Jessica E. Subject's Blog, page 210

Book Review: Children of the Fog by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

from Goodreads:

YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS TO MAKE A DECISION:

Let A Kidnapper Take Your Child, Or Watch Your Son Die.

Choose!

Sadie O'Connell is a bestselling author and a proud mother. But her life is about to spiral out of control. After her six-year-old son Sam is kidnapped by a serial abductor, she nearly goes insane. But it isn't just the fear and grief that is ripping her apart. It's the guilt. Sadie is the only person who knows what the kidnapper looks like. And she can't tell a soul. For if she does, her son will be sent back to her in "little bloody pieces".

When Sadie's unfaithful husband stumbles across her drawing of the kidnapper, he sets into play a series of horrific events that sends her hurtling over the edge. Sadie's descent into alcoholism leads to strange apparitions and a face-to-face encounter with the monster who abducted her son–a man known only as…The Fog.

First Line

She was ready to die.

My Review

*I received this book from the author for review.

In 'Children of the Fog', we watch Sadie's already far from perfect life spiral further out of control after her son is abducted in front of her.

I must admit, this book does not fall into the genres I normally read, but I've read other books by Cheryl Kaye Tardif and really enjoyed them.

I found this book hard to get into due to the main character. She bugged me, mostly because she just did not fight hard enough for anything in her life. It was the prologue that kept me reading though and I'm glad I did.

I watched in the later half as Sadie grew as a person, even though she still had her faults; we all do. But there was one thing she never gave up on, one thing she fought for, and that made the story enjoyable for me.

I will continue to read more from Cheryl Kaye Tardif in the future.

My Rating: 4 Aliens out of 5

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Watch the book trailer:

Children of the Fog by Cheryl Kaye Tardif is available from:

Amazon.com Kindle Store
Smashwords (multi-format)

You can find Cheryl Kaye Tardif here:

Website: http://www.cherylktardif.com/
Blog: http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherylktardif?ref=profile
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/cherylktardif
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/306733.Cheryl_Kaye_Tardif

 

 

Book Review: Memento Nora by Angie Smibert

from Goodreads:

A teen struggles to hold onto her memories-and her identity-in a world that wants everyone to forget-and keep on shopping. Three dynamic teens come together to creat a comic book of their memories. Ages 13+

First Line

I'm about to forget everything I'm going to tell you.

My Review

*I bought this book from Amazon.ca

In Memento Nora, it is easy to forget about all of the terrorism occurring all around. All you have to do is take a pill. It will help you to forget all of your painful memories.

The first time Nora James visits a Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic (TFC), she meets a guy who demonstrates one doesn't have to take the pill. And Nora decides to remember. Unfortunately, remembering leads Nora to discover her world is far different than she'd thought.

This is the third book I've read from the authors of The League of Extraordinary Writers. Memento Nora ranks up in my favorite reads with the other two. Angie Smibert brings her characters to life through detailed, journal-like entries. Her futuristic, dystopian world is revealed throughout, showing the reader that the characters' lives are far from the perfect one they believe they're living. I also really enjoyed the references to our own time period. Memento Nora moves at a great pace, switching between three points of view. The pages just kept turning until I reached the emotional (at least for me) ending.

I highly recommend Memento Nora by Angie Smibert and look forward to reading more from her and the rest of the "League."

My Rating: 5 Aliens out of 5

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Information:

Hardcover, 192 pages

Published April 1, 2011 by Marshall Cavendish Children's Books

ISBN 0761458298 (ISBN13: 978-0761458296)

Memento Nora by Angie Smibert is available from:

Chapters/Indigo
Amazon.com
Amazon.ca
Barnes & Noble
Books-a-Million
The Book Depository
Indie Bound
& more.

You can find Angie Smibert here:

Website/Blog: http://www.angiesmibert.com/blog/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/asmibert
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/amsmibert
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3399621.Angie_Smibert

 

Six Sentence Sunday #34: 06/12/11 – Faith finds out what happened (Finally!)

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Thank you to everyone who keeps coming back to read and comment on my excerpts every week. As always, I am open to constructive criticism.

