Monday, July 04, 2011

Review - A Sweeter Rhythm

Title: A Sweeter Rhythm
Author: T.L. Peters

Synopsis (Goodreads):
This short story follows the life of a violin as it recounts its many ups and downs over the centuries, changing hands between those who love it and those who don't. This story was previously published by RED OCHRE LiT as A Sweeter Kind of Rhythm.

My Review:
Hauntingly Brilliant. This is a very short story that details the life of a violin, told from the violin's perspective. T.L. Peters does a wonderful job, just in a few pages, of expressing the emotions and thoughts of this violin. While sad, the story, in the end, does have a happier note. Very well done.

My Rating:
An Amazing Wedding Cake.


available @


Review - Faith, Hope and Reindeer

Title: Faith, Hope and Reindeer
Author: Joe Moore as told to by Santa Claus

Synopsis (Goodreads):
Santa Claus has treated many of the Moores kindly. He inspired Clement Clark Moore into writing one of the most beloved poems in literary history. And now he has asked Joe Moore to write Santa's memoirs about several families who have visited him, the North Pole and its people.
~
But this book is much more then a novel about Santa Claus. It is about families who have struggled through life and its adversities and are in need of a booster shot of Faith. It is about all of us who struggle in life, but never dare to give up Hope. And of course it is about the North Pole and the goings on in this magical land, including the elves and Reindeer.

Follow the story of the Gradys and other families as they take a magical journey that will change their lives forever.

This book will not only answer the questions you have about Santa Claus, but it will bring the true magic and meaning of Christmas into your life; regardless of the month or season. Return to a time when you knew it was all real.

Believe all over again and visit this magical land to get your own booster shot of Faith, Hope & Reindeer.

Come believe, again.

My Review:
Delightfully Heartfelt.
~*~*~
When I first received an e-mail from none other than Santa Claus asking me to read this, I was shocked. I thought, 'Santa is really sending me an e-mail?' And then I thought, 'This is super awesome!' I mean it's Santa Claus!!!! 
~*~
This story was truly heartwarming and special. It delivers great insight to the NorthPole, the activities up there, the elves, and of course Santa himself. The story revolves around the Grady family, who receives a package indicating that they have won a trip to Alaska for the Christmas break. Upon traveling they discover they are actually headed to go visit Santa Claus, along with a few other select families. While at the NorthPole they all have these incredible experiences: visiting the shops, seeing the Aurora Borealis, conversing with all of the elves and learning about the Pole and Santa. And of course visiting with Santa himself. 
Faith, Hope, and Reindeer makes you relive your adolescence, and yearn for those innocent childhood days full of magic, hope, faith, love, and of course Santa Claus, while teaching you the true meaning of Christmas. It was just a superb tale. 


My Rating:
An Amazing Wedding Cake


this book is available @
Amazon

Barnes and Noble


Friday, July 01, 2011

Review - Exiled (The Protector)

Title: Exiled (The Protector)
Author: Matthew Merrick

Synopsis (Extended Smashwords):
Chase Williams is a demon hunter in the Circle, or at least he was supposed to be. On his fifteenth birthday, Chase stepped up to the altar to claim his elemental power, but it never came. Elemental magic is passed down to a hunter through the bloodline, but on Chase's birthday, the bloodline stopped.

Exiled without the Circle's protection, Chase has spent two years trying to survive a world riddled with half-demons and magic. When he has a run in with a frightened and seemingly innocent demon, he learns the Circle's agenda has changed: the Circle plans to unlock a portal and unleash pure-blood demons into the world. Vowing to stop them, and knowing he can't do it alone, Chase forms a reluctant alliance with Rayna - a sexy witch with an attitude and a secret. In their attempt to stop them, Chase and Rayna find themselves in the middle of the Circle's plan, leaving one of them to decide what their friendship is worth, and the other's life depending on it.
 

My Review:
WOW. Just plain WOW. This book was an incredible action packed, fast paced, thrill ride, that kept me hanging on until the end.
I absolutely loved this book, and am definitely looking forward to a sequel!

~*~*~*~

M.R. Merrick's writing style is fantastic. I'm not a big fan of 1st person stories, but this was written so well, I forgot it was in 1st person. He is so detailed in is his descriptions,  you feel like you are right there in the rooms and situations with the characters. The plot and storyline were well thought out and executed, and all of the characters were very well developed. There are some definite twists in the story, which add to the mystery and action, and by the end of the epilogue I was crying my eyes out.

~*~*~

Exiled weaves together some of my favorite fantasy and paranormal elements. There are demons, vampires, humans, and the use of the elements (fire,earth,water,air). I read this story in one sitting; I loved it so much I just could not put it down. I was quite fond of the relationship between Chase and his mother Tessa - "You and me, always" - that line always got me, and the witty banter between Chase and Rayna (she was definitely one of my favorite characters - as was Willy). Overall this was just legen...wait for it...dary. Legendary. Yea. It was that awesome.
Fantastic Job Mr. Merrick!

My Rating:
An Awesome Wedding Cake!


Exiled is currently available @


What I've Read.

Fahrenheit 451
To Kill a Mockingbird
Mistletoe Murder
The Devil Wears Prada
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
The Lovely Bones
Like Water for Chocolate
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Bridget Jones's Diary
Life Seemed Good, But....
The Nanny Diaries
Exiled, Book 1
Beautiful Sins
The Meteoric Rise of Simon Burchwood
The Hunt for Red October
A PITTSBURGH AFFAIR
The Silence of the Lambs
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire


Ashley's favorite books »
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