My first book by Cailyn Lloyd was Shepherd’s Warning and I loved it. I am excited to share my thoughts about The Mill. I love the blend of a serial kiMy first book by Cailyn Lloyd was Shepherd’s Warning and I loved it. I am excited to share my thoughts about The Mill. I love the blend of a serial killer and ghosts, Cailyn Lloyd did it very well.
Chase Riddell has OCD. When something is out of place, no matter how small a change, he will notice. He has secrets and will kill to keep them.
Lili knew spirits hung at the Mill and she wanted to speak to them. She is a psychic and owner of Revelations, a metaphysical store. She doesn’t have to physically visit a place. She can astral travel.
Emma, a spirit who resides at The Mill found out Chase Riddell’s secrets, and she felt she had to do something about it. She loves to read and really gets ‘into’ it. I thought the way she did it was so cool. She loves TV and movies. She is a great character, and they more I read, the more interesting she became.
Martin is the police detective on the case.
We know the villain and what is happening, but it doesn’t lessen the suspense. A serial killer who revels in his ‘job’, but there is so much more going on than the serial killer’s story. I am only halfway through and I cannot put it down.
I wonder about Chase, I wonder about Eamon and Frank and Emma, the ghosts.
The Mill is a riveting novel, filled with suspense, and the pacing makes me read word after word, page after page, chapter after chapter, never wanting to stop. The original concept for the ghosts had me smiling and cringing and I never would have guessed how it would be wrapped up.
I loved it so much, I hope there will be another book. We could have Martin, Lily and Emma functioning as a crime solving team. Do you have an idea lingering in the back of your mind, Cailyn? Are the characters still talking to you?
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Mill by Cailyn Lloyd.
I was still Hope Matthews, the baddest bitch of a detective.
Hope was a workaholic. When everyone left work, she couldn’t help but continue the investiI was still Hope Matthews, the baddest bitch of a detective.
Hope was a workaholic. When everyone left work, she couldn’t help but continue the investigation into the exsanguination of a body…where did the blood go? Yeah, it is predictable and a prequel. It did what I expected, teased me into wanting more. If I was going to read the series, it might be worth the 99c. I did enjoy their give and take in the dialogue and it had me smiling. I think the whole Raven Vampire Assassin series could be some great reading.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Scarlett Claimed by Dora Blume.
The Waterboy by Talena Winters is a novella that tells Zale’s story. It is not necessary to read this before The Undines Tear, but if you are going toThe Waterboy by Talena Winters is a novella that tells Zale’s story. It is not necessary to read this before The Undines Tear, but if you are going to read the series, I would recommend adding this to your reading list. The Undines Tear covers the basics, but The Waterboy adds a lot of the details of his life and how he came to be with the gypsys.
Cursed In The Dark by Scarlett West picks up where Hunted In The Dark left off.
Bullets flying.
Adalee is Medusalike. Her hair is her strength. She is mCursed In The Dark by Scarlett West picks up where Hunted In The Dark left off.
Bullets flying.
Adalee is Medusalike. Her hair is her strength. She is maturing and learning to use her skills for the FBI. She has more confidence and assertiveness. As she develops her magic, the danger ramps up.
Her relationship with Damien ramps up too. I love her teasing banter with him.
The combination of fantasy, the paranormal/supernatural world with murder and mystery in a police procedural process is blended in a magical way. LOL
“Since we use our magic to heal, defend ourselves, or in daily use, we need to refuel. Faery feeds our magic from deep within the land, then we feed one another. It’s like an energy transfer through emotions, then physical touch…” That is why feeding through sex is the best…and most fun.
Adalee and Damien’s heat level is off the charts, entering the erotic zone.
It isn’t bad enough that they are doing their best discover who murdered the King and kidnapped the Fae and whoever is murdering their families, now she finds herself cursed. As the clock ties on her life, they struggle to solve the mystery and stay alive in the process.
Scarlett West has built a magical world, detailed and vivid in her creative descriptions. I grow to love her characters as they grow into a devoted group of crime fighting warriors. No holds barred.