This excerpt comes from a WIP called Acceptance (still in first draft). Continued from last week, Faith learns why Gabe is there but still doesn't remember what happened the night before. Even though there was no official Six Sunday last week, I still posted. If you missed my excerpt, check it out here.

"I remember going to the bar and having a few drinks, but nothing else. Why, what happened?"

Gabe's eyes flashed fiercely before he spoke. "After you got very friendly with some guy on the dance floor, you saw me and decided to throw some friendliness my way. Then you passed out."

Faith groaned, wondering what he meant by friendly.

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Visit the new Six Sentence Sunday site http://sixsunday.com/ to find out who's participating this week or follow the #sixsunday hashtag on twitter.

 

Friday 1NS Review: One Night with a Wolf by Rebecca Royce

from Goodreads:

Joseph Penn is a Werewolf who has come to New York City to celebrate his sister's birthday. Having been turned against his will years earlier in a violent attack, he spends as little time as possible away from his secluded home. Sitting in the bar, waiting for his sister, he's shocked when he receives an unexpected text from his old friend, Madame Evangeline, the owner of the exclusive dating service, 1Night Stand, telling him he's being set up with a woman in that very bar.

Kaylee Post has lost her boyfriend, her job, and her self-confidence. Intending to celebrate her friend's birthday at the Manhattan restaurant, she never expects instead to have a one-night stand with a wolf who will change her life in ways she can't yet imagine.

First Line

The bar in a restaurant called The View situated atop The Marriot Marquis Hotel hopped for a Wednesday night.

My Review

*I bought this book from Decadent Publishing.

This book combines all the best of romance, paranormal and steamy scenes in a sweet package.

I loved the character development throughout the story and enjoyed reading beyond their night in bed.

One Night With A Wolf is another great book from Rebecca Royce and Decadent's 1 Night Stand series.

My Rating: 5 Aliens out of 5

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One Night with a Wolf by Rebecca Royce is available in ebook format from:

Decadent Publishing (includes excerpt – multiple formats)
Amazon (Kindle)
Smashwords (multiple formats)
All Romance ebooks (multiple formats)
1 Place for Romance (multiple formats)

You can find Rebecca Royce here:

Website: http://www.rebeccaroyce.com/
Blog: http://www.rebeccaroyce.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebecca-Royce/172551376131638?sk=wall
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/rebeccaroyce
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3005246

Book Review: Slow Burn by E.B. Walters

from Goodreads:

She doesn't want to deal with the past…

Ten years ago, Ashley Fitzgerald witnessed the death of her parents in a tragic fire and blocked the memory. She pretends to have moved on, is a successful artist and photographer, until the morning she opens her door to a stranger she assumes is a model and asks him to strip to his briefs .

He wants to expose the truth….

Wealthy businessman Ron Noble has the body, the jet, the fast cars and the women, but he hides a deadly secret. His father started the fire that killed Ashley's parents. Now someone is leaving him clues that could exonerate his father and they lead to Ashley's door. Blindsided by the blazing attraction between them and a merciless killer silencing anyone who was there the night of the fire, Ron dare not tell Ashley the truth. Yet the answer he seeks may very well tear them apart.

While a demented arsonist plots his ultimate revenge.

First Line

Ashley woke up gasping for breath, acrid air clogging her lungs.

My Review

Ten years ago, Ashley's parents and Ron's father died in the same fire. It was not the event that brought them together, but anonymous letters suggesting the fire was not an accident. The two must now work together to find the truth. Sparks ignite between them, but information revealed in their search may tear them apart forever.

Slow Burn is anything but slow. Whether the characters are fighting for their lives or fighting to get each other's clothes off, the pages are filled with action. The emotional intensity is great as well. I never wanted to put the book down.

Slow Burn is heart-thumping, heart-wrenching and heart-stopping. I look forward to more from E.B. Walters.

