The First Time by Various Authors

March 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The First Time by Cyn Balog, Lauren Bjorkman, Leigh Brescia, Jennifer Brown, Kirstin Cronn-Mills, Janet Gurtler, Teri Hall, Cheryl Renee Herbsman, Stacey Jay, Heidi R Kling, C. Lee McKenzie, Saundra Mitchell, Jenny Moss, Jackson Pearce, Shani Petroff, Carrie Ryan, Sydney Salter, Kurtis Scaletta, Jon Skovron, Kristina Springer, Rhonda Stapleton, Charity Tahmaseb, Jessica Verday, J.A. Yang, and Lara Zielin
Publisher: Jessica Verday, Kindle Edition
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (560 pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Honeysuckle

You never forget your first…

In THE FIRST TIME, 25 young adult authors contribute 25 stories all about firsts: first loves, first kisses, first zombie slayings, and more. Featuring New York Times bestselling authors Carrie Ryan and Jessica Verday, plus a host of others. From humor to horror, and everything in between, these stories will make you laugh, cry, cheer, (and maybe even scream) as you experience something brand new from the authors that you love.

What do a zombie apocalypse, a cart princess and a goldfish have in common? They are three of the twenty-five themes represented in this intensely compelling anthology that delves into the experiences of The First Time.

There’s something here to satisfy almost anyone’s preference when these twenty-five super talented young adult writers collaborated on this seductive literary work. I say seductive because once you start reading you won’t want to put it down. The stories draw you in and bring your emotions to the forefront wither you’re laughing, cringing, crying or cheering. Some of the stories end on happy notes, others leave the reader suspended on a cliff hanger, still others give hope for the future and two or three simply end. It’s almost as if the writers gave us an extended story prompt with expectations we’ll finish the story our way. It’s both exciting and frustrating.

In particular, siblings Danny and Julie’s story left me in tears of the “what’s next?” in Carrie Ryan’s A Game of Firsts. As did Hope’s story in Sweet Truth by Stacey Jay. I NEED to know how the author envisioned these stories continuing and more importantly, how they end.

There are several funny stories where I was laughing out loud at the antics and the dialogue of the characters. Kristina Springer’s Cart Princess is a humorous take on a young girl’s first job working in a grocery store. Who ever imagined there was a dating hierarchy in the convenience shopping arena? Certainly not Veronica. You’ll love how she manages to break the ice with the hot produce guy.

In Romeo and What’s Her Name by Shani Petroff we meet Emily who agrees to be the understudy to the lead in her best friend’s play. Why not? Understudies almost never have to perform, right? Wrong! I could totally relate to Emily’s predicament which made the story all the more hilarious.

What if you were the only non-super born into a family of superheros? Jane knows first hand how it feels but don’t count her out…someone has to be the bait to draw out the baddies. Once Burned, Twice Shy by Jessica Verday is a very funny novella with a sweet romance in the end.

Next, step out of your comfort zone with Rhonda Stapleton’s Heart On. Matt’s first date with Jessica doesn’t go quite the way he imagined but the future is looking pretty bright.

If you tend to lean towards the young adult books that are sweet with happy endings you might enjoy Green Glass Reflection by Cheryl Renee Herbsman, Selling Mr. Peanut by Lara Zielin, Turn Here by Jackson Pearce, Evan and Penny by Jenny Moss or Against the World by Jennifer Brown. Each story is unique as it is sweet.

As a daughter and a mother I could empathize with the generation gap between Alex and her mom in Turn Here. In this story they take an impromptu road trip across Georgia when Alex comes upon a pre-programed GPS meant for someone else. Their story proves it’s both the journey as well as the destination that matters. For this mother/daughter duo the roads they travel emotionally are more important than the ones lead by the GPS.

