Christopher C. Payne's Blog, page 20

The Reluctant

Title: The Reluctant

Author: C.S. Splitter

Publisher: Published April 2011 by C.S. Splitter

Genre: Thriller/Suspense

Format: Ebook

ISBN: 0011269340

Tom Crayder is living the American Dream. He has a wife he loves, a house to call a home and his very own plane to go with his fulfilled dream of being a pilot. But like many know, the American dream isn't always as carefree as some might like to believe.

Tom's consulting business is failing, he's behind on the loan payments to his plane and his wife works too much. And, he's bored. Turns out that the great life he has isn't very exciting.

How to spice things up???

He starts taking some jobs from a local crime boss, delivering people and cash to various locations and, because that just isn't fun enough, he starts flirting with a woman at the shooting range.

Tom finds himself caught up in a web of people and situations that turn his excitement into danger. How will he get himself out of the mess he's in, and…does he even want to?

This book is a bit of a departure from my usual paranormal genre but I enjoyed it anyway. The plot was easy to get into and easy to follow, and it took twists and turns that I didn't always see coming. Some of the things that happened to Crayder had me turning the pages to see what he would do to get out of his situation.

Tom Crayder is a guy's guy, a married man with a bachelor's heart. Even though I knew that a man wrote this book before I started reading it would have been obvious the minute I picked it up. In many ways I found it interesting because I really felt like me (the reader – and yes a girl) got a clear glimpse into a man's head. He thought about food and women a lot. Big surprise there. He also thought about adventure and fun. Yet, Tom was also someone who thought about his friends and right and wrong. He had a conscious in him even when he was doing things that weren't – shall we say – legal. I will say that his estimation of right and wrong sometimes went into the gray area and sometimes he was lead astray by his man parts…but I found that all to be in line with who Tom was. Hey, don't hate the player – hate the game.

The characterization in the novel was solid as was the writing. I didn't once get tripped up over a mistake or an awkward sentence and the book flowed well. This book set up Crayder and a cast of characters very well for the next book, which I will definitely read.

I will mention that I thought for being such an ordinary guy, Tom seemed to have quite a knack for getting himself out of sticky (and dangerous) situations. And sometimes his "I'm so cool because I'm a pilot" attitude made me roll my eyes.

My favorite part of the book was the ending and the Chihuahua. Want to know all about the little smiling dog with the underbite? Read the book, but beware not all doggies in this book are nice (my least favorite part of the book).

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes some suspense, good writing and to definitely all men everywhere.

You done good, Splitter, and I salute you.

So there you have it, my opinion.

This review is written by Cambria Hebert

Stray

 

 

 

 

 

Stray

Rachel Vincent

MIRA PARANORMAL NOVEL

ISBN – 13: 978-0-7783-2907-7

Available format: Mass Market Paperback & ebook

 

I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds.

Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked.

I'd been warned about Strays – werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me attractive, female and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.

This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back…for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I'm no meek kitty. I'll take on whatever – and whoever – I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays- 'cause I got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them…

I heard a lot of good things about this book and decided to give it a go, and boy am I glad that I did! Faythe is a werecat and a dangerous one at that. She's attacked on her college campus, but is able to fight off her attacker. Although not before one of her father's enforcers comes to take her home. Faythe goes willingly and soon finds out that her fellow tabbies are going missing and she does everything in her power to find her friends and bring them home. I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to get the next book in the Shifters series, Rogue!

Plot – ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ I was very happy with the plot. It was unique and I've never seen, or read anything like it before and that's always a good thing.

Writing – ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ The writing was very well done, I was very happy with how it all strung out throughout the story. I didn't find myself feeling bored or uninterested in the story.

Characters – ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ I was very shocked at how much I enjoyed these characters. I didn't think I would have enjoyed them this much. They were unique but they had some flaws that every person has so it made them seem realistic and that's always a good thing!

Katherine 'Faythe' Sanders – Faythe is someone who doesn't take crap from anyone, and is out to show her whole Pride that she can make it on her own – that she can beat anything and anyone that gets in her way. Although, after getting attacked on campus Faythe is forced back to the one places that she cared never to see again: home. When she arrives home she learns that two of her fellow, single tabbies are missing and it is up to Faythe and the rest of her Pride to find them and put whoever their kidnappers are, to justice. Good old Pride style.

Marc Ramos – Marc is the right hand man to alpha and Faythe's father, Greg Sanders. Five years before the plan was to marry Faythe and live a long happy life with lots of babies, but its not five years ago, things have changed and there are things that need to be done in the here and now. Like find the kidnapped tabbies and bring them home before something terrible happens to them.

Stray – Nothing is known about the stray(s) that have moved into their territory, but Faythe and her whole Pride will not stop until they find the kidnapped tabbies and make their kidnappers suffer just as they have.

Overall I give this book ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ – no more and no less!

