The Tegan Cave by Inge-Lise Goss

I'm not quite sure what I was expecting from this book, but it wasn't exactly what I got. I thought, you know... spiders (seriously shuddering here). It's going to be something creepy, maybe keep me awake at night with the lights on and a fly swatter in my hands. That's not exactly what happened.

Aside from the fact that I find spiders to be incredibly creepy, I did enjoy this story. What upped the "ick" factor for me is the fact that I can see some scientist crazy enough to attempt what a character in the story succeeded at. And if I tell you what that is, then why would you bother to read the story for yourself, hmm?

This story is very well written, well edited and completely believable in a crazy-scientist-who's-gone-around-the-bend kind of way. The experiment that is the back story this book is set around has its own pitfalls for some characters. There are the expected good guys and bad guys. When you think you know which characters fall into which category, Goss changes it up on you.

The characters have a depth that makes the events that happen to them believable. Could reality as we know it be skewed sideways by some crazy in a lab? You betcha. Goss brings a level of believability to her writing in much the same way Stephan King did in his epic, The Stand. That alone makes her work worthy of reading. Unlike King's book, The Tegan Cave is not an apocalyptic story.  Should Goss decide to continue writing, I can see a time when her name will be as well-known as Stephen King. Take a chance on this author. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

In spite of the spiders, I had a difficult time setting the book aside. I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars.

This book is available from:
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A Kiss of Ashen Twilight (The Mortal Edition) (Ashen Twilight Series Book 1) by Rae Lori

I have mixed feelings about this book. While the story is in a genre I enjoy, the editing and proofreading left much to be desired. The errors ranged the gamut from missed punctuation to incorrect word choices to incorrect forms of words used.

This author shows a lot of promise, but the number of errors left me unwilling to spend money on future books by her. Before I take the step to purchase other books by this author, I will make use of the free hour of in-store reading time Barnes & Noble offers their Nook customers. Unlike Amazon, Barnes & Noble doesn't allow Nook users to automatically update a book that has been re-edited. Consequently, I am very thankful this was a free book.

My recommendation would be to pull the book and for the author to avail herself of either a couple of beta readers or a good editor. Had this book been properly edited, I would have happily bought every book in the series. I would have also given this book 4 stars. Due to lack of sufficient editing, I can only give this book 2 stars.

Forever Kansas by Julie Cassar

I've enjoyed the Ruby Blue series from the very beginning. Cassar spins an enchanting and fun tale full of adventure from the first page. I was so excited to hear there was another book coming out that I hounded her without remorse. (You know, that whole 'squeaky wheel' thing.) My persistence paid off.

Forever Kansas is written from Brennan's point-of-view offering faithful readers a fuller, more rounded look at the world she's shared with us. Just for a while, suspend your disbelief and embrace your inner romantic, your inner hero or heroine and believe. Everything you've come to love about the series is here and more besides.

I didn't grow up with brothers so I can only guess at what teenage boys go through as they mature and  would probably still be way off. Cassar dealt with Brennan's struggles against his teenage hormonal response to Ruby's kisses to give her the respect she deserves as the love of his life in some of the most tactful, yet evocative writing I've ever read. The intimate scenes remain suitable for the YA reader while losing none of their impact. Well done Julie.

I enjoyed this additional excursion into the lives of Ruby and her friends, and know you will too. I was captivated and then held captive as I scrambled to locate the charger for my Nook so I could continue reading. Although currently only available for pre-order, this is definitely a 'must get' for the series. You won't regret it.

I was gifted an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 5 stars

This book is available from:
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                                    Amazon Australia
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Crimson Shadow: Dance with the Devil by Nathan Squiers

I've been a fan of both Nathan Squiers and the Crimson Shadow series since opening the first book. I mean really, what's not to like if you love a good fantasy story that walks the darker side of things. There's nothing fluffy about a Squiers novel (unless you count your friendly house-tiger). There's mayhem, there's action (oh yeah, covered under mayhem), angst, and all the other problems that go with being an arrogant mythos that goes around cleaning up all the problems that come knocking at his door.

In every book to date, Squiers has thrown curve ball after curve ball and this one is no different. What makes this book different from the previous books is the intensity of the writing. He dug deep for the pain, the conflict, the attitude... everything. In this book, Squiers has exceeded his personal best.

Prior to this, he wore the coat of bard in his storytelling. In Dance with the Devil, he has become the personification of Bard, rather than being a simple bard. What is the difference you may ask. I've said it before, but it's worth repeating, the intensity of the writing. Having not only the ability to dig deep, but the willingness to do so and then,  both shamelessly and without apology, put it out there for his readers his readers to bask in. And bask I did.

