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Thursday, 30 April 2015

(Un) Limited Time Freebie - Three books by Jill Sanders


I came across this on a Goodreads group where the author was promoting it. And I thought I would post it here since this is a new author to me. I just downloaded her first books in her first three series to sample her writing. I hope others will also take this chance to check her out or continue reading her. They are free permanently, I believe so no hurry at all! 

And no, I didn't get paid in any way to post about it. I am doing it in my own interest! 

I think I will start with Loving Lauren. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Floryie

Wednesday, 29 April 2015

Book Musings - Beyond the Sapphire Gate by R.V.Johnson

Title : Beyond the Sapphire Gate
Author : R.V.Johnson
Series : The Flow of Power
Genre : Fantasy
Source : Free copy from the author

Blurb : 

Some magic should remain untouched.
Beyond the Sapphire Gate is the fascinating world of Astura, a world where a frothing, river of magic addicts those who use the power it holds.

Indentured to a private artifact collector on a dying world of high technology, Crystalyn naively activates a gateway. The temptation to touch it is too much for her sister Jade. Extending a fingertip into the mist, she vanishes. Crystalyn follows, stepping into a vibrant world infused with magic and those that Use.

Aided by symbol magic killing her with each use, the defining line between good and evil is not as clear as Crystalyn once believed. The Dark Users want to help her, the Circle of Light wishes to use her. The War of a Hundred Seasons makes her choose.

Half a world away, equipped with a seemingly useless ability to read auras, Jade embarks on a harrowing journey to escape the Dark Citadel with her soul intact.

Propelled to Astura by a devious assault, Garn has only two desires. Reuniting family and destroying those enforcing his servitude.

My Musings : 

If it wasn't for the blurb, I wouldn't have read this book. The book cover didn't do much for me though it had the elements of the book like the blue swirling light namely the Sapphire Gate and others. In my opinion, the cover doesn't do justice to the book. *Now updated with the new book cover which rocks!*

The author hooked me at the start of the blurb itself with the premise of an alternate universe. It is a wonderful adventure of Crystalyn, her sister Jade and their father, Garn who all transport to a different world through a gate. They end up in a magic infused world and each of them begin in a different place so the story is told in separate views. The narration jumps from one person to another and leaves us with a cliffhanger type ending sometimes. Some of the information shared was kind of repetitive when coming back to a person's journey through Astura. But it all coalesces into an enjoyable read.

The characters develop naturally in a progressive way through the book. Crystalyn seems to control her anger and emotions better as the story unfolds while Jade is naive but quickly grows cautious according to her situation. The only place where I was gnashing my teeth was Cry's preoccupation with Darwin. Garn's story is shorter than the others and I am awaiting the scene where all three get together. The world building is absolutely cool. A new and interesting magic system is introduced along with unique creatures and features of Astura. The plot is fast and keeps us going with surprise twists and turns. I definitely didn't expect Lord Charn's reveal! And I have more questions which I hope the author answers in the next book.

The only reason I have not given this book full rating is because of the errors found in the book. Otherwise, I would rate it a full 5 stars in terms of its story, plot, world and characters. Journey along with the lead characters who are from a fully technology based world in an entirely magic involved realm and enjoy an immersive and fantastical world. It will keep you wanting more and I am waiting to get my hands on the next book!

My one line  review : A fast paced adventurous tale with unique magic system and characters!

My rating :  4/5

My reread factor : 5/5

Floryie

Sunday, 26 April 2015

First 1000 pageviews!

Another milestone - the first 1000 pageviews! Now to wait for more of 1000s. YAY!

May will be full of reviewing and increasing the traffic work.

More fun!
Floryie

Saturday, 25 April 2015

Book Musings - Cursefell by C.V.Dreesman

Title : Cursefell
Author : C.V.Dreesman
Genre : Fantasy, Young Adult
Series : Book 1 of Venom Borne
Source : Free copy from the author

Blurb : 

The coastal town of Stonecrest is an isolated haven for nursing wounds and hiding secrets. It can cure a heart or crush it. When one girl's secret is revealed, a curse she does not even know she carries, the safe haven becomes her monstrous prison.
Seventeen year old Nathera Currey sees her curse as a death sentence, or at the very least a sentence of exile. But Thera has experienced death before and survived it. She has felt alone the last year of her life and endured that too. Accidentally uncovering her secret, she becomes the cold light of hope for some and a monster to be feared by others. If she wants to save herself and those she holds most dear, she will have to balance the scales of who she is against what she must become and life versus love.
My Musings : 

I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

The book cover hinted at a mermaid based tale while the blurb didn't give away much about the story. The only clue was that the heroine, Nathera has a secret curse hanging over her. It was all mysterious and that piqued my curiosity. I was right and wrong at the same time, because there are mermaids in it and yet the book is much more. It has an unique plot involving mythical creatures with darker connotation.

