Gaywyck: A Novel by Vincent Virga

September 10, 2014 By Leave a Comment

WYCK
Gaywyck: A Novel by Vincent Virga
Publisher: Alyson Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (356 pgs)
Other: M/M
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

There are some times when cheap levitra things do not really present a life-long cure to the problem. Excessive thirst accompanied with frequent urination is another signal for this disease. levitra on line The problem of male impotence is a levitra 10 mg big time peace of mind. There are standard treatments for male impotence (inability deeprootsmag.org order cialis online of getting or keeping erection) with implants, vacuum pumps, surgery, and medicines like Kamagra Soft Tablets that inhibit PDE5 enzymes. Gaywyck, the first gay gothic romance, treads firmly in beloved territory, both honoring it and reinventing it. Classic in style, Vincent Virga creates a world as authentic as anything penned by DuMaurier, retaining the creaking ancestral mansion and mysterious and brooding master of the manor, while replacing the traditional damsel in distress with the young and handsome Robert Whyte.

When Robert Whyte’s mother goes mad, suffering from severe depression, he and his father are at a loss. Having spent his life as a sickly, reclusive individual, Robert finds himself needing work. Unwilling to follow the path that his father had envisioned for him, Robert instead goes in a different direction, one of which will change the entire direction of his life.

Robert Whyte arrives at Gaywyck an innocent, sheltered young man. He soon discovers that no matter how well-read you are, there are some things a book can never prepare you for. Love is one of them. Although a bit naïve, he’s curious and intelligent, and eager to make friends and live a life outside of his father’s home. By the end of the novel, he’s not even close to the man he was when it began, giving him more character growth than any character I’ve ever read.

Donough Gaylord, on the other hand, has seen more in his young life than most see by the end of theirs. At first, his penchant for keeping his distance from everyone but his closest companions seems simple. He’s lost loved ones and fears being hurt again, right? But the more you read, the more you find out just how disturbing and upsetting his childhood was. The further you delve into Donough’s past, the more twisted the story becomes. Where Robert is pure and innocent, Donough is blackened, which is probably why they work so well together in the end. They find a balance between the two extremes.

As much as I enjoy Gothic novels, I’ve not read many Gothic romances. Gaywyck has changed that and for the better. Gorgeously written, the storyline twists and turns and surprises you at the end of every hallway. Some things were obvious, at least to me, while others took me wholly by surprise. When everything comes together in the end, I stared rather wide-eyed at my Kindle, trying to take it all in. Sad and sweet and endearingly romantic, Gaywyck will forever stay with me.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Savage Journey by Jessica Leigh

September 9, 2014 By 6 Comments

JOURNEY
Savage Journey by Jessica Leigh
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (284 pgs)
Heat: Hot
Rated 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

There is no way out for 12- year old Nicholas Belline. Caught stealing on the shores of Montreal, the orphan is forced into a debt of servitude for his crimes, and is sent down the mighty St. Lawrence River with a troop of the hardest and deadliest men known in the New World. They are French-Canadian Voyageurs of the wilds.

On the very same night, a White Medicine Woman gives birth to twins in the midst of a storm-laden Lenni Lenape village. Katari of the Minsi, borne to Jenna and Running Wolf, is soon to be a force of nature herself. Spirited, intelligent, and intent on experiencing life to the fullest, she embarks upon the journey of a lifetime into an unknown multi-cultural city on the burgeoning East Coast of the New World.

Their paths are destined to intertwine. When a terrible accident befalls Katari on the eve of a historic English invasion, Nicholas is the man who saves her. What happens next is a series of dazzling events that fulfill Katari’s every hope for a life of adventure…and love.

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Aptly named, Savage Journey follows the life struggles of a small group set in the mid 1600s on the American continent.

This drama is a serious novel of life; there’s romance there, of course, but also a certain grim hardiness, an admirable determination that runs not only through the novel, but through the best of the characters as well.

Characters in this epic story are both good and bad, and those that sit somewhere in the middle. We find ourselves in the midst of the “Wolf Clan” of Lenni Lenape people. There are those of mixed races among them, and also, they welcome furtrappers and other visitors. Their lives are busy and eventful – and their culture here is presented in a very straightforward yet interesting way.

