Review: The Voice by Jennifer Anne Davis

The Voice by Jennifer Anne Davis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I say this a lot but this was not at all what I expected. I have adopted the habit of not reading blurbs and synopsis which leaves me surprised a lot.

Wow, the emotion was great. My heart was in my throat most the novel. Audrey was really freaking brave and realistic. I was looking for a book that would scare me for a Halloween post and give me nightmares, this book did just that but not the way I expected.

During the story Audrey has to deal with so much icky stuff. She has to learn to forgive and move on in order to heal and it seems so impossible. Her parents aren't any help because they have too much guilt. Her Aunt and the neighbor boys were a Godsend. I found the sheer coincidence of Caleb and Justin with their background along with Audrey's being next door neighbors to Aunt Kate a little much. Not nearly enough to ruin the story but I may have rolled my eyes once.

I am so glad I read this story and I think it was executed very well for such a heavy issue. I think this is a one time read for me since it is emotionally draining. I think everyone should read it, because it is very poignant and just emotionally breathtaking.

Cover Whore:
The cover is what drew me. The wide-eyed despair is perfect and intune with the books topic.

View all my reviews

Review: Beyond the Sun by Sandra Bischoff

Beyond the Sun

Dark Order of the Dragon Book # 1

by Sandra Bischoff

Paranormal Romance

Publication Date- April 1, 2013

Bayou Brew Publishing

Fifteen years ago Jared Bonatelli had it all. The youngest son of one of the founding families in the Conservatorship of The Dark Order he lived a life you only thought existed in novels and nightmares. He had just graduated from Oxford University and became engaged to his childhood sweetheart when he lost it all in one violent act. The very next day he found himself shipped off to New Orleans with only the money in his pocket and whatever he could fit in one suitcase. Since that night he has suffered reliving his fiancé’s murder repeatedly in his dreams. It isn't until he finds himself summoned back to New York for an emergency meeting of the Conservatorship that the comfortable world he lives in begins to crumble around him.

Alexandra Toscano has been searching for the one assignment that could catapult her journalistic career. When her editor Gene O’Hanlon drops a manila folder in her lap, Alex is immediately skeptical. At first glance the information he hands her seems like a publicity piece that is till she comes across an article he wrote some fifteen years ago about Vampires murdering a young woman in Central Park. She is ready to laugh it off as a work of fiction until he points out he was an eyewitness to the whole thing. But that wasn’t all. The girl’s boyfriend was a member of a prominent Italian family who vanished the very next day.

Now as Alex begins to dig deeper into Jared’s life she begins to question her own past. Could the answer she seeks be found in the glowing eyes of the one person she is sworn to expose? Or will they both find themselves torn apart by a world Beyond the Sun?

Links-

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17725049-beyond-the-sun

Amazon Kindle- http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-The-Sun-ebook/dp/B00C4XLW8U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365054630&sr=8-1&keywords=Sandra+Bischoff

Barnes & Noble Nook- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beyond-the-sun-sandra-bischoff/1114974572?ean=2940016456324

