Book Spotlight: The Jack of Souls

The Jack of Souls

by Stephen Merlino

Synopsis

Harric is an outcast rogue who must break a curse put on his fate, or die on his nineteenth birthday. To survive, he’ll need more than his usual tricks. He’ll need help. But on the kingdom’s lawless frontier, his only allies are other outcasts. 

One of these is Caris, a mysterious, horse-whispering runaway, intent upon becoming the Queen’s first female knight. The other is Sir Willard—ex-immortal, ex-champion, now addicted to pain-killing herbs and banished from court.

With their help, Harric might keep his curse at bay. But for how long?

And his companions bring troubles of their own: Caris bears the scars of a dark past that still hunts her; Willard is at war with the Old Ones, an order of insane immortal knights who once enslaved the kingdom.

Together, they must overcome fanatical armies, murderous sorcerers, and powerful supernatural foes.

Alone, Harric must face the temptation of forbidden magic that could break his curse, but cost him the only woman he’s ever loved.

“The first volume in Stephen Merlino's 'The Unseen Moon' series, "The Jack of Souls" is a terrific read from beginning to end and clearly establishes Merlino as a master of the fantasy action/adventure genre. Highly recommended for community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections…” - Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Stephen Merlino lives in Seattle, WA, where he writes, plays, and teaches high school English. He lives with the world's most talented and desirable woman, two fabulous children, and three attack chickens.

Growing up in Seattle drove Stephen indoors for eight months of the year. Before the age of video games, that meant he read a lot. At the age of eleven he discovered the stories of J.R.R. Tolkein and fell in love with fantasy.

Summers and rare sunny days he spent with friends in wooded ravines or on the beaches of Puget Sound, building worlds in the sand, and fighting orcs and wizards with driftwood swords.

About the time a fifth reading of The Lord of the Rings failed to deliver the old magic, Stephen attended the University of Washington and fell in love with Chaucer and Shakespeare and all things English.

Sadly, the closest he got to England back then was The Unicorn Pub on University Way, which wasn't even run by an Englishman: it was run by a Scot named Angus. Still, he studied there, and as he sampled Angus's weird ales, and devoured the Unicorn's steak & kidney pie (with real offal!), he developed a passion for Scotland, too.

In college, he fell in love with writing, and when a kindly professor said of a story he'd written, "You should get that published!" Stephen took the encouragement literally, and spent the next years trying. The story remains unpublished, but the quest to develop it introduced Stephen to the world of agents (the story ultimately had two), and taught him much of craft and the value of what Jay Lake would call, "psychotic persistence."

Add to that his abiding love of nerds--those who, as Sarah Vowel defines it, "go too far and care too much about a subject"--and you have Stephen Merlino in a nutshell.

Stephen is the 2014 PNWA winner for Fantasy.

Review: Songs of the Maniacs

Songs of the Maniacs
by Mickey J. Corrigan

Synopsis

When the real you is someone you don't know, then you sing the songs of the maniacs.

Who are we when we lose everything, including our personalities? From her office at a mental health institute in the tropics, a troubled young woman counsels deeply disturbed clients while coping with her own heightening concerns. These include frightening consciousness lapses, violent memories of a high school sexual relationship, a menacing stalker, and an annoyingly arousing visitor who may or may not be insane. All this on a single stormy day at a time when a new mental health disorder has become epidemic and is threatening to distort memory and identity, unmooring the validity of reality itself.

A seductive and chilling novella, Songs of the Maniacs takes readers on a fascinating descent into the abyss beneath the lush surfaces of contemporary American paradise.

Review

This book had a lot of the aspects I personally enjoy - so this may be biased. This is your warning, reader. 

There is a fantastical element to this work, and at that same time it involves something real (mental illness). Psychological thrillers, of which this is one, are awesome to read because of the detail placed into them. It's important to focus on this book as you're reading it and making sure that you are devoting some time to it. Why, you may ask? Well, you don't want to miss anything!

This story is twisted and takes the reader into some real dark places [of the mind] that not all are ready for. Are you?

Verdict

Read it if the dark and twisted excite you. Skip if you're afraid of the dark. 