We recognize the thoughtful wisdom of the sachem, the kindness of some of the village women, as well as the different motives, lives and loves, of different tribe members. The same could be said of the visitors – from the good hearted young Nicholas, once forced to steal to eat, to the brutality of others.

Katari, woman born to the Wolf Clan, and Nicholas have spirits that soar – yet they are in some way worlds apart. Ms. Leigh does a magnificent job setting the stage for their meeting–as well as letting us understand with eyes that seem to look on these Native traditions as if one of them–the many cultural things, from misunderstandings to agreements, that stand between them. Yet, readers will find that they cling to hope.

Nicholas is steadily revealed as a decent guy at heart and will capture readers’ hearts more and more. Katari is a survivor – and is, in a curious way, perhaps on the most immense journey of all. There are wonderful, touching moments, even after moments of terror and fear. This reader found it an absolute page-turner, with not one word wasted.

Perhaps, in such an epic, it is impossible to completely miss the odd stereotypical character or the occasional predictable thread of plot. Still, there is more than enough of the unexpected drama to keep readers guessing, and a few humorous moments too. Do read Jessica Leigh’s Savage Journey.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Heinous by Debra Webb

September 9, 2014 By 3 Comments

HEINOUS
Heinous by Debra Webb
Publisher: Pink House Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (300 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

The body count is rising. The serial killer obsessed with Birmingham’s Deputy Chief Jess Harris is getting closer, and he knows Jess’s secret. Can she protect the child she carries and the people she loves from Eric Spears and his followers?
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The body farm discovered in a small Alabama town has many buried secrets. Is the truth about Jess’s past buried there too? Will learning what really happened to her mother and father help Jess stop the killer determined to have her?

Serial killer Eric Spears is closing in on Jess Harris and her posse of detectives. Women are still missing and time is running out. But Jess’ life isn’t nearly that simple, she has more on her plate than just finding The Player before he kills again. Someone is trying to frame Chief of Police, Dan Burnett and the mystery surrounding the death of Jess’ parents is slowly coming together, a piece at a time. Deputy Chief Harris doesn’t know which way to turn and if she’s not careful, it could be her ultimate undoing.

With each and every installment in this series, Jess and Dan grow closer together. No matter what kind of atrocity is happening around them, their love and devotion to one another remains steadfast. Even with the accusations of Dan being a dirty cop don’t tarnish Jess’ love for him. I’m very happy to see that they aren’t constantly at odds with one another any longer, although in the beginning it was understandable. They’ve morphed into a real couple at this point, and although they still disagree, it isn’t with the headstrong, I’m-right-and-you’re-wrong attitude that colored many of their early confrontations.

The author supplies us with fascinating side characters as well, each with their own intriguing story. I’ve enjoyed learning about Jess’ sister, Chet and Lori, and all the rest. To further add to the suspense of the novel, there is one member of Jess’ team that I don’t quite trust. I’ll be interested to see if he’s on the up and up or not.

I have been in love with this series from the very first book, Obsession. Ms. Webb has an amazing knack for weaving an intense, intriguing backstory throughout a series while also giving secondary storylines that wrap up in one novel. This, in addition to the myriad characters, is what keeps me coming back time and time again to this series. It doesn’t hurt any that each novel ends in a cliffhanger either. I think I’ll be a little heartbroken when this ends.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Richard Berkeley’s Bride by Cate Parke

September 9, 2014 By Leave a Comment

BRIDE
Richard Berkeley’s Bride by Cate Parke
Dreams of Oakhurst, Book One
Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (279 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Will his ambitions and her fears imperil their future?

In Charlestowne, South Carolina Colony, 1769, a ship docks containing a treasure beyond most men’s dreams—Lord Edward’s lovely daughter, Alexandra—destined for one fortunate man, Richard Berkeley.

