T. Hammond's Blog - Posts Tagged "2014"
T's 2014 Top Ten
T’s 2014 Top 10 Reads
It’s that time of the year—Top Ten lists for 2014. I thought I’d get mine done as I want to boast about some spectacular books I’ve read. I will add, these are the books I read, and in some cases, they may not have been published/released in 2014. If it was the first book of a potential series, I placed it here, rather than in my series list (to be posted later).
10. Try, Ella Frank
I had to think awhile about the rating for this one. The book was probably seventy percent (or more?) sex scenes, so it seemed weird to rate it 5-stars. But, the book was friggin awesome. The relationship between the two men is based on sexual attraction, but the book offers so much more than a glimpse into the sex life of two guys. The dialog is fantastic: fun, flirty, and often dirty. The relationship is conflicted - after all, one of the men is straight and never considered a man in his bed, and the characters are well developed. I was immediately pulled into the story and loved it. It is very sexually explicit and pulls no intimate punches, so potential readers should be aware you may learn things about MM sex you'd never considered before.
9. Kiss of Deception, Mary Pearson
Wow! I picked up this book at my local library after reading a positive review on one of the blogs-- The YA/Fantasy aspect is not a huge draw for me. The book is excellent. Great descriptive writing (but not too much boring detail), a wonderful job of character building, and a fast-paced, complex plot. I loved the shifting PoVs, and the creative way the author kept the identities of the Prince and Assassin secret until she was ready to reveal. Yes, there are hints, but they were well-laid and thoughtful. Loved the book, and will definitely read the next book in the series. Book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, so much as the storyline didn't conclude. It ended in a good place, leaving the reader anticipatory, rather than frustrated. Great job!
8. Until You, Penelope Douglas
Loved Bully, loved this PoV by Jared even more. What a great story and a great blending of the events that made each story unique (I hate when a PoV change tells the same story as the original). So glad I picked this book up, it was a wonderful read.
7. Ethan, Nicole Edwards
Probably my favorite storyline of the series, it was great to se Beau and Ethan get their HEAs. I will say, I learned more about the intricacies of MM sex than I needed to know, but it was well handled, and added to the intimacy of the scenes, because there was such an emotional connection between the two men. Great read, but I'll warn that the MM sex scenes are explicit and may be offensive to some readers.
6. Transcendence, Shay Savage
I've got to say, this book was brilliant. The storyline was fresh, and well written. Loved. Loved. Loved the whole story. There were times, I was curious to know what Beh (Beth) was thinking, but it really kept me reading to try and fumble thru things with Ehd. Well done!
5. Here Be Sexist Vampires, Suzanne Wright
OMGawd, does Sam had a mouth on her or what!? Great character development for Sam, as a brash, bad-mouthed, alpha female with nerves of steel and loads of confidence. Very refreshing to have such a great, relentless female character. I will say, she says words I normally can't stand to read from a male or woman's dialog- but I laughed hysterically after awhile because it was so over-the-top rude, the swearing work for her. Excellent book, with great characters and a fun plot. I'll be reading more from this author.
4. Blackbirds, Chuck Wendig
I will start by saying, I would never have selected this book based on the description, simply because I don't care for this darker-type genre. I love Wendig's terribleminds (dot) com blog and needed to read something he'd written… yeah, it was a need; this guy is an awesome writer. Blackbirds was terrific (and disturbing) -- dark, irreverent, twisted, and best of all, a uniquely crazy plot. Heads up warning, the book has some graphic violence, so it's not for the faint of heart or weak stomached reader. Wonderful characters you love to despise, and terrific pacing. This one's a winner.
3. Shadowboxer, Cari Quinn
It seems stupid to say there was poetry in the writing, especially as this is a MMA novel- but there was a lyrical prose to the writing style that swept me deeply into the storyline. Excellent characters, great plot (only a few weak places-- barely noticeable), and a richly descriptive writing style that left me envious of this author's way with words. This one is worth the read. I'll be looking for more books by this author, and they'll go toward the top of my TBR. Well done!
2.The Execution, Sharon Cramer
I downloaded The Execution as a free book from Amazon. I am in awe of the lyrically beautiful writing of this book. The author has a talent for creating images in the readers mind. I usually expect this type of rich description in an overdone epic novel where the reader is bogged down in florid, picturesque narrative of scenery *yawn* -- but Cramer used her talent to gift the reader with vivid action, evil machinations, and heartbreaking moments of reflection. While not historically accurate, it was a great tale. And, then there’s the plot; predictable, yes—with the synopsis, how could it turn out any differently? But I was captivated by the story’s plot twists and writing style. It was a pleasure arriving to the inevitable conclusion. This one is not to be missed.
1. Archer’s Voice, Mia Sheridan
What a wonderful love novel. The main characters were beautifully written, and the storyline kept me captivated from page 1. I will be reading more of Mia Sheridan's work. This is a 'don't miss' experience- place this one at the top of your reading list, you won't be disappointed!
Honorable Mentions:
Kill Shot, Liliana Hart
Excellent, well-written story with a great, intricate plot, and an interesting cast of characters (that would make good primary characters in their own right). The author has an intense, engaging writing style, richly laced with strong description. The storyline was fast paced, but you never got lost as the author took you thru the plot. Well done. I'll definitely read more from Hart.
The Will, Kristen Ashley
Abso-freaking-lutely wonderful read. A little like "alpha biker dad meets witty Victorian matron." Loved that the protagonists were 40-somethings with a past and baggage. The characters were wonderful, and the play between Josie and Jake was over the top fun, and oft-times sizzling. The secondary relationships with the children and their friends was fabulous (I love boy Taylor- LOL). Excellent story.
Bite & Release, Cory Cyr
I will admit, this gets a 5-star review for the freshness of the plot and my shear enjoyment of the story. There are some grammar issues and a few areas that could use some polish, but it was a fun and unusual storyline. This is a guilty pleasure- and we all need one of those on occasion.
Exquisiste Trouble, Ann Mayburn
I've been a fan of Mayburn since I read Still. There is a heavy Dom/sub theme in her books, but it is punctuated with stellar writing and intriguing plot lines. This is the first MC (Motor Cycle) novel I've read by this writer. There was plenty of snappy dialogue, and tense moments, as well as the romantic storyline (which got a little mushy for me at times). This book does not end on a cliffhanger, but it Does have an unresolved story-- it's obvious there is another book coming. Another great read and I look forward to more in this series.
Embattled Hearts, JM Madden
I downloaded Embattled Hearts as a free book from Amazon-- and boy am I happy I did. This little freebie had much more substance than I expected in a free read. Great, complex storyline-- predictable, yet surprising the reader with a few twists and turns. Don't let the concept of a wheel-chair-bound hero put you off. The story offers a wonderfully matched pair of antagonists in a suspenseful and heartwarming tale.
It’s that time of the year—Top Ten lists for 2014. I thought I’d get mine done as I want to boast about some spectacular books I’ve read. I will add, these are the books I read, and in some cases, they may not have been published/released in 2014. If it was the first book of a potential series, I placed it here, rather than in my series list (to be posted later).
