{Book Spotlight} DISCOVERY by Brina Courtney

ASIN #: B00FXFESHS

File Size: 645 KB

Page Count: 170

Copyright: October 15, 2013

Publisher: Laurelis Press; 1st Edition

Book Description

(Taken from Amazon)

Discoveries can be dangerous. Discoveries can be deadly.

Nine months ago, Teagan Matthews' boyfriend disappeared and took her sense of stability with him. But when the opportunity to live with her aging grandmother in Salem arises, she decides it's time to get on with her life. A new home, new job, and new friends are adding up to a beautiful summer...

...until a young girl's body shows up one night in town, wearing a pentagram necklace exactly like Teagan's.

Now a guy, looking remarkably like her missing boyfriend, has arrived in Salem along with a mysterious stranger, who may have some answers that Teagan has desperately been searching for. Teagan must now decide who to trust. It's a matter of life... and her death.

*This book contains content not appropriate for readers under the age of 17*

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About the Author:

Brina Courtney is a young adult author obsessed with chocolate, crime shows, and fantasy movies. She's spent the last few years as an elementary teacher and a high school cheering coach. She lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with her husband and two very loud, small dogs.

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Teaser:

Excerpt:

“No silly,” she says, “I can only start it, something with the electricity, I can control it.”  With that she puts her thumb and forefinger together and produces a small blue spark.

“Umm, that’s not normal.” I say staring at the spot where the energy was just made.

“You can hardly discuss normal Shay, look who you’re talking to- a ghost, that’s not normal,” she says as a smile plays on her lips.

Valid point.  I look at her closely, “Yeah but I can’t do anything like that, that’s a little excessive don’t you think?  And doesn’t it drain you?”  I don’t ever remember Jeremy messing with the electricity.

She looks at me and says honestly, “Not when I’m feeding off of your energy and you’re young so you have lots of it.”

OK creepy dead child who’s feeding off my energy.  I give her a hard look; children have never attempted to contact me before, why is she coming to me now?  “Wendy, how long have you been lost?”

{Review} 50 HALFS FROM FIRST TO LAST by Brian Baleno

ISBN #: 978-1495280870

Page Count: 158

Copyright: January 3, 2014

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Take a journey with Brian Baleno as he runs a half marathon in every state. Experience an inside view of preparing, traveling, running, and recovering as this three year endeavor vividly recreates the imagery of the vast American landscape. This adventure is less of a story of personal accomplishment and more of a celebration of an often unseen American beauty; a story that encourages exploration, imagination, and self reflection.

Charlene's Review:

50 Halfs is an inspiring story of Mr. Baleno’s ambitious goal; to run a race in each of the 50 states. Chronicling his journey from 2009 until 2011, Mr. Baleno tells us a little about himself, his dreams and goals, and also about the differences he notices within each state.

My favorite part of the book, by far, is in his "summary" at the end. "Life is very similar to running a half marathon. Difficulties appear and disappear. Some days will be harder than others just as some courses are more challenging than others." Such a simple, yet wise, comparison.

Runners, especially, will appreciate this book, as it speaks a language that my sedentary self doesn’t understand, but it did awaken in me a desire to run after my own dream and goals.

*A physical copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} RED MOON RISING (VALLEY OF THE TEN CRESCENTS, BOOK #3) by Tristan J. Tarwater

ASIN #: B00HE5I1BE

File Size: 1559 KB

Page Count: 224

Copyright: December 13, 2013

Publisher: Back That Elf Up

Book Summary:

(Taken from Goodreads)

Tavera has been wandering aimlessly since an unknown traitor in the elite thieves guild known as the "Cup of Cream" betrayed her father Derk -- until she crosses paths with Tender, a loyal but naive servant to the Church, entrusted to rescue a kidnapped priestess from the violent cult of the Red Moon Rising.