The story started off good with the introduction of the other two main characters,Galead and Isabel in addition to Nathera. I found the pace slow at first and the first few chapters were quite descriptive with less dialogues. But the description has a poetic nature instead of being prosy. I found few sentiments were repetitive but it didn't detract much from the story. Almost half of the book was over by the time the true story started. But it was all good since it was leading up to the good part of the book.Then it picked up speed and it was quite hard to put the book down without finishing it first.

The characters have an air of mystery about them which keeps us interested. All their secrets aren't revealed yet. More questions are raised instead of being answered throughout the book. Each character is revealed in steps so they aren't fully developed yet. And I am sure there are more elements to be introduced in the coming books. Nathera is a dreamer who at the same time is willing to make a stand to fight for herself and her friends. Galead is gallant and is in the business of rescuing Nathera which is the only thing revealed about him. Isabel isn't quite the bad character she is portrayed as at first and is the only one whose back story is at least half way written about. Both of them have their own motives to help Nathera.

The world building is pretty cool and mythology is used to a greater degree to build a different world with a negative vibe. This is the second time I am reading about this particular element and that kept me going in spite of the slow beginning. The one thing I didn't like that it ended in a cliffhanger and now I have to wait for the next book to know more.

If you are a patient reader and a mythology lover, this book will appeal to you with its distinctive plot and characters. I will be waiting for the sequel and hopefully it will be out soon!

My one line review : Distinctive mythology based plot makes Cursefell a good start to a promising fantasy series

My rating : 4/5

My reread factor : 4/5

Floryie

Thursday, 23 April 2015

Book Musings/New Release - Healer's Curse by Kathrese McKee

Title : Healer's Curse
Author : Kathrese McKee
Genre : Fantasy
Series : Mardan's Mark - between Books 1 and 2
Source : ARC
Length : Novella

Blurb :

Was this my curse? To lose everyone I loved?

What good is Elilan’s gift of healing if she can’t save those she loves? Elilan must risk failing once again or turn her back on her calling—and the stranger she’s learned to love—in Healer’s Curse.


My Musings :

I got this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

When I heard that this book would be released before the second book in the series, I was disappointed. But after reading it, I am glad that the author had taken the time to write it. At the end of Mardan's Mark, I had 2 thoughts. One was that it would have been better with a map of the realm included in the book and the other was that it could have included tidings of happenings at the palace in the absence of the Princesses and the Prince. The author, Kathrese McKee must be a mind reader because that's what this novella is about.

The blurb is rather short but it sums up the story very well. We are introduced to new characters like Elilan and Raymon while we reacquaint ourselves with a few known ones like Judge Elison and Greyson etc., While Srilani and others are struggling to head back home, we get to know Elilan, to whom Renee was apprenticed. I think the look given to Elilan in the book cover is quite right. She is a gentle waif but has a backbone of steel and a quirky sense of humour while Raymon is most times serious and sometimes roguish, Both are stubborn in their own way and their story is more the enjoyable for it. There are other characters coming and going and they all form the details of the book. We become more familiar with the Royalty families of Northern and Southern Marst. The plot is straight forward enough with just a twist or two thrown in. The romantic element forms the major part of the story this time with just a little bit of action added to spice it up. It's a good continuation to the series and I am most eagerly waiting to get my hands on the next book.

*Sighs* I have to wait some more to read about Srilani and Elilan and others but you don't have to, if you want to try out the series. Grab Mardan's Mark and get introduced to a good session of fantasy.

My one line review : Greater part romance and lesser part action makes Healer's Curse a good sequel!

My rating : 5/5

My reread factor : 4/5

Floryie

Wednesday, 22 April 2015

Another set of milestones

..... And I have zoomed past a couple of book blogging milestones!

The number 1 news is that I hosted my very first blog tour yesterday.  I am stoked! Thank you, Janeal & Sarah!

The number 2 news is that I am beta reading a book!.. Thank you, Valerie! And I followed it up by applying for another. But I am not sure that I will be selected.

But I am looking forward to more Firsts soon!

Wish me luck..