Oh man, I need more…But I don’t have the rest of the series sitting on my ereader, like I had the first three. Can hardly wait for the final two books.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Cursed In The Dark by Scarlett West.
I have my fingers crossed that I won’t be left high and dry in this series, seeing there will be five books, but I had to check them out and I am veryI have my fingers crossed that I won’t be left high and dry in this series, seeing there will be five books, but I had to check them out and I am very glad I did.
I immediately liked Adalee when I ‘saw’ how she interacted with Gavin. Since her parents were kidnapped, he was the only one that cared about her, coming by the bar and checking to see she was okay. I do have a feeling about him, but we shall see.
Business at the bar had dropped and she would have to decide what to do soon. Rent was coming due and she couldn’t cover it. So convenient that the raven haired man came to her rescue.
“I’m 100% sure you are the one I’ve been searching for.”
Fae are disappearing and if they die, the earth dies. Adalee doesn’t even know she is Fae, let alone there is a whole world of supernatural out there and she will become a part of it. Damien changed her life forever and recruits her for the FBI, the Fae Bureau of Investigation.
Adalee does not take anything sitting down. She is quick with her words and bucks his orders at every turn. She doesn’t realize how much danger her actions put him in, but he is her fated mate, whether she likes it or not, and he will do whatever it takes to protect her.
I wouldn’t mind having his nifty trick of making a hot cup of coffee appear.
I have read a lot of paranormal/supernatural novels, but not many of them feature the Fae. The Fae have their own set of rules and some could find them disturbing. It was fun and interesting learning about their world and spending time in it.
The action comes quickly and doesn’t stop. If she’s not fighting off Damien’s advances, she’s fighting the Unseelie. I got wrapped up in Adalee and Damien’s love story and it ended at a crucial spot. It was a good place to take a break…if you have to.
My biggest disappointment…I thought I had the first two books in the series, but I have Books I and III.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Stolen in the Dark by Scarlett West.
I jumped at a chance to read The Nightmare Brigade by Franck Thillez because it made me think of Scooby Doo and the gang and I love them.
I haven’t reaI jumped at a chance to read The Nightmare Brigade by Franck Thillez because it made me think of Scooby Doo and the gang and I love them.
I haven’t read a lot of graphic novels, but I used to read a lot of comics as a kid. Reading The Nightmare Brigade brought back those memories. The illustrations are awesome, so richly detailed that I found myself investigating each panel for clues as to what is terrifying Sarah in her nightmare. That’s when I found out that what happens to the dream brigade in the dream, happens for real, whether it’s an injury, death, or anything else. But, they do have special powers, whether it is walking for someone who can’t walk, being able to go through walls, or flying. Each power will be needed to help those who are having the nightmares…and, eventually getting rid of their nightmare permanently.
There is even more danger than them being real in the dream, they must prevent anyone or anything from following them out and, if things go terribly wrong, they could be stuck in someone’s dream…forever. The Nightmare Brigade deals with real issues, mystery and danger.
I think this is a fantastic glimpse into an adventure series that will delight middle graders. You will not get all the answers, but when I found out about Esteban it only whet my appetite for more. There is more going on than first meets the eye.
To sum it all up…I loved it. I think the youngsters will too. And, they will get a bit of knowledge on the brain, nightmares and dreams.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Nightmare Brigade by Franck Thillez.
Saronna is being sold. It may sound harsh, but it works for her. Freedom. No veil, no division of men and women. Off Worlders have a different outlookSaronna is being sold. It may sound harsh, but it works for her. Freedom. No veil, no division of men and women. Off Worlders have a different outlook on life than here on Kruegar’s World. The Threecon World travels the galaxy, each planet sharing their culture.
Saronna was being purchased for Duncan by his father. She had used her gifts to keep her father from getting rid of her, but it hadn’t worked on Vladimir Trushenko. She’s kept it secret…She’s a witch.
