Return to Exile by Lynne Gentry

A year in exile has been hard on Cyprian Thascius. Before his exile he was a man of firm faith and belief  so firm he willingly offered his life for his faith, but since returning his faith is unsure. He left behind a wife Lisbeth, a woman who had fallen into his life from far in the future, but upon his return she was gone, returned to her own time.  Cyprian with the help of his late friends dear wife he tries to rally the believers in this trouble time. A few months later his wife comes home to save him and prevent an epidemic, bringing with her their daughter, Maggie. However in the time Lisbeth was gone and his exile lifted Cyprian has married another and she carries his child. Will fate allow these star crossed lovers to be together, or will all end in tragedy?

I liked and didn't like the characters.Cyprian because he terribly failed at the two wives thing. He blatantly ignored Lisbeth most of the time, when by all laws she was his true wife. Ruth was Cyprian's second wife and Lisbeth's closest friend, the fact he was barely home from exile and she married him right a way was a sucky move, but was also a major plot device. The other characters I mostly like some I wish I knew more about, but I'd probably learn quite a bit from reading the first book.

I really loved the time travel aspect of this story. How it is all tied to one point, one cave, one source of water. Also how time passes differently, what was a year and a half in third century Carthage, was almost 6 years in the 21st century. It allowed for Maggie to be born and to be old enough to have a personality, mind and fears of her own. It was slightly weird however when it came to Cyprian meeting his daughter, he could have been a little more shocked at the fact that she was 5 rather than slightly over a year as she would have been if born and raised in Carthage.

All in all I liked this book and the series shows some definite promise. This is the second novel in The Carthage Chronicles however you get enough back story as to not be confused.

I received this book compliments of NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

She's Gotta Be Mine by Jennifer Skully

When something crazy what do you do? Change your hair, attitude, wardrobe, maybe even your name? That's Roberta, now Bobbie's, response for her husband, Warren, leaves her for his high school sweetheart. She creates a whole new her and moves to Cottonmouth where her ex-husband and his lover live. This couldn't possibly go wrong now could it? Well things are actually a bit more complicated then she originally thought. Cookie, Warrens lover, hasn't asked her husband for a divorce yet, oh and there's a serial killer who lives across the street from her.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked how it switched perspectives, how you get an idea of the whole story not just one persons side. You get to she Bobbies, Nick (the serial killer), Warren, and a few others.

There is murder and intrigue, and a steamy romance. Something for everyone really.

The two characters I didn't like where Warren because he's a spineless twit, and Cookie because she's a manipulative bitch, but she's an antagonist so you're supposed to hate her. Warren on the other hand is just a pathetic little worm.

Unilateral by Chris Katsaropoulos

In a war each person feels insignificant. The people that walk around everyday afraid they'll have a bomb dropped on them. Or the people who drop the bombs, that are able to kill without thinking, without risk to themselves. What if one person would decide not to drop the bomb, to take the unilateral approach?

This was an extremely short, yet powerful book. Set in the middle east a place surrounded by unrest. In Amel's world there is the end of a cease fire, terror. But in Ra'anan's world his head is in the clouds, with his viper and his payload. The two never meet, but they share a connection.

Can one person's decision actually lead to change? I don't know, but it's worth it to try.

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

Interview With Stacey R. Campbell

I can't tell you guys how excited I am to bring you this interview with Stacey. She has been an absolute dream to work with, and I couldn't have found a better author to do my first interview with. So without further ado her it is:

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and how you became an author?

I did not become a writer until I turned 40. That’s not to say I didn’t want to be a writer though. I have a learning disability called dyslexia and from a very early age, my teacher told me that I could never be a writer. This was crushing. I had stories playing out in my head that needed to get out, but I believed what I was told and was afraid to try. Finally, after having kids of my own I found that I could not look at them and tell them they could be whatever they wanted to be when they grew up if I did not do the same. So I sat down at the computer, turned on spell check and started to write.

