Out With The Old ...

Another year has wound down and a new one is about to begin. Our audience has grown over this past year and we have you to thank. We are committed to bringing you more reviews, more author interviews, more book spotlights, just more bookish stuff in general ... which we know you love.

Unfortunately, we were not able to finish all of our reading challenges this year. Below are the challenges we attempted in 2013 and our numbers. Over the next few days, we'll update our pages to include the 2014 challenges we're participating in. We hope you'll come back, check it out, and show your support as we begin this new year together.

2013 TBR Pile Challenge

Kathy: Finished 10/12

Mandy: Finished 9/12

Shut Up & Read's Winter Wonderland Spell Challenge for January 2013

Mandy: Finished 11/16

Shut Up & Read's Star Wars Yearly Challenge

Mandy: Finished 12/38 (Ugh! How horrible!!!)

Back to the Classics 2013

Kathy: Finished 7/11 (5 of the 11 were optional categories, of which Kathy read 2)


Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge

Literary R&R: 196/200 (So close!!!)

{Review} Legends of the Dragonrealm: Shade by Richard A. Knaak

ISBN #: 978-1451656077

Page Count: 321

Copyright: September 18, 2012

Publisher: Gallery Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Survivor of a once-mighty race of sorcerers, the spellcaster known to those of the Dragonrealm simply as Shade struggles to find an end to the curse he brought upon himself millennia ago in his hope to escape death ... and worse. Instead of immortality, he was condemned to an endless series of lives alternating between darkness and light, with "death" only resurrecting him over and over. His blurred features and unstable but terrible powers a threat to friend and foe alike, the hooded sorcerer must defy not only those who would manipulate him, but also his very self. Worse, he must do so always aware that even the land itself may have sinister designs upon him ...

Mandy's Review:

Unfortunately, this book was a disappointment to me. Before I begin what I didn't like, though, let me say what I did like.

First, the cover is absolutely gorgeous! When you see the book in person, instead of just a picture at the top of a blog post, the colors really pop and are exciting to look at. It was the main reason why I decided to give this book a chance. I mean, if the cover is this exciting then the story inside has to be also ... right?

I also enjoyed the cast of characters and the majority of the settings in this story. They were varied and interesting to read about. They blended well together and helped to form a cohesive landscape for Shade's journey.

Okay ... what I didn't like ...

Shade.

Rather, I didn't like how Shade was portrayed. He didn't feel real to me. I know he was a 'shadow' or a 'blur,' but he still had human emotions and feelings. My issue with Shade's story is it didn't feel very exciting. He sort of faded into the settings.

Another thing that annoyed me immensely is the repetition of the seemingly impossible turned probable. I sense an example is needed. Okay ... for example ... in the beginning Shade was in a shop looking for an object. He noticed some magic at work set in place by a very powerful wizard. Shade wasn't sure if he would be able to break the spell. He concentrated and then *gasp* what's this?! A teeny-tiny error in the spell that Shade just so happened to find and was miraculously able to use to break the spell. This type of scenario didn't just happen once. It happened over and over again. I mean, come on, I'm all for the shunned main character getting the best of someone who seems more powerful than him, but there HAS to be a limit to his good luck. It became redundant and greatly unimaginative, which turned me off from this book.

Sorry to all you fantasy-lovers out there who enjoyed this series, but this was certainly not my cup of tea.


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

{Review} Angelina's Bachelors: A Novel with Food by Brian O'Reilly

ISBN #: 978-1451620566

Page Count: 355

Publisher: Gallery Books

Copyright: August 9, 2011

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Far too young to be a widow, Angelina D'Angelo suddenly finds herself facing a life without her beloved husband, Frank. Late one night shortly after the funeral, she makes her way down to the kitchen and pours all of her grief and anger into the only outlet she has left - her passion for cooking. In a frenzy of concentration and swift precision, she builds layer upon layer of thick, rich lasagna, braids loaves of yeasty bread, roasts plump herb-rubbed chicken; she makes so much food that she winds up delivering the spoils to the neighbors in her tight-knit Italian community in South Philadelphia.

Retiree Basil Cupertino, who has just moved in with his kindly sister across the street, is positively smitten with Angelina's food. In a stroke of good fortune, Basil offers Angelina (not only husbandless but unemployed) a job cooking for him - two meals a day, six days a week, in exchange for a handsome salary. Soon, word of her irresistible culinary prowess spreads and she finds herself cooking for seven bachelors - and in the process discovers the magical power of food to heal, to bring people together ... and maybe even to provide a second chance at love.

