Sunday, October 26, 2008

Dragons Heart by Marly Mathews



4 Stars.

A pleasure to read.
Dragons Heart is a sweet and tender love story about two people who find each other at a time when their world as they know it is being torn apart by a violent civil war. Grania a beautiful half/dragon half/human princess is sent to protect the wizard Dylan who's magical spell may hold the key to saving their world. And in the process finds herself unwillingly falling in love with the sometimes annoying but very sexy wizard...

This is a complex and interesting tale about a violent and at the same time very fascinating world. And is sure to appeal to anyone who enjoys stories of magic, wizards, shape shifters and a love to last a lifetime.



With Dragonia torn by civil war and the rebels winning the fight, it was only a matter of time before the dragon shifters focused on earth in their determination to take back what mankind had taken from them centuries before. The wizard Dylan Lightfoot was their only hope, the only capable of conjuring the spell they needed to defeat the rebels, and it was Grania’s duty to defend him at whatever cost.

She hadn’t suspected what it would cost her, though, would never have believed she would find her soul mate to be a wizard, not one of her kind.

Dragons Heart is available now by New Concepts Publishing.

The Darkest Pleasure by Gena Showalter



5 Stars.

The Darkest Pleasure by Gena Showalter is book three in the Lords Of The Underworld series and in my personal opinion also the best. This story is about the ancient warrior Reyes, who lives a tortured existence because he is also possessed by the demon of pain. Reyes' demon forces him to constantly harm himself and he can know no peace until the day that he meets the beautiful Danika, the one woman who can calm his demon...

It's been a while since Danika Ford has known any peace herself. Her nice normal life has turned into a horrible nightmare with no end in sight. For some reason Cronos the King of the Titans has put out a contract on her life and that of her family...

I know that I described The Lords of the Underworld books as my newest guilty pleasure and this book is no exception. I love all three of the books for this series but this one is my favorite for several reasons. 1. the world building is already done so the author was more able to concentrate on the characters. 2. The character of Danika is just so well done, she is one of the most likable characters that I've read about in a very long time. 3. Even though the book is 368 pages long I really wasn't ready for it to end...

Reyes is a man possessed. Bound by the demon of pain, he is forbidden to know pleasure. Yet he craves a mortal woman, Danika Ford, more than breath and will do anything to claim her—even defy the gods.

Danika is on the run. For months she's eluded the Lords of the Underworld, immortal warriors who won't rest until she and her family have been destroyed. But her dreams are haunted by Reyes, the warrior whose searing touch she can't forget. Yet a future together could mean death to all they both hold dear.…

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Not All Of Them About Zombies by Matthew Rowe



4.5 Stars.

I was hooked from the first minute that I picked up this book, it's just that good.The book is filled with a fun, witty, and very clever collection of eleven short stories ranging from fractured fairy tales to horror, with a little comedy and fantasy.

The stories which are extremely interesting do an excellent job of showcasing the authors talent and remind me a little of some of Edgar Allen Poe's work and at the same time some of the old episodes of The Twilight Zone that I enjoyed as a child...

So if you enjoy fun clever and witty stories with just a little bit of a twist, then you're going to love Not All Of Them About Zombies by Matthew Rowe...

Ever wondered how Little Red Riding Hood would grow up after her traumatic experience with the wolf? Ever wondered how you might react when you wake up in someone else's body? What happens when a man shares a night of passion with a woman from his dreams and a neurotic comes face to face with his fears personified?

The tales inside explore these concepts, and more, in the first collection of short works by young British author Matthew Rowe. It is a mix of horror, comedy and traditional fantasy with an imaginative twist or two that includes the short 'Don't Fear The Reaper', winner of Dark Fiction's monthly horror competition. Don't worry though, not all of them are about zombies.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

My Wicked Enemy by Carolyn Jewel



4.5 Stars.
Carson Phillips was one character that I really felt sorry for. Orphaned as a young child and left in the care of Alvaro Magellan. A cold and remote man who takes very little interest in his young ward. She really hadn't got that many breaks in life. A prisoner of the awful migraines that she suffers on a daily basis Carson lives a lonely isolated life. A life that falls apart and leaves her on the run, when she sees her guardian brutally murder a man. Before long it looks as if she's jumped from the frying pan into the fire when she runs into Nikodemus who declares that killing her is # 4 on his list of things to do...

