Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Dove Arising (Book #1) by Karen Bao

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Published: February 24, 2015
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Pages: 336

Source: First to Read Program
Synopsis: 
    Phaet Theta has lived her whole life in a colony on the Moon. She’s barely spoken since her father died in an accident nine years ago. She cultivates the plants in Greenhouse 22, lets her best friend talk for her, and stays off the government’s radar.

    Then her mother is arrested.

    The only way to save her younger siblings from the degrading Shelter is by enlisting in the Militia, the faceless army that polices the Lunar bases and protects them from attacks by desperate Earth-dwellers. Training is brutal, but it’s where Phaet forms an uneasy but meaningful alliance with the preternaturally accomplished Wes, a fellow outsider.

   Rank high, save her siblings, free her mom:  that’s the plan. Until Phaet’s logically ordered world begins to crumble...

   Suspenseful, intelligent, and hauntingly prescient, Dove Arising stands on the shoulders of our greatest tales of the future to tell a story that is all too relevant today.

My Rating:
★★★★★
Review:
I received a galley of this book from the First to Reads program in exchange for an honest review. This is a young adult book where dystopian meets science fiction. 

I loved this book! At first I wasn't sure I was going to like this because the main character Phaet, she is also known as Stripes, doesn't talk much. Because she didn't talk I thought she would either be a really weak character where others would have to carry her throughout the book or the plot was going to fall through and be boring because she doesn't talk very much. This book surprised me and blew my expectations out of the water. She goes through a lot of character development through out this entire book, first she has to enlist in the Militia alone so she can't rely on anyone to talk for her and second she has no friends when she first starts so she is really out on her own. It makes her figure out things for herself and learn to rely on herself more. 

I did not like Phaet's mother. Only because I seriously believe that once you have children your life is about them and if there isn't another parent to help with things than you better make sure they are cared for if you are not around or you have a back up way to take care of them. I see this to many times in real life where parents don't take care of their children properly. I can understand why Phaet's mother did what she did because she wanted to make it all a better place for everyone but still. Maybe if the mother would have told Phaet something about her plan or kept her in the loop some way it could have been different but she didn't tell Phaet anything.

The world building in this book was wonderful, very spot on. I recently have read a few books that the world development wasn't explained very well and it brought the whole book down, this did not happen for this book. It was done very well, I wasn't confused about anything dealing with the politics or how life on the moon was. 

I don't usually compare books to others but this one really reminded me of some other ones. Phaet at first reminded me of Tris from Divergent when she was training and fighting in the Militia, and since this all takes place on the moon it reminded me of Ender's Game, except done a whole lot better and not just filled with mostly guys. This is definitely it's own book though and very different from both of the books I mentioned just little things reminded me of those other books I have read. 

I was surprised at the ending and how it kind of left off on a cliff hanger I am definitely interested in what comes next and how they will end up getting back to base IV on the moon to help Phaet's family. I am so glad I got the chance to read and review this book early, I love the simple cover design as well and hope to see many more stories from this author.

This is Karen Bao's first book and if you would like to know more about her or her books you can visit her website at: http://www.karenbaobooks.com/

Thursday, December 18, 2014

The Paper Masque (Book #3) by Jessica Dall

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Published: December 4, 2014
Publisher: 5 Prince Publishing
Pages: 283

Source: The author sent me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:
     Elsie Wembley has never suffered boredom gladly. Oldest of three—and second in line to the throne—she knows Carby like the back of her hand, always staying only one step ahead of trouble. When Elsie meets button-down Laurence Flynn, however, it seems she may finally have found someone to keep her out of it for good—at least until his secrets catch up to them.

     With war on the horizon and nothing certain, Book 3 of The Broken Line Series continues in a quickly changing world.


My Rating:
★★★★★
Review:
Elsie is kind of a mix between Mary and Adela, but she is still very much her own person. She just seems to have a few qualities from the other two, like for example Elsie easily gets bored with things and doesn't like sitting still which she got from Adela. Though like her mother Mary she also doesn't really want all that comes with being royal either. 

I remember when reading this that the main character Elsie reminds me of cat woman with how much climbing and getting into places she's not supposed to. When I first started reading this book and seeing her be with more than one guy, I thought uhoh not another Adela but I really started to like this character as the story went on. I liked her views on things and how forward thinking they were for that time, she also tried to find ways around things like with the up coming war. 

I thought it was funny you do get to see Antony in this book as well, he is that one character that has stuck through all three books and the novella that is out. You just get a glimpse of him in here at a really old age but he is still kicking and drawing as usual. I wish we would have seen a little bit more of him but Elsie and him didn't seem to get along to well or at least she didn't much care for him.

I really like Third he was like the perfect hero, I won't spoil anyone for what happens but he just saves the day in many different ways. 

I am not sure of what I think of this cover, it's not as extravagant as the other covers but that is kind of understandable since it is in a different time but it feels plain next to the other ones for me. Maybe if the character on the book was wearing one of her party dresses it would have been more eye catching.

Over all I again really enjoyed this book like many of Jessica Dall's other books. The writing is done really well, and she definitely paints a picture with words. There are still two more novella's that are set to come out one will be about Mary  right after the second book and I am guessing the third one will be about Elsie and set after the third book. There isn't much known on the third novella quiet yet but if you keep an eye out on her blog which is, http://jessicadall.com/, she will post more on the novella's as they are about to come out. I am not sure if there will be more books in the series or not but I do plan on and am can't wait to read the two novella's that will be coming out in the future.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

The Girl Who Never Was (Book #1) by Skylar Dorset

Genre: Fantasy, Young-Adult
Published: June 1, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 304



Synopsis:
     THE GIRL WHO NEVER WAS is the story of Selkie Stewart, who thinks she’s a totally normal teenager growing up in Boston. Sure, her father is in an insane asylum, her mother left her on his doorstep—literally—when she was a baby, and she’s being raised by two ancient aunts who spend their time hunting gnomes in their Beacon Hill townhouse. But other than that her life is totally normal! She’s got an adventurous best friend who’s always got her back and an unrequited crush on an older boy named Ben. Just like any other teenager, right?

