Please click on the above letters to find our reviews which are listed alphabetically by title.
 |
A Beth-Hill Novel: Blood of the Innocents by Jennifer St. Clair (Dark Fantasy) Review: There is a traitor amongst the Seleighe elves. The one man who knows the traitors name is a prisoner of the Unseleighe and slowly losing his mind. After years of torture and almost death Cullen as given up all hope of rescue. In his shattered mind he knows there is something he should remember but finding the answer would mean reliving the horror, something he cannot do. The Seleighe prince, Orien, is also held by the Unsleighe who hope to break him. Making him a vampire didn’t work, but there is worse to come. Orien saved Cullen’s life and made him a vampire in the hope that the traitor’s name could be found. When the Seleighe take the castle and they are freed it is too good to be true. The traitor moves amongst them, seeking Cullen’s death and Orien’s recapture. Cullen is banished from Faerie for his own safety and to heal. His sister abandons her duties as healer to help him, but he refuses to drag his sister into exile. With the traitor closing in, nowhere is safe. Orien won’t break, even after recapture and being force fed the blood of innocents, but death becomes the more appealing alternative. He has no place in Seleighe society and no desire to be driven mad by blood lust. At times the story was confusing because of the number of characters scheming against each other. The ending will surprise you, and though I understand Cullen’s reasons, I ended up thinking he was selfish rather than brave. Orien was as noble as a prince of the Seleighe should be, even in his un-death and in the face of sunlight. While there was cruelty, torture, and death, I would have said Blood of Innocents was not horror, but dark fantasy.
 |
 |
A Beth-Hill Novel: Jacob Lane Series Book 1: The Tenth Ghost by Jennifer St. Clair (Fantasy/Young Adult) Review: Rating: 4.5 Tombstones From the first breath of intrigue to the meeting of Jacob Lane, ghost-seeing girl, I was quickly and thoroughly enchanted by this story. Jacob’s tenth birthday starts out fairly normal (for a girl who knows dragons, fairies and ghosts, that is). Her parents give her a brand new bike and she is ecstatic while sharing it with her best friend, the girl ghost Emma. By the following day, however, her life has completely changed. Her parents are missing and presumed murdered (she herself only kept safe by the quick thinking of Emma), and a boatload of relatives she never knew existed invade her house, lead by two aunts she has never met. Having lost two parents and gained a Family, Jacob is sent off to Darkbrook Academy, the premier (and only) school of magic in the United States (it is in Ohio). Meeting new ghosts, making magical friends, and the studying intensely are enough to keep anyone busy. Add in a mystery of historic proportions, a murderous plot, and twists and turns at every other moment, and you have a wonderful story set around an interesting girl and her adventures that cross the realm of wizard and witch. The Tenth Ghost is the first story in the Jacob Lane series, followed by The Ninth Guest, The Eighth Room and The Seventh Secret.
Review: When ten-year-old Jacob Lane is awakened in the night by her friend Emma, a ghost who lives under the apple tree in Jacob's yard, she learns that her parents have mysteriously disappeared and there is a huge hole in the top of her house. During the funeral Jacob discovers that she has relatives she never knew existed. Now an orphan, Jacob is sent to Darkbrook, a school of magic in the United States her family has been attending for years. But when Jacob learns that nine students have mysteriously died over the past one hundred years, she is determined to get to the bottom of it, and make sure that she doesn't become the tenth ghost. Can Jacob and her assortment of interesting friends stop the witch from killing anymore students, will they be able to save the Dragon Queen in time, and what really happened to Jacob's parents on that mysterious night? "The Tenth Ghost" is a wonderfully written, exciting adventure you won't want to stop reading!
Review: Rating: 5 Star Usually when I do a review, it is strictly from my own viewpoint, but an interesting thing happened with this book. I put it in the "library" (bathroom) to read and before I knew what was happening, my husband was turning the pages and reading this book. Him being a Sci-Fi fan, I was surprised when he couldn't wait to finish it and I'd left pages other places. Interesting! The book begins at a school for witches, wizards and other "gifted" children, Darkbrook. A young wizard by the name of Ash is murdered by a young girl named Clara who wants to be a wizard. That was over a hundred years ago. A ten year old, Jacob Lane has no idea what is about to happen to her and her family. One night she's talking to her friend Emma (a ghost) in the garden and the next thing she knows her house is half blown away, and her parents are killed. Jacob is suddenly an orphan surrounded by her super-natural powered relatives that she vaguely remembers meeting. Due to her circumstances, Jacob is whisked off to Darkbrook to study her witchcraft, and fortunately, her friend Emma comes with her. But Darkbrook holds many dark and scary mysteries. Jacob's well meaning Uncle Lucas is trying to find her parents murderers while she attends school. However, when Jacob encounters Ash's ghost in the tower at Darkbrook, Jacob knows she is on to some family mystery, for she is kin to Ash, and must find his killer too. It seems that Clara, who wanted to be a wizard, and not a witch killed Ash and has killed every ten years or so a student at Darkbrook. And Ash warns Jacob that she might be Clara's next victim. Together with a new friend, Ophellia (a vampire bat) Emma, and Ash. Jacob is determined to find out who Clara has become through this long period of time. For surely Clara has never left Darkbrook. Many students at Darkbrook befriend Jacob, including a dragon, whom she's suspected killed her parents. However, after becoming friends with Solomon she soon realizes that he could not have killed them. Solomon only wants to help Jacob survive the new Clara. This intriguing tale of mayhem and murder will keep anyone turning the pages for more. Ms. St. Clair certainly knows how to keep her audience wanting more. Will Jacob survive the new Clara? Will she find her parents murderers? We are totally kept in suspense with this adventure in super natural beings and a little witch that seems almost too normal for real. Everyone will enjoy this book from 6 to 60. It is filled with wonderful magic and mayhem that keeps us on our toes and in suspense till the end. You won't want to put this one down till the last page. A must read for all ages! Highly recommended!
Review: They protected her the only way they could. Her parents named her Jacob Catherine Lane. But it wasn't enough to protect the people Jacob knew as parents. The night of Jacob's tenth birthday went from pure happiness to outright destruction. Her savior came in the form of a ghost who was her best friend. Hidden, Jacob slept the night away. Then morning came. Her Aunts arrived. But they only vaguely explained her parents' death. Still Jacob could not understand why they arrived when they did and had never visited before. The only problem was that they forgot to make sure Jacob understood the seriousness of the situation that could be her own death. That night, the Family arrived for the funeral. It was not a normal funeral. Sorrow was not a major portion. Rather the Family grouped into circles and stopped talking whenever Jacob wandered near. The only people who would really speak to her were her Aunts and Uncle. And they caused trepidation for they talked in riddles. But at that time, the only thing Jacob understood was that nothing would ever be the same again. A short time later, Jacob is encased at the Darkbrook Boarding School where a mystery brews. Finding her ancestor in the tower in the form of a ghost was not scary but finding out others had been killed terrified Jacob. The reason seemed simple. Ash, her ancestor, believed Jacob would be THE TENTH GHOST. To save her own life, Jacob needed to solve the mystery. And fast. With evil haunting Darkbrook, Jacob was in danger. The only problem was that Jacob was not in the form expected. The villain expected a boy. Jacob was a girl. The villain needed a wizard. And everyone there knew girls cannot be wizards. Unfortunately, this did not mean that Jacob was safe just because of her gender. A truly fun story, young adults will delight in this fantastical tale Jacob unknowingly unravels. St. Clair has penned a winner - don't miss this one.
Review: Perhaps the greatest compliment any writer can receive is that the public enjoys reading their work. If Jennifer St. Clair could see the line of students in my daughter's class waiting to read her YA novel, The Tenth Ghost, I'm sure she'd feel quite honored. Reviewing a young adult or middle grade fiction novel can be difficult. I can point out the technical flaws and tell if the story worked for me, but I can't tell you if the target audience will enjoy the book unless I ask a student to read it. Fortunately for me, I have a young daughter who likes to read. The Tenth Ghost is the story of a girl named Jacob. An unusual name for a young girl but Jacob isn't your normal student. She's a witch whose parents have been murdered by dragons. Her best friend, Emma is a ghost who lives in the apple tree behind Jacob's house. When the dragons come looking for Jacob's family, Emma hides her under the apple tree's roots. Jacob finds herself faced with the decision of living with two of her elderly witch aunts, an uncle she's just met or attending Darkbrook School of Magic. The grownups breathe a sigh of relief when she chooses to go to the school, believing it to be the safest place for her. But the school holds not only the secret to the dragons' attack on Jacob's parents but an even darker danger that's been lurking there for more than 100 years. If Jacob can't unravel the mystery, she'll become the school's tenth ghost. You may have picked up on a few similarities between the premise of The Tenth Ghost and another very popular children's book. This did distract me a bit, but the kids in my daughter's class don't seem to mind. However, I would have preferred that by the end of the book, the reason Jacob is chosen to be the tenth ghost had been resolved. The author hints at the reason why she's been given a boy's name but never clarifies the issue. Over all, The Tenth Ghost is a pleasant and enjoyable read and judging by the list of kids waiting to read it in my daughter's 5th grade class, it's a big hit with its target market. The Tenth Ghost earns a * * * * rating.