About the Author

Mickey J. Corrigan lives and writes and gets into trouble in South Florida. She publishes with pulpy presses with names like Breathless, Champagne and Bottom Drawer. Recent books include the edgy novellas in The Hard Stuff series from The Wild Rose Press (Whiskey Sour Noir, Vodka Warrior, Tequila Dirty); and the thriller Sugar Babies. Salt Publishing recently released the neo-noir novel Songs of the Maniacs.

Links

Website: www.mickeyjcorrigan.com

Publisher: http://www.saltpublishing.com/moderndreams/

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23568383-songs-of-the-maniacs

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Maniacs-Modern-Dreams-Mickey-Corrigan-ebook/dp/B00P2RWCKW/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415715801&sr=1-2&keywords=songs+of+the+maniacs                  

Book Spotlight: Max Blizzard and the Gem of Camelot

Max Blizzard and the Gem of Camelot
by Patrick Hatt

Synopsis

Max Blizzard was like any other drone living in Earth's realm until the arrival of his eighth birthday. On that day his imagination awoke and Max started thinking for himself. He was an outcast the moment he let people know about his imagination. That moment also unknowingly set forth a chain of events years in the making. By having imagination, Max had given Sir Dreadvent exactly what he wanted, a way into Camelot's realm.

Now Max and his friends, Trudesile and Lester, must complete the quest that Max's father, Merlin, set out for him years ago. They must find the Gem of Camelot to defend the realm from Sir Dreadvent's and his sevesties. Their perilous journey will take them from the shores of Merlinia and the ship of Davy Jones to the fields of Avalon, in the hope that they can save Camelot, save Earth and save all the lost realms that have been consumed by Sir Dreadvent and his sevesties on their quest to remake the universe.

A tale about where your imagination can lead if you choose to follow it, with creatures large and small joining Max Blizzard on his journey. King Arthur, Oberon, Hercules, Apollo and other heroes of imagination believed to be myth will become truth as Max and his friends face the trials ahead. Let your imagination lead the way to Max Blizzard and The Gem of Camelot.

About the Author

Patrick Hatt can be found in the East Coast of Canada. He hates writing these things but doesn't mind talking in the third person. 

He dabbles in a little of this and a little of that, not afraid to attempt something new. 

He is owned by two cats, one of whom has his own blog, It's Rhyme Time. Yeah a rhyming cat, who knew? 

He would be considered a both person when it comes to cats and dogs. He is also quite the movie and TV buff. 

As you can probably tell does not take himself seriously and has more stuff in his head than is needed. Thus the novels as just one more form of release. Thanks for the visit and enjoy! 

Links: 

http://rhymetime24.blogspot.com 
https://twitter.com/PatHatt24 
http://www.pathattbooks.com 

Amazon 
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NF3DKPG 

GIVEAWAY

The author is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card OR $25 Pay Pal cash (winners choice) Rafflecopter code below: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Doon & Destined for Doon

Doon
by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon

Synopsis from Amazon:

Veronica doesn’t think she’s going crazy. But why can’t anyone else see the mysterious blond boy who keeps popping up wherever she goes?

When her best friend, Mackenna, invites her to spend the summer in Scotland, Veronica jumps at the opportunity to leave her complicated life behind for a few months. But the Scottish countryside holds other plans. Not only has the imaginary kilted boy followed her to Alloway, she and Mackenna uncover a strange set of rings and a very unnerving letter from Mackenna’s great aunt—and when the girls test the instructions Aunt Gracie left behind, they find themselves transported to a land that defies explanation.

Doon seems like a real-life fairy tale, complete with one prince who has eyes for Mackenna and another who looks suspiciously like the boy from Veronica’s daydreams. But Doon has a dark underbelly as well. The two girls could have everything they’ve longed for… or they could end up breaking an enchantment and find themselves trapped in a world that has become a nightmare.

Review

I had seen copies of Doon at the local bookstore and it always caught my eye. It caught my eye because it has a gorgeous cover. The green background and that fantastic dress? Yes, please! I still hadn't gotten around to buying it when, suddenly, I was given the opportunity to read it and it's sequel, Destined for Doon, for review. 