     When Selkie goes in search of the mother she’s never known, she gets more than she bargained for. It turns out that her mother is faerie royalty, which would make Selkie a faerie princess—except for the part where her father is an ogre, which makes her only half of anything. Even more confusing, there’s a prophecy that Selkie is going to destroy the tyrannical Seelie Court, which is why her mother actually wants to kill her. Selkie has been kept hidden all her life by her adoring aunts, with the help of a Salem wizard named Will. And Ben. Because the boy she thinks she’s in love with turns out to be a faerie whose enchantment has kept her alive, but also kept her in the dark about her own life.

    Now, with enchantments dissolved and prophecies swinging into action, Selkie finds herself on a series of mad quests to save the people she’s always loved and a life she’s learning to love. But in a supernatural world of increasingly complex alliances and distressingly complicated deceptions, it’s so hard to know who to trust. Does her mother really wish to kill her? Would Will sacrifice her for the sake of the prophecy? And does Ben really love her or is it all an elaborate ruse? In order to survive, Selkie realizes that the key is learning—and accepting—who she really is.

My Rating:
★★★★☆
Review:
This was a bit slow to start, but the middle and ending quickly  made up for it. Selkie is one girl who isn't going to sit around and not let things sit. She wants to know more about her mother that left her with her father, and by looking into where her mother is and asking the right question she ends up breaking through an enchantment and learns that not everything is as it seems. Fey are all around her especially where she is currently living in Boston, and the Seelie Court is on the move to find her. 

My favorite character would have to be Ben, I really want to know more about him especially with how this book left off. Ben is fey but unlike other fey he can travel basically anywhere he desires. He is also the one that has been hiding Selkie until she of course breaks his enchantment. Since the fey live a very long time or very short depending their time is different from ours well depending on which time line you are going by I think. Ben and the other fey bring this up on many occasions so it definitely  makes one thing about different points of view and how time can be long yet short as well and would time matter if one did not keep track of it? These are some of the questions that ran through my head when reading this book.

I'd also like to mention I love this cover, and I saw the second book and it is this cover basically flipped I love that they did that. I am so excited to read more and hopefully learn more about Ben. Since Selkie is half fey and half ogre I would like to know more about her ogre side  and what powers that comes with. I know she can withstand somethings that fey can't because of her ogre blood but that is all that is basically mentioned in the first book. 

If you want to jump down the rabbit hole so to speak and learn of another land and world all together I highly recommend this book. 

Have you read this book let me know what you think if you have?

Monday, December 15, 2014

Bout of Books 12 Sign-Up

Bout of Books
It's almost Bout of Books time again, and of course I must participate! This doesn't start till January 5, 2015 so I wont be posting my TBR pile yet until a little bit closer to the time. Here is some more info on the read-a-thon.

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 5th and runs through Sunday, January 11th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 12 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. 
- From the Bout of Books team

If you would also like to participate please go here to sign up and be a part of Bout of Books 12. Hope to see everyone there, can't wait!

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

The Copper Rebellion (Book #1.5) by Jessica Dall


Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Published: November 5, 2014
Pages: 129
Source: The author sent me this  in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Living abroad, Adela Tilden has avoided the worst of the rebellion. But now that King William has ordered her back on risk of disinheritance, it doesn’t seem she’ll be able to stay out of the tumult. Of course, Adela has never abided being a pawn.

With two men ahead of her, and one left behind, she has to hope she can control this game–or else she might lose her life. Between books 1 and 2 of the Broken Line series, The Copper Rebellion is a glimpse into Antony and Adela’s lost years after The Copper Witch.






My Rating:
★★★★★
Review:
Okay so first up I have to say this cover is so beautiful, each of the covers so far have been so pretty but I think by far this is my favorite one. So as you can see by my rating up above I highly enjoyed. Even though it had Adela Tilden in it again and I didn't much like her in the first one there was enough going on that it kept it interesting.

This book is really about; how many licks does it take to get to the center of the tootsie pop... ahem I mean how many guys does one have to sleep with in order to confuse enough of them into thinking that the unborn child might be theirs and in order for Adela to feel safe. In this novella Adella is still as insufferable as ever just like she was in the first book. I guess though she has grown on me a little because it didn't bother me to much or not enough to deter away from the plot. I have read the second book before reading this so I was curious as to who the real father was. You definitely find out the answer, but I won't say anymore on that here.

This novella really pieces together what happened between book one and two and how everything got so messed up. I do believe she really did do what she had to, for her. She could have always chosen to stay and be with Antony, but of course she is to ambitious for that and easily bored. I also thought it was interesting how Adela thought she was getting old at age 18. Even back in those days that is still young, she had many years ahead of her of beauty still and if she kept taking good care of herself many more after that. But to her she couldn't see beyond that, couldn't see past what she thought of herself I think. 

Overall I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the third book The Paper Masque's which is out already and what I am currently about to read. As always if you would like to find out more on this series and any of Jessica Dall's many other works please stop by and visit her website at http://jessicadall.com/ 


Saturday, December 6, 2014

November Wrap Up

I had a busy month for November since I was writing for NaNoWriMo. I would first of like to say that I did indeed win NaNoWriMo and I did write a little more than 50k words.
I still have a long way to go 50,000 words only got me through like a little over half my novel. So I will be working on it and hopefully have it done by April so that for Camp NaNoWriMo I can work on revising this monster. I also am getting the winners t-shirt for this year since there is a dragon on it and I love dragons! Thought I would reward myself for writing a novel that was outside my comfort zone. So with out further ado I will get into the three books I did finish for the month of November.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Rating - ★★★★☆
This book I think everyone needs to read. Especially if they are a young adult that is going through problems in life that maybe they can't speak to anyone about. I remember feeling somethings that Melinda the main character felt. I didn't go through the same thing as her exactly but I had a lot of the same symptoms and feelings that she did because of what I went through. This book would help I think, help you not feel so alone even when you feel like you are and even if you have no one you think you can talk to.

