Book Review – Author Jessica Parker

Shadows of Angels by L. G. Rollins

After the forest dwellers destroy her home and kill her father, Aerbrin sets off on a journey to find the truth about her people, her kingdom, and the mysterious Zaad stone that contains a power she never imagined.

Magic and mystery join forces in this intriguing fantasy world. Full of shifting alliances and twists you won’t see coming, it’s a can’t-miss read.

“Stay calm, her father’s words echoed in her head. When you find yourself in danger, above all, stay calm. Aerbrin took a deep, steady breath and leaned down, reaching for her bow. one of the Forest Dwellers charged. It collided with her and knocked her to the floor. Raising a knotted fist, he bashed her head.

Sparks exploded across her vision. She tried to raise an arm, tried to call out. Her body wouldn’t respond. The Forest Dwellers grunted again. The creature above her raised its fist again. She looked up. This was the end, she knew. When these monsters attacked, they killed everything.

Animals, plants, and particularly humans. No one survived.

Closing her eyes, Aerbrin forced her body to relax. This time, there was no pain.”

About the Author:

L. G. Rollins grew up in a far off land fighting dragons, stealing talismans, and traveling with dwarfs and elves. She is especially skilled at bribing giants with sweets. Currently, her husband and four kids live in Utah so that is where she spends most of her time. She may, or may not, have a Zaad Stone.

To learn more about L. G. Rollins and her books visit LGRollins.com.

Shadows of Angels is the beginning of the Zaad Stone trilogy.

Now available on Amazon!

The Guilt-Free Guidebook For Moms by Amy Price

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Synopsis

Written by a veteran mother of nine still up to her eyeballs in mud pies and mayhem, The Guilt-Free Guidebook for Moms is sure to keep you tickled, tearing up and turning pages as you learn how to break free of the chokehold of an endless To-Do list, so you can finally enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Brimming with baby steps, The Guilt-Free Guidebook for Moms will help you:

Eliminate guilt and perfectionism
Identify the “Superwoman Burnout” cycle that keeps you trapped in monotony
Escape the “Compare Snare” to shine in your own light
Finally and fully embrace the Joy cradled in your arms and in your heart.

As a mother of two kids, I was very intrigued by the title and hopeful. Being a Mom, I often feel guilty, anxious, whatever you want to call it, when I have a few moments to myself. I learned quickly in the introduction that in the book, the author draws on personal experience as well as religious text. As a religious person, I have no problem with this.

Top likes about this book:

The sections end with thought provoking questions and an action to help. A journal section is also included to help with this process.
The sections were quick easy reads that I could squeeze into my day. Even if I only had a couple minutes.
Even disagreeing with a few points, I do feel less guilty now compared to how I felt beforehand.

Top dislike:

I feel the book has a very specific religious mom audience.

Overall if you are Christian and a parent suffering from guilt I would recommend this book.

You can purchase it at:

http://www.amazon.com/Guilt-Free-Guidebook-Moms-Releasing-Death-grip/dp/0981761984

The Plague Legacy, book two: Assets by Christine Haggerty

The Plague Legacy is a young adult dystopian series.

Assets is available for pre-order now and releases April 9. Acquisitions, book one, is on sale for $0.99 April 3-12.

“The first gladiator culture lasted for almost seven hundred years, and Salvation’s Houses are only fifty years old. The arena is a hard thing to tear down.” –Adam

“The arena is the greatest show on earth. It’s like the cage fighting and ninja warrior shows were all hired by the circus.” –Old Ben

Here is an excerpt of Assets:

Lefty cupped his hand beneath Myla’s chin and forced her to look at him. “Pretty little vixen, ain’t ya?”

Behind Lefty, the other fisherman chuckled. “Pretty enough for both of us, huh, Lefty?”

Myla pulled her face out of Lefty’s grip and stood. “Don’t touch me.”

Lefty reached across Cam for Myla’s arm, but she stepped back.