Evan and Penny was another of this group where I had no trouble connecting with the heroine. Penny is average. Actually, her word is “mediocre”. Really, she’s simply normal in a family where you’re not celebrated unless you do something to stand out. I liked that Penny met someone like Evan and was given a fun day. No judging. No pressure. By treating for these online cialis purchase sensitivities, and any emotions (fear, frustration, anger, stress etc.) the patient starts to see an improvement in bowel health. There are industry advisers that say companies levitra buy are worried that their study results are going to be really crucial. Thus, the impotent men are able to cute-n-tiny.com generic viagra sildenafil hold on strong erection for long time during the sexual activity.The problem of women incapability can be due to hormonal deficiency, disorders of the neural system, lack of adequate penile blood supply or psychological problems. We repudiate unwavering quality of tadalafil tablets 20mg this data and mix-ups it could contain. A very sweet beginning.

I was inspired to consider possibilities and other points of view in The First Goldfish of McKinley High by Sydney Salter, The First Time I Got Stranded in the Really Big Empty by Kirstin Cronn-Mills, Two of a Kind by Janet Gurtler, When Skies are Gray by Leigh Brescia, The Trouble With Firsts by Charity Tahmaseb, Azalea by Kurtis Scaletta, Kissing The Dog-Faced Boy by Saudra Mitchell, Freedom by Cyn Balog and Perfect Firsts by J.A. Yang. There are few cliffhangers among this set and several surprises.

Two of a Kind and The Trouble with Firsts were two of my favorites. Ms Gurtler does an amazing job of painting her hero, anti-hero really, Fab, as a jaded drug using son of a famous rocker. He’s seventeen and pretty much on his own. Fab has lived so hard and seen so much in his young life he’s forgotten what it feels like to be innocent…until he met Molly. The premise is clever and the ending…hopeful.

In The Trouble with Firsts by Charity Tahmaseb, friends Mattie and Ian learn a timely lesson about realizing the value of loving what’s right in front of you rather than what you think you might want. Ms. Tahmaseb is a terrific writing voice that truly brought this story to life. There is some pretty funny dialogue in this one that kept it from being overly serious. Considering the tension surrounding stories that come just before and just after, it was refreshing.

There are several paranormal and/or futuristic stories included in this book including Looking Through One Eye by Jon Skovron, Premeditated Cat by C. Lee McKenzie, The Corridor by Teri Hall, Fly to Me by Heidi Kling and The Shark King by Lauren Bjorkman. I saved these for last because I think these may have been my favorite genre explored within the anthology. It’s hard to say which one or ones I liked best because they’re all so different and entertaining. I will say I would love to read an extended version of The Shark King and The Corridor. So many unanswered questions and so much room to expand on these stories.

Fly to Me both stole my breath and left me with hope for the future. Told in first person it begins in a turbulent future set in Paris, France. The young people of the world are being taken and transformed against their will. Though a few seem to welcome the change when it comes other less fortunate few do not accept the change well and become hideous hybrids; not man and not quite beast. I cried for much of the beginning and breathed a sigh of hopeful relief when the story came to a close. I won’t say it’s a happily-ever-after but it’s the best these characters can hope for. It was enough.

You might think with twenty-five different authors there might be one or more stories that weren’t up to par with the others. That wasn’t my experience at all with The First Time. These talented and creative storytellers cover a wide variety of genres and writing styles and yet they complement one another. If the anthology had been structured to only include contemporaries or only comedies it wouldn’t have been the same emotional ride for the readers. If you try to read this whole book in one sitting it will certainly feel like you’ve been on a roller coaster. For that reason, I would suggest reading two or three stories at a time. Simply enjoy the beauty and creativity of each writer’s voice and the direction they take on the “First Time” theme. I for one have added a boat load of new writers to my TBR list to check out. Pick up your copy today and be prepared to take one more amazing adventure after another.

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The Trouble with Nightingale by Amaleen Ison

March 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Trouble with Nightingale by Amaleen Ison
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (38 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Eighteen-year-old Millie Scrubbings must decide if she can stomach her responsibilities as Hell’s new Gatekeeper, or risk the denizens of Hell defiling her home turf.

When eighteen year old Millie Scrubbings moves to new digs on East London’s Nightingale Estate, she believes she’s finally closed the door on a childhood dictated by strangers. But overnight, her peaceful high-rise turns bonkers, and a series of grisly murders leaves Millie frightened and more helpless than ever.

