Review- Interregnum (Tales of the Empire Book 1) by S.J.A. Turney

There are some things that I really enjoyed about the story. The secondary characters were very well written and added a lot of depth to the story. The battle scenes were very vivid and detailed. Velutio was a well written villain. There were some interesting plot twists that I didn't  expect. The military strategies were well executed.

Although the story was enjoyable, there were some small flaws. One problem I had with the story is that certain scenes seemed rushed. I will try to explain without giving any spoilers.  Earlier in the story, there was a character that I thought was an integral part of the story. I was wrong. Quickly fast forward and he is just an afterthought. How quickly the characters recovered from injuries was a bit far fetched. The process of Darius elevating to Emperor occurred rather suddenly. I think the relationship between Darius and Caerdin/Kiva could have been better written. I was left with some unanswered questions about Caerdin and his former life.


I would recommend this story to military fantasy lovers.

Pros: vivid battle scenes,  interesting secondary characters, 
Cons: grammatical errors, typos, character inconsistencies

3/5 STARS

Review - Thorn (Thorn Saga #1) by Joshua Ingle

I received an e copy from Netgalley containing the first two books in the series. All opinions are my own.
First of all, I love the premise of  angels vs demons and this was an original concept. Unfortunately, I have a few "issues" with the stories. I couldn't connect with any of the characters. They were just so dark and vile that I couldn't relate to them at all. Thorn, the main character was looking for redemption. One moment, he was pure evil and suddenly he wanted to be good again.
I'm all for anti-heroes and I love dark stories, but this was emotionally draining. I saw no light at the end of the tunnel. I know that these are demons and demons do bad things, but geez. Somewhere in between, the suicide whispers, the mass executions and the murder/attempted murders, I lost interest and  was hoping for the end to hurry up. But lo and behold,  I loved the twist at the end of book two and will finish the trilogy just to see how it ends.


I would recommend this series to anyone that likes very dark and twisted tales.

Pros: original concept, very well written
Cons: unlikable characters,  juvenile dialogue from certain characters.


3 out of 5 stars

Review- In the Blood by R.L. Martinez

Book Blurb:
The Warrior 
The war may have ended, but a new battle begins for disgraced prisoner-of-war, Ottilde Dominax. Dreams of her witchbreed twin are visions of death and betrayal. Driven by their grim 
warning, she escapes her captors and races across nations to save her sister. 

But she may arrive too late… 

The Witch 
Lady Oriabel Dominax has kept her healing magic secret while she cares for her family’s struggling estate. But the arrival of a new lord hiding secrets of his own, the discovery of a dark and addictive magic and threats from a cruel blackmailer push her closer to disaster. 

Through it all, the Witch’s Tree calls

My Review

I received an e ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I'm a huge lover of the fantasy genre. I read the blurb for In The Blood and I could not wait to start reading. From the opening sentence, I was entranced. The author did a wonderful job with the main characters. The relationship between the twins Ottilde and Oriabel was well written. Ottilde is an ill-treated prisoner accused of killing the prince heir and Oriabel lives life as a healer, while trying to hide that she is a witch. A crime punishable by death. Although they were separated for a majority of the book, the author showed the strength of their bond through shared memories and visions. l loved the lengths that Ottilde was willing to go, in order to save her sister. Hito is intriguing, but I would have liked a little more of his back story. How did he become the "man" that he is? I can't delve deeper into this without giving spoilers. I enjoyed the relationship between Wilder the prison chief and Ottilde and can't wait to see how it develops. The pacing was great and there were no lull moments. It took me a little over a day to finish the story.

pros: interesting characters, fast paced, a prison escape, magic, wild beasts, twists and turns, evil villains, witchcraft
cons: The character Hito seemed to lack vital background information and the ending felt abrupt. 

I would recommend this story and look forward to reading the next book in The Witchbreed Series.

4/5 Stars

Review- Snakewood by Adrian Selby

Blurb  "Once they were a band of mercenaries who shook the pillars of the world through cunning, alchemical brews, and cold steel. Whoever met their price won.

Now, their glory days behind them, scattered to the wind, and their genius leader in hiding, they are being hunted down and eliminated one by one. 

A lifetime of enemies has its own price. 

Adrian Selby brings us into an unforgettable new world filled with magic, mystery, intrigue, bloodshed and betrayal."

My review:

I received this book from Orbit and Netgalley  in exchange for an honest review. All opinions

are my own.

I read the blurb and saw the cover for Snakewood and I could not wait to read this story.  I will admit, that the beginning was slow 

going for me and I debated whether or not I should continue. By the time I reached the third chapter, I was very happy that I kept reading. 

There are high's and low's in this story and I will break them down the best way that I can.

Cons: 

- The sentence structure does take some getting use to, especially the first two chapters and I  imagine that it will pose a problem for many readers. 

