book review Archives - Page 77 of 168

February 15, 2018

TruthStone, The TruthSeer Archives Book One Review

In TruthStone, one little lie won’t hurt, will it?

About TruthStone, The TruthSeer Archives Book One

When fifteen year old Shaeleen unexpectedly is given a TruthStone, every lie she hears or tells causes her immense physical pain. As she struggles to control her new power and curb the pain, she learns a powerful truth that could thrust an entire continent into civil war. She must choose: reveal the truth and stop the pain – or sacrifice her own well-being to protect her kingdom.

For two hundred years the five kingdoms of Wayland have been protected by the stones of power. Now those stones are failing and a darker power is trying to take control. With the help of her brother, Cole and a newfound friend, Orin, Shaeleen sets out to gather and restore the power of all the stones.

But will she succeed before the endless lies destroy her?

My Thoughts

Little lies, big lies – we are all guilty at some point of telling a lie. We lie for a variety of reasons, to hide mistakes and to hide the truth from someone who we worry it might hurt. Most of the time people have good intentions but other times, people lie to hurt and cause pain.

In TruthStone, Shaeleen, a young woman who is unique and confident young woman, is given a special gift by a strange woman. A TruthStone. This TruthStone, while giving her the ability to decipher the truth from the lies, also causes her great pain. She receives physical pain from lies – from weak pain to a high degree of excruciating pain. I loved how she was displayed as a normal down to earth character – she understands that lying is wrong but sometimes a necessary evil to do what is right. She is conflicted on the inside on what is right and wrong but uses her heart and common sense to make decisions.

With the TruthStone, she has been entrusted with a very important mission. We only find out the great extent to what she has been tasked to as she sets off on a crucial mission from the Prince with a huge plot development! Along her fantastic journey she meets key characters that will help her on her way as well as realizing her own strength and abilities.

This was a well written, exciting novel that I could not put down. Young adults and adults a like can enjoy the adventure and risk that Shaeleen takes on. This was an excellent start to a new series from Mike Shelton.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Mike is now on his third young adult/teen fantasy series. For information on his new releases, book reviews, and other relevant info, please join him at www.MichaelSheltonBooks.com.

Mike was born in California and has lived in multiple states from the west coast to the east coast. He cannot remember a time when he wasn’t reading a book. At school, home, on vacation, at work at lunch time, and yes even a few pages in the car (at times when he just couldn’t put that great book down). Though he has read all sorts of genres he has always been drawn to fantasy. It is his way of escaping to a simpler time filled with magic, wonders and heroics of young men and women.

Other than reading, Mike has always enjoyed the outdoors. From the beaches in Southern California to the warm waters of North Carolina. From the waterfalls in the Northwest to the Rocky Mountains in Utah. Mike has appreciated the beauty that God provides for us. He also enjoys hiking, discovering nature, playing a little basketball or volleyball, and most recently disc golf. He has a lovely wife who has always supported him, and three beautiful children who have been the center of his life.

Mike began writing stories in elementary school and moved on to larger novels in his early adult years. He has worked in corporate finance for most of his career. That, along with spending time with his wonderful family and obligations at church has made it difficult to find the time to truly dedicate to writing. In the last few years as his children have become older he has returned to doing what he truly enjoys – writing!

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

February 15, 2018

A Witch’s Path Book Three Review

In A Witch’s Path Book Three, most witches don’t work for police departments, but Michelle isn’t your average witch.

About A Witch’s Path Book Three

When Michelle pulls an old book out of a fire, she finds answers and heartbreak. The book confirms that a demon walks the land, though according to legend they were all dead. Now, she needs to rediscover the secrets to killing demons before her loved ones fall victim.

Elron’s budding relationship with Michelle suffers a blow when his mate returns. While he struggles with love and guilt, it becomes clear that not everyone gets their happily ever after.

My Thoughts

This was the final audiobook in this incredible boxed book series and by far the best!

In this story, an old diary that Michelle finds confirms some of their worst fears and a lost love. A demon was walking the land! Not only is there a demon but Elron (who has become more than just a friend to Michelle) finds out that his mate/wife never really died like he was led to believed. The diary that Michelle finds confirms that the demon has taken over his mate. This puts Elron through a wide arrange of emotions from guilt to anger to self hate. How could he have not protected his mate and partner? And had he cheated on her with his feelings for Michelle?

Michelle also struggles with this new-found knowledge. She feels strongly for Elron and the pain that this has caused him hurts her just as deeply. On top of this, the clans are all fighting for her to join them. She has strong feelings against this, feeling betrayed by the way they had treated her parents. I loved watching her relationship with her Father deepen throughout the audiobooks. He becomes her teacher, her guide and her buffer when she has to tells her Mother bad news!

This final audiobook in this boxed set was incredible. I loved the plot, the back and forth view points between Michelle and Elron and the exciting new characters (who wouldn’t want a pet t-rex?). I enjoyed each of the books in this set but this was definitely my favourite. We learned a lot about Michelle (her strength, her kind heart and her fearlessness) and even Elron – who I never would have guessed would have become such a major player in this series! This will be a well-loved series for the supernatural fans and adults and youth alike.