10. Try, Ella Frank
I had to think awhile about the rating for this one. The book was probably seventy percent (or more?) sex scenes, so it seemed weird to rate it 5-stars. But, the book was friggin awesome. The relationship between the two men is based on sexual attraction, but the book offers so much more than a glimpse into the sex life of two guys. The dialog is fantastic: fun, flirty, and often dirty. The relationship is conflicted - after all, one of the men is straight and never considered a man in his bed, and the characters are well developed. I was immediately pulled into the story and loved it. It is very sexually explicit and pulls no intimate punches, so potential readers should be aware you may learn things about MM sex you'd never considered before.
9. Kiss of Deception, Mary Pearson
Wow! I picked up this book at my local library after reading a positive review on one of the blogs-- The YA/Fantasy aspect is not a huge draw for me. The book is excellent. Great descriptive writing (but not too much boring detail), a wonderful job of character building, and a fast-paced, complex plot. I loved the shifting PoVs, and the creative way the author kept the identities of the Prince and Assassin secret until she was ready to reveal. Yes, there are hints, but they were well-laid and thoughtful. Loved the book, and will definitely read the next book in the series. Book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, so much as the storyline didn't conclude. It ended in a good place, leaving the reader anticipatory, rather than frustrated. Great job!
8. Until You, Penelope Douglas
Loved Bully, loved this PoV by Jared even more. What a great story and a great blending of the events that made each story unique (I hate when a PoV change tells the same story as the original). So glad I picked this book up, it was a wonderful read.
7. Ethan, Nicole Edwards
Probably my favorite storyline of the series, it was great to se Beau and Ethan get their HEAs. I will say, I learned more about the intricacies of MM sex than I needed to know, but it was well handled, and added to the intimacy of the scenes, because there was such an emotional connection between the two men. Great read, but I'll warn that the MM sex scenes are explicit and may be offensive to some readers.
6. Transcendence, Shay Savage
I've got to say, this book was brilliant. The storyline was fresh, and well written. Loved. Loved. Loved the whole story. There were times, I was curious to know what Beh (Beth) was thinking, but it really kept me reading to try and fumble thru things with Ehd. Well done!
5. Here Be Sexist Vampires, Suzanne Wright
OMGawd, does Sam had a mouth on her or what!? Great character development for Sam, as a brash, bad-mouthed, alpha female with nerves of steel and loads of confidence. Very refreshing to have such a great, relentless female character. I will say, she says words I normally can't stand to read from a male or woman's dialog- but I laughed hysterically after awhile because it was so over-the-top rude, the swearing work for her. Excellent book, with great characters and a fun plot. I'll be reading more from this author.
4. Blackbirds, Chuck Wendig
I will start by saying, I would never have selected this book based on the description, simply because I don't care for this darker-type genre. I love Wendig's terribleminds (dot) com blog and needed to read something he'd written… yeah, it was a need; this guy is an awesome writer. Blackbirds was terrific (and disturbing) -- dark, irreverent, twisted, and best of all, a uniquely crazy plot. Heads up warning, the book has some graphic violence, so it's not for the faint of heart or weak stomached reader. Wonderful characters you love to despise, and terrific pacing. This one's a winner.
3. Shadowboxer, Cari Quinn
It seems stupid to say there was poetry in the writing, especially as this is a MMA novel- but there was a lyrical prose to the writing style that swept me deeply into the storyline. Excellent characters, great plot (only a few weak places-- barely noticeable), and a richly descriptive writing style that left me envious of this author's way with words. This one is worth the read. I'll be looking for more books by this author, and they'll go toward the top of my TBR. Well done!
2.The Execution, Sharon Cramer
I downloaded The Execution as a free book from Amazon. I am in awe of the lyrically beautiful writing of this book. The author has a talent for creating images in the readers mind. I usually expect this type of rich description in an overdone epic novel where the reader is bogged down in florid, picturesque narrative of scenery *yawn* -- but Cramer used her talent to gift the reader with vivid action, evil machinations, and heartbreaking moments of reflection. While not historically accurate, it was a great tale. And, then there’s the plot; predictable, yes—with the synopsis, how could it turn out any differently? But I was captivated by the story’s plot twists and writing style. It was a pleasure arriving to the inevitable conclusion. This one is not to be missed.
1. Archer’s Voice, Mia Sheridan
What a wonderful love novel. The main characters were beautifully written, and the storyline kept me captivated from page 1. I will be reading more of Mia Sheridan's work. This is a 'don't miss' experience- place this one at the top of your reading list, you won't be disappointed!
Honorable Mentions:
Kill Shot, Liliana Hart
Excellent, well-written story with a great, intricate plot, and an interesting cast of characters (that would make good primary characters in their own right). The author has an intense, engaging writing style, richly laced with strong description. The storyline was fast paced, but you never got lost as the author took you thru the plot. Well done. I'll definitely read more from Hart.
The Will, Kristen Ashley
Abso-freaking-lutely wonderful read. A little like "alpha biker dad meets witty Victorian matron." Loved that the protagonists were 40-somethings with a past and baggage. The characters were wonderful, and the play between Josie and Jake was over the top fun, and oft-times sizzling. The secondary relationships with the children and their friends was fabulous (I love boy Taylor- LOL). Excellent story.
Bite & Release, Cory Cyr
I will admit, this gets a 5-star review for the freshness of the plot and my shear enjoyment of the story. There are some grammar issues and a few areas that could use some polish, but it was a fun and unusual storyline. This is a guilty pleasure- and we all need one of those on occasion.
Exquisiste Trouble, Ann Mayburn
I've been a fan of Mayburn since I read Still. There is a heavy Dom/sub theme in her books, but it is punctuated with stellar writing and intriguing plot lines. This is the first MC (Motor Cycle) novel I've read by this writer. There was plenty of snappy dialogue, and tense moments, as well as the romantic storyline (which got a little mushy for me at times). This book does not end on a cliffhanger, but it Does have an unresolved story-- it's obvious there is another book coming. Another great read and I look forward to more in this series.
Embattled Hearts, JM Madden
I downloaded Embattled Hearts as a free book from Amazon-- and boy am I happy I did. This little freebie had much more substance than I expected in a free read. Great, complex storyline-- predictable, yet surprising the reader with a few twists and turns. Don't let the concept of a wheel-chair-bound hero put you off. The story offers a wonderfully matched pair of antagonists in a suspenseful and heartwarming tale.
T's Top 10 Series 2014
Here is my list of Top 10 series, either a combination of two or more books read this year, or a book from mid-way through a series I love. The books in my list could have been released/published in any year, but 2014 is when I read them.
10. Daylight War (Book 3), Peter V. Brett
This is a book I borrowed from my local library. Another stellar novel by one of my favorite authors. Brett has two strengths as a novelist- he is a master at character development, creating multi-dimensional protagonists (and antagonists) that draw the reader into their lives. The second strength is storytelling. It can be difficult to juggle multiple plots and pull them all together for a satisfactory ending. Excellent ending - leaves door open for another book in the series- yet is satisfyingly open to interpretation. Great job!