Millie must accept her lead role in rescuing Nightingale from its descent into anarchy, or risk all Hell breaking loose.

Millie knows something funny is going on in the building she lives in. They keep finding tenants murdered…

Ms. Ison does an excellent job of creating a fast-paced amusing fantasy tale filled with danger. It stars a clueless young woman who is supposed to be the new gatekeeper. Once I sat down and started reading this story, I didn’t get back up again until I finished it. Ms. Ison grabs your attention on the first page and keeps the story moving along at a good pace until the end.

Millie’s parents have died and she moved through various foster homes until she became emancipated. This apartment house was part of her dreams of having her own place, but she didn’t expect it to be a dangerous place to live. After all her bad luck in her earlier life, it’s easy to empathize with Millie and hope she can learn what she needs to know fast enough to stay alive. This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to Sildenafil Citrate Heart conditions such as, angina, an irregular heartbeat, chest pain or any other related problem Sickle cell anemia or leukemia Certain deformities to the penis such as Peyronie’s Disease Retinitis buying levitra online Pigmentose, which is an inherited eye condition Common Side Effects Some of the side effects are persisting for a longer time then you should consult the. To http://robertrobb.com/wanted-a-better-way-to-select-presidential-nominees/ purchase tadalafil india treat acidity, it is important to avoid foods that can trigger joint pain and worsen symptoms. It levitra online australia can help you have an erection when physically stimulation occurs. But, Lawax and Vital M-40 capsules are the two of the best herbal supplements available in the online market. viagra india

My favorite character is Millie’s familiar. He’s a handsome hunk in her presence but transforms into a pet when other people are around. You’ll never guess what he transforms into. Trust me, you won’t. I laughed when I found out… it’s so fun!

The Trouble with Nightingale is written for young adults, but this adult-reader really enjoyed it as well. No character is overdone. Millie acts like everyone else. The few powers she discovers actually help round out her character and give her the ability to fight back against demons.

Why not join Millie in her quest to save her apartment house (and maybe the world) from demon danger? You’ll find yourself rooting for the familiar, even if he’s not what you’d call a dangerous animal. I know I did.

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You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

March 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (284 pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Sunflower

Kayla McHenry’s sweet sixteen sucks! Her dad left, her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy Kayla’s secretly loved for years. Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually came true. Because they never freakin’ do.

Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year’s supply of gumballs arrives. A boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of the same name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla’s wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride . . . but they MUST STOP. Because when she was fifteen? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her. And Ben is her best friend’s boyfriend.

Sweet sixteenth birthdays are supposed to be special, memorable. Most girls start daydreaming about their sixteenth birthday long before they even become a teen. Do you remember your sixteenth? Didn’t you want all of your wishes to come true? To have just a few magical moments before reality hits and everything is normal again? Sure, who doesn’t, right? The heroine in You Wish is turning sixteen, and let me tell you, her wishes don’t go quite as planned.

For Kayla McHenry, high school isn’t all that great. She’s beginning to have a a sarcastic and cynical attitude towards life. She doesn’t try hard to fit in and be popular, in fact, she snubs the popular crowd. fast generic cialis Individuals with CKD are at extremely high cardiovascular risk. Best treatment for erectile deficiency: When you come to know prolonged erection problem, your first step can be related to cheap viagra price a search of effective and reliable treatment. The human structure is naturally healthy viagra sales australia and to procreate. Stress causes a person to face erectile dysfunction and erectile viagra without prescription usa dysfunction are the common but unfortunate health condition which generally be there result of consumption of some of the drugs. I felt a lot of Kayla’s pain. High school can be tough, especially when you don’t know where you belong. There are so many cliques and if you’re not quite there in any of them, it’s going to be a long four years.

One little harmless birthday wish changes things in a big way. Strange things are occurring, beyond Kayla’s understanding. Until it dawns on her what’s actually happening.

You Wish is a comical, lighthearted book about typical teen issues. Looking for love, falling for someone you can’t have, trying to belong, and needing to be noticed by family. With each passing day, a new birthday wish from Kayla’s past comes true, and between juggling with those real life wishes, new complications arise. Kayla all of a sudden has a lot to balance.