But this was most predominant in the chapters told by the character Gant. He has a very unusual dialect and it is a bit distracting, but I did grow accustomed to it.

Some examples:

I looked around the boys I'd shared skins and pipes with under the moon those last few weeks.

or

It was then I took the arrow that'll do for me.

- The story seemed disjointed at times. The flow was interrupted by the different flashbacks.

- There were words used that needed explanations or a better context. I had to read some sentences several times to try and figure out the meaning. A glossary would

  have really came in handy.

- The story is dark and very violent. Some might have a problem with this.

- Multiple POV's. you either like this style of writing or not. I just wanted to let readers know that the story is told by several characters.

Pros:

- The author created a unique world. The use of plants to make brews, poisons and antidotes was interesting. I liked the different colors of the skin and side effects that occurred

  over time from their usage.

- Multiple POV's. I happen to like this and think it enhanced the story

- The characters of "Kailen's Twenty" were very well written and I enjoyed their background      stories. 

- The battle scenes were very vivid and detailed.  

- It was intriguing reading about the fightbrews that the mercenaries used to aid them in battle. Battles could be won or lost based on who has the better fightbrews.

- The story is dark. I listed this as a "Con" as well. I happen to be a huge fan of dark tales and don't have a problem with the darkness and violence.

- The mystery of the assassin killing off "Kailen's Twenty" was very well done.

- I will not give a spoiler, but there were some twists in the story that I definitely did not see coming. They increased my interest in the story.

I would recommend this story to fantasy lovers who are interested in a unique tale and will read more from this author. I would also caution that the person considering this story

realize that even though the story starts out slow and that the style of writing is not typical, the story gets so much better. I can truly say that with a little patience Snakewood will be worth the read.

Review- Steel, Blood & Fire by Allan Batchelder

I'm not going to write a long review for this story. I will be brief and to the point. This story is amazing! I can't say enough about Tarmun Vykers. I have yet to read about a character of his ilk before. Arune is the perfect sidekick albeit a different kind. The author did a great job with their chemistry. "The End of All Things" is a true villain. He's about as evil as they come. The secondary characters are very well written and greatly enhanced the story. The story started out strong and never lost steam. By the end, I couldn't wait to get the next book in the series.

Pros: well-written characters, magic, mayhem, dark humor, action, an epic battle
Cons: can't think of a single one

Steel, Blood & Fire is one of my new favorite books and I would HIGHLY recommend it.

5/5 STARS

Review- the Lyre Thief by Jennifer Fallon

I received an e copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I read this without reading the previous series and I had no problems following along. This story is very well-written and the author does a great job using multiple POV's.  I was very much invested in the characters, especially Charisee and Kiam. The story flowed very well. The scenery is very vivid and detailed.  Political intrigue, a Princess and mother who will do anything to protect her past and her daughters  future, an assassin with a heart of gold, sorcery, demons, switched identities and hints of magic are just some of the interesting themes peppered throughout the pages. 

I would highly recommend The Lyre Thief and will definitely purchase a print copy and look forward to reading more of this authors work.

4.5/5 Stars

Review- Greylady by Peter Morwood

I received an ecopy of Greylady from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions
are my own.

First, the author created a diverse world and the magical elements are intriguing. The hero and
heroine Bayrd and Eskra are fascinating characters. One minor problem I had was the out-of-nowhere instant relationship between the two. It was a bit distracting. The secondary characters enhanced the story.

Overall, there were highs and lows in the story and moments when I struggled to continue, but by the end of the book, I was invested in the story. I will read the next book in the series because i'm interested in seeing the growth and development of the hero Bayrd ar'Talvlyn.  

Pros: a uniquely created fantasy world, vivid scenery, swords, sorcery and magic
Cons: slow in places and took awhile to build up momentum

3 1/2 stars out of 5 (I would give the first half of Greylady 3 stars and the second half a solid 4 stars.)

Review- Broken Banners by Mark Gelineau and Joe King

I received an ARC of Broken Banners from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the first book A Reaper of Stone and could not wait to read the next book in
the series. I was not disappointed. The authors packed a lot of punch into this novella. The 
characters are very well developed, the scenery is vivid and the battle scenes are descriptive
and well written. I love the relationship between the main characters Elinor, Aldis and Con. 
Elinor is a fierce warrior who is protective of her brothers and sisters. Con is as loyal and faithful 
as they come. Aldis is a complex character that struggles with his desire to succeed through 
any means necessary and living up to the expectations placed on him by Elinor. The story 
has treachery, backstabbing and a hint of magic. 

I would highly recommend this story and look forward to reading more from these authors.