Although he’s the scion of a wealthy prominent family, the arranged marriage unlocks the door to far greater wealth and power than Richard ever hoped to achieve. He soon learns his lordship’s offer to instate him as his sole heir isn’t the only treasure worth risking his life for. Alexandra is the true prize.
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Intrigued by the proud, wealthy beauty soon to become his wife, Richard sets aside his mistress. But Eliza Perrineau had long schemed to become Richard’s fiancée and is furious when he cast her off. Her plans for revenge quickly swell wildly and threaten to destroy Richard. Her cousin, Lord Thomas Graham plans to ensure his untimely demise and has him charged with her murder. Unless Richard can prove his innocence fast, he’ll swing for a crime he didn’t commit.
Alexandra has her own secrets—including deep-seated fears that imperil their chance for happiness. But Richard discovers Alexandra’s love is a prize worth protecting—if only he can help her overcome her fears and past struggles to create a marriage truly worthy of their love.

Can Alexandra spend a lifetime with a man she’s only known for two weeks?

Alexandra’s situation is definitely difficult. Not only is she abruptly called back to the colonies, but she learns she is to marry a man she knows nothing about. Even worse, she barely has any time to get to know him. Her trepidation at the thought of marrying a complete stranger is completely understandable, and I truly felt sorry for her. Fortunately, Richard is a kind and intelligent man. The chemistry between Richard and Alexandra is palpable from the moment they meet, but is chemistry enough to build a successful and happy marriage?

Alexandra is an interesting woman. She is smart, beautiful, and very well educated. Alexandra is very charming, and almost everyone seems to admire her. I found it interesting that Alexandra could be so outspoken about some of her more unconventional beliefs to those in her social circle. However, she was unable to express even her simplest feelings to Richard. Granted, they had a short time to get to know each other before they were married, but he is very gentle with her and gives her many opportunities to speak her mind.

Alexandra is the chief obstacle to her own unhappiness. At first, Richard gave Alexandra ample opportunities to express her thoughts and feelings to him, but she failed time after time to take advantage of these chances. Instead, she kept everything inside and insisted to everyone else that she was fine. Then she was surprised when Richard didn’t understand why she was unhappy. Alexandra is surrounded by people who love and respect her, and yet because she refuses to open herself up, she always feels alone. Richard is certainly not innocent of causing difficulties in their marriage. He treats Alexandra like a child many times, which only serves to push her away. It was very difficult for me to watch such a promising relationship slowly deteriorate. At times, I truly doubted whether or not Richard and Alexandra would be able to repair the damage they’d done.

After reading the blurb for Richard Berkeley’s Bride, I expected the situation concerning Richard being accused of murder to be a fairly large part of the plot. However, that situation was resolved so quickly that I feel the blurb is misleading. The blurb indicates that there will be some suspense regarding Richard’s attempt to prove his innocence, but this is not the case at all. Richard handles the accusations very well, and Lord Graham is nothing more than a minor annoyance who is almost comical in his attempts to disrupt Richard’s life.

Despite this issue, I enjoyed reading Richard Berkeley’s Bride. Richard and Alexandra make a great couple once they finally take the time to get to know each other. Their happy ending is certainly well deserved. Fans of historical romance might want to give this tale a try.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Farmer Wants a Wife by Shelley Munro

September 9, 2014 By Leave a Comment

WIFE
Farmer Wants a Wife by Shelley Munro
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (165 pgs)
Other: M/F, Masturbation
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

The rules of the game are simple: the man pursues until the woman catches.

Love and Friendship, Book 3

Think finding the perfect lover is difficult? Ask Susan Webb—she knows it is. Lonely, tired of dull routine and dud men who only think with their lower brains, she takes a calculated risk to shake up her lackluster life.

Now she’s set to take part in a reality dating show. Her objective: to find a good, honest man who’s up for enjoying lots of sexy fun on the road to love. Failure is not an option.

One look at his older brother’s Farmer Wants a Wife candidate, and Tyler Penrith is intrigued. Prim and proper on the surface, she has a secret smile in her eyes and an exotic dancer sway to her step. And calamity follows her around like a tame dragon.

