M.L. Stephens's Blog, page 5
May 9, 2013
Hell's Gate by Benjamin Daniels
My Review ofHell's Gate by Benjamin Daniels
Amazon link Blurb The gates of Hell are open. Angels and Demons fight for our mortality and dominance of earth. The rapture diminishes the human population and very few remain to defend what God gave us. It is up to the Angels to fight the war, the humans to survive and the druids to protect the earth. Cole wants nothing more than to be left alone until the war is over and see who wins. He doesn't care for rules of any kind and wants least of all to choose a side. Fate however, has different plans for him. His only friend is being held hostage by a Demon with a plan to win the war and return the earth to what it once was. It is up to him to rescue her with the help of a fallen Angel who comes to his aid to ensure his survival.The Druids are the only ones who can save his friend, but they have an agenda of their own. The demon is demented but has the best intentions with what she believes. Cole finds himself lusting after the fallen Angel and must choose between her and saving his friend. The problem is that he doesn't know who he can trust. Armageddon is here and Hell on earth has just begun.My Review I'm a sucker for religious speculation, but when you combine that with the elements of fantasy, it's hard to go wrong. Ben Daniels delivers a cast of fantastical creatures which leap from the page and fill your imagination. Just when I thought the author had created the ultimate villain, he out does himself and continues to bring new ones to life. I would have enjoyed a bit more dialogue, but overall I was intrigued by the creativity of the story and was transported to a world which exploded to life. Angels, demons, humans and Druids…oh my!
Amazon link Blurb The gates of Hell are open. Angels and Demons fight for our mortality and dominance of earth. The rapture diminishes the human population and very few remain to defend what God gave us. It is up to the Angels to fight the war, the humans to survive and the druids to protect the earth. Cole wants nothing more than to be left alone until the war is over and see who wins. He doesn't care for rules of any kind and wants least of all to choose a side. Fate however, has different plans for him. His only friend is being held hostage by a Demon with a plan to win the war and return the earth to what it once was. It is up to him to rescue her with the help of a fallen Angel who comes to his aid to ensure his survival.The Druids are the only ones who can save his friend, but they have an agenda of their own. The demon is demented but has the best intentions with what she believes. Cole finds himself lusting after the fallen Angel and must choose between her and saving his friend. The problem is that he doesn't know who he can trust. Armageddon is here and Hell on earth has just begun.My Review I'm a sucker for religious speculation, but when you combine that with the elements of fantasy, it's hard to go wrong. Ben Daniels delivers a cast of fantastical creatures which leap from the page and fill your imagination. Just when I thought the author had created the ultimate villain, he out does himself and continues to bring new ones to life. I would have enjoyed a bit more dialogue, but overall I was intrigued by the creativity of the story and was transported to a world which exploded to life. Angels, demons, humans and Druids…oh my!
Review of 3 Days by Krista Madden
Review 3 Days by Krista MaddenAmazon link
Blurb: Kara Laquin wanted nothing more than to forget. Forget the past, live in the present, and ignore the future. When a massive solar flare destroys all electronics and throws the country into chaos, Kara is nearly a whole state away from her lost love, Blaine. He can wait only three days before moving on. With access to fuel limited, she must do anything necessary to get to him before he is forced to move on, but society is crumbling around her. Looters and murderers prowl the cities during the day, and something even worse roams at night. My Review If you are looking for your next addiction, this is it! 3 Days was fun, easy to read and well crafted. The author wove a captivating dystopian tale that kept me turning the pages and the underlying sweet romance was perfect. What would you do if the power went out and life as you knew it came to a screeching halt? Would you be able to do whatever it took to survive? Could you defy the odds and learn to adapt or would you refuse to believe the new reality and fall victim to your circumstances? That's what the young adults in this story had to face. Kara's struggle to survive while attempting to locate her lost love was believable and it didn't take long before I was cheering her along. Blaine quickly became a guy that I wanted to know more about. I was pleased as his strength and compassion became evident and then I couldn't get enough of him. Jared was another one of my favorite characters and seemed like the type of guy you want to know and have on your side. I have added this book to my list of favorites and eagerly await book 2 in the series. Kudos Krista Madden! I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to teens and adults alike.