Eve - The Soul Reaper by Leonard Clifton
Rating - ★☆☆☆☆ 
I have a longer review of this book here on my blog, so I wont say to much on this here. Other than it had a great plot it just wasn't executed the best.



Splintered by A.G. Howard
Rating - ★★★★☆
This is the first book in the Splintered series and I read this for a buddy read with Melissa and Brittain. I enjoyed this book a lot and loved the creep factor that the author brought to this Alice in Wonderland retelling. Also if you pick up this series you do not have to have read the original Alice in Wonderland in order to Understand it. I have only watched the Disney version of Alice in Wonderland and pretty much understood what was going on.


Over all I think I had a very productive month and this month I have a long list of books to try to get through before the end of the year. I am taking a break on writing but hope to start writing again little bit by little bit in January and of course I will have a lot of reading challenges to go through this next year 2015 I will post what I plan to do next year in a later post once it is a bit closer to the new year.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Eve- The Soul Reaper by Leondard Clifton


Genre: YA, Paranormal Publisher: Xlibris
Published: June 19, 2014
Pages: 170
Source: I received this novel in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: In the small town of Wonderwood, Eve Summers feels an immediate connection to the handsome new guy in town named Adam Winters. The teenagers discover they’ve lived a past lifetogether fighting Grim Reapers that has resurfaced in search of a powerful scythe that takes souls which will give Eve the power to restore souls. But first, Adam and Eve must fight their fear of losing everyone they love by the Grim Reapers creating an army of destruction. It’s an eternal battle between good and evil searching for the scythe. May the best reaper win.







My Rating:
★☆☆☆☆ 

My Review: 
I loved the premise of this book and thought it had a good idea for a plot. So of course I had to read it when I saw the author looking for reviews. This was a bit of a struggle to get through for me. There were a lot of grammatical and structural issues through out the entire book, and I think with a bit more polishing it could turn into a great read.

The main character Eve is interesting at first but then she fell into the insta-love thing with Adam and she lost my favor. I did like Farah I felt she was the only one that really had a voice throughout the entire book, she was a good side character and brought some flavor to the story. I also liked the description that was used when Adam went to go train with the eagle gods and loved the realm of the faeries. I would have liked a bit more description then the rush that the reader gets before the teenagers are back in the human realm.

This felt rushed and hurried. 170 pages is not enough time to really flush out a story of this magnitude and explain everything that needed to be. I really didn't want to give a one star review since I don't ever give out one stars unless if I could not finish it or hated it to its very core. I think it could be a very good book with a little bit more work.

I also did not like the switching of point of views. for Eve the story was in third person, but for her sister it is in first person. Very confusing, really needs to be in only one point of view and left there. Overall I think this book could be really good with more world building and a bit of revamping, I would love to see more from this author and see what he can do with a little more work.

Waiting on Wednesday - Revenant by Larissa Ione

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly even hosted by, Breaking the Spine, that gives me a chance to show upcoming releases that I am anticipating on getting and reading.

This week I have chosen:

Revenant by Larissa Ione (Lords of Deliverence #6 / Demonica #11)
Publication Date: December 16, 2014
Summary:
HELL HATH NO FURY . . .

For five thousand years, Revenant believed he was alone in the world, a fallen angel beyond any redemption. Now he finds he has a twin brother who had all the light and love Revenant was denied. Caught in a tug of war between Heaven and Hell, he must weigh his thirst for revenge against his desire for a mysterious female named Blaspheme—a female whose very origins could deliver him into salvation . . . or destruction.

LIKE AN ANGEL SCORNED

Blaspheme has a deadly secret: she's the forbidden offspring of an angel and a fallen angel. Hunted by both heavenly and satanic forces, she has survived only by laying low and trusting no one. When Revenant claims he can save them both, how can she possibly believe him? But the powerful angel is persistence incarnate and for Blaspheme, there's no place she can hide in Heaven or Hell where he won't find her . .



Why I am waiting?
This will be the newest book in the Demonica series and I am highly intrigued to learn more about Revenant. He is Reaver's twin brother that we don't even really find out about until the last book. We know nothing about him other than he has been in Hell since he was a young child, I love this series and the twists and turns it takes. I can't wait to get my hands on this one, I do still have to read the novella Azagoth so that will have to tide me over for a couple of weeks.

What are you waiting on this week?

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday - Carnival of Lies by Melissa Marr

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly even hosted by, Breaking the Spine, that gives me a chance to show upcoming releases that I am anticipating on getting and reading.

This week I have chosen:

Carnival of Lies by Melissa Marr (Book #1.5)
Publication date: December 2, 2014
Summary: A digital original novella set in the twisted world of the Untamed City created by Melissa Marr

Carnival of Secrets fans will be thrilled for this never-before-seen moment between Aya and Belias, set in the Untamed City universe.














Why I am waiting: Since reading the first book I have been dying to read the second book to Carnival of Secrets. I thought this originally was supposed to be a second book but recently I think it just became a short story set in between book one and two.  I was unsure about reading another series by this author since I did not enjoy her wicked lovely series all that much, but was pleasantly surprised by the first book. I just hope that she is still working on this series because I definitely still want to see more from this world.

What are you waiting on this week?

Monday, November 24, 2014

Q & A NaNoWriMo

How is the writing coming along?
So far it is going okay. I am a bit behind I think... not really sure since I haven't got it all typed up by this point. But I hope to catch up during this week.