Review: Ms. St. Clair’s Young Adult novel, The Tenth Ghost delivered an awesome tale with a serious message delivered in a subtle manner. In this tale, the issue of gender roles is questioned by the idea that girls/women may be witches, but never wizards. Well as it so happens, the main character, Jacob, is a girl sporting a traditional boy’s name. This anomaly actually causes some interesting mistakes and misunderstandings throughout the book. Jacob’s relatively normal life, if you consider having a ghost as a best friend normal, is disrupted when her parents disappear one night. Fortunately, Jacob is saved by the quick thinking and actions of her best friend, Emma, the ghost, who manages to hide Jacob under an apple tree in the yard. When Jacob wakes up, hours later, her two aunts, Flora and Agnes, both witches, have arrived and are searching for her. Repairs are made to the house as they inform Jacob her parent are gone, presumed killed by dragons. The next thing Jacob know, she and her ghost fried Emma are shipped off to magic boarding school, Darkbrook, by the Family and wouldn’t you know it, the first person she meets, rather the first dead person she meets, is a victim of murder and everyone who has seen him so far has died. There’s just one glitch, all the previous victims have been wizards and everyone knows a girl cannot be a wizard, so Jacob should be fine. Right? Then again, times have changed and Jacob and Emma don’t want to take any chances. Armed with research, a ghost free to roam about and interrogate the previous nine ghost victims, and a new friend Ophelia, who has a few secrets of her own, Jacob decides to be proactive and embarks on a campaign to solve the mysterious deaths no one seems to have noticed over the years. She is determined not to be The Tenth Ghost. And if that weren’t enough to keep her occupied, along with her studies, there was still the matter of the dragons that killed her parents, and of course Darkbrook had a few enrolled that year. Was it possible any of the dragon students knew which dragons killed her parents and why they would break the treaty? The Tenth Ghost moves at a brisk pace with lots of action and Jacob constantly discovering people who have secrets, including an Uncle Lucas who conveniently appears for a visit in the middle of her investigation, bearing secrets of his own. Jacob proves to be a brave young lady determined to find the killer, so the spirit victims may finally rest in peace; and if she can determine who killed her parents as well that would just be grand. This is a fantastic read and I can see Jacob and her friends stumbling across other adventures during their educational journey at Darkbrook. I’ll be anxiously awaiting Ms. St. Clair’s next novel.
|
 |
A Beth-Hill Novel: Jacob Lane Series Book 2: The Ninth Guest by Jennifer St. Clair (Fantasy/Young Adult) Review: Rating: 4.5 tombstones Ophelia's Family has a problem. They have a huge castle, complete with fantastic antiques, books everywhere (including four signed first edition copies of Dracula), secret passageways and a dungeon. Their problem? The heating bill. Ohio winters are cold and with only a couple working members of the Family and her father unwilling to see reason and sell some of their stuff, the heating bill is becoming quite the problem. Ophelia’s Cousin Hector comes up with an idea that might just save the day. Host a Vampire B&B ("Spend the night in a vampire's castle and Live to Tell the Tale"). Real in all senses of the word except in the guests eyes. Determined that her summer break not be a complete waste, Ophelia invite her good friend Jacob Lane to join them at the castle. On the trip over, Jacob discovers a whole new problem and this one greatly more troubling. Hector might be a traitor to the Family and vampire hunters have infested the B&B guest list. Single-minded in their need to find proof of their suspicions, Jacob & Ophelia, accompanied by a human boy named Myron (one of the guests until they recruit him), begin searching the guests belongings and rooms for some hint of hunter. Like a mad game of Clue each move they make uncovers more possible suspects, motives, and, well, clues that will leave you guessing until the very end. The second installment in the Jacob Lane series, The Ninth Guest is just as fabulous as the first.
Review: In Jennifer St. Clair's novel The Ninth Guest, Book Two of the Jacob Lane Series, the young heroine Jacob Lane again finds herself in the middle of another mystery. School break was nearing its end, but Jacob was looking forward to visiting her friend Ophelia, who just happened to be a vampire. Dreading the coming year and the increasingly high cost for maintaining the Family castle, Ophelia's father was desperate to find a way to generate revenue to support the Family. And selling the fine art and rare books that cluttered and stuffed every crevice of the castle was not an option; those were sentimental objects the Family couldn't bear to part with. Fortunately, Ophelia's human Cousin Hector came up with the idea of opening the castle up as a bed and breakfast to the public; "Spend the night in a vampire's castle!" The idea was perfect and what could possible go wrong. What human believed in vampires anymore? Vampire Hunters, that's who! And unlike vampires, they never signed the treaty with the Council agreeing to no aggression. Are there Vampire Hunters in the castle and how could they have gotten into in without the help of one of Ophelia's family? Which of the nine guests is it? Ms. St. Clair has successfully delivered another Jacob Lane book. This reviewer finds her courageous female heroine refreshing and innovative to the genre. Ms. St. Claire skillfully leaves clues about for the reader to digest and provides intriguing subplots that drive and smoothly intertwine with the master plot. Secondary characters such as Myron are appropriately used to advance the storyline and provide additional clues and humor to the tale. The primary characters, Ophelia and Jacob, mesh well together and are ideally suited for this particular mystery adventure. The Ninth Guest is the second book in the Jacob Lane series; however, this novel can be read as a stand alone. The suspense keeps the reader turning the pages in this fast paced novel. There are plenty of legitimate clues and enough "red herrings" and misinterpretations to send the sleuths and readers off in the wrong directions! This is an enjoyable Young Adult novel that would be loved by older readers as well. I also strongly recommend Ms. St. Clair's, The Tenth Ghost, the first novel in the Jacob Lane series, another excellent read!
Review: How do you know if a series appeals to its target audience? When that audience is eagerly anticipating the next installment. I told my daughter that The Ninth Guest, the second book in Jennifer St. Clair's YA fantasy series, was available and she asked to read it immediately. After finishing the book, she told me that my review had to say, "The book was good, hurry up and write the third one. Now." High praise from a ten year old the reads voraciously. But she's not the only one excited about The Ninth Guest's release. Several students from her class had read The Tenth Ghost and couldn't wait to read Jacob Lane's next adventure. You would think that reading the book from a computer screen would have dulled some of the kids' interest but they weren't phased by this alternative publishing method. The Ninth Guest opens with Ophelia's family facing a financial crisis and trying to find a way to keep their castle from crumbling to ruins. When a cousin suggests opening their ancestral home as a bed and breakfast, Ophelia is certain she's going to die of boredom trying to entertain a bunch of "humans". To help her survive the ordeal, she invites Jacob (the only human she likes) to spend a few weeks at the castle. Jacob arrives just hours before the first group of guests. All humans who have been lured in by the exciting concept of "surviving the night in a vampire's castle" even though most believe vampires are myths. Trouble lurks around the corner when Jacob overhears a plot to bring vampire hunters into the castle and now Ophelia and her family are at risk. A novice wizard, Jacob knows she must rely on her wits to help save her friend but how to spot the vampire hunters? Myron, a boy their own age, is one of the human guests who doesn’t believe vampires are real, but when Uncle Rupert suddenly turns up missing, the two girls find Myron's not as obnoxious as they thought. Can Jacob enlist his aide without revealing the truth about Ophelia's family? Secrets abound in the old castle and the three kids are kept on their toes avoiding danger. The threat becomes all too real when despite a treaty between the wizards, witches and vampires, the hunters stalk Ophelia's family and nearly murder the missing Uncle Rupert. They won't allow a little girl like Jacob stop them from killing every last vampire. A delightful tale of friendship, family intrigue and magic, The Ninth Guest has the kids in my daughter's class lining up to read off the computer. Jennifer St. Clair's characters capture the minds and hearts of her readers. The Ninth Guest establishes Jacob Lane as a unique series that has moved away from the elements in The Tenth Ghost that reminded me so much of another wizarding student. The Ninth Guest is a * * * * 1/2 star read
|
 |
A Beth-Hill Novel: Jacob Lane Series Book 3: The Eighth Room by Jennifer St. Clair (Fantasy/Young Adult) Review: The Eighth Room by Jennifer St. Clair begins as both her previous stories in the Jacob Lane series have, with a character and a dilemma. Sean, crown prince of the Selkies, is being sent to Darkbrook Academy to escape the wrath of the Finfolk. While making the cross from sea to land, he and his uncle are attacked with iron blades and bullets. Lucas (Jacob’s Uncle) and Niklas (council member and dragon) arrive in time to save Sean, but his Uncle is dead before they even arrive. Jacob Lane is back at Darkbrook, having returned after her last adventure, when a dragon alights in the front yard carrying a bleeding boy in his arms. As curious as ever, the girl races to the infirmary to discover more when she meets Ophelia in bat form on the way. Thanks to Ophelia‘s quick thinking the two show Niklas and his bleeding burden to the infirmary and in turn are asked by Jacob‘s Uncle Lucas to help keep an eye on Sean and make him feel more at home, thus giving them permission to get embroiled in this new mystery. When cleaning the eighth storage room (read: really large junk drawer) for extra credit, the girls come across a wooden box that should be have been ruined by the damp. The box also has a stinky protection spell on it that prevents the girls from holding it for more than twenty seconds without being plagued by skunk or garlic. They take it to Sean hoping he can help them uncover the secret of the wooden box that drips saltwater and, for some unknown reason, is not completely ruined by it. Inside they discover a key on a coral chain and three seeds they think might be from a tree, once thought to be extinct, that lives in the depths of the sea. The key leads Jacob on an adventure that produces a mystery that could unlock the secrets of the Selkies and hopefully save them from the invading Finfolk. With lovely twists, pretzels, and turns, the puzzle of this adventure unravels in a delightful romp that is just plain fun to read.