Whisper is the second book in your Lakeview Novels, was Whisper your original title or did it change as the book progressed?

I am lucky to be signed with a smaller publishing house that allows me to be involved with the development of my books. Did you know that most authors don’t get the final say in what the title is? They don’t even get the last say in what their covers look like. I did luckily. In fact, before I even finished Hush, book one, the titles for all four books in the series Hush, Whisper, Scream, & Silence were approved.

Did you have trouble switching from the perspectives of your original protagonists from Hush to your new protagonists in Whisper? And did you have a favorite person to write from the perspective of? 

The Lakeview series, Hush Whisper Scream, & Silence are very easy for me to write, the first drafts of each taking just under 6 months to produce. The only reason they are easy though is because they are loosely based on my three daughters and the actual boarding school they attend, Shawnigan Lake School. Check out their website, you’ll laugh. In fact in each book I use our daughter’s names as the leads, with their permission of course.

Each character is the combination of about five people and I write in depth profiles on who I want each character to be before I even start writing an outline. I have the forms I use on my website under the  “on Writing” tab so people can get an idea of the process. www.staceyrcampbell.com.

That being said however, I guess theirs; Blakely, Leigh & Halle are the perspectives I like writing the best because I feel closer to them even though they are away at school. Blakely is now away at college, so who knows, I might have to write my next series on a University campus.

I know this is a pretty cliche question but did you have a favorite character? If so who and why?

That is a hard question for me to answer. Right now I am in the middle of outlining book four. My favorite character in the series is North, but he doesn’t play a big roll in Whisper. For Whisper it might have been Calum. I like his journey from jerk to good guy. I also really like Elsie. She’s the first ghost I’ve written and it was really fun to write her into scenes.

You have another book in the works for the Lakeview Novels can you tell me anything about it?

I am super excited about this next book, Scream. Unlike the other books this one starts out with a romance and then tells the story of a friendship. I also dive into the power of rumors and how awful hearsay is. It’s a lot of action, more so then the other two books. I’m hoping it will keep the reader up well into the night because they can’t put it down until they’ve finished the whole story. Scream is at the editors now but look for it in March 2015.



I cannot thank Stacey enough for this opportunity to do this interview with her. She was absolutely incredible throughout the entire process. I highly recommend checking her out.

Here's a link to my review of Whisper. You should read that then get both of the books that are out so far, and join me in impatiently waiting for Scream.

Here are some links to check out Stacey, so click them.
Check out her website: www.staceyrcampbell.com to keep updated on her new works.
She's on Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorstaceyrcampbell
She is also on Twitter: @staceyrcampbell

The Murder of Adam and Eve by William Dietrich

What would you do if you were thrown back in time to prehistoric Africa? That's what happens to Nick and Ellie but if that wasn't bad enough they've been told to save or condemn Adam and Eve, and with them all of humanity. No pressure right?

I really enjoyed this book, it was fast paced and gives you an idea of how people survived so long ago. It gives you an idea of how they hunted and how they lived. How they courted, and what we've evolved from so long ago.

 A part that I found very interesting was how they used articles from someone who is only referenced a few times, to give you sort of an idea that time flows linear-ish after you go through the warp hole. It doesn't give you a true timeline but you get an idea.

I really liked Nick as the protagonist. He grew accustomed to his new surroundings, not fearing change he might inadvertently bring, but also only causing change in order to achieve his goal of protecting Adam and Eve. Ellie makes a great counter point causing him to think over every decision that he makes.

The ending was extremely well done. It will lend itself well to a sequel if one's in the works, or it is a good stand alone ending. No cliffhanger, everything tied up, but the potential to continue on.

I recived this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my review which I freely and honestly give.

Embryo by J.A. Schneider

When two extremely rare chromosomal abnormalities cause two infants and one mother to die, both with in hours, Jill Raney begins to get suspicions. However she's only a first year resident and no one believes the two could possibly be related. So she starts an investigation, shaking up the hospital and what she finds is worse then she'd feared.