Floryie

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Blog Tour / Review / Giveaway - May Contain Spies by J.A.Cipriano



Name of the book: May Contain Spies
Author: J.A.Cipriano
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller
Series: First book in the series
Source: ARC in exchange for an honest review
Blog Tour arranged by Janeal & Sarah

Blurb : 

Abby Banks is your typical sixteen-year-old girl, except that her entire life has been one big lie. Kidnapped as a young girl and fostered by a government agency as collateral, Abby never knew she was important… until her mom’s terrorist organization unleashes a devastating attack on the facility.

(Blurb and Cover taken from Goodreads)

Links to purchase/view:


My Musings : 

The three things which made me look forward to reading the book were the book cover hinting at a race against time theme, the title implying a spy thriller and the blurb introducing the interesting premise of a girl whose entire life has been a lie.

Abby, the protagonist is a normal teenager who is suddenly plunged into extraordinary circumstances. She is the hub of all action but she isn't directly involved in it till the end. She is either being dragged from place to place or rescued from captivity while Stephen, the love interest in the story is right in midst of the action scenes. He seems contradictory in nature, being a first class spy yet getting embarrassed easily.  There are a few side characters but none are memorable for me except Roberto. I felt that there was unnecessary carnage in a few scenes. The characters are too set in their roles with no growth with the exception of Abby.

The dialogue had me smiling at a few points but certain phrases and words were repetitive and distracting from the story. The plot was very fast paced and there were a few twists and turns keeping me on my toes all the way through. I literally felt like I was watching a tennis match, my thoughts moving from the Government agency to Abby's Mother, Gabriella. The author kept us guessing who were the good guys and the bad guys till the end. The scientific elements were pretty cool and I loved reading about them.

If you like an action packed book with cool scenes  and not much developed characters, this would be it.

My one line review : A fast paced thriller + Unexpected plot twists = May Contain Spies

My rating : 4/5

My reread factor : 3/5

If you would like to know more, take a look at the excerpt.

Excerpt :

I hit the ground and stumbled, my tennis shoes slipping on the wet concrete below. I wobbled, arms flailing out like a pair of windmills as I crashed onto the cold stone. I swallowed once, nausea rising in my throat as I felt something wet and slimy seep into my jeans. There was a thud beside me and something grabbed my wrist and pulled me to my feet.

“Well, that was fun.” Stephen’s voice echoed in the sewer like we were in an ancient cavern. “That wasn’t exactly how I envisioned today going.”“Oh?” I murmured and before I could stop myself, blurted out. “How did you expect it to go?”I felt his hand grow warm, and somehow, I knew he was blushing. He let me go rather suddenly and took a step forward into the murk.

“Not like this,” he mumbled. His voice had lost that strange confidence it’d had during the gunfight. I watched him fumble with something and a beam of light pierced the darkness. His flashlight was so bright in the gloom that I had to shield my eyes from it.

“We need to keep moving or they’ll catch us,” he added before taking a few steps away from me. Evidently, he felt safer with at least a foot between us. If my mom could see us now she’d laugh. Then she’d get a ruler to make sure we stayed at least twelve inches apart at all times.


Meet the author : 

When J. A. Cipriano was in second, grade his teacher gave everyone in class a journal to write down whatever they wanted. Their first subject was to write about something they didn’t like. J. A. chose to write about why he didn’t like writing. His reasoning was simple. He had bad handwriting. Even then he was destined to be an engineer due to his messy scrawl.

Unfortunately, he found through the course of this little adventure that he actually liked writing. That year was sort of the high point for his writing career because he won a writing contest for the state. He got to go to a big dinner and his teacher was all dressed up.

He kept writing little stories, year after year, and in sixth grade, won another contest. In seventh grade he broke his arm and got the cast signed by both Dean Koontz and Stan Lee. It is, by far, the coolest cast he’s owned. That was about the time he found video games and anime. His writing turned mostly toward fanfiction until about ninth grade where he wrote his first novel, a small book about twenty thousand words called Revelations. In sophomore year, he wrote two more books to complete the trilogy because he saw Star Wars that year and learned trilogies were the cool thing to do.

Since then, he’s written six more novels, four of which are in the Lillim Callina Series, and one in the Abby Banks series. The other is stuck in a drawer for time undetermined. He’s writing his next book now which is about werewolves fighting mummies in Ancient Egypt. After that, he will move onto Abby Banks 2. The Spy Within will come out in June or July.

