Book Review: Siren's Fury (The Storm Siren Trilogy) by Mary Weber

Siren's Fury 

(The Storm Siren Trilogy) 

by Mary Weber

Series: The Storm Siren Trilogy (Book 2)
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 2, 2015)

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 2, 2016)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 1781 KB
Print Length: 364 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 2, 2015)
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Audible Edition
Listening Length: 10 hours and 23 minutes
Version: Unabridged
Audible.com Release Date: June 2, 2015

Ratings: see review below

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from BookLookBloggers. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

My thoughts:

Siren's Fury is the second book to the Storm Siren Trilogy.  Unfortunately, I don't read a book series out of sequence because I hate not knowing the back story of each and every character. Since I was the one who picked this out from the publisher's website, I had to read it. So I tried, but only 'til the first quarter. I just can't push myself in reading further as I cannot connect with any of the character. Although this is a DNF, I am not rating Siren's Fury for now. Will read again after reading book 1, which is already in my wish list.

About the book:

“I thrust my hand toward the sky as my voice begs the Elemental inside me to waken and rise. But it’s no use. The curse I’ve spent my entire life abhorring—the thing I trained so hard to control—no longer exists.”

Nym risked her life to save Faelen, her homeland, from a losing war, only to discover that the shapeshifter Draewulf has stolen everything she holds dear. But when the repulsive monster robs Nym of her storm-summoning abilities as well, the beautiful Elemental realizes her war is only just beginning.

Now powerless to control the elements that once emboldened her, Nym stows away on an airship traveling to the metallic kingdom of Bron. She must stop Draewulf. But the horrors he’s brought to life and the secrets of Bron are more than Nym bargained for. Then the disturbing Lord Myles tempts her with new powers that could destroy the monster, and Nym must decide whether she can compromise in the name of good even if it costs her very soul.

As she navigates the stark industrial cityscape of Bron, Nym is faced with an impossible choice: change the future with one slice of a blade . . . or sacrifice the entire kingdom for the one thing her heart just can’t let go.

Book Review: Dreams of Perfection by Rebecca Heflin

Dreams of Perfection

(Dreams Come True Book #1)

by Rebecca Heflin

Paperback: 276 pages
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing (July 16, 2014)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 3690 KB
Print Length: 276 pages
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing (May 5, 2014)
Publication Date: May 5, 2014
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Rebecca Heflin. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

My thoughts:

I immensely enjoyed reading this book! I know I swore before that I am done reading the "in love-with-best friend-story". Often, they are all the same, it's like re-reading an old story. Glad that Ms. Heflin did a good job in writing a believable and heartfelt friendship/romance between Darcy and Josh. It was really such a relief for me that she was able to make it right. Character dialogue felt authentic, love the humor, really had fun reading this. 

My only complain is the magical element here. I didn't see it coming and I hated it. It would have been a perfect book for me if not for that 'magic'. Anyway, I have book # 2, I am excited to read Laura's story! 

About the book: 

Best-selling romance writer Darcy Butler is holding out for perfection in the form of her own carefully-crafted heroes. Once blissfully engaged to be married, Darcy’s post-traumatic commitment phobia is depriving her of the very thing she wants most: her very own happily-ever-after. Now, here she is just six months shy of her thirtieth birthday, and not a Prince Charming in sight. 

Successful lawyer Josh Ryan is the boy-next-door with a soft spot for the less fortunate, and Darcy’s best friend without benefits. Darcy often comes to him lamenting her love-life, or the lack thereof, whereupon Josh patiently doles out his sage advice. Problem is Josh is in love with Darcy. 

But when Darcy finds herself looking into the handsome face of the man who graces the cover of her soon-to-be-released novel, she’s convinced her dreams of perfection have come true. Or have they?

About the author:

Rebecca Heflin is an award-winning author who has dreamed of writing romantic fiction since she was fifteen and her older sister snuck a copy of Kathleen Woodiwiss' Shanna to her and told her to read it. Rebecca writes women's fiction and contemporary romance. When not passionately pursuing her dream, Rebecca is busy with her day-job as a practicing attorney.

Rebecca is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Florida Romance Writers, RWA Contemporary Romance, and Florida Writers Association. She and her mountain-climbing husband live at sea level in sunny Florida.