Blurb: Kara Laquin wanted nothing more than to forget. Forget the past, live in the present, and ignore the future. When a massive solar flare destroys all electronics and throws the country into chaos, Kara is nearly a whole state away from her lost love, Blaine. He can wait only three days before moving on. With access to fuel limited, she must do anything necessary to get to him before he is forced to move on, but society is crumbling around her. Looters and murderers prowl the cities during the day, and something even worse roams at night. My Review If you are looking for your next addiction, this is it! 3 Days was fun, easy to read and well crafted. The author wove a captivating dystopian tale that kept me turning the pages and the underlying sweet romance was perfect. What would you do if the power went out and life as you knew it came to a screeching halt? Would you be able to do whatever it took to survive? Could you defy the odds and learn to adapt or would you refuse to believe the new reality and fall victim to your circumstances? That's what the young adults in this story had to face. Kara's struggle to survive while attempting to locate her lost love was believable and it didn't take long before I was cheering her along. Blaine quickly became a guy that I wanted to know more about. I was pleased as his strength and compassion became evident and then I couldn't get enough of him. Jared was another one of my favorite characters and seemed like the type of guy you want to know and have on your side. I have added this book to my list of favorites and eagerly await book 2 in the series. Kudos Krista Madden! I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to teens and adults alike. May 8, 2013
Review of Truths of the Soul (Soul Seers #3)
My review of Truths of the Soul (Soul Seers #3) by Rene FolsomI'm in love with this series. Johan and Ella are my new favorite couple and I can't get enough! Rene Folsom has created a spellbinding story that makes me want more. 'Truths of the Soul' was a great addition to a series that has me eagerly anticipating the release of each installment.
Can dreams give the dreamer insight into their own fate? Can we discover love while our eyes are closed and remember that love once we open them? Well, you'll just have to read the series to find out!
I am officially addicted!
May 7, 2013
A writer's soul
Every story holds insight into the writer's soul. If the soul can't be found, the writer didn't bleed enough. ~ M.L. Stephens
April 12, 2013
Review of Dating Husbands by Lindy Zart
My Review: Dating Husbands by Lindy Zart
Amazon Link Blurb Bianca has three loves: her job, her cat, and Bloody Mary's. Not necessarily in that order. Life is good, the best, until Drew sabotages Bianca's black and white world and forces her to see the gray in it. Which is really annoying, as it disrupts her Bloody Mary drinking time. Drew Montgomery left his old life to start a new one, but still the past continues to haunt him. Bianca Fisher makes him forget, gives him hope, and confounds him, all at once, and from just one encounter. Drew tells himself to run, to run away and fast, but his feet won't listen. Neither does his heart.Review I've been fortunate enough to read Lindy Zart's work before so I couldn't wait to peel back the cover on Dating Husbands. It only took a few paragraphs to know I wouldn't be disappointed. Lindy's writing style is easy to follow, flows from one scene to the next and keeps me turning pages. Bianca's childhood and disastrous dating history leaves her embittered and cynical but her witty remarks and clever antics are hilarious. Drew's character was easy to like. I found myself standing in his corner, waving my virtual pom-poms and cheering for things to go his way. The comical retorts and sassy dialogue were smartly written, giving me reason to smile throughout the entire read. I really enjoyed this book.
Amazon Link Blurb Bianca has three loves: her job, her cat, and Bloody Mary's. Not necessarily in that order. Life is good, the best, until Drew sabotages Bianca's black and white world and forces her to see the gray in it. Which is really annoying, as it disrupts her Bloody Mary drinking time. Drew Montgomery left his old life to start a new one, but still the past continues to haunt him. Bianca Fisher makes him forget, gives him hope, and confounds him, all at once, and from just one encounter. Drew tells himself to run, to run away and fast, but his feet won't listen. Neither does his heart.Review I've been fortunate enough to read Lindy Zart's work before so I couldn't wait to peel back the cover on Dating Husbands. It only took a few paragraphs to know I wouldn't be disappointed. Lindy's writing style is easy to follow, flows from one scene to the next and keeps me turning pages. Bianca's childhood and disastrous dating history leaves her embittered and cynical but her witty remarks and clever antics are hilarious. Drew's character was easy to like. I found myself standing in his corner, waving my virtual pom-poms and cheering for things to go his way. The comical retorts and sassy dialogue were smartly written, giving me reason to smile throughout the entire read. I really enjoyed this book.
April 11, 2013
My Review Of: You're Right, My Love (Nebraska Holds) by P...
My Review Of: You're Right, My Love (Nebraska Holds) by Pamela Foreman
Amazon link BlurbIn a perfect world, David and Annette would never have met. Their spouses would still be alive and well, supporting their families in their endeavors. Their children, seven between the two, would not be spiraling into deep depression with each passing moment.