Technically, I was offered Destined for Doon to read for review when I joined the BookSparks blog tour - but I cannot start a story on anything but it's first volume. So, I asked if I could read Doon first and voila! So, many thanks to the publisher :)

Now, I was not expecting to get as enthralled as I was with this book. Scotland and its lore has never interested me, but I thought, let's give it a try. I am very glad that I did! The authors of this book do a great job of never letting the story slow down too much - there is action everywhere! Also, I loved how the characters are each given their "turn" to "talk" i.e. each chapter is based on a different character's POV. I very much enjoyed the characters, best friends, Veronica and Mackenna. I loved...LOVED that the book started off almost in the middle of what other books may consider the "main" story. I am completely aware of how much nonsense that sounds like, but hopefully you understand when you read it. 

The story is fully of mystery, friendship, fantasy...and romance. A mysterious boy who shows up when you need him, a friend by your side and an adventure into a gorgeous but unknown land? What is not to like?

Anyone who reads my blog knows that this is a spoiler-free zone. I don't want to ruin any book that you, dear reader, may want to pick up later on. Just know, that I read both Doon and Destined for Doon - and neither disappointed me. Both are gorgeous books giving us a glimpse into a world we can only dream of - and it's fantastic. 

So, read Doon and then read...

...you will NOT regret it.

Verdict

Do you really need more after that opus? :) These are honestly great books and I am not just saying that because I was asked to review them - I can't finish books I don't like!

Buy the book:

• Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1lhJVUg
• Amazon Hardcover: http://amzn.to/1pL8F7k

About the authors:

Carey Corp lives in the metropolitan Midwest with her loveable yet out-of-control family. Carey wrote her first book at the age of seven, and currently begins each morning consuming copious amounts of coffee while weaving stories that capture her exhaustive imagination. She harbors a voracious passion (in no consistent order) for mohawks, Italy, musical theater, chocolate, and Jane Austen. Carey’s debut novel for teens, The Halo Chronicles: The Guardian, earned her national recognition as 2010 Golden Heart finalist for best young adult fiction and was recently featured at the 2012 RT Booklovers Convention in Chicago in YA Alley.

Lorie Langdon has over ten years of experience writing online and print advertising for a Fortune 500 company, and left her thriving corporate career to satisfy the voices in her head. Now as a full-time author and stay-at-home mom, she spends her summers editing poolside while dodging automatic water-gun fire, and the rest of the year tucked into her cozy office, Havanese puppy by her side, working to translate her effusive imagination into the written word and continue to build the young-adult-focused blog, HonestlyYA.

Connect with the authors:

Carey Corp:

• Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1qqj0BL
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/careycorp
• Website: http://www.doonseries.com/
• Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1pez6SL

Lorie Langdon:

• Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1nagUFl
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LorieLangdon
• Website: http://www.lorielangdon.com/
• Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1AyddRT

Promo Spot: Balance Keepers

What's it about?

The Fires of Calderon is Book One in Lindsay Cummings's epic Balance Keepers series. These exciting fantasy adventure books are full of magic, mystery, friendship, and humor and are perfect for fans of books like Brandon Mull's The Candy Shop War or the Unwanteds series by Lisa McMann.

Bestselling author of the Skeleton Creek series Patrick Carman describes The Fires of Calderon as "fast paced and packed with adventure," and Peter Lerangis, bestselling author of the Seven Wonders series, says, "Wow!"

With themes of friendship, self-discovery, and courage; both boy and girl main characters; fierce creatures to battle; a mystery to solve; and a boarding school that could be described as Hogwarts underground, there's something for every reader to enjoy in this contemporary—and fantastically imaginative—spin on the classic Journey to the Center of the Earth.

When eleven-year-old Albert Flynn follows a mysterious map deep into the woods, and then under the woods, he discovers he's a Balance Keeper—someone with special magical skills for keeping harmony in fantastical underground worlds. Together with his teammates Leroy and Birdie, Albert must master his magical talents in time to stop the fires in the Calderon Realm from destroying New York City above.

Review: The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles #1)

The Kiss of Deception
by Mary E. Pearson

Synopsis

In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.

On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.

The Kiss of Deception is the first book in Mary E. Pearson's Remnant Chronicles.

Review

I started this book awhile ago and only just finished it yesterday. Why did it take me so long? I don't know! I really don't. I enjoyed the story and the same thing is happening to me with The Shining, which I'm also enjoying. I don't know what happens to me - I get 3/4s of the way through and then I just get distracted by all the other books and I start another one. 

