Movie Review: What We Do in the Shadows

Tags

Movie Review, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

Tired of all the Christmas movies and holiday specials blasted at us this time of year? Are you pleased for those who love this season’s happy-happy entertainment options but are kind of done with all the nog and jingles and required enthusiasm?

Check out Kate’s awesome book for more of her amazing art & adages

If you’re hankering for something a little darker, a little raunchier, and unexpectedly hilarious, then folks, look no further. This is the movie for you:

This one came out in 2014 so I’m a little late to the party, but wow did I enjoy it! Filmed as a mocumentary, the movie is about three vampire roommates living in the U.K.. They’re depicted with the traditional vampire strengths and weaknesses – sun burns them, they can turn into bats, they drink blood (obviously) – but it also shows the day-to-day issues that are all too human – arguing over the household chores, cleaning up the carnage from last night’s dinner, figuring out how to “blend in” with regular humans when they go out at night, etc. It’s all completely ridiculous and the movie plays off its own absurdity to perfection. Running time is just 1 hour 27 minutes, but it doesn’t seem too short. More importantly, it never seems too long, ending on just the right note. I can’t recommend it enough, especially if you need a good laugh!

Best of all, not a Christmas prince in sight:)

If you’d like a taste, here are the first six minutes:

Huge 99¢ Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Sale!

Tags

Book Sale, Fantasy, Paranormal, Science-Fiction, Speculative Fiction

Dropping a quick note to let everyone know there’s a gigantic Sci-Fi/Fantasy book sale going on right now. All books are 99 pennies, so get yourself an e-reader full of speculative fiction while the promo is on.

All the genres and sub-genres you love:

Military Sci-Fi

Adventure Sci-Fi

Space opera–where my Insurrection omnibus is featured:)

Steampunk

Fantasy

Paranormal

AND MORE!

The sale only lasts through the weekend. By Monday they’ll all be back to regular price. Don’t miss out!

 

 

Fanged Series

Tags

Book Reviews, Book Series, Indie Author, Paranormal, Self Published Book, Young Adult

Title & Author: Fanged (Book One) & Fanged Outcast (Book Two), Elisabeth Wheatley

Genre & Publication Date: YA Paranormal, Nov. 26, 2013 (bk 1), Dec. 3, 2013 (bk 2)

Book Description: From Book One: “Family dating rules were pretty clear—no humans. But the undead heart wants what it wants and Haddie’s high school boyfriend ended up dead because of it. Now her brother Damian is repeating history and the same fate’s lined up for a very non-vampire, Madelyn.

With the girl’s throat on the line, they don’t have many options. Soon all three of them are on the run. Hunted across country by dear old dad’s enforcers, they’ll need help from the humans who hate them most. Assuming they all live that long.”

First Line: “Are you here to kill her?”

My Take: This book was provided to me by the author for review.

It has been a while since I’ve gotten into a novella series. The last one was the Flash Gold series by Lindsay Buroker (go read that by the way). It’s also been a while since I’ve delved into the world of vampires and I’m reminded now why I love them.

Haddie, the book’s lead and the voice of the first-person narrative, was easy to sympathize with and admire. When her baby brother makes the same mistake she did (falling in love with a human), she makes it her mission to save him from the pain and grief she went through. No waffling. No should-I-or-shouldn’t-I. Her brother has her loyalty and her protection without question, even if she does think he’s an idiot. I loved her voice: wry, world-weary, yet somehow hopeful and fiercely determined despite it all.

Did I mention she’s pretty kick-ass? No really, she literally kicks ass. You might think, yeah, yeah, that’s always the case with YA, but it was handled well here and included doses of reality. You get knocked around in a fight, you make mistakes, and hey, sometimes you even lose. It made the action more intense and the outcomes more meaningful. And there was never a dull moment in these two installments!

The Magical: Besides the awesome heroine, there are hints at a huge fantastical world of supernatural beings that exist unbeknownst to humans. Different clans of creatures with their own borders, cultures, and protocols–and histories between them. Can’t wait to see where this leads!

The Mundane: The bad guys seemed a little one note. I wished the rule behind ‘no dating humans’ had more depth than ‘no playing with the food’, especially given the consequences. Didn’t bother me while reading.

Summary of Thoughts: Book one of the series is FREE on Amazon. A nice YA twist on the vampire legend and definitely recommended. I loved that these installments center around Haddie’s love for her brother. There’s the potential for something romantic down the line (an enemies to friends thing which I adore) but it’s not the focal point. This is about a brother and sister whose loyalty to each other transcends sibling annoyances and disagreements. Refreshing, heartwarming in a gut-wrenching way, and a ton of fun to read.