“She said don’t touch her.” Cam rolled to his knees and pushed to his feet as Lefty’s fingers closed on the salty air. The pocket knife fell into the sand when Cam’s roped hands swung into Lefty’s jaw and the weathered crewman fell back into the fisherman who had started the fight chant. Cam stepped to lunge at both of them, but a pain exploded in his head and his feet went out from under him. He fell forward, blinking to clear his vision as he braced his elbows and knees on the sand to get back to his feet.

“No,” he heard Myla plead. “I could have put the knife through your throat. I won.”

Styx’s shadow fell on him and the point of her knife hovered just below his chin. “You no be moving, boy.”

Myla stepped up to his other side and wrapped her arms protectively around his shoulders. “You promised,” she challenged Styx.

Styx’s knife disappeared, but the dark woman’s shadow still blocked the last of the sun.

“She let you beat her, Myla,” Cam croaked out. He had seen it when Styx lowered her arms. Myla had done the same thing when she fought Tara on the ship in the mutants’ mock arena. Myla had let Tara pin her down for the win. Now Styx had purposefully given Myla the upper hand, letting Myla pin her on the sand. “She’s just playing with us. She’s a trained gladiator from the same House as Smith. There’s no way you beat her.”

Cam hated the look of pained disappointment on Myla’s face as the reality of their situation sunk in.

Lefty laughed from behind Cam. “Little bastard figured it out, captain. Nothin’ but games and death in Salvation.”

Cam straightened, glad for Myla’s arms around his shoulders as the twilight on the beach swayed in his vision.

Styx crouched in front of him, her eyes hard. “Colter Smith?”

If you sign up for Christine’s newsletter, you will receive a free ebook of her next Grimm Chronicles novella, One, Two, Blood on My Shoe, in May.

Christine Nielson Haggerty grew up in rural Utah with three brothers, a sister, several chickens, a goat, and an outhouse. She always loved the escape of fantasy and the art of writing, and her passion for life is to craft stories of strength and survival.

As a former high school language arts teacher and a black belt in karate, Christine has found a niche in combining those skills to help authors write effective fight scenes.

An award-winning young adult author, she writes the dystopian The Plague Legacy series and the dark fantasy fairytale novella series The Grimm Chronicles.

To learn more about Christine Haggerty, go to:

www.christinehaggertyauthor.com

http://www.wattpad.com/ChristineHaggerty

Facebook: Christine Haggerty, Author

Twitter: @chaggerty99

Amazon: www.amazon.com/Christine-Haggerty

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7468114.Christine_Haggerty

Author’s Combat Academy: http://www.authorscombatacademy.com

Being West is Best by Monique Bucheger

I must say that the book Being West is Best by author Monique Bucheger pleasantly surprised me. I don’t typically read middle grade novels, but I found myself pulled into the story of love, hurt and learning to be a family. Being West is Best is book four in the series, and despite not having read the first three, I was able to jump right in and follow along.

Set on a farm, the story follows two twelve-year old girls who are best friends. Ginni and Tillie are excited to become step-sisters now that Ginni’s dad has proposed to Tilli’s mom. However their planned happily ever after is threatened when Tillie’s father shows up. He abused Tillie and her mom before leaving for six years. He says he’s changed and wants his family back.

I found myself flipping through pages as fast as my eyes would read. Unlike other novels I’ve read, I found I couldn’t skip ahead. When I tried to skip, I just had to go back and read what I missed.

The variety of characters in the story kept me involved as I learned more about their pasts, dreams, and fears. The author was great at showing there is more than one side of a story. While characters had to face abuse, the reactions to dealing with it varied. So many stories shy away from the subject of abuse, but it is something that children and adults unfortunately encounter. That being said, the story made me laugh and cheer, and while it had depressing subjects I feel uplifted.

