Review: Hunters by Aoife Marie Sheridan

Summary

Her life so far has been tough. Having witnessed her family’s death and her mother’s suicide, she’s been taken in by a priest, who believes her when she says that she sees ghosts. Father Peter trains her as a demon hunter with three other members, one being Daniel, who isn’t what he seems.

But when a possession goes wrong, and ghosts start to attack Abigail, the tight rope she has on her emotions soon starts to loosen. Abigail draws the unwanted attention of the Reote, and she finds out a lot more than she was willing to learn. Knowledge is power, but for Abigail, it’s her undoing, and the only thing keeping her together is Daniel.

Review

I found Hunters to be mysterious, fascinating and utterly different from anything I have read on the book market today. Abigail is a teenage girl, out in the world alone, well besides for her demon hunting family. Her job is demon hunting, but not, as we see in other novels, in secret. These demons resemble the inner demons of human beings and this group is called by the family to stop them, almost as if the world knows of their existence. 

Through the many twists and turns of the plot, we are brought through so many obstacles Abigail must face, including her not so human semi love interest Daniel. I wouldn’t say that the romance fell flat in this novel, it was clearly set up for the rest of the series. That being said, we did not really get to see the true extent of it.

The ending is mainly where I find most of my issue with the book, or that there is one. At a mere 185 pages, the story went too quickly and ending abruptly. My annoyance stemmed mainly from me not being done with the story, at the point in which it ends is exactly when you want more. Not in a cliff hanger way, but in, the story should have been longer. However I do see what the author did there, reeling the audience in to the next book.

Overall, I loved the authenticity of this book. Just when you could begin to expect something, the whole plot shifts into a different direction making it entertaining and impossible to put down. 

Reviewed by Rachel Keane

Pages: 185 pages
Publisher: Aoife Marie Sheridan (September 14, 2014)

Review: Dead Simple by Peter James

Book Summary

If there is one place Michael Harrison never expected to die, it’s in his own grave.
When Michael Harrison’s four best friends leave him buried alive on the night of his bachelor party, it seems like the perfect payback for his own bachelor party pranks. But moments later the four are killed in a car crash, and suddenly their harmless joke is no laughing matter. With only three days to the wedding, Detective Superintendent Grace—a man haunted by the shadow of his own missing wife—is contacted by Michael's beautiful, distraught fiancée, Ashley Harper. Grace discovers that the one man who ought to know Michael Harrison's whereabouts is saying nothing. But then he has a lot to gain—more than anyone realizes. For one man's disaster is another man's fortune. Dead simple.

Review

Trust me when I say, if you love suspense thrillers, this is an absolute must read. I’m extremely selective when it comes to what books I read in this genre, so with that said, I’m so grateful the opportunity came along to be introduced this author and this series. This is not going to be one of those, I’ll read it now and later, it’s definitely a page turner that will have your mind spinning with all the plot twists and turns, constantly keeping you guessing, not wanting to put the book down.

The novel begins with a group of friends coming together a few days before the groom, Michael Harrison, is to be married. Michael, whose childhood was affected by the death of his father, made a good life for himself that seems to the ideal admiration by anyone. He has a successful company with a childhood friend, a beautiful wife to be and life was everything that he could’ve wanted. Always the prankster, his friends decided to play the ultimate prank on him to get him back for all the times he got them but everything completely goes wrong. When Michael turns up missing, and they all end up dead, his fiancée frantically contacts Detective Roy Grace for help to find her missing boyfriend.

Not even his case, Detective Roy Grace, haunted by the disappearance of his wife years ago, finds himself trying to put the pieces together. One of those pieces, Mark Warren, best man to Michael, who if it wasn’t for a trip would’ve been dead also, is acting very peculiar and considering him not knowing anything about the prank makes it hard to believe that someone so close doesn’t know anything. Upon working deeper in the case, things are just not adding up. Was it a accident or foul play, this one prank set in motion a series of events that leads the reader down a gripping, suspenseful narrative that is unpredictable and satisfies the thirst of a great suspense plot.