You can purchase a copy of this audiobook on Audible. Listen to an excerpt here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

N.E. Conneely lives in northern Georgia with her dog and a mountain of books. They sweat through the summer and freeze through the winter, and life as they know it comes to an end when so much as a single snowflake falls out of the sky. For fun, N.E. plays with her dog, reads, knits, crochets, paints, and does tie-dyeing and origami. She makes a great pizza and is currently negotiating with her husband about raising sea monkeys and growing a vegetable garden.

About the Narrator

Jeff Hays has made a name for himself in the audio book world by creating immersive experiences out of his productions. His versatility and authenticity in voicing characters, expressive low-impact narration, and dedication to offering the highest quality audio possible has earned him a loyal following of listeners. Having been fascinated with sound since he can remember, Jeff takes his background of composing and producing music, and his continual consumption of the avalanche of fictional media we all experience in these modern times, and uses it to inform his style of story telling in the audiobook realm.

And now, having produced more than 80 audio books and perfecting his craft, using the namesake of his live streaming narration show, the Soundbooth Theater shingle has been hung. Soundbooth Theater is dedicated to applying Jeff’s production methods to new audio books with other budding narrator talent, and expanding his scope from audio books, to voicing and producing animation.

The Giveaway!

A Witch’s Path Series Giveaway: 3-Month Audible Membership

Disclosure: I received an audiobook in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

February 12, 2018

The Good Man Book Review

Who is The Good Man in a world where an enemy may be a friend, an ally may be the enemy, and governments deny everything?

About The Good Man

In 1948, Vienna was divided among four powers: France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Jack Marshall had served with Walker during the war, and now, working together for The Company, they are tasked to do the inconceivable. Could former Nazis really be recruited to assist the U.S. in the atomic race? As their team moves forward, they quickly discover they are not the only ones looking for these men. And the others in the search may just have the objective of murder.

In this tale of historical noir, of corruption and deceit, no one is who they say they are. Who is The Good Man in a world where an enemy may be a friend, an ally may be the enemy, and governments deny everything?

My Thoughts

Friends, enemies, spies, deceit all in the backdrop of post World War II Vienna – The Good Man has it all and more.

I LOVED LOVED LOVED this novel. I could not put it down. The plot itself was completely unique and was not what I was expecting at all. The novel is set in post World War II Vienna, where the effects of the war can still be seen in both the people and the architecture. It is here that two war veterans come together again with a task that many of us could not understand. In a race against the Russians, the Americans are looking for information from former Nazis. The only problem? They are not the only ones who are looking for these former Nazi members and the others looking for them have a more deadly agenda on their mind – revenge and murder.

Into this is thrown an alluring analyst, a young girl who has seen far more than she should have ever seen and a missing coin that is highly valued. Who can you trust when everywhere you turn you find lies and death? How do you even keep yourself alive amidst the corruption and torture?

This novel was laid out in an exciting manner with the plot ever-expanding and changing. Just when we think we know what is going to happen next, Gabriel throws in quite the twist (and maybe even a murder!). I learned a lot from this novel and did some of my own research afterwards, I find that this is the mark of a great novel – making you think and crave for more. It is well written and thought out, Gabriel puts his all in his work and this is definitely one of his best novels so far. Historical, suspense and all readers alike will love this novel.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5+/5

About the Author

Gabriel Valjan is the author of The Roma Series from Winter Goose Publishing. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts, where he enjoys the local restaurants, and his two cats, Squeak and Squawk, keep him honest to the story on the screen.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

February 8, 2018

A Witch’s Path Book Two Review

In A Witch’s Path Book Two, most witches don’t work for police departments, but Michelle isn’t your average witch.

About A Witch’s Path Book Two

After a near death experience, Michelle has vowed to do her job, magical assistance for the police, and leave the heroics to someone else. Besides, life should be settling down for her since the trolls have been captured and the sorceress was neutralized. Unfortunately, the power behind the sorceress wants her dead, Elron starts acting funny, a magical creature wreaks havoc on a town, and there’s trouble with the werewolves. As if that wasn’t enough, the clans have started to notice her power and she has more reasons than ever to fear the clans.

Things go from bad to worse when Michelle’s best friend is abducted, and she must decide between her friend and her vow to stay out of dangerous situations.

My Thoughts

The follow-up to book one in A Witch’s Path series was just as good (if not better) than book one. I couldn’t wait to start this installment after listening to book one and Conneely does not disappoint!

After the ending of book one, Michelle would love just a bit of normalcy (which is hard to accomplish in a world of supernatural!). She wanted to leave all of the heroics to the police but somehow the adventure always seems to find her. Especially since someone wants to see her dead!! She tries to ignore the death the sorceress she helped captured in book one but when her friend is abducted, she knows that she needs more help and needs to fill others in on what is happening.

The plot in this story develops quickly and is very exciting. A lot of information is explained in this audiobook and leaves you craving for more. We learn more about the witches clans, Michelle’s personal family history, magical spells and the supernatural politics that rule their lives. We are introduced to more supernatural characters such as gargoyles and a t-rex, which I love about Conneely’s writing. She keeps you wanting more by the unique nature of her characters, she does not stick to the tried and true vampires, witches and werewolves.