5 out of 5 STARS

Review- Fractured Families by Jason Paul Rice

Awesome Continuation

I read the first story and couldn't wait for the next installment. I was not disappointed. The story takes up immediately where Two Heads, Two Spikes ended. The author did a wonderful job with character development. There are noble characters that you root for. Some that are so vile, that the extent of their evilness is endless and some that are in the gray area. Neither good nor bad. It's interesting seeing the different types of personalities emerging, with one goal in mind...to rule Donegal. The political intrigue is fascinating. The disloyalty, backstabbing and corruptness are woven very well into the story. The author did a wonderful job with plot twists. Without giving any spoilers, there are some "oh-no" moments that I never saw coming and some pleasant surprises. The fantasy world is more expanded in this book. The dragons and the mystery of the Pearl of Wisdom heightened the intensity of the story. I would like to add that this story is dark and not for the feint at heart, but it's worth the read and highly entertaining.

I would highly recommend Fractured Families and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

RATING 5 STARS

Review- Kiss Across Swords by Tracy Cooper-Posey

This story successfully combines three of my favorite things: vampires, the medieval time period and erotica.  Brody, Taylor and Veris have been together for four years now. I love how the author shows some of the "glitches" that come with being in a ménage relationship, i.e jealousy and insecurities while also showing the strength of their bond. The time-travel scenes flowed effortlessly. The adventures into the past was very exciting. It was interesting seeing glimpses into Veris's past and the lengths Brody and Taylor would go to make him remember and win his love. 

Pros: two sexy heroes, a determined heroine, steamy sex scenes, an evil vampiress, vivid scenery, time-travel.
Cons: N/A

I would highly recommend this story and I will definitely read the next book in the series.

5/5  STARS

Review- Tale of a Silver Lion: Refuge Ending by

Book Blurb:
Pencheval is a Silver Lion Adept with a fierce reputation for dispatching bandits, one that has earned him accolades and no small amount of trouble. When the life wears on him, he seeks peace near the Emerald Refuge, a sanctuary for the Temple of Athesiene and place of famed serenity. Unfortunately for a talented mercenary, serenity is only a cloak for boredom and an invitation to accept assignments better left alone.

When a patrol disappears on the far side of the valley, the eager Silver Lion Adept sets out with a heavy purse and an even heavier mind. The evidence points to Goblins, a possibility that is proven with deadly speed when his group is overtaken by battle. As forces gather and wave after wave of creatures come at them, can this road weary warrior find it in himself to save them?

“Heroes are lies and fables….”

My Review

Normally, I tend to read full length novels and was a bit hesitant to read a shorter story. I enjoyed the blurb and decided to give the story a try. I'm very happy that I did. The story was well paced and it held my interest.

Pencheval is a worthy hero and warrior. I enjoyed his back story. Friar Dominik is honorable as well as brave, almost to a fault. The character of the Stonemaster is well fleshed out. He's one of the most interesting characters in the story. The fight scenes alone was worth the read, especially the final one. At the end of the story, I was looking forward to getting a copy of the next book.

Pros: well-written, fast paced, interesting mix of characters ( Bonestrippers, trolls and goblins)
Cons: n/a

I would highly recommend this story and I look forward to reading more from this author.

4 Stars out of 5

Review- King of Dreams by Greg McLeod

Book Description
Publication Date: September 24, 2014
Everybody’s on the run: Laurin the dwarf, sent on an improbable errand by a dead king, ends up with an assassin on his tail. Bryn of Bailon, heir to a dark and troubling secret, discovers there’s no escaping the impossible burden that’s about to be placed on his shoulders. And Rhea Redbreast, apprentice Headhunter, makes it onto her own guild’s hit-list when she seeks justice for her parents’ killers.
But the real trouble is just beginning: shipwrecked on the frozen shores of the Ice Wastes, eternal victim Nudd Wiggin stumbles onto an ancient weapon and is turned into something more – and less – than human. As the cruel and devious King of Dunmark unleashes a war that quickly spreads to the neighboring kingdoms, a weaponized Nudd raises terror after terror, driving an immense wave of desperate, battle-hardened Nordsmen south towards the war-torn kingdoms’ borders.


My Review

I received an e copy of King of Dreams by Greg McLeod from storycartel.com in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This story held my interest from the opening sentence and never waned. I'm a huge fan of the fantasy genre and King of Dreams did not disappoint. A dead king, an evil king, assassins, a non-human ghastly being bent on destruction, a feisty heroine seeking vengeance for her parents death, brave heroes and war. The author did a wonderful job with character development. I was rooting for the good guys and the demise of the evil villains. The ending was brilliant. It couldn't get any better than that.

I would highly recommend this story to any fantasy lover or anyone looking for a good read and I look forward to reading more from this author.

4 1/2 Stars

Review- Return of Malice by J Hendon

Book Blurb:
Finding a new life, free of blood, Trama strives to do right by his family. A new malice rises in a distant land, hell bent on dragging Trama back into darkness. They take from his lands, then they take from him. His love. Sometimes it is better to leave a man well enough alone. Least you tempt a demon worse than your own.


