{Review} Grey Winter, The Tournament: Book Two by B. B. Griffith

ISBN #: 978-0982481769

Page Count: 292

Copyright: October 1, 2012

Publisher: Griffith Publishing LLC

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

Two players have been murdered. Two killers are on the loose. Nothing is what it seems.

The world is awake now. The Tournament has captivated everyone, but no winner can be declared until the mystery of what happened to Team Blue is solved. Meanwhile, three new players are chosen to rebuild the fallen team, but they are young and inexperienced, and instantly targeted. Their survival is dependent upon their existence remaining a secret.

But in the Tournament, secrets are hard to keep.

New alliances are formed, old enemies are confronted, and the truth is finally revealed in Grey Winter, the second installment of the Tournament series.

Charlene's Review:

Grey Winter is the second book in the Tournament series. After the murder of two of the members of Team Blue, or the American team, Grey Winter introduces us to the next group of players. Ellie Willmore, Blue Team captain, and Tom Elrey, the sweeper, are both still in high school. Cyrus Bell, the striker, is a musician. This dubious grouping holds the future of the game in their inexperienced hands.

What began as a team competition has now become a hunt for a murderer. As the new Team Blue begins training, the old rules of the Tournament have faded away, and the Team must learn a new, and more dangerous game. The Russian team, Team Black, is amassing an army, and allegiances are split between old associates of Team Blue between regrouping, and searching for revenge.

This is another exciting, somewhat darker hit novel for B. B. Griffith. Hunger Games better watch out, as The Tournament could be a big-screen blockbuster. The action is vivid, and the character and setting descriptions do not miss a detail. Fast-paced throughout, this is a suspenseful sequel to Blue Fall that leaves you anxious to read the next book. I cannot praise the storyline enough for its "relatability" within its characters and the frenzied activity that keeps you turning the page. The unexpected answers at the end completely made me rethink all I knew about the characters and their motives.

Bring on Black Spring!


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

{Review} The Adventures of De'Ante Johnson: The Obsidian Knight by Jeff Jones and Nick Chiles

ISBN #: 978-1479385799

Page Count: 238

Copyright: September 28, 2012

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Description:

(Taken from Amazon)

De'Ante Johnson, a quiet 16 year old with a well-hidden double life, is suddenly shanghaied from his 'hood to Illumina, an earth-like world, to battle a shape-shifting monstrous tyrant intent on destroying a millennia-old culture. The action intensifies when De'Ante must choose between saving his best friend, gang leader Revonne Williams, or the desperate people of Illumina. However, the heroic Johnson threatens the existence of both worlds when his temper becomes uncontrollable.

Charlene Reviews:

Being a 16 year old living in the 'hood without a father is hard enough, but being the chosen savior to a foreign world really puts the pressure on a kid's conscience. De'Ante is living his life, going to school, and trying to stay out of trouble, despite being friends with a local gang leader. When a new girl shows up, and leads him off to another planet, De'Ante must make a choice between fulfilling his destiny as Sune Yung, and choosing his life on Earth.

The Obsidian Knight is an engrossing sci-fi/fantasy story of redemption and finding your true calling. Focusing on an unlikely hero, this story appeals to the underdog or that part of all of us that strives for purpose. It has vivid descriptions of marvelous creatures and circumstance, and appealing, charismatic characters that help keep the interest high, as well as down-to-earth issues that all teenagers face. Although targeted to young teen boys, I found it to be appropriate for all ages, and a fun, exciting read. I intend to gift this to a teenager I know, as I would any further Adventures of De'Ante Johnson.


*A paperback copy was provided by one of the authors in exchange for an honest review.

{Treasure Hunt Blog Tour w/ Excerpt} - The Forever Girl by Rebecca Hamilton

Welcome to the treasure hunt tour for The Forever Girl!

Here's how it's done:

Each stop on the tour will have a small excerpt with a code hidden in it. Visit all the stops to gather the letters, unscramble the phrase, and email it to:

sandra.ashton-holtzman@bookandblogservices.com

The stops list can be found here.

The winner will receive a goody bag including:

1 Forever Girl Ring
1 Forever Girl Keychain
1 Forever Girl Necklace
1 Forever Girl Bookmark
1 Forever Candle
1 Signed copy of The Forever Girl
1 Signed copy of the companion novella, Her Sweetest Downfall

IMMORTALIZATION:

The author will also immortalize the lucky winner by giving them a cameo appearance in the next Forever Girl book.

Bonus:

If you've already reviewed The Forever Girl on Amazon, include the link to your review along with the unscrambled phrase for an additional entry!

Book Blurb:

Sophia's family has skeletons, but they aren't in their graves.

At twenty-two, practicing Wiccan Sophia Parsons is scratching out a living waiting tables in her Rocky Mountain hometown, a pariah after a string of unsolved murders with only one thing in common: her.

Sophia can imagine lots of ways to improve her life, but she'd settle for just getting rid of the buzzing noise in her head. When the spell she casts goes wrong, the static turns into voices. Her personal demons get company, and the newcomers are dangerous.

One of them is a man named Charles, who Sophia falls for despite her better judgment. He has connections that might help her unveil the mystery surrounding her ancestor's hanging, but she gets more than she bargains for when she finally decides to trust him.

Survival in his world, she learns, means not asking questions and staying out of the immortal council's way. It's a line she crossed long ago. If Sophia wants to survive the council and save the people she loves, she must accept who she is, perform dark magic, and fight to the death for her freedom.

The Forever Girl is a full-length Paranormal Fantasy novel that will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, witches, vampires, ghosts, paranormal mystery, and paranormal horror.