Kathy's Review:

I’ve been a fan of this series from the jump, but I have to say that my interest waned slightly with this one. Perhaps it’s because the only character who has carried over is Tavera, and although there are references to Derk and Old Gam, they do not factor into the plot. Tavera is an adult now, definitely jaded from her past, and still up to her thieving ways. Still, her kind heart shines through as she is compelled to help rescue the priestess and becomes involved with Tender and his brother Little.

This book takes the series in a new direction and opens up new plot possibilities, as Tavi is on her own now, and has uncovered a cult with dangerous powers. It seems that Tender will factor in to future novels as well, and perhaps a reunion with Derk is also in the cards at some point.

I still enjoy Tavera’s story and look forward to her next adventure. Her quick wit and good nature make for a very likeable heroine who you want to see succeed.


*An ecopy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} TAKEN by Felicia Starr

ASIN #: B00IX31CVW

File Size: 824 KB

Page Count: 192

Copyright: March 9, 2014

Publisher: Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

You must betray your heart and walk amongst the darkness in order to find the truest light. Opening her eyes to an imposing prison of complete darkness, Kasha is accused of possessing powers and abilities she had no previous knowledge of until the moment she comes face to face with herself while meditating. Haunted by memories strung together by lies and deceit, she soon discovers that maybe her beloved grandmother kept a few secrets she hadn't been aware of. Secrets that could be her salvation... or her undoing. As she struggles to control her newfound powers, only time will tell if they will be enough to help her decipher who has imprisoned her or what they want from her. She must search for the answers and the freedom she so desperately desires. Could a handsome guy who vows to help her get away prove to be the man of her dreams... or perhaps her worst nightmare? Not knowing who to trust, she must find a way to escape before she pays the ultimate price and finds herself taken by the darkness.

Lupe's Review:

Wow! Right off the bat, Felicia Starr sucks you into the story line. So great! While I would like to have known just how she was so readily abducted and for how long, in the end, it doesn't change the story at all. For Kasha, being abducted in the middle of the day was not expected and then to find out about the supernatural at the same time when she wakes?? Crazy! I would have flipped out! I really do like the development of the characters and so far, I am so suspicious of EVERYONE....except Gavin. He just seems awesome. I'm so afraid that in the end he won't be and I'll be so disappointed! Ugh! And the angst/romance line? Very well done. Not too graphic, but still a little TOO EL James for me, where the language can sound too childish. I'm not sure If the author knows who her readership is going to be? YA? Adult? Both? If so, some of the language had to change. And I don't mean with vulgarity but definitely not words words a 15 year old would use if Kasha is out of college already.

Overall, I am super excited to see where this series goes and I can't wait for the next installment.  The end was such a cliffie!! So good!


*An ebook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{First Chapter Reveal} THE BOOK OF LIFE by Deborah Harkness

ISBN #: 978-0670025596

Page Count: 576

Copyright: July 15, 2014

Publisher: Viking Adult

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

After traveling through time in Shadow of Night, the second book in Deborah Harkness’s enchanting series, historian and witch Diana Bishop and vampire scientist Matthew Clairmont return to the present to face new crises and old enemies. At Matthew’s ancestral home at Sept-Tours, they reunite with the cast of characters from A Discovery of Witches—with one significant exception. But the real threat to their future has yet to be revealed, and when it is, the search for Ashmole 782 and its missing pages takes on even more urgency. In the trilogy’s final volume, Harkness deepens her themes of power and passion, family and caring, past deeds and their present consequences. In ancestral homes and university laboratories, using ancient knowledge and modern science, from the hills of the Auvergne to the palaces of Venice and beyond, the couple at last learn what the witches discovered so many centuries ago.

With more than one million copies sold in the United States and appearing in thirty-eight foreign editions, A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night have landed on all of the major bestseller lists and garnered rave reviews from countless publications. Eagerly awaited by Harkness’s legion of fans, The Book of Life brings this superbly written series to a deeply satisfying close.

First Chapter Reveal:

To read the first chapter, you can click here to go to the author's website where the first chapter is posted.