Pantser or Outline?
I definitely write by the seat of my pants, or a pantser. I have never been able to outline not even when I was in school which was very hard when teachers wanted to see an outline. I don't just sit down and just write whatever comes to mind either. Usually with a story I know the beginning and something in the middle or end, depending. I usually have a few scenes that I know need to go into the story and maybe a couple of characters that are needed but that's about all I work with when starting my story. Everything else just comes to me when I write. I've found out if I don't write this way if I try any other way I usually get blocked or writers block. Which doesn't happen all that much. The only time it really happens is if I try to change the story in a way I would like it to go instead of the way the character wants it to go.

What is your first paragraph? (Or first two)

    I tinker and pluck at the words and numbers that scrawl across my desks screen. Bored out of my mind with the desk work that was accumulating in between my training. I definitely am in need of an assignment. Something to get my blood pumping. I hate having to put in these desk hours.
                The name I was given when I came out of my egg is K-479, but I go by Kay when I can get away with it. My job is Hell… literally, no pun intended. I work for the Collective in the corporate office of Hell. Which only makes up half of the Collective’s whole.


Book cover design?
This is just something I messed with, something fun to do to get ready for November. It is not the cover I will actually be using if and when I do plan to publish it. But I like the idea and concept of just showing the city. I would also like a different kind of font but that is the best one I had to work with for what I was using to make it.









Character pictures/ profiles?
This is a very close picture to what Kay looks like except that her wings are feathered and not like bat wings and she has no horns on her head. The red robot eye she doesn't get till after the accident when she receives her robot wing as well. The only other thing that is different is that her hair is also black with just a streak of silver through it.
These are what Kay's new wing will look like when she loses one of her normal feathered ones.
This reminds me of Jake the main guy in charge of the Hell office.

















What scene are you most excited to write?
The one I am most excited for is two different scenes one of them I am going to be writing soon and that is when they go to this other world and what they see and what the world used to be like before the incident. Also the other scene I want to write isn't until closer to the ending and its where she goes to the Outlands to bring back in the Rogues.

What scene did you enjoy writing?
I enjoyed writing a scene between my main character Kay and her roommate and best friend Sierna. I didn't even plan to write this scene it just kind of came out. I as well as the reader learns a lot in this scene between them that Kay isn't exactly who she says she is and isn't the good agent she puts up. You learn a little bit more about her past.

Has anything changed from when you first started writing?
Many things have changed but one thing I didn't know was that my main character is a hacker and has a shady past that she is hiding. Which I of course don't know everything about but she lets me tells bits here and there. Hopefully it gets settled by the end of the book. I don't plan for this to be a series but one never knows. Originally this wasn't going to deal with many other worlds, I was just going to have this world and the human world but that didn't seem interesting enough to me.

Is there a part that has been hard to write?
Not especially, there are slower parts that are a bit slow of course to write but most of the time the only time I have a hard time writing a lot is when I wrote a lot from the previous day.

How did you come up with the concept of your novel?
I got Kay's story originally from just seeing a picture and basically just thought up a story idea for that picture. I do that with a lot of pictures. It sat in my mind for many years before deciding to write it, I could never see past the beginning of the story. But as soon as I started to write it, it all came to me.

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep writing?
My characters keep me motivated by not leaving me alone so they are always pestering me to write their stories. Also talking to other writers and authors gives me encouragement to keep working on my stories to some day get them published.

What inspires you to write?
The authors I read, keep me writing. My aunt who encourages me to write more so that she can read what I have written. My grandma inspires me as well, even though she is not here anymore I know she would want me to continue on with my dreams.

How does your writing make you feel? 
It depends. Currently what I am writing makes me feel happy that I am able to write something complex and out of my comfort level. At first I was scared and worried that this would be to big of a book, that I don't know enough to finish it, but now I am almost to the halfway point and it is coming together. I always have to think in baby steps lest the work overwhelm me. Sometimes what I write is hard to get out but I think that just makes the work that much better. I have a novel idea that is going to be really tough to write since it will be dedicated to my grandma who passed earlier this year. I am still not sure when I will write it, especially when I can hardly think on it sometimes. Below I will show you a piece that was tough for me to write, not because it has happened to me but because I had a dream that was that vivid. Which is where I get some of my other story ideas. Perhaps that will better explain.