Squiers took me the entire gamut of emotions for which I wanted to both thank him and hunt him down to give him a swift kick depending on where I was in the book. Raise the curtains on a surprise guest and exit to grief. He gave me laughter in the most unexpected places. For our stalwart and reluctant hero, words of wisdom from a couple of unexpected people, one of whom was a complete stranger. A surprise gifting left me in tears, though not for the first time in this book. Even if you aren't one of those people who cry while reading a book, better keep some tissue handy anyway. You may discover you've become a secret crier.

Dance with the Devil is, in my humble opinion, his finest bit of writing that I have ever been privileged to read. He gave me not only everything I have come to expect from a book with his name on the cover, but things I never realized I wanted. At the risk of being redundant, he has surpassed all previous efforts. You WANT this book. And that, my dear, friend is the bottom line. He has raised the bar on what I now expect from him in future books. I have no doubt that he will deliver.

I was gifted an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. 5 stars

This book is available from:
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                                     Amazon AU

Total Blueprint for World Domination by Jolene Stockman

This is, without a doubt, the best self-help book I've ever read. This is also the only self-help book I've ever finished. Not because it only has 61 pages, but because it was a fun read! Wait, self-help book and fun never go together. They're dry. They're boring. Well, I'm here to tell you this book gives lie to all of the preconceived notions you (and I) have ever had about this genre.

Stockman takes a fun, light-hearted approach to giving teenagers and young adults the tools they need to determine how to be successful in life while being the best they can be. What is so fantastic about this book? She doesn't preach. She doesn't drone on and on. She lays out her plan in a few steps, shows you how to get results and all while being very encouraging.

Why is this such an easy read? This book reads like a conversation between people. Okay, so it's one-sided, but Stockman uses every-day language. There's no superfluous prose, no extra anything. Just straight forward language.

So what's my take on this? I like it. I found it humorous and completely engaging. Stockman offers explanations for everything she puts in this book. As self-help guides go, this is the best I've come across. Ever. Well written, well edited, and very worth picking up.

I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 5 stars

This book is available from:
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Breaking Free, Others of Edenton: Book 4 by Brandy L Rivers

The latest entry in the ongoing saga of the Others of Edenton introduces us to Declan, Moira and their children, Devlin and Fallon (whom we met in In Too Deep). The prologue takes us back 71 years to when Declan and Moira meet before moving forward nine years to when they must part for their family's safety. Devlin and Fallon are separated to be raised by the parent best able to teach them to handle the talents each were born with.

Devlin is now on the run from the Dales and DeMarco, the dark mage that captured him and his father twenty years ago. Free of the dark wards, he starts dreaming of Jamie and eventually promises he will find her. Afraid of bringing the dark mage and Dales to Edenton, Devlin tells Jamie he can't stay for fear of what they will do to her.

Rivers has outdone herself with Breaking Free. With each new Others book, her characters gain more depth and complexity. The town of Edenton becomes more interesting and vibrant. New characters are introduced, saved, find strengths within themselves of which they were previously unaware. When Jamie finally convinces Devlin to tell her the whole of his history, he again has what was missing for years, the unconditional love he needed.

Once his relationship to Fallon is no longer a secret, everyone begins training to protect themselves, each other, and their town. Devlin, a healer and gentle soul at heart, is unable to find the warrior within until a few choice comments by Preston. (I love this part.)

All our favorite characters are back, both the good and not so good. Love, family and a looming battle that will decide much had me devouring this book at the first opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed this visit to Edenton and look forward to my next trip. If you enjoy shape shifters, vampires, and other paranormal beings, a bit of light romance, you can't go wrong. Visit Edenton, you'll enjoy yourself.

But for two missed errors, I would have gladly given Rivers 5 stars. Unfortunately, I must adhere to the criteria I set forth for rating a book. Regretfully, I can only give her 4. I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available from:
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Fated Love: Others of Edenton Novella, 2.5 by Brandy L Rivers

I have a weakness for shapeshifter stories and those authors who write them are on my "watch for the next book" list. Rivers feeds my fantasy that the perfect partner is out there somewhere, waiting until I'm ready for him. And if it's only ever in my imagination, well, that's fine too.

Fated Love is Christian's story. He's quiet, a good friend, and has been in love with Delilah since he met her. He's just waiting for the right time. His time, when she's done searching for what's right in front of her.

Rivers' characters are always enjoyable. They're never perfect but they are perfect for that one special person. They aren't human, but they have very human foibles.

This is such a short story, that saying much of anything will be a spoiler for anyone who wants to read this book. If you love the other books in this series, you will this one as well. This story was all the excuse I needed (as if one was required) to detour from current books to revisit Edenton again. You just can't go wrong with this series.

I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 5 stars

This book is available from:
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                                    Amazon Canada
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                                    Smashwords