Many thanks to the author for providing a copy of the book to review!

Curious what others thought? Check out Amazon’s reviews here

Want to know more about the author and her work? Explore her website here

The Law of Moses

Tags

Five-Star, Paranormal, Romance, Self Published Book

Title & Author: The Law of Moses, Amy Harmon

Genre & Publication Date: Paranormal/Romance, November 27, 2014

Book Description: “If I tell you right up front, right in the beginning that I lost him, it will be easier for you to bear. You will know it’s coming, and it will hurt. But you’ll be able to prepare.

Someone found him in a laundry basket at the Quick Wash, wrapped in a towel, a few hours old and close to death. They called him Baby Moses when they shared his story on the ten o’clock news – the little baby left in a basket at a dingy Laundromat, born to a crack addict and expected to have all sorts of problems. I imagined the crack baby, Moses, having a giant crack that ran down his body, like he’d been broken at birth. I knew that wasn’t what the term meant, but the image stuck in my mind. Maybe the fact that he was broken drew me to him from the start.
It all happened before I was born, and by the time I met Moses and my mom told me all about him, the story was old news and nobody wanted anything to do with him. People love babies, even sick babies. Even crack babies. But babies grow up to be kids, and kids grow up to be teenagers. Nobody wants a messed up teenager.
And Moses was messed up. Moses was a law unto himself. But he was also strange and exotic and beautiful. To be with him would change my life in ways I could never have imagined. Maybe I should have stayed away. Maybe I should have listened. My mother warned me. Even Moses warned me. But I didn’t stay away.

And so begins a story of pain and promise, of heartache and healing, of life and death. A story of before and after, of new beginnings and never-endings. But most of all . . . a love story.”

First Line: The first few words of every story are always the hardest to write.

My Take: If you’ve never read an Amy Harmon novel, there are a few things that will take you by surprise. The first is how she breaks all kinds of craft rules with writing. There’s exposition in the beginning, usually a lot. Sometimes she jumps point of view in the middle of a chapter, more than once (not especially with this one but with other books of hers I’ve read), and she starts a story waaaaaay at the beginning of things. I’m saying, like, Genesis level beginnings. I can think of three novels at least in which her characters start out either as children or young teens and move through the years to adulthood. With all this rule breaking you’d think she’d lose you early on, that your attention would wane and you’d be like, “Feh, this is taking too long and explaining too much.”

But that’s not how it is. That’s the magic of this author’s storytelling. She doesn’t lose you. In fact, the more you read the more you cannot put the thing down. The scope keeps getting bigger, your investment in the characters more visceral, until you’re racing through the pages because this isn’t just a story anymore, it’s an all consuming urgency to know, to see, to understand. It’s one of those stories that consumes you. These people are real. What’s happening to them is real. That was the Law of Moses for me. Why? Because just like in real life, things don’t always work out on the first try. Or the second. Projecting our own loneliness and despair, we hurt each other. We move on impulse and learn the lesson from it after we crash headlong into the sea. How this is depicted here is beautiful, the way loss and memory can become beautiful even when steeped in regret.

You might have noticed I haven’t said a lot of details about the story itself. That’s because I don’t want to give away the big “thing” of this novel. It’s not given away in the description and I was so happy to experience the main twist (oh, and there are multiple ones!) from the point where I was, “Hm, wonder what that was all about…” to “Woah, THAT’S what’s going on???”. So, I don’t want to ruin that for you because it’s awesome.

The Magical: It’s got to be those moments in the book where I got those rumbles of dread in the pit of my stomach that grew and grew until the dread turned into great tectonic plates crashing with splintering force into the events unfolding before me. The author did this to me at least *counts on fingers* three times in this book.

Oh, and then there was this paragraph right at the prologue. Seriously one of the best prologues I’ve ever seen (and I usually hate them):

“I can’t tell you how it felt. How it still feels. I can’t. Words feel cheap and ring hollow and turn everything I say, everything I feel, into a tawdry romance novel full of flowery phrases designed to illicit sympathetic tears and an immediate response. A response that has nothing to do with reality and everything to do with easy emotion that you can set aside when you close the cover. Emotion that has you wiping your eyes and chirping a happy hiccup, appreciating the fact that it was all just a story. And best of all, not your story. But this isn’t like that.

Because it is my story. And I wasn’t prepared.”