Suicide Dreams by Raquel Gabrielle Liskey
I'm a specter this time... It shifts on a tilt.
She screams and others wake with a start, she bounces from world to world seeing so much pain and not having a way to deal. The mirrors around her show her every possibility yet they are not her. She flips from mirror to mirror fear rising as she doesn't see the correct person looking back at her.
"Not me." She whispers.  She tugs at her hair with shaking hands. She glances around her at all the mirrors and all the worlds and doesn't find anything to make her feel safe and comforted.
It is loud here but nothing makes sense. She can not find her way home. They look upon her as if she were not the real one.
"Not me. Not real." She mutters.
Her anger rises  as she pounds on the glass that separates her from these other realities.
"You're not me!" She screams.
They don't hear. Or they pretend not to.
She punches now with all her might and makes the glass break and creates spider webs across the shiny surface. She rips at the broken shards tossing them away from her making the horrid sight disappear.
The glass pricks her delicate fingers as she rips each piece from the puzzled mirror. She rushes to the next and does the same, in a frenzy now as her hair sticks to her perspiring forehead.
Hands coated in blood she steps to a new world where she sees her self lying on the floor.
"Me." She stands still as she caresses the mirror with a bloody hand prints.
The calm before the storm.
She wanted back she wanted out she wanted to go home in this lost world.
Her temper rises once again as she shoves at the mirror to let her back. She grabs it in a fit of anger not understanding the consequences. She tosses it and it shatters on contact.
We are sucked into that last world but she doesn't go home or realize where we are with her anger up so high. She just stomps around the glass it crunches under her feet creating bloody pools on the hard wooden floor. Some of the shards are not small enough so she grabs them with broken and bloody hands as she breaks it even more.
I glance at her frenzied form watching her logical sense disappear. Something slithers across the floor, something pulls the other her near the bathtub. I move towards the passed out body, curious.
I watch as I know what is about to happen, but I can not make it stop. Only she can. I glance back at the angry one she doesn't even realize.
My eyes slide back to the bathroom. As the water turns on from above.
Missed shards of the mirror slither across the cold floor. Nothing was making sense yet everything seemed to at that moment.
Hands grip the bloody glass, her eyes vacant as they open staring at nothing and everything all the same. The other room is quiet now only silent tears track down the girls vacant face.
Was this before? Was that where she went? Was that her destiny to see her many realities lived as she can only watch?
This is no joke to her, no laughing matter. She means business as she slits the inside of her arm from wrist to elbow. She digs in deep the glass breaking and leaving shards deep down below.
The blood runs freely the water does as well as it has over run the lip of the tub now turning the deep red to a bright pinkish red.
I tilt my head in wonder. A sliver of darkness races across the floor running towards me. I ghost through the wall and am now in the kitchen. Time has passed a small note left on the kitchen table. The kitchen is peaceful and warm there are rolls in the oven baking. A welcoming home compared to what I just witnessed.
A man and woman enter some time later when no life no longer dwells here other than me and the kitchen now is foggy the sweet aroma of bread turned to a sickly burnt smell that coats the back of ones throat.
They leave the door open to air out the small space and rush to the oven. The man flips the knobs to turn it off. The woman stairs at the big blocky letters that were left to them.
I am guessing.
All it reads is I just can't  the signature underneath was signed ~No One
A simple yet terrible goodbye. The darkness hovers as the room breaks into chaos. One scrambles for the phone the other goes to look. I back away wanting out. I am done with this. You made me watch you made me see now let me go. But the grip holds tight as the darkness presses forward. A blur of darkness zeros in on me and goes to strike. I catch the thing in a strong two handed grip.
Caw!
I peak open an eye and then open both eyes to stare at the black bird in front of me as it screeches at me. It ruffles its feathers forcing itself closer to me. I open my mouth about to throw it back. The darkness within its eyes is bleak. It phases through and dives into my throat.....

Now the darkness within me is a little bit stronger. And they will never know why. Never really see it until it is to late. Remember.

Will you write other short stories on here? 
I can put other short stories that I have on my blog as well but they are not what I tend to favorite in writing. Most stories I write and short stories I have written in the past I believe can be longer but I will think on it definitely let me know if you would like to see more. I will mention that I also like to write short stories about my side characters kind of tell their side of the story, I think I may have just came up with a little short story from Sierna's point of view.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday - Saint Odd by Dean Koontz


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly even hosted by, Breaking the Spine, that gives me a chance to show upcoming releases that I am anticipating on getting and reading.

This week I have chosen:

Saint Odd by Dean Koontz (Book #7)
Publication Date: December 9, 2014
Summary:
Odd Thomas is back where it all started . . . because the time has come to finish it. Since he left his simple life in the small town of Pico Mundo, California, his journey has taken him to places strange and wonderful, mysterious and terrifying. Across the land, in the company of mortals and spirits alike, he has known kindness and cruelty, felt love and loss, saved lives and taken them—as he’s borne witness to humanity’s greatest good and darkest evil. Again and again, he has gone where he must and done what he had to do—for better or worse—with his courage and devotion sorely tested, and his soul forever changed. Every triumph has been hard won. Each sacrifice has taken its toll.

Now, whatever destiny drives him has finally steered his steps home, where those he cares for most surround him, the memory of his tragically lost true love haunts him, and one last challenge—vast and dreadful—awaits him. For Odd Thomas, born to serve a purpose far greater than himself, the wandering is done. Only the reckoning remains.


This is the last and final book of the Odd Thomas series and I am excited to see the conclusion and see how it all wraps up. What can you not wait to read?


Monday, November 17, 2014

Unfinished Series

I have many series that I haven't finished yet and some I don't wish to continue on with, and even some of them that I haven't read in so long that I have to reread the first books to continue on. After each series I name here I will put a little explanation after so you understand kind of why its unfinished or what I plan to do. I am mostly posting this because I plan in 2015 to make sure to finally read some of these series and finish them up, I will also include series that are still on going. I will do another post of series I need to start that I have on my TBR list but that will be next month probably. Any thing in the list that has a strike through through the series means I won't be continuing on with the series unless someone else maybe talks me into it. Also if anything is highlighted it means I have finished the main series there is just short stories I still have to read or they are an open series meaning there are more books coming out I just have to read the short stories. (Basically a list for me to remember) I do warn this is a very long list! Okay now on to the list