Anyway, as I said - I really enjoyed this book! It was a mix of fantasy, romance and adventure. I was quite happy that the romance didn't overshadow everything else in the book. Also - it was really interesting how we read more than just Lia's point of view. We have chapters on Rafe, Kaden and even Pauline, Lia's friend. What I loved the most was not knowing who the prince and assassin were (you have to try and guess between Rafe and Kaden). I wanted so badly for a certain someone to be the prince (I'm not telling you who!) and I won't be telling you if I was right or not. 

BUT I was left wanting so much more :( I can't believe I have to wait for the second book - the end of this one left me completely NEEDING the next book. That's all I'm going to say. 

Verdict

Read it. If you're anything like me, however, you will get frustrated lol

Cover Reveal: The Automation

The Automation 
By G.B. Gabbler

Genre: Urban Fantasy

The capital-A Automatons of Greco-Roman myth aren’t clockwork. Their design is much more divine. They’re more intricate than robots or androids or anything else mortal humans could invent. Their windup keys are their human Masters. They aren’t mindless; they have infinite storage space. And, because they have more than one form, they’re more versatile and portable than, say, your cell phone—and much more useful too. The only thing these god-forged beings share in common with those lowercase-A automatons is their pre-programmed existence. They have a function—a function their creator put into place—a function that was questionable from the start…

Odys (no, not short for Odysseus, thank you) finds his hermetic lifestyle falling apart after a stranger commits suicide to free his soul-attached Automaton slave. The humanoid Automaton uses Odys’s soul to “reactivate” herself. Odys must learn to accept that the female Automaton is an extension of his body—that they are the same person—and that her creator-god is forging a new purpose for all with Automatons…

The novel calls itself a “Prose Epic,” but is otherwise a purposeful implosion of literary clichés and gimmicks: A Narrator and an Editor (named Gabbler) frame the novel. Gabbler’s pompous commentary (as footnotes) on the nameless Narrator’s story grounds the novel in reality. Gabbler is a stereotypical academic who likes the story only for its so-called “literary” qualities, but otherwise contradicts the Narrator’s claim that the story is true.

THE AUTOMATION is a this-world fantasy that reboots mythical characters and alchemical concepts. Its ideal place would be on the same bookshelf as Wrecker's THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI and Gaiman’s AMERICAN GODS—though it wouldn’t mind bookending Homer, Virgil, and Milton, to be specific.

For updates and purchasing information on THE AUTOMATION please visit Gabbler's website.

Learn more about G.B. Gabbler and B.L.A. on Tumblr and stay updated with them on Facebook and Twitter.  

Review: Throne of Glass

Throne of Glass
by Sarah J. Maas

Synopsis

In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king's champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien. 

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass--and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.



Review

I've owned this book for awhile and finally picked it up a few days ago. I've been in a kind of reading slump so it took me a bit to get into the story. However, when I finally sat down and just read - wow. I just love this story! It could be because I've gotten into fantasy/adventure stories lately and my on-going love for all kick ass girls. I just simply love LOVE the character of Celaena Sardothien. She's a contradiction in how simple she is (a girl who loves books, food and music and flirting every now and then) and complicated (her sad past and assassin ways). I found her to be quite refreshing since she was able to make sacrifices and work toward her goal of being free. Celaena is loyal and caring and fierce as well. 

Although the love triangle is nothing unique, I did find the male characters to be. An arrogant prince is nothing new - but a prince who plays arrogant who actually has a kind heart? Yeah, I'm up for that even though I am totally loving Chaol. He's my favorite for being so quiet, loyal, strong and caring. Ugh, just LOVE. 

Anyway - add magic and mystery the mix and I'm hooked. I already ordered the second book and the collection of novellas. 

And as a plus - look at the cover. Just look at it. It's beautiful. There's a second hardcover going around that is less than lovely, so I'm glad I got this one in paperback with this cover. The two books I ordered are hardback, so I won't have a matching set :( but that's okay because LOOK AT THE COVER. 

Okay. Done.

Verdict

If you like a strong female character who isn't afraid of being honest but who is also caring and fun - Celaena is your girl. Plus magic - yes, please!