The Mundane: Some will say the story is too long but I didn’t get that. I can see why it would wear on the patience of readers who prefer a faster pace, but that’s not the style here and nothing ever implies that it is. Go into this like a journey. Walk it carefully and watch the landscape around you. There is always something amazing to see.

Summary of Thoughts: Well, I waxed rather poetical on this review so I think you all get the gist that I loved this book. Sooooo much! It could’ve been just a straight up romance (and there’s nothing wrong with those) but this one took its time to develop the big themes. Longing, loss, growth, joy. Lots of that last one among the wreckage that life can hand you. This was moving, intertwining pain with hope. I can’t recommend it enough. Grab your copy on Amazon.

My first review of 2018 and its five stars. A great start to the year:)

Curious what others thought? Check out Amazon’s reviews here (Beware of spoilers!!)

Want to know more about the author and her work? Explore her website here

Movie Review: The Shape of Water

Tags

Movie Review, Paranormal, The Shape of Water

First, some backstory:

I’ve been wanting to see The Shape of Water movie for a while. Yes, I know it only released on December 1st, but it didn’t reach Minnesota for a while and apparently only a few select theaters actually got it. I kept waiting for it to come to a local AMC theater the hubs and I always go to but the distribution must be super limited because it STILL isn’t there.

You’re probably thinking, “AMC? Anela, did you really think this niche film would show at a chain movie theater?”

To which I’d answer, “Hey, it’s a Guillermo Del Toro movie, okay? He’s not exactly obscure. And AMC has stadium seating and recliners for seats and chocolate covered almonds. I mean, cut me some slack here!”

So, last Saturday we finally locate the movie in Uptown, better known Artsy-Fartsy-town, where even the McDonald’s has to posh up their look in order for the local clientele to deign it worthy of their lofty burger-and-fries indulgences. Am I being judge-y? Well…yes, but I’m not exaggerating. The McDonald’s across the street was all sleek lines and cool blue and grey colors. Don’t go looking for a ball pit or Ronald McDonald in there. Pretty sure the food is still made from animal fat and processed meat though.

We get to the theater and it’s an interesting place, its seating organized as though you’re looking down on a stage rather than a big screen. We had balcony seats and there’s an upstairs bar which helped soothe the absence of my usual reclining chair.

The movie begins.

Now, for those who aren’t aware, Guillermo Del Toro has an interesting résumé. He’s done blockbuster films like Pacific Rim (hate-hate-hate) as well as oddities like Pan’s Labyrinth (disturbing-disturbing-disturbing). Most know him from his Hellboy movies. Ah, the Hellboy movies. They were awesome, not least because of the amazing creatures in them. And also, this:

Hellboy Side note: What I heard is that the trilogy was never finished due to a falling out between Del Toro and the comic’s creator, leading to Del Toro losing the rights to it. Now, I mention this because The Shape of Water’s star sea-creature reminds me a lot of Hellboy’s sidekick, Abe Sapien (much different treatment, but we’ll get to that). Don’t believe me? Well, you decide:

Okay, okay, I’ll quit with the digressions.

What did I think of the movie?

It was, sadly, very meh for me. I kinda liked it but the more I reflected on it, the greater my disappointment became. I don’t want to spoiler too much but as you go along in the film, at some point you realize that you have the backstory for every freaking side character in this thing but you know next to NOTHING about the two main characters. You know, these two:

The movie barely scratched the surface on their dynamic, to the point that I didn’t feel the bond between them hardly at all. And I soooo wanted to, you guys! Examining what it means to be human as we understand it–intelligent, self-aware, empathetic–is so much fun in stories, especially in ones like these where there’s a non-human protagonist. Is he just an animal like the lab people believe? Or is he more? Is he simply a different sort of sentient creature, one who thinks differently than we do but is capable of joy and sadness and love like we are? One who can see past the exterior to the person within and find something beautiful?

The movie wanted to address these questions but didn’t actually get to it, too busy with all the quirky side character stories that I didn’t give a crap about in comparison. It vacillated between showing the sea creature as a wild animal–no wait! an intelligent being–nope, need a humorous moment, so he’s an animal–to such a degree that I started to feel a little weird about the romance. Kinda like, yeah, he’s incredible, but seals are cute too and I wouldn’t give them the side-eye.