Review: "For almost two hundred years, we've kept our people close, away from those who live on the land" These were the solemn words spoken by the King of the Selkie as he prepared his people for the departure of his only son, to be sent as an ambassador to learn as a student at the magic school of Darkbrook. It seemed a noble gesture, but Sean and the members of the direct royal house knew better; the Selkie were nearly extinct due to years of wars with his father's enemies the Finfolk. As heir to the throne, Sean should be safe among the humans since the Finfolk had no human form and could not step upon land. Unfortunately, the Selkie were betrayed and not only were Finfolk waiting at the rendezvous point, but men who walked upon the land and shot guns attacked Sean and his uncle. Sean survived and quickly became friends with Jacob Lane and her friend Ophelia. In a quest to determine who betrayed Sean, the land-walkers, a mystery about Darkbrook school, itself, its origin, emerged and it seems to be connected with one of the rooms in the Library that Jacob and Ophelia have been tasked to clean out. Could this secret lead to the salvation of the Selkie assuming any, aside from Sean, have survived? The Eighth Room, Book 3 of the Jacob Lane Series, portrays a magically maturing Jacob Lane who is learning to act responsibly. She eagerly befriends a lad who is in need of friendship and her advancing deductive reasoning has her and Ophelia connecting the mystery of Darkbrook's past with Sean's present dilemma. The minor characters were superbly used, particularly Emma, the ghost girl, and her mishaps when dealing with moralistic questions and the misuse of magic. I also admire Ms. St. Clair's style in handling the complex and changing relationship between the Hounds of the Hunt and their Masters; and especially the dramatics of the stereotypic image of The Hunt that was still present in Darkbrook. The Jacob Lane books just keep getting better! Although, there a two previous books, The Tenth Ghost and The Ninth Guest, each book can be read as a stand-alone, though I strongly encourage the readers to get all three, because they are excellent reads. All three books are Young Adult Novels that would be enjoyed by older adults as well. I'm hoping Ms. St. Clair plans to write more in the series, meanwhile I plan to read some of her other titles such as: Prince of Shadow, Book 1 of the Shadow Trilogy (YA Novel) and Blood of the Innocents (Adult Novel). Ms. St. Clair has definitely joined the ranks of this reviewer's favorite writers!
|
 |
A Beth-Hill Novel: Jacob Lane Series Book 4: The Seventh Secret by Jennifer St. Clair (Fantasy/Young Adult) Review: A fabulous book! I especially like the hounds and would love to see more of them! Jennifer's writing always captures me with the first page and just pulls me straight through. A pleasure.
Review: The sight of a dragon (Niklas carrying Sean from The Eighth Room) in flight has sent the human world into a supernatural hunting frenzy. The purchase of silver bullets and stakes has skyrocketed and Darkbrook is on high alert as the forests surrounding them has become infested with hunters and reporters. Such a sighting in a era of cameras, media and the internet is proving a great deal harder to discount and the council is forced to look beyond the usual swamp gas and UFOs to solve the problem. A teleporting toddler, troubled werewolf, and hatred-filled, greedy young wizard begin to change the equation completely. Undecided on her life course, with her friends starting to find new paths in their lives, Jacob Lane feels a bit left behind and very unsure of herself and her life ahead. After meeting the toddler Mallie, who promptly disappears again, Jacob is quickly drawn into the cause of trying to find the missing dragonling and her elder brother who had been sent to find her. One rescue leads to another, and while on a quest to help rescue a captured and wounded vampire, Jacob ends up in the land of Faerie where she meets some new friends and discovers a previously unknown talent. I was a bit surprised at how the prologue related to this story because it broke the mold made by the first three, however I was intrigued by Danny and his back story which I hope to learn more of soon. Though shorter then its predecessors it doesn't fail to entertain and is nicely set up for the next story in the series. A delightful tale sprung from the mind of Jennifer St. Clair, The Seventh Secret is the fourth and newest installment in the Jacob Lane series.
|
 |
A Beth-Hill Novel: Karen Montgomery Series Book 1: Budget Cuts by Jennifer St. Clair (Fantasy) Review: "Assistant Directors had to be prepared to deal with almost everything, but they had not covered the supernatural in library school." Tasked with laying off employees, Assistant Director Karen Montgomery of the Amington Library System comes face to face with the supernatural, in the form of Ivy, an evening clerk who just happens to be a vampire, and Charlie, the library's founder and resident ghost. At their insistence, Karen is charged with finding buried faery gold which the library can then use to ta/fontke care of its financial needs. If it were only that easy. As the stalwart, clear-thinking Karen soon learns, nothing is easy or transparent when dealing with the supernatural, especially when it involves the Wild Hunt and a grief-stricken elven prince. Whether classed as a short story or a novella, this introductory piece for the Karen Montgomery series is just too short. It leaves you lusting for more, for more delightful prose which is crisp without being abrupt; more delightful narrative which is neither intrusive nor flowery; more delightful characters who emerge developed with clarity and texture. Yet, despite its brevity, Budget Cuts makes an engaging and amusing debut for Assistant Director Karen Montgomery of the Amington Library.
|
 |
A Beth-Hill Novel: Karen Montgomery Series Book 2: The Secret of Redemption by Jennifer St. Clair (Fantasy) Review: "I was no priest to absolve him, or grant him redemption. But libraries were often confessionals of sorts, something I have never understood." Malachi, a remorseful and contrite Hound of the Wild Hunt, makes an unexpected visit to the Amington Library and is coaxed into offering his storytelling services to Assistant Director Karen Montgomery. Later that same day, Malachi isn't so sure he has made the right decision because Jenny Green, the young woman who accompanies the day care children to the library for story hour, is a Water Hag, one of those nasty creatures who eat little children. When a little girl goes missing, Karen and Malachi, accompanied by the dangerous Water Hag, find themselves deep in a sinister section of the faery forest searching for the missing child. As much as this second story in the chronicles of Karen Montgomery is about redemption and Malachi's need to find atonement for the atrocities he committed as part of the Wild Hunt, it is also a story about trust. Who can be trusted? How much evidence of faith is needed to prove one trustworthy? In the Amington/Beth Hill area of Ohio where the Montgomery stories take place, Faery (the land of the Fe) lies close to the unbelieving, mundane world. Indeed, the area has an unusually large population of arcane creatures masquerading as human. The mystical inhabitants, of course, are more in danger from one another than they are from their human neighbors because they do not trust one another. Elves are deceitful; no one trusts the Wild Hunt; Water Hags are despicable; dryads are nasty; dragons are obsessed with gold and value it above all else; and vampires, well, they're murderous bloodsuckers. This lack of trust makes up the controlling theme of The Secret of Redemption. No one can accuse author Jennifer St.Clair of skirting the issues or short-changing her readers. She has mastered the skill of short-form storytelling through character action and dialog. Once again her crisp prose and revealing speech develop the characters, illustrate the central theme, and move the story toward its completion. This lazy afternoon read has it all and offers it up in a well-orchestrated , craftily executed novella form.
|
 |
A Beth-Hill Novel: Karen Montgomery Series Book 3: Ladybug Ladybug by Jennifer St. Clair (Fantasy) Review: Rating: 4 Tombstones
The library has a problem - make that thousands of problems. The area has been infested with ladybugs and they seem to love the library. They are in the books, the corners, the newspapers, the desk drawers, and any place else they can find a millimeter of landing room. The library director has, of course, passed off the problem to her able assistant, Karen Montgomery. With the bid in hand, Karen contacts The Gentle Touch, the newly opened extermination company, and runs right into the first hurdle: her personal account representative.