Mandy's Review:

Angelina's Bachelors grips your heart from the beginning and doesn't let go ... even after you've read the last page. It begins with the tragedy of Frank's death, which is sad, but then a short time later, Angelina loses her job ... with a severance pay of $100. With her mind numb and not knowing what to do, Angelina takes a few days to sit around the house and grieve. Her mother-in-law does her best to get Angelina out of her funk, but Angelina is one of those types that just needs some time to get herself together, then she's okay.

Angelina's turning point turns out to be a blessing in disguise. After her all-night session of baking and cooking, Angelina has enough food to feed an army. With the help of her mother-in-law and niece, Angelina distributes the food throughout her neighborhood. A few days later, opportunity comes knocking on her door in the form of one Mr. Basil Cupertino. Recognizing a present-day miracle for what it is, Angelina agrees to his proposal.

From there on out the story is about food, redefining the term "family," love, hope, new beginnings, and fond memories of the past. This is a beautiful story grown from a seed of tragedy. I would highly recommend this to everyone who reads fiction.


*A paperback copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Demon's Curse by Alexa Egan

ISBN #: 978-1451672909

Page Count: 370

Copyright: December 26, 2012

Publisher: Pocket Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

One of the mythical race of shape-shifting Imnada and a member of an elite military unit, Captain Mac Flannery suffers under a ruthless curse. As the result of a savage massacre on the eve of Waterloo, he and the men he served with are forced to live the hours of darkness trapped as their animal aspects. Now one of them has been murdered, and Mac suspects the existence of the Imnada may finally have been discovered. His only link to unearthing the truth - Bianca Parrino, the beautiful actress whom every man desires.

Forging a new life for herself after escaping the clutches of her abusive husband, Bianca is again drawn into violence when a dear friend is brutally murdered and she becomes a suspect. Forced to place her trust and her life in Mac's hands as they flee a determined killer, Bianca cannot deny she is falling for the mysterious soldier. But will his dark secrets tear them asunder? Or will love be the key to breaking even the cruelest of spells?

Mandy's Review:

This is a classical romance in that it has the main basic elements:

• Girl in trouble who is independent and determined to stay that way due to past hurts
• Sexy man alone and determined not to become entangled in love affair due to hidden secret
• A potentially dangerous situation forces the two to come together, work together, and, eventually, fall in love

Now, take those basic elements and throw in shape-shifters, faes, magic, murder, and the anger of a clan and you've got yourself one potent brew of danger, sex appeal, and romance. The sexual magnetism between Mac and Bianca is a little slow-started, but once it gets going you may need to take a cold shower. I know this man is a fictional character, but I'd do so many naughty things to him he wouldn't be able to leave the bedroom for a while.

Bianca tended to get on my nerves just a wee tad. In the beginning she's stoic and tough-as-nails, but throw her in a locked basement room, honey, and she falls to pieces like a magnolia tree shedding its petals. I understand she endured a traumatic situation during her first marriage ... and she's an actress ... but, gracious ... I am glad though that once Mac put some shape-shifting hoo-doo on her behind, she calmed herself down right-quick-and-in-a-hurry. Maybe that's all she needed was some good lovin' to reign her in.

Demon's Curse is book one of three in the Imnada Brotherhood trilogy. Since Mac was part of a specific group of men, I'm suspecting that the other two books will be about de Coursy and Gray. I really enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to seeing how the other two stories will play out. If you like a little paranormal romance to start your day, perhaps you should try Demon's Curse?

*A paperback copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} The World as We Know It by Joseph Monninger

ISBN #: 978-1451606348

Page Count: 320

Copyright: October 11, 2011

Publisher: Gallery Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

A lifetime of friendship begins the day brothers Ed and Allard save Sarah from drowning in an icy river near their rural New Hampshire home. Though their paths diverge through the years, the connection between the three endures until a heartbreaking tragedy in the remote mountains of Wyoming forces Sarah and Allard to confront the unthinkable. In their grief, they find themselves on separate journeys that test the enduring bonds of their relationship and time's unremitting power to heal.

Poignant and transformative, The World as We Know It is subtle and heartrending - a love story of friendship, nature, and the surprising twists that can alter our destinies forever.

Mandy's Review:

Do you recall sitting in your high school English class and your teacher telling you that you would be reading a classic. Perhaps it was A Tale of Two Cities. Maybe it was The Giver or The Scarlet Letter. Do you recall how you felt while reading a story that was written so long ago, the pages yellowed with age? I have no doubt that The World as We Know It will be a classic that is read by English students years from now. The flow of the story and the way it read was reminiscent of those classics I read during high school.