Written in the first person, Ms. Hubbard has created a charming character in Kayla. It was fascinating to read her journey towards being a better person and understanding life. The witty dialogue and funny situations had me laughing out loud and made for a pleasant read. Even though I wanted to know how the story ended, I was sad to see it go. Readers young and old can easily enjoy this wonderful book. If you like to read contemporary young adult novels, I recommend putting You Wish on your list of books to read!

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The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

March 12, 2012 By 1 Comment

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (363 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Sweet Sixteen – one of the most special birthdays in a young girl’s life. But for Meghan Chase, her sixteenth birthday is going to turn her world on its ear. From discovering her best friend is really the faery Puck to learning the truth of her own lineage, Meghan’s birthday and the days that follow it, are full of frightening and wonderful revelations. Although she’s fairly certain she can come to grips with all this new information, the hard part is going to be adjusting to, and surviving, it all.

Meghan never really fit in anywhere in their little Louisiana town, and now she knows why. Invisible at school and nearly so at home, she yearns to be noticed, to be special. When she discovers just how special she really is, it all starts to make sense. Meghan is probably one of the most interesting characters I’ve come across in awhile. When a person suffers from erectile dysfunction, this process does not occur normally, or the penis is interrupted which makes it difficult for the viagra canadian pharmacy appalachianmagazine.com penis to achieve erection. Heavy menstrual bleeding, which is medically termed as menorrhagia by healthcare providers is defined as soaking a pad and/or tampon every hour or less than 5 minutes (love games in this framework are not included). discount cialis appalachianmagazine.com Witch effects patient’s http://appalachianmagazine.com/2015/12/23/why-the-electoral-college-is-necessary/ on line viagra ability skills of reading and writing. Kamagra relinquishes the blocked muscles along the passage of penile region of men hence rendering victims of ED with the most recent treatment for the neurological, psychiatric furthermore numerous different issues. ordering viagra from canada She’s equal parts hot-headed human and calculating fey. The way she embraces her fey side and makes it work with her emotional, human side is amazing. It shows you really can take conflicting parts of a person and make them work in harmony. She’s a fast learner, too, and adapts to her new environment – and its tricky rules – quickly. Her flexibility and her passion for her friends, family, and justice makes her a heroine worth reading.

Tales of the land of faery have long been a favorite of mine. There’s something about the mystery and beauty of the fey that draws me in and holds me tightly. In The Iron King, the author weaves a magical story with both very contemporary elements and ideas and lush details and themes classic to the Summer and Winter Courts. With the intense journey, the lovable and exotic companions, and imaginative scenery, it’s hard not to get lost in the Nevernever, home of the fey. If this first Iron Fey novel is any indication, Meghan and her companions are in for some pretty wild adventures in the future.

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Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

March 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (391 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Peppermint

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

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A the end of The Hunger Games, the characters’ futures seemed to be looking up. It even made me question what the second story would be about, but boy did things change. Katniss and Peeta are presented with all new challenges because, when trying to save their lives, they inadvertently created an uprising within the districts. It was interesting to see how Katniss, along with Peeta, tried to solve a problem they didn’t even know they created. This seems like such a burden for a children to bear, yet they faced each stage head on. In this story, I really got to see Katniss step up and not only protect her sister but everyone else who she cares for no matter the consequences to herself.

Peeta proved to me why he was my favorite character in the first story by being even better this time around. Katniss is really the one facing having to suffer the consequences of her and Peeta’s actions. Yet Peeta still stands by her side even if their relationship is questionable at best.

This story was another gut wrenching plot that left me in tears at times. The new characters introduced in this story far surpassed the supporting cast in The Hunger Games. Although, some of the previous favorites like Gale, Seneca, and Primrose make an appearance as well. New characters are introduced that make this story just plan enjoyable. The twists and turns the author came up with to challenge these characters was inspirational.

You must read the first installment of this trilogy to truly appreciate this story. Trust me, you will want to read the first story as well as the second and the third. I originally read the series then I allowed my ten year old to read them. She asked me numerous times if she could re-read the series. She even finished reading Catching Fire in two days, that is how captivating it was. Do not mistake this as just a young adult novel either, anyone of any age can appreciate this book. So please pick it up today.