J.A. also has three chinchillas. Two of them are grey and because of this, they are named Slate and Cadmium. The third is named Jet because he’s black, and Jet is old English for black. See, creative. He also has a cat named Turtle. This does pose problems for his two-year-old from time to time.

Visit the Author 's site to know more about him and what he is upto now! There is also a giveaway connected to it. Enter below!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you want take a look at my other co blog tour hosts, click the blog names in the following image to go to their respective blogs.

click map Dreams come true through reading A Novel Kind of Bliss Taraxacum Kia on the Shelf Riding and Writing The Travelogue of a Book Addict Bedazzled by Books A Book Paradise Amia Book Lover Book Bug's World Sophie Childs Don't judge a book by Its cover Around the World in Books

Floryie

Friday, 17 April 2015

Book Cover Love - Generation by Heather Hildenbrand


After months of pretending to be Raven Rogen, Ven feels less like a clone and more like a human than ever. But when Raven’s father, Titus—the same man who engineered Ven—discovers her plan to escape, everything she’s worked so hard for is taken away in one explosive moment.
Now she’s imprisoned in Twig City, the secret warehouse where she grew up. She spends her days plotting ways to get back to the outside world, determined to topple Titus’s empire and free every last Imitation. But Titus’s reach is extensive and his plans are more deadly than she realized.
In the shocking conclusion to the Imitation series, one wrong move could mean the end for Ven and everyone she’s come to love

I am sharing this because I liked the book cover so much. It releases on October 13, 2015. Yes, too many months to wait. 

One word to describe it - FUTURISTIC ( obviously!)

I haven't read the series yet. It's on my TBR shelf. Looking forward to reading it soon.

Floryie

Thursday, 16 April 2015

New Release/Book Musings - Two Wrongs Make a Right by Ann Everett

Name of the book : Two Wrongs Make a Right
Author's Name : Ann Everett
Genre : Romance, Contemporary
Source : An ARC from the author for an unbiased review

Blurb : 

How can something so wrong…
All Quinn Dorsey wants is a white picket fence fairy tale. But after another failed relationship and her biological clock ticking double time, she’s desperate enough to try online dating. Following a series of worst dates ever, she decides happily-ever-after isn't in the Tarot cards. Forget Cupid, it's time to take matters into her own hands. A simple seduction should do the trick, but then everything that can go wrong...does!
…Turn out to be so right
Dak Savage isn't interested in commitment. He's been burned by women before - lied to, used, even shot. Hell, he considers women a curse and has one rule he never breaks - don't pick up women in bars. But when he agrees to a guys' night out and meets up with the feisty, fast talking Quinn, his rule shatters like a dropped shot glass. 
A one night stand turns into a long weekend and as Quinn tries to abandon her ridiculous scheme, she finds herself nose-to-nose and toe-to-toe with the best mistake she's ever made.

My Musings :

Happy book birthday, Two Wrongs Make a Right!! The book is being released today and I am happy that I got a chance to read it early. It sated my hankering for a good contemporary romance. Thank you, Ma'm for a free copy in exchange for an honest and true review.

The book cover implies a fight or a misunderstanding between the lead characters, Quinn and Dak while the blurb hints at a wrong incident turning into the right one at the end. Both form the base of the book. The title is so right in this case. Quinn and Dak,both, make wrong decisions which turn into a happily ever after ending.

I loved the characters and the plot. Usually the main characters are introduced together or as meeting in the first chapter but this was a bit different. First, Quinn is introduced and we get to know her as a soft and gentle person. Then Dak comes into the scene. He is shown as a playboy in the beginning but later grows into a great guy. They are supported by a good cast of side characters. Megan seems to be a coward while Raynie is colourful and fits the role of a loyal friend perfectly. I loved her tarot card reading antics a lot. Then there is Sim who constantly pokes and prods Dak onto the right path.

The book is a good testament to the line, "Communication is key to a good relationship." If they had only talked, we wouldn't have their story at all! The only thing I didn't like was Quinn's attitude towards Dak's coldness and how long he took to get over himself. Otherwise, I loved the book. It was the right combination of romance and emotions. I was happy and sad in turns while reading the book. The story pulled me right in and I felt I could relate to the characters well. I enjoyed this book and I hope there is a book for others too, especially Raynie. I have 3 words for you, "Go for it!!", if you are procrastinating on reading the book. It won't let you down.

My one line review : Solid romance which will keep your emotions tied up in knots.