Sarah and Allard's love story is a great piece of literary fiction. There are life lessons and situations throughout this novel that are open for deeper interpretation. The Wyoming tragedy lends a more serious, but necessary note, to this work. What would an unforgettable piece of literature be without a tragedy to tear the lovers apart?

I really don't know what to say. I'm just stunned and still in awe of how substantial this story is. This is one book that isn't going anywhere. When the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list is revamped, I could pretty much guarantee you that this book will be on that list.


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

{Review} Second Chance Grill by Christine Nolfi

ISBN #: 978-1478342229

Page Count: 318

Copyright: October 24, 2012

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Dr. Mary Chance needs a sabbatical from medicine to grieve the loss of her closest friend. But when she inherits a struggling restaurant in Liberty, Ohio she isn't prepared for Blossom Perini. Mary can't resist falling for the precocious preteen - or the girl's father. The bond they forge will transform all their lives and set in motion an outpouring of love that spreads across America.

Mandy's Review:

Everyone deserves a second (and sometimes a third, fourth, and so on) chance. It doesn't matter what people have done or what situation they're in, if they are trying to do better another chance should be given to them. Stop living in the past and look towards the future.

Mary deserves a second chance with her medical career that helps her to feel fulfilled while not disappointing anyone. Her best friend, another doctor, was killed recently by a drunk driver. The two friends had intended on taking over a free clinic as a way to give back to the community, but now that her friend was dead Mary needed to get away. With her aunt retiring, Mary acquires the Liberty's only restaurant. She renames the place, revamps the menu, and opens up shop ... to a horrendous, disastrous first day.

Anthony deserves a second chance at true love. He had never been in love even though he had been married before. A girl in high school, not even his "girlfriend," was waiting on his bed for him one day after school ... naked. Being a teenage boy with raging hormones, he did what any male in his situation would do ... he had sex with her. That one time was enough to get her pregnant and, being the honorable guy that he was, Anthony married her shortly after graduation. Two years later, she divorces Anthony leaving him in Liberty with their child.

Blossom deserves a second chance at having a mother and at life. Growing up as a single child with a single parent, Blossom is somewhat spoiled. Anthony's done the best he could during her childhood years, but now that Blossom is a preteen she needs a mother. When Blossom sets eyes on Mary, she determines to have Mary in that role. While pushing Anthony and Mary together every chance she can, Blossom's hiding the fact that she's not feeling well. She's in remission from leukemia and doesn't want to worry her father about her health. About a month before the long-awaited two-year remission mark, Blossom takes a serious turn for the worse: her leukemia has come back with a vengeance. Her only possible chance at survival is a bone marrow transplant, which costs a ton of money her family cannot afford.

Second Chance Grill is a wonderfully realistic story that I could read over and over again. It made me laugh and cry. Even though Liberty isn't a real city, I could easily picture this happening in any small town across America. This is a town that I want to live in with people I would love to have as friends. Christine Nolfi has a wonderful thing going on with the Liberty series and I cannot wait to see who we'll learn more about next.


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

{Review} The Fate of Mercy Alban by Wendy Webb

ISBN #: 978-1401341930

Page Count: 352

Copyright: February 5, 2013

Publisher: Hyperion

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Grace Alban has spent more than twenty years avoiding her childhood home, the stately mansion situated on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior. Alban House is enchanting, certainly; it is also plagued with a history of tragedy and the rumor of a curse that no one can quite laugh away. So when newly divorced Grace returns with her moody teenage daughter to attend to her mother's estate, she is shocked but not surprised to learn that her mother died under eerie circumstances - silenced the very day she planned to give a tell-all interview about the family. Soon, Grace finds herself faced with more unsettling discoveries, including a long-lost aunt and a possible intruder watching through the walls.

Now Grace must uncover the truth about the Alban curse - and the witch at its heart - before she becomes its next victim ...

Mandy's Review:

As soon as I saw the cover on this book, I just knew I had to read this book. When I received the paperback, I fell even more in love with the cover. The photo above does not do this cover art justice. And, you can't see it in the photo, but there's a girl in white in the window at the top of the house. I'll admit it: I totally judged this book by its cover before even reading the summary. The summary just confirmed that I had to have it.