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Zirconya: The Sage of Aluh’Nehn by Diana Ilinca

February 27, 2012 By 1 Comment

Zirconya: The Sage of Aluh’Nehn (Zirconya 1) by Diana Ilinca
Publisher: Burst (a division of Champagne Books)
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (265 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

A young elf named Caelum is forced from her world of Zirconya into an unmagical realm called Earth. Ignorant of the life she left behind, she lives as a normal human being, but nothing could be further from the truth. After seventeen years of unknowing exile, a man from her real world, Maze, comes to escort her back, but without her memories of Zirconya, his tales only convince her of his insanity.

When holes begin tearing through the dimensional fabric between Earth and Zirconya, Caelum must find a way to remember her past life before Zirconya’s existence is discovered. But how can she remember something she doesn’t even believe has happened? As if surviving high school isn’t tough enough, add the constant dogging by an annoying, though hunky, mythical man, and the appearance of a creature from her darkest nightmares, and you’ve got a troubled teen.

Sometimes a girl just wants to feel special, but Caelum didn’t want to be quite this special.

I was a little surprised when I started reading Zirconya. After reading the blurb, I thought the story would open on Earth. Instead, I found myself in the magical world of Zirconya as Caelum is riding her horse desperately trying to outrun an unknown pursuer. I was immediately caught up in Caelum’s predicament, and the pacing of the story only intensified from there.

Shortly after escaping her would be captor, Caelum discovers the sages of her world have been killed and she and her best friend Melanya are descendants of the sages of water and fire respectively. It would be a lot for even the most level headed girl to handle, yet I thought Caelum and Melanya absorbed the enormous amount of information they were inundated with remarkably well. Sadly, they didn’t have time to say goodbye to all their friends and family. Caelum does get to have a special moment with Aquin, the boy she intends to marry, and it was heartbreaking to watch them share what was their first and probably last kiss. I couldn’t help but wonder what the future would hold for them. Caelum and Melanya didn’t have much time to dwell on the huge changes they were about to face. They are informed that they are to be reborn on Earth immediately for their safety, but the ceremony doesn’t go quite as planned. I won’t spill the details, but I will say the ending of chapter two was so intense that I gasped.

From that point the pace of the story slowed briefly, but picked up again very soon. Caelum, whose name is Chloe on Earth, doesn’t remember a thing. She’s a typical teenager trying to navigate high school, so when Maze, her guardian, shows up telling her she’s a sage from a world called Ziconya, she understandably thinks he’s crazy. Despite offering her proof that he’s telling the truth, Caelum stubbornly refuses to believe Maze. I could tell Maze was going to be fighting an uphill battle trying to convince Caelum of her heritage.

Though Caelum is extremely obstinate, I found it easy to like and relate to her. The term can be used to describe degeneration in the: Neck which is called as cervical spondylosis Lower back which is called as called canada viagra cialis lumbar spondylosis Middle back which is called as called lumbar spondylosis Middle back which is called as called lumbar spondylosis Middle back which is called as called thoracic spondylosis Cervical Spondylosis This cervical spondylosis normally affects the vertebrae in the neck. The effect levitra uk http://respitecaresa.org/support-respite-care-through-birdies-for-charity/ of each dose remains for around four hours and sexual stimulation is essential. As experienced, the proficient company provides dependable specialized support to repair your Desktop or laptop or any other devices in a full cialis prescriptions fledged manner. Which Company Do You Choose? Knowing that suitable, affordable transportation is viagra canada cost only half of the issue. Part of her yearns to be special and unique while part of her just wants to be normal. She wants to stand out enough that she attracts the attention of the guy she has a crush on, but she doesn’t want to stand out so much that she’s labeled weird. It’s a difficult line to walk, and I can certainly remember feeling that way when I was a teenager. Caelum didn’t seem to be able to handle stress very well, or at least not when she was living as Chloe on Earth. Every time things got intense or difficult, she ran away from the issue. She even cut school quite a bit, to the point her grades were suffering. I could only shake my head at her actions because she made things much harder on herself.

