T.J. Shaw's Blog, page 7

Review – Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop

Wow! What incredible world-building! Through Ms. Bishop’s fantastic imagination, she created something completely different, intriguing, and even confusing at times. DAUGHTER of the BLOOD is a fascinating tale about a young girl learning her magic while navigating through the perils of those who would use her just for her power.

In my haste to learn about the heroine, I also read HEIR to the SHADOWS (4 stars), and QUEEN of the DARKNESS (5 stars) and must admit that I cried more than once throughout the story. For an author to absorb me into her world with such intensity that she had me crying, well, that’s pretty incredible. Although some scenes may be tough to read because of the violence and subject matter, the overall power of these books make it an unforgettable and beautiful story.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Anne)

Daughter of the Blood – Anne Bishop

Review – Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan

I decided to give this epic fantasy a go after reading some reviews about it and I’m so glad I did. The opening scene sucked me right into the story. I just love books that hook me within the first few pages, better still if within the first few sentences just like WARPRIZE.

Lara is an amazing female protagonist. She has an internal strength and devotion to her craft as a healer that makes her very courageous even though she’s not a warrior. I loved her passion and voice. Keir, the Warlord, wasn’t as clearly depicted for me, maybe because Ms. Vaughan wrote in the heroine’s POV only. Although I still got a good picture of him, I would’ve liked to know what he was thinking during some scenes. I also would’ve liked a little more action in the bedroom, but those nit-picky sentiments didn’t prevent me from enjoying the book.

Ms. Vaughan’s writing style kind of reminds me of Jean Auel and her CLAN of the CAVE BEAR series in that Ms Vaughan is very descriptive in her world building, yet not to the point of dragging out a scene.

I look forward to reading the next in the series, WARSWORN.

Focused. Strong. True.

(To visit Elizabeth click on the image)

Warprize – Elizabeth Vaughan

Review – Consumed by Rebecca Zanetti

CONSUMED wasn’t my favorite in the Dark Protector series. I had a hard time connecting with the main characters, Katie and Jordan, who are cougar shifters. (I think I might have a problem with shifters as the driving characters in a story. However, I need to analyze this revelation further by reading more shifter books before I come to a definite conclusion, and that’s a different story).

But with that said, I still really enjoyed this book. Ms. Zanetti has introduced several characters in the Dark Protectors series and she excels by including tidbits about them throughout her books. She doesn’t completely abandon them after telling their story, but continues their storylines as she releases new books. So, even though my favorite characters were secondary in CONSUMED, I got to see how they were doing and learn how they’ve fared. (I’m so impressed she can illustrate their different personalities and weave their information throughout the main story). And because she included them in CONSUMED, I’m totally stoked about PROVOKED. Just hold on Jase, your brothers will save you! I know they will!

(To visit Rebecca, click on the image)

Review – Shadowfever (Fever #5) by Karen Marie Moning

The first word that comes to mind about this series and SHADOWFEVER is, WOW! What a fantastic story! Usually, I get bored with a series as long as this one, I mean five books is a huge undertaking to the keep characters and storyline interesting. These books, however, were just the opposite—the more I read, the more I couldn’t stop. This series became my addiction, one book blurring into the next until I didn’t even know what book I was reading. To have a series consume me in such a way is incredible, and a little embarrassing to admit.

Although I loved the ending, I’m now at a loss because I’ll miss Mac and Barrons so much—too much. Very well done, Ms. Moning. Thank you.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Karen).

Shadowfever – Karen Marie Moning

Coffee and a Review with Caller of Light by TJ Shaw

Coffee and a Review with Caller of Light by TJ Shaw.

