S.R. Roddy's Blog, page 3
July 3, 2014
Happy 4th of July!
Every year around this time in the U.S. families gather together for a variety of events. In years past, we would have a makeshift reunion. My sisters and brothers would roundup their kids and we’d either gather at someones house or the park and have a big BBQ. Then as the sky began to darken, we’d find a comfortable place to sit and watch the fireworks. Some years we’d fire off our own, and others we’d be entertained by the local show. One thing always remained the same, we did things together as a family.
Now, for the last two years my family has opted out of the fireworks show because of bad experiences. It’s just not that much fun to drive 30-50 miles to the nearest show just to sit in the heat. My kid can’t breath cause all the adults are smoking around the kids. You have the crowds, the long lines, the loud music that upsets the rhythm of your son’s heart., and then there’s the gross porta–potties. All for only a 15 minute fireworks show. Then sit in traffic for two hours trying to get home. So not worth it…
This year we’re going to make hamburgers on the grill and catch a glimpse of the lit sky from our front porch. Though we don’t brave the crowds, we still maintain our family tradition of spending the day in celebration together.
Today is for family and celebration. Go out, have some fun and enjoy your day. Happy 4th of July from me and mine. Stay safe!
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July 2, 2014
Review – Torment by Lauren Kate
Review of Torment by Lauren Kate
This week’s Book Trailer Wednesday pick is Torment. This is the second book in the Fallen series by Lauren Kate. In some ways, I liked the special effects of this book trailer better than the first, but my desire to continue the story prompted my purchase more than the trailer itself.
Synopsis:
Hell on earth.
That’s what it’s like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel.
It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts—immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students: Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans.
At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn’t told her everything. He’s hiding something—something dangerous.
What if Daniel’s version of the past isn’t actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else?
The second novel in the addictive FALLEN series… where love never dies.
My Thoughts:
In some ways, I liked this book better than the first. The author gave us a lot more details on the back–story, but left enough of the mystery unanswered to keep reading the next story.
There are several new characters in this book, as well as a few of the old ones. I got excited when they brought Arriane into the story, but her position in the storyline was minor. Just a bit disappointing since she’s my favorite for the series. The author managed to bring more truths to light about Cam, which made me question my opinions of him.
In Torment, Luce spends most of her time with either Miles or Shelby.
Miles: Miles is a classmate that befriends Luce on her first day and makes her feel less of a freak. He comes from a very old respected family. The percentage of angel blood is minimal, but he still classifies as a Nephilim. He admits to wondering at times why they even allow him in the school.
Shelby: Luce’s roommate at the new school. She’s a human–angel hybrid that was raised by a single mom. I didn’t really like her at first, but she grows on you. She comes off as spoiled, jealous and just downright mean.
The introduction of the Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans, adds an interesting new aspect to the series. I found the interaction between her and Miles sweet. Overall, the entire encounter with this new group has brought about a metamorphosis in her character that I truly enjoyed. No longer is she simply this girl that has love on the brain constantly. She finally starts asking the hard questions, and learns to find answers for herself. She develops an assertiveness that makes you want to cheer and say it’s about dang time.
My favorite aspect of the book is still the whole demon verses angel theme. I love the way the author writes. She puts so many things into question about the possibility of a misinterpretation between who is actually good or evil.
Although I enjoyed both Fallen and Torment, I’ve decided to only review the two books in the series. I did purchase the third book, but I had a hard time reading it. It was just too much teenage drama for me by book three, which jumps out of my enjoyment zone. My dislike of certain types of story lines isn’t the author’s fault. Therefore, I believe it would be unjust to both the book, and its possible readers to review it. My daughter loved the books, so if you enjoy YA paranormal, I do highly recommend the entire series. I give this 4 stars.
(4 / 5)
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June 27, 2014
Available in Print
I’m excited to announce that Tonight’s Desire is now available in print format. This release includes all the revisions made based on readers and fans complaints, including a new beginning sequence. Enjoy!
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June 10, 2014
Cover Reveal!
Cover reveal! I received the finished cover for Love’s Forbidden Embrace over the weekend. This is Book Two in my Volkoff Pack series. Dante and Hailey’s story follows the two as they cross the Atlantic Ocean to meet with the European Council.
They find themselves faced with conspiracies on all sides. A council who likes to play games of manipulation. Vampires who want to bring Dante back into the fold. A purist group that desires to eliminate the abominations of this world.
The biggest battle they face in this war is fought on a personal front. Will they continue to defy the fates, or will they finally give in to their own desire and claim the power that destiny has decreed is theirs?
We have mystery, conspiracy, friendship, and a possibility of love. Alone on a strange continent, surrounded by many, but trusting few. They must work through the complications of their past if they wish to survive.
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May 28, 2014
Fallen by Lauren Kate
This week’s Book Trailer Wednesday pick is Fallen by Lauren Kate. While my initial interest in this book wasn’t because of the trailer it did play a deciding factor in my choice. I found this book trailer while searching for a new book series for my teenage daughter to read. It was offered in a list of suggested reads, but the book cover was what first caught my eye. When I saw that it had a book trailer I immediately clicked the link. The video whet my appetite enough to want to read it myself.
I know this book sits at a higher price range than my average read, but in my daughter’s case, her books are always more expensive. She will not read an e-book, she claims to like the smell and feel of a real book in her hand. The thrill on her face when she reads a new story is priceless in my opinion.
Synopsis:
There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.
Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.
Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret… even if it kills her.
My Thoughts:
I found the whole premise of this book fascinating. While I’ve not read many books about angels in general, the originality of this storyline left me intrigued throughout. There were certain aspects that were obvious from the start, while others you were left to figure out as time went by.
The main character was likable. I didn’t notice any blatantly annoying traits in Luce that might make a person roll their eyes. She was a typical confused teen with a lot of craziness going on around her. I felt the descriptions of the shadows were well thought out.
Favorite Character: My favorite character was Arriane. She has just the right mixture of crazy and humor.
Quote: “You’re my love, Lucinda. For me, you’re all there is.”
Quote: “Not so long that I’ve forgotten that you’re worth everything. Every sacrifice. Every pain.”
The story wasn’t perfect, but I enjoyed it and believe my daughter will as well. My biggest complaint would have to be the parents. It just didn’t seem plausible for such supposedly loving parents to abandon her at the hospital. The state of neglect explained by the author made the possibility of the camera sabotage sustainable.
It had a good ending for this type of ongoing series. While not all our questions were answered, the author wrapped it up nicely so we would be ready for the next release. I still hold enough questions about the history that I’m not waiting for my daughter to ask for the next book.
Overall, this story was a great teen romance. While there are a few fighting scenes, there’s no real violence and the romance is clean. Both characteristics make this an excellent choice for my teen. It also holds enough intrigue to entertain even an adult, if you like this kind of book. I give it 4 hearts.
(4 / 5)
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May 25, 2014
To Embrace a Highlander Excerpt!
I have officially released an excerpt for To Embrace a Highlander. This is MacKay Book Three, part of my ongoing historical series. Each book in the series holds a little bit of mysticism, giving it a paranormal twist. Enjoy!
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Tonight’s Desire on iTunes!
Tonight’s Desire is now available for download on iTunes. Book One in my new paranormal romance series, Volkoff Pack. Soon to be at all retailers. Unsure if it’s what your looking for? Read the first five chapters for free.
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May 23, 2014
MacKay’s Book Three: Cover Reveal!
To Embrace a Highlander, Book Three in my ongoing historical series, now has a beautiful new cover. Once again, I want to thank my great cover designer for all her hard work.
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May 22, 2014
Tonight’s Desire at Smashwords
Do you want a choice in formats? Look no further. Tonight’s Desire, Volkoff Pack Book One is now available at Smashwords. Download a free sample today. As a special, I’m offering a promo coupon good until May 25th.
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May 14, 2014
If He’s Wicked by Hannah Howell
This week’s Book Trailer Wednesday pick is If He’s Wicked by Hannah Howell. This is Book One in her Wherlocke series. As a fan for nearly two decades of her work, it was exciting to find one of her book trailers on youtube.
Synopsis:
She Saves His Life…
For Chloe Wherlocke, it all begins with a vision–a glimpse into the future that foretells a terrible plot against Lord Julian Kenwood and his newborn son. Chloe’s psychic gift allows her to save the child from certain death, but the earl remains in grave peril…
But When He Steals Her Heart…
Julian Kenwood knows someone is trying to kill him and he suspects his scheming wife and her lover are behind the plot. But Julian is shocked when Chloe, a captivating, dark-haired stranger, warns him that sinister forces are indeed at hand–and exposes a devastating secret that changes his life forever…
Will She Resist–Or Surrender?
As Chloe reveals her plan to save Julian, neither can deny the attraction that grows each moment they’re together. Chloe knows the highborn earl could never love her as she loves him. But when danger strikes closer than ever, Chloe must risk everything–or lose Julian forever…
My Thoughts:
As I mentioned before, this is the first book in the Wherlocke Series. At this time, the series holds a total of five books. As a previous fan of both the Murrays and her vampire series, I look forward to reading this series. I’m still reeling at how I possibly missed a series that started in 2009.
While a good start of an obviously well liked series, I have to admit it wasn’t my favorite by Hannah Howell. I had a lot of difficulty keeping with the story. It didn’t have the draw that I usually feel when reading a book by one of my favorite authors. The “I can’t/don’t want to put it down” feeling. It just wasn’t there for me this time, and I find I really can’t pinpoint what it was missing.
The story has a mixture of romance, mystery and suspense. She even threw in a few murders and political machinations in the form of treason. The characters were likable. I found I liked Chloe’s innocence mixed in with a bit of spice. Her lack of stuffy, aristocratic behavior was refreshing as well. The heat between her and Julian was ice melting, but yet there remained a gentleness to their relationship. Both sweet and spicy, an intriguing mix.
I found myself surprised by the evil portrayed in the antagonists. They were pure evil with nothing redeemable, which I found a bit unusual. Although, I think this change helped keep the story from being typical for me.
I enjoyed the way the author took the same old historical style romance and added the paranormal twist to it. Like most of the Wherlocke family, Chloe has a gift. The heroine has the ability to see into the future. As the description says, this gift is the basis for saving the hero and his child.
Favorite: I adored the interaction between Julian’s son and Chloe. Her natural instincts, when it comes to motherly affection, appealed to me.
Disappointed: I wanted to hear more about the other family members and their gifts. More on the family history in general would’ve been a nice bonus. I felt like it was a missed opportunity.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. Despite the fact, it took longer for me to read than normal, I’m very interested in continuing the series. Right now, it’s only $4.50 on Amazon for 352 pages. I give it 4 hearts.
(4 / 5)
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