I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Gate ThiefIt is part of the Mither Mages #2 series and is a in Hardcover edition on March 19, 2013 and has 380 pages.Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon Other books in this series include [books_series] Second in the Mithermages urban fantasy for Young Adults and revolving around Danny North in Buena Vista, Virginia. My Take I wish I had re-read The Lost Gate, 1, because I spent most of this story confused as it refers back to events in this first book so often. Part of the confusion arises from Card creating two separate worlds with their own unique histories that intertwine. Westil has its particular dramas and the mage we saw as evil while Earth has their feuding families, eager for any advantage. It truly is complex and convoluted while oversetting everything we thought we knew about the Norse gods. Heck, about any gods. It’s a fairy tale and a dark fantasy with everyone plotting against everyone else. And at least half of the plotters have a sort of goodwill to […]

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Shattered Darkin eBook edition on October 30, 2012 and has 304 pages.Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon Second in the Shadow Reader urban fantasy about a sort-of human who can read the shadows of the fae. My Take On the whole, I like this series even if McKenzie makes me a bit nuts. However, I like the twist that Williams has given the fae and their world, and I like her characters with their individual range of emotions and loyalties. There’s a depth here, and Williams keeps just enough untold to tease and tantalize me into looking forward to the next story. You’d think that taking the palace would mean you’d won the war, but that’s not how it works and groups of Court fae are attacking everywhere. Nor are all the enemy on the outside. And things just get worse when Paige is pulled into the conflict. It’s high drama and lotsa action with betrayals everywhere and someone playing a long game of his own. Oh, gimme a break. Surely, SURELY, Paige […]

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Roman BloodIt is part of the Roma Sub Rosa #1 series and is a in Hardcover edition on April 15, 2008 and has 387 pages.Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon Other books in this series include [books_series] First in the Roma Sub Rosa ancient Roman mystery series featuring Gordianus, a disreputable Finder. My Take I seem to be in a very interesting rut! I keep reading novels that are set in the same places. I had just finished reading King’s Gambit (SPQR, I) by John Maddox Roberts which is set in ancient Rome, and here I am plunging into, yup, ancient Rome. With the same historic characters, but at an earlier time with Cicero and Sulla. It’s a fascinating look from the average man’s perspective of a period in Roman history when the great generals were more interested in filling their treasure chests and placating their soldiers, when Sulla worked to ensure the stability of his dictatorship, and others suffered for his ambitions. The manner of law for that time is certainly enough […]

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Wreckedon April 2, 2013 and has 320 pages.Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon A sweet, contemporary romance between childhood best friends. Formerly titled Wreck This Life. My Take This was just lovely and too cute how carefully Abby and Zach dance around their own thoughts and each other. Terrified of losing each other’s friendship, knowing everything about each other, and unable to stop thinking about the other. It is almost too twee how they tip-toe around each other, but Walker walks that line and keeps it sweetly real, although I find it hard to believe that Zach could truly convince Abigale that he “just happened” to find a perfect available building in a city that Abby’s moved to. It’s also hard to believe that Abby has been that obtuse for that long about Zach’s feelings, just as it’s pretty unbelievable that Zach keeps from making a move for all those years. It’s certainly not an insta-love. Walker provides all the background we need even as she drops us into a critical period for […]

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.WOOFon December 31, 2013 and has 41 pages.Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon There are actually two short stories in this book, a copy of which I received from the author. My Take It’s a cute pair of stories with some life lessons for both the parents and a shy little boy with the help of man’s best friend. And yet I’m torn. While I like the intelligence in the writing — I DO like an author who doesn’t talk down to kids! — I think the sentences are too advanced for the intended audience. There is also a passion lacking in this as well as a lack of concentration. By concentration, I mean that Douglas glosses too quickly over the lessons. It’s also too easy. Jeremy and Rufus swap with no effort, mom and dad capitulate too quickly, and the doctor is too smart. All of which conflicts with the intelligence of the writing which subconsciously leads me to expect more detail, more depth. A bit more emotion with an emphasis on […]

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Dare You Toon May 28, 2013 and has 480 pages.Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon Second in the Pushing the Limits New Adult romance series with some gritty events and characters. It’s based in Groveton, Kentucky. I received this ARC from the publisher. In 2014, Dare You To won the DABWAHA Romance Tournament for Best Young Adult Romance, and in 2013, it won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award (RT Award) for Young Adult Contemporary. My Take Oh. My. God. Good. It’s a story about two young adults who are more mature than their parents that will stay with me for a very long time, and I cannot emphasize enough how excellent this was. McGarry pulled deep for this, delving into parental pressures of all kinds — primarily those that parents place on their children with a minor look at those placed on parents by their children. Manipulating their children to satisfy their own selfish needs. Even better, McGarry took her time to develop this story and brought in a nice range of […]