This book was an intense read, probably more so because my cousin just had a baby girl, and this book tells in pretty explicit detail some of the worst case scenarios for a pregnancy. So if your pregnant or know someone that's pregnant and are prone to panic and worry DON'T READ THIS BOOK. Wait until the baby is born you'll stress less.

Along with an intense thriller the book also has a semi believable romance. Personally I think it's too quick and doesn't have a lot of time to develop. But that's just my opinion.

Even though this book is rich in medical jargon it is pretty well explained so everyone can understand it.

I really enjoyed this book overall, and might have to look into the rest of the series.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons by Akira Himiekawa

Based on the game made for the Gameboy Color you follow a young incarnation of Link as he does his best to rescue the Oracle of Seasons. Our young hero is not alone however he has his friends Ricky, Piyoko and the witch Mable by his side to help him defeat Onox, the general of darkness.

This was one of those books that I never really planned on reading, I just kind of picked up and decided why not. Of course it helps that my boyfriend is a Zelda fanatic and had it, but I'm definitely glad that I picked it up.

One of my favorite things about the manga is that instead of being the everyman Link has a personality. Something that most games shy away from unless they're a JRPG, for a good reason everyone can relate to an everyman character too much of a personality and you limit your audience.

My favorite character would have to be Piyoko, the adorable little chick. He's sweet and knowledgeable, and helps Link realize his potential.

I really enjoyed this book and I will have to kidnap the other books in the series from James.

The Dark Prayer by Natasha Mostert

What are we if not a collection of memories and emotions? Well except for Eloise Blake, she is living in a Fugue state, where her memories of her past and who she is are just...gone. Enter Jack, the son of Jenilee's(Eloise) godfathers old friend. He is asked to get her to help remember who she is with one minor complication, she doesn't want to.

I loved this book. The entire concept of what was done to Jenilee when she was a young girl is fascinating and disturbing that something like that could potentially be done to a young child.

The concept of a Fugue state is incredible to me, how a simple stressor can cause you to forget everything and become someone completely different. It's very uncommon and generally doesn't last very long, but it's very intriguing and just a tiny bit terrifying.

I like that you got to learn about who Jenilee was and who Eloise made her self into. The dichotomy of who they are, the uncertainty of what would happen with her relationship with Jungles and Jack if she were to slip out of her fugue state, and what would happen if she remembered what sent her into the fugue state in the first place.

Mnemosyne, each of their individual approaches to memory, and what they were willing to do in order to advance their discoveries was intense to say they least. They were so dedicated, but succumbed to greed and the cost.... well you'll just have to read and find out for yourself now won't you?

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review, which I freely and honestly give.

The Genome by Sergei Lukyanenko

Alex Romanov is a master-pilot recently released from the hospital. Upon his release he stumbled into helping a young girl through her metamorphosis, a painful and dangerous process, where her altered genes come to the forefront making her the special she was always meant to be. A special being a person who was altered as an embryo to be part of a specific profession. Alex determined to help the young special and to do so he accepts the role of captain of the Mirror, he gets to choose his own crew, the pay is really good, the only catch is he has no idea of what type of missions he'll be running. Sounds too good to be true, and you know what? It is.

This book was pretty incredible. It raises some questions as to what is a human and at what point should the line be drawn when it comes to modifications. From the lead in the bodies of engineers, to pilots inability to feel romantic love, each special is different and customized based on their parents wishes.

The characters that we get the chance to meet are diverse and amazing. The specialties that they have are varied so each person has quirks based on the specialty or specialties that they possess.

Not only are the human specials fascinating there are also different humanoid species. Between the different humanoid species there are complex inter-species relationships. This universe was masterfully created. There are a few things that are slightly odd to me, as in why a parent would consent to make their child a geisha-spesh (seduction specialist), or a couple of the other specialist types mentioned.

This book contains some graphic content so if that isn't your thing this book might not be for you.