Book Review: How To Catch A Prince by Rachel Hauck

How To Catch A Prince 

by Rachel Hauck

Series: Royal Wedding Series
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (February 24, 2015)

Hardcover: 522 pages
Publisher: Thorndike Press Large Print (October 7, 2015)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 1961 KB
Print Length: 357 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0310315549
Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
Publisher: Zondervan (February 24, 2015)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Audio CD
Publisher: Oasis Audio; Unabridged edition (February 24, 2015)

Ratings: ★ ★  

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from BookLook Bloggers. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

My thoughts:

A DNF rating for this book. The characters are all forgettable, and the story has weird names, weird happenings that they couldn't really hold my attention. One major issue I had with this was the magical elements of the story. Sorry, not into that thing.
    
There are others who loved the book, you might want to read them HERE.


About the book:

Prince Stephen came to America to escape responsibility. But what he found complicates his life more than ever.

Corina Del Rey is happy with her life in Melbourne, Florida. She spends her days engrossed in her career as a journalist and has her sights set on climbing the corporate ladder if for no other reason, to distract herself from her dissolving family. But when she is confronted with the past she fought so hard to put behind her, she struggles to make sense of her future.

Prince Stephen of Brighton Kingdom has moved on since the tragic death of his buddies in Afghanistan. A star professional rugby player, he has no intention of looking over his shoulder at what could ve been.

But when a notice arrives in the mail requiring his and his wife s appearance before the courts to dissolve their marriage, he must deal with the questions rumbling around in his heart. He thought his marriage had been annulled long ago, but his memories of Corina Del Rey remain close. Does he still love her? Can he even find her? Above all, can he tell her the truth about that fateful night in Afghanistan seven years ago? If he does, he might really lose her forever."

Book Review: Fairydust by Simon R. Taylor

Fairydust 

Author: Simon R. Taylor
Paperback: 640 pages
Publisher: Bluebox Publishing (November 4, 2013)
Amazon Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Simon Taylor. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★    

My thoughts:


Yay! Another great elven book!

The elves are slowly dying because of a crisis on water and food. Maria and Daniel set out to a quest in finding solution to this - the White Fairy! 

Liked the characters and the twists and turns. While I enjoyed the story, there are some parts I got confused due to the number of characters, can't remember who's who. The romance is enough to keep you interested and there's a bit humor too. The first time I 'met' the narrator, I thought I was reading a draft of the story (this book is an ARC) and it was a mistake that those were included in the book but oh boy, it was actually part of the story. Weird but in a good way.

Overall, it was a good story... recommended for those into elven book.

About the book:

As the elves face extinction due to a natural crisis, their belligerent king is bent on self-preservation. It falls to reluctant hero Daniel to go in search of the White Fairy – his last hope for answers and his people’s last chance for a future.

An unforgettable cast of fairy tale creatures come together in this ground-breaking epic fantasy. With never-before-seen storytelling techniques, Fairydust is packed full of ingenious, inventive layouts and concepts which reflect the twists in the rich, fast-moving plot.

Fresh from his acclaimed thriller debut End from the Beginning, Taylor once again blends heart-stopping action, gut-wrenching passion and side-splitting humour – this time held together with a sprinkling of fairy dust. Join him for a journey the like of which the world has never seen before.

About the author:

Simon lives with Anna-Marie and their daughter Megan in Renfrewshire.

Book Review: The Blood She Betrayed by Cheryse Durrant

The Blood She Betrayed

Author: Cheryse Durrant
Kindle Edition
File Size: 723 KB
Print Length: 475 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Clan Destine Press (October 30, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Cheryse Durrant. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

The Blood She Betrayed is the first book to the Heart Hunters series by a newbie author, Cheryse Durrant. The fact that this author is from Australia makes me want to jump for joy! LOL Honestly, ever since I've read Keri Arthur's books (Australian), I've been looking out for other books with Australia as the setting of the story. Or any other countries aside from the US. Setting is very important to me as this is sometimes my deciding factor whether to continue reading or to DNF a book.

Back to the story, The Blood She Betrayed is about Shahkara, a half-Taloner wanting to destroy the heart-devouring Taloners, her kind. Accidentally, when she entered Earth, she met Max McCalden, son of a billionaire and together they set out to find the Elnara death lantern that can kill all Taloner.

