Sunday, November 29, 2015

The Spirit Trap by by Veryan Williams-Wynn

I wasn't sure whether I would like this book or not when I first started reading it but I ended up really enjoying it. It is meant for YA and I really think it will appeal to those who enjoy not only the supernatural but also history. 
Tatiana finds herself haunted after she receives her grandmother's ashes and a portrait. She ends up on a quest to release the spirit of an ancestor who is tormented and trapped on earth reliving the horrible days of the French Revolution. The author seamlessly blends past and present and describes the past so accurately that you feel as if you are also there. I received a copy of this book from the publishers (thank you) via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Four out of Five Stars

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Death Do Us Part by JG Faherty

Oh my, this was so much fun to read. I remember those comics (Tales of the Crypt), and also Stephen Kings version. This was such a great fun "tongue in cheek" homage to those wonderful comics. If you want something that brings back some good memories read this novel. I received a copy of this novel from the publishers via Netgally for free in exchange for an honest review.

Four out of Five Stars

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Green Tea and Other Ghost Stories by J. Sheridan LeFanu

If I mention Poe, Lovecraft, or Bierce, I end up having a long conversation on them but if I mention Le Fanu sometimes I get "who"? It is really a shame as he was a master of the gothic tale and his tales are just as wonderful as the other masters of classic horror. His stories are always original, and I love the style of writing. it takes a little getting used to but it worth it. I have to admit that I took my time with this one and read the stories late at night. Don't miss these wonderful tales of gothic horror. I received a copy of this book via the publishers and Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the treat.

Four out of Five Stars

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Murder In Wisconsin: Most Evil Serial Killers In Wisconsin History by Jack Rosewood

I really enjoyed this basic anthology of Wisconsin crime. It isn't easy to write about one serial killer but the author managed to talk about a few of them in depth. Often I find that some authors skim the surface to make a book but this book appears to be very well researched and well written. I am definitely interested in reading more by this author.

Four out of Five Stars

Sunday, November 22, 2015

The Face Transplant by R. Arundel

This is the second time I have read and reviewed "The Face Transplant" by R. Arundel. The first time was back in July 2014. I liked it then but was excited to learn that it would be revised and released again. This time it is even better than before. I found the lead up to the main story much more clear and the story is very stream lined now. It is a very exciting read and also provides a bit of information on facial transplant technology. Highly recommended!

Four out of Five Stars

Friday, November 20, 2015

What Lies Within by Elysae Shar

I found this short novella a bit hard to get into at the beginning as I had no idea what was going on but I stuck with it and am glad that I did. I found the writing and the gradual increase in suspense compelling and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I really like the author's writing style and how she hinted of things to come with the main character. I want to thank the author and LibraryThing for letting me read this. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review (thank you so much!).

Three out of Five Stars

Monday, November 16, 2015

Sorrow's Point by Danielle DeVor

My favorite kind of novel is horror; in particular themes that have to do with possession. I remember reading (and seeing) "The Exorcist" a long time ago and since then have read many novels that tried to attain the same degree of horror and fear. None have come close until now. Not only does "Sorrow's Point" have that sense of underlying dread but it also manages to make you care about the main characters in the novel. It is not all one sided. Everyone has their strengths but also weak areas that make them all too human which helps them to be easier to relate to. It is definitely a multi-faceted novel which is definitely a bonus.
Jimmy Holiday who is a defrocked ex-priest is asked for help by an old friend whose young daughter appears to be possessed but no one will help including the Catholic Church. What he finds will challenge his notion of good and evil but he will also find out some truths about himself as well.
I literally could not put the book down. The suspense was drawn out very artfully. The conclusion was well done considering that this is (yay!) the first in a prospective series. I don't want to give any spoilers but the ending which is bitter sweet leaves it open to more adventures and self discovery for Jimmy Holiday. I received a copy of this novel from the publishers via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.

