Jack Templar, Monster Hunter

Jack Templar, Monster Hunter by Jeff Gunhus

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a fast fun read that pulls you in from the very beginning. The story is told in first person from Jack who warns you from the beginning that there are monsters out there.

Jack wakes up on the day before his 14th birthday and feels like there have been changes in him overnight. He's stronger and faster and just feels differently. Unbeknownst to Jack monsters will be wishing him a happy birthday. Although there is the all too common theme of the boy not knowing his true heritage, the author does well to put a new twist on things and makes this a definite fun read.

This book is full of monsters and heroes and there are lots of questions that I hope get answered in future books. There is an underlying mystery with Jack that makes this an interesting series to be sure.

Overall I really liked this story. If you enjoyed Harry Potter or Percy Jackson then you are sure to enjoy this as well.



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Unpretty

This is a new series coming from the creator of the Zombie Fairytales.

Unpretty: An Unloved Ones Prequel #1 by Kevin Richey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.


LOVED,LOVED,LOVED!!! This is an awesome read. Katherine is a young, very obese girl who has even outgrown the large women's store. But on her 16th birthday everything changes with a wish.

Katherine is such a powerful character. I love how we see the world from her point of view. We really feel for her and see how it is to be her. And I loved her best friend Sarah who is chubby but not as obese as Kathy. She is so supportive and everything a best friend should be. I hope that we get to see more of her. Her mother is bitter and not supportive or forthcoming with answers to her only daughter. Its a relationship that is difficult to understand and you can see why her daughter has issues.

This book pulls you in from the very beginning. Its very well written and really hard to put down. I hated to find that I had come to the end. I love the intriguing mystery of what is really going on with Katherine, and who she really is. Loved this one and can't wait to continue this series.



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After the Ending

After The Ending by Lindsey Fairleigh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Awesome read!! I'm always up for a good apocalyptic/dystopia and this pretty much fit the bill. I admit, there were some holes in the plausibility factor, but I'll get to those. I first considered this to be a YA, but towards the end the sex scenes are definitely too much for the under 18 readers.

This is the story of two friends, separated across country when a savage strain of flu virus nearly wipes everybody out. Dani and Zoe have been friends since grade school and now they are working to find each other after all has happened. The story moves back and forth between them along with emails that tie them together.

This is a really fun read, with some great characters. I loved how it moved back and forth between the two main characters. And the integration of their new found abilities. Mostly it seems that its all mind generated abilities like telepathy and clairvoyance. There's no X-men like powers such as controlling fire or anything like that. I did find two big plausibility problems with this story. First of all, its the apocalypse and suddenly the phones aren't working, but they all seem to find wifi wherever they are. Secondly, the love triangles on both sides of this story seem to be almost identical. It doesn't matter that one girl lost the love of her life she's all ready to fall in love again. It doesn't hurt I guess that everybody is hot, everyone is slim or well built and gorgeous. I guess all the average people died in the flu outbreak.

Overall, its a fun read. It had a great cliff hanger. I so want to see how this continues.





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Signed Book Giveaway Hop

 

 

 

 

 

Signed Book Giveaway Hop

April 16th to 22nd

 

Featuring Books Signed by the Author

 

Co-hosted by Wholly Books

Through a happy accident we are currently offering two great giveaways. Two great authors are offering signed copies of their books. Author Cindy Lyle is giving away a copy of her book: The Dragon Within. You can find my review of her awesome book here. This giveaway is for US and Canada only.

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Our second book up for grabs is The Red Leaves and the Living Token by author Ben Burrell. You can find my review of this wonderfully original book here. This giveaway is open to residents of US, Canada, and UK only. As always its not a requirement that you follow my blog in order to win but its always appreciated.

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A'loc

A'loc by Nicholas Forristal

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.


This is the final book in the Chronicles of M trilogy and I enjoyed this one as well as the first two. A'loc picks up where the last one left off with M training for his big duel. Many of the same characters from the previous books are in this one including my favorite, Uhler. I was very happy to see that he is not only included in this one but is a prominent character.