Susan might be in his brother’s age group, but Tyler’s not about to let Nolan waltz off with the first woman to snare his attention in ages.
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As the show’s ratings go through the roof, Susan finds herself falling for the wrong man—and her simple plan for happiness on the brink of falling apart.

Ms. Munro did the unexpected. I assumed I knew who the story was going to be about but I was wrong. I’m still amazed at the book’s turn but it’s perfect in so many ways.

The premise uses a popular television format to showcase the development of the plot conflict. Reality T.V. shows seem to be all the rage these days and it comes as no surprise that they’d be used to introduce men and women to each other. But what if the person introduced isn’t the one getting the girl or guy but someone in the background? How would that come about? And how would that affect the show?

Good questions, all. I was perfectly ready to accept Nolan as the hero of the story. He seemed ideal – a smug man who enjoyed naughty teasing but who needed to be taken down a peg. That’s my initial impression. What I got was a whole other man with a lot of unexpected baggage that was none of his doing. His problem was that he didn’t fight it hard enough. But, after a certain revelation, he stepped up to the plate in one arena, and in another I believe the author set the hook for her next book. And if so, I’ll read it, if only to see a certain someone get the stick out of her bum. Man, what a witch!

The bridge between the two men is Susan, the heroine. She is looking for love in the right wrong place. Or is it the wrong right place? Honest, that makes a lot more sense after reading the book. Susan is a pleasant surprise. She stands up for herself, even when it hurts. And yes, there is a good solid internal conflict to deal with and it works.

The second man is Tyler. My first impression of him was a scrawny shadow of Nolan. I was happily wrong on that count too. He turns out to be a man who knows his own mind, has learned from his mistakes and is willing to do the right thing for the love of his life even though it causes him pain. His strength of character is impressive. For readers who enjoy the steamier side of romance with the bedroom door flung open wide and the roof ripped off so you get a full view, Farmer Wants a Wife provides further proof that Tyler knows how to make a woman moan, sigh and blast off to the stars, even over the phone.

The scene with Mr. Blue caused quite a bit of mirth. I never knew about the history so Susan’s dialogue at that juncture was delightfully full of spit and vinegar. I enjoyed it when she removed her inner filter and let things fly.

External conflict, being videotaped notwithstanding, comes from another female. She was such a prune and I don’t care how a child came to be in this world, no one should take it out on an innocent kid. So as far as I’m concerned, she’s the villain of the piece.

The relationship between Tyler and Susan was pleasant to watch grow as they navigate falling in love while trying to avoid being caught on camera. The resolving of a few road blocks to complete the happy ever after came across as too perfect, too easy and too fairy tale ending-ish. Even saying that doesn’t detract from the beauty and fun that is at the heart of this novel; it’s still a fun book.

Farmer Wants a Wife is an entertaining, sexy romance and an easy read. This might be the third book in the series but it’s a solid standalone. I say this with assurance because I have not read books one and two. There is no shortage of fun, great dialogue and interesting encounters in this tale. If a reader is tired of books with heavy and dark drama, this novel is a real pick-me-up and is totally delightful. Ms. Munro always delivers great romance.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Eden’s Present by Adam Carpenter

September 9, 2014 By Leave a Comment

PRESENT
Eden’s Present by Adam Carpenter
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (172 pages)
Other: M/M, Multiple Partners, Anal Play, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Chad Singleton discovered a shocking truth at the conclusion of Eden’s Past, and now the revelation threatens to undo everything he’s achieved since he returned to his hometown of Eden. His job with rival relatives at Harte Industries, his relationship with his feisty grandmother, and most of all, his steamy, no-holds-barred love affair with the local chief of police, burly Brett Ellers.

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In Eden, even the wealthy—especially the wealthy—have secrets.

As the mystery surrounding his father’s death only deepens, Chad finds himself without an anchor. Trying to focus on his work at Harte Industries, he throws himself into it and into a relationship with William Kelton, a stranger passing through town with a mission of his own. Will Chad be able to discover what happened to his dad? And will he ever be able to grasp his heart’s desire?

