Virtual Book Tour - Save Magic City

Author: Rocsanne Shield
Publisher: iUniverse

The corporation employing the townspeople has left, the bank foreclosures have created whole streets of empty houses, people are leaving in droves... the town is slowly dying.

A black magician in his old time, Edmund is forbidden to do any magic if it is not for helping other people. He discovers and is fascinated by the magical powers of Internet and wants to bring instant relief to the townspeople, but Leona, who does not trust their dependency on magic, forbids him to do so.

Leo, Leona's adoptive son, and his friends, Squirrel and Raccoon, accept the magic with enthusiasm and do their best to help the town to survive.

When misfortune strikes, Leona gives her blessing for Edmund to use his magic.

Edmund is an evil knight who is banished to the future by his brother. He lands in a dying town and must learn to use his magic for good in order to redeem himself. Leona and her friends are trying to save their dying town from the big corporation who is ruining it.

What I liked: I liked the idea of a knight in shining armor coming to the rescue of a woman and her town. I also liked her use of children in the book and teaching them to get involved and to take pride in their community.

What I didn't like: While the idea for this book is very intriguing, it really fell short for me. The biggest problem I had with the book was the writing itself. It could have benefited from more editing. I felt like the ideas all ran together and the author tried to go into too many directions with the plot. I know that this was marketed as a young adult book, but I think middle part that deals with the legal and political issues of corporations and incorporating a town could potentially bore a younger audience. I found myself skimming parts because there was too much detail.

On the whole, I think the author had a good idea and with some more revisions, the novel would have worked better for me. I have read other positive reviews where people enjoyed the book, so it may just be a matter of opinion.

--Kari

* note: I read a complimentary copy of Save Magic City supplied courtesy of the author. I was not compensated in anyway for this review. By receiving a complimentary copy, I am in no way obligated to write a good or bad review. I am an honest reviewer and my reviews are based on my own opinion and only written by me.*

Throwback Thursday - Fever

Author: Elizabeth Lowell
First published in 1983 by Harlequin

Rye McCall has a problem. He's got an obsessive father who's trying to ensure a dynasty, but Rye's rebellious and determined to lead his own life. And to make matters worse, he's just met a woman who may thwart both men's plans. For one brief, high-country summer, Rye manages the impossible--to keep his father's world at bay. But he's lost control of his own plans--he's fallen in love with Lisa Johansen. Now he's told too many lies for his happiness to last. He knows that. What he doesn't know is how to finally tell her the truth.



Fever has everything that I have come to love about the older Harlequin romances: cheesy lines, bad fashion, steamy loves scenes, a big misunderstanding and a HEA for a couple that I can believe in. Rye is a total alpha male and Lisa is the stereotypical, naive wall flower who doesn't know her own potency or worth. Yes, it's cheesy, but you just can't stop reading it. Being written by Elizabeth Lowell guarantees it will have at least one hot steamy sex scene. This one has one that goes on for pages and pages!

I definitely recommend this early work by Ms. Lowell. It is a quick read and worth the afternoon it will take to devour it!

--Kari

Sweet Valley Confidential

by:  Francine Pascal
published by:  MacMillan Audio

I won this audiobook from MacMillan Audio and that's why I listened to it, otherwise it's not my cup of tea.  I never read any of the Sweet Valley High books when I was growing up.  Not a single one.  I think that's why I didn't totally hate this book.  Apparently if you've read any of the SVH books, this book is awful.  Read the reviews of Goodreads or Amazon, this book gets ripped to shreds.  I was really surprised.  It wasn't just "this book sucks" kind of comments, it was long drawn out explanations of contextual errors.  I never read the books, so I didn't know it was wrong.

I thought it was ok, I found myself drawn into it, waiting to find out what was going to happen.  My biggest problem with it was the time line.  There seems to be several different points in time that the story is set in, present, 8 months prior, 5 years prior, and 10 years prior.  The story keeps switching between those time periods withouth any indication and it was a little hard to follow.  It could have been because I was listening to the audiobook, but I suspect not.

If you're a SVH fan, pick it up, see if you think it's as awful as the reviewers are saying it is.  If you weren't a SVH fan, it's an ok adult drama.

Dread of Night (Volume One)

Author: Joshua D. Boeringa
Illustrator: Robert Frost
Publisher: Sissy Fist Press

Thirteen stories to keep you up at night.

Check the closet and under the bed. Grab a flashlight and hide out under the covers. In these stories, you will encounter monsters escaped from your nightmares. A helpful stranger is not quite as kind as he seems. An old man has a difficult time letting go. A fisherman's first catch of the day might also be his last.

Read on if you dare!