I was satisfied by the story plot and ending. The characters drew me in, and the world was easy to understand(family farm in modern times). I want this book so that I can share it with others. I feel this novel is one that can be enjoyed by anyone who can read it. I highly recommend it for anyone twelve or older. Out of five stars I give it a five.

To learn more about the author:

Monique Bucheger (author of The Secret Sisters Club: A Ginnie West Adventure)

Blog: http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Monique-Bucheger/193789017310198

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MoniqueBucheger

Books available at: Barnes and Noble and Amazon

Copper Descent by Angela Hartley

I had the pleasure of reading Copper Descent by Angela Hartley. Her novel is the first I will rate on my blog using the system I described in a previous post about writing book reviews. Before I get into that, read the short synopsis of the novel. It describes the story very accurately, which is why I’m not going to rephrase it myself.

The tale of Sinauf was a secret nineteen-year-old Nina Douglas’ ancestors kept hidden for eighteen generations. But the truth has been brought into light.
The dark god of legend is real.
Caught in an ancient war still raging strong in the modern world, Nina is confronted with Sinauf—the embodiment of all she fears and desires. Like a moth drawn to a deadly flame, Nina must resist the seductive charm of a beautiful monster, or prepare to lose everything she holds dear.
Temptation has a name, and he is coming for her.

1. Overall Plot
I felt that the novel as a whole had a very cohesive story. Every time I had to put the novel down (only because my work breaks were over, or I needed sleep so I could function). I found myself wondering what was about to happen and why some things had happened. By the end of the book, my questions were answered to my satisfaction, and Angela Hartley, left enough intrigue for sequels. But I’ll get into that a little later.

If I had to choose something that I was disappointed by … The ending came too quickly. A lot of things happen in the last 37 pages. I would have liked more detail on things that happened at the end. (I really don’t want to spoil the story for you, which is why I’m not getting more specific) Although I have to admit the balance of action and description was handled well.
I wouldn’t say the plot was the most complex I’ve ever seen, but there were nice surprises that I didn’t see coming. It never lost my attention, and I wasn’t confused by any events/action that transpired.

2. Characters
My emotions were with the characters. I felt the anger, betrayal, loss and love right there with them. The main Character Nina had a lot of challenges she needed to face and she stepped up to them. By the end, I could clearly see the girl she had started out as, and the woman she had become. But a story wouldn’t be satisfying for me if it only involved one character. While the majority of the story is told about Nina and what she is experiencing, the other characters also had journeys of their own. At the end, none of the characters are the same people as they were at the beginning. They became better or worse based on their choices and experiences.

3. World
I enjoyed the imagery Angela Hartley used in her writing. Whether in the cold snow or visiting the sandy ocean, I could see it as the character did. Being familiar with Utah snow, I’m a fan of it personally; I wanted it to melt away as I began to hate it with the character. I longed for the ocean with Nina, even though I’m not usually one for the beach.
The alternate world Nina gets to go to was also no problem for my imagination. Angela Hartley introduced the various pieces as they were applicable to the story and characters. The light/beauty and darkness/desolation were both accentuated appropriately and proportionally within the places Nina visited.

There were also lovely references to various cultures that I found fascinating.
However I wish I understood Nina’s powers more. There were some interesting pieces of the puzzle given. But I want a better understanding the limitations to her powers as well as the full extent of what she can do.

4. Would I read it again/buy the sequel?
Re-readability, if that’s even a word. I would read it again; because I liked the satisfaction I received from the character growth and the overall plot.

The intrigue for sequels I mentioned. Yes it’s there, and I want more. At this point it doesn’t matter if sequels would be from the same character point of view or another person’s. This is a book series I want adorning my shelves. I also hope any sequels will provide further insight into the extent of Nina’s powers.

5. Would I recommend it?
I definitely recommend it to anyone interested in the new adult genre. That being said, I will caution that there is some mild cursing by characters, and the topics of sex/rape/physical temptation and evil. If you aren’t comfortable with those topics, take it into consideration.