I mean, I get what they were trying to do with themes of communication and love, how all the characters who could communicate verbally were more closed off and isolated from one another than a woman without the ability to speak aloud. I saw that, I did. And I really liked that the heroine had a disability, that while we did see her struggle to deal mainstream society, she was the strongest one in the show, the one with the most clarity and honesty. And they didn’t “fix” her at the end (high kudos on that point). It’s because of these themes that the film is winning awards, but from the perspective of emotional engagement and storytelling…meh.

Here’s the preview below. Definitely grabs your attention. If only it could hold on to it while you’re watching the actual movie *sigh*

Has anyone else seen it? What did you think?

 

 

 

Blood Currency

Tags

Indie Author, Jeffe Kennedy, Paranormal, Self Published Book, Vampires

Title & Author: Blood Currency (Feeding the Vampire & Hunting the Siren)

Genre & Publication Date: Paranormal/Erotic, December 19, 2016

Book Description: “Feeding the Vampire

Through good luck and healthy cowardice, Misty has survived the earthquakes that have torn the world apart, but has no skills to speak of. Or so she thinks. She does have blood, and someone must feed the vampire who has offered his protection and strength in exchange for sustenance. Feeding Ivan is a priority, and Misty finally serves a purpose. But when she awakens tied to his bed, an unwilling gift to Ivan from the townspeople, she discovers he has hungers other than blood. Hungers he expects her to satisfy in the most carnal manner. Under his seductive persuasion Misty discovers she has the power to sustain Ivan in all ways, while experiencing unspeakable pleasure herself.

Hunting the Siren

A vampire queen grown powerful with age, Imogen has protected her band of nightriders through the centuries. When refugee vampires from earthquake-shattered Europe seek shelter and sustenance, she’s honor-bound to feed them, by any means necessary. When her lieutenants dump the vengeful human man Kasar at her feet, Imogen succumbs to his masculine vitality and her overwhelming hunger for his blood—and his body. Kasar has survived the breaking of the world, only to discover the vampire queen has slaughtered his sister and her unborn child. With the last of his bloodline dead, only his desire for vengeance keeps Kasar alive. He imagines he can pretend to succumb to Imogen’s seduction—not that he has much of a choice, chained as he is to the foot of her bed—and bide his time until he has an opportunity to kill her. The passion he finds in her arms is unexpected, and impossible to resist. But this haven of desire and satiation could easily destroy them both.”

First Line: “I’ll do it,” I said.

My Take: This book was provided to me by the author for review.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world this book gives us a pair of yummy vampire short stories. With a natural disaster that left the earth shattered and civilization fallen, I could definitely buy into the idea that if there were vampires around, there’d be little need for them to hide anymore. This sets the stage for a couple of interesting scenarios the author brings to life.

Unlike other duology packs I’ve read in the past, these two stories are completely different from one another even though they share the same setting (albeit different continents). The first one was in first-person, the second in third-person. The voices were distinct from one another and the central focus of each conflict unique. And let’s not forget the sizzle. Wow, can Kennedy heat up a scene! I burned my fingers tapping through the pages. *fans self*

I wanted to add as well that everything remains consensual in this area because the synopsis might scare some off. This is a vampire book. It’s all about the seduction, folks. Characters resisting temptation because they think they should, not because they want to. As always, Kennedy strikes that perfect balance between conquest and affection. Trust me, you’re safe in her hands.

The Magical: Ahhhh, the vampires were SO well done! These were not angsty, human-like versions of this mythical being. These were creatures of the night, ancient, otherworldly and frightening, yet utterly magnetic.

The Mundane: Both stories ended where they should and without tying everything together into a bow (the world is still in ruins after all), but I wanted mooooooore! *undignified whine*

Summary of Thoughts: Currently this book is $2.99 on Amazon, or free if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription. I really enjoyed it. It delivers exactly what it promises with a pair of stories that will totally consume you. A reminder that this one has scorching romantic scenes in it. Five alarm chili, if you take my meaning, but oh, you will love the burn.

Many thanks to author Jeffe Kennedy for providing a copy of the book to review!

Want to know more about this author and her work? Explore her website here

Five Star Roundup

Tags

Book Reviews, Fantasy, Five-Star, Free Books, Indie Author, Paranormal, Science-Fiction, Steampunk

In January I usually do an summary of my favorite books from the year before. This year I didn’t get around to it with my husband’s cancer diagnosis throwing life into a spin, but here it is now!

Scanning over the titles, it’s a pretty good mix of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and even some Paranormal and Steampunk. I didn’t run into any contemporary Dystopian or Post-Apocalyptic that hit my five-star rating (though I do covet that fifth star for the truly special books) but 2017 is only half over so we’ll see what shakes out in the last six months.