Review by Lura

Die Laughing

Die Laughing

By:  Louis K. Lowy

AISN:  B005D4Y85G

Published July 15, 2011 by IFWG

Available Format: ebook, paperback in August

My Rating:  ★★★★★

The 1950s: Chuck Berry, Elvis, I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, The Day the Earth Stood Still, East of Eden, Fred Astaire, Bette Davis, Thunderbirds, Studebakers, Sputnik I, and the Red Scare.  Most of all, the 50s began the golden age of science fiction, and Louis K. Lowy combined the time period, science fiction, and a lot of funny to create a super exciting, entertaining read!

Sam E. Lakeside is a stand-up comic climbing the ladder of success when he is suddenly beamed aboard an alien spacecraft.  These aliens, who can take the form of anyone they see on television, adopt a mobster to aid them in their plan to steal all the earth's oil.  When Sam's manager (best friend) is murdered, Sam is set on revenge.  With the mobster's girlfriend and a black-listed comic book writer, Sam heads to New York and the Steve Allen Show to put an end to the alien threat.  He finds he must make a monumental decision—his career or the earth's survival.

I received a copy of Die Laughing for review.

I'll admit, I wasn't so sure about this one when I was asked to review it.  Cheesy sci-fi and horror films and greasy comedians aren't typically my thing.  I have to say, however, Lowy might have converted me!  This book was an action-packed page-turner!  I absolutely loved that Sam E. was a comic and all these goofy little jokes were scattered throughout the story. The way he interacts with the other characters, sometimes shallow but showing a deeper side when he lets his guard down, made him so appealing and relatable.  Each of the characters had some sort of wall around themselves, and as the story progresses we get to see those walls slowly come down.

I thought I didn't know much about the 50s before I started reading this, but it really reminded me how much we have carried over into our generation.  There were times that I felt like I had a quick, easy history lesson on all things 50s—well, the things that count, right?  For someone that didn't find the era that interesting, Lowy certainly brought it into a whole new light!

The idea that these aliens could take on the appearance of anyone they had seen on television was brilliant!  When they were in their true form, they were pretty gross, but when they were Howdy Doody and Lucille Ball, they were hilarious.  Not very smart, but funny…

Louis K. Lowy is a fantastic writer.  His characters are well-rounded and perfectly developed.  He knows how to describe a scene so the reader is actually transported within.  Timing and pacing is spot-on.  I cannot say enough great things about this book!

Even if you think this isn't your thing, give it a shot anyway.  I did, and I don't regret it!!

 

Transformers 3: Dark Side of the Moon

Title: Transformer's 3: Dark Side of the Moon

Director: Michael Bay

Rating: PG-13

Format: In theaters now

 

Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-fi, Fatnasy, KICK-ASS (yes, this is now a genre)

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Patrick Dempsey

Trailer: http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810159115/trailer

Caution: There may be language in this review because I am very excited.

Sam and the Autobots are back! And they are kicking ass and taking names in the third installment of the Transformer's Saga.

In 1961, The Ark, a Cybertronian spacecraft left the planet of the Autobots in flight from the war that was wiping out their race and destroying their planet. The Ark was carrying an invention that would stop the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons and save the planet.

Only it crashed.

And no one knew where.

Except, of course, the United States Government. (BIG surprise there)

Can anyone say cover-up?

Turns out the Ark crashed into the Moon, the Dark Side, and Apollo 11 went up there and saw the wreckage…but they never told. Fast forward to present day and the Autobots are helping to maintain order and peace amongst humans and aiding the government. During a mission to Chernobyl Optimus Prime finds evidence that the ship survived, and it holds everything they need to rebuild their planet.

Meanwhile, good ol' Sam Witwicky has graduated from an Ivy League school, received a medal from president Obama and has a new hottie for a girlfriend. But his life is far from perfect. Why is that you say? Sounds awesome to you, huh?

Well, it turns out that saving the planet doesn't lend any weight to finding a job. And his medal? Yeah, most of his potential employers are Republicans. Oh, and that hottie of a girlfriend? She's getting hit on every other second from Mr. Inappropriate (AKA: her boss) who happens to be totally loaded and doesn't need her to give him lunch money every day. And one other thing, his kickin' car, Bumblebee, is off saving the planet so he has to drive an old beater. Excuse me, I mean "classic" (or would be if he had any cash to fix it up).

Then his parents roll up in their home on wheels wearing matching track suits and want to know why baby boy doesn't have a job.

Shoot me now, right?

Sam decides to swallow his pride and take a job in the mailroom at a multi-million dollar company and things really heat up. He gets caught in the bathroom stall with another man, who has his pants down (Geez, people, don't be gross! He was giving Sam hidden information) and then an evil Decepticon (a gross bird!) starts shooting up the place.

Interesting first day on the job wouldn't you say?