9. Skin Game (Book 15), Jim Butcher
I checked this book out from my local library. Jim Butcher is totally awesome, and I am in awe of the way his brain works- LOL. Dresden has got to be one of the best drawn characters of any series, and I love the story progression from book to book. After 15 novels in the series, there is always a fear the author's creativity will dwindle to pathetic attempts at humor or weakened story lines. Ne fears! The latest book is absolutely excellent!!!
8. Wicket Hunger (Book 1) and Wicked Power (Book 2), DelSheree Gladden
Another page-turning, teeth-grinding, curse-spouting win from Gladden. Thoroughly enjoyed Wicked Hunger, even as I wanted to hold a certain character down and throttle her! Excellent story development-- totally sucked me in. I'll be bumping book 2, Wicked Power, up in my TBR queue. Wicked Power was an absolutely awesome read! I really enjoyed the first book, but the second was so much better. Excellent plot and story development- I loved it more than the first and can't wait to read the third. Note- this is second of a series, it is NOT a standalone and should be read after Wicked Hunger.
7. Magic Breaks (Book 6), Ilona Andrews
I checked Magic Breaks out from my local library. I must say, this had one of the better storylines, although there was so much going on I got lost and had to back track a few times. Great plot, consistent world-building, fun witty dialog (I love how droll Curran can be), and lots of action. Loved the ending (or is it a new beginning?)
6. Wild Card (Book 3), Mark Henwick
I love love love this series. The female lead character, contrary to her soft feminine name, Amber, is kick butt tough, and savvy. An ex-military soldier, she's now a PI, and a whole lot more. This is one of my favorite series, but I caution readers to read the books in order; and it doesn't hurt to skim back if there is too large a gap between reading books. Henwick doesn't waste time going back and reiterating past books and storylines, each book picks up from the last. With the exception of Amber letting new people know some of the realities of this UF world, the reader isn't given a lot of information if it's been explained in previous novels. This is a long read, about 500 pages, and I read it in two days- it was a hard book to walk away from (but I did remember to feed the dog, and make coffee). Excellent continuation of an excellent series!
5. With Silent Screams (Book 3) Steve McHugh
While the Hellequin novels have a Harry Dresden and Atticus (Iron Druid) feel, Nate has a deliciously different flavor that is reminiscent, yet wildly different of the other two heroes. Silent Screams is the best book in the series, hands down! McHugh did a fantastic job In this continuation of the Hellequin series. Nate is still the big, bad sorcerer we've grown to love in the previous novels. Add a great plot and some terrific secondary characters, and this easily earned it's 5-star rating. Note: series should be read in order
4. Four Days (Book 4), Dannika Dark
Loved loved loved this book- my favorite, by far, of the series. I've always enjoyed D Dark characters, but Ivy and Lorenzo surpassed my expectations. The perfect plot and continuation of the storyline. Bravo!
3. Hunted (Book 6), Kevin Hearne
As always, Hearne delivers! Another great installment in the Iron Druid series. I loved the advancement of the storyline, and it was wonderful to see there are now two druids, finally! Excellent, witty writing, and great characters. This series is terrific!
2. Silence (Book 1) and Broken Silence (Book 2), Natasha Preston
Hard to believe Silence was free on Amazon- it was friggin' awesome. While most of the plot was predictable, the story was really well done, and I loved the protagonists Excellent character development, smooth story progression, and remarkable handling of such a sensitive storyline. Well done... it does end abruptly to set up book 2, but this was a complete story leaving a main thread open. Broken Silence - I loved the first book of the series, and enjoyed reading the conclusion to Cole and Oakley's story. A beautiful, love story, forged from the fires of childhood abuse. Well done.
1. Witch with No Name (Book 13), Kim Harrison
I checked Witch with No Name out from my local library. What an awesome ending to a fun series. While I still have issues with Rachel's whiny attitude, the character has shown growth in the last few books that makes the series a great read. All threads were tied up, although, in some instances carried on longer than needed-- but this is a typical Harrison book, so that's expected if you are a fan of the Hallows series. Loved the book!
10. Daylight War (Book 3), Peter V. Brett
This is a book I borrowed from my local library. Another stellar novel by one of my favorite authors. Brett has two strengths as a novelist- he is a master at character development, creating multi-dimensional protagonists (and antagonists) that draw the reader into their lives. The second strength is storytelling. It can be difficult to juggle multiple plots and pull them all together for a satisfactory ending. Excellent ending - leaves door open for another book in the series- yet is satisfyingly open to interpretation. Great job!
9. Skin Game (Book 15), Jim Butcher
I checked this book out from my local library. Jim Butcher is totally awesome, and I am in awe of the way his brain works- LOL. Dresden has got to be one of the best drawn characters of any series, and I love the story progression from book to book. After 15 novels in the series, there is always a fear the author's creativity will dwindle to pathetic attempts at humor or weakened story lines. Ne fears! The latest book is absolutely excellent!!!
8. Wicket Hunger (Book 1) and Wicked Power (Book 2), DelSheree Gladden
Another page-turning, teeth-grinding, curse-spouting win from Gladden. Thoroughly enjoyed Wicked Hunger, even as I wanted to hold a certain character down and throttle her! Excellent story development-- totally sucked me in. I'll be bumping book 2, Wicked Power, up in my TBR queue. Wicked Power was an absolutely awesome read! I really enjoyed the first book, but the second was so much better. Excellent plot and story development- I loved it more than the first and can't wait to read the third. Note- this is second of a series, it is NOT a standalone and should be read after Wicked Hunger.
7. Magic Breaks (Book 6), Ilona Andrews
I checked Magic Breaks out from my local library. I must say, this had one of the better storylines, although there was so much going on I got lost and had to back track a few times. Great plot, consistent world-building, fun witty dialog (I love how droll Curran can be), and lots of action. Loved the ending (or is it a new beginning?)
6. Wild Card (Book 3), Mark Henwick
I love love love this series. The female lead character, contrary to her soft feminine name, Amber, is kick butt tough, and savvy. An ex-military soldier, she's now a PI, and a whole lot more. This is one of my favorite series, but I caution readers to read the books in order; and it doesn't hurt to skim back if there is too large a gap between reading books. Henwick doesn't waste time going back and reiterating past books and storylines, each book picks up from the last. With the exception of Amber letting new people know some of the realities of this UF world, the reader isn't given a lot of information if it's been explained in previous novels. This is a long read, about 500 pages, and I read it in two days- it was a hard book to walk away from (but I did remember to feed the dog, and make coffee). Excellent continuation of an excellent series!
5. With Silent Screams (Book 3) Steve McHugh
While the Hellequin novels have a Harry Dresden and Atticus (Iron Druid) feel, Nate has a deliciously different flavor that is reminiscent, yet wildly different of the other two heroes. Silent Screams is the best book in the series, hands down! McHugh did a fantastic job In this continuation of the Hellequin series. Nate is still the big, bad sorcerer we've grown to love in the previous novels. Add a great plot and some terrific secondary characters, and this easily earned it's 5-star rating. Note: series should be read in order
4. Four Days (Book 4), Dannika Dark
Loved loved loved this book- my favorite, by far, of the series. I've always enjoyed D Dark characters, but Ivy and Lorenzo surpassed my expectations. The perfect plot and continuation of the storyline. Bravo!