The Fate of Mercy Alban is an interesting title. Not only does it tell us that something happened to a lady named Mercy Alban, but while reading this story you realize that Fate was Mercy's twin sister. I pretty much figured out what happened to Mercy and Fate when they were younger, but I didn't know the how of it. I commend the author for skillfully keeping me on my toes. I totally lost myself in this book, as I hoped I would when I received the review request.

There's a comment made, in a review blurb on the back cover, stating that Stephen King could be the (literary) father of Wendy Webb. I don't think she's as twisted, or anywhere near as vulgar, as Stephen King (I adore your work, Mr. King!!!), but I would agree with Dean Koontz being Wendy's (literary) father. She has Mr. Koontz's milder, otherworldly-esque writing style thrown in with a dash of realism.

There were many little twists and surprises in this novel ... like the Epilogue ... Way to make me want more, Wendy!!! I am officially begging you to write a sequel to this novel. Whoever her literary father is, I have now become a huge fan of Wendy Webb. Her books will be sitting alongside Stephen King's and Dean Koontz's on my bookshelves, as they should be on yours as well.


*A paperback ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} The Devil's Dream by Roy Segal

ASIN #: B008C67NU4

File Size: 301 KB

Page Count: 180

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

A female New York City cop suspects her rich Wall Street boyfriend is murdering his clients. Told from the point of view of a psychic, who dreams of these murders before they take place.

Mandy's Review:

The summary states that the book is told from the psychic's POV, which tells me it should be told in first person. The book was actually told in third person. The entire book was not told from the psychic's POV. Every single character that was introduced, and there were a lot of them, told part of the story from their perspective. And since we're on the subject of how many characters there were, let me just say that there were too many characters introduced. If they were an essential part of the story then I would understand, but some characters came and went so quickly it made me wonder why they were even introduced at all. The information the fleeting characters revealed could have been told as a result of a police investigation, had the author put a little effort into actually strengthening the plot. Introducing the characters for a few paragraphs to let the reader know why something happened just seemed to me to be lazy writing.

Is there such a thing as too many chapters?

Even though this book was only around 180 pages in length, there were over 100 "chapters" in this book. And I say "chapters" with quotation marks because they weren't really chapters. Most "chapters" in this book were only a few paragraphs. I will say, though, that having such short chapters facilitated reading this book quickly. I felt as if I was really gobbling up some pages watching the "chapters" go by so fast.

Unfortunately, I did not care for this book at all. It seems more of a first draft than the finished product.


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

{Review} The Yoga Club by Cooper Lawrence

ISBN #: 978-1439187272

Page Count: 324

Copyright: December 20, 2011

Publisher: Gallery Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Chatting it up with bendy WASPs is the last thing on Coco Guthrie's mind during her 8:30 a.m. yoga class. Having made her fortune as the world-renowned inventor of Butt-B-Gone derriere cream, Coco still doesn't feel like she belongs among the upper class - until she attends the swankiest Halloween soiree in Greenwich, Connecticut, where three of her fellow morning yogis shared her brilliant idea to appear as Sarah Palin.

Soon it's clear that a love of stretching isn't all this accidental sorority - which includes a single mom with echolalia, an entertainment reporter who charms the pants off handsome stars, and a drama-prone producer with a taste for drag - have in common.

When the four mischievous Sarahs wander away from the party to sneak a peek at the mayor's neighboring estate, they are stunned to find him adorned in leather and latex, and rolling up a woman's body in a Persian rug. To make matters worse, someone has spotted the spying Palins. Someone who threatens to expose their torrid affairs in business and the bedroom. Now the unlikely foursome must use all their wits and wiles to get to the bottom of the kinky crime. But will their budding friendship be strong enough to protect their deepest secrets?

Mandy's Review:

Before I delve too deeply into this review, I'll begin by saying that this is a mystery you can read while sitting in a cozy chair on a late afternoon while drinking tea. Even though there's a murder in the book, it's not a thrill-riding roller-coaster adventure through Crazy Town. It's more about the bonds of friendship and how women tend to let friendships fade over time (yes, this book is geared towards the females).

I have some issues with this book so be aware that there may be some spoilers.

The mayor of Greenwich is into BDSM. Of course this is hush-hush because he doesn't want his constituents or voters to know his dirty little secret. To hide it, he has a building towards the back of his property (which remains padlocked) that is decked out with all the freaky stuff for a good time. He also hires dominatrixes from out-of-town for his private parties. Here's where one of my problems comes in ... He has a locked building out back for his sexual adventures. Yet the four Palins look into the back door of his home and see him partially decked out in BDSM gear rolling up the dominatrix in a rug. My issue is that if he didn't want people to know about his sexual preferences, why would he even allow the dominatrix into his home? Why not take her straight to the locked building? If she did come into his home first, why have the leather outfits in his home where his wife could find them? It just doesn't make sense to me.