My Rating: 5 Aliens out of 5

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The Fitzgerald Family series facebook fan page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fitzgerald-Family-series-by-EB-Walters/149204081811639

Watch the book trailer:

Slow Burn by E.B. Walters is available from:

Amazon.com (print)
Nook Books (ebook)
Kindle store (ebook)
Smashwords (ebook – multiple format)

You can find E.B. Walters here:

Website: http://www.ednahwalters.com/E_B_Walters_Titles.htm
Blog: http://enwalters.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Ednah-Walters/100000535104042
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ednahwalters
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4188120.Ednah_Walters

 

My Writing Family: The Other Woman (or Man) – Guest Post by Angela & Becca from The Bookshelf Muse

Most writers are married, or have a significant other, or someone special in their life (kids, relatives, etc). These people are the cornerstones of our lives, the people who we most trust with our fears, hopes, secrets and welfare. But for many of us, there's someone else.

Me, I'm happily married, but on the side, I have The Other Woman…Becca, my #1 crit partner, blog partner, mentor & friend. Sure, there's a few thousand miles between us. We live in different countries. She hates pickle chips (WHAT is up with that?) but I can overlook it. Why? Without her, I wouldn't be posting this. Without her, I would have given up this path long ago. My husband is my rock, but Becca is the sunlight that gives me strength to keep pursuing this dream called 'Published.'

Every writer should have a Becca. I'll repeat that: EVERY WRITER SHOULD HAVE A BECCA. Our relationship works so well because we trust one another enough to challenge each other to do better. We have honesty, we have respect and we both want the other to succeed as much as we want to succeed ourselves.

So let's look at the core elements for a successful Critique Partner relationship: truth, trust, respect, and encouragement.

TRUTH–Becca

It's so nice to hear how Angela feels about me, because I feel the same about her. She knows my strengths and weaknesses I think better than I do. Without her encouragement and support, I never would have come back to writing after taking my self-imposed child-bearing break. She, more than any other person on the planet, has made me the writer I am today.

But the fact is that I would've known how Angela felt about me without having read this because we've always shared the TRUTH. And that's really important in a successful partnership. There have been times when I've dropped an idea on Angela only to have her say, "Actually, I was thinking along these lines…" IE, Never in a million years would that work. (Diplomacy = another fine quality). You can't get maximum benefit from a working relationship if you're always questioning whether or not the other person is just being nice. Our partnership works because we know the other person is always going to be honest. Always.

TRUST-Becca

Once truth is established, another necessary quality is born: TRUST. I trust that Angela is always going to tell me the truth. Because of that truth, I trust her intentions, that she always has my best interests at heart. And I trust that Angela's got my back, because if you can accept brutal honesty 24/7 for months on end, you come to really appreciate the person who values you enough to keep giving it, and you'll stand up for them whenever the opportunity arises.

RESPECT-Angela

Respect is really paramount to any crit partner relationship. Without it, the other elements cannot form. Respect is twofold–making sure to always acknowledge the time and effort someone has put into their work and to understand that what one is critiquing is a direct product of the other writer's passion. This means never ridiculing or demeaning the other person's efforts. When Becca hands me a project, well I'm giddy because I know it will be good because she has a great imagination & command of writing. But at the same time, Becca, just like me, is a writer-in-progress and there will be issues I'll pick up on. Being respectful of her and writing means being respectful of her journey as a writer. Any feedback I offer is always focused on the work, never the person or their skill level.

ENCOURAGEMENT-Angela

The writer's road is rocky, and a critique partner can really be a key contributor to a writer's ability to stay focused and motivated to continue. In my case, well, it's been a long time since I stepped onto the path. There were plenty of times when I thought about quitting, or questioned my own abilities, wondering if I was deluded by thinking I can do this. Every time I falter, Becca's there to pick me up. She reminds me of why I started this journey with her, and how hard we've worked to get here. She pumps me up, reminding me of my successes. Encouragement is paramount to succeeding as a writer. Your critique partner should always support you, listen to your doubts and worries, and wave the pom poms to get you back on your feet again.