3. Hunted (Book 6), Kevin Hearne
As always, Hearne delivers! Another great installment in the Iron Druid series. I loved the advancement of the storyline, and it was wonderful to see there are now two druids, finally! Excellent, witty writing, and great characters. This series is terrific!
2. Silence (Book 1) and Broken Silence (Book 2), Natasha Preston
Hard to believe Silence was free on Amazon- it was friggin' awesome. While most of the plot was predictable, the story was really well done, and I loved the protagonists Excellent character development, smooth story progression, and remarkable handling of such a sensitive storyline. Well done... it does end abruptly to set up book 2, but this was a complete story leaving a main thread open. Broken Silence - I loved the first book of the series, and enjoyed reading the conclusion to Cole and Oakley's story. A beautiful, love story, forged from the fires of childhood abuse. Well done.
1. Witch with No Name (Book 13), Kim Harrison
I checked Witch with No Name out from my local library. What an awesome ending to a fun series. While I still have issues with Rachel's whiny attitude, the character has shown growth in the last few books that makes the series a great read. All threads were tied up, although, in some instances carried on longer than needed-- but this is a typical Harrison book, so that's expected if you are a fan of the Hallows series. Loved the book!
Top 10 Novella/Short Stories 2014
It’s that time of the year—Top Ten lists for 2014.
These are the short stories and novellas (under 200 pages) I read in 2014; in some cases, they may have been published/released earlier. Shorts and Novellas can be great fillers when you're traveling, as they can usually be read within a few hours.
10. Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Mina Carter
This one is unabashedly an erotic, menage novella; weak on story line, although there is one, and focused on the physical. Very clever and well done for all its simplicity.
9. Flashes of Mr, Cynthia Sax
Okay, so this one was a bit out there. I have an acquaintance who's into exhibitionism, so I get that part (although, the person I know is not as bold as our main character, kitten, err.. I mean Kat), what makes this story so great is the relationship (MCs together, as well as the secondary characters) and the dialog. How can you not love a book where the main protagonist refers to her hunky, over-sized guy as 'my behemoth'? This novella will stretch the boundaries of your reality, but it is a darn good read, well-paced and fun. Don't try to figure their relationship out, just realize it is what it is- Take this one in the spirit it was intended, and enjoy the ride.
8. Hard Mated, Jennifer Ashley
I really liked this one. Solid novella with surprisingly good character development for a short story. Enjoyed the plot and the writing… this one's a winner and I'll be reading more from this author
7. Captured, Erica Stevens
Really well written story with an unusual plot twist-- along the lines of a medieval world where Vampires are aristocracy, and humans are chattel. This was free and ends a bit abruptly, but not in the middle of the action. I will be looking for book 2, as I am interested to know where the story goes next.
6. Death’s Servant, CJ Ellison
A book from the Nine by Night Anthology, but I've also seen it free as a stand-alone. I really enjoyed this somewhat dark story of a werewolf who seeks the aid of a vampire to save a pack in trouble. I enjoyed the characters as well as the young alpha who switched between aggressive instincts, and uncertainty as he tried to find his way thru supernatural politics. Well done. Great plot, I'll be reading more of this series.
5. Dark Days: End of the World (Part 1), Ginger Geisheimer
Excellently done serial novella. I loved the pacing and progression of the action. Although I didn't understand why it was a tie-in to Hunger Games, I attribute that to the fact I don't read the HG series (children killing children? Seriously, that's warped), or it could be the tie-in is created over the span of 'episodes'. Well done character development, especially for such a short story. Good job!
4. Invisible Prison, Mary Buckham
I downloaded Invisible Prison as a free book from Amazon… Wow, I was really impressed with the character development and plot of this novella-- the writer accomplished her goal, I am now interested in anything else she's written. A great read!
3. Watcher, Alen Curtiss
This is a perfect example of not only a novella, but a well-crafted horror story. Excellent plot build-up, wonderful character build-up on the stalker, and an unexpected twist at the end. Marvelous! This little gem was a great read.
2. Defined By Others, MCV Egan
Barely under the 200 page mark, making it eligible for my novella category, Defined By Others was a crazy ride -- like watching a train wreck in slow motion. You could see what was (potentially) going to happen, but you felt powerless to stop reading as events converged to a single disastrous point. This revelation is not a spoiler, as the author doesn't try to fool the reader into believing things end well; but, even with this knowledge, I had to keep watching as the lives of the protagonists (or in this case antagonists?) imploded due to their cruel machinations and interference in the lives of others. A great plot and intriguing characters.
1. Come, JA Huss
Well crafted, masterfully written novella with a smooth progression and stellar character development. I will definitely be reading more from this author, and more of this series. Great job! Ending has a few open threads, but a very satisfying read.
These are the short stories and novellas (under 200 pages) I read in 2014; in some cases, they may have been published/released earlier. Shorts and Novellas can be great fillers when you're traveling, as they can usually be read within a few hours.
10. Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Mina Carter
This one is unabashedly an erotic, menage novella; weak on story line, although there is one, and focused on the physical. Very clever and well done for all its simplicity.
9. Flashes of Mr, Cynthia Sax
Okay, so this one was a bit out there. I have an acquaintance who's into exhibitionism, so I get that part (although, the person I know is not as bold as our main character, kitten, err.. I mean Kat), what makes this story so great is the relationship (MCs together, as well as the secondary characters) and the dialog. How can you not love a book where the main protagonist refers to her hunky, over-sized guy as 'my behemoth'? This novella will stretch the boundaries of your reality, but it is a darn good read, well-paced and fun. Don't try to figure their relationship out, just realize it is what it is- Take this one in the spirit it was intended, and enjoy the ride.
8. Hard Mated, Jennifer Ashley
I really liked this one. Solid novella with surprisingly good character development for a short story. Enjoyed the plot and the writing… this one's a winner and I'll be reading more from this author
7. Captured, Erica Stevens
Really well written story with an unusual plot twist-- along the lines of a medieval world where Vampires are aristocracy, and humans are chattel. This was free and ends a bit abruptly, but not in the middle of the action. I will be looking for book 2, as I am interested to know where the story goes next.
6. Death’s Servant, CJ Ellison
A book from the Nine by Night Anthology, but I've also seen it free as a stand-alone. I really enjoyed this somewhat dark story of a werewolf who seeks the aid of a vampire to save a pack in trouble. I enjoyed the characters as well as the young alpha who switched between aggressive instincts, and uncertainty as he tried to find his way thru supernatural politics. Well done. Great plot, I'll be reading more of this series.
5. Dark Days: End of the World (Part 1), Ginger Geisheimer
Excellently done serial novella. I loved the pacing and progression of the action. Although I didn't understand why it was a tie-in to Hunger Games, I attribute that to the fact I don't read the HG series (children killing children? Seriously, that's warped), or it could be the tie-in is created over the span of 'episodes'. Well done character development, especially for such a short story. Good job!