There is so much that goes on in this story. As with the previous books, there are many twists and turns, as well as magic and a lot of humor throughout. So much reminds me of super hero comic books, and this really adds to the fun nature of the story.

If you have read the previous two, then you should finish up with this one. It ties up things nicely and many questions are answered. There was usually something around every corner that I wasn't expecting. A'loc can be enjoyed without reading the first two as things are explained along the way, but its much better if you read them in succession.

Overall, its a very fun read. I loved the humor and the action and the characters are great. Its good clean fun that I would recommend to anyone.



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The Green Mile

This was hands down a five star read. Having watched the movie and loving it more than once over the years I jumped at the chance to read this when these serials were passed to me. I did read the serials and not one long book and I really enjoyed this change of format. It reminded me of how I watched the mini-series on tv.

If, like me, you have seen the movie at some point over the years then you know the story. An elderly man is telling of a time when he was in charge of death row back in the 1930's and the miraculous
things that happened with a certain prisoner.  This was a story that is so much more than just this synopsis.  Its a story that crosses generations from the elderly life of the nursing home to memories of youth and all aspects of life and death. From the murders committed by those on death row as well as their  own deaths and also death from sickness, old age, and accident. On the flip side is life. Life taken back from sickness, and stretched out as a burden in old age. As well as the horrors that man commits against man.

Overall, I loved the characters. I loved the story-line and I loved how well everything was brought to life. This is one of those books that I would suggest that everyone read. It was a wonderful book that grabs you from the first page and makes you sad to see it end. Loved it!!!!!!

Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop

Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop

February 28th to March 7th

Co-hosted by Jinky is Reading

There's nothing that I love better than leaping into a good book and for this hop I thought I would offer one by one of my favorite authors. Up for grabs is my copy of Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip.  I am offering this internationally and as always its not a requirement that you follow my blog but its always appreciated.

Blurb:
In the kingdom of Raine, a vast realm at the edge of the world, an orphaned baby girl is found by a palace librarian and raised to become a translator. Years later, the girl -- named Nepenthe -- comes in contact with a mysterious book written in a language of thorns that no one, not even the wizards at Raine's famous Floating School for mages, can decipher. The book calls out to Nepenthe's very soul, and she is soon privately translating its contents. As she works tirelessly transcribing the book -- which turns out to be about the historical figures of Axis, the Emperor of Night, and Kane, his masked sorcerer -- the kingdom of Raine is teetering on the brink of chaos. The newly crowned queen, a mousy 14-year old girl named Tessera who wants nothing to do with matters of state, hides in the woods as regents plot revolution. The queen's destiny, however, is intertwined with Nepenthe's ability to unravel the mystery of the thorns.


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Oceans of Red Cover Reveal

Title: Rise Of The Demons: Oceans of Red Volume 1

Author: Willow Cross

Publisher: Self Published

Pages: 67

Blurb:

By 2015 the streets of Los Angeles have been transformed from a thriving metropolis to a hostile world ravaged by demons bent on assimilating the human race. Standing between this total apocalypse of humanity and their chance for survival is 19 year old Remy Martin.

Review of Chonicles of M: Ammit

Chronicles of M: Ammit by Nicholas Forristal

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


This was such a fun read! This is the second book in the Chronicles of M series and it picks up right where part one leaves off. Thomas and Samuel are trying to figure out how to exercise the demon from M. The story continues and we learn alot more history of Thomas and M and along with it comes many more questions. We lose some of the characters from part one (I hated to see Samuel leave, hope he comes back) and we meet some new ones (mortal and immortal). We also come to know a lot more about Dixie (she is so cool!)

This series melds science fiction and superheroes and thows in a bit of magic and mythology for the perfect balance of an awesome read. There are some definite twists and tangents that I didn't see coming and that just added to the action. And although this can be read without reading the first one, you will enjoy this series more if you read them both.

Overall, I loved it and recommend it for anyone that likes sci/fic and superheroes. This is a read full of cool characters and lots of action. Its one that I didn't want to put down once I started.