Chad is a little all over the place in this second installment in the Eden series, but with good cause. Everything he thought he knew is being thrown into chaos. More secrets are revealed and even more are hinted at, giving him much to speculate on. More of his true self shows and he continues to grow and become more of a real person than he was at the start of the first book.

William Kelton, better known as Kelt, takes front stage in this novel, edging the attractive police chief off to the side. Passing through town in an effort to find out how his ex-lover, Ken, died. I like Kelt, his dedication to his ex-lover, although they’d been apart for quite some time, is sweet. Also, I think there’s more to him than we know so far and I wonder if he’ll make an appearance in the next installment.

Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, Eden’s Present ends on one heck of a cliffhanger, stopping right after a major revelation. I was rather stunned by this revelation, thinking it would be one thing when it wound up being something else completely. Needless to say, I’m anxiously awaiting the next novel in this series! The author has a real talent for building suspense right up to the very last word. The Eden series only gets better and more tangled as we move forward. I wonder what the author has in store for us next? Hopefully some answers to the questions that have been brewing since book one!

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt

September 8, 2014 By Leave a Comment

MIDNIGHT
Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (261 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

WHEN A MASKED MAN . . .

Twenty years ago Maximus Batten witnessed the brutal murders of his parents. Now the autocratic Duke of Wakefield, he spends his days ruling Parliament. But by night, disguised as the Ghost of St. Giles, he prowls the grim alleys of St. Giles, ever on the hunt for the murderer. One night he finds a fiery woman who meets him toe-to-toe—and won’t back down . . .

MEETS HIS MATCH . . .

Artemis Greaves toils as a lady’s companion, but hiding beneath the plain brown serge of her dress is the heart of a huntress. When the Ghost of St. Giles rescues her from footpads, she recognizes a kindred spirit-and is intrigued. She’s even more intrigued when she realizes who exactly the notorious Ghost is by day . . .

DESIRE IGNITES A DANGEROUS PASSION
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Artemis makes a bold move: she demands that Maximus use his influence to free her imprisoned brother-or she will expose him as the Ghost. But blackmailing a powerful duke isn’t without risks. Now that she has the tiger by the tail, can she withstand his ire-or the temptation of his embrace?

The Duke of Midnight certainly starts off with a clever and unusual twist with me never suspecting that I was actually watching the future hero and heroine meet. It was adventurous, slightly out of the ordinary and it immediately showcased that the heroine isn’t fresh from the school room and the hero has a dark secret. The start of the novel is promising and I’m happy to say it carries forth for the rest of the book.

I liked the dynamics between Artemis and Maximus, the Duke of Wakefield. I enjoyed their banter, their slow and unusual courtship and how they eventually came to grips with their feelings for each other. She was first to admit it, he was last. Figures. Her realization that she loves the hero is a bittersweet thing and it prompts her to make some hard and emotional choices. Artemis’ decision isn’t a grand gesture but it’s heartfelt and a reader sees that clearly. Maximus on the other hand, and being a man, needs a rather dramatic and suspenseful act to get him to take that final step to let go of the past and grab for his future. The sort of droll, matter-of-fact dialogue that occurs between some secondary characters after the action had me laughing. It was just so … conversational and understated, I giggled.

I guess this is a long series in the making, the sixth book I believe. I have not read any of the previous books so I can guarantee this is a solid standalone read. I’m tickled because not only does it raise my curiosity of what came before, but there is already a hook for the next book. I may not have read the books in the past, but I sure am interested in following it into the future. Any hero named Apollo has got to be fascinating – must have something to do with adoring Apollo from the original Battlestar Galactica – they all seem to have hero complexes.

The dogs were a cute touch and I enjoyed the roles they played. Basically, animals are a good judge of character so it was telling. I liked some of the secondary characters that supported Artemis. Frankly, I didn’t expect her to have that much support so it made me feel good to see it.

When Artemis and Maximus succumb to their physical passion, it’s steamy writing but the characters’ emotions are never far away. I can see that the author used their sexy encounters to further their romance and attraction, and the fact that it’s done so well is a plus.