4. Invisible Prison, Mary Buckham
I downloaded Invisible Prison as a free book from Amazon… Wow, I was really impressed with the character development and plot of this novella-- the writer accomplished her goal, I am now interested in anything else she's written. A great read!
3. Watcher, Alen Curtiss
This is a perfect example of not only a novella, but a well-crafted horror story. Excellent plot build-up, wonderful character build-up on the stalker, and an unexpected twist at the end. Marvelous! This little gem was a great read.
2. Defined By Others, MCV Egan
Barely under the 200 page mark, making it eligible for my novella category, Defined By Others was a crazy ride -- like watching a train wreck in slow motion. You could see what was (potentially) going to happen, but you felt powerless to stop reading as events converged to a single disastrous point. This revelation is not a spoiler, as the author doesn't try to fool the reader into believing things end well; but, even with this knowledge, I had to keep watching as the lives of the protagonists (or in this case antagonists?) imploded due to their cruel machinations and interference in the lives of others. A great plot and intriguing characters.
1. Come, JA Huss
Well crafted, masterfully written novella with a smooth progression and stellar character development. I will definitely be reading more from this author, and more of this series. Great job! Ending has a few open threads, but a very satisfying read.
Top Ten ARCs / Prizes 2014
It’s that time of the year—Top Ten lists for 2014.
Here is my list of Top 10 books I received for free from the author/publisher as an ARC (Advance Reader Copy or a giveaway prize; they are lumped together on my TBR.
10. Masquerade, Nyrae Dawn
This little gem is one that I won in a giveaway. It was already on my TBR, but I didn't anticipate reading it for a few months (my TBR has 900+ books)… You have got to bump this book up your list folks- it was freakin’ awesome. Two excellent main characters, brilliantly drawn and executed. It was a slow build on the relationship between Maddox and Bee, but slow doesn't mean boring. The storyline was intricately layered and I enjoyed every reveal and every compromise as these two misunderstood people opened themselves to each other. An excellent story, great writing, and I will be automatically bumping Nyrae books up higher on my TBR. Note: I have not read the other two books of the series, but this in no way detracted from my enjoyment of this book.
9. Before He was Gone, Becky Wicks
I received Before He Was Gone as a prize. Winning the book did not influence an honest review. I really enjoyed both the protagonists and plot of this delightful HEA story. While a little over-the-top with the drama in a few places, I smiled through the whole story, enjoying the situations and relationships between the characters. A great storyline. This was book 2 or a series, but skipping book one did not lessen my enjoyment of this book.
8. Die Trying, Nicholas Ryan
I received this ARC in exchange for a brutally honest review- and you know how I can get! Great zombie horror story. Fast paced, often brutal/violent, with lots of twists to keep the action going. I've mentioned in other reviews, I'm not a huge fan of the zombie genre, but there have been some great books written lately, and this is one of them. PS- love how they are caught up in the zombie Apocalypse, and their reading material of choice is Stephen King-- loved it! There are some irritating spelling errors/misused words (e.g. draw instead of drawer), but I only hesitated briefly before getting caught up in the story again. Excellent ending!
7. Cure, Belinda Frisch
I won this book in a giveaway, and would not have bought this for myself, as I'm not a horror (or zombie) fan. But, I put on my big girl panties and sucked it up, because I believe if you win a book, you need to do your best to read and review it. This book contains all the reasons I'm not a fan of the genre: blood, guts, angst, diabolical evil scientists, mutant viruses, backstabbing coworkers, and more plot layers than a Bloomin Onion. That being said, any fan of the horror genre will suck this one up like mother's milk. The book was very well paced and well written. I cringed, scowled, rooted and booed in all the appropriate places (and a few that were not appropriate "No, no, don't go in There!" - Yep, they went there *shakes head sadly*). The plot was complex, yet not overdone, with plenty of heroes, anti-heroes, and villains. Not my cup of tea, but a great example of the horror genre.
6. I Have People, Taylor Dean
I received this book as a prize in a giveaway almost a year ago. Since it was a paperback, it went into storage and I forgot about it until a few weeks ago. What a little gem of a story. This is probably not a book I would have picked out for myself, and I would have missed out on some terrific writing and a well-plotted story. The way the story was presented was fresh and kept me guessing- it was marvelous the way the author peeled back each layer until you found the prize at the center. Well done!
5. Glass Knot, Lily Harlem
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this intricate menage story, as it had a fresh approach. This time it's an established MM relationship adding a third (F) person. Well done, and a good story, with depth and good characterization.
4. Semper Mine, Lizzy Ford
I received this book as an ARC, in exchange for a fair review. Absolutely loved this book. Great characters, and fun love-to-hate you conflict going on in tandem with some serious emotional issues. Excellent story!
3. Getting By, Claudia Burgoa
I received this book as a prize in a giveaway. I'll admit, this may not be a book I'd have picked up based on the storyline, but it would have been my loss. This little gem had some great character development and a quirky, surprisingly complex plot. Well written, and perfectly paced; I'll look for more from this author.
2. Ugly Love, Colleen Hoover
I received Ugly Love as publisher's ARC at a writer's meeting. I really wondered at 10% if I would get on the Miles and Tate bandwagon- the book started kinda slow for me, and I wasn't sure I would like Miles, but, I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did. This was a wonderful story about learning to love again. Probably my favorite Hoover book to date.
1. Hard Spell (Book 1), Dark Evil (Book 2), and Known Devil (Book 3), Justin Gustainis
Abso-freaking-lutely brilliant. This series was given to me for a fair and honest review. Take a great storyline, pour in a generous helping of dry wit, add a dash of NightStalker, and a few shout-outs to Dragnet (some of us are old enough to remember that show), and blend in a a little bit of Dresden attitude…. What you get is a fresh, snarky plot and an excellent book in Hard Spell. Well written (The tight plot reminds me a little of Steve McHugh's clean, focused style), wonderfully drawn characters, and an excellent story... his next two books just got bumped up my TBR because I don't want to wait. You don't want to miss this series! Dark Evil (Bk 2) -- I enjoyed it more than book 1. The author extended his great storyline, adding an awesome plot with some new characters. Dark Evil had more of a whodunit feel to it, and still made me smile with references to other authors (Of Elves and Men *snicker* loved it) and TV shows.Another well written novel with an excellent cast of characters. You don't want to miss this series! Known Devil completed the perfect trifecta! I found each book better than the last, and this final plot was terrific, tying up loose ends from the previous books. Great job. I hope to read more from Justin Gustainis in the future. Not to be missed if you're a fan of classic detective shows, film noir, and a well written story.
Here is my list of Top 10 books I received for free from the author/publisher as an ARC (Advance Reader Copy or a giveaway prize; they are lumped together on my TBR.
10. Masquerade, Nyrae Dawn
This little gem is one that I won in a giveaway. It was already on my TBR, but I didn't anticipate reading it for a few months (my TBR has 900+ books)… You have got to bump this book up your list folks- it was freakin’ awesome. Two excellent main characters, brilliantly drawn and executed. It was a slow build on the relationship between Maddox and Bee, but slow doesn't mean boring. The storyline was intricately layered and I enjoyed every reveal and every compromise as these two misunderstood people opened themselves to each other. An excellent story, great writing, and I will be automatically bumping Nyrae books up higher on my TBR. Note: I have not read the other two books of the series, but this in no way detracted from my enjoyment of this book.