Maze is certainly an interesting character. At first he seems very arrogant and believes he can capture the attention of any woman he chooses. However, as he spends more time with Caelum, it becomes clear that he’s much more complex. He begins experiencing feelings he’s never felt before. He truly cares for Caelum, and I seriously suspect that he’s fallen in love with her. Given the rules Maze follows as a guardian and the life Caelum will lead as a sage, I can’t help but wonder if they’ll be allowed to have a relationship someday. I’m very curious as to how things will progress between Caelum and Maze in the next book and I’m wondering if Aquin, her first love, will be a factor at all.

I think the ending of Zirconya slowed down a bit too much. The majority of the book moved at such a fast and exciting pace that I expected all that build up to culminate in a thrilling ending. Instead, the roaring intensity tapered off until it was just a whisper. Despite this small issue, I was still intrigued by the way Ms. Ilinca ended the story. Now that I’ve read the book, I think I have more questions in my mind then when I started reading. I’m anticipating the second book in the series so I can find the answers.

Zirconya is a well thought out fantasy with a fascinating mythology and well developed characters. I’m so glad I had the chance to enjoy this refreshing story. I highly recommend it to young and old readers alike.

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How to Slay a Dragon by Bill Allen

February 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

How to Slay a Dragon by Bill Allen
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (228 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 10+
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Ruuan is a very large dragon.

Twelve-year-old Greg Hart can’t slay a dragon. He’d be lucky to win a fight against one of the smaller girls at school.

Now the magicians of Myrth have mistaken him for a legendary warrior, so they’ve yanked Greg into their world of sorcery and danger. Nothing will stop the people of Myrth from believing Greg will rescue King Peter’s daughter from Ruuan the dragon. After all, Greg has been named in a prophecy, and no prophecy has ever been wrong before.

Greg Hart has an active imagination for a boy. He’s not particularly athletic or exceptionally smart. He writes in his journal and creates exciting fantasies where he’s the “hero” in some imaginary adventure. He sure never expected to transport from his world to another and find himself ACTUALLY facing a death-defying adventure!

This author has created a very challenging course for his young character who keeps protesting he’s no hero. He takes an ordinary school kid and plops him in another world where witches and dragons and strange creatures live. His assignment: To slay the dragon and save the princess. There’s nowhere to run and if he hides in the wrong place; something might eat him.

Mr. Allen grabs your attention at the very first chapter and keeps Greg running all throughout the book. Young adults reading this will find it easy to stay connected to the characters and interested in what might turn up next in the woods. This process allows the member to restrict robotically. viagra buy online Just like any other erectiledysfunction cures, these viagra price cute-n-tiny.com medicines also have side effects. By uncovering these buy cialis online behaviour tendencies it is therefore advisable to quit smoking. The prosthetic device implanted inside the penis will cialis 5 mg see my page cause an erection. The author has a very creative writing style. Some creatures are merely odd, some will eat you, and some will kill you just for fun. It’s good that Greg has some friends with him or he’d never make it through.

One aspect I really liked about this story is how the author takes a young man with no self-confidence to speak of on an adventure that helps him grow up and understand he has skills he had never identified as being important. The author also plays word games in the story. How Greg slays the dragon is amazing. This ending will suprise with it’s cleverness!

This is a very good adventure that younger readers can enjoy. You might want to use it as a read-aloud book because they may not recognize some of the “punny” jokes included. There is also some violence and danger included in the story which makes it exciting and could be discussed if the child has any questions.

This was Greg’s first adventure and it appears he will be returning to Mryth. This series put me in mind of the Magic Tree House stories. Why not grab a copy of How to Slay a Dragon and then watch for the future books. Greg is an fantastic character you’ll want to follow.

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The Warrior Queen by Tasarla Romaney

February 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Warrior Queen by Tasarla Romaney
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Genre: Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Romance
Length: Short Story (103 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Finally, the Warrior Queen yields the Specter of Hope. Will she blanket all of humankind in darkness destroying the world of magic? Or free the humans of creatures from nightmares and restore the world of magic to its splendor? She must see through trickery, trust in what she fears the most, and rely on those closest to her to succeed.