  • Drakon series by Shana Abe - A long time ago I read the first two books and loved them and just found out recently that it continued on I now own all the books so I can reread the first two and finish the series.
  • Thrall trilogy by C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp -  Again I read this a long time ago and didn't know it continued on and now I have forgotten what it was about so I plan to finish this one someday but I do not own any of the books.
  • Everworld series by Katherine Applegate - I read the first book in the series when I was a teen and didn't like it very much I will not be continuing on with this series.
  • The Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout - I have read the first two books and plan to finish the series, I own all of them.
  • Women of the Otherworld series by Kelly Armstrong - I've read the first one, didn't much care for it but I have heard it gets better. So I own the second book and will try to continue on with this series, it was also made into a TV series so that is why I kind of want to continue on as well.
  • Riley Jenson Guardian by Keri Arthur -  I am pretty sure this series is done and is a nine book series. I have read the first four books I remember a little of what happened but not enough to continue so I will have to go back and reread them and continue on, it was a really good series from what I remember just didn't know it continued on. I do own up to book six now. 
  • Mackenzie Vampires series by Nina Bangs - I have read the second book in this series but no others, I think they can be read separately and that's why I didn't know it was part of a series. I don't have any of the other books and I don't remember to much of the book I did read so I would have to get the other books and reread this one. But I do want to continue on.
  • Vampire Huntress Legend by L.A. Banks - I read the first book of this series and disliked it a lot. I was super excited to read this since it had different ethnicity's in it for a vampire novel but it was just awful to get through. I will not be continuing on with this series.
  • The Grisha by Leigh Bardugo -  I have finished this trilogy there is just some short stories that I need to read to finish it and be fully done with it. 
  • Raised by wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - I have finished this trilogy just there is a short story coming out in 2015 that I need to make sure to read.
  • The darkest minds by Alexandra Bracken - As of right now I have the third and final book but have not read it yet. I also need to read the novellas in order to make this series finished.
  • Gemma Doyle by Libba Bray - I have read the first one a long time ago so in order for me to continue on I do have to reread it I believe I only have the first two books in this series. 
  • Doppelganger by Marie Brennan -  This is a duology and I have read the first book, I think I remember enough about it that I can continue on with the second book. I do own the second book.
  • Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs - I am as of right now mostly caught up on this series, I do have a book that has all of the short stories in them and do plan to read those soon.  
  • The Ender Quintet by Orson Scott Card - I have read the first one and do own the second one and wish to continue on with the series. 
  • Phedre's Trilogy by Jacqueline Carey - I have read the first one and own the second book to this trilogy and do wish to continue on but they books are all so huge! There is another trilogy that follows after this one and I want to read that one as well when I finish this one.
  • The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani - I am currently caught up with this series just waiting for more books to come out.
  • Cassandra Palmer by Karen Chance - I am all caught up with this series currently just need to read some short stories in order to be all all caught up.
  • Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler - I have read the first three books and I didn't realize that the series continued on and recently found out that it is finished at six books I do plan to finish it and do own all the books.
  • The company of angels by Stephanie Chong - I have read the first book and just didn't continue on, have no clue why. Probably because I didn't realize it was a part of a series. I would have to go back and reread the first one in order to continue on.
  • The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare - I do own all three books but I have only read the first book. I kinda got bored with the first book and that is why I am stalled out on the first book. I do want to continue on to figure out some things that I kind of ruined for myself since I read the last TMI series. 
  • Immortals after dark by Kresley Cole -  I have read the second book and the tenth book I believe again I think this is a series where you can read the books out of order but if you read them in order you get a bigger story. So I do want to read this in order I do own the first three books I believe and want to read this series, I will have to reread the books I have read when I do start it.
  • Unicorn Chronicles by Bruce Coville -  I have read the first two books and recently reread the first book. I do have to reread the second book as well to continue on I do own all four books.
  • IFICS by Julia Crane - I have only read the first book that I got for free, I didn't like this book to much but the second one seems like a lot more interesting. I kind of want to continue on but not sure yet. Undecided :(
  • Nightshade by Andrea Cremer - I have read the first two books in the series and remember some of it but with the prequels and the continuation of the series I feel I have to reread the first two. I do own all the books in the series so far.
  • The Broken Line by Jessica Dall - I have read the first two books that are out so far there is more to come but I do have a novella to read still by her and hope to do that before 2015.
  • Maze runner by James Dashner - I have read book one and plan to continue on with the rest of the series just don't have any of the other books yet.
  • Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza - I am all caught up so far in this series and have read the short story.
  • Elemental Assassin by Jennifer Estep - I have read the first book and have the second book in this long series. I really enjoyed it and do plan on continuing with this series just have not had time to get to it. 
  • Daughters of the moon by Lynne Ewing - I read most of the books up to book eleven, I do have two more books to read to finish the series. I loved this series as a teenager and do want to finish it but I might have to read them all again. They are quick reads so it wouldn't take to long I only have a few though through out the series. I will add here her other series The Isis sister I don't think its finished but she hasn't written anything in quite a while.
  • Matteo Alacran by Nancy Farmer - I think this is just a duology. I read the first book in high school and really enjoyed it, I'm pretty sure I remember enough to continue on just have to get the second book so I can read it. 
  • Dark by Christine Feehan - I've read the first three novels in the series but I have many more from the later books. At the time when I first read it, it seemed predictable but I think I want to go back and give it another try since I have so many of the other books.
  • GhostWalkers by Christine Feehan - Again I've only read the first three books and have only the fourth book. I actually liked this series and I think the only reason I put this down really is because the fourth book deals with another unit like the one that was in the first three books and I don't know if I would like it but I probably will and just need to continue on. And the later books do come back to the original unit and talks about them but yea not till book six I believe.
  • Love and Skate by - Lila Felix - I read this book a long time ago when I was a teenager and didn't know this was a series and I do kind of want to go back and read the entire series but not sure when I will get to it.
  • Nightwalkers by Jacquelyn Frank - I have the first two and have read the books. But I don't really remember them and want to reread them and continue on with the series. I did enjoy it what I do remember of it .