The cover tells of the life Saronna was born into, that women had only one purpose in life, to please man. Cruel customs, obedience, no education….unless taught secretly, and Saronna’s mother had taught her to read. There was a purpose to it.
Duncan has introduced Saronna to electronics, including an ereader, encouraging her to read and get an education. He even hires a tutor for her. I loved watching Saronna, her struggle, her sacrifice as she grew, learned, changed and became her own person, no matter the pressure put on her. I have a feeling that will be a good fit, once she figures out how she is being manipulated by those she is supposed to be able to trust.
I would surely be dead if I was born under such an oppressive system…my mouth would have been the end of me. LOL
And to think this goes on today makes me say, “I can’t believe this is happening in the twenty first century”. People can change, and I was happy to be along for Saronna’s ‘coming of age’, and she comes a long way, baby.
Carmen Webster Buxton has created a world for Saronna that is rich in detail, the characters are riveting, drawing me in, making me feel…almost…as if I am there with them, through the good and bad, wishing, hoping for the happy ever after ending that I have come to love so much.
Unputdownable. I read 463 pages in one sitting.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Saronna’s Gift by Carmen Webster Buxton.
Jehan has a psy talent…he can open any lock…with no tools. Many find that a“…value the journey more than the destination.”
I believe in that sooo much.
Jehan has a psy talent…he can open any lock…with no tools. Many find that a desirable talent that they which to possess ownership of, which puts him at such a risk his mother sends him to his father on the caravan.
Science fiction at its finest. The world building was vividly detailed, making it easy to visualize all the elements, from living conditions, dress, customs, and Carmen Webster Buxton has the ability to create individual characters that learn to function as a cohesive whole.
As we travel through the galaxies in the ThreeCon series, I loved visiting each distinct and individual world, meeting the characters and learning the valuable lessons of working together to make any world a better place, putting your best foot forward, and reaping the rewards of being your best self.
Human nature must make allowance for our frailties and missteps…after all, no one is perfect and no matter the age we can always learn something from someone or some place new. We need to keep an open mind.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Drifters by Carmen Webster Buxton.
Bag of Tricks was so well written, with original twists and turns that, even though for most of the book it would be a three star review, I had to givBag of Tricks was so well written, with original twists and turns that, even though for most of the book it would be a three star review, I had to give it four. The characters came to life in the magical, fantastical world that Carmen Webster Buxton created and I was lost. Though I never felt an urgent need to read on with white knuckles, my curiousity would not let me put it down. Another plus, no series. You get the complete story!!!!!!
When I went to write the review, I found I forgot to take notes. I was swept along with Aveline and Zarek. These two characters took the spotlight and I so wanted a happy ever after for them. They are selfless, loyal, giving, willing to put their life on the line to do the right thing.
We have royal machinations going on, betrayals and danger. The story is written with a lightness, no in depth details, with wars and blood and guts everywhere. Even the tragic events are written for young adults and I love all the little nuggets of wisdom woven throughout the story.
I feel Carmen Webster Buxton is such a fantastic writer, that no genre is beyond her. I feel she would be a success no matter what story she wanted to tell. I highly recommend any of her work and I hope you give her books a shot. I feel you won’t regret it and may even find a new favorite author for your bookshelf.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Bag of Tricks by Carmen Webster Buxton.
Lord Garrick has an ambitious plan. On the surface, it sounds good, though it took a battle to bring him and Rickart face to face. Garrick wants RickaLord Garrick has an ambitious plan. On the surface, it sounds good, though it took a battle to bring him and Rickart face to face. Garrick wants Rickart to swear allegiance to him, the Lord of Cold Spring, bringing Esterby under his umbrella. I have a suspicious nature and see conspiracies around every corner…when it comes to novels. ...more
Calandra is the most powerful healer to arise in three thousand years. Her people are counting on her to save them. The cost may be too much and time Calandra is the most powerful healer to arise in three thousand years. Her people are counting on her to save them. The cost may be too much and time is running out.