The villain was a scoundrel but not a lot of attention was paid to his badness. I know what he did in the past was horrible, and what he currently did in the story was equally noxious, but the descriptions or actions never were delved in deep enough to send shivers up my spine, or gasp in horror or genuinely feel like he was a real threat. He was more a pompous toad with a criminal bent. There were some distractions and misleading clues so the mystery that haunted Maximus took a while to unravel but I never felt the ‘evil’ of the villain so his finally being revealed and addressed drew from me a tepid response at best.

Oh, and Penelope annoyed me. How anyone can look upon that ditherhead and feel fondness I will never know. For me she was the equivalent of a Regency Valley Girl with less to talk about. Ugh. She made Artemis look like a cerebral giant.

On the whole, The Duke of Midnight is a crowd pleaser. It’s not overly dark but has enough suspense and drama to keep the pages turning. Maximus and Artemis have wonderful chemistry that insured I enjoyed reading their story. There were enough wonderful secondary characters to make their world a fascinating place to visit and an as yet unsolved mystery that makes me want to read more. I liked the pace of the novel, the dialogue and the plot momentum. If you have a few hours straight to just sit back and read, The Duke of Midnight is a wonderful choice to spend time with. It’s very entertaining.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Last Generation by Ben Robertson

September 8, 2014 By 2 Comments

LAST
The Last Generation by Ben Robertson
Publisher: Menadena Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Action/Adventure
Length: Full Length (368 pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

There is no death, only a change of worlds.

The Last Generation is the story of Bridget, a half-Norse, half-Inuit girl growing up in Greenland around 1500. For 500 years, Bridget’s Viking ancestors lived in Greenland but now that is about to change as the Norse people disappear from Greenland. Bridget holds the key to the survival of her father’s people, but no one will listen to a girl, much less a girl whose mother was a Skraeling. Thus begins Bridget’s adventure in the age of discovery at the edge of the new world.

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Learning about sixteenth century Norse culture from Bridget’s perspective was fascinating. I knew almost nothing about this chapter in history before reading The Last Generation, so I was glad to find such detailed descriptions of their homes, clothing, religion, and customs. Certain words weren’t translated into English immediately. I enjoyed figuring out their meanings based on context clues because it required me to pay close attention to the text and immerse myself in Bridget’s culture.

The plot regularly spent too much time focusing on what was going on in Bridget’s mind. I would have preferred to know more about what was happening around her during the most exciting moments of this adventure instead. Bridget encounters a lot of things that most girls from her culture never have the chance to experience due to the strict rules they have about gender roles. The moments when the plot wiggles free from Bridget’s ruminations to gives glimpses of how her friends and family members saw certain events were some of my favorite scenes in this tale.

There is a strong and diverse supporting cast in this novel. Bridget visits so many different places that it’s difficult to talk about them without giving away spoilers, but I was pleased with how much time was spent describing the various settings and secondary characters. I had such clear images of them in my mind that at times it was almost as if I were watching a movie instead of reading a story.

It was tricky to figure out the best age recommendation for this book. Bridget is seventeen when the action begins, but girls in her culture seem to grow up more slowly than they do in our time in certain ways. Her interests and thought patterns reminded me of how people a few years younger than her tend to behave. I’m not entirely sure if this is the age range the author was thinking of while he was writing, but the plot is appropriate for younger teens.

I’d recommend The Last Generation to young adult and adult readers alike. This is the kind of adventure that can appeal to a wide audience, and it is something I’ll be suggesting to friends who don’t normally read this genre.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Clan of the Cats by Robert Adams

September 5, 2014 By Leave a Comment

CATS
The Clan of the Cats by Robert Adams
Publisher: Mundania Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (152 pgs)
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Battle to the Death!

When Milo Morai, the Undying High Lord, and his Horseclans warriors found the tower ruins, they welcomed it as the perfect citadel from which to hold off the packs of ravenous wolves eager for their blood.

But the ancient building hid a secret far more dangerous than either wolves or any human foe, for in its depths waited The Hunter–the penultimate product of genetic experimentation gone wild, one of the few descendants of a powerful breed that had long outlasted its human creators.
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The Hunter–who, with fang, claw, and blood-chilling speed–would challenge the Undying Lord himself to a battle to the death.