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my review which I freely and honestly give.

The Billionaire Borrows a Bride by Myrna MacKenzie

Spencer has spent most of his life trying to avoid the "Fairchild Curse" that is falling in love with his soul mate. His grandmother though is a believer and a very strong proponent of love, and that is what inspires Spencer to take Kate Ryerson to his grandmothers birthday celebration. Seeing as Kate is a woman who doesn't believe in dreaming they should be safe from falling in love, right?

This was a really sweet book. The love story is gradual based on an encounter when Spencer and Kate were children and who they've grown up to be. Although my favorite characters weren't the protagonists they were sweet little Toby (Kate's son) and Loretta (Spencer's Grandmother). They provide the main motivation between the couple coming together and are very well developed side characters.

The only downfall of this book comes in the epilogue. Where you see the tail end of a resolution without having a clue how it came about.

Other then that minor flaw this was a short sweet read that I highly recommend. 

Forever Dreams by Leeanna Morgan

When a chance to find her father and to be a cowgirl comes up what other choice does Gracie have but to take it? Gracie comes to visit Montana when she's offered the opportunity to work on a ranch and help teach kids her class had been corresponding with all year. Here she meets Trent McKenzie the time hardened divorcee who just might have a soft spot for a certain fiery red head.

I really liked this story. A short cute love story. The characters are easy to connect to, they are humorous and well written. The love story is believable and well paced. All in all a charming little story to read.

The Whispers by Lisa Unger

Eloise had the perfectly normal live; loving husband, two beautiful if rebellious teenage daughters, everything she ever wanted until her worst nightmare came true. After a tragic accident and the loss of part of her family something strange starts to happen to Eloise.

This was a really good novella, short and sweet. With the fantasy elements being really subtle and not ridiculously out there but still giving the tantalizing view of the paranormal. I also enjoyed the really realistic portrayal of loss. How people cope in different ways, at different speeds, and how one event can cause two people to react in completely different way.

All in all a must read, I can't wait to see where the series goes from here.

I received this book compliments of NetGalley in exchange for my review which I freely and honestly give.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

In England there is a small town called Wall, that was named for the wall that bordered it to the east. This wall is carefully guarded every day of the year except for one day and night every nine years when the Faerie Market takes place. Tristan Thorn however goes across in pursuit of a star, not just any star the most recently fallen star. To find the star and bring it back to win the hand of Victoria Forester. However he's not the only one looking for the star.

Loved, loved, loved this book. I had watched the movie and fallen in love with it. And this book, although quite different from the movie, was just as good.

It's a dark fairy tale, twisted with a bit of gore. Showing you that not all fairy tales are filled with happiness and light. That they can be dark and everything still can turn out alright.

Eyewitness to Murder

Joe Bernardi has worked in Hollywood for a long time so when a movie remake of the TV show "Marty" he's skeptical. However when Bunny, his one that got away, is in New York desperate for help where "Marty" is being filmed he jumps at the chance to be near her. What he doesn't count on is her witnessing a murder and getting entangled in the investigation. Will he be able to find the murderer before the murderer finds Bunny? 

I really liked this book. It doesn't seem like part of a series, I'm sure there are references that I missed, but it stands alone extremely well. The characters develop well over the book and there doesn't seem to  

The mystery twists and turns from start to beginning. It also intertwines some pretty heavy issues, namely alcoholism, both Bunny and Joe's first wife are alcoholics. From AA meetings to the pressure of not having even one drink for fear of spiraling.

One thing that I really loved was that every loose end was tied up, with the murder, with Bunny and even with Marty. You get a conclusion to everything, you even get  a little bit of history about "Marty", seeing as it was a real movie in the 50's.

I received this book in exchange from NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

Upcoming Event!

Hey everyone I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm going to be hosting an interview with Stacey Campbell! She is the author of Whisper a book that I received from NetGalley. I'm very excited to be able to share this with you, and will give you more details as soon as I can.