Dread of Night is a great collection of very creepy short stories. This book brought me back to my "tween" years when all I wanted to read were "true" ghost stories and tales about haunted houses. My favorites of the book are "Our Little Secret" and "Teddy". But really, all of them are fun to read and will leave you shivering! I also loved the little poems that are sprinkled throughout the book between tales. Mr. Boeringa has quite the imagination. Rounding out the book are great illustrations by Robert Frost. He did a great job of giving the reader wonderful visual images to compliment the tales.

I would recommend this book to any lover of quick creepy stories. (I read it in an afternoon) I think it is appropriate for YA and adult readers alike. I would have loved this book when I was younger! I look forward to Volume 2!

--Kari

* note: I read an complimentary copy of Dread of Night supplied courtesy of the author. I was not compensated in anyway for this review. By receiving a complimentary copy, I am in no way obligated to write a good or bad review. I am an honest reviewer and my reviews are based on my own opinion and only written by me.*

Cloaked

Author: Alex Flinn
Publisher: HarperCollins

I'm not your average hero. I actually wasn't your average anything. Just a poor guy working an after-school job at a South Beach shoe repair shop to help his mom make ends meet. But a little magic changed it all.

It all started with a curse. And a frog-napping. And one hot-looking princess, who asked me to lead a rescue mission.

There wasn't a fairy godmother or any of that. And even though I fell in love along the way, what happened to me is unlike any fairy tale I've ever heard. Before I knew it, I was spying with a flock of enchanted swans, talking (yes, talking!) to a fox named Todd, and nearly trampled by giants in the Everglades.

Don't believe me? I didn't believe it either. But you'll see. Because I knew it all was true, the second I got cloaked.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this audiobook. I haven't read anything else by this author. I am so glad I did. This was such a cute story. Johnny, who thinks his life is going nowhere, gets sucked into an adventure of a lifetime. Not only does he learn that magic does exist, he also learns about integrity, the value of true friendship and love along the way. He does get his own fairytale HEA, but you'll have to read the book to find out what that entails.

Alex Flinn has woven several fairy/folk tales into this book. Ms.Flinn is kind enough to list them out for the reader in the author's note. A few of them are "The Shoemaker and the Elves"," The 12 Swans", and "The Frog Prince". Some of them are a bit obscure, so it was nice of her to clue me in as to which ones she used. It made me want to look them up and read them.

So, I would definitely recommend this one! It was good clean fun and so appropriately labeled YA. I would even say a 'tweens' would like this one.

--Kari

Feed Me (Short Story Collection)

Author: Nigel Barto
Publisher: CreateSpace

FEED ME is a collection of short stories that rouses your heart, wakes your adoring mind, and ignites passion. These stories were inspired by the author’s journey. Paris, love, and taking chances. Everything has its reason.


Feed me is an interesting collection of stories. Although, I wouldn't really call them stories. To me they were more like reflections on different situations involving love and relationships. For example, the first story, "Thankful", reflects on love and acceptance within a family. I think the story I liked the best was the one called "Returning Home", in which the author describes his adventure in trying to return home from abroad. I think most of us have a time where there was trouble when we tried to return home from a journey. I could sympathize with his feeling of wanting to get home; the more you want it, the more your heart aches for it.

While I didn't enjoy all of the stories in the book, ( I found a couple a bit depressing), I would recommend giving it a shot. I think there is something here for everyone.


--Kari


* note: I read an ARC of Feed Me supplied courtesy of the author. I was not compensated in anyway for this review. By receiving a complimentary copy, I am in no way obligated to write a good or bad review. I am an honest reviewer and my reviews are based on my own opinion and only written by me.*

Throwback Thursday - Sawyer (Buckhorn Brothers #1)

Author: Lori Foster
First Published in 2000 by Harlequin

Sawyer Hudson, the only doctor in Buckhorn County, took it upon himself to rescue the beautiful but enigmatic woman who came literally crashing into his life. Though he knew he should keep things platonic and professional, around her his body had other ideas. And his heart was no more cooperative.

Honey Malone was on the run, fleeing a dangerous predator, when she lost control of her car, drove into a lake - and found herself up to her neck in breathtaking men. After the brothers nursed her through her injuries, she tried to leave, but she hadn't bargained on their stubborn protectiveness. Or the passionate bond that tied her to Sawyer.