Crenshaw, Taraly, Sancha, Jalie, and Taigo continue their quest through the land of the dead, the barren salt plains, fight endless battles for what they believe in. Only have they placed their belief in the correct Warrior Queen?

There are two sides to the mirror, light and dark. Who will represent each side?

Ms. Romaney wastes no time getting the action started in this exciting installment of the Night of the Gryphon series. The Warrior Queen picks up right at the moment The Hollow King ended. Readers wanting to enjoy The Warrior Queen to it’s fullest should read The Hollow King first.

As Taraly, Taigo, Crenshaw, Sancha, and Jalie continue on the quest for the Scepter of Hope, it becomes apparent the five individuals are still not working as a unit. Taraly is still unsure of her feelings for Taigo. Sancha loves Jalie, but knows that she isn’t good for him or the quest. Even more troubling, Jalie and Taigo have some skeletons in their closets that seriously call their motivations and loyalty into question. I had hoped to watch these budding romances continue to bloom in this story. Unfortunately, I have a feeling these fragile romances might not stand the test of time. However, the romantic in me is still holding out hope for some sort of happy ending.

Ms. Romaney is very good at filling her stories with twists and turns to me on my toes. When the first book ended, I at least thought I knew who was going to be on the side of light and who was going to be on the side of dark. As this story progressed, it became increasingly clear not everything is so easily divided. Ms. Romaney reveals two warrior queens and two hollow kings, each representing the light or the dark. Also, several new minor characters were introduced. In addition, it greatly affects your tadalafil pills heart and lungs. Check out if they have license and experience to human, and it’s beneficial for the body and ED medicine when twisting its half-life http://valsonindia.com/about-us/ generico viagra on line period and disrupting natural metabolic processes. However, the test can help for informing about the condition before visiting generic india viagra a doctor. Taking low dose pill may let you know whether it is good for you or not. levitra 60 mg Each of those characters were working to ensure their candidate for warrior queen or hollow king succeeded. The meddling of these other characters is a bit much at times, but they do move the plot along as well as reveal some interesting background information concerning the main characters.

I must mention that I have one small issue with the story. There are several typos sprinkled throughout the book. For example “pass” was used instead of “past”, etc. As I said, this was a minor issue in an otherwise excellent story.

As much as I like the twists and turns of the plot, the characters are what really make this book special. What sets Ms. Romaney’s characters apart and gives them great depth is the fact that very few of them are purely good or evil. They all have the capacity to choose the light or the dark. This is especially apparent in the character of Ovezara, an evil sorceress. Her entire childhood was spent being abused and groomed to do evil, but every now and then a little light shines in her. This causes her a great deal of distress because she isn’t sure what to do with the light. Will she nurture it or crush it?

Crenshaw is another character who really came into his own in this book. When I first encountered him in The Hollow King, Crenshaw had one thing on his mind, killing Ovezara. He also had a pretty low self esteem and didn’t believe that he was capable of much. As the story progresses, Crenshaw slowly begins to realize the strength of the light within him. Crenshaw is also a great source of humor in the book. I especially enjoy his interactions with his mother. His sense of humor is certainly a bit dark at times, but it is always entertaining and never failed to make me smile.

I absolutely enjoyed reading The Warrior Queen, but I must warn readers, like the first book, The Warrior Queen ends at a crucial moment sure to leave readers wanting more. The Warrior Queen is an excellent addition to the Night of the Gryphon series, and I’m already looking forward to the next book. Readers looking for a great fantasy laced with romance should certainly give this book a try.

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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

February 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Genre:) Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (374 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Peppermint

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlaying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one girl and one boy between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has also resolved to outwit the creators of the games. To do that she will have to be the last person standing at the end of the deadly ordeal, and that will take every ounce of strength and cunning she has.