My rating : 5/5

My reread factor : 4/5

Floryie

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

Book Musings - Dance by Midnight by Phaedra Weldon

Name of the book : Dance by Midnight
Author's Name : Phaedra Weldon
Genre : Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Source : A free copy from the author for an honest review

Blurb :
Darren “Dags” McConnell wants to recover the memories of his childhood. Memories that could hold the key to what happened in a fire that took his mother and left him buried inside a tree.When conventional means of memory recovery prove useless, the Grimoire, an ancient tome of magic fused to Dags’s soul, promises a spell to shine a light on his past. He travels to Savannah, Georgia to collect the final ingredient, the dust of his ancestors.A chance reunion with an old friend searching for his missing daughter delays Dags’s search when he volunteers to help. But when a hired Witch discovers the daughter was taken by Faeries, Dags learns the Faerie Realms hold much more than just strange denizens. Can Dags survive an Angel’s wrath, a flesh eating Changeling, and a mad Faerie queen? Will he find the answers to his past?
My Musings : 

Usually I find the book covers kind of symbolic but this book cover isn't totally up to par in my opinion. I think it needs something more though it has the elements characterising the story. The blurb promises a brisk paced adventurous tale but the pace isn't constant. It starts off with a fast paced scene but then it starts to slow down then again picks up speed.

A different set of characters are introduced to us with the exception of Sam,Grey and the Faerie Queens. I found it a bit weird with Sam being one of the side characters in this book. Darren (Dags) McConnell is a bit of a coward but he measures up at least a bit in the end. Mike Ross comes across as a concerned father and a loyal friend. The book showcases more of the Faerie Realms leading to a good bit of world building.

When I started reading the book, I didn't expect the story to lead up to the Faerie Queen, Medbh's head removal. What I imagined would be the tale surrounding it, was totally different from how it played out. Though this series happens before the Elemental Arcane series, it isn't difficult to follow the book.

The book didn't satisfy me completely. It disappointed me a bit at the end and the flow wasn't that engrossing. In spite of it all, I finished the reading in a day because I wanted to know where it would lead to and it has lead to more questions and for that, I would follow the series.

My one line review : Dance by Midnight is a good start to a new series, answering a few questions and in turn leading to more!

My rating : 3.5/5

My reread factor : 4/5

Floryie

Tuesday, 14 April 2015

Book Musings - Homegrown Terror by Steve White


Name of the book : Homegrown Terror
Author's Name : Steve White
Genre : Young Adult, Action, Thriller
Series : Book 1 of Project Forge
Source : A free copy from the author for an unbiased review
Length: Novella

Blurb :

Kendra is a soft spoken girl at school, and many of her friends would describe her independent and shy. But beneath the surface is a fierce warrior: Kendra is in fact a teen spy. Her "parents" are handlers for the National Security Agency, and she is sent on missions around the country. Her newest mission: a new homegrown terrorist organization has sprung up in the US, and she must tear the organization down. She will come up against more danger than she has ever faced before - will she save her country? Or will she die trying?
My musings :


"Oh, a teen spy?" That was my first thought on reading the blurb. My second thought was ,"What kind of a title is Homegrown Terror?" I don't know why but it didn't gel for me. I was kind of surprised at myself because I had never questioned a book name till then. Later on, in the midst of the book, I realised that the book is aptly named since it describes the villain perfectly.

The book cover and the blurb promises an action packed story and it delivers, albeit a short one. One of the negative points of the book was that it was too short to focus much on the characters except Kendra, the protagonist. She is brave but a bit reckless. She makes a good spy but I would have liked to read about her personal life too. Her friends come and go in a Hi-Bye scene. Her parents, Peter and Sarah Murdoch, are introduced but they exit soon from the main part of the story. I would have liked more emotions but then it won't be a spy thriller, would it?

The villain was mad, literally mad and had all the advantages of a bad character. But otherwise, he didn't stand out much. He shouldn't have been that easy to be defeated by a teen, though she's a trained agent.

The story flowed well from scene to scene. I didn't feel any jerkiness in the narration. The adventures of Kendra kept me entertained till the end. Another negative point of the book was her fast recovery from her ordeal. It seemed too artificial and contrived. Other than that, the book is a good mixture of action, adventure and suspense to spend a few hours on.

I used to read Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books during my early years and well this book reminded me of them. If Nancy Drew was a spy, this would be her kind of story! For now, I have put the author on my waitlist. I hope he gets out the next book in the Project Forge series soon.

My one line review : The book is a fast and short read of adventure and action!