Death of a Spy by Dan Mayland

Mark Sava is an ex CIA operative who's finally got a semi normal life. A beautiful wife, precious newborn daughter, and a thriving new spy-for-hire operation. However when one of his agents, Larry Bowman, dies of a heart attack while on an assignment, Mark chooses to go claim his body from a hotel in Tbilisi. While at the hotel he finds a self portrait from a woman in his past, spurring him into investigating further. Now everything has pretty much gone to hell. Will he be able to figure out what happened to his friend and be able to deal with the demons from his past?

This book shows you the full life of a spy. It's not the glamorous James Bond of a spy, but the real slower paced sneaking around. Not to say this book didn't get exciting, but that wasn't until most of the way through the book.

The main thing that got me about this book is that I didn't really understand a lot of the politics mentioned in the story. Granted that it could be that I live smack dab in the middle of the US and that's not something I hear about on a regular basis. However Dan did a really good job of describing the relations between the countries so that by the end I had a decent idea of what was going on.

All in all this was a pretty good book. I had a bit of a hard time getting into it but after I did I enjoyed it very much.

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my review which I freely and honestly give.

The Empath by Erica Crouch

Odessa is a seventeen year-old girl who has been forced into the life of being a charlatan by her mother, who is devoid of any real power. Odessa having a strong moral compass tries to convince her mother that shamming people is a bad idea only gets punished if she does to much to go against her. However after her mother is rendered disabled in a seance gone so very wrong, she is the one to run the show, reading tarot and palms to keep them fed. But when someone wants her to hold another seance, to open the door one more time, will she be strong enough to face it?

I really liked this book. It might help that I have a minor fascination with the Tarot, and the occult to be honest. And this book handles these ancient practices perfectly. From sage to ward away evil spirits, to the descriptions of her tarot and palm readings. Erica really nailed it.

The characters are also extremely well developed. From the antagonist Madame Elena, and the sweet strength that is Odessa, to the sweet charming nature of Benjamin. She weaves them throughout the story to keep you attached, or to further the story.

All in all this book was wonderfully done and I look forward to reading more of the series.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review which I freely and honestly give.

Midnight Watch by M.J. Lowell

 A very skilled thief has his eye on extreme prize. The Empress of Midnight, the Faberge egg designed in honor of Halley's Comet, that is in the possession of Dimitri Petrovich, a man with questionable. All that's standing in the way of the prize is investigator Cassiopeia Reynolds and Agent Parker from Interpol, and a state of the art security system. Will the exploits of Dimitri and his porn-star mistress distract them? Or will they get too wrapped up in each other?

This is the brand new novella by M.J. Lowell, the author of Reckless Games and it defiantly doesn't disappoint. There is suspense, and intrigue, and lots of steamy moments that keep you hooked. The characters are fantastic, the descriptions are tres manifique.

 This book contains scenes that are of an adult nature so if you aren't into that I'd avoid this book. If not it's pretty much amazing.

This novella gives you a tantalizing hook into a brand new series, one that I can't wait to get a hold of.

Pretty Little Liars by Sarah Shepard

A group of five friends bound by a terrible secret, but when the keeper of the groups secrets, Allison, disappears the group falls apart. Three years later four of them reunite. Now some one is telling all of their secrets. Their lives could be ruined if anyone finds out the secret that bound them together originally. The only question is who could this person, this -A person.

This book was free on Amazon the other day and since I really like the series on ABC Family. This book didn't disappoint it about covers the first episode and there are some differences but none too insane. A couple of the main characters have siblings that don't exist in the book series, along with a few other minor differences.

The book switches between the perspectives of the four main characters; Spencer, the perfect one, Hanna, the preppy, Aria, the rebel and Emily, the sporty one. Each of them of have secrets to hide, along with ones that they share.

This is a good book series, for young adults.