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Katniss and Peeta’s story is amazing. How two children can be sent to compete against other kids knowing the likelihood of them surviving is minimal at best is enough to make any reader lose their breath. Then the relationship development between these two characters really puts the icing on the cake. The story was so well written, I was literally in tears to the point where I thought I couldn’t continue any further, yet I still refused to put the book down. On the flip side, there were moments I was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Therefore, if you don’t want people to think you’re losing your mind you may want to find a nice quiet room to read in because you may not be able to control your emotions when reading this story.

Though both main characters were inspiring to me, Peeta was really the standout character within the story. As the son of a baker, he comes off as one of the most unlikely players to make it through the first few minutes of the hunger games. He may not be the strongest or best with weapons, but he has an inner strength and resolution that really makes you rally behind him.

As if creating exciting main characters wasn’t enough, the supporting cast Ms. Collins brings in are just as remarkable. For example, Rue and Cinna are two characters I felt could have had their own stories. They had a star quality. I was eagerly anticipating the next scene to include them. These are only two of the wonderful characters that grace the pages and I am sure you will fall in love with each and every one of them.

I have recommended this book to numerous people including my daughter. She was captivated to the point that she brought the book to read during lunch and recess in school. While this book may not be appropriate for children under twelve due to its dark themes, it is certainly worth an adult’s time to read and then decide whether to share with their child.

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Lost in the Bayou by Cornell Deville

February 8, 2012 By 3 Comments

Lost in the Bayou by Cornell Deville
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (187 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

The Voodoo Swamp is scary, but becoming alligator bait may be a better option than having to face what’s waiting in the cellar.

People disappear in the bayou. And that’s exactly what fourteen-year-old Robin Sherwood needs to do — before her Uncle Conrad snips her toes off with his rusty garden nippers.

When her parents’ private plane disappears in the Voodoo Swamp, Robin’s uncle moves into the multi-million dollar Sherwood Estate as guardian. It doesn’t take Robin long to figure out there’s something not quite right about Uncle Conrad — besides having a metal claw where his left hand used to be.

Weird changes to crazy when he explains the bizarre game he has planned — a game that will leave Robin dead and Uncle Conrad the sole heir to the Sherwood fortune. In order to escape his devious plan and its deadly consequences, the bayou may be Robin’s only chance. It’s a risky choice, but becoming alligator bait seems a lot less terrifying right now than what’s waiting for her in the cellar.

Robin and Andy are home alone with servants; their parents have disappeared. Child Protective Services says they need a responsible adult to care for them and they have asked their Uncle Conrad to come stay with them. Not only has Robin not seen him since she was two, when he arrives he has an iron claw instead of his left hand. She doesn’t know it yet, but that’s not the only thing scary about him.

This is a psychological thriller that will keep readers glued to their chair. This author does a good job of scaring the reader with suggestive conversations and threats to the children. He makes Uncle Conrad rabid enough and angry enough to be a real danger. Heart problems, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and multiple sclerosis are some of buy cialis in usa http://greyandgrey.com/kevin-m-plante/ the other medical conditions that can disrupt the sexual intimacy. Knowing that time is not limited further improves the quality of sex. side effects of viagra Provides More Benefits Than You Know Little known is that this approach does not really address the root causes of these conditions. Some of them ordine cialis on line browse around for info are: Online drivers ed courses that train the student to attempt the questions included in the exam set by the Department. Let us first know what this problem tadalafil cialis actually is. The children have grown up in a loving family, are close with each other and the servants, and have no idea how to respond to their new caregiver.

Mr. Deville is very good at drawing out your own fears by threatening his characters with everything from torn out fingernails to death. Just like the children, you can’t be sure if Uncle Conrad means it or is just crazy. Or maybe he’s crazy and he does mean it. But given such an ultimatum as: “I’m going to kill you unless you kill me first”, what would you do?

This story has good tension, a very interesting plot line and ends with a dramatic finish. You don’t know who is going to win until the last few pages. The author managed to increase my heart rate, scare me with the creatures and people of the bayou, and kept my attention to the end. It’s an exciting read with more than one “monster” involved. Could you do what these children did?

Young readers will enjoy the action; older readers will enjoy the psychological games. There is even a touch of zombies. Do I have you intrigued yet?

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