Sam learns of an evil plot to destroy the Earth so the Decepticons can take over, so he does the only thing that he does best. And, no it isn't deliver mail.

He goes about saving the world again.

And he has help in the form of his friends: the Autobots.

This movie rocked my world. I mean I had to pee so bad during the show that I was shaking, but I refused to leave the theater and I actually sat there contemplating diapers. For when you gotta go but don't wanna leave. LOL.

So, to say that I am a Transformers fan is a bit of an understatement. It has to be my favorite movie saga EVER. I was so thrilled that my husband and I could go and see it because we got lucky and my grandmother was in town to babysit (SCORE!). So date night turned into me drooling over the cars and watching stuff explode. It was awesome.

The hubby really liked it too. J

Let me just say that you might not think that Shia Lebouf is a hottie but he so totally is. Just look at him:

But it isn't just the way he looks, he is a damn good actor. He plays the role of Sam to a tee. He's the perfect balance of a scared kid and a guy with a lot of guts. He looks very deceiving. He is young, he isn't a big guy and sometimes he can be socially awkward. But underneath are hidden depths of intelligence and a drive to accomplish whatever needs done even if the task seems impossible. He's also a smartass – and I do love me a smartass.

One of my favorite parts of the movie was a car chase scene (yes, there are quite a few) on the freeway when the Autobots were being chased my Decepticons. Sam was riding in Bumble Bee (who just freakin' rocks) and B has to transform and Sam goes flying through the air only to land back in Bumble Bee as a car again. He screams like a girl – like I do when I see a big spider – and it was hilarious but it was also great characterization. It totally encompasses everything I love about Sam. He was scared shitless but he was still doing it.

And do you know what else I love about Sam? The way he runs around the movie looking all beat up in his leather jacket. Yup, I don't know why, but I like it.

Bumble Bee is my most favorite Autobot (as he is for a lot of people). He's like that loyal dog that you had as a kid and you just love him so much it wells up in your chest. I sat there the whole movie vowing to send Hate Mail to the director if anything happened to B. I love his relationship with Sam. They just fit together and they play off each other and Sam just gives him hell all the time. At one point during the movie my husband leaned over and said to me "All that technology and they can't fix his voice?" (For anyone who doesn't know- Bumble Bee doesn't talk – he can't. He uses the car radio and every word he says is a different voice and sometimes it's a line from a song)

Frankly, I was appalled at the suggestion. Fix his voice?? NEVER! It makes him who is he is. It's part of him!! (Besides they already explained his busted voice in the last movie. It ain't happening!!)

I love B so much I actually contemplate trading in my mom SUV for one of my own. I would so rock that car. Hehehehe

The graphics in this movie are over the top and they are awesome. Seeing it on the big screen makes it even better. The explosions and the high speed chases are so exciting. And in this movie the military guys are jumping out of planes and buildings are falling over with people in them; it is one hell of a ride. I felt my adrenalin pumping during the whole movie and it completely took me out of my life and deposited me right into the battle of the ever faithful Autobots and the vile Decepticons.

Oh! And another fabulous thing I saw in the movie? Remember my favorite scene I was telling you about (the car chase on the freeway)? Well, a few of the Decepticons were totally robot werewolves!! It was awesome. They moved like them and they had those snarling teeth and they were leaping at the cars…it's a wonder I didn't pee my pants.

The Decepticons might be evil in this movie and let me tell ya they roughed some shit up. But they looked cool. There was this one that was like a humungous serpent, like that thing from the movie Tremors (I think) with Kevin Bacon…those things that came up out of the ground and ate you? Yeah, there was one of those except it was a robot.

And of course the oldies but goodies were there. Optimus Prime (my husband's fav) and the two little guys that live with Sam and then there is the two that are always together and making jokes. Sorry, I can't remember all their names. You'll know them when you see them. And you know what else? (No I am NOT done gushing about this movie) The cars were never ever dirty. They rode through the destruction with burning embers and debris and dead bodies and they looked awesome. Not a spec of dirt on them. My husband asked me what the deal with that was and I said because, "that's how they roll". Uh-huh.

The story line was clever and all the actors did a good job. I was surprised to see Patrick Dempsey (AKA: Mr. Inappropriate) in the movie and he played his part well too. The new lady in Sam's life, Carly played by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, did a good job. I will say that I think she was more eye candy than anything, but she is gorgeous and for her movie acting debut she did good and she looks good next to Sam. And frankly it was amazing that she helped save the world while wearing stilettos. That's a woman for ya cause I would have fallen on my face.

So. What have e learned here today? Transformers rocks, and if you haven't seen it you should RUN to the theater. There is something for everyone in this movie and I dare you to not like it. That would be practically un-American!

I don't usually rate my movies or books (which you all probably know) but I would give this movie 5 stars.

Grab some candy (I stole a pack of my kids sweet tarts) and your favorite beverage ( I snuck in a skinny caramel latte inside my purse) and go to the theater. This movie is totally worth the arm and leg they charge to get in.