Whisper by Stacey R. Campbell

A boarding school haunted by the ghost of the founders daughter, Elsie Stewart. Who died with a terrible secret, now one hundred years later, it's time for the secret to be revealed. Halle finds her journal while helping clean out the attic of the administration building. This reveals that there is a treasure hidden somewhere on campus. She enlists the help of her big sisters friend Leigh, Leigh's roommate and her boyfriend, and Elsie's distant retaliative Callum. Callum and Leigh have a past, but that doesn't stop sparks flying every time they're near each other. Will they be able to find the treasure before the end of school? And will Leigh and Callum manage not to kill each other? All this and more await you within the pages of this book.

This book has everything, mystery, intrigue, romance, and suspense. The point of view switches between Halle, Leigh, and Callum. The main perspective however is Leigh's as you read more from her than from anywhere else.

I really loved the setting of Lakeview Academy. It's described as a vast campus, with several dorms, several sports fields, it seems amazing. I always wished I could go to a boarding school, but since that never happened I just live vicariously through books like this.

Whisper is the second book in the Lakeview series, but this book is perfectly capable of standing on its own. There is a few references to the previous book, but nothing that will make you completely lost and confused if you don't read the first book.

If you have a chance to read this book I highly recommend it, for myself I'm going to have to obtain the first book.

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

Bond & Benevolence: Good Samaritan by J.C. Johnston

All Ophelia ever wanted was to play an instrument, then one magical day she revives a violin in exchange for a promise she will take good care of it and learn to play.  Her first lessons come from Samantha, the same girl who gave her the violin. Seeing as Sam's father is a bit... over protective, he escorts her to the lessons. While there he starts to open up to Gail (Ophelia's mother) something he hasn't done since Sam's mother died. Time goes on and the parents fall in love, and everything seems perfect, but looks aren't what they seem. When some problems from Sam's fathers past come into the present thing will never be the same.

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and I truly enjoyed the character of Sam. How she turns from a good spirited young girl, to a woman changed by tragedy, betrayal, and the loss of all of her mother figures.

This book is told from Ophelia's perspective, but she isn't the main focus, it's Sam. The changes she goes through the decisions she makes, focused on her. You do see hints of Ophelia but not as much as you'd expect from a story written in first person. It threw me a little bit at first but I grew to like it.

Another thing that I enjoyed was the starkness of the differences between Ophelia and Sam's background. Sam grew up in one of the richest communities, where as Ophelia grew up in the Bronx. The writer seemed perfectly at ease with both settings.

I am so happy I got a chance to read this book. It's one of those that show the best and the worst of humanity side by side. Where the evil may seem insurmountable but the good slowly chips away at it little by little. It helped restore my faith in humanity a little bit.

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my review which I freely and honestly give.

Mindspeak by Heather Sunseri

Lexi Mathews attends a high school for the uber wealthy. Where privacy and protection are par for the course. Everyone at this school has secrets, Lexi's just happen to be a tiny bit more dangerous, seeing as her father is a researcher in the realm of genetics. Some of his work has questionable ethics, so at school no one knows that Lexi is related to him. That is until she meets new student Jack DeWeese. His father had worked with hers on some projects with sketchy moral grounds. That's not all, Jack and Lexi both have abilities that they have no idea where they come from. When Lexi starts getting threatening emails she has to decide to either face her problems, or run away and hide.

This was a pretty decent book. It was a bit of a let down due to the fact that it had all this lead up about "The Program" and you never really get any information about them. And that sucks because it would make the book so much better.

Don't get me wrong the book had a lot of very strong points. Such as Lexi and Jack's abilities. Those abilities grow and kind of change throughout the story. Which I really enjoyed.

Lexi and Jack are also very interesting characters and well developed. The side characters are also very well developed. I enjoyed that the villain of the story wasn't an obvious choice. I don't know about you but I adore when that is the case. If I can guess it within the first few chapters then the entire story is a bit of a let down.

I'm probably not going to read book two, because the series didn't capture my attention enough. It's a decent read but not one that I'd read over and over again.