Even though Calandra and Tanni are complete opposites, they became fast friends. Tanni’s dream was to be a guardian of the island and would put down her life for her.
Zale performs with the gypsys using his fishy ability, like a carnival act in a freak show. He spends his day in a tank of water. Abela came to him, telling him he had a sister and only he could save his mother, who had been taken by the Grigori.
Damon comes to Calandra in her dreams. He has become her hidden teacher, but I am leery of him. She has a push/pull attraction to him and I think, deep down, she senses there is more than meets the eye to him.
Women rule the island. There are no male Undines, so human men were brought in and Redeemed. That is a misnomer, because all their will is taken from them, so what’s to redeem? Calandra’s conscience is telling her there is something very wrong about this.
Narcissa is a princess whose mother is Adonia, the queen. Narcissa envies Calandra and will do all she can to bring her down, maybe even be the cause of her death. AND, not all the characters will survive the story. There is one that I really hate Talena Winters took a particular one out, but I also like when an author isn’t afraid to kill them off if it adds to the story.
I know there are people who thrive power. Those that have it often feel justified and entitled in their actions, but it is not necessary to be cruel.
Reverend Berian. I am having a hard time deciding if he is a good guy or if he has his own agenda.
We do have mermaids, Atlantis, other magicals, danger, betrayal, sacrifice…
Even though the mers spent most of their time on two legs, I loved the concept of the story. I am curious about what happened to all the mermen, seeing Zale is the only one of his kind…
Action packed, suspenseful, and I want more.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Undines Tear by Talena Winter.
Unicorn Island is a magical story that has everything a young mind could want in an adventure, with plenty of fantasy and fact to inspire…the young anUnicorn Island is a magical story that has everything a young mind could want in an adventure, with plenty of fantasy and fact to inspire…the young and the old alike.
Foggy Harbor has begun to feel like home since Sam made a friend and discovered a magical island full of unicorns and other magical creatures. Now…their immortality is threatened and she searches for a cure, finding a secret from her past that links her to the future of the herd.
Sam had learned her Uncle Mitch’s legacy was to protect the herd and keep the secret of the island that was hidden by a fog bank. He was training Sam and her friend, Tuck, to be unicorn protectors.
When Donna Galanti mentioned elephants evolution and tusks (yes, I am talking real elephants), I had to check it out and see if it was real. I urge you to do the same.
Love. Selflessness. Devotion. Courage.
“…Science and magic together can create wondrous things…”
I loved this wonderful adventure into the magical world of Unicorn Island, with fabulous characters and magical creatures that work together to save the unicorns and the island. Not only does it have a gorgeous cover, but it holds factual tidbits at the end of the story to inspire young minds.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Unicorn Island: Secret Beneath The Sand by Donna Galanti.
I have read some of Demelza Carlton’s work and loved it, so when I saw that this was free and Broken Chains was available for review, I grabbed them bI have read some of Demelza Carlton’s work and loved it, so when I saw that this was free and Broken Chains was available for review, I grabbed them both. Soooo disappointed. Heart of Stone read like a Prologue, a tease, and it did its job. I liked Ben and Pamela right away and felt they had a great story to tell. I wanted more. The bad thing is, the series is not complete, they are novellas, and you will need to read them all to get the whole story. I feel set up, cheated. I will be reading Broken Chains, because I already have it, but after that?
He walked out of the wall and announced that he was there to protect her. Tor has no memory of his past, just his urge, his need to protect Catena. DeHe walked out of the wall and announced that he was there to protect her. Tor has no memory of his past, just his urge, his need to protect Catena. Demelza Carlton writes with wit and humor. My biggest problem, I thought this would finish the story started in Heart of Stone, but we don’t even discuss Ben. Where is he?
I enjoyed where the story was going and the laugh out loud moments, but, again, I feel hooked and left hanging. It would have been better if the entire series had been complete, then released. Now, it looks like April before Book II is ready and July before Book III is ready. I doubt I will finish the series. Too bad, because the characters were fun and had a great story to tell.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Broken Chains by Demelza Carlton.