Final Thoughts: If you have a critique partner that you value more than bacon (which is THE ULTIMATE as we all know), then you were probably nodding your head as you read this. If maybe you haven't found that perfect match, keep at it! Writing is tough, and while we all need a cheering section, we need someone who challenges us to be our very best even more. Depending on whether you write for children or adults, there are loads of associations and critique groups to get involved with. If you are a children's writer, I strongly recommend hanging out at Verla Kay's Blue Board, and also searching the SCBWI forums (if you are a member). If you write for adults, Becca and I both recommend joining The Critique Circle. This site is for all genres and ages (except erotica), has over 2000 members, a top of the line, password-protected critiquing system…and happens to be where Becca and I met.

All the best!

Becca & Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

 

Six Sentence Sunday #33: 06/05/11 ~ Gabe has transferred

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Thank you for visiting even though there is no official Six Sunday today. As always, I am open to constructive criticism.

This excerpt comes from a WIP called Acceptance (still in first draft). Continued from last week, Faith is getting more sensual contact from Gabe than she ever has before.

"You don't remember anything from last night?"

Faith shook her head.

"I transferred up here. Todd invited me to stay with you until I find a place of my own."

"And why didn't either of you tell me? I was talking to you on facebook just last week."

"I wanted it to be a surprise," Gabe said, still holding her close. "You really don't remember last night?"

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Click here to find out how you can participate.

Friday 1NS Review: Panties Optional by Stephenie Beck

from Goodreads:

Maggie Chase has a wild night of passion planned with the help of Madame Evangeline's dating service, 1NightStand. A single night with an incredible man, what more can a busy girl ask for?

Sam Peterson requests that Madame Evangeline help him find a woman who isn't after him for his money. Maggie may just fit the bill, but with her list of fantasies in hand, she may be more than he bargained for.

Forever isn't on either one of their minds, but maybe it doesn't have to be.

First Line

Oh, she was naughty.

My Review

*I bought this book from Decadent Publishing.

My goal is to read all of Decadent Publishing's 1 Night Stand series. Considering 1-2 are released each week, I have a lot of reading to do to get caught up.

Panties Optional has to be my favorite so far. All the rest were great, but this one caught me by surprise.

The characters are well-developed in such a short time and the love-making is oh so HOT!!

And the ending… Awesome! It was completely unexpected but I felt I could relate. I loved the unpredictability of Panties Optional!

My Rating: 5 Aliens out of 5

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Panties Optional by Stephanie Beck is available in ebook format from:

Decadent Publishing (includes excerpt – multiple formats)
Amazon (Kindle)
Barnes & Noble (Nook)
Smashwords (multiple formats)
All Romance ebooks (multiple formats)

You can find Stephenie Beck here:

Website: http://www.stephaniebeck.net/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/StephanieBeckAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/StephBeck123
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3468338

Waiting On Wednesday: "One Night With a Wolf" and "Possession"

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme started by Breaking the Spine in which we spotlight soon-to-be released books that we can't wait to get our hands on!

This is my second time participating, but I thought I'd share two books that will be released in the next week.

One Night With a Wolf by Rebecca Royce

Publication date: June 3, 2011 from Decadent Publishing

Paranormal, Romance, Short Story

Joseph Penn is a Werewolf who has come to New York City to celebrate his sister's birthday.  Having been turned against his will years earlier in a violent attack, he spends as little time as possible away from his secluded home.  He is shocked when his phone rings and it is Madame Evangeline telling him that he is being set up with a woman in the bar with him.

Kaylee Post has lost her boyfriend, her job, and her self-confidence but one night with a wolf is about to change her life in ways she can't yet imagine.

I've read a few of the 1 Night Stand series now and plan to read all of them. Plus, I've read several other books by Rebecca Royce – adult and young adult – and have enjoyed them all.

Possession by Elana Johnson

Publication date: June 7, 2011 from Simon Pulse

Young Adult, Dystopian

from http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/:

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn…and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them…starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous–everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

I first learned of Possession from The League of Extraordinary Writers blog, a group of debut YA authors who write science fiction and dystopian novels. The other three (already released) books I've read by members of the League can be found in my "Favorite Reads of 2011." I'm excited to read another from the group.

So, what upcoming releases are you looking forward to reading?