Five out of Five Stars

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Dark Shadows by Toni Vallan

This is definitely one of my favorite books I have read this year. Ella is bullied and locked into a closet by teens who have tormented her for years. It releases something horrifying that Ella has to deal with while recovering from the trauma of what happened. Luckily, Ella has the support of her mother, a school nurse, and her BFF Kyla. 
Things get much worse when Ella wakes up covered with bloody sheets and a metal object covered in blood but that is not the worst. One of her tormentors has been found dead. What follows is a harrowing account of the real and surreal. Is all this happening? Or is it all a figment of Ella disturbed mind? 
I do not want to give any spoilers away but I was literally blown away with this book. It is obvious that Toni Vallan has studied the human mind and she blends this knowledge into a psychological thriller that does not let up. I stayed up late finishing the book and was stunned by the twist ending. This is a book not to miss. I want to thank the publishers for taking a chance on me reading the book so late on a deadline through Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.

Five out of Five Stars

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Prehistoric: (A Prehistoric Thriller) (Bick Downs Book 1) by Michael Esola

I am really not sure what to say about this book. I love any kind of book with dinosaurs or prehistoric creatures in it. This book has a great premise and potential and I think a rewrite or review would do wonders for it. It is enough that I am interested in reading book two (if there is one that is). As I said, the main idea of the book is interesting, and I like how the author developed some of the main characters especially protagonists and the necessary antagonist though I would have like a bit more background on them. One thing I really did like about the book is the fact that the "creatures" are never exactly explained as to what they are. They are still a mystery by the end of the book (great idea). I think this author's ideas are incredible and I am looking forward to trying another book by him. My only question is that it seems like this book is a book one and I am not sure which is book two which I would love to continue.

Three out of Five Stars

Saturday, November 7, 2015

A Pain in the Tuchis by Mark Reutlinger

Why have I never discovered Mrs. Kaplan, Mrs Berkowitz, and the Julius and Rebecca Home for Jewish Seniors before?
Vera Gold, a cantankerous and unpleasant resident of the home dies just as Yom Kippur ends. Her sister suspects that it may not have been of natural causes so requests Mrs. K and her sidekick Mrs. B to investigate. What ensues is absolutely hilarious. The home and residents have the feel of "Golden Girls" (though there are a few colorful male residents as well) and I would love to just sit and have a cup of tea while I listen to these wonderful senior citizens tell some stories (the motorcycle incident had me laughing so hard I woke up my kids in the middle of the night). It really makes for such a warm novel and the characters are all so very likable.
There is also so much information on Judaism especially with celebrations and sayings. I found myself alternating between laughing out loud and learning something new. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves mystery novels with a hint of humor. It is so good that I actually went and bought the first book so I could catch up on the series. Highly recommended. I received a copy of this book from the publishers (thank you so much!) via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review. Seriously, this is one mystery not to miss!

Four out of Five Stars

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

The Incurables by Jon Bassoff

The Incurables by Jon Bassoff is a very dark, bleak and sometimes uncomfortable read. I have always been fascinated by Dr. Walter Freeman who specialized in lobotomy so was intrigued by the idea of a novel featuring this controversial man. 
Is the novel well written? Yes. Is it a feel good novel? Definitely not but then we are reading a novel in the horror genre. There are no happy endings or happy people. Jon Bassoff has stripped apart society at large and left us with an unsettling part: namely poverty and those who are often the ones left wanting; the mentally ill.

Three out of Five Stars

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

The Worlds Traveler by M.L. Roble

M.L Roble has created an interesting and unique world with The Worlds Traveler. It was an exciting and engrossing read and I will definitely recommend the series to my own kids. I did find it hard to follow for quite a while and felt like something was missing but that is only because I started with book two and really should have read book one first (which I will remedy asap). I would have loved a very short synopsis of the previous book so I knew what was going on a bit more. I really want to learn more about this group of people who have very unique "gifts". I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.

Three out of Five Stars