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. 

Book Review: Blue Twilight

Synopsis: Every song has a story behind it… 

Lisa is looking forward to a fresh start when she moves to Tennessee. She is focused on her dreams of becoming a song writer and won’t allow anything to distract her. Then she meets Jake and her world is turned upside down. He could wind up being the one to make all her dreams come true or will he shatter them instead? 

Jake wasn’t prepared for Lisa to storm into his life. But now that he’s got her, he’ll do anything to keep her—including lie to her. When the past resurfaces, what lengths will he go to convince Lisa that some dreams are worth fighting for? 

Buy Links: Amazon

Add to your Goodreads "Want to Read" here. 

Want to learn more about the author, Sarah King? You can find her on Goodreads here. 

Blue Twilight Trailer

Blue Twilight is author Sarah King's debut novel, and what a sweet way to introduce herself to the book world. 

Blue Twilight is a story about love, forgiveness, trust, redemption, overcoming the biggest hurdle in finding love, your heart, and just a touch of mystery. All that sounds heavy but Mrs. King does a fantastic job at balancing the story with light-hearted humor. I found myself fascinated with the main characters and wanting to learn more about them. There was a sense of wanting to know what was going to happen next, and getting a glimpse into the world of these two seemingly ordinary folks traversing their way on this journey of love. 

Lisa, is an intelligent and independent woman, who's confident in herself yet has her weaknesses that you only see in her inner dialogue. She's truly identifiable. 

Jake, well... what can I say about Jake. He's this elusive country cowboy that you just can't help but fall in love with him. All he has to do is just stand there and smile. His heart completes the total package. 

Blue Twilight is a stand alone story that was truly welcoming. One that I truly enjoyed reading and worthy of burning the midnight oil to finish reading it. 

Do I recommend Blue Twilight? You betcha I do! If you love country music and all things cowboys, read Blue Twilight, it won't disappoint. 

Book Review: Peeper

WARNING: Contains sexually explicit scenes and a healthy dose of sarcasm.

Synopsis: Adam 'Jenks' Jenkins' carefree life as a small-time private investigator is about to get very complicated. There's something 'off' about his new client, but work is hard to come by in the Welsh town of Llanrhos, and the return is far above his usual paygrade. All he has to do is find a mystery woman and retrieve a set of sexually explicit photographs. Sounds easy. Too easy. Jenks' sanity is tested as the case drags him ever deeper into the dangerous world of Veronica Tailor, where blackmail, seduction and threats of violence run rife. Even his home life is affected as his wife's obsession with Veronica sends her libido into overdrive. 

Will Jenks ever solve the case? Will his wife become a lesbian? Will he ever manage to get some sleep?


Author:  S J SmithPublisher: Sinful Press (June 29, 2015)Buy Links: Amazon US; Amazon UK

Hmmm... where to begin? I guess I should start by saying that this book absolutely rocked! I'm no stranger to sexually explicit books, or smut books, so the nature of the story was nothing new. However, what was new was the voice of the book, the story line, and the narrator of the book. 

The book is written and narrated from a male's POV and I loved it. There was a sense of something new and fresh, for me. This wasn't a love story in the sense of falling deeply in love, but it was a love story nonetheless. I loved how there was no fluff built up around the sex scenes. No "as I looked into the deep blue pools of his eyes, I fell deeper under his spell as he plunged his manhood into me" type stuff. This story was raw and filthy good. 

Of course, it wasn't just sex, which is probably my favorite part of the story. There was substance to the book, the sex was just a hazard of the job as the main character set out to solve a mystery brought to him from a client. Jenks, the main character, sets out to prove to himself that he is a damned good private investigator when he gets a job he can't refuse. With the help and encouragement of his wife, Jenks solves this mystery while going on the wildest ride of his life. 

Do I recommend this story? Yes, I do! Before you do, forget all other smut books you've read because this is not your run of the mill smut story. This one will take you on an explicit ride that you won't forget. 

Book Review: Bloodfellas

Synopsis: "When there's no room left in hell, the dead will turn to crime." Boardwalk Empire meets the Walking Dead. Zombie Gangsters take over the streets of Prohibition era USA. A horror-crime mash up available from Markosia in 2014


Author: Jasper Bark

Illustrator: Mick Trimble
Publisher: Markosia Enterprise Ltd, (February 28, 2015)
Buy Links: Amazon

As far as graphic novels go, this one is fantastic. I've never read a graphic novel, which I recently learned is a collection of story arcs in one book, and I'm happy to have been introduced to graphic novels via Bloodfellas. While it took me a minute to get used to the format, I don't regret one minute of reading this novel. 


Bloodfellas is a unique take on zombies. Zombies, as we all know, are the undead and what better monster to be in charge of a sophisticated crime world where drugs, murder, and avenging death rules. 

Mr. Bark has always had a unique take on zombies and I've always enjoyed that. That's what makes this graphic novel a page turner. I read this novel while on a flight, and it was a great distraction of turbulence. I was disgusted at what I was reading but it was a good disgust. I cringed but it was a good cringe. This story is just full of gore but the humanity behind it makes it a worthwhile read. Everyone deserves love, compassion and understanding, even the undead.. well Mr. Bark's version of the undead. 

Do I recommend Bloodfellas? I do. If you've never read a graphic novel and don't have an aversion to reading about gore, drugs and murder, go for it. 

Book Review: Bottled Abyss

Synopsis:

Herman and Janet Erikson are going through a crisis of grief and suffering after losing their daughter in a hit and run. They've given up on each other, they've given up on themselves. When their dog goes missing, Herman resolves to find the animal, unaware he's hiking to the border between the Living World and the Dead. Long ago the gods died and the River Styxx dried up, but a bottle containing its waters still remains in the badlands. What Herman discovers about the dark power contained in those waters will change his life forever.

Author: Benjamin Kane Ethridge
Publisher: Horrific Tales Publishing (April 3, 2015)  
Buy Links: Amazon

First... let's talk about that cover! Wow! I'm normally not a 'judge the book by its cover' type of reader but when I saw this cover before the book was published, I knew I needed to read this story. That cover speaks emotions that this story will make you feel... despair, loneliness, disgust, and the will to carry on, yes, carry on. Every reader takes away something from every book they read. What I took away from this book is that despite your personal horrors, you have to carry on. No matter how. 

I've got to say that if you love a good Greek mythology story, this is far from what you know. I loved the take that Mr. Ethridge brought with his view on the River Styxx and its inhabitants. But, this story is much more than that. Mr. Ethridge conveys a story of unimaginable loss that no parent should suffer, no marriage should suffer. 

While this story was a bit slow to start with, it grabbed my attention as the story starting going in a completely different direction I thought it would go. Some stories you can read and pretty much figure out what the ending will be like. Not this one. Bottled Abyss grabs your attention with every gruesome and horrific turn that the characters encounter. The scenes are so well written that you find yourself being there witnessing everything as if you were just a mere bystander in the story. As if it were a train wreck that you just can't look at away because you're intrigued as to how and what will happen next. 

I'd say to definitely grab Bottled Abyss and give it a shot. It's worth the read.