Book Review: THE DUCHESS'S DESCENDANTS by C.K. Brooke

Title: The Dutchess's Descendants
Author: C.K. Brooke
Category/Genre: Historical Romance
My Star Rating: 5/5

Goodreads Blurb:

The next generation. A new adventure...

Over three decades have passed since the Ducelle Empire reclaimed the land, and Jordinia has never prospered more. When the Emperor negotiates a treaty among neighboring nations, Jordinia is awarded an archipelago of islands in the north. With intentions to colonize, His Majesty enlists his two underachieving nephews on an expedition to chart the wilderness.

Reclusive Ludwig has his violin and no desire to travel, while his charismatic brother Drew is seduced by the grandeur of making history...and money. Desperate to flee a secret scandal of her own, their sister Johanna insists upon accompanying them. With a team of soldiers - including longtime friend and royal guardsman, Bram Visigoth - the Cosmith siblings set off to conquer their uncle's newly-acquired territory.

From an icy shipwreck to precarious encounters with the native inhabitants, almost nothing goes as planned in this fast-paced comedy of errors teeming with humor, fantasy and plenty of romance. Prepare to fall in love with Jordinia all over again!

My Review: 

If you haven't noticed, I've kind of been on a C.K. Brooke binge lately... and I'm LOVING it. Every book I've read by this author has been so different from the one before, but the quality is consistently astounding.

The Duchess's Descendants is beautifully written tale following three unique love stories, each with a heart of their own. From the delightfully progressive young Joahanna, to the over-compensatingly masculine Drew, to the quiet but loveable Ludwig, every character was fleshed out, complex, and endearing in their own right. The writing was flawless and the plot exciting with out being jarring. Brooke's attention to the smallest details of the story ensured a beyond satisfactory period-correct historical romance that could rival the classics.

*I received a complimentary advance copy from the author and voluntarily offered a review* 

Book Review: THE ETERNITY ROAD by Lana Melyan

Title: The Eternity Road
Author: Lana Melyan
Category/genre: Young Adult Fantasy
My Star Rating: 4/5

Goodreads Blurb:
On her eighteenth birthday, Amanda has a dream that feels strangely lifelike. When Amanda recounts the experience to Melinda, the faithful housekeeper who has looked after her since her mother’s death, she assures her it’s meaningless, with no significance at all. But Melinda isn’t telling Amanda the truth.

Craig, the older brother of Amanda’s friend Hanna, has loved Amanda from afar for years. But a deep secret, going back centuries in time, keeps him from ever making a move.

When Melinda, who has a secret of her own, tells Craig about Amanda’s dream, it changes everything between them. Two vampires posing as men are pursuing Amanda, and Craig is devoted to keeping her safe. Luckily Craig and his sister are Hunters, the only supernatural creatures able to defeat the evil beings.

Craig and Hanna will do anything to protect Amanda, because they know that their friend has a special mission … even though she doesn’t have any idea of what’s happening around her or who she truly is.


My Review:

This was a unique, imaginative tale that captivates the reader and keeps you engaged.  The second half is even better than the first half, but you'll have no problem getting into the book from the get-go.  Even the prologue (I generally hate prologues and wish most authors would omit them entirely) is a necessary part to the tale.  There is no filler here, which is awesome!  My major issue with this book, however, is the lack of a thorough professional edit.  There are a good number of typos, and I'm afraid the sentence structure itself is a struggle in most of the book.  Simply replacing all the formality would do wonders; for example: Most people don't say "I am" they say "I'm" (as a general rule)...if the author went through the manuscript and applied contractions, it would be so much easier to read!  I could look past it though, simply because the story itself was magnificent. 

**I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily offered a honest review**

Book Review: THE FORLORNED by Angela J. Townsend

Title: The Forlorned
Author: Angela J. Townsend
Category/Genre: Adult Horror
My Star Rating: 4/5

Goodreads blurb:

 When Tom Doherty first laid eyes on the lighthouse he knew it was damned.
An advertisement lured him to the island, offering a job renovating the old lighthouse and ramshackle buildings. What he didn't know was that he was the only applicant. None of the locals wanted the job – no one dared.
Isolated and alone, Tom soon discovers why. Messages from disembodied voices; ghostly visitations and escalating horrors draw Tom deeper into the island's evil past—a darkness that forces Tom to unbury the truth and bring demons of his own into the light.