Without further ado (yes, people still use that word) here are my favorite books from 2016 (Click the titles to read the full reviews):

~ SCIENCE-FICTION ~

The Singularity Series

(From Book One, “The Legacy Human”)

What would you give to live forever? 

Seventeen-year-old Elijah Brighton wants to become an ascender–a post-Singularity human/machine hybrid–after all, they’re smarter, more enlightened, more compassionate, and above all, achingly beautiful. But Eli is a legacy human, preserved and cherished for his unaltered genetic code, just like the rainforest he paints. When a fugue state possesses him and creates great art, Eli miraculously lands a sponsor for the creative Olympics. If he could just master the fugue, he could take the gold and win the right to ascend, bringing everything he’s yearned for within reach… including his beautiful ascender patron. But once Eli arrives at the Games, he finds the ascenders are playing games of their own. Everything he knows about the ascenders and the legacies they keep starts to unravel… until he’s running for his life and wondering who he truly is.

Anela says: Amazing, amazing series and I’m dying for the next installment! The story examines the nature of existence and the definition of self (and so much else, but for that click on the review link above). The tech and the science woven through was like dark chocolate for my Sci-Fi soul. Book one is only 99 cents!! Available on Amazon

The Syzygy Series

Ash was never supposed to visit Earth. After a genetic engineering catastrophe wiped out civilization, the survivors—inhabitants of a lunar mining colony—planned to rebuild on Mars. That was before a group of rebels seceded to the dark side of the moon, taking critical materials with them. Now conscripted teenagers scavenge the ruined third planet for species to use in terraforming. At fifteen, Ash is the best diver in a generation. But when tragedy strikes, he vows to end his colony’s dependence on its old homeworld at any cost.

Skye has never set foot on Earth. It’s not even visible from the moon’s far side, although the exiles’ mystic leader promises they will return home someday. Skye has discovered something that could realize this long-awaited dream, but she’s an outcast among outcasts, and no one will listen to her plan. To save her people, she might have to betray them.

Worlds collide when Ash and Skye meet, blurring the boundaries between enemies and allies, deception and truth. Their choices could preserve a future for humanity…or finally drive it to extinction.

Anela says: The review link to book one is above and the reviews of the books that follow show up beneath it. Overall this has been one of my favorite Sci-Fi series, totally unique with a climate fiction and post-apocalyptic bent. I love the characters and the unexpected twists are jaw dropping. Installment one is also only 99 cents. Go get it! Available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited

 

~ FANTASY ~

Sorcerous Moons Series

(From Book One: Lonen’s War)

An Unquiet Heart

Alone in her tower, Princess Oria has spent too long studying her people’s barbarian enemies, the Destrye—and neglected the search for calm that will control her magic and release her to society. Her restlessness makes meditation hopeless and her fragility renders human companionship unbearable. Oria is near giving up. Then the Destrye attack, and her people’s lives depend on her handling of their prince…

A Fight Without Hope

When the cornered Destrye decided to strike back, Lonen never thought he’d live through the battle, let alone demand justice as a conqueror. And yet he must keep up his guard against the sorceress who speaks for the city. Oria’s people are devious, her claims of ignorance absurd. The frank honesty her eyes promise could be just one more layer of deception.

A Savage Bargain

Fighting for time and trust, Oria and Lonen have one final sacrifice to choose… before an even greater threat consumes them all.

Anela says: An intricate system of magic that examines the expectations of gender–and challenges them while weaving a really beautiful love story. More books to come on this series and I can’t wait to see where the story leads. Book one is currently $2.99 on Amazon. Worth it!

The Sunbolt Chronicles

(From Book One: Sunbolt)

The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them. Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude and who her parents really were. Most of all, she must conceal her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to undermine the powerful and corrupt Arch Mage Wilhelm Blackflame.

When the League gets word that Blackflame intends to detain—and execute—a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help the family escape. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi’s, and much worse fates than execution. When Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges, it will take everything she can summon to escape with her life.

Anela says: I believe this one is fully in the Noblebright categorization of the Fantasy genre (Click here for a definition of Noblebright. I like to call it: Fantasy that won’t make you want to kill yourself afterward *cough*Martin*cough*). Another fascinating system of magic I haven’t seen before that takes place in a non-Western Fantasy world with a heroine I absolutely adore. The sequel Memories of Ash also got five stars from me, as did a separate short-story, The Bone Knife (FREE everywhere!). At this point you can probably tell I love anything Intisar Khanani writes. Trust me, she’s amazing. Book one is available on Amazon for $2.99.