I loved the setting and so the plot of the story. Read the story in less than a week considering I was in 'hell' (busiest days of my work life) those times. I find all the characters interesting. As for the romance part, Shahkara and Max had good times together. Though the earlier part of the story I was annoyed with Shahkara's constant questions on every thing/gadget she sees. And like Max, I kept on forgetting she's from other world/dimension LOL. Love the twists and mystery on Shahkara's past. I highly recommend this book, your money is well-spent on this one.

About the book:

Book 1 in the Heart Hunters series. 

Thrust into the technology-driven Earthlands, Shahkara must find the ancient Elnara death lantern - the only thing that can save her homeworld from the heart-devouring Taloners. 

She enlists the help of geeky billionaire Max McCalden, but soon finds that, as a half-Taloner herself, her blood demands what she knows she can't have - a human heart. 

Shahkara longs for love, but as deadly enemies attack at every turn, will her lust for Max destroy them both? 

Or will she find the strength to free both worlds from a threat more horrific than the demons that share her blood?

About the author:

Hello! I'm Cheryse Durrant, author of the YA/NA urban fantasy Heart Hunters series, published by Clan Destine Press. I grew up on a farm in central Australia and wrote my first story on my aunt's bedroom wall when I was about five, but it didn't attract the literary acclaim that it deserved. I worked as an journalist for 15 years before trading my soul for fiction and now spend my days fighting my cat Scamp for the laptop. The Blood She Betrayed is the first novel in my Heart Hunters series and is described by Vampire Diaries creator LJ Smith as "ingenious and unique".

Book Review: A Ranger's Tale by Mysti Parker

A Ranger's Tale


Author: Mysti Parker
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Melange Books, LLC (December 18, 2010)
Amazon Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Mysti Parker. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★   


My thoughts: 

A Ranger's Tale is my first romantic elven book and yay, loved the story! Here in this book, an elven noblewoman, Caliphany, falls in love with Galadin, a half elven man and naturally everyone else is against the relationship. There are a lot of twists in it however there is this one major thing I couldn't take out of my mind, loving two guys at the same time. Love triangle is common in all romance books out there but the conflict on this story is somehow different. If you have seen the movie, Castaway, by Tom Hanks, well, it was something like that. Sorry, can't tell - spoiler. The "what would you do?" question about who to choose between two men you loved... I kept on thinking about it and I really can’t decide on that. 

While I enjoyed reading the book, I was not satisfied with how the author ended the story. Seemed like it was an abrupt ending, she could have added some more pages about Caliphany's reunion to the guy she has ultimately chosen.

Overall, I loved the elven world the author wove, I thank Mysti Parker for sharing this book with me and I look forward to reading more books from her!

About the book:

In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, an elven noblewoman longed to leave her gilded cage. A half-breed former pirate wanted nothing more than to escape his guilty past. Easier said than done...

High elf Caliphany Aranea leads an enviable life as King Leopold's niece and daughter of Sirius, Leogard's most famous wizard. Yet, being forced to follow in her father's footsteps and being betrothed to a man she doesn't even like makes her want a taste of life outside the city walls. 

As a young boy, half-elf Galadin Trudeaux witnessed his parents' death at the hands of pirates. After being raised by those same murderers and forced to do their bidding, he escaped and now lives an honest life as a sea merchant and ranger. 

When two brutes at Leogard Harbor attempt to kidnap Caliphany while she dreams of faraway lands, Galadin comes to her rescue. Impressed by his skills, she asks him to train her as a ranger. Though he is hesitant at first to train a woman of her class, Caliphany's hefty sack of gold finally persuades him. Unfortunately, her father is not amused, and the two must escape before Caliphany faces a forced marriage and Galadin faces a noose. 

From that moment on she and Galadin embark on an adventure of a lifetime. Only if they can survive the trials ahead, will they find a love that stands the test of time.

About the author:

Mysti Parker (pseudonym) is a full time wife, mother of three, and a writer. Her first novel, A Ranger's Tale was published in January, 2011 by Melange Books, and the second in the fantasy romance series, Serenya's Song, was published in April 2012. The highly anticipated third book, Hearts in Exile, has already received some great reviews. The Tallenmere series has been likened to Terry Goodkind's 'Sword of Truth' series, but is probably closer to a spicy cross between Tolkien and Mercedes Lackey. 

Mysti's other writings have appeared in the anthologies Hearts of Tomorrow, Christmas Lites, and Christmas Lites II. Her flash fiction has appeared on the online magazine EveryDayFiction. She has also served as a class mentor in Writers Village University's six week free course, F2K.