My Review:

This book's premise was down right enticing to me.  Pirates, curses and ghosties, oh my!  An exciting and thrilling read, The Forlorned is action packed and will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Personally, I wouldn't categorize it as horror; I'd put it more toward the paranormal genre.  Everything unfolds exactly as I imagined a haunting would in an old lighthouse damned by spirits of the past.  The main characters were endearing and had great backstories to put them right where they should be for the story to take off.  That said, the dialogue was pretty far from believable.  It felt scripted at best, forced at worst.  The romance didn't work for me, either.  In fact, I think the book would've gotten along just fine with out the girl.  She didn't add much to the story line, in my opinion.  

Book Review: CAPTURING THE CAPTAIN by C.K. Brooke

 

Capturing the Captain (America Pirate Romance #1)
by C.K. Brooke
Genre: Adult Historical Adventure Romance
Release Date: April 26th 2016
Limitless Publishing



In 1720, it’s a pirate’s life for Abigail Clear, daughter of a notorious colonial pirate captain… 

But when a rival crew invades Abigail’s ship, she is taken prisoner. Now aboard the enemy vessel, she must contend with its formidable captain. But who is the real captive? 


Locked away in the belly of The Indomitable is no place for a woman… 

Captain James Morrow is more than displeased to discover his sole captive to be none other than an untamable young lass who will earn him no bounty. Yet if he can soften the little rogue, she just might switch her loyalties to him, and reveal the whereabouts of the infamous thief who sired her—and his stolen treasure. But two can play that game, as Abi is equally inclined to charm the dogged sailor off her father’s tail. 

Might she and Captain Morrow run the risk of falling for their own charades? 

They dance about their disguises as genuine developing emotions clash against deeper motives, and suspicion runs high. When the captain finally steals a first kiss, Abi decides it’s high time to make her escape—fleeing not only his vessel, but her fondness for the man who intends to see her father hang. 

The high seas heat up as Captain Morrow’s quest to recapture Abi is halted by her pirate father, Captain Clear. Will James succeed in pursuit of his captive love, or will his desires conspire to make him a captive himself?

*Advisory: Contains some sensual/sexual content

Add to Goodreads

Buy Links
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Capturing-Captain-American-Pirate-Romances-ebook/dp/B01E82IVQA
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/capturing-the-captain-ck-brooke/1123709566?ean=9781680585971
BAM: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Capturing-Captain/C-K-Brooke/9781680585971?id=6686106773051
Limitless Publishing: http://www.limitlesspublishing.net/product/capturing-the-captain/

My Review:

Capturing The Captain has easily secured a spot on my list of favorite reads, not just for 2016, but EVER. A swoon-worthy romance with one of the most incredible, strong, and stubborn heroines ever, this book is a must read. James is a dashing (former) pirate, presented as the perfect combination of rugged and romantic. Abi is headstrong and anything but dainty. When the two collide, sparks fly and magic ignites! With a steady pace and tons of razor-sharp action, this is a page turner from the very start. I've never read anything from C.K. Brooke before, but I plan to seek out her earlier works. Her writing style is so fluid and natural while still maintaining a crisp edge of intellect, making it easy to lose yourself in the story. What an exciting, thrilling read!

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and I voluntarily reviewed*

About the Author

 

C.K. Brooke is a 2015 Shelf Unbound Notable Indie author with a five-star rating by Readers' Favorite. She holds numerous fantasy and romance publications with 48fourteen, Limitless Publishing, and Elphame Press. Her lifelong passion is books - reading, writing, editing, publishing and blogging about them. When not blissing out in literary land, she enjoys info-tainment podcasts, singing, songwriting and playing the piano. She lives in Washington, Michigan with her husband and young son. There's tons to check out at the new CKBrooke.com, so come and see what she's up to! Check out her V.I.P. Readers Club (Subscribers get a free eBook!)

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook│Amazon Page

GIVEAWAY:

Subscribe to the author’s newsletter (www.ckbrooke.com/vipclub) and get a free eBook!

 

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Book Review: BAYOU WOLF by Debbie Herbert

Title: BAYOU WOLF
Author: Debbie Herbert
Category/Genre: Adult Fantasy Romance
My Star Rating: 5/5

Goodreads Blurb:


The taming of the shrew… 
Tallulah Silver is tough. She has to be—because she's the Choctaw tribe's only female shadow hunter, and because she doesn't know how else to survive the loss that almost destroyed her. Payton Rodgers has devoted his life to protecting his pack. But when mauled bodies start to pile up in the bayou, Payton begins to wonder if Tallulah might be right about werewolves deserving the blame. As darkness gathers around them, Tallulah will have to decide if she can risk opening herself up to love again. And Payton will have to determine where his true loyalties lie.
 

My Review:




*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily provided a review*


Let's start 2017 with a bang shall we? By which I mean, a brand new release from my absolute FAVORITE author. 