But their world is not perfect and both must struggle with their spouse's deaths, raise their children and deal with their new-found relationship with each other. Can David and Annette learn to love each other despite their differences? Can they look into the future instead of the past? Will their own children force them to part? My ReviewPamela weaves a sweet story that many families face today.
What happens to a woman with five children when she loses her husband to cancer? What happens to the children left behind?
Can a man learn to love again and successfull...y raise his own children when his wife passes away?
Ms. Foreman tackles the emotional struggles that follow loss and the difficulty of continuing on without your life partner. The approach was so delicate that I found myself cheering for both the children and the parents. I could relate to the parental conflicts and I found myself wanted the surviving spouses to move forward with their lives and learn to live again.
This wasn't a typical read for me. It's been ages since I've read fiction that didn't include paranormal, fantasy, mystery, or intense encounters but I enjoyed this incredibly charming story.
Amazon link BlurbIn a perfect world, David and Annette would never have met. Their spouses would still be alive and well, supporting their families in their endeavors. Their children, seven between the two, would not be spiraling into deep depression with each passing moment. But their world is not perfect and both must struggle with their spouse's deaths, raise their children and deal with their new-found relationship with each other. Can David and Annette learn to love each other despite their differences? Can they look into the future instead of the past? Will their own children force them to part? My ReviewPamela weaves a sweet story that many families face today.
What happens to a woman with five children when she loses her husband to cancer? What happens to the children left behind?
Can a man learn to love again and successfull...y raise his own children when his wife passes away?
Ms. Foreman tackles the emotional struggles that follow loss and the difficulty of continuing on without your life partner. The approach was so delicate that I found myself cheering for both the children and the parents. I could relate to the parental conflicts and I found myself wanted the surviving spouses to move forward with their lives and learn to live again.
This wasn't a typical read for me. It's been ages since I've read fiction that didn't include paranormal, fantasy, mystery, or intense encounters but I enjoyed this incredibly charming story.
April 2, 2013
Editor vs. copy proofer
Editor vs. copy proofer or AKA copy editor. Why do you need both?
As an Indie author I asked myself that same question and after 3 books that I know the answer. I want my car clean. I have someone wash it, wipe it down, and it looks amazing. There is only one problem. What about the minute details? The most awesome editor in the universe is just like the most awesome power washer in the world…a minute detail might be missed. My readers deserve more than to come through my carwash to find that bug guts are still stuck to their windshield. That's right. I said it. Editors fine tune, make it right, and make it flow…but the details behind the copy proofer is the "wax." They're the ones that find a misused word, the missed a vs. an; the missed the or then. Don't ever forego the editing, but if you bother to wash your car, don't forget to wax so it will really shine!
April 1, 2013
It's live!
It's live!
With Hunter by her side, Claire struggles to gain full control of her magic as Lucian and his gang of necromancers becomes hell bent on destroying everyone she loves.
Desperate to fulfill her destiny and uphold the ancient prophecy she struggles to piece together her broken past in order to protect a threatened future. Can she accept her new abilities and shattered emotions before the gate between her world and the afterlife is forever lost, or will Claire succumb to the dark forces to which she is Eternally Bound?
Amazon link
With Hunter by her side, Claire struggles to gain full control of her magic as Lucian and his gang of necromancers becomes hell bent on destroying everyone she loves.
Desperate to fulfill her destiny and uphold the ancient prophecy she struggles to piece together her broken past in order to protect a threatened future. Can she accept her new abilities and shattered emotions before the gate between her world and the afterlife is forever lost, or will Claire succumb to the dark forces to which she is Eternally Bound?
Amazon link
February 15, 2013
A Little Bit of R&R: Spotlight & Giveaway: Love You More by M.L. Stephe...
A Little Bit of R&R: Spotlight & Giveaway: Love You More by M.L. Stephe...: Hey, sexy blog readers! We have a little spotlight for you today ;-) This is book 1 in the Broken Series and is titled Love You More by M....
February 14, 2013
A Little Bit of R&R: Spotlight & Giveaway: Love You More by M.L. Stephe...
A Little Bit of R&R: Spotlight & Giveaway: Love You More by M.L. Stephens...: Hey, sexy blog readers! We have a little spotlight for you today ;-) This is book 1 in the Broken Series and is titled Love You More by M....