Hurdle number two comes in the form of a computer questionnaire all clients are required to fill out. To Karen's way of thinking the questionnaire asks some questions which have absolutely nothing to do with the infestation problem. What does the religious affiliation of the librarians have to do with getting rid of ladybugs?
Next comes the arrival of the drop-dead gorgeous Andre Dunfaddin who needs to inspect all the library facilities before the extermination can occur. But after conversing with the charming bug killer, Karen's sense of wrongness is piqued and she contacts her vampire friend Ivy who mustn't show up for work tonight while the exterminator is on the premises. Ivy herself is upset because the Hunters have come to town and one vampire has already been killed. She and her boyfriend are leaving. Appealing to the ruling Council for help, Karen finds herself once again in the middle of a mystical problem having only the most flimsy of connections to the library.
I have come to admire Karen Montgomery. As a Mary Sue heroine she is much like I would like to see myself in similar circumstances: clear-thinking, courageous, forgiving and compassionate, and above all, a true friend. With that said, this third installment in the chronicles illustrates the need for length to develop tension. At no time during the pivotal scenes can the reader feel the danger Karen is in because she doesn't acknowledge it. We see the danger all around, but because Karen doesn't feel it, the reader can't either. We get a sense of the emotional tumult that the other characters experience, but Karen remains lamentably above the fray.
The introduction of a new character, ex-Hunter Russell Moore, again ushers in the question of trust. Can an ex-vampire hunter be trusted to help the bloodsuckers elude their nemesis? Ivy and her friend Jesse obviously think not. Karen, of course, is willing to try.
I sincerely hope there is a fourth installment of this series because Karen most definitely needs to explore the possibility of a relationship with Russell. Here is the chance for Jennifer St. Clair to forge into novel length with this delightful series. With the extra word count and the story world already defined, St.Clair can push Karen further along to road to completion. Karen's ancestry has been touched upon, but the implications most definitely need exploring. Her involvement with the Wild Hunt begs for attention, and above all, what is her life like away from the library?
|
 |
A Beth-Hill Novel: The Shadows Trilogy Book 1: The Prince of Shadows by Jennifer St. Clair (Fantasy: Vampire) Review: Rating: 4 Tombstones
The Prince of Shadows is the first book in the Shadows Trilogy by Jennifer St. Clair. The series focuses on the machinations of the truly malevolent villain, Terrin, and the efforts made to stop his plans. Terrin is a wizard who wants his brother’s throne and much, much more at any cost. The story is set in the Seven Kingdoms and starts in the Palace of the Kingdom of Leysan where the King has just been killed by his son, Teluride, or so it seems. We are quickly introduced to Alban, Kyne, and a vampire. Alban is the son of Terrin and a powerful, yet untrained, wizard whose power is being siphoned by Terrin for his own use. Terrin has Alban under a spell. But who has bespelled Kyne and the vampire? Skade, the Queen of Iomar, takes an interest in Terrin’s plans as they are old enemies. She sends her ghost to find out what is happening in the Kingdom of Leysan and determines to aid Alban, Telluride, the vampire, and Kyne. There is a great deal to this first book in the trilogy. The story is full of twists and turns, unexpected revelations, and unique characters all woven into the unique tapestry that is the Seven Kingdoms. It’s a wonderful, fast-paced read that will leave you wondering what happens next in the trilogy - and wishing for a speedy demise for Terrin!
Review: The King has been murdered and his son Teluride is caught holding the murder weapon. But Teluride is very sick and does not know what happened, and that's exactly how the king's brother, Terrin, wants it to be. He plans to see Teluride executed for his father's murder while he takes over the kingdom. Terrin's magic is powered by the hold he has over his son Alban and the vampire. Terrin is using Alban's power as a wizard for his own dark purposes, but somehow Alban manages to break free from his father's spell. It is now up to Alban to stop his father's terror. Can Skade, the Queen of Iomar, and her prisoner, the Ghost in the Mirror, help Alban defeat Terrin before it's too late? "Prince of Shadows" is a terrific first book in a trilogy that promises to be both exciting and intriguing with a very interesting cast of characters. Ms. St. Clair does a wonderful job pulling the reader into the story and moving the plot along at an exciting pace. I did not want to stop reading this book and am anxiously awaiting the next one!
|
 |
A Beth-Hill Novel: The Shadows Trilogy Book 2: Lost In The Shadows by Jennifer St. Clair (Fantasy: Vampire) Review: Rating: 4 Tombstones Lost in Shadows is the second book in The Shadows Trilogy by Jennifer St. Clair. The story picks up immediately after the end of the first book, Prince of Shadows. Terrin continues to create havoc in the lives of all to further his plans to rule. Skade, the Queen of Iomar, continues trying to thwart Terrin’s plans. Terrin wants Nicodemus, the ghost in Skade’s mirror, and Michael, Skade’s son. But why? What happened 10 years ago that connects them all? The plot deepens as more and more is revealed about Terrin and his plot to take over Seven Kingdoms. I enjoyed this story and give it 4 Tombstones. Once again, Jennifer St. Clair weaves a multifaceted tale full of surprises and twists. The story moves from place to place, but is never confusing or choppy. Her writing is crisp and the characters are well drawn. The second book in the trilogy ends appropriately with a number of unanswered questions, which only serve to make me look forward to the last book in the trilogy Bound in Shadows and continue to hope that Terrin is finally defeated.
|
 |
A Beth-Hill Novel: The Shadows Trilogy Book 3: Bound In Shadows by Jennifer St. Clair (Fantasy: Vampire) Review: Rating: 4 Tombstones Bound in Shadows is the third (and final) book in The Shadows Trilogy by Jennifer St. Clair. The story picks up immediately after the end of the second book, Lost in Shadows. Nicodemus is left for dead at the castle in Leysan, the kingdom that was stolen by Terrin from the rightful heir. Skade and Michael are within the safe confines of Espen’s home. Terrin has fled. But rumors abound in the Seven Kingdoms. The Queen of Iomar, Skade, is missing. Kyne, the sister of the Queen of Severin, is sent to Leysan to investigate what has happened. She was formerly Terrin’s prisoner at Leysan and is reluctant to return. What she finds there only confirms her suspicions about Terrin. Will Terrin finally succeed in his plans to rule the Seven Kingdoms? Ms. St. Clair wraps up her trilogy with another fact paced story. Once again we move from place to place and character to character as the story inexorably moves toward its final moments, without giving away what will happen. Terrin is truly well-drawn as are those fighting against him. This exciting story held my interest to the last word. I give Bound in Shadows 4 Tombstones.
|
 |
A Chef for the Queen by Helen Ksypka (Children's Picture Book) Review: The Queen is having a temper tantrum. She doesn't like her lunch. Her servants try to convince her that her meal is healthy but she just won't eat. The chef tries to make a meal that the Queen might like but nothing seems to tempt the Queen's taste buds. Eventually, all the chefs throughout the land try to make the Queen happy but nothing works. Then, one small boy finds the answer. A Chef for the Queen is an enjoyable whimsical tale. There was lots of color and wonderfully entertaining illustrations. We happen to have a little queen in our house so the storyline was that much more fun and fitting. We'll definitely be reading this one again and again, especially at lunchtime.