Tallulah has been my favorite character from the first book in the series.  She comes off abrasive at best, but I get her.  Honestly, I don't know that I've ever found a character that I could connect with so well.  Heartache and trauma has turned her into a different person; one with a rock hard exterior that's almost impossible to break through.  But, when someone special comes along and takes the time to chip away at the ice, there's an impossibly kind and vulnerable soul at the center.  In comes Payton, crazy as all get out to take on the task.  He has his own past, of course, complete with a paranormal secret that threatens any semblance of a normal life.  Together, they are able to tackle their demons, and take down the bad guy.  Somewhere between the bickering and banter, sparks fly.  I loved their relationship.  It was realistic, endearing, and frankly, hilarious.  Another fantastic read from a supremely talented author!

Book Review: KRAMPUS by Brom

Title: KRAMPUS: THE YULE LORD
Author: Brom
Category/Genre: Adult Horror/Fantasy
My Star Rating: 4/5

Goodreads Blurb:

Acclaimed author and artist Brom raised eyebrows and pulse rates with The Child Thief, his grim, brilliantly audacious, gorgeously illustrated reimagining of the Peter Pan legend. So what does this innovative fantasist do for an encore? He tinkers darkly with the beloved mythology of Santa Claus. Set in Appalachia, Krampus the Yule Lord is a twisted fairytale about a failed West Virginia songwriter who gets ensnared on Christmas Eve in an eternal war between a not-so-saintly Saint Nick and his dark enemy Krampus, aka Black Peter, an ancient trickster demon. Krampus the Yule Lord is Gregory Maguire (Wicked) meets Susanna Clarke (Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell) in the realm of Guillermo Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth, as Clive Barker (Mr. B. Gone) works his dark sorcery from the shadows. Once again featuring Brom’s chillingly beautiful artwork throughout, Krampus the Yule Lord is a feast of wonder straight from the kitchen of Sweeney Todd.

My Review:

What better way to get oneself in the Christmas spirit than to lose yourself in a tale about the anti-Santa Clause himself...Krampus.  Though classified as horror, I wouldn't consider this a particularly spine-tingling tale.  There are a few parts where things get bloody, but not necessarily scary.  I'd call it an engrossing dark fantasy novel, through and through.  Brom has managed to bring life to some of history's most notorious ancients.  Solid mythology is re-imagined in this tale, told from the view-point of many, though focused on the prospective of the one we know as the villain, Krampus.  Engaging secondary characters breathe excitement in an already active story-line, adding to the appeal.  Perhaps my favorite thing about this novel?  The way that even after I've finished, I'm still not sure if the true villain is Krampus or Santa...or maybe neither?      

Book Review: PRELUDE TO MAYHEM by Edward Aubry

Title: Prelude To Mayhem
Author: Edward Aubry
Category/Genre: Post-apocalyptic Fantasy

Goodreads Blurb:

On May 30, 2004, the world transformed. Nearly all signs of civilization vanished, leaving in their wake a bizarre landscape of wilderness, advanced technology and magic, and leaving Harrison Cody very much alone. After weeks of surviving in solitude, he hears a voice on the radio, beckoning him to cross a thousand miles of terrifyingly random terrain to meet her, and any other survivors, in Chicago. Eager to find any remnants of humanity, he sets forth, joined by an unexpected—and inhuman—companion.

For Dorothy O’Neill, the end of the world means she will never finish ninth grade. On her own, she builds a home in the ruins of a strip mall, relying on her ingenuity and hard work to maintain some semblance of creature comforts. When another survivor arrives, he brings futuristic technology and stories of monsters he has encountered. Armed with this information, she takes a new interest in exploring her world, but she is not prepared for what awaits her, and the new arrival has brought his own set of problems.

On their separate journeys, Harrison and Dorothy begin to piece together what has happened to their world. Their questions have answers to be found in what remains of Chicago, and from the mysterious voice on the radio offering the hope that civilization can be rebuilt. 

My Review:

 
This was a great introduction to what is sure to be a captivating series. Aubry has created a fantastical post-apocalyptic world where time literally collides. The author managed to weave futuristic elements into modern day with a cryptic sci-fi (almost?) bend and a smart writing style. I immediately wanted to know more about Harrison's story. That said, it took me a few chapters to warm up to Dorothy, but once I was on her side I was completely immersed. Her intellectual, almost robotic method of coping struck me as a little strange given her age. This quirk is explained away perfectly (no spoilers). Glimmer was a delightful touch, but I'm partial to faeries in general so take that for what you will. I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series!