  • Night Huntress by Jeaniene Frost - I have read only the first two books of this series and it was okay but not my favorite. I think I had a problem with the romance part of it or more of what they do lol or at least at that time I was reading it. I think I want to give it another try and its been long enough where I don't really remember it that it would be like reading it new... I will reread the first two books and then figure out if I want to continue on again or just cut it out.
  • Inkworld by Cornelia Funk - At the time when I read the first one I hated this book but I have been told it gets better. It was just to slow when I read it the first time and I read it when I was younger and probably didn't like slow books. Now I don't mind them and might give this a try. I do have the rest of the books so I can finish this one if I just get to it.
  • Caster chronicles by Kami Garcia - I have read the first book and do own the second book. I remember most of it so I think I can continue but I did get the graphic novel of the first book so I might refresh myself before continuing on. The reason I have not gone on with this one is I hear the second book is the worst out of the series and of course I let that get to me lol.
  • The Gardella Vampire Hunters by Colleen Gleason - I have the first book and have read it but I don't remember it to much and need to reread it to figure out if I really do want to continue on with it. I have a problem I know I start series and never go on.
  • The Keepers: L.A. by Heather Graham - I read this a long time ago I don't even think I own the book I think I got it from the library when I used to go. I'd like to reread it and see what I think of it now and see if I want to continue on with it.
  • Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith - I have read this one and loved it and hope to read the second one some time soon. 
  • Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter by Laurell K. Hamilton - I have a love hate relationship with this series. I am currently all caught up with the main books there are a few novellas though I think I have not read yet. 
  • Nightcreature by Lori Handeland - I have and have read the third book in the series and I am pretty sure I liked this book and now of course that I found out it was part of a series I want to go and read the others. 
  • Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris - I really want to like this series and have been told by other people that the series gets better as it goes one but Sookie irritates me to much. I have only read the first book and have I think the first three. I go between wanting to give it a try and continue on and wanting to cross it off my list. Maybe I will try to read the books that I already own of it and see if it gets any better. Otherwise off with its head!
  • Bewitch the dark by Michele Hauf - I read the second book that I got for free as an e-book. It was an okay read I do want to continue on and maybe even read the first one. I think they are the kind of books that you can read separately.
  • Vampire Knight by Matsuri Hino - I have read the first three volume and loved them I think only have up to volume four and just need to continue on with it.
  • Watersong by Amanda Hocking - I have read the first two books and have the third one which is the one I really want to read, I love the cover. I don't really like Gemma but I do like her sister who is in the second book a lot more. I will continue on at some point.
  • Midnight by Emma Holly - read a long time ago don't really remember what it was about might pick it up at some point to see if it is any good again. Don't own it so yea might be a while to get to this.
  • Tale of the demon world by Emma Holly - same as above don't own it read long time ago don't remember it really.
  • Seducers spin-off by Madeline Hunter - I own the first book and have read it I just feel I have to reread it again to see if I want to continue.
  • The Ravenscliff by Geoffrey Huntington -  I have read the first two books and need to read the last book. In this case it took like 10 years for the last book to come out in english so that is why I never picked up the last book. I do want to finish the series but I think I would have to go back and reread the other ones to remember what I read like almost 15 years ago.
  • Demonica by Larissa Ione - I am for the most pat caught up on this except for a novella that just came out that I need to read.
  • MoonBound Clan by Larissa Ione - I have read the first book and just need to read the second one to be caught up 
  • Bad kitty by Michele Jaffe -  Read long time ago probably wont pick back up to finish the series unless I find it for cheap or something like that. There is only two books in the series anyways. 
  • The shamer chronicles by Lene Kaaberbol - Again this one I read when I was young don't really remember it and don't have the books so if I do continue on with it I have to get the books.
  • Majat Code by Anna Kashina -  I have read the first book and do have the second book just haven't gotten to it quiet yet. But I do plan on continuing this series.
  • Dark-hunter, were-hunter, dream-hunter by Sherrilyn Kenyon - I am all caught up on these books and even have read all the short stories so far.  I grouped all them together since they deal with the same story.
  • Chronicles of Nick by Sherrilyn Kenyon - I am all caught up on this one so far as well.
  • Belador series by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love - The fifth book just came out and recently Sherrilyn Kenyon has dropped this book so Dianna Love is now just writing it as long as this fifth book is just as good as the other ones I will keep with it.There is still one short story I still need to read though.
  • Mageverse by Angela Knight - I read the second book in this series and it was good and I really want to continue on and read the one before this. Don't have any of the other books though.
  • Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz - I have read all of the books and am up to date with this series.
  • Dirk and Steele by Marjori M. Liu - I have read the first and seventh and only own those two of this series. Again I think you can read these books separately but together they create a bigger story. I enjoyed the two I have read and wish to continue.
  • The Giver by Lois Lowery - I have read only the first one I own all four books just have to continue on. I am a little disheartened since I found out it doesn't really continue on with the same character but I do still want to finish it.
  • Legend by Marie Lu - I have only read the first book in this trilogy and do not currently have any of the books. I didn't really like or dislike this book but I wish it had more world building I am still not sure if I will finish this trilogy or not. It is not a very high priority for me.
  • Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas - I am currently reading the third book and I still have to read the short stories but so far I am loving it! 
  • Dark ones by Katie MacAlister - I own and have read the fourth book in this series again I read it in that phase when I was young and didn't know it was part of a series. I do want to read the other ones.
  • Tales of an Urban Wolf by Karen MacInerney - I have and have read the first one and from what I remember enjoyed it but again I will have to reread it to fully know if I want to continue on.
  • Legacy of the Watchers by Nancy Madore - I have read the first one and own the next two and do plan on reading the second one soon.
  • Shatter me by Tahereh Mafi - I own up to book two and the novellas but I have only read the first book. I think mostly it is because I know a spoiler and it's keeping me from reading on. Also the writing style makes my head hurt a little. I most likely will end up reading the rest of this I am mostly just waiting for the last book to come  into paperback so I can have matching copies.
  •  Blood coven by Mari Mancusi - I own and have read the first three books, I do want to continue on with the series and I believe I remember enough of the books to continue but they are short and I probably would just marathon them all at once when I get the rest of the series.
  • Untamed lies by Melissa Marr - I loved the first book and as of right now I am caught up but there is a novella coming out in December that I want to read. I wish she would write more on this series but she seems to be taking forever.