Top Shelf Short Stories: The C-Word

The C-Word
by Don Pizarro

I don't know why I keep expecting this collection to be less weird haha. An interesting story of a guy who rekindles an old flame with an older woman. They share a great night together (sounds like they had fuuuuunnnn) and he refuses to give her up any longer the next day. The rest is left up to your imagination. The c-word indeed.  

Verdict

This short story had more erotica than cthulhu - do with that what you will. It was interesting for me. 

Top Shelf Short Stories: Faeries on Facebook

Faeries on Facebook
by Francesca Lia Block

If you, dear reader, want a glimpse of what it is to read  Block's writing, this short story is the perfect sample. 

The story is about a lovely girl Daphne and the sudden disappearance of her magical mother, Sylvia. Daphne doesn't know what to do with Sylvia's disappearance and so she lives on missing her mother but also focused on living her life, which was so often shadowed by Sylvia. 

She meets a boy, Caden, on Facebook and is enamored by his own magical ways when they meet in person. But there is so much to Sylvia and Caden than what Daphne realizes. 

Verdict 

A fantastic taste of Block's writing: magically realistic. You'll definitely love this story and her writing if you're into magical realism. 

Interview: Sage Adderley - Author of Invoking Nonna

Invoking Nonna
by Sage Adderley

Note: As you can see, dear reader, I am running late on this interview! No fear because my good friend Sage, author of the lovely book Invoking Nonna (how AWESOME is that?) has been quite understanding of my lateness. Now, onto the good stuff!

Book Synopsis  

Maggie Sloan is a free-spirited teenager growing up in rural Georgia. Unlike her peers, Maggie is a witch and so is her mother. In addition to normal teenager rites of passage, she must learn about her family lineage and witchcraft. Her mother, Laura, keeps a tight lid on their family secrets - like the mysterious life and death of her grandmother who passed away before Maggie was born. 

Practicing the craft will test solid friendships and introduce Maggie to new realms. While seeking the truth about herself and her family, Maggie is faced with danger from churchgoing classmates who will stop at nothing to make sure she is found out. Laura and Maggie strengthen their bond through witchcraft and work together to overcome their enemies. Are their magical gifts enough to keep them safe? 

Interview 

 1. What inspired you to write a book about a strong teen who becomes/realizes she’s Wiccan? 

 I love YA novels, but it’s rare you come across a teen character that practices witchcraft in modern times without some fantastical theme or character, like dragons or witches flying on broomsticks. I enjoy fantasy stories, but I wanted to depict a teen girl who happens to practice Wicca in present day. I also wanted to show how hard it can be to publicly practice a religion other than Christianity, especially in the deep south of the US. 

 2. How did you do your research for the Wiccan details in your story? It’s detailed in the best way! 

 Thank you! I’ve been reading about Wicca since I was a teenager. So, roughly twenty years. I’ve always been drawn to Pagan spirituality, so I am very familiar with Wicca. I also took advantage of books at my local library. 

 3. I love that you used the library! Many young adult authors appear pressured to include a love story in their books – was this something you considered for Invoking Nonna? 

 Well, I didn’t want a love story, but I was concerned this would be an issue for readers because it’s extremely common in most young adult books these days to have a romance and/or love triangle. Actually, I am surprised by how many people have commented that it’s refreshing not to have a love interest for Maggie. Who knows what the future has in store for Maggie, but right now, her family is the main focus. 

 4. I know I definitely appreciated how strong Maggie was without a male counterpart. Maggie and her best friend are so different – was that difficult for you to write as your story moved forward? 

 Not really. I wanted them to have a good connection while maintaining their own identities. I think that is important. 

 5. Definitely! Also, the mother/daughter relationship is dealt with heavily in your book – something that many women can sympathize with. Why did you pick this particular theme to center your story around? 

 I think many readers can relate to the issue of disconnect with their parents. I wanted to show a particular situation that could be mended between a mother and daughter no matter how bleak things seemed to be. 

 6. In general, what motivated you to write your story? What motivates you to continue? 

 Fun fact about how the story started - The first scene I wrote for the book was about the family of healers that have a magical shop set up at the local flea market. They were my inspiration. I built the Sloan family around Ana and Claudia. I have to continue because there is so much more to this family. More secrets, more pain, more love … and more magic! 