Review – Bloodfever (Fever #2) by Karen Marie Moning

Although this book drove me crazy with unanswered questions, this series just gets better and better! The world Ms. Moning has created is unique and incredibly detailed. I love Mac. She’s really changing into a true, admirable heroine. And Barrons? Well, he’s an enigma. Barrons is—sexy, mysterious, powerful—all hero, dark and dangerous. I want to know where he comes from and exactly what he is! I have so many questions and don’t know who to trust. I guess about the only thing I do know is that these characters and Ms. Moning’s world have wormed their way into my mind and I can’t stop thinking about them and wondering what will happen next.

What a fantastic series!

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on image to vist Karen)

Bloodfever – Karen Marie Moning

Review – Dreamfever (Fever #4) by Karen Marie Moning

DREAMFEVER is one of those books where the ending would’ve caused me A LOT of heartache if I had to wait for SHADOWFEVER, the next in the series. I do not like cliffhangers and Ms. Moning is a master at leaving me in emotional chaos with her endings. Luckily, however, I didn’t have to wait for SHADOWFEVER.

Even with the cliffy ending, DREAMFEVER, the fourth in the FEVER series doesn’t disappoint. Mac has become one helluva heroine. I have truly enjoyed her transformation from the young, naïve girl into the woman she’s become. But her journey hasn’t been easy, far from it. She’s had to endure and learn to see the best in horrible situations. As for Barrons, well, what can I say? I still don’t know what he is and he can be downright mean at times, but he’s always been there to save Mac. Always. I love the moments when Mac makes him laugh or he shows some true emotion. Barrons can protect my back any day!

DREAMFEVER is a great book, but make sure to have SHADOWFEVER on hand before you finish this one…trust me, you’ll want it.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Karen)

Dreamfever – Karen Marie Moning

Review – Dark Guardian by Christine Feehan

Ahhhh, this was such a great read! Lucian is a fantastic hero and virtually unstoppable. He’s an ancient protector of his race who sacrificed the latter part of his existence to save his brother, Gabriel. I also read, DARK LEGEND, the previous book in the Carpathian series, which is mainly about Gabriel. But Ms. Feehan devoted so much attention to Lucian that by the time I finished it, I couldn’t wait to read Lucian’s story in DARK GUARDIAN. Lucian is probably one of my favorite Carpathians, although I really liked Mikhail in DARK PRINCE. Jax, our heroine, is one tough nut! You don’t mess with her and don’t call her small! Initially, she has a hard time accepting Lucian and who he is (and who wouldn’t), but she comes around in the end.

Through Ms. Feehan’s flowing and descriptive style, she eloquently illustrates that there’s a lifemate out there for everyone, some just might have to wait a bit longer than others.

I really enjoyed this one.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Christine)

Dark Guardian – Christine Feehan

Review – Faefever (Fever #3) by Karen Marie Moning

What just happened? Really? What. Just. Happened? Nothing is easy in this series. Nothing is as it seems. Mac, our heroine, has undergone so much, so much pain, so much heartache, so much inner struggle. Ms. Moning doesn’t make excuses and doesn’t sugarcoat scenes. I, like Mac, don’t know who to trust and that is disheartening. I wish Ms. Moning made it easier, yet I don’t. I wish Barrons was the hero he can be and hope he will become. One thing is certain, the complexity of the incredible world Ms. Moning has created will keep me reading incessantly until the very last page of the series.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Karen)

Faefever – Karen Marie Moning

Review – Bloodfever (Fever #2) by Karen Marie Moning

Although this book drove me crazy with unanswered questions, this series just gets better and better! The world Ms. Moning has created is unique and incredibly detailed. I love Mac. She’s really changing into a true, admirable heroine. And Barrons? Well, he’s an enigma. Barrons is—sexy, mysterious, powerful—all hero, dark and dangerous. I want to know where he comes from and exactly what he is! I have so many questions and don’t know who to trust. I guess about the only thing I do know is that these characters and Ms. Moning’s world have wormed their way into my mind and I can’t stop thinking about them and wondering what will happen next.

What a fantastic series!

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on image to vist Karen)

Bloodfever – Karen Marie Moning