Beyond the Sun Soundtrack

Avalon ~ I Don’t Want to Go

All 4 One ~ I Swear

Bon Jovi ~ She Don’t Know Me

Buckcherry ~ I’m Sorry

The Calling ~ Wherever You Will Go

D.H.T. ~ Listen to Your Heart

Evanescence ~ Bring Me to Life

Evanescence ~ My Immortal

Green Day ~ Boulevard Of Broken Dreams

Green Day ~ Wake Me Up When September Ends

Guns N’ Roses ~ November Rain

Incubus ~ Dig

Kelly Clarkson ~ Never Again

Lifehouse ~ You and Me

Lifehouse ~ Hanging By a Moment

Lifehouse ~ Whatever It Takes

Lifehouse ~ Broken

Nickelback ~ Gotta Be Somebody

Nickelback ~ I’d Come For You

Nickelback ~ Never Gonna Be Alone

Nickelback ~ If Today Was Your Last Day

P.O.D. ~ BOOM

Shinedown ~ Fly From The Inside

Shinedown ~ .45

Shinedown ~ Beyond The Sun

Unwritten Law ~ Seein’ Red

3 Doors Down ~ Here Without You

30 Seconds to Mars ~ A Beautiful Lie

30 Seconds to Mars ~ Capricorn

Review

It has been a long time since I have read an adult book. Young Adult books have had a hold on me but when I first saw the cover of Beyond the Sun I knew I had to break my unofficial break from adult tales and give this book a whirl.

I instantly fell in love with Jared from page one.He was strong, protective, loyal, faithful and he was damaged. That's just the type of book boyfriend I can go for. Okay besides Jared kidnapping my heart with his wounded little soul the story also grabbed me. I never wanted to stop reading. Seriously, who needs to eat?

In paranormal romance novels normally the heroines fall into two categories: TSTL and in need of a ball check. Alex was neither. I was so relieved. Don't get me wrong I did have a few grievances with the chick. One being she was ultimately going to be the one to end up with my book boyfriend. (Yes that is a silly reason to dislike a heroine but don't you dare judge me.) Okay next bone to pick with Alex is, she is a journalist and wasn't chomping at the bit for this story her boss was handing to her. I know journalist, I was one and I would have been loving the idea of this. As silly as I may think it was it has teeth to it, Also her instant biased on a group of people just because the are wealthy was very annoying. Seriously? What if he did the same because she was poor, he'd be a huge jerk but it is okay for her to do it? I just find prejudices annoying.

Besides those small things, the story was wicked solid. I was enthralled. The other characters were also very cool. I was drawn into the secondary characters. I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more from Sandra Bischoff

 

Cover Whore
The cover really speaks for itself. What can I say besides it is dark, moody and makes you anxious to read the pages. Well done!

About the Author

Sandi Bischoff lives in the historic town of Cornwall, NY with her husband, son and a menagerie of Dragons all of whom have their own distinct personalities. She is a Pharmacist by profession but finally found her true calling in a simple twist of fate. A friend approached her to write for a character in a forum on a popular networking website and over the next five years her passion had found its niche. She then went on to compose a few poems and short stories which she would post on her homepage at the same networking site. Recently one of those poems was chosen to be published in a compilation called Collected Whispers.

Her first manuscript entitled Beyond the Sun was another short story gone wild. It has recently been picked up by Bayou Brew Publishing and was released on April 1st.

Author Links-

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7031254.Sandra_Bischoff

Website- http://sandibischoff.webs.com/

Twitter- https://twitter.com/SandiBischoff

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSandiBischoff

Blog- http://sbischoff.wordpress.com

Bayou Brew Publishing- http://www.bayoubrewpublishing.com/

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Tour Facebook Event- https://www.facebook.com/events/180860225404216/

Giveaway Info-

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NmJlZGE3MjI0NGMxNTZlODc4ZjRiYzM0Mjk4NzhjOjEwNQ==/

Girls Heart Books Tour: Intangible and Imaginable by J Meyers Reviews

Intangible

Series- Intangible # 1

J. Meyers

Publication Date-January 31, 2012

Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They’ve always thought of their abilities as being a gift.

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they’ve always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right. And he can’t do anything about it.

Review:
I am not sure what I was expecting when I started this book but I was surprised at how much I liked it. It was one of the few times I didn't read the synopsis so I went in blind.

The brother and sister dynamic was pure perfection. I liked most the characters instantly, especially Jonas. Actually I enjoyed all the characters except Fey. I just did not like her.

I liked the romance. It wasn't all syrup sweet like a lot of YA stories. I was not fond of Marc but Sera and his connection was pretty wow!

If you like YA and you like paranormal stories, you have to read this book. All the supernaturals in one story? Yes please. A story you will get lost in and zombify your brain by keeping you up late making you useless at work or school. This book will do that. When I read the last page I kid you not, I hugged my kindle. I hugged it so hard.