Book Review: DARKCHYLDE by R. Queen

Title: DarkChylde
Author: R. Queen
Category/Genre: Young Adult Dark Fantasy
My Star Rating: 5/5

Goodreads blurb:
 Ariel Chylde is haunted by horrible dreams, and on her eighteenth birthday sheds her skin as the nightmares emerge to act out her deepest, darkest impulses.

But before Ariel can save her small town from the terror of her dreams,
she must first save herself from the sinister secret of her subconscious.

A secret guarded by unspeakable evil.

My Review: 

Darkchylde... where to begin.  This story is poetically dark and gruesome, while the writing itself is captivating.  Littered through out this novel you will find one-line truths of the darkest nature with just a glimmer of light in the very core of them.  The tale of Ariel Chylde holds a message the world should hear: with evil festering in her soul, she grasps at every sliver of goodness she can find to pull herself free from the clutches of her inner-demons.  I'm so pleased to have had the opportunity to read this amazing book.

*I received a complimentary ARC from Curiosity Quills*   

Book Review: BOTTLED by Carol Riggs

Title: Bottled
Author: Carol Riggs
Category/Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
My Star Rating: 5/5

Goodreads Blurb:


At seventeen, Adeelah Naji is transformed into a genie and imprisoned in a bottle. For a thousand years, she fulfills the wishes of greedy masters—building their palaces, lining their pockets with gold, and granting them every earthly pleasure. All that sustains her is the hope of finding Karim, the boy she fell in love with as a human. When at last she finds a note from her beloved, she confirms he has access to the elixir of life and that he still searches for her.

But someone else also hunts her. Faruq—the man who plots to use her powers to murder and seize the life forces of others—is just one step behind her. With the help of a kind master named Nathan, Adeelah continues to search for Karim while trying to evade Faruq. To complicate matters, she begins to experience growing fatigue and pain after conjuring, and finds herself struggling against an undeniable attraction to Nathan.

As Faruq closes in, Adeelah must decide just how much she’ll risk to protect Nathan and be with Karim forever. How much power does she really have to change her future, and what is she willing to sacrifice for an eternity of love? If she makes the wrong choice, the deaths of many will be on her hands.

My Review: 

First off, let me just say I'm obsessed with this cover. It's *gorgeous* and terribly fitting to the book. The heroine, Adeelah, is a mirror image of so many young girls I know. No, I'm not saying I'm friends with a bunch of genies (although, how cool would that be???). She has her walls high and refuses to get close enough to let anyone's cruelty get under her skin, all the while pining after a lost love she believes with all her heart defines her. It isn't until her new master shows her humility and kindness exists outside her bottle that she realizes she is her own person outside of the relationship that she's clung to for a thousand years. I love Adeelah just as much as I love the cover. And Nathan, well, let's just say I have a brand new book boyfriend. His unselfish nature coupled with his true gentleman nature makes him undeniably swoon-worthy. Carol's writing also deserves a standing ovation. The words are beautiful, well-paced, and deeply profound. A simple sentence holds a thousand wise meanings, and I found myself enchanted with her style from page one. She currently has two other books out with Entangled, and I've already purchased them both. I'm just saying, so should you.

Book Review: AMBER ALERT by Sara Schoen

Title: Amber Alert
Author: Sara Schoen
Category/Genre: Young Adult Thriller
My Star Rating: 4/5

Goodreads Blurb:
  Anna was taken...

Taken from her home to live out a sick game that a guy has been playing for the last ten years.

With no certainty that anyone is looking for her, and seemingly hours away from home, she's forced to play housewife with a man that has had twelve other 'wives'.

Each of them now dead...

With 12 rules and the obvious exits blocked, from the previous girls attempts to flee. Is Anna's only way out to play along and become a 'loving wife'? Or will she die during the chase?

Would anyone even know what happened to her?

Or would she be labeled as a runaway?

And where is she in the first place?

Mature Content Warning. Recommended for ages 17+ due to violence and sensitive subject matter.

My Review:

It's pretty obvious this book was written by a very young, inexperienced author. At first, the rumblings of every editor I've ever worked with screamed at every typo, comma splice and passive sentence that glared at me from the page, but as I went on the authors voice stood out and became part of the book's charm. The story reads exactly as it is: a young adult novel written by a young adult. This is a gripping, thrilling tale. I could. not. put. it. down. There was no sleep to be had until I found out how things would turn out for Anna. Granted, maybe some of the particulars should have been fixed. For example, when a rape victim emerges from the middle of the woods, they aren't going to allow one of the officers to just take her home because his daughter is attached to her. No, they're going to take her underage behind to the hospital. I can forgive the mistakes though, simply because I was so engrossed by the story itself. I'm not surprised this book was picked up by a publisher, it deserves recognition for the emotional attachment is demands. That said, I'm a little surprised a publisher put it out there with out taking the time to run it by an editor (or three, as the publishers I write for do). Bottom line: Talented author, book needs polishing. 