My rating : 4/5

My reread factor: 3.5/5

Floryie

Saturday, 11 April 2015

(Limited Time) Freebie - Starstruck by Brenda Hiatt

Another Young Adult (limited time) freebie being offered on Amazon. But the time frame isn't clear. So if you like the blurb, get the e-book as soon as possible. I don't know when it will change back.



Blurb :

Nerdy astronomy geek Marsha, M to her few friends, has never been anybody special. Orphaned as an infant and reluctantly raised by an overly-strict “aunt,” she’s not even sure who she is. M’s dream of someday escaping tiny Jewel, Indiana and making her mark in the world seems impossibly distant until hot new quarterback Rigel inexplicably befriends her. As Rigel turns his back on fawning cheerleaders to spend time with M, strange things start to happen: her acne clears up, her eyesight improves to the point she can ditch her thick glasses, and when they touch, sparks fly—literally! When M digs for a reason, she discovers deep secrets that will change her formerly humdrum life forever . . . and expose her to perils she never dreamed of. Yes, the middle of nowhere just got a lot more interesting!
Floryie
Note: Blurb and book cover source - Goodreads


Friday, 10 April 2015

Limited Time Freebie - Silently Screaming by Dawn Husted

I came across this e-book being given away as a freebie for a limited time from Friday, 10th to Sunday, 12th April 2015 on Amazon. I was intrigued by the blurb so I promptly downloaded it and have added it to my TBR shelf on Goodreads.

Genre : Young Adult

(the book cover and blurb source - Goodreads)


Blurb : 

It's the spring semester of their senior year at Centerville High. Despite drastically different upbringings, Nikki and Caroline have been best friends since they were ten years old.
Whenever Nikki isn't in school, she's either at work or visiting Caroline. Nikki's only chance at a normal future is to save enough money so that she can move out after graduation. But when she chooses to do the unthinkable for extra cash, the ramifications are deadly. 
Caroline's life is anything but picture perfect, unless her parents can help it. When they find out she's pregnant, her mom encourages her to get an abortion, but Caroline's determined to raise the baby with her boyfriend Tod. When the pressures of school and life become too much for her to handle, what will she do?

Wednesday, 8 April 2015

Book Musings - Aftermath by Tom Lewis

Name of the book : Aftermath
Author's Name : Tom Lewis
Genre : Young Adult, Dystopian
Series: Book One, After the Fall Dystopian Series
Length: Novella
Source : A free copy from the author for an honest and unbiased review

Blurb :

The end of the world came fast. Between the time the warning had sounded on the TV, till when 16-year-old Paige O’Connor awakened sometime later, civilization had been crushed. 
The attacks had come by “them” – those things in the ships in the sky that had appeared suddenly, and without warning. And as Paige would soon discover, the attacks had only been the beginning – those things had plans for the survivors. Aftermath is the first book in the new After the Fall dystopian action series, which follows a young girl’s struggle for survival in the wake of civilization’s collapse, and humanity’s domination by an alien race of beings. 

My Musings: 

I can count the number of books I have read in the dystopian genre on one hand. So, for a bit of a change, I got this e-book to break my fantasy streak and try out something different. Was I disappointed? No and yes!

The first impression of a book is always from its cover and this book cover is good and fits the genre and the book plot. From the blurb, I expected a good paced series of events but what I got was the " FAST and FURIOUS" of a dystopian plot. The story kept me on my toes trying to stay abreast of the events unfolding one after the other. The plot was good but it could have been a bit slower and more attention could have been given to the world building. A book is balanced only when equal attention is given to both the plot and the world building.

As for the characters, I liked the determination of the lead, Paige and her friends and I was cheering them every step of their journey in spite of their crazy stunts. But I was expecting more from Paige. I would start thinking that she isn't a normal teenager when she would prove that she does have emotions.She showed the most growth as a character. The levity exhibited by Paige and Drew was okay in the beginning but didn't mesh with the story later on. The Drew situation was so unexpected! I guess I was thinking that their luck would run true till the end. So I got misty eyed towards the end, especially the way it played out. Chad and Trish stood out among the other characters and I would like to read more about them.

So was I totally disappointed? No! Was I a little bit let down? Yes! Would I read it again in hindsight? Yes, I would! I regret that it ended so soon though. In spite it of all, it was a quick read and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

My one line review : A short and furious Apocalypse page turner!

My rating: 3.5/5

My reread factor: 3.5/5

Floryie

Sunday, 5 April 2015

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!

