear that the will they / won't they factor will be missing. Until you get to know Kendra and realize that nothing is certain when it comes to that girl and stable relationships. If anyone could screw up a good thing, it's her. Which leaves UP FOR FOREVER up in the air for just what's going to happen.
Jen's Final Rating: 5 STARS!!! Another win for Heather Young-Nichols. If you haven't read UP FOR GRABS yet, I highly recommend you grab both books and settle in for a good time.
Psychocat's Final Rating: Psychocat remembered this crew from the previous book, and fortunately remembered that while there's lots of fluff and cuteness, there is plenty of snark and sass to balance it out. As far as cute and funny romances go, she's willing to concede this one can stay on the reading list.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Up for Forever (Up for Grabs #2)
Author: Heather Young-Nichols
Released: September 1, 2015 by Swoon Romance
For Kendra Roberts, love is for fairy tale princesses who don’t live in the real world. Mr. Right? What a joke. It’s more like Mr. Right Now.
But imagine her surprise when she realizes it’s been two whole years, and Mr. Right Now has become something more. How the hell did that happen?
Panic sets in when Kendra finds out that Adam Burger might be planning a future for them and making her his “Mrs.” Mrs. Burger.
Not. So. Fast.
Kendra ends things with Adam, feeling bad for letting things go this far.
After months of trying to convince herself she made the right decision, a mutual friend’s wedding throws them back together again.
In one mind-blowing moment, Kendra comes to the crushing realization that she’s been in love with Adam all along.
But when Adam seems to have already moved on, will Kendra fight for their forever after? Or will she let her once Mr. Right Now go and become someone else’s Mr. Right?
Find UP FOR FOREVER on Goodreads and Amazon.
Find UP FOR GRABS on BAM | Chapters | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes
GIVEAWAYa Rafflecopter giveawayABOUT THE AUTHOR
Heather Young-Nichols was born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan and graduated from nearby Saginaw Valley State University with a degree in sociology. The only thing that rivals her love of reading is her love of baseball. When not with her husband and three kids or the cat that likes to bite, she is working to bring the characters in her head to life.
Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