I haven’t in a while read a thriller that held my interest where I read the entire book in one sitting. Dead Simple, the first in the acclaimed Roy Grace series definitely showed why Peter James is an international bestselling author. This novel definitely screamed blockbuster to me, attributing his screenwriting and film background which added that element of being thoroughly entertained not wanting to put the book down. The book featured strong characters with great interpersonal dialogue along with just the perfect pace that holds your interest.

The plot was amazing. Well written, unpredictable with a plot that kept you guessing on a ride that you didn’t want to get off. You can tell the level of detail and precision in the crime aspect of the book being well researched give it an authenticity that felt real. I’m not going to compare this book to any other because this novel deserves its own praise however I will say that this author just earned in a spot on my top ten suspense author list. This book absolutely gets my recommendation. 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Series: Detective Superintendent Roy Grace (Book 1)
Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (October 7, 2014)

Review: Flying Free by Christine Campbell

Summary

Jayne has been hiding from her past. In fact, she thought she'd escaped from it. But, when her friend, Tom, asks her to marry him, he unwittingly opens her personal Pandora's Box, and now she can't seem to close the lid on all that rushes out at her, whirling her into a cycle of self-sabotage. Unable to commit to a relationship, she pushes Tom away...along with everything else that's important in her life. The challenge she faces is to break free of the past, sort out the present and build herself a future. What she needs is a healing so powerful it will give her hope. She finds help in an unexpected way from someone she has to learn to trust. But, since trust is one of her major issues, can she let this stranger open the lid of the past wider in order to face her fears and overcome them? And, when she feels ready to commit, will Tom still be waiting?

Review

The heart of every story to me has to be the depth of the characters who bring the story to life. Such the testament to that from Flying Free by Christine Campbell, we are introduced to one, whose story any reader would crave. Engaging, drawing you in from the beginning, when you come across one such as the character Jayne, whose strength and resilience derived from the depth of a broken spirit, emotionally and physically, the book takes a life on its own that makes you not want to put it down.

Jayne represents the kind of character that for so many women out there would find such strength and inspiration from. Flying Free, is the type of book that I encourage women to read, not only because I think the story draws you in emotionally but perhaps either Jayne represents your own struggle or someone you know whose experience also can be interchangeable, the evolution of her character evokes inspiration knowing that beyond the depth of despair and abuse that claimed her innocence and self-worth, hope and resolution can be born. 

As a reader, looking into this book, there is a tangible attachment that you yearn to seek. There is something about her that you want to embrace and when she gives up, you want to fight for her. Such a wonderful storyteller, Campbell’s gift with developing beautiful relationships between characters and bringing to life such a sensitive transition for this character, makes you want to invest in her journey to heal. You can’t help but root for a character who has gone through as much as she has to get to a place of resolution in a life that hasn't been fair. 

This book takes on a literal connotation that is so liberating in the sense that she is someone bound and chained by a life that has suffocated her ability to live a functional and productive one. People come into your life for a reason, so when that happens to her, a great subplot by the way, we get to see her learn how to fly free. This is definitely one that I will recommend. If you haven’t read anything by Campbell yet, this I feel is her best novel so far. 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Paperback: 328 pages
Publisher: FeedaRead.com (January 15, 2014)

Review: Falsipedies and Fibsiennes by Ali Eteraz

Book Summary

Ranging from the Persian Gulf to the American South, from ancient Greece to pre-Islamic Arabia, Ali Eteraz's stories observe an eccentric cast of characters longing for freedom. Illicit lovers playing with Koranic numerology; an enslaved man turned into a beast; a young woman rejecting her father's faith; theologically inclined brothers caught in a dragnet; a resentful poet's cynical humanitarianism. Sensual and surrealist, the stories in Falsipedies And Fibsiennes unsettle and surprise, but with tenderness.