Mysti reviews books for SQ Magazine, an online specfic publication, and is the proud owner of Unwritten, a blog voted #3 for eCollegeFinder's Top Writing Blogs award. She resides in Buckner, KY with her husband and three children.

Book Review: Morning Star by Desiree Finkbeiner

Morning Star
Ethos Book #1


Author: Desiree Finkbeiner
File Size: 712 KB
Print Length: 426 pages
Publisher: Hydra Publications (March 28, 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Amazon Link


Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Desiree Finkbeiner. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.


Ratings: ★ ★ ★


My thoughts:


When I started reading Morning Star, Ethos book #1, it seemed really great. I read almost half of the story in one sitting but when I picked up the book again, I lost interest in it. Sure, I finished reading the story but I had to skim too often because I was deeply annoyed with Brianna's lusty thoughts towards Kalen.  It was hard to focus on the story when Brianna's always thinking of some flirty thoughts while talking to Kalen. I really hated her character, wanna slap her so she could stop day-dreaming about him!


I liked Kalen, though. I liked men like him, very nice, serious, strong, oh I fell in love with him the moment he said, "my purity is the single most important thing to me. I hold it very sacred. I've never given it to anyone and I'm saving it for my eternal mate." Aww. How many men can say things like that?   


I also had difficult time in getting into the whole history of Ethos because the explanations were too complex to comprehend. Would have been a book to keep if not for the wordy explanations of the history of Ethos and lusty thoughts of Brianna. I'm giving this a 3-star rating all because of Kalen. 


About the book:


When a mysterious stranger interrupts Brianna’s mundane routine, her eyes are opened to the dark underbelly of reality… immortal rogues, ancient conspiracies, prophetic revelations, savage tribes, mammoth dragonflies… 


She’s thrust into a race for her life when Kalen, a warrior from Ethos, discovers that she is harboring a secret… a secret that he’d give his life to protect. 


There’s just one little problem… they are tempted by a forbidden romance, which threatens to compromise a divinely appointed mission. They are faced with a choice… love eternal, or the end of the world…


About the author:

Desiree Finkbeiner attained a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from Missouri Southern State University (2006) with a heavy background in business, marketing, music and fine art-- She was heavily involved in campus affairs and served actively in several committees focusing on campus entertainment and events.


She performed with musical acts/bands in rock and electronic genres, released seven studio albums, performed in 11 states and has written hundreds of songs. Her band, Carbon Star, was a finalist for VH1's "Bands on the Run" reality TV show in 2000. Then she performed with Pointy Teeth until finally leaving the music industry for the quiet life.


She had a scholarship for acting in college though she was not a theater major. Although she no longer performs or focuses on musical/performing arts, she has chosen to shift her talents to other areas that are more conducive to raising a family.


Continuing education is a constant adventure for Desiree with topics of interest ranging from civil and corporate law, history, political conspiracy, homeopathic medicine and spiritual healing. She prefers to read non-fiction, especially on topics that educate and broaden her perspectives on controversial issues.


With thousands of completed art works in her archives, most of which appear in private collections worldwide, Desiree hopes to focus more on publishing, marketing and licensing her work so she can leave a legacy behind.

Book Review: Prince Charming Must Die by Isabella Fontaine

Prince Charming Must Die

Author: Isabella Fontaine
File Size: 309 KB
Print Length: 91 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Brew City Press (April 16, 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
Amazon Buy Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Isabella Fontaine. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

I was intrigued by the title that's why I agreed to read and review this book. It was a quick read, probably spent only few hours reading this. The story is based on Grimm fairy tales mixed with some teenager lovelife drama. I thought the story line is great, loved the characters especially the talking rabbit - made the book lively and interesting. Writing is simple so definitely easy to read and understand.

Why 4-star? Since the story is based on Grimm fairy tales and of course with the title, I pretty much knew how this would end. Still, if you're looking for a quick, light and funny story, you might want to pick-up this book. 

About the book:

On the eve of her 18th birthday, high school junior Alice Goodenough feels on top of the world. Classes are almost finished. She's about to start her summer job at the local library, where she'll be surrounded by all of her favorite books. And she has a wonderful boyfriend.

Then the rabbit shows up. The giant talking rabbit. He has a message:
200 years ago, the Brothers Grimm unleashed their stories upon the world.
Literally.