Then, the summary above states that there's a "drama-prone producer with a taste for drag." Not so. The drama-prone producer, CJ, states in the book that he's never done drag:

"I'm one of the few gays you'll meet who never did drag, and I know nothing about makeup. I just know what looks good. I'm good with men's fashion, but that's where I draw the line." (Pg. 207, Lines 11-14)

CJ is one of the funnier characters in the book. One particular passage I enjoyed was:

"Don't panic, but if I act a little weird it's because I may have taken my Prozac twice tonight. I'm gonna be eighty milligrams of fun," he declared. (Pg. 199, Lines 25-27)

Bailey is the entertainment reporter mentioned in the summary. Apparently this girl is a whore from the word 'go.' She's had sex with just about everyone in the business, from Matt Damon to Ryan Reynolds to John Mayer. I tired quickly of her name-dropping, know-it-all attitude.

Olivia, the single mom, is a hopeless romantic who's in love with love (you know the type, I'm sure). She wants to believe the best in everyone and often finds it hard to stick up for herself or make her own decisions. So, in the end, when she just all of a sudden gets angry and yells at the mayor making him cower and confess ... it wasn't believable.

I enjoyed the friendship part of this book, but not the murder-mystery part. The murder is mentioned in the beginning to tie the four people together and give them a reason to be a part of each other's lives. Throughout the remainder of the book, until the very end, the murder is used as a background story while focusing on each of the four individuals and their emotions and personal life. The sudden confession at the end felt like it was thrown in because the writer was almost done with the story and figured it was time to tie up that loose end. It just didn't flow or feel like a natural progression of the story.

I would only recommend this book if you want an easy read about four unlikely people becoming friends. Don't read it for the murder aspect.


*A paperback copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Paper Dreams by Phyllis J. Burton

ISBN #: 978-1848767898

Page Count: 340

Copyright: December 1, 2011

Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd.

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Take a recipe for disaster ... Start with an illicit love affair in 1952, add a painful parting and three deaths in 1953.

Leave to settle until 2009. Then add a crumbling mansion (Epton Hall), which harbours a scandalous secret ... Gradually combine young librarian Katie Nicholson - an incurable romantic trying to get over a failed love affair. Sprinkle a few daydreams, hundreds of books and stir until well mixed.

Carefully blend in a friendly housekeeper, some memorabilia and many books, with Katie's weekend away, new boyfriend and a prophetic dream. Add the secret arrival of sinister nephew Harold Hapsworth-Cole, the only known heir to the estate, and throw in the evidence discovered by Katie in the attic, that another heir exists in Canada. Combine fear, violence, and theft of that evidence with Katie's imprisonment in the attic, Harold's growing mental instability and stir ... malevolently.

The resultant mixture should be an explosion of love, financial expectations, inheritance, terror, greed and attempted murder. Then ... ENJOY.

Mandy's Review:

Oy ... Where to begin ... Well, let's start with the positives, shall we?

The story was told in third person, which I enjoyed because I was able to get to know all of the characters that were introduced. Even though there were quite a few characters in the novel, none of them really felt unnecessary. I've found that when there are many characters the story can feel disjointed when it goes from one scene to the next. Ms. Burton segued between characters and/or situations flawlessly. I highly commend her for that.

Unfortunately, for as many good points as this novel had there were just as many bad.

To start, let me ask a question. Why does the damsel in distress have to be emotionally wrought? It irritates me to no end to see a female character so weak-willed. There's nothing wrong with having a damsel in distress who has a little bit of gumption to her ... is there?

While the story flowed quite well, there were many instances that aggravated me. Why? Because it almost seemed like the author wrote the book and then didn't proofread for consistency or believability. Want some examples? My pleasure ...