Shade and Kai are off to school…senior year at Ocean View College. Shade is a Ghost Whisperer and Kai is an empath. They are BFFs.
We are off to a goodShade and Kai are off to school…senior year at Ocean View College. Shade is a Ghost Whisperer and Kai is an empath. They are BFFs.
We are off to a good start. Shade has the same roommate, Carrie, who went to Romania with her, and they are in the same dorm room, #58. The familiar gives her confidence, makes her feel more comfortable coming back.
I love going to dinner with them. The servers and guests…well, ya have to read it to enjoy it as much as I did. Put a smile on my face, cracking me up. Yeah, it does bring to mind Harry Potter, but that just makes it easier to visualize and makes it that much more enjoyable.
Shade will be studying Kelpies this year and is off to Scotland for a research project. Her friend Li will be accompanying her. Will they see the Loch Ness Monster?
Kelpies are shapeshifting spirits inhabiting the lochs in Scottish folklore. It is usually described as a black horselike creature able to adopt human form. I love the shapeshifter that can become whatever she wants, whether whale, dolphin, fish… We have selkies, which are seal shapeshifters. That’s pretty darn cool too.
“The magical world is as complex as the real world.”
Things are going too smoothly and I am waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. I hope my spidey sense are wrong, but what would be the story in that?
Then, POW. Marilyn, you rocked my boat. I am amazed.
Marilyn Peake’s writing is enthralling, riveting. I cannot look away.
There are six books in the Shade series and I am sad to see it end. The books are not filled with gore, erotica, or savagery, but draw the reader into circumstances and characters and we have to know how it will end…and talk about surprises…the stories about the Loch Ness Monster are true, but..
I love how Shade came full circle.
I cannot imagine how Marilyn Peake could have done any better. The finale hit all the buttons and I am sure my review did not do it justice. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT!
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Shade and the Crystal Orb by Marilyn Peake.
It’s Shade’s junior year at Ocean View College and I am excited to begin another adventure with her and her magical friends. On the way to school, theIt’s Shade’s junior year at Ocean View College and I am excited to begin another adventure with her and her magical friends. On the way to school, the go on a cruise. Shade had never been anywhere, so this was quite an adventure, and how fortunate that her BFF Kai is with her.
Shade is a Ghost Whisperer and I still watch The Ghost Whisperer TV show reruns in the mornings. I wonder how she will fare with vampires. She opened the pamphlet she was given, thinking it would be full of pretty pictures and ghosts. Not so. Instead she saw it was about vampires, strigori, troubled spirits that rise from the dead, causing her to have a panic attack.
The gang: Shade, Kai, Apple and Annie are together again and more excited about life than ever. They would be separated when they headed off on their student exchange adventure. She draws people to her, though if you asked her about it, she wouldn’t know what to say.
Dakota, Trinity, Summer, Maeve, Li…from ghosts whisperers to selkies…Whew…we dodged a bullet, along with Carrie and Selene. Ya know, the one where they go into the forest, into the cave, down in the basement…I couldn’t help but smile. I can see them in her cabin, scared…
WOW. Marilyn Peake created an amazing world filled with magic and wonder, danger and evil. I was so lost it was hard to come up for air. The characters may be young and inexperienced, but they are brave, courageous, loving and loyal.
How Marilyn merged ghosts and vampires together was creatively done, flowing seamlessly to the conclusion.
I love that I can get so wrapped up in a young woman’s life. Where there is no romance, no sex, but plenty of action and danger. I am finding it hard to express how wonderfully sweet it is. So much more than I expected.
Let’s start off by saying…I LOVE that cover front and back. What is that pink unicorn doing there?
I have been reading and reviewing more children’s boLet’s start off by saying…I LOVE that cover front and back. What is that pink unicorn doing there?