Hope it goes well for all... And I had a milestone.. I got my first review done for an author for the copy they gave me.. One of the items on my " Book Blogging Wishlist", I guess.. It's a happy thought, not for the receiving part but for reviewing a book for an author with their knowing it!.. Did I confuse you? lol .. That made sense to me, sort of, in my mind..

Have fun!
Floryie
Till next book newsies..

Book Musings - The Kuthun by S.A.Carter

Name of the book : The Kuthun
Author's Name : S.A.Carter
Genre : Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy,Young Adult
Series : The Kuthun, First Book
Source : I was given a copy by the author for an honest review.

Blurb :

When Elena is given a kuthun on the morning of her birthday she is unaware of the ancient magic it wields. Tormented by dreams, and haunted by a curse that has plagued her family of witches for centuries, she must uncover the truth about her destiny, or face an uncertain future.As the last of her bloodline, Elena must confront her enemy in a fight for survival that sees her forced towards the brink of darkness.When the time comes to choose between a life she knows, and a life she must give, will she be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice? 
My Musings :

I was given a copy by the author for an honest review and I got to say that it will not affect my review. I will blog what my reactions were when I was reading it.

The blurb looked interesting enough to me and it combined with the book cover to create a try-it-at-least-once vibe. The charm in the book cover, the kuthun especially tickled my fancy and I am glad I got a chance to read it. Though the blurb sounds a bit similar to other witches' stories with amulets, destinies and curses, the author has put a different spin on it. It shows a few "real world" events in a new light and not based on the Greco-Roman mythology which is sort of common.

The main lead, Elena is introduced with all the peculiarities of her life which isn't normal even for a witch. But she copes well with the events unfolding around her most of the times.She seems too calm at times and too emotional in certain places. Her friend, Phoebe is purely a distraction in the story when the going gets tough except at the end. Another person I sort of think as a lead is Josiah because without him the story wouldn't be at all. He is a strong character while Lily is a blip on the radar. I was disappointed that there was not much action against the villain but then the story was crafted in such a way that the book focuses more on Elena than on him. The villain is just like a shadow that you know is there at all times but shows up only in a few instances.

The plot is pure adventure leading from one scene to another. The story line isn't jerky at all but coalesces into one smooth book movie. The description is detailed enough to create strong images in our minds but not so much so that the book becomes a drag.The dialogue flows naturally among the characters but I found the sarcastic comments excessive in a few situations. The ending wasn't quite what I thought it would be but it doesn't leave us at a cliffhanger. I definitely would be looking forward to the next book!

What would I like in the next book? - The glossary of the spells used in the series followed by more action and a romantic interest for Elena (which is kind of implied in the book)!

My one line review : S.A.Carter introduces us to a pure adventurous tale with evocative description!

My rating : 5/5

My reread factor : 4/5

Floryie

Saturday, 4 April 2015

Book Cover Love - Elemental Flame by Phaedra Weldon

Another book cover post. I had to do this because I just finished the third book in the series, the Eldritch Files and I am looking forward to the next book release.

I don't have to wait long though. The release date is April 16, 2015!!!.



One word - REVEALING!

Why didn't I think of it?

*shakes head*

Floryie

Friday, 3 April 2015

Book Cover Love - Savage by K.J.Colt



I had read the first 2 books in the series last year. I had been waiting on the third book. I couldn't find anything relating to it on Goodreads. So I wandered by the author's site few days back. 

And... Wow...

One word to describe it. 

POWERFUL... 

The release date is not yet given out. But she says it will be out later 2015!





Thursday, 2 April 2015

Book Musings - Elemental Moon by Phaedra Weldon

Name of the book : Elemental Moon
Author's Name :  Phaedra Weldon
Series : The Eldritch Files, Book 3
Genre : Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Length : Novella

Blurb:

Adjusting to the news her wolf is more than just a Familiar while lobbying the Witch's Parliament to remove her recent warlocking, Samantha Hawthorne is approached by an Alpha Werewolf. Two of his pack are missing and he asks Sam to help find them. 
Before she can answer, the Alpha marks her with a bite in order to guarantee her assistance, and to declare her his mate should she fail. 
Now it's a race against the Alpha’s venom to find the missing pack members while battling Ceremonial Magicians, revenge-seeking Clerics and Sam’s Arcane power that has suddenly acquired a voice of its own! 

Elemental Moon is the third book in the Eldritch Files series.


My Musings: 

One more book to whet my Samantha Hawthorne's addiction! Now that I have finished the available books, I can't wait to read more. But before that, let's look at what makes this book tick.