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Selling Mars

Selling Mars by Rae Gee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book as much as the first one in this series, Mars on the Rise. Selling Mars continues the story of Cedo and Billy after they have discovered that Erus is still alive and being held in a far off enemy country. Billy has nursed Cedo thru his grief and upun discovering Erus is alive they decide they must rescue him. What follows is an adventure not only physically but emotionally and sexually as well.

There is so much going on in this book. There all all the elements of steampunk as well as hot M/M romance. There is also alot of emotional turmoil as Cedo is torn between his love for Billy and his loyalty to his master. He feels so torn in two as he wishes to hurt neither of them but love them both in different ways. The characters themselves are very alive and, like all of us, flawed. There are jealousies and anger and resentment that naturally comes with love triangles. Even though its told from Cedo's point of view, we feel the pain of Billy as he tries to understand the hold that Erus has on Cedo.

Loved the ending! I won't spoil it, but I will say that its definitely a cliffhanger. Want to know more!

This book is definitely not for everyone as there are scenes of violence and M/M sex (definitely for those over 18). I recommend that you read the first book in this series first as Selling Mars picks up right where Mars on the Rise leaves off. But if you like steampunk and M/M romance this is a series you should read. Loved it!



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Origin

Origin by Jessica Khoury

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I loved this read! Was tempted to give this a 5 star rating but decided I couldn't quite stretch my rating that high. There is so much going on in this book and the story keeps you tied to it til the very end where everything is wrapped up nicely as it should be.

Wanted Ghostbusting Bride

This was such a fun ghost story I decided to make this a giveaway. I will give away 2 Amazon coupons for this book. This giveaway is open to anyone that can use Amazon gift cards.

Wanted: Ghostbusting Bride by Margaret Breashears

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for review.

This was such a fun read! And a perfect Halloween ghost story complete with warring ghosts and an English castle.

Kailyn comes to England thinking she's going to a job interview and finds herself in a competition to be the bride of the next Earl. I will admit, there were times in the begining when Kailyn really got on my nerves. She was not only a skeptic (which isn't so bad) but completely against love and marriage. Like it would be so horrible to fall in love with a sexy wealthy Earl. She acts like if that happens her life will be a disaster. Really? There were a few other things about her that just didn't seem realistic but I won't elaborate due to spoilers.

The story is fast paced and full of crazy antics Kailyn an Spencer come up with to get rid of the ghost. Some of which were so far fetched that you have to wonder how the authors came up with them. Kailyn is a great strong female character who is up against two strong female ghost characters and that makes for a great battle of strength and wits.

Overall a very fun read. Due to a bit of sex toward the end I have to say this is for the over 18 crowd. But, I would recommend this to any adult who likes a good fun ghost story.



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Oceans of Red Volume One

Oceans of Red Volume One by Willow Cross
Title: Rise Of The Demons: Oceans of Red Volume 1
Author: Willow Cross
Publisher: Self Published
Pages: 67

Blurb:

By 2015 the streets of Los Angeles have been transformed from a thriving metropolis to a hostile world ravaged by demons bent on assimilating the human race. Standing between this total apocalypse of humanity and their chance for survival is 19 year old Remy Martin.

Forbidden Forest Cover Reveal

Book Blurb
Born in shame. Cast from society. Shape Shifter/Elf hybrid, Forest must fight for any respect she can get. Targeted in her youth by a vampire noble who placed an illegal slave mark on her, she is forced to obey him, no matter what.
Slipping the grip of her master and abandoning the prejudice of Regia, her native world, Forest takes a job on Earth, guarding the portal, using her skills as a warrior to enforce Regia's laws. Now, called home for a black ops mission, Forest must put aside her own prejudice to transport the vampire prince, Syrus, through enemy territory in a time of war.
Prince Syrus, mage and master of the Blood Kata, wants Forest more than he's ever wanted anything. In spite of their mutual mistrust, their attraction cannot be denied. Through the danger of their mission, and the secrets they both keep, it doesn't matter what they feel. Forest is forbidden.