On a side note: Do theaters ever creep any of you out? I mean really your sitting in a dark room with a bunch of strangers who are probably hiding weapons in their pants. Frankly, sometimes I worry so I locate all the exits and form a plan of attack if ambushed by a hostile movie go-er. There was this one guy in my theater who sat through 25 minutes of previews (what is up with that anyway?) then the movie started and he got up to pee. Yes, I know he was going to pee cause he announced it to his buddies. I thought for sure he was toting a weapon. I mean who sits through crappy previews then gets up to pee?? Weirdo.

So here's some advice. Go before the movie starts, huh? There might be someone in the theater you are freaking out with your bathroom breaks.

So there you have it. My opinion.

 This review is written by Cambria Hebert

Green Lantern

Green Lantern

Directed by:  Martin Campbell

Based on the DC Comic Silver Age Green Lantern

Released in theaters June 17, 2011

My Rating: ★★★★★

When a daredevil test pilot, Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds), stumbles upon an injured alien, he finds he is destined for more than just service to his country. Soon he will serve the entire planet. A mysterious green ring, which draws power from a green lantern, will transform Hal into an elite intergalactic warrior. It will be up to the new Lantern to save the world from the destruction of pure fear and evil.

I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about Ryan Reynolds playing a super hero (aside from his pretty minimal role in X-Men). Not that I don't like him. I just couldn't quite see how he was going to pull off such an essentially serious role. (Buried didn't really do much for his career either, and I didn't even waste my time watching that.) I must say, he did a pretty great job as Hal Jordan. Yeah, he cracked some jokes, but his overall performance was pretty solid!

Since The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, I have also been quite a Blake Lively fan. She was a classic heroine—strong, smart, and beautiful. She is Jordan's wingman, long-time friend, and love interest. She provides a good anchor for Jordan when he starts veering away from reality.

The theme of the film, the fear absorbing evil approaching the earth to destroy it, was well played out and pretty darn scary! Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard) is a marginal but nasty antagonist. My son said his favorite part was when his blood cells were exploding and turning yellow and evil. It was pretty neat.

I guess credit needs to be given to the comic itself for the solid and entertaining plot, particularly Hal Jordan's disturbing past—a staple for most comic book heroes. The screenwriters certainly took some creative license with the story and condensed quite a bit of information to fit it into one film. It appears there will be a sequel to this film, and I can see how they may take some of the original storyline and apply it to different characters, keeping the Green Lantern himself pure.

You mean this ring??

The film's visual effects were terrific. Since the ring transforms anything you can imagine into reality, fueled by willpower, there are some pretty creative images. Overall, it was a well-done comic superhero movie.

I really need to get my hands on one of those rings!

 

 

 

Review by Cassie McCown

 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Directed by:  David Yates

Screenplay by:  Steve Kloves

Based on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Released in theaters July 15, 2011

 

My Rating:  ★★★★★

 

It's no secret I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan!  I love the books; I love the movies. I am absolutely heartbroken this is the last film. I cried as much for the completion of the series as I cried for the actual content of the movie. No, seriously—I boohooed at least half the show!

In this eighth and final installment of the beloved epic fantasy series, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) must destroy the remaining horcruxes and face his long-time enemy, Voldemort  (Ralph Fiennes) for one final battle. Alongside his best friends, Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint), his seven-year journey will, one way or another, come to an end.

This film begins just after Voldemort has stolen the elder wand from Dumbledore's grave, and Harry and his friends have buried Dobby (sob). Harry enlists the help of Griphook the goblin (Warwick Davis), who Dobby helped rescue from the Malfoy's estate, to break into Gringott's in search of one of the remaining horcruxes. Back in Diagon Alley, the action and adventure is on again, leading up to one heck of a final showdown between the Death Eaters and those remaining in Hogwart's.

Have I mentioned that I cannot believe the series is over? The first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone, was published in 1997 with the film adaption following in 2001. Now, fourteen years later, here we are at the close! I was a sophomore in high school the year the book was available. I feel like I grew up with Harry or at least I have watched a child grow up!

As for this particular film, it was spectacular, not that I expected anything different! Yes, the book is SO much better, but really, they have always done a wonderful job of staying as true to Rowling's original stories as they could. The cast, made up mostly of the same actors that started back in 2001, is flawless. I think Daniel Radcliffe was born for his role as Harry, and no matter what else he ever does, he will always be Harry Potter in my eyes.  Same goes for many of the other actors. After all these years, it is no surprise that each and every one of them gives an absolutely solid performance.

My favorite part of both this book and the movie is the ultimate revelation regarding Snape (Alan Rickman), who is probably my FAVORITE character of them all. You can imagine the tears were flowing during his final spotlight. I also enjoyed the growth that came to fruition in dear Neville (Matthew Lewis)! And Molly Weasley (Julie Walters) shows us once again that you don't mess with mama's babies!