I also loved the balance between the police suspense and mystery with some growing romance between Michelle and Elron, an Elf. I enjoyed that the romance does not distract from the suspense and plot of the story (there is nothing worse than following a story and then be distracted by a throw in romance that doesn’t always make much sense). Michelle is a strong, confident and growing in her strength as a witch. When she can’t get the help she needs, she takes matters into her own hands.

I fell in love with Michelle all over again and can no wait to listen to book three. This audiobook is definite must listen to!

You can purchase a copy of this audiobook on Audible. Listen to an excerpt here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

N.E. Conneely lives in northern Georgia with her dog and a mountain of books. They sweat through the summer and freeze through the winter, and life as they know it comes to an end when so much as a single snowflake falls out of the sky. For fun, N.E. plays with her dog, reads, knits, crochets, paints, and does tie-dyeing and origami. She makes a great pizza and is currently negotiating with her husband about raising sea monkeys and growing a vegetable garden.

About the Narrator

Jeff Hays has made a name for himself in the audio book world by creating immersive experiences out of his productions. His versatility and authenticity in voicing characters, expressive low-impact narration, and dedication to offering the highest quality audio possible has earned him a loyal following of listeners. Having been fascinated with sound since he can remember, Jeff takes his background of composing and producing music, and his continual consumption of the avalanche of fictional media we all experience in these modern times, and uses it to inform his style of story telling in the audiobook realm.

And now, having produced more than 80 audio books and perfecting his craft, using the namesake of his live streaming narration show, the Soundbooth Theater shingle has been hung. Soundbooth Theater is dedicated to applying Jeff’s production methods to new audio books with other budding narrator talent, and expanding his scope from audio books, to voicing and producing animation.

The Giveaway!

A Witch’s Path Series Giveaway: 3-Month Audible Membership

Disclosure: I received an audiobook in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

February 1, 2018

Sugar and Spice and All Those Lies Book Review

In Sugar and Spice and All Those Lies, can the lessons she learned from her mother about cooking and life help Gina survive and thrive in this other world of privilege, pleasure and unexpected danger?

About Sugar and Spice and All Those Lies

Cooking a wonderful meal is an act of love. An act of grace. A gift that affirms and gives life—not only does it nurture those who partake of a meal; it also feeds the soul of the person who creates it. These are lessons Gina learns from her mother.

Gina is a young woman born to poor parents; a nobody (her words) who wants to taste life outside the world she was born into and her passion for cooking is all she has to help her do so. She gets lucky when she’s chosen to cook at a Michelin-starred restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area where she finds a world of a privileged class with money to spare for dinners that cost hundreds of dollars. A world of new friends and new challenges—one that exposes her to fascinating people who’re also gripped by dark motives.

Amidst her culinary adventures, she becomes good friends with pastry chef Marcia, and falls in love, in different ways, with, two very different men: Leon, a rich regular client who has been dating Cristi, her friend from childhood, and Brent, a brooding homicide detective. This other world, it turns out, is also one of unexpected danger that eventually threatens her life.

Can the lessons she learned from her mother about cooking and life help Gina survive and thrive in this other world of privilege, pleasure and unexpected danger?

My Thoughts

Romance, lies, jealousy, revenge and amazing cooking – Sugar and Spice and All Those Lies has a little bit of everything!

I think we can all agree that for so many of us cooking is an expression of love – we put our time, effort and creativity into cooking healthy meals that our family will love and devour. Cooking is at the heart of this brilliant, well written story that stars Gina as our main character. Gina grew up poor and this has influenced her in many ways. She wants to see how the other world lives but never gives up or forgets her past. She makes incredible and exotic dishes at a very famous restaurant for the rich (and more than likely famous!).

It is here where she meets an incredibly interesting (and extremely rich) man who is coincidentally on a date with one of her friends from her primary school years. While she feels attraction to this man (and we know he is definitely attracted to her!), she feels an obligation to her friend to not date him. Especially as her friend constantly blames Gina for her boyfriends leaving her.

On the advice of a colleague, she decides to give this man a chance and enters a world of privilege, romance, lies, murder and jealousy. At times, Gina’s own life is put on the line!

This is an excellent book with an amazing plot line. I loved every moment and never saw the ending coming! I loved how strong yet compassionate Gina was. While she was hurting herself (both physically at time and emotionally), she was always there for others even if they did not treat her the best. She denied herself happiness several times throughout the book and you just wanted nothing but for her to find a bit of light and joy.

This is a definite must read novel that you will not be able to put down!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Evy Journey, writer, wannabe artist, and flâneuse (feminine of flâneur), wishes she lives in Paris where people have perfected the art of aimless roaming. Armed with a Ph.D., she used to research and help develop mental health programs.

She’s a writer because beautiful prose seduces her and existential angst continues to plague her despite such preoccupations having gone out of fashion. She takes occasional refuge by invoking the spirit of Jane Austen to spin tales of love, loss, and finding one’s way—stories into which she weaves mystery or intrigue.

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.