Example 1: Katie has gone to Epton Hall to catalogue all of the books located there. While doing so, she finds a letter and birth certificate of a person who could have rightful ownership of Epton Hall. Upon finding these documents, Katie phones her employer to tell him all about it not realizing that Harold has snuck into the house and is overhearing her entire conversation. When I say "all about it" I mean she told him names, dates, all the specifics. A few pages later, as Katie is thinking to herself while feeling threatened by Harold, the book states that Katie wasn't sure how much Harold had heard or understood her conversation with her employer. Really? Katie stated, out loud, that Harold's uncle had an affair and a bastard child who was now living in Canada and she had a copy of the birth certificate with her. Not only that, but she also stated that Harold would be upset if the letter proved to be true. Harold overheard all of this and she still wonders if he understood her conversation with her employer ... *smh*

Example 2: Katie meets a guy while visiting her cousin/friend/can't remember. They converse a little bit during that one night. A few weeks later, Stuart fashions himself in love with Katie. They have one date together and then he wants her to go with him to meet his parents the next weekend. (Moving too fast, aren't we?) Then, it's either the following weekend or the one after that, Katie and Stuart go to Canada together ... where Stuart proposes and Katie says 'yes.' Then, either that same day or the next, Katie thinks to herself that "they were still in that tender area of getting to know one another." Shouldn't that be taken care of (as much as any two people can) BEFORE you agree to be married?!

Those are just two examples of many things that had me shaking my head or yelling "WHAT?!" at the book. If the author, or an editor, would go through the book and help clean up all of head-shaking moments, this would be an excellent novel for me to recommend. As it stands, I just can't recommend it to anyone.


*A paperback copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Uncontrollable by S. R. Johannes

ISBN #: 978-0984799145

Page Count: 288

Copyright: September 26, 2012

Publisher: Coleman & Scott

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

As Grace recovers from tragedy, her science class is chosen by Agent Sweeney at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help with research on the new "Red Wolf Reintroduction Program." While she's excited about helping with the conservation of the endangered wolves, Grace knows this means being outdoors in the worst winter on record, in a place she no longer feels comfortable. It also means working closely with Wyn (her ex) and his annoying girlfriend (Skyler), a girl whose idea of getting close to nature is killing two silk plants and watering a cactus.

After a couple of wolves show up dead, Grace almost quits. However, when a fellow project team member goes missing, Grace continues the assignment under a renewed suspicion that someone might be sabotaging the conservation program. She quietly begins to hunt for clues. Little does she know, she is being hunted too.

Mandy's Review:

Remember how I griped about Grace and her emotions in my review of Untraceable? Well, she's still a little too emotional in this book for my taste, BUT she's A LOT better than she was in Untraceable. As a matter of fact, this whole storyline is much improved over the first book. The characters seem MUCH more believable.

Wyn, Grace's ex, is, in my humble opinion, playing the field. He wants Grace, is supposedly in love with her, but has Skyler as his girlfriend. If I were Skyler and I saw my boyfriend still so hung up over his ex ... I'd be kicking the boy to the curb. I don't play second fiddle to anyone, but I guess Skyler's okay with it.

Grace is still understandably upset over the recent deaths of her father and her boyfriend, Mo. She feels as if everyone and every animal around her dies. Even the townspeople blame her for the stopping of much-needed funds for their town (even the town is dying around her) ... and the death of their Sheriff. All of this, plus the avoidance of her one-time friends, wears Grace down emotionally. Her only bright spots are a better relationship with her mother and having her grandmother back in town. When the "Red Wolf Reintroduction Program" comes along, it gives Grace the opportunity to get out of town and back into the woods where she really feels at home.

Filled with unrequited love, death, murder, conspiracy, deception, and a fictional account of a serious (and real) nature problem, Uncontrollable is an improved addition to the Nature of Grace series. If Grace would just control her uncontrollable self, this would be a wonderful series to add to your ever-growing TBR piles.


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

{Review} Untraceable by S. R. Johannes

ISBN #: 978-0984799125

Page Count: 312

Copyright: November 23, 2011

Publisher: Coleman & Scott

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Everyone leaves a mark.

What would you do if yours was erased?

Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he's dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him.

One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father.

Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she's enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it's going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves.

Mandy's Review:

Grace is a 16-year-old tomboy who grew up as her daddy's shadow. He was a park ranger who taught Grace everything he knew about tracking, plants, animals, and nature in general. She never dreamed all of that knowledge would be needed to track down her missing father.

During her investigations, she encounters some unsavory men who catch her spying on them. A stranger comes along and rescues her. Grace and her rescuer, Mo, get to know each other better and start developing feelings for each other. Meanwhile, the men who had her captured are part of a bigger ring of poachers that Grace helps to bring down.

How do the poachers tie in to her dad's disappearance? Will Grace still find him alive? Why was Mo wandering in the woods and able to rescue her? Is he hiding anything?