Review

I really liked this book. It was a collection of short stories mostly centered on characters of Middle Eastern origin, encasing many genres such as politics, romance and magic realism. 

My favorite were A Lawyer in Islamistan, The Monster and The Hunter of Virgins and A Lawyer in Islamistan which had a nice twist ending that you don’t expect, while The Monster offers the point of view of the Minotaur, the antagonist of Greek hero, Theseus.  

All the stories are engaging and draw the reader in immediately. The genres jump from magic realism, to interpretations of the Greek Minotaur to vampire/werewolf Slovenia mythology and to the jinn of Islamic mythology. I found it interesting to try and figure out what was going on in each story and what genre was going to be represented next. 

This book introduces a culture and mythology (Islamic and Slovenia mostly) that I am not exposed to on a daily basis so I think it was fascinating to learn more about it. 

One of the few downsides of the book was its use of unfamiliar words. I know many of the words aren't translatable and add to the Muslim culture Ali Eteraz is representing, but it does take one out of the narrative if you have to stop and look up what word is being used and what it is.

There was one story I took issue with, called Volkodlak. At first I liked it, because of the introduction to Slovenia mythology involving the titular creature, a volkodlak (a mix of a werewolf and vampire). The main character is pretty much a slave to the woman in this story and the narrative makes it debatable whether he truly understands what is going on when his owner uses him for ‘other’ reasons besides looking pretty. The twist at the end is surprising as well. I didn’t see it coming and not in the good way. I don’t feel as though it was adequately foreshadowed in the text or in the woman’s actions and it left me very confused.

Ultimately, the book is well-written and enjoyable. While there are words that I was unfamiliar with it was nothing a quick Google search couldn't fix. Falsipedies and Fibsiennes by Ali Eteraz is a great read and I highly recommend it to fans of the short story. 

Reviewed by Jazmin Gousse

Series: Essential Prose Series (Book 106)
Paperback: 274 pages
Publisher: Guernica Editions (September 1, 2014)

Review: Dreams of Perfection by Rebecca Heflin

Summary 

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?

Review 

If you’re a woman, then you’ve dreamed of the perfect love with the perfect man. Only the guy you’re with doesn’t quite fit the description. So you think it must be him but did you ever stop to wonder, Could it be me? Now hold that thought right there. 

Personally, I blame Disney. That’s why I’m still single waiting for Prince Charming or rather John Smith or any male Disney lead. Of course let’s not leave out Jane Austen’s literary works and modern day romantic comedies where love is tied and wrapped and presented to you all with humor. But I’m losing track of my point here. Do you still have that thought? Good, now think. What did Disney, Jane Austen, and romantic comedies really do? 

They made us believe in love but they in no way said their views or ideas were the only way to measure love. My point is, love can come in many ways and forms; and that what we see and read are not the only definitions. So stop looking for perfection ladies. There is no such thing, but the perfect person for you will be your perfect romance. Now if only someone had said something to the heroine of this book. 

Darcy Butler is a romance novelist who writes about love all the time. So you’d think she’d be an expert on the subject. But since her heart break from the cheating bastard ex-fiancé Doug, Darcy has been leaving them left and right waiting for her perfect guy to swoop in and whisk her away to happily ever after.  If only she knew there was a guy already there, picking up the pieces of her every heartache. 

Josh has been in love with Darcy since the first time he laid eyes on her. Only problem, Darcy just sees him as a friend. Of course Josh friend zoned himself after Doug the cheating bastard, just trying to be a supportive friend at the time. But now he is the guy Darcy always runs to vent about her guy problems and she doesn’t see Josh as the guy who could solve all her problems and be the one to love her. 

Well no more. While Josh would love to ensure their friendship won’t be jeopardized, he can no longer pretend he isn’t in love with her. Josh is going to tell Darcy how he feels and whatever happens, happens. If she loves, great and they can finally have a life together. But if she doesn’t, he’ll just have to accept only her friendship and finally move on. But no love is triumphant without an obstacle to scale over. 