  • Wicked lovely by Melissa Marr - This series irritated me half way through. I finished the third book and stopped I do have all the books and do want to finish it along with all the short stories but the love triangle kind of irritated me. I'm hoping the fourth book is better since it focuses on the darker faeries but I think I would have to reread the entire series to get to book four which might irritate me again.
  • Bloodlines by Richelle Mead - I am currently up to date on this series. I do have a short story I have to read as well as on Vampire Academy as well but other wise I am going to be sad to see this series go.
  • Cabot by Teresa Medeiros - I have read the first two and only own the first book  of this series but nothing farther, when I have finished some other series I will come back to this and figure out if it is a series I want to per-sue.
  • Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer - I have still to read Cress but then I think I will be caught up. 
  • Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - I just need to read the two short stories and I can call this one done.
  • Fever by Karen Marie Moning - I am all caught up with this series and even with the short stories there might be a deleted scene that I haven't read yet but it's short and I might just read it right now.
  • Kat Redding by E.S. Moore - I have and have read the first book in this series I would like to continue on with it but it is not a very high priority.
  • Abhorsen by Garth Nix - Which I thought I had done all except the short stories and then now he comes out with Clariel and now I have to reread the entire trilogy before reading this book. Which I don't mind to much I loved reading this when I was a young teenager. 
  • The Inheritance Cycle by Chistopher Paolini - I have read the first one but I own all four books. I just have not gotten to them yet. They are pretty big books and I have to reread the first one now to continue on. See a pattern happening here.
  • The child called it by Dave Pelzer -  I have read the first two books and the first one was gripping and was so sad and very trigger happy book for some one like me. The second book was a bit boring but I don't think I am going to continue on with this series. I don't own any of the books for a reason, if I do I might borrow them from the library or something but I don't really plan on going any farther with this four book series. 
  • Haven by Kalayna Price - I am all caught up on this series just waiting for the next book to come out ... Some day!
  • Alex Craft by Kalayna Price - I am all caught up with this one as well there is one short story I see I have not read but otherwise just waiting on the author
  • His dark materials by Philip Pullman - I have this in a three book bind up and I have read the first two I still remember everything enough to continue on to the third book just have to finish it. 
  • Vanza by Amanda Quick - I have and have read the fourth book. This is another one where they are separate stories from the series. Even though I enjoyed book four I probably won't continue on with it. 
  • In the Shadow of the Bear by David Randall -  Another one where I did not know the series continued on. I really want to finish this series but I have and only have read the first book. I think it would be cheaper to just buy the whole series in e-book format but I want the other ones to go with the first book that I have. 
  • Dead end dating by Kimberly Raye - I have and have read the first one but no others. I probably won't continue on with this one unless if I finish some other ones on this list first. I might reread it and see where to go from there.
  • T*Witches by Randi Reisfeld - I read this when I was younger and did enjoy the three I have read but I don't really plan on continuing on with this series. 
  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan - I have all the books and have read up to book 3 I do plan on finishing this series just have to make time to do it.
  • Immortally sexy by Stephani Rowe - I have read the second book, but I don't have any of the books from the series so this will be last on my to read list when and if I want to continue on with it.
  • Immortality bites by Michelle Rowan - I have read the first one and again don't own any of the books so if I will want to continue on it will be at the bottom of the list.
  • Reckoners by Brandon Sanderson - all caught up on this series so far, can't wait for the next one.
  • The archived by Victoria Schwab - I have read the first book just haven't read the second book yet.
  • Fire and flood by Victoria Scott - all caught up on this one as well
  • Wings in the night by Maggie Shayne - I have and have read book thirteen only I was a little confused because it is so far along in the series, but I got it for free from my aunt. So I did go out and get the first three books in a bind up and do plan to read those three and see if I want to continue on but I am guessing so since book thirteen was pretty good.
  • The seer by Linda Joy Singleton - Supposedly I have read the first three books but I don't remember them at all, and I don't own any of them but I do want to pick up the first one and see if it comes back. Or if I like it I will continue on with it, sounds interesting enough from the summary.
  • Primes by Susan Sizemore  - I have and have only read the fifth book. I can't really remember much of the book but I know I do want to read the rest of the series and reread this one. 
  • Night World by L.J. Smith - All caught up with this series just waiting on the last book, book ten.
  • Beswitched by Molly Snow - I have read the first book, I got it for free as an e-book. It was okay and I think I might even go on and read the second book.
  • Companion by Susan Squires - I have and have read the first book again don't really remember it, will have to reread it and see if I want to continue on after that. 
  • Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - I have read the first book and I own all the books in the series even sinner the new one. I will make myself read this series before picking up her other one the raven boys! The first one was okay not real exciting but I do want to continue.
  • Goosebumps by R.L. Stine - I have many of this series and love them, they are a part of my child hood I will never forget! I do want to collect all the books from the Goosebumps series someday.
  • Bartimaeus by Jonathan Straud - I have read the first book in this series and have all the other ones just have to finish it. I will have to reread the first one to finish the series though.
  • Daughter of smoke and bone by Laini Taylor - I just recently started this series and only have up to book two I do plan on continuing on with this series.
  • Blood ties by Jenny Trout - I have and have read the first book but don't remember it and need to reread it to see if I want to continue.
  • Kitty Norville by Carrie Vaughn - I have read the first two books and own two more and do wish to continue on with the series just haven't had time.
  • Black dagger brotherhood by J.R. Ward - I am currently up to date on this one.
  • Fallen Angels by J.R. Ward - I still have to read the last one then I am done.
  • The others by Christine Warren - I have the second and eleventh book in the series and they were pretty good I would like to see what the others in the series is like.
  • Premonitions by Jude Watson - I have supposedly read the first one but don't remember it. It is only a duology so I might still pick it up
  • Night angel by Brent Weeks - I have read the first two in the trilogy and just need to finish up with the third one I do own it so its just a matter of getting to it. 
  • The Pack by Karren Whiddon -  I own and have read book two and would like to read the first one before deciding to continue on. 
  • Marja Duology by Susan Wright - I have some time read the first one but never the second one I don't remember this at all and would have to reread the first one to see if I want to finish this series. 
  • The fifth wave by Rick Yancey - I am all caught up with this trilogy.
  • Moon by Rebecca York  -  I own the fourth book and have read it, I would just like to read the first book to see if I continue on.
Sorry for the long list but I did warn you. I won't take up any more of your time but I do plan to finish some of these in 2015 and plan to make a challenge page on here to keep track. I also will be starting many series in 2015 since I have many not yet even started on my book shelves, but that is another post for another day. If you have finished and or read any of these let me know how you liked them and if I should continue on if I am unsure or maybe push me to read it faster.