With the help of a magic pen and paper, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm brought all of their characters to life. The world was a more magical place ... for a time. Cinderella found her prince. Briar Rose's spell was broken. The dancing princesses spent their nights hidden away in a secret underground city. The old miller's boy found true love.

Then, slowly, the Grimms' characters began to change for the worse. They became Corrupted. Evil. They didn't belong in our world, but it was too late for the Brothers Grimm to destroy them.

Only a hero can save the day. Every generation for the past 200 years, a hero has been chosen to fight the Corrupted and rid the world of the Grimms' fairy tales. To her horror, Alice has been chosen as the next hero. As her 18th birthday nears, she begins to realize life is never going back to normal. School will never be the same.

As for her boyfriend, Edward ... well, he might be hiding a terrible secret.

This book also contains the following original Brothers Grimm fairy tales:
- Snow White
- The White Snake
- The Poor Miller's Boy and the Cat
- The Godfather

Book Review: Enemy Through The Gates by D.T. Dyllin

Enemy Through The Gates


Author: D.T. Dyllin
Hardcover: 424 pages
Publisher: iUniverse (January 27, 2012)
Book Link

Note: I received this book free from the author, D.T. Dyllin. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings:

★ ★ ★ ★ 

My thoughts:

This is the first book to the P.J. Stone series, a very good story about dragons... aliens, and mixed with a very intense romance! I liked the main characters, P.J. and Bryn. They've been best of friends since five, they care about each other but the  platonic love they shared over the years has grown into romantic love. I enjoy reading stories about best-friends turned lovers. I can totally relate to the situation, and so I had a good time reading the book. However, P.J. cannot date or be in love with Bryn. According to their laws, a seer (P.J.) cannot be mated to a guardian (Bryn). What would you do if you find out you are in love with your best friend but cannot be with him? 

I am not a fan of science fiction genre, I rarely enjoy books with futuristic story lines but I was surprised I enjoyed reading this book. I liked the author's writing style. She wove a story of aliens and dragons believable to the readers. 

While I enjoyed most part of the book, I was a little annoyed with the men in the story. I hate it when two (or more) guys fall MADLY in love with the main character. In this book, however, there is a reason why all men are attracted to P.J. That's one of the interesting twists in the story. Enemy Through The Gates is a great book, full of emotions! I am interested to read more about this series!

About the book:

P. J. Stone, like most eighteen-year-old girls, is a little boy crazy and somewhat obsessed with finding the perfect boyfriend. Some days she feels like she might be the last remaining virgin in her entire high school, and maybe even the entire tri-state area.

After a traumatic night at a friend’s party, P. J. realizes what she truly wants has been right under her nose all along. Bryn O’Bannon, her best friend and partner in crime since age five, is head over heels in love with her, and she feels the same about him.

But P. J.’s life isn’t that simple. She’s a member of a separate society that exists secretly among the rest of the world; the society raises gifted individuals to protect the world from interdimensional interlopers, and P. J. was taught to put duty before her heart. She is expected to choose a suitable mate in order to perpetuate the Seer line. Unfortunately, Bryn is a Guardian and is forbidden to date—let alone mate with—a Seer such as herself.

As if figuring out her love life isn’t complicated enough, P. J. begins having visions of a threat to her world only she is able to perceive. Now, she must concoct and execute a plan to avert world disaster while at the same time avoiding the dissolution of her love life.

About the author:

D. T. Dyllin was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She now lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and very spoiled GSD. This is her debut novel.

Book Review: Succubus Revealed by Richelle Mead

Succubus Revealed

Author: Richelle Mead
Paperback:  304 pages
Publisher:  Kensington (September 1, 2011)

Ratings:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

My thoughts:

Succubus Revealed - the END. Oh my. I loved this book! 

The last book Succubus Shadows ended with Seth cheating on Maddie with Georgina. So naturally, Succubus Revealed begins with Seth and Georgina back together. They'd overcome the never-ending problems with Seth's mortality and Georgie's immortality. They'd also overcome their second biggest problem - sex. Georgina still sleeps with other men while she rationed her sex life with Seth. Yes, fair, right?

Everything is so great until Georgina receives a letter from Hell for a job transfer. Something's wrong but she couldn't figure it out. With the help of her friends, she discovered that there is indeed a second contract! 

The plot and twists in the story were well done but the main twist was a little bit predictable. I guess re-reading Georgie's story a number of times would make this book predictable *grins*. 