Just as Josh has finally racked up his courage, in comes perfection in all his perfect glory. Dr. Blake Garrett, who also happens to be identical to the hero of Darcy’s latest publishing in progress novel. How can Josh compete with a guy Darcy practically invented herself? He can’t really but Josh isn’t so sure this Dr. Garrett is who he says he is. So before Josh completely throws in the towel, he’s going to make sure it’s a fair fight and find out if this Blake character is legit or not. 

Well Darcy couldn’t be any happier. Her dream man was real! He was exactly as she had written him. Maybe even more perfect. He knew all the right things to say, all the right things to do, she was on cloud nine. Well there was this one thing. His kisses weren’t perfect. There was desire and passion but no devotion and need. His kisses were almost just physical, absolutely no emotion involved. Her perfect could not fall short because of some kiss and yet Darcy couldn’t get the thought out of her mind. Still have that thought? Maybe Blake kisses weren’t the problem but Darcy’s ideals of the perfect kiss as well as the perfect man? Was she just wrong about Blake or was Blake wrong for her? How will she ever figure this out?

And what about Josh? Will he discover who Blake truly is? And what if Blake is for real, could he really destroy Darcy’s happiness? But what about his own? Is it time to move on now and avoid hurting Darcy and himself altogether? So many questions, but nowhere near answers or love. 

That’s the thing about love, it isn’t all sunshine and roses but it can be achieved with effort and some work. Dreams of Perfection teaches us the true meaning of the word ‘perfection’ and  that perfect doesn’t mean without flow, it just means perfect or ideal for us. Dreams of Perfection also helps us understand that just because you label something perfect doesn’t mean it is and vice versa. Most importantly, Dhows us that real love isn’t perfect and that is the way it should be. 

Reviewed by Camia Rhode

Print Length: 252 pages
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing (May 5, 2014)

Review: Are You Somebody by Nuala O'Faolain

Summary

Nuala O'Faolain attracted a huge amount of critical praise and a wide audience with the literary debut of "Are You Somebody?" Her midlife exploration of life's love, pain, loneliness, and self- discovery won her fans worldwide who write and tell her how her story has changed their lives. There are thousands who have yet to discover this extraordinary memoir of an Irish woman who has stepped away from the traditional roles to define herself and find contentment. They will make this paperback a long-selling classic.

Review

I must admit, as much as this novel appealed to me, I was worried it would become dry and uninteresting, thankfully my assumptions were proven to be untrue. My interest stemmed from my own ties to Ireland, which are a little more distant than the character Nuala, my roots are placed in Northern Ireland.

Are You Somebody? by Nuala O’Faolain may be the truest memoir I have ever read. There was no detailed spared in the retelling of her life. The good, and frankly quite a lot of bad, were written in the pages giving the reader a true look into the life of Nuala and many other women growing up in Ireland in this time period.

I was captivated reading her life story and was in a constant state of awe that she was capable in writing and reliving some of her worst memories. Although it may sound horrible, I enjoyed reading about the oppression happening in her lifetime towards women. The lack of independence they had compared to now as well as the morals they were expected to uphold. Women’s rights were slowly evolving through the novel, and I loved to see Nuala, and others she mentioned, overcome this sort of oppression to become their own person no matter what family mold was trying to stop them.

Are You Somebody? Generates respect from the readers. Nuala endured terrible times but her perseverance, no matter the slip ups she may have had, is the admirable quality. I particularly enjoyed the bits she included about her education and some of the literary works that inspired her.

I would recommend picking up a copy of Are You Somebody? If you possess an interest in Irish history, women’s rights in Ireland or if you are like me and used this as a tool to better understand what some of your relatives may have gone through in this time period.

Reviewed by Rachel Keane

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Holt Paperbacks; Second Edition edition (February 17, 2009)