 

~ PARANORMAL ~

The Scribe: Irin Chronicles Book One

Ava Matheson came to Istanbul looking for answers, but others came looking for her. A reckless warrior guards her steps, but will Malachi’s own past blind him to the truth of who Ava might be? While ancient forces gather around them, both Ava and Malachi search for answers.

Whispering voices. Deadly touch. Their passion should be impossible… or it could be the only thing that will keep them alive.

Anela says: A beautiful take on the Nephilim/angels mythos. The setting in Turkey was awesome and the scope of the ancient conflict and history of the nephilim (known as Irin in the book) pulls you in. This one really stole my heart. Currently it’s FREE on Amazon, so seriously, get a copy if you want to be swept away by a story.

 

~ STEAMPUNK ~

The Flash Gold Chronicles

(From Book One: Flash Gold)

Eighteen-year-old Kali McAlister enters her steam-powered “dogless sled” in a race, intending to win the thousand-dollar prize and escape remote Moose Hollow forever. The problem? Fortune seekers and airship pirates are after her for the secret to flash gold, her late father’s alchemical masterpiece.

With her modified rifle and a pocketful of home-made smoke bombs, Kali wouldn’t normally hide from a confrontation, but taking on a whole airship single-handedly is a daunting task. Unfortunately, the other racers won’t assist her–they’re too busy scheming ways to sabotage her unorthodox sled.

When a sword-slinging stranger shows up, wanting to hire on as her protector, she’s sure he has ulterior motives, but he’s the only one interested in helping her. The question is…why?

Anela says: Great action and adventure, quirky characters and a smart-mouthed heroine, what else can you ask for? I had so much fun reading this series. Book one is FREE on Amazon right now so grab a copy and give it a try.

Shattered Past (Dragon Blood)

An elite forces officer with a dreadful reputation.
A bookish paleontologist with a love for mysteries.
An ancient stronghold full of secrets that will take both of them to unearth.

Professor Lilah Zirkander (yes, she’s related to the famous pilot, and no, she can’t get him to autograph your undergarments) is looking forward to a summer in the paleontology lab, researching and cataloging new fossils. But that summer takes an unexpected turn when the king sends her into the Ice Blades to a secret mine where ancient dragon bones have been discovered. Rumor has it that they’re cursed and dangerous, but Lilah is more concerned about dealing with the outpost commander, a fierce officer with the temperament of a crabby badger.

As punishment for irking the king, Colonel Vann Therrik is overseeing the hardened criminals working in the remote Magroth Crystal Mines. He would like a chance to redeem himself—and escape the loathsome duty station—but nothing is going his way. Cursed fossils have delayed production, miners are trying to escape, and now a scientist has shown up, making demands on his time. Worse, she’s the cousin of his nemesis General Zirkander. As if one Zirkander in his world wasn’t bad enough.

Investigating the fossils leads Lilah and Vann into the depths of Magroth Mountain where centuries-old secrets lurk, and a long-forgotten threat stalks the passages. To have any chance at survival, they’ll have to work together and perhaps learn that neither is what the other expected.

Anela says: Is anyone surprised that Buroker won both five-star reviews for this genre? Granted, this book has some Fantasy elements as well but since there are airships too it feels like it falls into this category. Great characters, hilarious banter, and a cool mystery to unravel. Buroker’s imagination is always fun to spend some time in. Currently it’s $3.99 on Amazon. This one works as a standalone but if you’d like an intro into this world the first book–Balanced on the Blade’s Edge–is FREE on Amazon.

So, there you have it! All these awesome books are either free or under five bucks. The Indie world is good to its bookworms. Happy reading!

The SnowFang Bride (SnowFang Book #1)

Tags

Book Review, Indie Author, Paranormal, Self Published Book

Title & Author: The SnowFang Bride (SnowFang Book #1), Merry Ravenell

Genre & Publication Date: Paranormal, Oct. 11, 2016

Book Description: “Centuries of political games killed most of the female werewolves. Now only a few survive, and the Elders work to change the old ways of thinking.

Winter, the only daughter of the SilverPaw Alpha, finally meets the soul Gaia has chosen for her: Sterling, the cold, demanding, and entirely-too-human Alpha of the tiny SnowFang pack.

Thrust into a world of human wealth for which she was never prepared, Winter must become Sterling’s flawless wife and Luna from the moment she arrives. The city is full of threats, both werewolf and human, and Sterling’s past is full of secrets best left undisturbed.