Overall I give Copper Descent 4.5 out of 5 stars. The only reason I’m not giving this a five, is because I want a better understanding of Nina’s powers.

If you would like to learn more about the author of Copper Descent:

Angela Hartley, Author of The Sentient Chronicles
www.angelahartley.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Angela-Hartley/267442633281341
Publisher: www.foxhollowpublications.com

More thoughts on writing book reviews

What do I do about the lurking worry my review will hurt an author’s feelings? How to be honest without sounding exaggerated, mean, fake, etc.? The best advice I was given for solving both these questions, “You can be kind without being nice.” I pair with that, who are you writing the review for? One author, numerous readers, or friends?

This is how I interpret that advice. Being kind is about telling the truth. Being nice is about saying whatever you think the person wants to hear. Being nice means you’ll still be friends and avoid awkward public situations. Being nice didn’t avoid awkward situations for me.

The earlier book reviews I wrote suffered from niceness. It’s pretty obvious to any who read the reviews as well. The reviews are bland and not a completely accurate depiction of what I felt. I tried to have an open discussion about a book I posted about with fellow humans. I felt like my credibility was thrown out the window. My written review gave a different perception than the one I tried to tell in conversation. If the book is awful, who wants to convince someone who gave it five stars of their folly?

That being said, I’m not saying don’t be compassionate to the author. No one likes a bully, and authors spend a lot of time and heartache on their work. Kindness involves word choice. For example, I can say “I didn’t like that the villain was killed without the hero standing up for themselves”. This explains why I feel the way I do. The statement also allows readers to decide if that situation is something that would bother them.

I don’t have to say “I think the hero should go jump off a cliff for being a worthless collection of letters on a page”. This doesn’t tell anyone why I think the hero is worthless and why you should think it to. Although I’ll confess I have had thoughts about worthless characters and the authors who wrote them.

A book review is not about telling the author what they need to revise or change in their story. That’s a conversation someone should have had with the author before the book was published. A book review is something you write for others to read and use in their decision about reading the novel.

To answer the question about sounding mean, fake, etc. I imagine telling my best friend (who isn’t the author) about this book I just read. What would I say to them about it and why?

The truth is everyone will love or hate different parts of a book. The girl should have picked a different guy, the dog should have lived, and the hero should have torched the villain…. The author gets to pick the ending. A book reviewer should give their honest opinion to their audience.

Writing Book Reviews

I’ve been thinking a lot about writing book reviews. How can I be fair and honest with the book, reader, and myself? I’ve come up with five areas in which I will rate books I review.

Notice I say book, not author of the book. I feel that books should be judged for the content they contain and not necessarily who wrote them. I’ve read novels by well-known authors who, after becoming famous, felt because they signed their name it should be a best seller. Some probably could market their grocery lists and be successful, but that doesn’t mean the content would be worth reading.

I’ve read other novels, by lesser known authors, which are comparable to lists of vegetables and dairy products. I think the reader is entitled to know what they are getting into, and if it is worth their investment of time and money.

Writing my own novel makes me appreciate the angst authors feel putting their work out there for criticism. It also makes me painfully aware of my own weaknesses where writing is concerned. I know I commit grammar mistakes that cause some to shudder and cringe. I’m working on it.

At first I thought I would write reviews only from the viewpoint of a reader. The multiple filled bookcases adorning my home can attest to my love for feasting on the written word. I’ve re-read so many of the books on my shelves I’ve purchased additional copies as replacements. However I cannot just review as a reader, the author in me notices things I cannot remain blissfully unaware of.

As time goes on this list may change and it may vary slightly based on the novel I’m reviewing. I’ll give each of the five areas points from one to five. The overall score will be based on an average of each of the five areas.

Therefore, here are the things I will review books for:

1.Overall Plot
2.Characters
3.World (Mostly for fantasy/sci-fi/paranormal genres, but still applicable to others)
4.Would I read it again/buy the sequel
5.Would I Recommend it