David Yates is a terrific director, especially for the darker sentiment of the last several Potter films. I can't imagine it is easy capturing the perfect look and feel of the enormous amount of material that Rowling includes in her novels.  Yates, Kloves, and the set and costume designers must be commended for their remarkable ability to accurately portray the story in just a couple hours!

Overall, it was a perfect ending to a truly magical series! No review I could ever write would give it proper justice. Harry Potter will forever be a part of our lives. I cannot wait until this final film is on Blu-ray and our collection is complete to enjoy as often as we like!

Review by Cassie McCown

 

Demons Are A Ghoul's Best Friend

 

 

 

 

Demons Are A Ghoul's Best Friend

Victoria Laurie

SIGNET MYSTERY, year 2007

ISBN: 978-0-451-22090-5

Available format: Mass Market Paperback, ebook

 

Every school has its bullies, but Northelm Boarding School, near Lake Placid, New York, houses a real whopper: a lean, mean, and deadly demonic ghost named Hatchet Jack. M.J.'s good friend, Karen, has asked her – along with partners Gilley and handsome Dr. Steven Sable – to send Hatchet Jack back to the portal he came from.

 

With renovations at the school starting in a week, there isn't much time for ghost hunting. Plus M.J. has to deal with an uncooperative dean. Gilley is  being paranormally preyed upon, and the tempting, Dr. Delicious distracting her. But Hatchet Jack is M.J.'s biggest threat, and with a demonic disturbance of this magnitude she must show no mercy and see to it that Hatchet Jack gets detention for eternity – in hell.

 

M.J. and her crew are back and ready to do what needs to be done, but not without there beginning a few bumps here and there. M.J. is hired by her friend Karen to go to the Northelm Boarding School to bust the school's dangerous threat of a hatchet wielding ghost. Will this be an easy bust, or M.J.'s hardest yet…? I picked this book expecting a lot and boy did it deliver! I couldn't put it down; I was so absorbed in the story and what was taking place in its pages. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the Ghost Hunter Mystery series: Ghouls Just Haunt To Have Fun!

 

Plot – ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ I loved the plot and I couldn't had it turn out any other way. Now your probably wondering 'Why did she like the plot?' and 'What made her like it so much?' Well I can only tell you that it kept me on the edge of my seat. I didn't know where it was going, but I was dying to find out the mystery behind it all!

 

Writing – ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ The writing didn't really change from the first book, and I'm glad it didn't! It wouldn't have been a Ghost Hunter Mystery book if anything, and I mean anything, was changed.

 

Characters – ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ I was happy to see M.J. and her crew back, and ready to crack another mystery. You get to know the characters more and more and see what transpires between them!

 

Mary-Jane 'M.J.' Holliday – M.J.'s back and ready to kicked some demonic ghost butt! She hates change and would love to see everything stay the same, but as time goes on things change and she has no choice but to flow with it. M.J. also sometimes forgets that she might have an iron heart, but others might not and they can't do all the darning things she does.

 

Gilley 'Gil' Gillespie – Gilley is back and ready to lend a helping hand to M.J. when she needs it, only if that involves him staying in the van and not in the danger of getting bullied by some ghosts! Though he seems a scary cat at times he's a good friend and M.J. wouldn't change that for the world. Good friends are hard to come by and Gilley's a keeper.

 

Dr. Steven Sable – Steven is the newest member in the Ghost Busting team and M.J.'s love interest, even though she denies it to him and herself, it's still there sitting in the dark waiting to come out in full bloom. Steven knows nothing about the Ghost world, but he comes baring money and lots of it!

 

Karen 'Teeko' O'Neal – Karen has hired M.J. to go to Northelm Boarding School to solve there little ghost problem. That ghost problem having a name of Hatchet Jack!

 

Hatchet Jack – Is a mean son of a bitch who loves to chase people around with a hatchet. No one knows who he is, or how he's come to haunt Northelm, but M.J. means to put a stop to it once and for all!

 

Overall I give this book ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ – no more and no less!

 

Review by Lura

Angel Burn – L.A.Weatherly

Available Editions: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Publisher: Candlewick Press
Date: May 24, 2011
Edition: Illustrated
ISBN13: 9780763656522
ISBN: 0763656526

BINC: 3261699

 

 

 

 

 

Willow knows she's different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people's dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where this power comes from. But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces, and that he's one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems, least of all good and evil. In the first book in an action-packed, romantic trilogy, L..A. Weatherly sends readers on a thrill-ride of a road trip – and depicts the human race at the brink of a future as catastrophic as it is deceptively beautiful.

They're out for your soul . . . and they don't have heaven in mind.

Angel Burn – L.A.Weatherly



I am in love with a badass angel, Patch, but ironically I'm also in love with an AK (angel killer), Alex. Now I finally understand why my friends have been obsessed with Alex.