Book Review: FIRE OF THE SEA by Lyndsay Johnson

Title: Fire of the Sea
Author: Lyndsay Johnson
Category/Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
My Star Rating: 4.5/5

Goodreads Blurb:
 
Sharp, sleek, and golden. Like the dagger she has worn since childhood, eighteen-year-old Aeva is all three of these things. But there is something else that this mermaid and her prized weapon share – they are both hunted.

Hidden within the caves off Iceland’s dark shore, Aeva waits to take her place as the next ruler of the Mermaids. But when Aeva uses her potent and alluring song to save a drowning human, she disrupts a delicate balance. Realizing she has unexpectedly bound herself to Gunnar, Aeva is torn between duty and love.

Aeva severs one life to begin another, and soon finds herself not only rejected by the sea, but also stalked by an old enemy. As the worlds of myth and man intertwine, Aeva will challenge fate to protect her own sacred relic and the man she loves.

But legend and lies cast an intricate net. With time and safety quickly unraveling for Aeva and Gunnar, there is only one clear course: Find and defeat Delphine before she can shift again.

My Review: 

Fire of the Sea was a Little Mermaid retelling, through and through, with a continuation on land thrown in for good measure.  This story contains two of my very favorite elements: mermaids and mythology.  I'm well schooled on Greek and Native American legends, but never knew much about Nordic Folklore.  I'm pleased to say Lyndsay Johnson taught me so much!  I'll admit, with all the ancient, foreign sounding names being thrown around I spent the better half of the middle confused, but the story-line was fascinating and kept me hanging on.   The way the author gave life to the ocean, personifying with such convincing features, took magnificent skill.  This book starts with action, and ends with grace.  The writing was lyrical and perfectly fitting of a mermaid tale. 

**I received a complimentary copy from 48Fourteen Publishing**

Book Review: THE GROVE by Elizabeth Guizzetti

Title: THE GROVE
Author: Elizabeth Guizzetti
Category/Genre: Horror
My Star Rating: 4/5

Blurb: 

Trail Rule #5: Let Sleeping Gods lie…

Sitka’s Quay appears to be like every other coastal tourist town on Highway 101, but lurking below its southern grove of ancient spruce are three sleeping primordial gods. For an eon, their bloodthirsty dreams have radiated into the ground and restore anyone who walks within the Grove. The Keeper, Dayla Fischer, must remain in control of her magical abilities or fall into sickening madness, but lives a relatively quiet life with her husband, Oliver. That is, until the delusional, but charming Jonah Leifson comes to town with a plan to awaken the Three. Soon, children begin disappearing. With powerful suggestion spells and mind reading abilities, Jonah wins over other sorcerers, meth users, the police, and eventually even her husband. Though no one believes her and she doubts her own sanity, she must stop Jonah, before he wakes the Three and brings about the end of the world.

Amazon † Kobo † Barnes & Noble † iBooks 

My Review:

While this book wasn't at all what I expected, it was a very intriguing and unique story.  I wouldn't classify it as horror; fantasy or suspense, perhaps.  Sure, there were a few spots that made you squirm but nothing really got my heart racing or my gag reflex going like a good old fashioned gory horror.  The premise and story line saved this one for me, though.  Intricate legends and a well thought-out plot kept my interest.  The characters I loved (like Dayla and Willow) I really loved, and there characters I despised (Samantha, namely.  Who turns their back on their BFF so quick?!) I really despised... which means I had a great connection with the whole cast one way or another.  My main criticism: the head hopping.  It was handled appropriately, with a header before each change indicating which character's head we were in, but there were just way too many POVs to keep up.  

**I received a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review**

    

About The Author

 

Much to her chagrin, Elizabeth Guizzetti discovered she was not a cyborg and growing up to be an otter would be impractical, so she began writing stories. Guizzetti currently lives in Seattle with her husband and two dogs. When not writing, she loves hiking and birdwatching.

She is the author and illustrator of independent comics: Faminelands and Lure and a comic book series Out for Souls& Cookies! Her debut novel, Other Systems, was a 2015 Finalist for the Canopus Award. She continues to write science fiction, horror, and fantasy. The Grove is her third novel.

Website: http://elizabethguizzetti.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Elizabeth.Guizzetti.Author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/E_Guizzetti

Blog: https://zbpublications.wordpress.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5804912.Elizabeth_Guizzetti

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