9. Before He was Gone, Becky Wicks
I received Before He Was Gone as a prize. Winning the book did not influence an honest review. I really enjoyed both the protagonists and plot of this delightful HEA story. While a little over-the-top with the drama in a few places, I smiled through the whole story, enjoying the situations and relationships between the characters. A great storyline. This was book 2 or a series, but skipping book one did not lessen my enjoyment of this book.
8. Die Trying, Nicholas Ryan
I received this ARC in exchange for a brutally honest review- and you know how I can get! Great zombie horror story. Fast paced, often brutal/violent, with lots of twists to keep the action going. I've mentioned in other reviews, I'm not a huge fan of the zombie genre, but there have been some great books written lately, and this is one of them. PS- love how they are caught up in the zombie Apocalypse, and their reading material of choice is Stephen King-- loved it! There are some irritating spelling errors/misused words (e.g. draw instead of drawer), but I only hesitated briefly before getting caught up in the story again. Excellent ending!
7. Cure, Belinda Frisch
I won this book in a giveaway, and would not have bought this for myself, as I'm not a horror (or zombie) fan. But, I put on my big girl panties and sucked it up, because I believe if you win a book, you need to do your best to read and review it. This book contains all the reasons I'm not a fan of the genre: blood, guts, angst, diabolical evil scientists, mutant viruses, backstabbing coworkers, and more plot layers than a Bloomin Onion. That being said, any fan of the horror genre will suck this one up like mother's milk. The book was very well paced and well written. I cringed, scowled, rooted and booed in all the appropriate places (and a few that were not appropriate "No, no, don't go in There!" - Yep, they went there *shakes head sadly*). The plot was complex, yet not overdone, with plenty of heroes, anti-heroes, and villains. Not my cup of tea, but a great example of the horror genre.
6. I Have People, Taylor Dean
I received this book as a prize in a giveaway almost a year ago. Since it was a paperback, it went into storage and I forgot about it until a few weeks ago. What a little gem of a story. This is probably not a book I would have picked out for myself, and I would have missed out on some terrific writing and a well-plotted story. The way the story was presented was fresh and kept me guessing- it was marvelous the way the author peeled back each layer until you found the prize at the center. Well done!
5. Glass Knot, Lily Harlem
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this intricate menage story, as it had a fresh approach. This time it's an established MM relationship adding a third (F) person. Well done, and a good story, with depth and good characterization.
4. Semper Mine, Lizzy Ford
I received this book as an ARC, in exchange for a fair review. Absolutely loved this book. Great characters, and fun love-to-hate you conflict going on in tandem with some serious emotional issues. Excellent story!
3. Getting By, Claudia Burgoa
I received this book as a prize in a giveaway. I'll admit, this may not be a book I'd have picked up based on the storyline, but it would have been my loss. This little gem had some great character development and a quirky, surprisingly complex plot. Well written, and perfectly paced; I'll look for more from this author.
2. Ugly Love, Colleen Hoover
I received Ugly Love as publisher's ARC at a writer's meeting. I really wondered at 10% if I would get on the Miles and Tate bandwagon- the book started kinda slow for me, and I wasn't sure I would like Miles, but, I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did. This was a wonderful story about learning to love again. Probably my favorite Hoover book to date.
1. Hard Spell (Book 1), Dark Evil (Book 2), and Known Devil (Book 3), Justin Gustainis
Abso-freaking-lutely brilliant. This series was given to me for a fair and honest review. Take a great storyline, pour in a generous helping of dry wit, add a dash of NightStalker, and a few shout-outs to Dragnet (some of us are old enough to remember that show), and blend in a a little bit of Dresden attitude…. What you get is a fresh, snarky plot and an excellent book in Hard Spell. Well written (The tight plot reminds me a little of Steve McHugh's clean, focused style), wonderfully drawn characters, and an excellent story... his next two books just got bumped up my TBR because I don't want to wait. You don't want to miss this series! Dark Evil (Bk 2) -- I enjoyed it more than book 1. The author extended his great storyline, adding an awesome plot with some new characters. Dark Evil had more of a whodunit feel to it, and still made me smile with references to other authors (Of Elves and Men *snicker* loved it) and TV shows.Another well written novel with an excellent cast of characters. You don't want to miss this series! Known Devil completed the perfect trifecta! I found each book better than the last, and this final plot was terrific, tying up loose ends from the previous books. Great job. I hope to read more from Justin Gustainis in the future. Not to be missed if you're a fan of classic detective shows, film noir, and a well written story.
Top Ten Worst Reads 2014
These are the books I recommend you skip over (even if they were free; you will lose hours you could never get back). Most of these books were cursed by lack of editing and/or proof-readers. A couple may have shown potential, but they fell flat. Thankfully, unlike 2012, there were no 1-star books on my reading list. I credit this to reading the "Closer Look" on Amazon before downloading both paid and free books.
10. Fierce Awakenings, Kristy Centeno (Rating: 2.5)
I wanted to like this book and was looking forward to reading. Unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The writing is redundant (she says the same thing, using different words or phrases in many cases), and the word usage is unusual, reminding me of someone who has a thesaurus on hand. The author selects words that convey the base meaning of the word, but not the nuance of the sentence it's used in-- it was very distracting (I suspect English is not the author's first language, as the word choices were strange enough to halt my reading flow). The plot premise is good, but the author's use of repeated words and phrases close enough together was distracting (pummel, passion and desire, etc), as was the unpolished grammar. With a good editor, this has potential to be 4 or 5-star quality. In its present form, it is a 2.5 for me.
9. Rock the Viper, Sammie J (Rating: 2.5 )
I downloaded Rock the Viper as a free book from Amazon. I am crushed (not to mention confused by the 5-star ratings for this book). Such a great storyline, but frustrating when you have a great premise mired down in redundancies, more redundancies, and then some duplicated words and phrases on top of that making things kinda... well, redundant? The author needs a better editor and possibly an expository writing course to learn 'more is not always better' when it comes to describing events as they are unfolding. I swear every character 'strolled' rather than walked. And by the fifth chapter, I was ready to pull out my own red pen and go to town. WAY too much wordiness. There was also a lack of character development (they all spoke in similar voice for their narrations). The lack was especially evident when there was a PoV shift and I didn't catch it until I was a couple pages into the chapter; usually when the person I thought was (still) narrating is now 'strolling' into the room. And don't get me started on the PoVs-- the three Main Characters (MCs) duplicated the same events (as if the writer felt obligated to stick to a formula to tell the incident from all three people, rather than the one or two who made a difference to the progression). There was nothing new added to the plot with the PoV shifts, they were simply a rehash of what we already knew from the first PoV-- in triplicate. A frustrating read because of the grammar and overly detailed sentences (instead of “she pulled out a chair and sat”, the author may write “she strolled to the table and pulled out one of the chairs and sat in a seat at the table” -- yeah, I made that up, but it gives a good example of the issue I have). This is a “tell” rather than “show” writer, but I think her writing style may work if she gets a good editor. Grammar and punctuation are your friends. An awkward read, but the foundation for an excellent novel if it received some polish and tighter editing. I love this plot, and while there is room for improvement, the author's imagination to create wonderful tales is evident. 2.5 rating rounded up because of intriguing plot.