When they are betrayed by those closest to them, Winter and Sterling embark on a dangerous game of brinkmanship that will change their lives, and the future of the werewolves, forever.”

First Line: The werewolves lacked females.

My Take: It occurs to me that the book’s first line is going to give folks the wrong impression of this novel. It’s not one of those “alpha male werewolf kidnaps human female to force her into marriage and then they end up falling in love” things (I can’t stand those, by the way. Taking someone against their will does not lead to warm, fuzzy feelings. Full stop.). Rather, this first line is a reference to a population concern going on in the werewolf world of this story.

This book has to be the most intricate and detailed depiction of werewolf culture I’ve ever read. History, customs, political intrigue, rules of the pack, how they greet each other when they want to show respect (or not), the cultural differences between rural and city wolves–Everything seemed so friggin’ REAL you could swear this secret world truly existed alongside our own.

An example from a situation with a prominent pack:

“Do we have to bring a gift? Might be better if we don’t.”

“We don’t have to. But it would be in our favor if we did.” I had seen many gifts given to my father and the SilverPaw over the years. There was a very delicate etiquette surrounding gift giving. It could not be trivial, and offer insult. It could not be too grandiose and be seen as a bribe or ostentatious or above the perceived station of the giving pack. It ideally would be something that represented the strength or character of the gifting pack, and something that the recipient’s entire pack could enjoy and benefit from.

The main character, Winter, is from a more powerful rural pack and is very familiar with all the rules and customs of the werewolf world. When she finds her fated mate in Sterling of the SnowFang pack he relies on her to help him understand how to navigate the customs due to his more human upbringing. He knows a lot about the human world, something Winter knows less of, so they’re matched in that way. I love a romance based on equals, y’all:)

TONS of intrigue, starting with the search for Winter’s mate, finding Sterling and her father’s weird behavior afterward, the Wanderers (lone wolves forming miscreant packs and causing harm) in the city streets of her new home, and much more. There’s not a ton of shape-shifting, FYI, and I didn’t mind this at all. It’s a more cerebral werewolf tale told through the smart voice of a very likable heroine.

The Magical: I really believed in Winter and Sterling’s relationship. They might be soul fated but they still didn’t know each other when they were thrown together. That partnership grew over the course of the book which made it feel as real as the werewolf culture the author created.

The Mundane: There are a lot of mysteries going on throughout the book but the ending didn’t answer any of them. I mean, ANY of them. That left me feeling a little adrift, especially when more mysterious things happened. It seemed at least some things could have been answered without spoiling what’s coming in the sequel. It didn’t cliffhanger but the pay off felt a little deflated as a result. Still a great ride, though.

Summary of Thoughts: Currently, this book is $2.99 for the Kindle. Not your typical werewolf story which was awesome because werewolf stories tend to be all about the bulging biceps of an Alpha male and the resistant (called stubborn) way of his mate who *wink*wink* is secretly dying for him to take her. Ugh. Here is something much more interesting: a fully fleshed out culture (not just a smattering of habits), and two people trying to lead a tiny pack in their complex world. Intrigue abounds and I loved it. Recommended and dying for the sequel!

Curious what others thought? Check out Amazon’s reviews here

Want to know more about the author and her work? Explore her website here

Recommended: A Christmas Romance

Tags

Book Review, Fantasy Romance, Paranormal, Self Published Book

Just a quick recommendation if you’re looking for something sweet and romantic to read this holiday season. “All the Stars Look Down”, a Christmas romance duo from Elizabeth Hunter and Grace Draven, had two endearing tales of love by this pair of amazing writers.

In SUNDAY’S CHILD, Grace Draven heats up a cold and lonely Christmas when museum archivist, Claire Summerlad, meets a mysterious new co-worker. Andor’s past may be a mystery, but is a future with Claire possible with a centuries-old punishment hanging over his head? Father Christmas meets Norse mythology in this brand new Christmas novella from the author of Master of Crows.

In LOST LETTERS AND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, readers return to the Elemental Mysteries in an all new novella by Elizabeth Hunter. Giovanni Vecchio and Beatrice De Novo travel to Rome when an new mystery interrupts their Christmas. Fina Rossi may have been the director of the Vecchio library, but she wasn’t expecting vampires for the holidays! Christmas takes an unexpected turn when she meets her employers’ old friend, Zeno Ferrara. He has the key to solving a mystery plaguing Beatrice’s client, but he’s taken a far more personal interest in Fina.