Excerpt: The Forever Girl, Part 28

"My name's Sophia," I said. It was a little late for introductions, but I wanted to shift the conversation and move as far away from the arousal as possible. "Yours?"

"Charles," he whispered. His voice sounded clear, as though the music in the room had faded to make room for him to speak. He cleared his throat and dipped his gaze to mine. "I saw you in the woods the other night."

I swallowed around the lump in my throat. "And through my bedroom window."

"Yes," he replied.

"So you were stalking me."

"I was unaware the woods belonged to you alone," he said against my ear, his hands moving to the small of my back. "Is there anywhere else I shouldn't already your code is n be when you get there, in the event you might continue with your accusations?"

"Jack's Diner," I said, fighting to hold onto the conversation instead of the arousal. "I work there, so you might want to stay away unless I invite you."

"Then invite me."

Tour Hosted By:

http://www.bookandblogservices.com/book-tour-for-the-forever-girl-by-rebecca-hamilton

{Blog Tour/Review} Under the Eye of God by Jerome Charyn

Welcome to our stop on Jerome Charyn's Under the Eye of God blog tour, hosted by Tribute Books!

Book Info:

ISBN #: 978-1453270998

Page Count: 222

Copyright: October 30, 2012

Publisher: MysteriousPress.com/Open Road

Summary:

Isaac Sidel is too popular to be America's vice president. Once the New York Police Department commissioner, he became the most beloved mayor in the city's history - famous for his refusal to surrender his Glock, and for his habit of disappearing for months at a time to fight crime at street level. So when baseball czar J. Michael Storm asks Sidel to join him on the election's Democratic ticket, the two wild men romp to an unprecedented landslide. But as the president-elect's mandate goes off the rails - threatened by corruption, sex, and God knows what else - he tires of being overshadowed by Sidel, and dispatches him to a place from which tough politicians seldom return: Texas.

In the Lone Star state, Sidel confronts rogue astrologers, accusations of pedophilia, and a dimwitted assassin who doesn't know when to take an easy shot. If this Bronx bomber doesn't watch his step, he risks making vice-presidential history by getting killed on the job.

Buy Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Mandy's Review:

Isaac Sidel, after an almost 30 year sabbatical, returns as large a presence as ever. A New York police commissioner turned mayor, Isaac is now on the Democratic's ballot as the vice president. He agreed to run as the VP-elect, but it almost seems as if he's doing it because he feels he has to do it, not because he wants to. Despite his gruffness, Isaac seems to be the dependable guy many rely on to get a job done.

As is par for the course, Isaac is caught up in some twisted, tangled web of lies and deceit. The people whom he thought were his friends and mentors were really using him as a pawn in their own chess game of life. This, like it would anyone, pisses Isaac off. Nobody likes to be manipulated, especially when it's by someone they've respected and admired since they were children. And, as is also usual with Isaac, he falls in love with some femme fatale that is a double-agent and cannot love him in return like he wants.

Will Isaac be able to fix everything or will he end up assassinated by the very people he grew up trusting?

Once again, Jerome Charyn has written a stellar piece of fiction with one of his most-beloved characters: Isaac Sidel, the giant of a man with a (hidden) heart of gold.


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

{Review} How to Understand Economics in 1 Hour by Marshall Payn

ISBN #: 978-0983653950

Page Count: 136

Copyright: April 20, 2012

Publisher: Path Maker Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

For decades US politicians have been kicking the federal deficit and overspending can down the road. No politician can get elected by running on a platform that will honestly fix the US economy. At no time in history has it been more crucial than now for each of us to understand our government. In order to do so, we must understand economics, politics, and the difference between the two. We are the richest country in history but yet we sit on the edge of financial disaster. How can we expect that to change if voters don't understand the very basics of economics?

There has never been a source of information on economics that people can easily understand, UNTIL NOW. In clear and simple terms, this book separates truth from emotion, economics from politics, and offers undeniable proof of our country's destiny if each of us continues to elect politicians while lacking a clear understanding of basic economic principles. If you think you understand economics, think again. This book is an eye opener, not only with its content, but because these concepts are so simple. What is truly amazing is that the knowledge in this book is not common knowledge. You cannot call yourself a responsible citizen unless you read How to Understand Economics in 1 Hour prior to voting in the 2012 US election. It will change the way you see the government, politicians, and the future of our country.

Kathy's Review:

THE CHALLENGE: Understand Economics in Just One Hour
THE PARTICIPANT: Kathy, an economics-challenged marketing professional who also writes book reviews.

I took this challenge very literally, and allotted one hour and one hour alone to read this book. I went into it with very little knowledge of economics, although I did sit through two ECON classes at the college level, but only because they were required. I couldn't tell you one thing I learned in that class, but I do remember that one completely tooly guy tripped over my friend's backpack when he was coming back to his seat with his test results, and he had just flashed his good grade at us saying, "Read it and weep, suckas!" That became our catch phrase for the near term, until it was replaced with something equally as hilarious to our young minds.

Now that the groundwork has been established, let's see if the book lived up to its premise.

I liked right away how the author admitted that economics is boring. I wholeheartedly agree. The author also promised nothing complicated, which I appreciate. And guess what - it was pretty straightforward, and by golly, I think I kind of understand economics now! At least the basic principles. The "one hour" portion of the challenge was also passed with flying colors - I was able to read this in probably about 45 minutes.

I wish that I'd had this book when I was struggling through college-level econ. I think this would be a great introductory read for non-economics major who needs to take the class as part of a requirement. Or, if you would like more understanding on this topic, and are like me and it all sounds like mumbo-jumbo, this book nicely breaks down the basic concepts so it's easily understandable.


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