I have been reading and reviewing more children’s books than ever and the Bianca series by Meg Dendler fits in that genre, recommended for 4 – 18 year olds (Amazon). I think different ratings would apply to different age groups within the recommendation. This is a book you would read to the younger ones and want a little more sophisticated for the older ones. I loved it, so…what to do?
It is filled with clean adventure. We have dragons, unicorns, faeries, a water sprite, flutterpurrs (how cute a name is that?)…
Bianca has earned some independence from her father. She is still new to being out of the castle, so she doesn’t know all the ins and outs of social interaction, especially when it comes to royalty. After all, who wants to sit at dinner and not be able to talk at all, to tell of her last adventure in Book I? She is 14 and wants to share. She has questions that, the only way she will get answers to, is to be able to ask them?
Well, all that and I haven’t even looked at my notes.
Ooooo, we have a baby dragon. Princess Bianca the Brave and Percy the Merciful will be put to the test when a handsome visitor makes an appearance. He is requesting their assistance with a dragon egg in a far off kingdom. So over the mountain and through the woods they will go.
I can hardly wait to go on the next adventure with Bianca and Percy. And…will the baby dragon be a part of it? What ya thinkin’ Meg?
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Bianca: Journey to Ryuugito by Meg Dendler.
I love the cover for Unknown Realms, a collection of twenty short stories and novellas that can be read in small doses while standing in line at the sI love the cover for Unknown Realms, a collection of twenty short stories and novellas that can be read in small doses while standing in line at the store, etc, and had me traveling through magical realms, alternate dimensions, riding dragons, dodging monsters, holding on for dear life and loving every minute of it.
This is a true fairie tale. And like all true fairie tales, it is bloody, violent…and there is no guarantee that good will win in the end.
Michaelbren This is a true fairie tale. And like all true fairie tales, it is bloody, violent…and there is no guarantee that good will win in the end.
Michaelbrent Collings writes some of the darkest stories I have ever read and creating some of the most violent villains that I have ever ‘met’. I love that the stories are so original and unique, and I challenge you to figure out what is coming before it happens. I sure can’t. I am sure my review is not going to do Lost Girl justice, but I will do my best.
The stars are Eve, Peter Pan, Wendy and Hook, but don’t let the fairy tale fool you. Not all characters are as you expect them to be. Be careful who you trust. Be cautious who you let into your life. Who can you trust? It’s hard to say, because even her mother and grand mother have secrets they do not share.
I have read several books in the past few weeks where a character has asthma. That adds an extra level of danger. For Eve, it has gotten worse and she feels something is coming, something evil. How can she prepare for it if she has no idea who will bring it and what it will be? I never could have anticipated any of it, if I hadn’t read the blurb…vampires! Oooo, I love vampires. Don’t care if they are blood thirsty cannibals or soft and friendly.The big question is…who is the good guy and who is the bad guy? The Lost Boys are truly lost in this unconventional coming of age story.
Brutal, violent, savage:
Gaping holes. Hearts cut from their bodies. No blood. No blood no blood no blood because there was NO BLOOD MOMMY NO BLOOD AT ALL.
Eve has no father, an alcoholic mother and a grandmother with alzheimers who always wants Eve to read her favorite book, Peter Pan, to her. She is on her own. She abuses herself, just to feel alive. She is bullied and abused at school, but she continues to attend. She wants the education, regardless of no support, no friends, and teachers turning a blind eye. Dreams, or should we say, nightmares, haunt her sleep.
My heart breaks for her, but I had a feeling…somehow…she would find someone, something good would come out of her life. Well, it doesn’t work out like I thought. I was constantly surprised, if that is the correct word. Nothing is at it seems. No one is as they seem. The complexity of the novel kept me riveted, rapidly ‘flipping pages’, wanting to get to the end, but not. I wanted more…
Lost Girl by Michaelbrent Collings was published in 2012, but I feel there is more to be told. Give me more!!!!!! How about it M?????? Are the characters talking to you yet??????
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Lost Girl (Formerly Peter & Wendy: A Tale Of The Lost) by Michaelbrent Colliings.
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