Book Review: The Door of Dreams

Synopsis:

A BRAND NEW YOUNG ADULT DARK FANTASY / FAIRY TALE ADVENTURE FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE BEST-SELLING AGE OF THE FLAME TRILOGY! 

Once upon a time, there was a girl with no time for fairy tales. Her name was Willow Grey. The doctors had told her she was sick and she wasn't going to get better. But then, she found the magical land of Tirlane where she met Henu, the sprightly wizard of the woods. He tells her of the Lamia; a demon who has cursed the land. In order to save Tirlane and herself, Willow must face the Lamia. Will she be able to overcome her darkest fears and find a happy ending? Or will she become lost in fantasy forever?

Author:  Greg James

Publisher: Manderghast Press (September 20, 2015)

Buy Links: Amazon

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for a review. 

It's no secret that Greg James is indeed one of my favorite authors; and there's a good reason why. 

When Mr. James writes his stories and releases them, I am always transported to the world that he's created. One may think that that sounds cliche but it's far from it. Mr. James' use of imagery and human emotion in his stories lend a surreal quality to his books. I always know that I'm in for a literary journey when I sit to read his books. 

The Door of Dreams is a story about a young girl with a terminal illness who finds herself in another world, literally. When I was reading The Door of Dreams, I felt like Willow's journey to Tirlane was a survival mechanism. Almost as if she made up this huge, fantastical world in order to be able to deal with her impending death. Her journey, as it was told, was extremely vivid that the lines of reality and fantasy were blurred while reading. In The Door of Dreams, Willow is faced with choices between good and evil. She also meets folks who seem to know her and of her, something that it seems Willow hadn't experienced in her real world. We see Willow go through her journey in Tirlane and you experience all the hardship she faces, her victories and failures. 

The Door of Dreams ended how I didn't think it would. Mr. James surely gave a little twist in the end and I enjoyed that tremendously. It keeps the story going and I can't wait to read book 2.

Do I recommend The Door of Dreams? It's a wonderful fantasy story, I do! 

Book Review: Voices

Synopsis:
The town of Oakwell is no more: an abandoned and overgrown relic left in the wake of the massacre at Hope House. 
When Emma Barrett discovers the secret to Hope House, the evil responds by awakening the deranged Henry Marshall from his catatonic state. 

As Emma gathers around her those who can bring an end to the Gogoku curse, a brutal game of cat and mouse begins. 
Everything is at stake as the Whisper story reaches its epic conclusion. Blood will be spilled, sacrifices will be made, and redemption will be sought as the survivors of the Oakwell curse go head to head with the malevolent forces which have scourged the lands for centuries…

Author: Michael Bray
Publisher: Horrific Tales Publishing (July 28, 2015)
Buy Links:  Amazon

Disclaimer: I received a copy of Voices in exchange for a review. 

Voices is the concluding novel in the Whispers trilogy. From the first time I read Whispers, I was hooked to this series. It's a scary tale, pure supernatural and psychological horror. 

Voices does not stay far behind... it's gruesome; it's horrifying; and, it creeped me out. Voices takes place some years after Echoes (the second book in the trilogy). We get to learn the faith of the victims in Echoes, plus the original protagonists in Whispers; the ones who started it all. 

While Voices is, in a true sense, a horror story, it's also a story about love, if in a twisted sense. We see the sacrifices parents make for their children and for each other... sacrifices that seem farfetched yet not ones we'd think twice about doing. Voices also brings sufferers of the same torment together. They must each choose to either give up or stand together and fight over an unseen and ancient force of evil. While Voices introduces new characters to this saga the story doesn't feel chaotic with the their introduction. Mr. Bray does a fantastic job at melding each character's story together and tying everything beautifully into one symbiotic story about survival. 

Do I recommend Voices? I do! If you are looking for a tale of pure, unadulterated horror with a touch of love and redemption, definitely check Voices, and its two preceding stories out. It's a fantastic read! 

Book Review: Meant to be Mine

Synopsis: What happens when the lines of friendship are crossed? 

Ben has been friends with Callie for fifteen years. He’s also been in love with her. There was never a right time to tell her…until now. When her current relationship ends, can he summon the courage to tell her or will he lose everything? 

After her relationship of three years comes to an abrupt halt, Callie swears she’s done with men. They’ve all let her down…except for Ben. He’s always been there for her. But when she starts to feel something more, is she willing to take a chance?  
With their relationship on the line, can these friends overcome the challenges to find what they deserve…what’s been in front of them all along? 

*This book contains adult content and is intended for readers 18 and older* 

Author: Sarah King
Publisher: TouchPointe Romance (December 8, 2015)
Buy Link(s): Amazon

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for a review. 

This is author, Sarah King's second novel that she has published. And what a fantastic story to continue with her writing career. 

Meant to Be Mine is the love story of two souls finally coming together. While their life story and friendship, up until then, was purely on the platonic level (from one perspective), events in Callie's life change their course in love. This story will make you smile, make you cry and make you all gushy in the end. 

The one thing that I truly loved about this story is that while it was fiction, it could completely happen to anyone in real life. It's a simple love story and the finding of each other. There's no unrealistic drama or the matter of dealing with a love triangle. It's refreshing to read such a love story that will keep you wanting to read more. When I was reading it, I felt like I was looking in on the lives of two individuals and watch them fall in love. Just pure happiness. 

Do I recommend Meant to Be Mine? You bet I do! It's a great, wonderful and cute love story. It's simple, refreshing and not bombarded in drama.