 7. We know you can’t tell us everything, but can you give any hint as to where Maggie’s story is going? 

For you, I will give some hints. In book two we will delve deeper into “the curse” and I think readers will learn more about Maggie’s father, too. The dynamic between Ruby and Maggie has changed, I’ll be touching on that. 

8. Thank you for the exclusive! Do you have any other projects in the works? 

Aside from writing book two of the Triple Goddess Series, I am also churning some ideas for a preschool story that I have in my brain. 

Many thanks to author, Sage Adderley, for taking the time to answer my questions and providing us an inside look into her world of Invoking Nonna. If you haven't read it, keep reading this to find out where you can order your copy today!

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5Dnc1YczF0 

Purchase Links: 
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Invoking-Nonna-Sage-Adderley/dp/0989709825 
Etsy (print & digital available) - https://www.etsy.com/shop/sage 

Follow Sage: 
Website – http://sageadderley.com/ 
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7559413.Sage_Adderley Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MyNameIsSage 
Twitter - https://twitter.com/sageadderley 

About the Author

Sage Adderley is a single (and very busy) mom of three humans and one cat. She is passionate about kindness, coffee, mental health, fat activism, and the DIY lifestyle. 

Sage is the owner of Sweet Candy Distro & Press, Sage's Blog Tours, and writes the zines Tattooed Memoirs and Marked For Life. She is also the creator of FAT-TASTIC! 

Sage currently resides in the magical land of Olympia, Wa.

Top Shelf Short Stories: Descent of the Wayward Sister

Descent of the Wayward Sister
by Gabrielle Harbowy

Yeah, you read right...erotica.

Double yeah, you read right...Cthulhurotica. 

I never EVER would have read anything in this book about a week ago. And now I'm considering buying the ebook (I read this from an Amazon sample) - all because of Bonnie Burton from Vaginal Fantasy. This online book group has made me become more open-minded in what I read.

So - that's how Cthulhurotica happens. 

First, a little background for those of you who may not now what a Cthulhu is. Cthulhu is this this creature (or type of creature) created by H.P. Lovecraft. It's basically this creature with tentacles (see cover of this book). 

Now, onto the story. It was a steamy interesting read. It surprised me because it had the idea of attraction and/or lust at the center of it instead of the story being about attaining a man. The story takes place during the time of servants and before televisions. It is about a woman who is staying at her brother's place for awhile. The woman becomes bored because her brother is never around and she is never introduced to anyone else who visits the home. 

One day, she's roaming the home and then hears a pleading coming from the basement. Thinking that a maid has locked herself in, the woman heads down to help her. What she finds goes beyond anything she could possibly imagine. 

I found this story to be interesting and unlike anything I've read. Of course, I don't read much erotica, but I found the monster link to be a great twist (even though I knew it was going to happen). Also, I don't know if the stories are meant to have some humor in them, but the last sentence of this story made me laugh out loud - in a good way. 

Verdict

Obviously skip if you're not into erotica, much less monster erotica. However, if you're feeling adventurous, try a sample from Amazon and see what you think!

Top Shelf Short Stories: Revenant's Anonymous

Revenant's Anonymous
by Francesca Lia Block

I have had a life-long love affair with Block's writing. I remember bidding on her book Dangerous Angels (a compilation of all her books in the Weetzie Bat series at the time). I don't remember where I heard or read her name. I don't know what possessed me to bid on her book. I just can't remember, but I'm so glad that I did because her books are full of magical realism. There is family and love and pain and it just all fits together and makes sense. 

It has been a long time since I've read a Block book. I lost touch with her writing simply because I got too busy in my real life to read anything that wasn't printed in some scholarly journal. 

So, how thrilled was I last night when I read that Block was making her collection of short stories, Lay Me Out Softly, in ebook free for today??? (It's also still available as I write this, click here) I made sure to remember, quite a feat for me, and here I am about to review the first one I read :)

So, I read "Revenant's Anonymous". I did not know what a revenant was before I started reading this story. I thought, hey, I learned how to use context clues, I'll just do that to figure it out. Ha! I was so confused by the second paragraph! Just so we're clear, a revenant is like a zombie.

