Review: The Agency: A Spy in the House

The Agency
by Y. S. Lee

Synopsis

Introducing an exciting new series! Steeped in Victorian atmosphere and intrigue, this diverting mystery trails a feisty heroine as she takes on a precarious secret assignment. 

Review

I didn't expect to like this book as much as i did. I hadn't heard about it before, but I saw it was available from my library and I remembered that I saw it mentioned in a YouTube video. I am so happy that I picked it up!

It's a story about a young thief-turned spy during Victorian times. This girl is fierce - strong and curious.I'll go ass far as to say she is a Victorian-time feminist. What I didn't expect was that chapters were not solely from her POV. What I really didn't expect was for me to like that fact. 

For you love story enthusiasts - there is a love story in this book, but it is not what you think. How's that for vague? Let's just say that I am looking forward to the following books (I already ordered the second and third books in the series).

Verdict

If you are into mysteries - especially those involving a strong [feminist] female lead - this is for you :)

Book Blitz: Flash

Flash

By Donna Ball

Genre: Mystery/suspense (dog mystery)

Publication Date: May 1, 2015

Publisher: Blue Merle Publishing

Don’t miss the first book in an exciting new dog mystery series

Almost two years ago the sleepy little community of Dogleg Island was the scene of one of the most brutal crimes in Florida history.  The only eye witnesses were a border collie  puppy and a police officer. Since that time Flash has grown from a puppy into a vital part of the Dogleg Island Police Department, and has  lived happily with the two people who rescued him on that horrible night: Deputy Sheriff Ryan Grady and Police Chief Aggie Malone.  

Now the trial of the century is about to begin.  The defendant, accused of slaughtering  his parents in their beach home, maintains his innocence.  Aggie and Ryan, the top witnesses for the prosecution,are convinced he is lying.  But only Flash knows the truth.

And with another murder to solve, a tangle of conflicting evidence to sort out, and a brutal storm on the way, the truth may come too late... for all of them.


About the Author

Donna Ball is the author of over a hundred novels under several different pseudonyms in a variety of genres that include romance, mystery, suspense, paranormal, western adventure, historical and women’s fiction. Recent popular series include the Ladybug Farm series by Berkley Books and the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery series. Donna is an avid dog lover and her dogs have won numerous titles for agility, obedience and canine musical freestyle. She divides her time between the Blue Ridge mountains and the east coast of Florida, and lives with a variety of four-footed companions. You can contact her at http://www.donnaball.net, or follow her on Facebook at Donna Ball

Links:

Website: http://www.DonnaBall.net

Facebook: Donna Ball Author Page

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DonnaABall

Amazon link for Flash: http://www.amazon.com/Flash-Donna-Ball/dp/0985774894

Short Story Fridays: Infernal Attractors

Infernal Attractors
by Cody Goodfellow

Collection: Cthulhurotica

Review 

This story was much shorter than I thought and I promise you, reader, I did not choose it because it was so short. I don't know if it should really be classified as a story since it feels that you're walking into the middle of a story already. But perhaps that's the point? 

The story is about a man who built a machine/contraption called a Tillinghast resonator for a beautiful woman he is apparently in a relationship with. The protagonist explains that the woman distracts him from his questions [about what he is building] by constantly having sex with him. The little bits and pieces he does seem to gather are from when she is half asleep.

*spoiler*

So, I had to look up what a "Tillinghast resonator" was in order to understand what the point of this story was. Wiki explains the creator of the resonator, Tillinghast, is a character in one of H.P. Lovecraft's stories and says it is the following: 

Tillinghast creates an electronic device that emits a resonance wave, which stimulates an affected person’s pineal gland, thereby allowing them to perceive planes of existence outside the scope of accepted reality.

So, do with that what you will...

Verdict

I don't really have an opinion. It was barely a story...

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!

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: My Heart is Either Broken

My Heart is Either Broken
by Megan Abbott

I have been skipping around different volumes since I started this short story project (which, btw, aren't you proud I haven't abandoned??? Please leave words of encouragement below haha). However, I was in a coffee house (the "just right" environment) when I started reading this volume and I found myself curious as to how the rest of the stories would be since the first one (see yesterday's post) was awesome. 

Well, I'm so glad I did! Abbott has created an absolutely awesome story that could easily be seen (and has been seen) on the evening news. 

The story is told from Tom's perspective and the reader is thrown right in the middle of his and his wife, Lorie's, horror story. The story revolves around the couple's missing daughter, Shelby. Shelby was last seen with Lorie at a coffee shop. It was apparently at that coffee shop where Lorie asked one of the shop workers, whom Lorie had encountered before, to watch Shelby while she cleaned up in the restroom. When Lorie came out, Shelby and the worker were no where to be seen.

So started the couple's horror. What makes it worse is that from day one, Lorie is the main suspect. This is something Tom finds impossible...until Lorrie starts going to bars dressed as if she were 10 years younger and begins sunbathing in a bikini in the front yard. Then Tom starts remembering details from their past - details he wishes he didn't remember. 