8. Written in Stone, Jennifer Smith (Rating: 2.5)
Okay, I don't get this one at all It's as if two completely different (and possibly unrelated) novellas were sewn together with a thin thread… each story on its own was pretty good (I actually liked the twist for how vampires started), but the romance was rushed (yeah, it’s a novella, but I still have expectations). Well written, but a bit clumsy on presentation. I don't understand the cover choice or title selected; they don't reflect the horse and carriage timeline the main part of the story is set in. This was a freebie I downloaded, and while I enjoyed the story(ies)- I wish the last part was its own novel(la), there was enough meat to really take off with the idea.
7. The Witch, the Wolf, and the Vampire, AK Michaels (Rating: 2.5)
This one was Very disappointing, partially due to horrific editing and the partialy due to poor writing skills (not cleared up by the editor). I am tempted to rate this a two, due to incomplete storyline, also known as a cliffhanger, except the reader isn't left with a heart-stopping ending- the story just stops, and you're encouraged to buy book 2. What did I hate? a. Editing. There is missing punctuation (Lots!), misspelled words, and not because the book is written in British English, and bad grammar (so obvious, I had to shake my head, and I almost stopped reading to return the book to Amazon). b. Book is set in US with supposedly American characters, although, I will admit, it was never specifically mentioned, only implied. The author, who writes as if from the UK, uses British slang instead of American. The one stand out was using mom (instead of mum), right in with the use of boot (trunk), bin (garbage can)... well, you get the idea. I have a bias against writers that write about other regions, and don't change their vernacular to match the story. Word of advice, the proper use of mom was not a big enough red herring to detract from the improper slang/dialect usage. c. Wordy. In writing, less is more powerful. The author had a tendency to overstate the obvious (as if the reader isn't smart enough). This ups the word count, but takes away from strong writing. It made the novel seem like a creative writing project for a high school student- somewhat immature, but sparks of promise shine through. And, that brings me to the real important question: Why didn't I give this a 1-star rating, or even the 2 I was tempted to downgrade to? Even with the somewhat immature writing style, there is a good story beneath the fluff. Was the book worth 2.99? No, due to the lousy edit, I feel gypped. With the abrupt ending, I feel irritated. This author shows potential, and a few books down the line, I may read some Closer Looks on Amazon to see if she tightens up her (I assume female) writing style. I would suggest potential readers look at the Sample or Closer Look offered on Amazon before making a buying decision on this one. I did read it all the way thru, so I won't return it, but I was tempted. Very tempted.
6. Shapshifted, Cassie Alexander (Rating: 2)
While I had some hope after book two that the series may improve with reading, I really struggled to finish book three. The premise behind the series is great- but the execution is sadly lacking in any real character advancement and the storyline never caught my interest. I also had the same problem as with book one, where areas were not clear on what was happening n the story- there IS such a thing as too vague. Unfortunately, this is the last one I'll be reading. I'm happy I decided to get the series on loan from the library.
5. Witch Who Cried Wolf, Sarah Makela (Rating: 2)
I downloaded this book free on Amazon. Oh man, I really wanted to like this one-- great plot, but that was the only thing that kept my interest. Characters were unlikeable: Main female weak and indecisive, Best friend flaky and defensive. There was a lot of unrealized potential in the story, but the author would build a sense of urgency, then suddenly, the characters would say, I don't have time for this, we'll talk about it later. Really? Later? If it were me, I would have been demanding answers now, not waiting until tomorrow. Much of the story felt disjointed and unresolved. Rather than anticipation, I was frustrated and annoyed for most of the book. This could be reworked to a longer novel (the story line is there, and filling some of the holes could make this a sharp piece of work), but as is, it felt lacking.
4. A Shiver of Light, Laurell K Hamilton (Rating: 2)
I borrowed this book from my local library (thank goodness).I never imaged giving a poor rating to a Laurell K Hamilton book, but this was a disappointing addition to the Meridith Gentry series. No driving plot, just a series of incidences strung together-- often repetitious-- recapping and rehashing the prior story lines (the author failed to take into account, those of us reading this far into the series, already KNOW the storyline). This book also didn't have a polished feel, it was almost sloppy in the editing. It would have been better to have waited another few years until her heart was more into the novel.
3. Hellhounds are For Suckers, Jessica McBrayer (Rating: 2)
Free novella I picked up on Amazon. The story was trite, with a simple plot; and a surfeit of humor, which wore thin after a few chapters. Redundant. I struggled to finish.
2. Pixie and the Lion Tamer, Georgette StClair (Rating: 2)
Terribly disappointed in this one. It seemed like a vehicle driven solely by Pixie's (not always clever) one liners. The lion had no, well, let's say he would have been more appropriate hanging out with Dorothy and a few flying monkeys, The plot was outrageous- Really. Just when you thought it was too far out there, the author added another impossible layer. In cases where I give a 2-star, it's due to thin storyline- in this instance, the plot was so thick I wanted to take a machete to it. Ending was wrapped up really quick with a bunch more... ready for it? Impossibly coincidental reveals. A wasted 2 hours of my time, not to mention 99cents
1. Collared For the Night, Susan Arden (Rating: 2)
I struggled to finish this one- not so much because it was poorly written, but it was so redundant. The same protests and insecurities appeared in every chapter, a good editor would have chopped the book down to novella size. Alpha Leopardess- yeah, I get it. Why Shane had to train her? Still no clue. How he helped her? Still no logical answer. It was the same dialogue reworded and extended over WAY too many pages. Sorry, this lost my interest 20% thru and I only got more irked as I neared and passed the 80% mark. It was a relief to be done. Writer has great potential, but needs to give readers credit for catching the nuances the first time, even a second time to reinforce, is okay, but the writer gave no credit to reader savvy. I hate when an author assumes I’m stupid.. argh.
10. Fierce Awakenings, Kristy Centeno (Rating: 2.5)
I wanted to like this book and was looking forward to reading. Unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The writing is redundant (she says the same thing, using different words or phrases in many cases), and the word usage is unusual, reminding me of someone who has a thesaurus on hand. The author selects words that convey the base meaning of the word, but not the nuance of the sentence it's used in-- it was very distracting (I suspect English is not the author's first language, as the word choices were strange enough to halt my reading flow). The plot premise is good, but the author's use of repeated words and phrases close enough together was distracting (pummel, passion and desire, etc), as was the unpolished grammar. With a good editor, this has potential to be 4 or 5-star quality. In its present form, it is a 2.5 for me.