Review: Rating: 4 Stars Helen Ksypka's story will amuse readers of 10 years and younger readers who have a good vocabulary. The unusual words will have kids looking up the dictionary. I liked the surprise ending. The striking detailed illustrations are full of movement.
|
 |
A Ring Realms Novel: Reality's Plaything Series Book 5: The Infinity Annihilator by Will Greenway (Fantasy) Review: Rating: 5 Stars A great story that leaves me wanting more. I have downloaded two of the follow-ons and plan to start one of them this evening.
|
 |
A Heartstopper Horror: Felicity's Curse by Robin Helene Vogel (Young Adult Horror) Review: I would like to offer a few words on how very much I enjoyed Robin Vogel's latest book, "Felicity's Curse". I read a great deal, online and off, in topics ranging from poetry, to religious studies, to the classics; even the most simplistic of beginning books for toddlers... and I must say I sincerely enjoyed this work more than anything I have read in some time. It has a bounty to offer. Humor, suspense, mystery...and all is presented in a manner that is so familiar and thrilling. I can see this as a work a parent could enjoy reading aloud, a chapter each night-- to a room of wide eyed youths. Each chapter ends, with keen anticipation for what is to come. The banter of the young is delightful, and to my ear, realistic...allusions made to modern music, etc, will delight the parents. There is a lot to 'hold on to ' in this story. I immediately identified with the character of Tracy. Brother Frankie taunts her mercilessly. This, with great amusement to the reader...but also we sense the bickering to be the fond sort that many of us with siblings suffer at the age, but later recall quite fondly. There is a famous quote that says something along the lines, that 'the best fiction for the young, can be enjoyed by all ages '. I have to put forth "Felicity 's Curse" as proof positive of that. The characters are believable, and engaging. Early on the stage is set...tenseness, anxiety... that harbinger of *much* to come. The tale delivers thrills, and then some. Its plot leaves us guessing to the last page. It touches on that fear we share at times, even with those closest to us, that we love best of all...."How well do I really know this person? And what if one day, they change?" This is played to perfection, as secrets long kept, begin to spill forth. Tracy suddenly finds herself in the grips of something larger, that (without giving any spoilers, wink) has her questioning all she thought she knew. I enjoyed it a great deal and recommend it to anyone who loves suspense...and perhaps a quick trip back to the tender time of that priceless age of (almost) 13.
Review: I finished reading Robin's story, FELICITY'S CURSE, and it was awesome! I was on pins and needles all the way up to the end! AND OH that ending, sheez!!! It is a true horror story for kids AND adults alike! The little kid in me was excited, scared, upset, nervous and sad. The sister/brother relationship reminded me some of my own relationship with my older sister! I strongly recommend this book [AND I am NOT get any royalties for saying this! LOL]. You go girl!!!
|
 |
Alien Thought by Dan Donoghue (Science Fiction/Young Adult) Review: Rating: 4.0 Dave Duggan is a seventeen-year-old whose hormones drive him to do whatever Jenny and Mary Graeme want him to do, that day when he runs into them in the woods. They convince him (all it takes is a couple of 'accidental' glimpses of panties) to lead them to the top of the local mountain - they'd tried on their own, but all the paths they could find were fenced off and had "No Trespassing" signs. The hike turns into a hair-raising adventure when things start to die around them. Dave himself almost dies in a strange attack; searing pain through his whole body causes him to pass out. He wakes, drowning, for he fell into the creek, but the pain seems to disappear while he is underwater. By taking painful breaths only when necessary, he is able to survive. What could have caused these bizarre deaths? They seem localized to a specific area - could it be some poison sprayed from an airplane, whose destination has gone awry? Dave's dog is dead, the girls are frightened, and Dave's emotions are battling for control with the semblance of rational thought that is left. The police are less than receptive to Dave's report of what happened. It seems that Mary has come to town because she got into trouble - drug trouble - in Sydney. Her reputation causes the 'pigs' to suspect that Dave is 'on dope' and his parents are gullible enough to believe it. When some people die, surrounded by lots of dead birds, the town authorities start to listen to Dave's story - and soon, the army shows up and cordons off the woods leading to the mountain. I'll not spoil the story by telling any more. Suffice it to say that the excitement continues, the hormones continue to operate, and the reader is compelled to keep going - and going, and going--until the conclusion is reached. This isn't one you put aside for days, and even a few hours away from it feel like an interruption. I'll be looking for more from Dan Donoghue. He says that the 'formative years' of the late teens can be the most exciting time of a person's life. His experience teaching English in Queensland, combined with his fascination for the possibility of mind powers beyond the norm, provides the perfect background for novels like this one. His subject matter and fast-paced plotting are reminiscent of the young Andre Norton, or Robert A. Heinlein. He has produced a good book that is fun to read. It's not a great novel, but I enjoyed it; I will look for greatness in that nebulous future where all things are possible.
Review: Dave Duggan would never have guessed that morning when he awoke that his world was about to change. Would never have imagined that his life would be forever altered by events soon to be set in motion. It was an average day, His plans simple... to practice his aim at the local shooting range. But he hadn't planned on Jenny Graeme and her alluring cousin, Mary Graeme, to ask him to guide them up the side of the local mountain. The moment he agreed to take them, things changed...his beliefs altered. Something unseen on that mountain was killing the animals, killing the people. Something mentally seeking him. "Alien Thought", by Dan Donoghue, is an intriguing science fiction story written for young adults. I found Mr. Donoghue's ability to write from the viewpoint of a seventeen year old boy quite believable and never doubted the actions of his young cast. I especially enjoyed experiencing the flavor of the country and learning the local terms and customs gracing each page. An interesting and enjoyable read.
Review: Seventeen-year-old Dave Duggan is an average teenager whose ordinary Saturday turns into adventure when a few girls from his school ask for him to help them find their way through the mountains past the town. Once they enter an area of rainforest, things begin to go awry. Mysteriously things around them start to die, and an unidentified entity almost takes Dave's life. Now that danger has entered their journey through the mountains, Dave and the girls begin to wonder what could be causing the unexplained happenings, and further into their trip, they find out. Can Dave get the girls to the other side of the mountain without further endangering them all? Find out the sinister details of Mr. Donoghue's book for young adults by getting your copy of ALIEN THOUGHT from Writers Exchange E-Publishing today. Dan Donoghue grew up in country Queensland where he received his primary education in small one-teacher schools and where he completed his secondary education at boarding school in Cairns. Mr. Donoghue went on to gain a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Queensland, and spent many years teaching English in Queensland schools. He began writing novels from his love of reading, and as a form of stress management, and he has always been fascinated by the possibility of mind powers beyond the norm where much of his writing shows this. Mr. Donoghue has successfully put together a book that I'm positive you will be delighted with that is full of intrigue, adventure, and a little bit of romance. This reviewer found ALIEN THOUGHT to be extremely fascinating. The characters are life-like and the dialogue is fitting to the genre as well as to the character's personalities.
Review: Dave Duggan, 17 years old and easily tempted by a pair of beautiful legs, helps two girls to find their way into the mountains. All goes well, but when they reach the rainforest, dead birds fall out of the trees. Dave runs to help his dog, who seems to be in agony, and is hit by an unbearable pain that almost kills him. He manages to outrun the mysterious attack, but everything around him is dead, even the butterflies. He finds the girls, scared but alive. After their narrow escape, they wonder what kind of poison caused the deaths. Dave reports the incident to the police, but they don't believe him. Instead they raid his room because they think he was on drugs and imagined the catastrophe. But then six men die in the mountain and the mystery unfolds in all its chilling scariness. There must be something alive and dangerous up there. "Alien Thought" is a breath-taking science-fiction novel, spell-binding from the first page and never losing its pace. The tension keeps building up and up until you can hardly bear it. But the horror is wonderfully balanced by romantic moments, philosophical dialogs and touching revelations. A well-rounded book with intriguing characters. Excellently written.
Review: Hold onto your hat, if you think Blue Lagoon was good, wait till you try Alien Thought. It isn't the writing, in itself, it isn't the plot, it's turning everything upside down and still making some kind of sense of it. Alien Thought is told by Dave Duggan the "hero" of the story. On an ordinary day, Dave Duggan is approached by the most unlikiest two girls in his realm of living to find a trail down the mountain. Dave being the good ole boy he is, and desperately trying to keep his hormones from raging out of control agrees to help the two girls. Everything is as normal as it should be until they reach a certain point and birds literally start falling from the sky, dead. Dave's dog, Trixie, dies, and Dave is spun into some kind of painful void. What has happened, they don't know. Something is sending pain through Dave like nothing he's ever encountered. But regardless the three of them make it home and try to report this odd incident to the authorities. No one believes them till dead people start being discovered. As impossible as it seems Mary Graeme and Dave Duggan become friends and Mary's dog disappears. Dave suspects he is on the mountain and might have ended up like Trixie. He offers to check it out. But there's something on that mountain and Dave and Mary, like any red blooded teenager have to find out what. So off they go. The pain returns, and they barely escape with their lives. Still Dave isn't satisfied and Mary knows her dog is up there, she's seen him. It doesn't take long to realize that Aliens are among them. And they are killing people. Somehow Dave has to stop them, he realizes he has survived the pain that the alien sends out, so he's elected to seek them out. During this time, he and Mary go skinny dipping. Dave's love interest peeks, but he's a perfect gentleman and Mary respects him no end for it. The Aliens leave gold treasures all around for Dave to collect the treasure. In return, Dave brings them books, in hopes they might learn to communicate. D.C. Donoghue doesn't know the meaning of dull. He also turns rights and wrongs into pure fantasy and interesting reading. Never in all my reviewing have I read a book so eager to break all the rules and yet so entertaining it enthralls you into forgiving him. This book is like none other. True, it has bits and pieces of books that have captured wide audiences, but twists and turns like you don't expect. How does ones describe a book that shocks and entices at the same time. Not for the faint at heart, this book is compelling because of it's offbeat nature. It goes where no man has gone. It makes you laugh, cry, feel. It defies nature. I kept telling myself I didn't like it, yet eagerly turned the page for more. Never have I read anything like this one, and I give it a five for originality.