I enjoyed Roman's participation in this book. I wish Ms. Mead would write a spin-off series and Roman is the lead character.

I had this crazy theory that Carter is in love with Georgina but no. He just cares for Georgina because uhm.... well .... *walks away* sorry no spoilers... ;)

Reading this book was such an emotional experience. It was a great conclusion to the series. I will definitely miss Georgie and the Heaven and Hell gang.

If you loved Ms. Mead's VA series, I'm positive you will love this series too!    

About the book:

In Georgina Kincaid, succubus and she-demon, #1 New York Times bestselling author Richelle Mead has created one of her most enticing characters. But with a shot at love, and maybe even redemption, is the ultimate seductress finally going soft? Like hell she is. . .

Georgina Kincaid has had an eternity to figure out the opposite sex, but sometimes they still surprise her. Take Seth Mortensen. The man has risked his soul to become Georgina's boyfriend. Still, with Lucifer for a boss, Georgina can't just hang up her killer heels and settle down to domestic bliss. In fact, she's being forced to transfer operations. . .to Las Vegas.

The City of Sin is a dream gig for a succubus, but Georgina's allies are suspicious. Why are the powers-that-be so eager to get her away from Seattle—and from Seth? Georgina is one of Hell's most valuable assets, but if there's any way out of the succubus business she plans to take it—no matter how much roadkill she leaves behind. She just hopes the casualties won't include the one man she's risking everything for. . .- Goodreads

About the author:

Scorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time: Georgina Kincaid, Dark Swan, and Vampire Academy. 

A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. She's a self-professed coffee addict and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. 

Book Review: Riser by Becca Smith

Title: Riser

Author: Becca Smith

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace (June 5, 2010)

Ratings:

★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this book very much. The author wove a unique futuristic storyline that definitely grabbed my attention. I think writing a futuristic storyline can be hard as there are so many things to consider. 

In this book, in the year 2020, anti-aging pill or Age-pro was invented and by taking this pill anyone could be eighteen forever. You can actually  determine whether a person is rich or poor by their looks since Age-pro is quite expensive. People who had money can start taking the pill at eighteen while those people who had less money, they usually start taking the pill at the age of thirty. The story is unique too because the lead character, Chelsan has the ability to raise or re-animate every dead thing within the four-mile radius. Reminds me of Anita Blake, the lead character in the Anita Blake Series who's main job is to raise zombies. Such an interesting power to have. 

I would have rated this book 5-star if not for the following reasons:

First, all three guys here are drooling over Chelsan and Nancy. To be honest, it was a little bit annoying to read. I would really prefer guys do not drool over girls.

Secondly, the story became predictable when the killer was known right after Chelsan's mother was murdered. So there's nothing much to think about except the revelation of Chelsan's mom and pop's love story.

Overall, it was a great book. If you are looking for a nice refreshing story, you might want to pick-up this book.

About the book:

Black swirling holes churning madly in the center of every corpse. This is how eighteen-year-old Chelsan Derée sees the deceased. Her ability to connect to the black spinning holes allows her to control every dead thing within a four-mile radius. But that's the least of her problems. It's 2320 and Chelsan Derée has to survive another year of high school, which for her is pure and utter torture, mainly due to the fact that her schoolmate Jill Forester's favorite activity is making Chelsan's life a living hell. If that isn't enough, Chelsan's impossible crush on Ryan Vaughn makes her brain do somersaults on a regular basis, especially since she is positive he doesn't know she exists. And being eighteen Chelsan has to deal with the pressure of whether or not she should take a little pill called Age-pro, which cures aging, making the world eighteen forever and highly over-populated. When Chelsan's mother, Janet, is brutally killed, along with everyone else in her trailer park, Chelsan finds out that she was the intended target. Chelsan must use her power to raise and control the dead to save herself, protect her friends and take down the man responsible for murdering her mother. - Amazon

About the author:

Becca C Smith received her Film degree from Full Sail University and has worked in the Film and Television industry for most of her adult life. Becca wrote and illustrated Little Family Secrets, a graphic novel based on the true story of her great aunt who was famous for murdering her husband. Becca is also the co-author of the teen graphic novel Ghost Whisperer: The Haunted. She currently lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband and two cats Jack and Duke. - Amazon

Note:


I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Beccaa Smith. The review posted above is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.