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Libyrinth

Libyrinth by Pearl North

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was an interesting idea about three different societies living at odds in the far future on a different planet. The Libyrarians and the Singers are at odds with each other with the Librarians embracing the written word and the Singers only following the oral traditions with religious zeal. Based on the premises of Fahrenheit 451 with the burning of books and the belief that written words corrupt the people, the Singers (also known as Eradicants by the Libyrarians) go about burning books to liberate the murdered word. Haly is a clerk with a unique ability to hear books without ever opening them. Fearing ridicule and persecution she keeps her ability hidden, but in her quest with her friends Selene and Clauda this ability is discovered and she is named Redeemer.

The Unsacred Gift: A Young Adult Paranormal Novel

Have you ever had a dream that came to life? How about losing the one you love and not being able to save them? What about a gift that you were cursed with? Well image having all three like Sicily "Sissy" Monroe.

"Some might say what I have is a gift. I say, I want to return it." Sissy declares.

Sicily "Sissy" Monroe has all the qualities of a perfect young lady. She is almost where she wants to be in life. But lying deep in the pupil of her eyes hold something that she cannot get rid of which interferes with her plans. She fights everyday with no one but herself. After having her first vision at age six of her sister's (Misty) disappearance and the dreams of failing to save her, Sissy wants no part in another person's fate. For years Sissy tried hard to avoid contact with people because she feared foreseeing their death. In keeping with this, she tries to stay away from her family. Little did Sissy know she could not run from her past, or her gift. She hopes someone will put her out of her misery, but she will soon discover that her visions and dreams were just a mere image of herself.

Transition, The Chimera Hunter Series

The Chimera a race so old, the humans relegated them as a myth. The Gods feared the Chimeras’ powers; they believed they were a deadly race, with physical abilities beyond belief. So, they split their race in half condemning them to wander the earth, searching for their other half to be complete. Without their sodalis, each was destined to live life without dreams, without love, without hope. The future rested on finding their one true mate for life.

SHELBY O’NEILhas led a solitary life with her parents. So when she goes to school at Washington State University, she believes her life has just begun. Now in her second year, the dreams begin. She dreams with the same man, night after night for months. When her dream world becomes her reality, and her life becomes a danger zone, she quickly learns to trust the one man who has thrown her into this new and dangerous world.

When “Homework” Turns into Adventure by Resa Nelson

Thanks to author Resa Nelson for this guest post and for letting us be a part of her blog tour. At the end of this post there is a link for a free ebook along with other site information.

Even though I write fantasy, I’m a big believer in doing my homework! First, I do a lot of library research. For example, I modeled my Dragonslayer series on the beginning of the Viking era. Even though I see my series as taking place in a world parallel to ours, I like the idea of making it as realistic as possible. I want people who read my books to feel like they’re really in that world and in the thick of everything that’s going on. One way for me to do that was to research the Viking era (which I already loved) and the Middle Ages.

Amateur Angel

Only 18-years-old, Ashley is no ordinary teenager. Not only is she dead, but upon her death, she mistakenly enters the wrong line in the afterlife, a line meant for trained, guardian angels. With a pair of wings on her back, Ashley is sent to Los Angeles to replace another angel whose "assignment" was none-other-than Cannon Michaels, a current member of the band Sendher, the sexiest man alive, and Ashley's celebrity crush in life.
While exposed to Cannon's selfish, judgmental behavior and his reckless, rock-and-roll lifestyle, Ashley is far from meeting the requirements of a true guardian angel. She misses her family and friends. Will she ever be able to accept her own death? What will she do when she jeopardizes her position as an angel and Cannon's physical safety by falling in love with him?

Jeffrey Zweig II, Author and Screenwriter

The Cotton Patch would like to thank author Jeffrey Zweig II for stopping by and sharing with us an excerpt from his book The End Begins: The Nine

About the Author
Born and Raised in the state of Indiana, Jeffrey Zweig II is a self published author of Epic Science Fiction/Fantasy. His degree from Indiana State University, with a background in DIY film production, and internships with various production companies laid the foundation for his creative career and for living life on his terms. He resides in Indianapolis, Indiana living the dream, as they say.
When not writing he volunteers his time remotely with the Dallas based non-profit Reading and Radio Resource, a company specializing in aiding those with disabilities to enjoy literature.