Buy it on Amazon for only $0.99

I absolutely adored “Sunday’s Child” because, seriously, how can you go wrong with a Saint Nicholas-Norse Mythology combo? Draven always delivers something unique and heartwarming. “Lost Letters and Christmas Lights” is similarly enchanting. The only addendum I’d add is that if you haven’t read any of Elizabeth’s Hunter’s Elemental series, there are mild spoilers in it, but nothing that should hinder your enjoyment if you decide to dig into that series later.

Give yourself or a romance reader a little love this Christmas and pick up this great read!

The Scribe: Irin Chronicles Book One

Tags

Book Review, Indie Author, Paranormal, Self Published Book

Title & Author: The Scribe: Irin Chronicles Book One, Elizabeth Hunter

Genre & Publication Date: Paranormal Fantasy, October 15, 2013

Book Description: “Ava Matheson came to Istanbul looking for answers, but others came looking for her. A reckless warrior guards her steps, but will Malachi’s own past blind him to the truth of who Ava might be? While ancient forces gather around them, both Ava and Malachi search for answers.

Whispering voices. Deadly touch. Their passion should be impossible… or it could be the only thing that will keep them alive.”

First Line: “You’re going to think I’m crazy.”

My Take: Okay. This was an awesome book. (I’ve had such a huge patch of awesome reads lately that I’m almost afraid to say it out loud *giddy hand flailing*) Obviously Elizabeth Hunter is an Indie heavyweight, but this book really shows how deserving of her success she is. Talk about an amazing premise with mind blowing execution. But enough gushing, let me get on to the review (warning: there may be more gushing).

First off, our story takes place in modern day Turkey. Ahhhh, thank you for a landscape that hasn’t been done to death in paranormal fiction. The streets, the buildings, the food, the sights, even the weather all felt so well drawn and detailed. And no, we don’t start in Turkey and then head off to Western Europe or the U.S. by chapter three. This story takes place in Turkey, in its cities and its countrysides, and I loved it. Given that the plot has much to do with the Nephilim (called Irin in this tale), keeping the plot in a place that is rich with ancient history makes so much sense–The Nephilim, for those who haven’t brushed up on their Book of Genesis recently, are the children of the “sons of God” and the “daughters of Adam”. In other words, they’re the offspring of fallen angels and human women, so they’re mortal but quite powerful.

I can go on and on about the plot and the incredible world building and legacy of these Irin, but that would require another three paragraphs at least to convey how happy my little reader heart is, and I want to keep this spoiler free and be sure to talk about our main protags.

Ava is a great heroine. Strong, independent, smart (both academically and in her travels), I was all the more drawn in by her daily struggle with hearing voices. It’s not voices telling her what to do, rather she hears the inner voices of everyone around her. Not their thoughts, but their souls. So, that guy in a traffic jam who is blaring on his horn and cursing at the driver in front of him, his mind might scream anger, but if Ava were listening, his soul might be telling her anguish, or fear, or despair, which she then feels right along with him. No wonder she keeps people at a distance and never stays in one place for long.

Then there’s Malachi, one of the Irin who has sworn to fight the Grigori (equally powerful beings pledged to dark enemies–more of that intricate history I mentioned). After a terrible massacre, the Irin are essentially a race of men, one that is dying out. Malachi was such a great hero. Strong, decisive, but also uncertain, gentle despite the devastating losses he’s been through. The deep sorrow and loneliness of all Irin really reaches out from the pages.

I was in it people, so, so in it.

The Magical: The tattooing the Irin do on their bodies has to be one of my favorite elements here. The arduous and ceremonial process involves imprinting their bodies with script in the language of the angels to endow themselves with speed or strength or focus, etc. Cooool.

The Mundane: The author impaled me and then shoved me off a mountain with the cliffhanger at the end. I haven’t been this pained since “The Desolation of Smaug”. It’s been a few days since I finished the book and I’ve still got a limp.

Summary of Thoughts: This book is currently $0.99 on the Kindle. Of course, when I say $0.99 what I should really say is to expect to spend that, and then whatever the cost of book 2 and 3 are, because you won’t be able to stop with just this first one. As much as I abhor cliffhanger endings like this–and there will be agony if you read this–it really was a great tale with a unique setting, a sense of immense history, and a beautiful love story between two lost souls. Absolutely 100% recommended.

Curious what others thought? Check out Amazon’s reviews here

Want to know more about this author and her work? Explore her website here