9. Rock the Viper, Sammie J (Rating: 2.5 )
I downloaded Rock the Viper as a free book from Amazon. I am crushed (not to mention confused by the 5-star ratings for this book). Such a great storyline, but frustrating when you have a great premise mired down in redundancies, more redundancies, and then some duplicated words and phrases on top of that making things kinda... well, redundant? The author needs a better editor and possibly an expository writing course to learn 'more is not always better' when it comes to describing events as they are unfolding. I swear every character 'strolled' rather than walked. And by the fifth chapter, I was ready to pull out my own red pen and go to town. WAY too much wordiness. There was also a lack of character development (they all spoke in similar voice for their narrations). The lack was especially evident when there was a PoV shift and I didn't catch it until I was a couple pages into the chapter; usually when the person I thought was (still) narrating is now 'strolling' into the room. And don't get me started on the PoVs-- the three Main Characters (MCs) duplicated the same events (as if the writer felt obligated to stick to a formula to tell the incident from all three people, rather than the one or two who made a difference to the progression). There was nothing new added to the plot with the PoV shifts, they were simply a rehash of what we already knew from the first PoV-- in triplicate. A frustrating read because of the grammar and overly detailed sentences (instead of “she pulled out a chair and sat”, the author may write “she strolled to the table and pulled out one of the chairs and sat in a seat at the table” -- yeah, I made that up, but it gives a good example of the issue I have). This is a “tell” rather than “show” writer, but I think her writing style may work if she gets a good editor. Grammar and punctuation are your friends. An awkward read, but the foundation for an excellent novel if it received some polish and tighter editing. I love this plot, and while there is room for improvement, the author's imagination to create wonderful tales is evident. 2.5 rating rounded up because of intriguing plot.
8. Written in Stone, Jennifer Smith (Rating: 2.5)
Okay, I don't get this one at all It's as if two completely different (and possibly unrelated) novellas were sewn together with a thin thread… each story on its own was pretty good (I actually liked the twist for how vampires started), but the romance was rushed (yeah, it’s a novella, but I still have expectations). Well written, but a bit clumsy on presentation. I don't understand the cover choice or title selected; they don't reflect the horse and carriage timeline the main part of the story is set in. This was a freebie I downloaded, and while I enjoyed the story(ies)- I wish the last part was its own novel(la), there was enough meat to really take off with the idea.
7. The Witch, the Wolf, and the Vampire, AK Michaels (Rating: 2.5)
This one was Very disappointing, partially due to horrific editing and the partialy due to poor writing skills (not cleared up by the editor). I am tempted to rate this a two, due to incomplete storyline, also known as a cliffhanger, except the reader isn't left with a heart-stopping ending- the story just stops, and you're encouraged to buy book 2. What did I hate? a. Editing. There is missing punctuation (Lots!), misspelled words, and not because the book is written in British English, and bad grammar (so obvious, I had to shake my head, and I almost stopped reading to return the book to Amazon). b. Book is set in US with supposedly American characters, although, I will admit, it was never specifically mentioned, only implied. The author, who writes as if from the UK, uses British slang instead of American. The one stand out was using mom (instead of mum), right in with the use of boot (trunk), bin (garbage can)... well, you get the idea. I have a bias against writers that write about other regions, and don't change their vernacular to match the story. Word of advice, the proper use of mom was not a big enough red herring to detract from the improper slang/dialect usage. c. Wordy. In writing, less is more powerful. The author had a tendency to overstate the obvious (as if the reader isn't smart enough). This ups the word count, but takes away from strong writing. It made the novel seem like a creative writing project for a high school student- somewhat immature, but sparks of promise shine through. And, that brings me to the real important question: Why didn't I give this a 1-star rating, or even the 2 I was tempted to downgrade to? Even with the somewhat immature writing style, there is a good story beneath the fluff. Was the book worth 2.99? No, due to the lousy edit, I feel gypped. With the abrupt ending, I feel irritated. This author shows potential, and a few books down the line, I may read some Closer Looks on Amazon to see if she tightens up her (I assume female) writing style. I would suggest potential readers look at the Sample or Closer Look offered on Amazon before making a buying decision on this one. I did read it all the way thru, so I won't return it, but I was tempted. Very tempted.
6. Shapshifted, Cassie Alexander (Rating: 2)
While I had some hope after book two that the series may improve with reading, I really struggled to finish book three. The premise behind the series is great- but the execution is sadly lacking in any real character advancement and the storyline never caught my interest. I also had the same problem as with book one, where areas were not clear on what was happening n the story- there IS such a thing as too vague. Unfortunately, this is the last one I'll be reading. I'm happy I decided to get the series on loan from the library.
5. Witch Who Cried Wolf, Sarah Makela (Rating: 2)
I downloaded this book free on Amazon. Oh man, I really wanted to like this one-- great plot, but that was the only thing that kept my interest. Characters were unlikeable: Main female weak and indecisive, Best friend flaky and defensive. There was a lot of unrealized potential in the story, but the author would build a sense of urgency, then suddenly, the characters would say, I don't have time for this, we'll talk about it later. Really? Later? If it were me, I would have been demanding answers now, not waiting until tomorrow. Much of the story felt disjointed and unresolved. Rather than anticipation, I was frustrated and annoyed for most of the book. This could be reworked to a longer novel (the story line is there, and filling some of the holes could make this a sharp piece of work), but as is, it felt lacking.
4. A Shiver of Light, Laurell K Hamilton (Rating: 2)
I borrowed this book from my local library (thank goodness).I never imaged giving a poor rating to a Laurell K Hamilton book, but this was a disappointing addition to the Meridith Gentry series. No driving plot, just a series of incidences strung together-- often repetitious-- recapping and rehashing the prior story lines (the author failed to take into account, those of us reading this far into the series, already KNOW the storyline). This book also didn't have a polished feel, it was almost sloppy in the editing. It would have been better to have waited another few years until her heart was more into the novel.
3. Hellhounds are For Suckers, Jessica McBrayer (Rating: 2)
Free novella I picked up on Amazon. The story was trite, with a simple plot; and a surfeit of humor, which wore thin after a few chapters. Redundant. I struggled to finish.
2. Pixie and the Lion Tamer, Georgette StClair (Rating: 2)
Terribly disappointed in this one. It seemed like a vehicle driven solely by Pixie's (not always clever) one liners. The lion had no, well, let's say he would have been more appropriate hanging out with Dorothy and a few flying monkeys, The plot was outrageous- Really. Just when you thought it was too far out there, the author added another impossible layer. In cases where I give a 2-star, it's due to thin storyline- in this instance, the plot was so thick I wanted to take a machete to it. Ending was wrapped up really quick with a bunch more... ready for it? Impossibly coincidental reveals. A wasted 2 hours of my time, not to mention 99cents
1. Collared For the Night, Susan Arden (Rating: 2)
I struggled to finish this one- not so much because it was poorly written, but it was so redundant. The same protests and insecurities appeared in every chapter, a good editor would have chopped the book down to novella size. Alpha Leopardess- yeah, I get it. Why Shane had to train her? Still no clue. How he helped her? Still no logical answer. It was the same dialogue reworded and extended over WAY too many pages. Sorry, this lost my interest 20% thru and I only got more irked as I neared and passed the 80% mark. It was a relief to be done. Writer has great potential, but needs to give readers credit for catching the nuances the first time, even a second time to reinforce, is okay, but the writer gave no credit to reader savvy. I hate when an author assumes I’m stupid.. argh.