|
 |
Angelfire Trilogy Book 1: Falling Star by Karen Wiesner (Contemporary Romance) Review: 5 Hearts and Sweetheart Award Nominee! "It has to be a lucky day -- I get to start a new trilogy by one of my favorite authors, Karen Wiesner! Before even starting, I expected to love this newest series because I look for anything with Wiesner's name on it. And I was definitely not disappointed. Karen Wiesner has done what she does best-write a heart-stopping book with a multi-dimensional plot. Her characters were so complex. There was a tremendous amount of information given which developed the series even more fully. I felt the story flowed and I, literally, had trouble putting the book down. True to her reputation, she delivered a vibrant storyline with breathtaking events. From the pulpit to the strip club, it was told in such a way to not offend. It did, however, present a beautiful love story. She always presented controversy with details. The flow of her book was even more compelling. I highly recommend this book. It's a great start to what promises to be a fabulous series. I cannot wait to read more!"
Review: 5 Stars! "Is this e-book a New York reject? Maybe, but not because FALLING STAR isn't damned good. No, it's more likely because the heroine is far from perfect. She could be any one of us, or someone we know and care about, and that hits too close to home to be the fantasy the marketing people in NY think we want to read. FALLING STAR was a very emotional, very real story. I understood what she felt, what she was going through, and hurt right along with her. If that's not the kind of story the marketing-gods-on-high think I want to read, then maybe they should switch to another product--like bubble bath. Buy FALLING STAR and be prepared to sit a spell; you won't be able to put it down."
Review: 5 Stars! "FALLING STAR had some of the most complex, wonderful characters I've ever met. The plot Karen Wiesner weaves is based on internal conflict of unrequited love in several forms, but I didn't find it tedious in the least. Personally, I like spice in my stories, but for a book with no actual culminated sex scenes in it, the sexual tension is very high. FALLING STAR isn't marketed as an inspirational and I suppose the language could be a bit strong for some that seek that genre. However, the themes of service to the ministry and a life devoted to the service of others are prevalent. All in all, FALLING STAR is so well done I can heartily recommend it to all."
Review: 5 Stars! "This is certainly a different type of hero and heroine! I wondered how the author could get together a preacher and a stripper. Well, she succeeded! Rori may have started off her life badly, but she became someone that I proudly cheered on to victory. Brava, Karen Wiesner!"
Review: 5 Stars! "Packs an emotional wallop! I've never seen a writer more adept at capturing the emotional complexities of the human experience. Her love stories are bold, fearless, and unforgettable. The world of women's fiction is a better place because Ms. Wiesner is in it. I loved FALLING STAR. You will, too ... so clear off some space on your keeper shelves."
Review: 4 1/2 Stars! "Though spicy, FALLING STAR is tastefully written and the Christianity real. The characters struggles offer hope to those of us who stumble along the path on life's journeys...an electronic gem!"
Review: 4 Stars! "FALLING STAR is a keeper for any bookshelf! I have to admit that I started this novel expecting to have a little trouble identifying with the heroine. She and I have nothing in common, and I thought that I might have to work at feeling involved in her story, but nothing was further from the truth. From the first page, I was interested and absorbed. I cared about the characters and I cried for them when their lives didn't go the way they should. I recommend this book to any lover of romance, and I won't hesitate to pick up the next Karen Wiesner book I find for sale."
Review: 4 Stars! "FALLING STAR is a wonderful contemporary romance that hooks the readers because of the delightfully humanistic lead female protagonist. Though Nate is a wonderful person and his daughter precocious, Rori owns the novel chapter, page, and word. Readers will admire her for she refuses to allow life's left hooks to keep her down on the canvas. Fans of a warm second chance at love tale starring people readers will cherish should read Karen Wiesner's beautiful book one of the Angelfire trilogy and obtain the other two novels, FIRST LOVE and FOREVER MAN, as soon as possible as this reviewer plans to do."
Review: Rating: 4 books A man of God, a fallen angel. Two different worlds, one undying love... For the first time in her life, Rori Mason is independent, supporting herself; she has friends who love her, and-most importantly-she respects herself. She's vowed never to allow a man to hurt her again. Nate Jovanovich broke the heart of a younger, less cynical Rori by marrying her rival. 11 years later, Nate has lost his wife, gained a child and, at the end of it all, realizes Rori is still the woman of his heart. If you enjoy good quality reading, with a great ending and wonderful characters this is a story for you. Aurora and Nathan are great characters that will pull you in and keep you page turning until you can't wait to pick the next book in this series. Aurora never had it easy in life. With a father that never showed her he loved her and a wild streak and mile wild she never expected to find that she lost her heart to the boy next door, who was in love with God as much as her. One night a kiss is shared and there is no going back. She gave her heart away and never got it back. When her love was taken away she ran, as far and as fast as she could from the truth, for eleven years she harbored uncertainty and doubt about Nathan. Nathan has loved Aurora all his life it seemed, but after a shared passionate kiss his all-consuming love for her scared him. He feared that if he stayed with her that he would lose everything and that he love of God would be tested because of her. So he married another, but he dreamed of Aurora and love her from afar for eleven years until his wife died. Meeting Aurora again brought back his love and he realized that he had given her his heart when they first met and that they were meant to be together. But after a life lived apart for so long, secrets and doubts threaten the tender love they share, and only time will tell if they can weather the storm to find that they were made to be together. Falling Star was something that hit me unexpectedly. This book was nothing that I was anticipating when I started reading, but the story drew me in and I couldn't stop until I knew how it ended. The characters were so well written that it was hard to not imagine this story being something that happened in real life that I was just watching as it unfolded. Karen Wiesner is definitely on my keeper list.
Review: 4 Stars! FALLING STAR, which is the first book in the author's Angelfire Trilogy, is a first-rate Christian romance. It is well written. Major and minor characters are believable, and the plot unfolds nicely with Nate and Rori keeping steamy, but chaste, relations until their marriage. This is a delightful read for Christian romance readers.
|
 |
Angelfire Trilogy Book 2: First Love by Karen Wiesner (Contemporary Romance) Review: 4 Stars! "Readers will not be disappointed by FIRST LOVE. The characters are endearing and Ms. Wiesner really gets into the thoughts of Jace and Darlene and what motivates them."
Review: "FIRST LOVE is the second book in the Angelfire Trilogy, and after reading the first book I couldn't wait to begin this one. I wasn't disappointed. Karen Wiesner has a way of bringing characters to life. With her evocative and to-the-point description, I instantly felt that I knew both Darlene and Jace personally, that I had seen them grow up and knew every step in their lives that brought them to the course of events in the story....on the first page I already had a sense of both Darlene's present and her past. The writing continues throughout the book in that same compelling style which kept me turning pages, only coming out of it to get a fresh can of soda now and then. Karen Wiesner has delivered yet another winner in FIRST LOVE!"
Review: "Author Karen Wiesner has an amazing list of books to her credit, and FIRST LOVE is no exception. Very enjoyable!"
Review: "Karen Wiesner has...created a wonderfully emotional romance. I had to keep reading to discover how Darlene and Jason could overcome their past and find a future together. A totally satisfying story."
Review: 5 Hearts and Sweetheart Award Nominee! "This book is another classic Karen Wiesner. She took some vaguely-connected people from the same hometown and expanded on the series in a fabulous continuation. You could read this book as a stand-alone, but why would you want to? These characters were impressively written. Their multi-faceted personalities gripped my interest and never lost their pull on my heartstrings. These two main characters were so believable. It was as if I was there watching the interactions in person. I didn't want to put the book down. This book had emotional consequences and just expanded my interest in Wiesner. She completes her books so well she is definitely on my "must-read" list. The secondary characters were introduced to the readers so that I wanted to know them even better. I couldn't help but love them. I highly recommend this book to everyone. The sensuality was slight and well-written. This book is complex and, in my opinion, one of her best. Kudos, Karen!"