Willow is a 17-year-old girl who was different from the other girls, despite her ability to fix cars, she is an angel. Well, partly angel to be more specific. And it's her destiny to save humanity against these divine beings.



Beware! Angels are coming! Beware! (Why I rated Angel Burn a 4.5) :



1. I like the idea of 'angel' in this series, for one, the angels created by L.A. Weatherly are evil, they feed on humans and leave them in a state of euphoria, a situation called Angel Burn. Those people who suffered from Angel Burn become obsessed with the existence of angels, and they believed that the angels have arrived to save mankind, despite the fact that the angels only see them as cattle, a source of food for them. Yes, I've read about fallen angels (Kalona) and archangels, but that didn't compare to the evilness of the angels in this series. Seriously, the angels in Angel Burn scare me. They disguised themselves as humans, living among us, and they also possess the ability to manipulate our minds.

2. Angel Killers. Another idea that I admire! I've had vampire slayers, werewolves hunters, YA versions of Van Helsings, but dang, these angel killers are like military forces. And it's comforting to know that humans still poses a threat to them. It's not very often you read about humans having an upper hand against supernatural beings.

3. Cool angel traits!

-The heart of an angel is their halo.

-They are able to feed off human by draining away their life force, making them ill.

-They managed to dominate the government!

-They tend to sound scary?

4. Besides the angels that scares me, I thought the Church of Angels was even scarier. Church of Angels is run by people who suffered from Angel Burn (might I say, they tend to be really fanatic. Annoying) and they are the 'faithful' followers of the angels, not to mention food. And it's a brilliant idea to add obsessive human (or a scary cult) into the story! Makes the story more adrenaline junkie!

5) Angel Burn reminded me of The Host by Stephenie Meyer. The characters Willow and Alex embarked on a journey to outrun and stay safe from the angels, and like The Host, they have to live in constant pressure of being found. And like Ian and Wanda, they fell in love. Together, they've been through most of the places (although in The Host they are mostly stuck in the cave, but still….). I just adore the story line because the characters actually have a chance to go on an adventure, instead of staying in a same old town all day. And I think that I was gripping the seat each time I read about a fight scene! Perfectly written in fact!



Neh, that angel's good. (Why I don't rate it a 5)



1. Despite my fondness for this book, I found the development of the characters (Willow and Alex) not that….adequate, although it's a thick book (510 pages to be exact). When I read about them, it was like …snap….hate….snap….love…snap….we're boyfriend girlfriend! Alex has been attracted to Willow from the first time he'd seen her, and he fell in love with her when he see how good she was, but it was just a few occasions, I felt like the understanding they had between them was not enough to be categorized as love, nevertheless, I still love them both.

2. Too many kissing scenes! It was like, the only thing Willow and Alex did after they announced their love. I love romantic and sweet scenes, but I thought it was a bit too much though. First kiss, I was swooning. Second, I swooned even more. But then when it became too frequent, I was getting annoyed.

3. Willow was teeny bit too insecure, all she could thought of was how she was bad because she has a half-angel in her, I did cry when she expressed her thought and love Alex because he comforted her, but once again, she's a teeny bit too insecure and kind of soft. (I thought the Willow in the book cover seemed fierce). Still, I love her character because she can be strong when she wants too. I hope she has found her reassurance and gain more self-confidence in the next book though.

Still, best angel book ever! In fact, it's a teeny bit better than Hush Hush because there is more action and it filled me with unexplainable emotions!

Praises to L.A.Weatherly:)

Reviewed by,

Natasha Anne

Seranfyll

Title: Seranfyll

Author: Christina Daley

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: May 2011 by Christina Daley

AISN: B00508VT3Y

Format: Ebook

Rain was born into slavery; it's all she's ever known. She has never had any possessions and doesn't even have a proper name. Yet, in her thirteen years of life, she has been lucky. She lives with her sister, Snow, under the control of Lord Peachtree who treats his slaves as humans.

But her life is about to change.

Because Lord Peachtree has a little problem…okay, a big problem. With gambling. And he settles a debt with Rain. So she is ripped from the only home she has known and sent off with a thief who only wants to sell her to the highest bidder.

Luck is on her side once more in the form of an eccentric man. Domrey Seranfyll comes to market one day, drawing everyone's stares. Because he's drunk. And he's singing. Did I mention that he is riding backwards?

Everyone in town starts whispering, calling him the devil and watching him warily. They whisper about a flying horse and a cursed Manor. He causes quite the stir when he purchases ten slaves and then leads them from the square while still singing.

Rain isn't sure what to make of this man and his huge manor that has been neglected for years. What is even stranger is that instead of putting the slaves to work he hands them all their name papers and sets them free.

A slave for thirteen years and a freeman for thirteen seconds, Rain has no idea what to do or where to go. So she stays. And cleans up after the passed out drunk. All the other slaves leave except for Coal, who stays behind to look after Rain.