I seem to be on a Lori Foster kick lately. I think it is her ability to make her characters so likeable that has me wanting to read more of her books. Sawyer is the first in a series that came out in the early 2000s about 4 brothers who live and find love in their small town. They are all gorgeous and single. Sawyer is the oldest brother and a doctor. Honey is running from someone who wants to hurt her. The attraction between the two is believable and very cute. I think what appealed to me most about the book was the interaction between Sawyer and his brothers. They obviously want Sawyer to be happy and will do anything to make it happen. Sawyer also has a son who he has raised on his own. Any man who can do that gets big points in my book. Honey is a strong willed woman who has had to make it on her own. Her reaction to having 5 males want to protect her is pretty amusing.

This is a quick and fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have the other 4 books in the series on my bedside table ready to be read. Enjoy!

--Kari

Tomorrow Girls: Behind the Gates

by:  Eva Gray
published by:  Scholastic
publish date:  May 1st, 2011

In a terrifying future world, four girls must depend on each other if they want to survive.

Louisa is nervous about being sent away to a boarding school -- but she’s excited, too. And she has her best friend, Maddie, to keep her company. The girls have to pretend to be twin sisters, which Louisa thinks just adds to the adventure!

Country Manor School isn’t all excitement, though. Louisa isn’t sure how she feels about her new roommates: athletic but snobby Rosie and everything’s-a-conspiracy Evelyn. Even Maddie seems different away from home, quiet and worried all the time.

Still, Louisa loves CMS -- the survival skills classes, the fresh air. She doesn’t even miss not having a TV, or the internet, or any contact with home. It’s for their own safety, after all.

Or is it?

Behind the Gates is Book #1 in a series of dystopian stories aimed at Middle Graders.  It's set in a not too distant future in a war torn United States.  Children are sent to schools in the countryside to escape the difficult life in the city.  Behind the Gates opens with Louisa and Maddie getting on the bus to leave for Country Manor School.

I'm a real fan of dystopian lit and it's not surprising that it's trickled down into the MG reading level.  I noticed that this book was copyrighted by Suzanne Weyn who is the writer of the book Empty which is a YA level dystopian book.  While I though Empty was ok, I thought this book was much better.  My biggest problem with Empty was the preachiness of it.  I didn't notice so much of that in this book, which is good because kids are far more impressionable at this age.  This book focuses a lot on being self-reliant, that's a positive! 

I think these books could be quite popular with a wide variety of "tween" girls.  It has a lot of elements that would appeal to a broad spectrum, adventure, sports, friend drama, insecurities, etc.  Great summer reading book!  Nosing around I found some more great summer reading ideas from Scholastic.  Check these out.
Summer Reading Challenge 10-12
Summer Reading Challenge Young Adult

Winners

Last week we post a giveaway for Snowdrops by A.D. Miller

The winners of that giveaway are:

Tiffany

and

Erinberry

Congratulations and check your email!

Eternal Rider (Lords of Deliverance #1)

Author: Larissa Ione
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

His name is Ares, and the fate of mankind rests on his powerful shoulders. If he falls to the forces of evil, the world falls too. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he is far stronger than any mortal, but even he cannot fight his destiny forever. Not when his own brother plots against him.

Yet there is one last hope. Gifted in a way other humans can't-or won't-understand, Cara Thornhart is the key to both this Horseman's safety and his doom. But involving Cara will prove treacherous, even beyond the maddening, dangerous desire that seizes them the moment they meet. For staving off eternal darkness could have a staggering cost: Cara's life.

While this is the first book in a new series by Larissa Ione, it is a direct follow from her five book Demonica series (starting with Pleasure Unbound). Ione's fun and sexy characters and a well constructed world come together for a very entertaining romp. A perfect bit of escapism.

Holy moly... just look at that cover alone!

**Note: This book was purchased for my personal library.

Midnight Riot

Author: Ben Aaronovitch
Publisher: Del Rey

Probationary Constable Peter Grant dreams of being a detective in London’s Metropolitan Police. Too bad his superior plans to assign him to the Case Progression Unit, where the biggest threat he’ll face is a paper cut. But Peter’s prospects change in the aftermath of a puzzling murder, when he gains exclusive information from an eyewitness who happens to be a ghost. Peter’s ability to speak with the lingering dead brings him to the attention of Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, who investigates crimes involving magic and other manifestations of the uncanny. Now, as a wave of brutal and bizarre murders engulfs the city, Peter is plunged into a world where gods and goddesses mingle with mortals and a long-dead evil is making a comeback on a rising tide of magic.

If you are a fan of English mysteries and dry as dust humor, this is the book for you! Originally published as "Rivers of London" the first installment in the new Peter Grant series was retitled for American audiences. Personally, I find that annoying...Rivers of London was a great title for the story.

Anyway, memorable characters, snappy dialogue, a nice twisty plot and a unique tour of English countryside makes this a great read. I'm ready for the sequel!

**Note: this book purchased for my personal library