Review: Score: 4.50 / 5 - Reviewer Top Pick Darlene Foxx is so lost right now, being pregnant and alone in New York City, that when a blast from the past comes through her front door she could weep with relief. But when Jason “Jace” Radcliffe comes back into her life her heartbreak is slowly trailing behind him. The scars from Darlene’s past keep making it almost impossible to believe that Jace is here for positive reasons, or that he loves her the way she has loved him since the first time they laid eyes on each other. Jace says he has changed and Darlene so desperately wants to believe him, will he stay this time or will he just follow the wind again when the restlessness sets in? With the baby coming fast, Darlene needs assurances that either Jace is in for the long haul or heading for the door, permanently. Can she listen to her heart this time? Jace was beyond shocked to find out Darlene was pregnant, but not for the best reasons. The fact that it is another man’s baby never even entered his thoughts, just the idea that she can finally open up to him and to his love for her. Jace has been in love with Darlene since they first met at a tender age of eight years old. Restlessness has never been an issue for him, but he could only give so much to Darlene without getting anything back until he had to leave to keep his sanity. With her defenses weak, will Darlene finally let him in, because all he needs is one word from her and he would be there forever with her. But how long is a man supposed to wait to hear the one thing he needs from the woman he loves, or are these two too damaged to make a true go of it? This is the second book in the Angelfire Trilogy Series, and after reading the first book this book was an amazing follow up to the first story. The first story was about Aurora Mason, Brett Foxx and Nathan Jovanovich. These characters are mentioned again in First Love, especially since Brett is Darlene’s older brother and Jace is Nathan’s brother in law. While both Darlene and Jace were mentioned in the first book this is the story that really lets them shine. Usually when it comes to trilogies the second book is just filler between the beginning and end stories, but that is definitely not the case here. This was a great story that was extremely enjoyable to read, the characters were very developed-almost seemed like people you would meet on the street-and the plot line was wonderful. This is a story that I will definitely read again and cannot wait to get to read the third and final book in this series. Anyone thinking of picking up this series should just not think about it and do it, you will not be disappointed!!
Review: 4 Stars!
This is a heartwarming story. Author Karen Wiesner does an excellent job of combining love and lust in this book without the need for scenes that are too graphic. She has a wonderful grasp of the emotions a woman feels about the man that she wants but is afraid she shouldn't have. The scenes were intimate in that the characters bared their souls and thoughts to one another. I really enjoyed this book. I don't read books in the Romance genre, but this book was a pleasant surprise and may interest me in pursuing other titles by this author.
|
 |
Angelfire Trilogy Book 3: Forever Man by Karen Wiesner (Contemporary Romance) Review: 5 Hearts and Sweetheart Award Nominee! "I started this book with unease. In the first place, I did not like the character of Brett Foxx [in previous books in the trilogy]. I couldn't imagine how Ms. Wiesner could capture my attention with a man who had caused such sorrow in the previous books. Wiesner did what she does best-captured my attention and forced me to allow her to captivate me. Brett Foxx had changed from the man we knew in the first two books. I only read a couple of pages before my ideas about reading this book changed. I couldn't put it down. The relationship of Savvy and Brett followed no set plan. Wiesner definitely does not write "cookie-cutter" stories. This book, I believe, was my favorite. It was intense, emotional, and beautifully written. These two characters are some of the best I've read. The secondary characters, as well as outside forces that created the storyline, were effective in telling this dynamic story. The characters were obviously directly opposite in lifestyle and income. They dressed differently, reacted to others differently and yet they managed to grip my heartstrings. The sexuality was emotionally gripping. I highly recommend this book, in addition to the others in this trilogy. You won't be sorry to have read this book as well as the others."
Review: 5 Stars!
FOREVER MAN, Book 3 of the Angelfire Trilogy by Karen Wiesner was wonderful. It is a pure love story containing sex without the details and characters you can't help but root for. They become entangled in each other's joy and pain and supply the needed support for each situation. We watch as this love blossoms and flourishes and cheer and cry with them during the good and bad. Karen Wiesner has a winner in FOREVER MAN. It is the kind of book you can't put down but hate when you come to the last page. If you enjoy a good love story without the smut, don't pass this one by.
|
 |
An Unconditional Love by Cassyashton Porter (Young Adult) Review: For Jami Caldwell, 13, trust is just as impossible as believing in unconditional love. Two years of hard knocks, losing her parents in a fire, losing touch with her much loved sister, losing out in one foster home after another, ill prepare her to face life with the Peterson's. For Lily and August Peterson, this sad situation has created a joyous chance to be with the niece they've always loved, and dearly missed, but even they must wonder if they are up to the challenge of raising such a scarred young woman. For Matilda, the Peterson's daughter, Jami is the friend, soul mate, and confidant she's always longed for, if Jami will only let her in. "Unconditional Love" by Cassyashton Porter took me on a personal roller coaster ride, challenging my own ability to trust, and love, when faced with one life challenge after another. I found myself scared, frustrated, and as angry as Jami, crying with her and laughing with her, as she faced all that life had to throw at her. When I finished the last page I felt proud to have known her, just as though she were real. Cassyashton Porter has created real people out of whole cloth, and done it very well. Her ability to show how a damaged child, and those who love her, would deal with the many faceted sides of trust, fear, acceptance, and love is extremely well done. I will definitely be looking for more of her work to add to my library!
Review: When Jami's parents died in the fire Jami and her younger sister Tami were left all alone. While Tami was adopted into a loving family Jami was shuffled from foster home to foster home, carrying a terrible secret of abuse with her. When Jami finally goes to live with her aunt and uncle she is afraid that they will eventually send her away too. Can Jami learn to love and trust again after all she has been through? Will she be able to find peace before it's her time to leave this world all too soon? This is a touching story about love and loss, caring and understanding. Just be sure to have plenty of tissues on hand!
Review: Rating: 5 stars Ms. Porter brings us a young adult that won't be forgotten, long after it's read. Beautifully written, this books stands out in my mind as one of the great young adults of it's time. Now, I'll tell you why! Jami Caldwell is going to another foster home, only this time it's the home of her parents twins. Yes, both her parents were twins that married twins. Unfortunately Jami's parents died in a fire, a little more than a year ago. Jamie and her sister Tami were separated when another couple wanted to adopt Tami. She was six, and Jami was already thirteen. First Jami is faced with look alike parents, Lily and August Peterson. She can't resist running into their arms, until she realizes they aren't her parents, only twins. They also have a daughter the same age, she used to play with, Matilda. Jami doesn't remember them, because her parents became estranged long ago from their family. Jami has migraines and has medicine she must take for them. Every time she's under too much stress the headaches come. With love and understanding Jami soon realizes that this family accepts her as their own and enroll her into school. Jami and Matilda get along great. But still Jami misses Tami. It's her greatest wish to have Tami with her. But the headaches don't go away, and after talking with her many times and earning her trust, Lily soon learns that Jami has been abused by other foster parents. After a doctor examines Jamie, they find out that it's because of this abuse that Jami is dying. She has a brain tumor. Even with this Jami learns to adjust, now if she can just see Tami again, she can over come anything. This book is about learning to overcome, about love of family, learning to trust, and about eternal love. I became engrossed in this book. It is a work of art for the right age children to read and understand. It deals with hard issues in life (death, abuse, and after life) and makes them better. It's thoroughly uplifting and encouraging. However, I feel this is the kind of book too that a parent should have their teenager read, then they should sit down with them and talk about it, because it is a moving story that will affect everyone. It touches light on many heavy issues that are part of real life and could be one of the most profound works your teenager reads. So I encourage all parents to present it to their teenagers, and then sit and talk about it. Unless you take the time to read it yourself, and talk with your teenager about it, the value could be too easily lost. Something like this should be shared with the entire family and talked about. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it certainly makes you feel! Bravo Ms. Porter, Bravo!
|
 |
A Muse of Fire by Sean O'Brien (Science Fiction) Review: An amazing story by a phenomenal writer.