Read this book. Read it.

Cover Whore:
I love the cover. It is simple yet attention grabbing.

Links-

Goodreads

Amazon Kindle

Barnes and Noble

 Imaginable

Series- Intangible # 2

J. Meyers

Publication Date- April 16, 2013

Twins Sera and Luke Raine’s unusual abilities are growing. Sera is healing vampires now, making them human again. And, at times, Luke can actually change the future he Sees.

But Sera’s healing has dangerous consequences, and though Luke is altering the outcome of more visions, he can’t control them yet.

Now Sera is in danger as the dark creatures of the Realm seek to use her.

As Luke struggles to master his gift in order to save his sister, he discovers even more about his powers. And what he learns just may put him in greater danger than Sera has ever been.

Review:
This book started off faster than Intangible and I loved it a little more. Jonas was full of awesome and the twins came to grip with their powers more. We really got to see who Luke was more than last book.

Sera is actually put in a tough situation involving her gifts. I also love her ability with vampires. I love it. I love the book. I had an issue with Sera's lack of follow through when she was trying to imprint on people she was healing but then she just stopped trying. What? I couldn't hurt to try, right?

I still love the super natural creatures. I love the story and I love the chemistry between Luke and Fey even though I hate Fey. I love the chemistry between Sera and Jonas! Hell I just love Jonas. Love Love. Love so hard I ran out (Okay I actually just say on my ass and clicked the screen of my kindle) and bought Indomitable. I had to know more about this great character. I admit, he is my current book boyfriend.

This book has insured  J. Meyers place on my auto buy list. What ever she is selling, I am buying.

Cover Whore:
Another great cover though this one is also simple and keeps with the series but I was hoping for a little more.

Links-

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Angel Time by Anne Rice (Review)

From Publishers Weekly

Full of provocative moral reflections, this kickoff to bestseller Rice's new Songs of the Seraphim religious romance series centers on hired assassin Toby O'Dare, a one-time aspirant to the priesthood until personal tragedy unmoored his life. Guardian angel Malchiah visits Toby, who's just consummated his latest kill, and offers him redemption for his sins. After accepting the offer, Toby is whisked away to 13th-century England, where, in the guise of a Dominican friar, he becomes the protector of a Jewish couple accused wrongly by the gentile populace of having murdered their young daughter for her conversion to Christianity. Two eloquently told if clunkily joined digressions give the backstory on Toby and on the persecution of the Jews in medieval Europe. Readers will revel in Rice's colorful recreation of the historical past and in her moving depiction of characters struggling to reconcile matters of the heart with their personal sense of faith. 250,000 first printing. (Oct.)

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
 
My Review
 
Lucky the Fox is a great protag. He is completely damaged, completely dying to be accepted by someone. He wants to do the right thing. To the person he works for he wants to offer blind devotion. I enjoyed reading how Toby O'Dare became Lucky the Fox and how God's grace transformed him into closer to the person God will be proud of. It isn't a preachy tale but it engages the reader. Anne Rice can never be accused of not being able to tell a story. Rice's telling of Toby's story and first angelic mission will absolutely enthrall you. This story is completely captivating. Rice will always remain on top and the last 2 sentences of the book had me hitting google to see when book 2 hits the shelves. Anne Rice's Angel Time has you hooked to the very last words, The End.

Wake by Lisa McMann REVIEW

I will admit, I am very hard on heroines. It takes a lot for me to like one. I liked Janie right away. She wasn't perfect but she was real and believable as a person.


Lisa McMann has a fast passed style of writing that grew on me after my initial distraction. I liked the passing and flow because it was an easy feel and pace for a super light yet entertaining story.