So the first two books introduces us to Faeries and witches, Phaedra-style. Now it's time to read about other sectors of the population of Sam's world. The author has done a good job of not overwhelming us with all the details in the first book. We are slowly and steadily exposed to more of the different factors, both good and bad. The series actually reminds me of games which expose features in different levels. Same way, each book enriches our imagination step by step.

The novella has a Do-or-Die start and progresses into a race against time. Elemental Moon is equal parts action and magic. Samantha's race against the venom infection, the showdown against the Magicians and the final confrontation with Ina's friend make for a compelling read. Yeah, another super villain added to the pile at Sam's feet.

This time, there is more romance added to the tale. There are so many 'Awww' moments. Samantha and Crwys, of course! though for a second there I thought it might change, Kyle and Jack and then finally Ivan and the mysterious lady add the oomph factor. I see an emotional depth to Kyle this time around. Samantha is shown as more vulnerable while Ivan and Crwys remain as they are, protective of Sam. And Arcane is the best part of it all.The subtleties of the magic system is woven with an expert hand. We see the evolution of the arcane magic in an individual, how it corrupts and tries to overwhelm a person. The story is interesting enough to hold you captive for a few hours. So in short, I would say, "Go for it!". I would recommend it to the urban fantasy genre lovers.

My one line review : A race against time scenario with romance mixed in makes a captivating read!

My rating: 4/5

My reread factor: 4/5

Floryie

Wednesday, 1 April 2015

Book Musings - Elemental Shadows by Phaedra Weldon

Name of the book : Elemental Shadows
Author's Name : Phaedra Weldon 
Genre : Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Series : The Eldritch Files - Book 2
Length : Novella

Blurb : 

How do we tell the good from the bad when they look the same? 
Elemental Witch and Magic Shop owner, Samantha Hawthorne, faces her future with the knowledge she was raised, taught, and groomed by the very evil responsible for the disappearance of her mother. Threads of Arcane Magic linger alongside the guilt Samantha endures for killing an innocent in her failed pursuit for revenge. 
Now Clerics, the Witch’s Judiciary Branch, appear and request her aid in proving the self-appointed Witch Queen of New Orleans possesses the rumored Malleus Maleficarum, The Witch’s Hammer. They believe her command of the book’s Arcane power is responsible for the death of three Witch Elders. 
But something else is rising in the city as reports of ghost sightings and evil shadows increase. Faced with a lingering fear her own use of Arcane Magic has tainted her in some way, mounting pressure with the threat of a warlock from the Clerics, and suspicion that the evil that escaped her is still influencing her decisions, Samantha calls upon her friends to weave their unique magic together to stop the rampage of Elemental Shadows. 

Elemental Shadows is the second book in the Eldritch Files series.

My musings : 

The second book in the Eldritch Files didn't disappoint. I bought this book on Amazon Kindle as soon as I finished the first one. I totally love the book covers in this series. They are so symbolic and the cover of this book is a good representation of the story. Just look at the picture after finishing the book. You will understand what I mean.

Let me quote Shakespeare here , from Hamlet -"for there is nothing either good or
bad, but thinking makes it so" The book is a perfect example of the above quotation. We see more of Arcane and its effect on Samantha. Arcane might be dangerous but it's exaggerated in the witches' thoughts as far as this book's concerned. I am not saying it's good but it's been given too much of a bad reputation.

 We also learn more about the personalities of the characters. Samantha comes across as an insensitive and selfish person at times. But she is also conscientious and loyal. She seems too trusting and cynical in turns. I knew that Robin and Samantha would break up. Robin is too weak for her. She needs someone who is both tender and bad-ass. Just like Crwys! He doesn't change much in this book. He is steadfast and on Samantha's side as usual. Ivan and Kyle are supportive of her in spite of what happens. That shows their loyalty and their love. Ivan shows growth in his magic while Kyle, well, he was cleared of my suspicions! I am not going to talk about the negative characters except to say that they are portrayed good. I don't want to spoil it for you.

The plot seemed a diversion of the path to Dionysus yet it was good and added more depth to the world. The world building is still contained but widened out a bit. I would like to learn more about the world in the coming books. We deal more with Faeries this time, learning more about the Queens. Two mysteries are cleared in this story. I am not saying! Read the book!..*grins*

I can say that I liked the book and I will continue reading the series. Thumbs up on the book in spite of the errors found in them.

My one line review : If you are on the lookout for a spunky heroine with powers and a good action then this is it!

My rating: 4/5

My reread factor:  4/5