|
 |
Angels' Watch Book 1: Chimes of Light by J.M. Dubry (Science Fiction) Review: 4.5 stars * * * * 1/2 Do you like a challenge? Ev, a railroad engineer had to face a major challenge when he was involved with events so strange that he to suspend his belief in what he had grown to accept as normal and face a new reality. It wasn't every day that his engine spoke to him. It grew even weirder when it spoke back and he got into a conversation with an alien entity called Jenine, who had been trapped inside the GP-40 class locomotive for two years. Ev had never heard of the Silicrys, and he doubted his sanity as Jenine started to talk about Siivahnurah. He became even more frighten when the entity gave him a taste of some of the powers he would be able to yield if he combined with her in the Fate of Change metamorphous. While Ev is facing this momentous decision, we learn that other Silicrys are also at the rail yard and establishing links with other locomotive engineers. Why have so many of these strange alien creatures congregated in the same rail yard, and what has drawn them to Earth? We know that the Silicrys consume electromagnetic energy to survive and that they can live for around 500 earth years, but what has drawn them to this isolated spot? We also meet Aronda, a crewman who is not a Silicrys, but an alien who has been born on Earth to alien parents. As the story unwinds, we learn of the powers that the Silicrys give to their human hosts, and we see that there are certain problems associated with adjusting to these paranormal abilities. Will the human hosts adjust? More to the point, are the Silicrys on Earth to benefit humanity, or to threaten it? I know the answers, because I have made the journey through Chimes of Light, which is the first book of the Angels' Watch: Tales of the Kiiyahkihn series. I know, but I'm not going to tell you anything other than it was a fascinating journey that challenge my perceptions of reality as much as it made Ev stop and think when he came across a Silicrys for the first time. Juanita M Dubry has woven a story filled with more than enough action to satisfy fans who want their stories ripping along at a great pace, but she has also put in twists and turns for fans who like to feel challenged. If you want to know exactly what is going to happen around the next corner before you get to it, you will be disappointed because that doesn't happen often in Chimes of Light. The obvious is often not as obvious as it seems, and that is the mark of a good story. I like the writing style, which is relaxed and flows effortlessly from scene to scene and doesn't distract the reader from the unfolding plot. As an example, check out this extract when Rev makes contact with Jenine for the first time: "For a moment, Ev was strangely at one with the locomotive. He felt a sense of rightness of belonging that he had never before experienced. It was oddly exhilarating, easily changing how he felt, altering his mood. He smiled, gaining a certain perverse pleasure out of the sensation. If only you could talk to me. That would be something... The engineer was totally unprepared for what he then heard, in his mind. "I can--if you wish me to." The reply was like glass chimes with a soft feminine voice. Ev jerked his hands off the controls as if he had been burned. The hair on the nape of his neck stood on end. Suddenly his heart was loud in his ears, mimicking the pounding rhythm of the locomotive beneath his feet. The itch became an ache as his mind whirled. Oh my God...I'm not hearing this. I'm imagining that the engine is talking back to me. I've finally gone 'over the edge... Ev thought, his mind spinning. "I AM speaking to you, but I am not exactly an engine, either." Ev closed his eyes trying to deny what he undeniably 'heard.' NO! This is impossible! This CAN'T happen! I'm losing my mind... The ethereal voice in his mind, sighed. "All things are possible. Why do you feel that hearing my voice is impossible? I am here, and you invited me to speak..." The engineer tried desperately to ignore her voice, but her words refused to go away. As the train moved north-northwest through Christie Station on its way to Beloit, Wisconsin, Everett Rykoff came to the conclusion that the trip was no longer routine. The phrase, 'be careful what you ask for, you might get it' crossed his mind, as he pondered the situation. What have I done?" I would have no qualms in recommending this novel to all readers, not restricting it to followers of sci-fi/fantasy. It is a good story, well written, and with a creative plot. Strongly recommended.
Review: 4 Thumbs Up = Excellent, Don't Miss I must admit the premise behind this book is a very interesting concept. It has definitely kept me turning pages to see how this fascinating book ends. Ev Rykoff is getting disillusioned with his job as one of the youngest engineers in the train yard. One day his mind wanders and he wonders in his mind what the engine would be thinking if it were alive. Suddenly a voice answers him telepathically. This starts a very incredible adventure with a being named Jehnaa'ehn who is a silicrys or one of the 'Star People'. She has been trapped in the engine of the train and has bonded with Ev to complete the siivahnurah. Ev doesn't understand all this and resists her with all his being. This makes him miserable. Then he finds out that there are other silicrys who are completing the siivahnurah with other people. Finally he breaks down and decides to complete the ritual with Jehnaa'ehn. What does this mean and how will it affect the people and the silicrys? I very much enjoyed this quite different book and look forward to reading more about the silicrys.
|
 |
A Ring Realms Novel: War of the Genemar Series Book 1: Child of Ascendants by Will Greenway (Fantasy and Science Fiction) Review: Rating: 5 Stars A great read that captured me from the first. It has action and adventure and was a superb read.
|
 |
A Safe and Welcome Nest Review: 4 stars Wonderful story about mature adults finding love. Burns, Oregon, isn't a big place, but it's too full of people for Jake Borglund. Jake's chosen profession as an ornithologist had led him to spend most of his adult life away from people and cities - in the Arctic, in Newfoundland, on the Texas Gulf Coast - wherever there were birds to be studied. Now in his late forties, Jake is about to give small-town living a try, in order to get custody of his nine-year-old son, Matthew. Delilah Grey is a Burns native, a woman who's raised her two daughters alone and become a highly respected member of the community in the process. She's also a member of the Harney County Riders, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts. She and Jake are immediately attracted to each other when they meet at adjoining campsites in the rough but beautiful desert outside Burns. They've both been burned in love and life, so their progress toward friendship and love is slow, often stopping short and reversing briefly before inevitably moving forward. The reader shares each step of their journey with them, hoping for their success, but understanding the real difficulties keeping them apart. So often, books assume that love alone is enough to overcome any problem. Real life typically also demands insight and the willingness to change. In A SAFE AND WELCOME NEST, Jake uses all of these in the struggle to become someone who can truly love others and let them into his life. Ms. Glad has written a tender and moving story about mature adults learning from the past and discovering the full beauty of love. It's a keeper!
Review: 3 1/2 stars! An ornithologist, Jake Borglund studied birds and their behavior, but he never felt this sense of safety in his life. Camping near Burns, Oregon, he divided this thoughts between research and family. Soon custody of his son Matthew would begin, and he needed to provide a home. The noise of the motorcycles converged on his external peace and added to his internal turmoil. Delilah Grey, enveloped in leathers, dismounted to make camp near the inhospitable Jake. Delilah "needed time to examine her life and clarify her vision of the future." An immediate sexual attraction occurred between Jake and Delilah, but their inner demons- fear, loneliness, and isolation-caused hot and cold emotions. She liked strays. He exuded pain. Jake left camp to begin research. His van broke down deep in the Alvord Dessert, and Delilah rescued him. What starts out as a stereotypical canned romance, talking hormones and curves, eventually develops into a tale of two adults with different personalities trying to seek a common ground. Delilah offered more than room and board for Jake and his son, but Jake's wall might be more than she could endure.
Review: Blue Ribbon Rating 4 Jake was a loner, he was used to solitude. In fact, he liked it better that way. After eight months in the Arctic, he wasn't exactly thrilled to be back among people. However, the judge said he had to provide a stable home in order for Matthew to live with him. The judge felt that Jake had neglected his son. He did not want to place Matthew with him; however, Matthew was not adjusting to living with his mother so the judge was giving Jake one more chance to make things right. Jake was spending a few days camping before he started his new job and set out to make a home for his son. It was quiet, he was alone, he was in his element. That is, until he heard the sounds of a motorcycle. Delilah was on the camping trip with the motorcycle club. She didn't intend to accompany them for the rest of the road trip, but this was how she was starting off her vacation. Delilah had many things to think about, many decisions to make. With her last daughter leaving home for college, loneliness was all around her. She was currently experiencing what is known as "Empty Nest Syndrome". She could admit that the thought of being alone, with no one to love or to love her for the next 20 or 30 years, frightened her. When Jake and Delilah see one another across the campgrounds, awareness is instantaneous. Delilah experiences a feeling of awakening from a long nap. She can't remember the last time she desired a man, can't remember the last time she tossed and turned all night because her body was inflamed by another. Jake is irritated that Delilah has intruded on his solitude, but he wants her just the same. Delilah offers Jake the deal of a lifetime. He can move into her house with his son. Delilah was thinking of taking in boarders. It wouldn't hurt to have a man she desired under her roof. Jake thought that, given his current situation, this was the perfect place to start. Jake keeps waiting for the other shoe to drop. He can't trust that Delilah is sincere in offering her home to him. That's just the type of person she is; someone is in need and if she can help, she will. In no time at all, Jake is in Delilah's bed. It is the only time when there is no tension between them or arguments. Jake knows he has to put Matthew first. He can't imagine why he gets jealous at his son's closeness to Delilah. Delilah is only trying to make Jake comfortable in her world; people, love, familiarity are what she needs, but those very things are driving Jake away. Delilah wants Jake's love, for he already has hers. Jake wants Delilah, but not on terms she can accept for he also wants his solitude. How will these two lovers ever find the balance to be together? A SAFE AND WELCOME NEST is a realistic story of two very different people struggling to find common ground. Jake's unusual childhood leaves him unable to trust and take pleasure in those around him. He likes being alone; he is comfortable being alone. He is at constant war with himself over his feelings for Delilah. Delilah understands Jake, or so she thinks. She sees the pain in his eyes and wants to make it better. JUDITH B. GLAD does a brilliant job of conveying the thoughts and emotions of her characters. She brings them to life in such a way that readers are swept up in into their story. Fantastic, incredible story!!!
|