I've been a fan of Carolyn Jewel since her crimson series books so I was really looking forward to My Wicked Enemy and I have to say that it didn't disappoint me at all. I found the storyline and characters to be very interesting but do have to say that the threesome in the middle of the story did take me a little by surprise. Overall it was a fun and interesting read about a powerful young witch and her sexy demon lover, and I'm very much looking forward to the sequel in 2009...

A desire that can't be controlled...Carson Philips is a witch on the run. For years, the notorious mage, Alvaro Magellan, has held her as his psychological prisoner. But once Carson gets a glimpse of the true extent of his evil, she flees Magellan's mansion--stealing a stone talisman of unimaginable power on the way. Her only hope for survival is a demon who ignites a voracious hunger in her she can't deny, a longing she can't resist...


A hunger that can't be sated...Nikodemus is a warlord with a mission: Kill Magellan and his green-eyed witch at any cost. But when he meets the desperate Carson, the pull of her magic takes his breathe away. He's not sure he can trust this tantalizing woman--she is his enemy--and less sure he can keep his hands off her. But Magellan will stop at nothing to reclaim what belongs to him. Can Nikodemus stop him before his desire for Carson destroys them both?

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Enchanted Beauty by Marly Mathews




4.5 Stars.

What a charming and sweet story.
Enchanted Beauty by Marly Mathews puts a new spin on the old tale of Beauty and The Beast. With a little bit of magic and along with some truly fascinating characters and a mesmerizing plot she weaves a spell-binding story that keeps you guessing right up until the end...

This is one of those stories that I found almost impossible to put down, which can sometimes make for a very late night...

If you enjoy stories about beautiful damsels in distress,wizards, magic and ever-after then you're sure to love Enchanted Beauty...

Annabelle Hawthorne Morton hails from an ancient mystical line—even though she herself has not been endowed with the mark of magic that the magic-kind of Thaliana are born with. Despite this, she aspires for magical greatness, and while performing a spell the enchantment backfires in her face, robbing her of half her sight. But it doesn't take her long to realize that within a few months she will be completely blind. When her father enrages the local lord and he's imprisoned for his crimes, Annabelle must muster her courage and save her father from the beast's wrath.

Lord Malachi Hawthorne, Earl of Markham has been horribly disfigured during a magical battle. His sister betrayed him—and now her curse has put him into his own living hell. Believing that the outside world will revile him for his monstrous appearance, he retreats to his enchanted castle. He is determined to make Annabelle's father his indentured servant, until he meets Annabelle. He quickly decides that she is the one that might finally set him free from his living hell, and knows he must have her as his own.

Publisher New Concepts Publishing
Cover art (c) Alex DeShanks 2008
ISBN: 978-1-60394-
Download $5.99

Little Mouse's Big Book Of Fears by Emily Gravett



4.5 Stars.

This is an amazing book, perfect to help young children work through their own fears right along with little mouse as they learn that everyone is afraid of something. The book is for ages 4-8 but I think that parental supervision is very important as younger children may not understand the story on their own. Each page in the book, which is filled with some very charming artwork. Tells about what little mouse is afraid of and includes space for your child to record their own fears and at the same time gives you a perfect chance to discuss their fears with them...

I tested the book on my own children ages 8 and 11 to get a child's opinion. The 11 year old thought that the artwork was cool and liked the fact that the book gives the scientific name for each fear profiled. The 8 year old also enjoyed the artwork and was interested in recording his own fears in the book...