She’s injured but she has cubs and must find them food. She’s not at all pleased when she finds her prey and is ready for the kill and hunters take them down. All she can do now is steal one…

Robert Adams has written a huge series of books called The Horseclans Series. There are eighteen books in the series. This is the second one I’ve reviewed.

The world as we know it no longer exists. Bombs, guns, diseases and starvation have eliminated much of the population. Now small settlements exist here and there. Many of them steal from each other: food, horses, and women. After all, you can’t have too much inbreeding or that will make their group die out, too. Another danger is the animals. Scientists were experimenting with breeding trying to bring back the animals that had gone extinct. They were better able to survive in this world. They didn’t like people, though, because the prey animals were few and they both liked to eat them.

Mr. Adams sets up a believable world in a desolated place. He adds a man who doesn’t die (he heals all his own wounds with no help) to help lead these people into the new future and stay alive. When the cat kills him to get the deer, he comes back to life. He also wants to find the cat, but not to kill it. To study it and see how many there are. Getting caught in the forest by wolves wasn’t on the list.

This volume was more about the scientists of the past and their plans than it was about the animals and the people in the present. I find the imaginary world much more fascinating than the folks in the past. The big cat, resembling a sabre tooth tiger, has to let the man help her heal. Eventually she begins to trust him because he can mind speak with the cats. When other cats locate them, she and her son are willing to die to protect him. There should be more to this story; the cats deserve their own book.

If you want a peek at what your future could be like if it turns dystopian, Mr. Adams is the man for you. Each book can stand alone and together they show you a wide look at a future world. Let your imagination go wild!

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

Crossfire by Andrea Domanski

September 4, 2014 By Leave a Comment

FIRE
Crossfire by Andrea Domanski
The Omega Group Series Book One
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, YA
Length: Full Length (265 Pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

Birthdays suck!

For her eighteenth, Mirissa Colson receives a package from the mother who abandoned her over a decade ago. The family secret it reveals transforms her life from trying on prom dresses to battling an ancient race of demons. Thanks, Mom.

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When she’s called on to save the world—literally—Mirissa finds she has a lot more in her arsenal than just a mean roundhouse kick. Burgeoning powers she previously thought impossible, like controlling the elements and sensory expansion, give her some confidence. But when she is propelled into a world teeming with preternatural beings—all with powers of their own—she finds herself outmatched and outgunned.

CROSSFIRE is a coming of age tale that bridges the gap between the world we think we know, and the one that lies just beneath the surface.

Mirissa Colson has been raised, from the time she was seven, by her father. She has always thought that her mother abandoned them both. But when she reaches eighteen, she learns the real truth, her family’s secret, and that secret reveals an entire world that she never knew existed. She learns about the Greek gods, demi-gods, and preternatural beings, both good and evil. And she learns that she has extraordinary powers meant to help her fulfill a prophecy, that she must save the world.

Crossfire is a thriller, with non-stop action. Mirissa is kidnapped and has to escape. Then she undergoes training and there are mock battles. And there are enough real battles to fill several lifetimes. Each battle is described in complete detail, blow by blow, and I have to admit, I grew tired of all the very detailed descriptions. I know nothing about martial arts, so the dynamics of the fights didn’t really draw me in. I would have liked to have seen more character development, and more details about the relationships Mirissa forms.

Nevertheless, the plot is well-crafted and I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire novel, reading it in one sitting. It is a coming of age story and a dramatic one at that. Mirissa has to absorb a great deal of information in a short amount of time and she ends up having to figure a lot of things out for herself, in the heat of battle. She is fighting not only for her own life, but for the lives of her father and friends as well, and the tension builds all the way through the novel to a heart-stopping conclusion.

I also liked the mythological aspect of this story and I felt that the history of the ancient world was well-researched. Discovering how Artemis and other deities have lived over the years until the present was fun. Discovering how the ancient gods are still operating in our world was intriguing.

Fantasy readers are sure to enjoy this exciting story, and I look forward to the next in this thrilling series.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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