And that's as far as I can go because, damn, this story is really great! It's sad and creepy - a total chiller. Of course, the concept is disturbing, but trust me when I say that what the reader thinks is happening is not the final story. 

Verdict

If you like chillers and mysteries, this one is for you. Dangerous women indeed. Take caution, definitely adult themes involved. Think sex, chilling ideas, etc. 

Book Spotlight: Divided Within

Divided Within
by John Guillen

Synopsis

Houston area private eye Andrew Banks is hired by sixteen-year-old Mercedes Vega to figure out what's dividing her parents. As soon as he meets the rest of the Vega family he realizes that the situation is only one step away from becoming dire. He puts the safety of the family over everything else until the case hits much too close to home. It becomes a race against a wealthy restaurant owner that ultimately becomes deadly.








About the Author

John Guillen has had a love of books for as long as he can remember. As a grade school student he would browse the tables of the semi-annual book fairs at his school and convince his parents to buy as many books as he could. This passion would reemerge years later as a high school teen. He'd read books by the best crime authors of the day long before completing the required school work. 


John knew early on in college that he wanted to become a writer and immediately began work on his debut novel, Divided Within, less than two weeks after graduating from the University of Houston Downtown in May 2013. 

When he's not writing or reading a new novel, he enjoys listening to country music and staying up to date on current news stories. 

Links  

Website: authorjohnguillen.com 
Blog: johnguillen.wordpress.com 
Twitter: @JohnGbooks 
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Divided-Within-Andrew-Banks-Volume/dp/1492747580

Review: Word

Word
by Harry Hallman

Synopsis

"When a word game turns deadly, how do you fight it?" Who do you go to for help? Martin must answer these questions before he becomes the next victim of an insidious plot. 

In a single day Martin's simple life as a business executive is turned upside down, because of his fascination with word games. And he is not the only one in danger. 







Review

First of all, lets all congratulate me for doing a Sage's Blog Tour review on a short story at the same time that I [attempted] my daily short story read marathon. By the way, talk about FAIL. But I will continue to try.

Now that's off my chest, lets get with the review, shall we?

Talk about an AWESOME short story! This story grabbed me from the start with it's unique storyline. Who knew that playing a simple online word game could be so freaky!? Martin's life appears to revolve around technology, especially an online game that slowly seems to be dictating his life. It doesn't take Martin too long to realize that the random player in his favorite online word game may not be so random after all. 

If you want a quick story that's going to freak you out - look no further than this one! 

About the Author

Hallman is a resident of Atlanta and was born and raised in the Kensington section of North Philadelphia. He served in the U.S. Air Force, including two tours in South Vietnam as a photographer. He is married to Duoc Hallman, and has two children, Bill and Nancy, and one grandchild, Ava. 

 Hallman is a serial entrepreneur who has created several marketing services companies and continues to work as a marketing consultant. In 1995, when the Internet was an infant, he formed a web development company and has been a practicing online media consultant ever since. In 1990 he assisted his son Bill Hallman, a then budding fashion designer, start his business. 

Bill Hallman operates several stores in Atlanta and designs fashions for both men and women. 

Writing Influences Hallman's father was Harry Hallman, Sr., a champion billiards player who also owned a poolroom called Circle Billiards, located at Allegheny Avenue and Lee Street in Philadelphia. 

The younger Hallman spent many hours after school at his father’s pool hall. These youthful experiences laid the groundwork for his novel Mercy Row, including the colorful language in the text. "The combination of my digital marketing experience, my work with my son's business and my own mania about playing word games on my iPad, allowed the idea for Word to pop into my head one day. Although I was working on my sequel to my Mercy Row novel, Mercy Row- Clann, the idea would not leave me alone until I fished this short story: WORD" 

Available in ebook format on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Short-Story-Harry-Hallman-ebook/dp/B00ENHU20E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378438749&sr=8-1&keywords=Words+by+Harry+Hallman

Works by Harry Hallman: 

Mercy Row 
Available in ebook and paperback at Amazon.com


Website: www.meryrow.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mercyrownovel
 

Mercy Row- Clann- Coming Late 2013

Top Shelf Short Story: Beyond the Door

Short Story: Beyond the Door

Collection: Philip K. Dick: Short Stories
Author: Philip K. Dick

Review

Dear reader, this review is a day late. 

That's all. Seriously, what did you expect? 

Anyway, I've never read anything by Philip K. Dick and even though this was a very simple and very short story, it intrigued me to read more of his work. This story is about a man, Larry, who buys a cuckoo clock for his wife. Larry is not the most sensitive husband in the world which is why most people, and this particular clock, don't like him. 

You read right. The clock does not like Larry. The birdie inside refuses to come out for him but adores his wife. So when Larry kicks his wife out of the house...well, the birdie doesn't like that at all. 

As I said, it's a REALLY short story, but effective in its storytelling. It has that mystery/horror element that gets me (especially during this time).

Verdict

Read it! It's short and fun :)