I'm not in love with this book. It's a quick read and has plenty of action to hold your attention, but there was something just a little .... "off" ... about it. Maybe it's because Grace is, at first, overly stoic and doing her best to hold all her emotions in and then, once she lets loose, she's way too overly emotional. Maybe it's because Mo is only 17-years-old, yet he's part of what seems to be an undercover operation. Maybe it's the fact that Grace is a self-centered, disrespecting teenager towards her mother, who is also under the emotional turmoil of losing someone. I don't really know what it is that isn't allowing me to become emotionally involved in this story, but I'm hoping that the second book will be better for me.


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

{Review} A Searing Wind by W. Michael Gear & Kathleen O'Neal Gear

ISBN #: 978-1439153901

Page Count: 478

Copyright: March 6, 2012

Publisher: Gallery Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from dustjacket flaps)

Black Shell is an exile, banished by his people for his cowardice in battle. To his fearsome patron spirit, Horned Serpent, however, he is imbued with the courage and keenness to stop the Kristiano onslaught. He and his beautiful wife, Pearl Hand, have fought them from the Florida Peninsula through the very heart of native America. A trader by profession, Black Shell now dedicates his soul to destroying the invaders, with their impenetrable armor, their swift, enormous cabayos, and their flashing, razor-sharp swords.

Black Shell and Pearl Hand have seen the shackled, naked, starving slaves, heard the broken promises - and learned de Soto's plans. While the battle of Mabila cost many Kristianos life and limb, the marauder does not retreat. Now he heads for Chicaza and the people from which Black Shell was once exiled.

Wounded and pursued by memories and visions, Black Shell is obsessed with setting the perfect trap. To do so, he must use the Chicaza and their stockpiles of food and supplies. And he must gamble everything on his people's pride, traditions, and failings. As winter sets in, new dangers abound for the pair - that of a family's shame, a woman's anger, and a betrayal that may force Black Shell to forfeit his last chance to save their world from utter destruction. But, worst of all, he and Pearl Hand must walk boldly into de Soto's camp and engage the cunning monster in a desperate game of wits that will decide the fate of a continent.

Mandy's Review:

If you were chosen to go on a mission that you knew would end in death would you do it? Would you be brave enough to continue on as you see those you love die around you? Would you have the courage to go back to a home that you were banished from and face the humiliation and anger of those who once loved you?

This is what Black Shell faced. Although he was banished from his community and labeled a coward, he was a man of great courage and bravery. There were plenty of times he was scared, but he pressed on because what he was doing was for the good of all his people, not just himself.

Pearl Hand was a well-suited match for Black Shell. Although she had a hard life growing up, being married to Black Shell has allowed her to be the person she was meant to become: a warrior ... which was highly unusual for a Native American woman. Because of the number of Kristianos she murdered, all of the Native Americans considered her as high ranking as a priest or government official. What she said carried weight with the decisions that had to be made among the elders.

In A Searing Wind, Black Shell and Pearl Hand are in the home-stretch of their fights against the Kristianos. Their final mission is to get the Chicaza's help. Black Shell, of course, had to prove himself to his former clan so they knew he wasn't lying to or deceiving them. After he gains their trust, the Chicaza and several surrounding clans join together to defeat the Kristianos.

Do they succeed? What cost will the Native Americans have to pay? Will the Kristianos be knocked down and retreat? What price will Black Shell and Pearl Hand have to pay? Will they both survive this final showdown?

I don't want to end this review because it will mean the end of this series for me. =(  Alas, I know I cannot talk about this series forever. A Searing Wind is the culmination of exceptionally-written period novels that will have you feeling every emotion available. I even cried at the end. I cannot portray the proper amount of importance in my words when I tell you that you must read this series.


*A hardcopy of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Love in Disguise by Carol Cox

ISBN #: 978-0764209550

Page Count: 348

Copyright: June 1, 2012

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Jobless and down to her last dime, Ellie Moore hears about a position with the Pinkerton Detective Agency and believes it's the perfect chance to put her acting skills and costumes to use. Reluctantly, the agency agrees to give her one assignment, one chance to prove herself. Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie travels to Arizona to begin her investigation. When the need arises, she also transforms into the dazzling Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.

Mine owner Steven Pierce is going to lose his business if he can't figure out who's stealing his silver shipments. In his wildest dreams, he never expected to receive help from a gray-haired widow ... or to fall in love with her beautiful niece.

Then the thieves come after Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn't safe no matter which character she plays! Should she give up and reveal her true identity? What will Steven do when he realizes the woman he's falling in love with doesn't really exist?