With that said, this is a unique story about a group of revenants that meet for their Revenant's Anonymous every so often to talk about their experience and basically what they are now that they are dead. The story is specifically about Casey and Ed. Both are dead and both, through talking to each other, begin to remember what it was like to be alive. The reader basically joins Casey as she comes alive with Ed as she's falling for him. She begins to notice the "little" things, like a ghostly pulse under her skin when he touches her, the blush that doesn't stay on her cheeks and the nervousness at being around Ed. Through getting to know each other, Ed and Casey learn how it is to live with a soul, even if it is a ghostly one. 

Truly a beautiful story that made me think about what a soul is and how falling in love or just crushing on someone...feeling a touch, even, can make someone feel alive. This story made me fall in love with Block's writing all over again and I can't wait to read more from this collection. 

Verdict

Read it if you love zombies and/or love stories. It is unlike other zombie stories (even Warm Bodies) and other love stories. I hope it gets the reader interested in reading some more from Francesca Lia Block.

Also, zombie sex. 

Review: Windows: A Broken Fairy Tale

Windows: A Broken Fairy Tale
by Casey Bramble

Book Synopsis

Hush little baby don’t say a word 
The Darkness hides in an ivory bird 
But if that ivory bird can’t sing 
That’s when the Witches’ Hammer swings. 
 -- Nursery rhyme 

 A year ago Sarah Petty could not dream of the life she now lived. In those days she was one of the downtrodden masses; an unremarkable body upon which the upper caste built their castles of gold. Luckier than most, she at least had her blacksmithing skills to keep a roof over her head, though she went hungry more often than not. All of that changed with one fatal decision. 

She said yes. 

Lady Raven Chandlish, a sorceress with a smile that lit up the night and enough magical power to level a city, asked Sarah to open a shop with her in a different duchy. After moving things felt like they were on a definite upswing. There was food in the cupboard, money in the bank, and someone she might be falling in love with. Sarah didn’t dare pinch herself just in case it was all a dream. Like all dreams, this sunlit world was a feeble defense against the encroaching darkness. 

Buried deep within Raven’s soul was Malleus Maleficarum, an ancient demon that nearly destroyed the world twice before. Drawing on feelings stronger than the weapons she forged, Sarah learned to trust Raven could contain the demon. Malleus had other plans. 

When enemies of the Chandlish family attacked, Malleus used a momentary distraction to take over Raven’s body. While hundreds of soldiers battled for the fate of cities, a terrified blacksmith battled for the fate of a world. With no hope of rescue, Sarah whispered into the leering face of madness, praying love would save her.

Review

Anyone who reads my blog knows that I'm not that into Science Fiction or Adult Fantasy. Not because I don't want to, mind you - but mostly because I never knew where to start and with what author etc. Thankfully for me, this story fell into my lap :D

Windows had some characters with wonderful descriptions. The whole world, really, was filled with detail and care. Although humorous at times, it also had its dark moments which really fleshed out the story. It was a great introduction to fantasy!

What I truly enjoyed were all the parallels in the story. I don't want to give them away, but it would be hard not to notice them once you start reading it. I believe that Bramble has a good series on her hands if she wishes to continue it - and I hope that she does!!

Verdict

Teen readers or parents of teen readers - proceed with caution? I add the question mark because my parents didn't care about what I read and I was brought up just fine :) To each their own! But I definitely recommend this story to the readers of fantasy or wannabe readers of fantasy like me :)

Happy New Year!

I hope my readers are having a great start to their new year!

I, however, am home sick with bronchitis. *sigh* I seem to be getting better, but I do not enjoy missing work like this - even if I do have a doctor's note. See kids? Doesn't matter how old you are - if you're neurotic, you'll be worried about missing work just like you were worried about missing a school day.

But I digress.

Last year, I failed my book challenge of the year (50 books) miserably. I wasn't too bad, but it wasn't good. 

So, for this year, I am going to challenge myself even more! lol I just don't learn. 

I am going to do three challenges - but they cross with each other. One, my Goodreads challenge will be 50 books. Two, I will be trying to complete NPR's 100 Best Ever Teen Novels which I'll be keeping track of on the List Challenges website (it's an awesome website for lists!). And three, I'll be also trying to finish NPR's Top 100 Science-Fiction & Fantasy Books. There are books that are on both lists and I've already read some - so I'm giving myself some leeway. 

I'm excited! What challenges are my readers working on?