Wake is unique and not the cliché stories that we are use to getting nowadays. I also love how McMann took the time to grow Janie and Cabel's relationship and romance. Its one of the rare YA that you could feel the connection and not have to read that these two are liking each other. In Wake, we are showed the relationship growing into what it is and we see why they would feel that’s way. There are a lot of butterfly moments and I cannot wait the read book 2 Fade.

Wake has a lot of plot and a lot of twist that make you say I didn't see that coming awesome. I loved this book. It was never predictable. Which is a very good thing. I was compelled to read it to the end. And it never got too heavy and cumbersome. It reads quick passed and it leaves you refreshed when finished.

I don't think any YA readers will be disappointed when they read this book.

Cheers,

Casse

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst Review

Ok confession time. I don't like the fairy tale beauty and the beast. I get grossed out by the fact that Belle falls for what looks like a Giant St Bernard. So imagine my doubts when I started reading a book with a girl cuddling the coca cola bear! Add to that the words on the bookmark: "a polar bear, true love, and one girl's impossible quest..." The story has also been described as a "deeply romantic story." by Juliet Marillier. But a girl. A bear. True love? I gave an internal what the hell? Then, I opened the book and read the first line: Once upon a time...


I was gone from there. I can't explained what happened with me. What-where did I go wrong? How did Bear get me? I guess I should say what went right. Ice by Sarah Beth Durst did everything right. Bear, that's the polar bear king's name, was oh my heck loveable. And not because he was a giant teddy bear. Very rarely I do I fall in love with a book hero yet when I closed my eyes one night I saw a waltzing polar bear and a girl with her head thrown back in laughter. And holy heck! That girl was none other than me! ME! With a dang polar bear. I knew right then...Ice was my undoing. Ice had me. But Bear is so much more than that more than a polar bear, more than a human. He is just more. He is honest, strong, funny, vulnerable, reasonable, caring, patient and easy. He is all a girl could dream for. Cassie, the books heroine (not me lol) had no choice but to go head over heels gaga for him.

Cassie, was a well written character. I always find it hard to find a heroine I like. I didn't particularly like Cassie but she wasn't too stupid to live so it's a plus. I will say maybe she was too STUBBORN to live. Her stubbornness and unwillingness to understand is what caused the whole conflict that happened in this story to began with. I know it had to happen but the fact she tried to somehow put what she had done on purpose, on Bear and what he had done out of naiveté and misunderstanding, helped demonstrate her immaturity. And you saw her sort of grow up while trying to get love back. So at first I told myself that, Bear loves her so, like a good Bear groupie, I can put up with her if she is what makes him happy. Then I saw her mature majorly at the end of the story. Her display and bond with whom she loved brought a tear to my eye. I was surprised.

But, like I said Cassie is a great heroine. Durst knows how to write great, believable and flawed characters. You can imagine meeting these characters in real life. I love that. The secondary characters, the munaqsri to be specific, whom Cassie gave adorable names too. For example she called the artic fox, Fluffy. I grew to love every single character especially Cassie! Her forgiveness also demonstrated her growth from child to woman.

The amount of love Cassie has for Bear is touching. She is literally willing to go to the ends of the earth for that man. Its heart warming to read a story where its not one sided. The love, you can see it flowing both ways. Its not one of the stories where you have to be constantly told, these two people love each other. But you ask yourself 'uh ok? Why? and where?' If they never said they loved each other once in this book, you'd STILL know that they did and why.

I love this book so much, that I am giving this book away. Well, rephrase. I won a copy of Ice. Mrs Durst signed it and made it out to ME. So I am not giving this (points to mine) away but I am buying a copy and giving that one away. Contest ends on Christmas eve. To enter to win just leave a comment on what you have done, are willing to do or the sweetest thing that you have done...for love. Because really, that’s what life is all about...Love.

Thanks Jeri Smith-Ready for the blogtoberfest contest that I won Ice on and Thanks Sarah Beth Durst for sending me the book! I truly enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Thanks for writing a book that I think of now when I picture a true love story. Casse