As Rain and Coal begin to unlock the secrets of the enchanted estate (like brooms and mops that walk on their own! And apple trees that move!),  they begin to wonder if the rumors they heard in town are true…could Domrey Seranfyll be the devil and would he curse them when he wakes from his drunken stupor?

Seranfyll is quite a charming tale. The pages practically gleam with glittering enchantment. If you like fairytales and the possibility that there might be more to life than meets the eye then this book is certainly for you. And if you don't believe in such possibilities then you might after you read this book.

I'll be honest and say that I was really doubtful when I first started this book. Only because Rain is thirteen and I was afraid that the book would be a little young to really pull me in. I myself, am not thirteen anymore, and I thought that I might not relate to her that well. In this book age is just a number because Rain is not thirteen. She has the maturity of a girl much older. Probably because of the way she was raised and her life up until the start of the book.

Even throughout the book Rain matures, which is fabulous for character development. It is really is good writing when you can see a character progress and change. Which, really, all three main characters do. They all grow in the relationships that they have with each other. And often times they test each other, they don't always get along but they are bonded together and that makes it possibly to find their way back to what really matters.

I loved reading as Rain developed, deciding upon what kind of person she would be. She is a very gentle soul but does learn that sometimes you must speak up for yourself. She also accomplishes things and experiences things that she never thought possible…and I'm not talking magic here, though I'll get to that. She meets the king, learns to read and write, and grows an inner confidence that shines.

Domrey is another character that grows throughout the story. In the beginning he comes off as silly, indulgent and selfish. And very, very immature. But really, deep down he feels alone and insecure. Even though it appears that his life has been charmed you learn that it hasn't. By the end of the book you see him as a man with flaws but also a man who is fiercely loyal, generous to a fault and filled with good intentions. What he does for Coal changed everything in the way the reader viewed him. And okay…he still might be a bit immature…but do you know any guy who isn't?

Coal is another strong character. He is stubborn, proud and jaded. The perfect contrast to Domrey and Rain. He tends to be pessimistic and lacks the dialogue to say what it is he wants to say so he comes off as gruff and abrasive. And might I add that he is far beyond the mindset of a thirteen year old.

The relationship dynamic is fantastic between these three and I loved that you could see them really working to create a family. In that respect the book seemed very real.

Now, onto flying horses and brooms that clean on their own…

Added in with all characterization was the enchantment. And I was really charmed by the manor and the things that came to life. It reminded me a lot of the castle from Beauty and the Beast and all the things that lived within its walls.

My favorite was the worn and broken mop and bucket that would work tirelessly along with Rain to clean. They were like eager puppies wanting to please their owner. The other brooms, mops and buckets were very naughty.

The flying horses were also fabulous and the knitting of magic blankets to cover their wings was just really clever.

I also, thoroughly enjoyed the apple tree who would offer its sweet fruit when asked.

There is one more thing I would like to touch on before I close. The romance element. I know you might be scratching your head here because there is not romantic element in the story. And that's okay because it doesn't belong. These people are building a family. The girl is thirteen and well, just because. BUT as I was reading I (and maybe it's just me) couldn't help but wonder as Rain aged how the relationship she had with Coal and Domrey would change. Would it? I could see the chemistry she had with both men. There was the way she argues with Coal as they were old and married to the way she and Domrey seemed to just fit together like two halves of a whole. The way she would lay in bed and watch the light in his observatory and be comforted made me think that maybe she had feelings for him she had yet to name. It would be quite the love triangle. And did Domrey feel more for Rain that a brotherly/sisterly bond? Was he merely getting to know her and allowing her to come into herself before he declared his love? And, would the three settle into a family brother/sister relationship (that they seemed to really work toward) and then any chance of more would be lost? I sincerely hope that Ms. Daley is planning a sequel…maybe fast forwarding two or three years into the future so this can be explored. And also with the all enchanting possibilities this story would make a great series.

You should read this book on a day when the dark clouds are heavy with rain and rumble with thunder because it is the type of book that you can really escape into with a blanket in your lap and a steaming drink (like a latte!) at your elbow.

So there you have it. My opinion.

This review is written by Cambria Hebert

Living With the Dead: With Spring Comes Fall

Title: Living with the Dead: With Spring Comes Fall

Author: Joshua Guess

Published by Josh Guess 2010

Format: Ebook

Genre: Horror, Zombies

ISBN:  0012707570

When the dead walk the earth, the only option left for the survivors is to learn how to truly live.

Josh is a regular guy, a self-proclaimed "nerd", and he also is obsessed with zombies. So when a series of alarming events begin to happen across the country, Josh knows immediately what is happening. Zombies are taking over the country…one bite at a time.