Mandy's Review:

People must have been more gullible in the 1800s. I'm not sure that a change of clothes, a wig, and some makeup would be enough to disguise one's true appearance. Perhaps I just haven't seen that many great makeup jobs. To think that was all it took to fool a couple of Pinkerton detectives is a little far-fetched ... but it does make for an interesting fiction novel.

Ellie was an assistant to an uppity, selfish theater actress. When the actress leaves for Europe, Ellie is under the impression that she's going also. When she realizes she isn't, her whole world comes crashing down. Living frugally, Ellie's life eventually hits rock-bottom. While strolling through the streets of Chicago, Ellie overhears two men discussing the need for a woman to fill an open position ... as a Pinkerton operative! Ellie applies for the job, but is told she doesn't have the right look. After changing into a disguise, she goes back and is able to obtain the position.

Once in Arizona, Ellie begins her charade as Lavinia Stewart, an old widow. Determined to find out who's stealing all of the silver shipments, "Lavinia" begins talking up everyone in town. She becomes the focus of some unsavory people's attention and her life becomes threatened.

Does Ellie really have what it takes to be a Pinkerton operative? Will she be able to crack the case in time to save the mines?

I enjoyed reading this story. I did become a little annoyed with Ellie. It's just hard for me to think that women back then were so naive. I wanted to reach in the book and shake her a couple times.

Although this book is published by a company known for its spiritual and religious printed works, Love in Disguise did not have an overly religious theme running through it. So, if you're not a huge fan of religious/Christian fiction, but enjoy an easy-to-read novel that's entertaining as well as suspenseful, then you should pick up a copy of Love in Disguise by Carol Cox.


*A paperback copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Well With My Soul by Gregory G. Allen

ISBN #: 978-0983604907

Page Count: 336

Copyright: October 11, 2011

Publisher: ASD Publishing

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Jacob and Noah Garrett are brothers harboring a lifelong resentment towards each other while dealing with their own compulsive obsessions. One is a liberal gay man who forsakes his family and moves to New York City from Tennessee to make his mark on the world. The other is a southern conservative who is left at home holding the proverbial family bag.

The story follows their loosely intertwined lives through the wild times of the late seventies and the restraint of the Reagan years in which one brother ends up becoming a minister and preaching his doctrine while the other believes there are some things people are born with and not meant to change.

Well With My Soul is told through the perspective of both brothers and shows how misguided choices can drastically affect those around you for years to come; and family may be all that one has when looking for peace to stifle the embers that smolder beneath the surface.

Mandy's Review:

Family often sucks. Single-parent families are one of the worst. I know, I've been there. What if your sibling is God's gift to creation and can do no wrong yet you are criticized and judged on everything you do? Do you know how that feels?

Welcome to the world of Jacob and Noah in Well With My Soul. Their father died a while ago and they've been living under their mother's care ever since. One son is mommy's little angel while the other lives in resentment and defeat. Things begin to change, though, when mommy's angel decides to leave home and head off to the bright lights of New York City.

The separation causes each son to head down a path they wouldn't have otherwise known. The NYC man becomes a world-famous model and gets involved heavily into the party scene. The Tennessee man stays home and takes care of their mom until the day she dies. Once her funeral's over, he heads to Nashville to begin again.

Reflecting back over this book, I can still feel the emotions of Jacob and Noah. I don't want to give too much away, but the bottom line is it's all up to a person to determine their destiny. You have to want something bad enough to make things happen. The problems comes when what you want is a selfish way of living. You have to make smart decisions, but that doesn't always happen. Jacob and Noah are like the yin-yang of each other. At the beginning, one son has a defeatist attitude and walks around upset while the other is living life without a care. At the end, the depressed son has become successful in every area of his life, while the other has lost everything that he cares about most.

It's all about choices, people, the good and the bad. You have to be careful and consider how your choices will affect your life in the long run because it may affect others' lives as well.

Well With My Soul came alive from the first page. I knew Noah and Jacob. I felt their emotions, their struggles, their desires. I became friends with them both. I was glad to see that they did try to be brothers and friends towards the end. This is a novel I would definitely recommend to all you fiction-lovers out there who enjoy novels that ring true.

By the way, I purposefully did not talk about one of the brothers being gay. Why? Because, while homosexuals are represented in this novel, that is not what the novel is about. It is much more than that. The homosexuality is just another way of showcasing the vast differences between the two brothers. If you read it, look beyond that and open yourself up to the emotions within this story.


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