So he does what anyone facing a tragedy would do…he goes to Walmart with a credit card. And Lowe's and the gas station and any other supply store he can. His neighbors think he's silly when he starts to board up his windows and reinforce the whole exterior with sheet metal. They think he's off his rocker when he stockpiles dry goods and food.

But then they wish that they had done the same. Because he was right.

On the brink of a Zombie apocalypse, Josh has to make some tough choices about survival and death. The one way he keeps his sanity and a little piece of himself is by blogging. He isn't sure at first if anyone can even see his blog and how many there are left out there like him…just trying to survive…but then he realizes that his blog is something that is linking them all together and giving some the will they need to survive in a zombie eating, marauder filled world.

I wasn't quite convinced that this book would be worth the read but frankly, I had to read it. I was reviewing it on the blog radio talk show that I newly co-host (JournalJabber), and I can't very well talk intelligently on a book I haven't read. So.

This book is different from a lot of the books I have read for several reasons. One, it is written as a series of blog posts. I wasn't sure that I would like this style, but I really did. It pulled me right it with its conversational and friendly dialogue. There are quite a few mistakes in spelling and grammar but it is pointed out at the beginning of the book that it is unedited as to make it appear more original. Okay, so I can hang with that. I mean if you ever look at my blog it probably reads a lot like that because I don't usually spell check or edit my posts.

Second of all, I have read a few zombie books but never one that seemed to go this far. I mean this read like an actual account of an apocalypse. It sounded real. And it was also very thought provoking. In what ways? Let's discuss.

Oh, but first let me just say that you should get a copy of this book, if not just to enjoy but for survival purposes. That's right…this book might save your life. In the event of a zombie apocalypse, that is. This book has many lists in it. Lists of supplies, medicines and weapons that one might need for survival. It sounded pretty authentic and I was convinced that yes, these things would save me. LOL

While reading I often wondered, if this happened to me what would I do? I mean these people have to live primitively. They have to kill and fight, they have to be quick about constructing barriers and they have to one step ahead of these flesh eating creatures at all times. At the same time they are mentally beat down and half crazed knowing that the world as they know it is gone. Would you be able to look into the faces of the people you once lived next door to and beat them in the head with a weapon or shoot them with a rifle?

Now, now….this is not the time to remember the time they stole your newspaper and let their dog use your grass as a potty. These are not reasons for retaliation…well not violent retaliation…but feel free to TP or egg their house at will.

Back on topic…Would you have the resources to build a wall of cars and know how to reinforce your house with lumber and metal or to rig a school bus to be a weapon that travels? No? Yeah, not so much me either. In fact, this book kind of made me realize my flaws. GASP! Yes, I think I have some. Yikes!

I'm not sure I am savvy enough to survive in that kind of world without a huge heaping of luck. But man, this Josh dude, he knows his bizness.

Now, with the things that annoyed me with this book. Yes, there were some and I am keeping it real, so I will tell you what they are. Within the story there is kind of a sub-plot, if you will, in the romance department…if you could call it that. Basically, what happens is that survivors start making their way to Josh's camp (because he's the man!) and one of these survivors is the girl he lost his virginity too. He expresses concern about living with his wife and his old nookie partner.

This annoyed me. If you were being attacked daily by hoards of zombies and also being bombarded my looters trying to steal your home would you care about an old flame? No. You wouldn't. You would be too busy trying to survive.

What was worse was that Josh's new wife told him that she wanted him to sleep with this woman to get her pregnant, solely for re-populization.

Seriously?

No I am not kidding.

Women everywhere are gasping and rolling their eyes.

Let me just put on record that if a zombie apocalypse ever comes calling, and I happen to survive by building a rockin' compound and some hoochie came round that thought it was her turn with my husband I would feed her to the zombies.

Also, this was all very unbelievable in the plot. Who would be thinking about repopulating at a time like this? Who would want to bring an innocent child into these kinds of conditions? I might have been able to believe the whole re-population thing if the zombies weren't attacking still and people were beginning to rebuild.

What are your thoughts on this? Women and men?

The other major issue I found (for me) in this story was the cell phone use. I mean, would the cell towers even be up anymore? Would they work? Josh uses his phone (which is an iphone- Hooray for the iPhone!) a whole heck of a lot. I know about an iPhone and the battery needs charged nightly. I use mine a lot, and he did too, so how did he keep it charged? Sure they have generators and such but sometimes he was out rescuing survivors and he would call his buddy and leave the line open and in his pocket. This just didn't seem plausible. I mean the iPhone rocks, but in the state of an apocalypse, I think a dropped call or two isn't out of the question.

All in all, I liked this book a lot. It was written in an engaging sort of way and was very informative. I seriously would pull this book out if I ever needed a survival guide. I sincerely hope that there are a lot of people out there like Josh Guess because if this ever really happens then it is the people like him that will probably save people like me. If you want a read that has a fresh take on zombies I would recommend it.

So there you have it. My opinion.

This review is written by Cambria Hebert