My Review
I love dark fantasy and the darker the better. Trama/Kevin has finally found peace. He's back on his farm and raising a child with his lady love Arryn. His darkness is finally held at bay, because he has the one thing that truly matters to him. Arryn. His happiness is short lived when Arryn is taken from him. He is forced to become the "monster" inside of him.

Trama is dangerous. He has a dark tortured soul. He's a violent killer without remorse. In spite of these flaws, he's a true hero in every sense of the word. He's a simple man willing to do whatever it takes to protect his family and those loyal to him.

Return of Malice is just as impressive as the first two books in the series. The characters are very well developed and the fantasy world created by the author is fascinating. There are heartbreaking scenes and laugh out loud moments. The heroes and heroines are loyal and admiral. The villains are truly vile and evil. The story flows very well and is extremely entertaining.


I would highly recommend this story and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

5 out of 5 Stars

Review- Armies of Malice by Joseph Hendon

Book Description
Publication Date: February 20, 2014


The second book in the Malice series. With the land ruled by the wicked, time quickly comes to an end for man and elf alike. Only the Orc thrive. Only darkness prevails. Kressara must turn the elf to war, a war not of their own. An effort which has cost her the lives of her parents and brother, an effort not popular among her people. The small bands of humans await a leader while the people of the wastes stand ready for a fight to the end. Paladin gifted warriors rise to take up arms but lack an army to turn the orc. Trama, a human with a soul damned to darkness, seeks vengeance not victory. His desire for blood driving him farther into darkness with only a lone elf maiden holding him to the light. Only a lone elf maiden holding the scales between the world of the living and a world of darkness.


I'm a huge fantasy lover and I have read many books in this genre. Reign of Malice is one of the best stories that I have read and I had high hopes for Armies of Malice. I was not disappointed. The second installment was just as exciting as the first. This is dark fantasy at its finest. The characters are well fleshed out. The hero Trama/Kevin is a flawed individual. He's violent, he's dangerous and he is a killer. The author does a wonderful job of balancing his flaws by showing his funny, tender and protective side. Arryn, his love will do whatever it takes to be with him. I loved her strength and devotion. The supporting characters enhanced the story. The scenery is very vivid. There is plenty of action, violence, gore, death and everything else that goes
a long with war. This is one of those stories where you can't wait to turn the page. Although this is dark fantasy, it also has humor and romance. I experienced so many emotions reading this story and I must say the ending chapter made me want to cry from happiness and sadness. I can't wait to read the next book.

I would highly recommend this story to fantasy lovers or anyone looking for an entertaining read.

pros: great plot, amazing characters, lots of action, emotionally stimulating
cons: some typos

5 out of 5

Review- Devdan Manor by Auden Johnson

BLURB

What haunts demons?

Expelled from his birthplace for a power he couldn't control, Cyl Antun searches for a real home with his two siblings and longtime friend.

Darkness falls. Vicious nocturnal demons close in on them. A mansion appears. They rush inside to escape the night terrors. Strange markings cover the walls. A black void now surrounds this house. They’re trapped. The mansion is empty. Yet, they are not alone.

I fell in the love with the blurb and the cover. I love dark fantasy and couldn't wait to start reading. The story started out very strong. I couldn't wait to turn the page and see what would happen next. Unfortunately, the second half of the book was a bit of a let down. Even though the ending of the book fell a little flat, the author is a wonderful storyteller. The main characters were interesting and I enjoyed reading about their different powers. I found the world of demons written by the author extremely fascinating. I would definitely read more from this author.

pros: very interesting characters, very vivid scenery and details
cons: grammatical errors and typos

4 Out of 5 Stars

Review- Black is the Colour by Nicole Hurley-Moore

I love medieval historical romance, fantasy and the paranormal genres. This author successfully merged them all in one amazing book. The relationship between Ciana and Oran is exactly what you hope for in a romantic story. Black is the Colour has everything required for a perfect fairy tale.

...strong, free-spirited heroine
...a true hero
...mean parent
...evil witch
...very vivid and detailed
...emotional

I would highly recommend this story to fairy tale lovers or anyone looking for a romantic and adventurous read. I look forward to reading more from this author.

5 Out of 5 Stars

Cat's Maw by Brooke Burgess

Although, the book is geared toward a young audience. I think some scenes may be a little too dark for a younger child. I'm an adult and I enjoyed the story. The story is entertaining and full of excitement. The dream world is very vivid and detailed. The characters are well fleshed out and enhanced the story. The author does a wonderful job of building up suspense. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next.

Pros: full of intrigue and mystery
Cons: the story jumps around at times

I would recommend this story and look forward to reading more from this author.

4 OUT OF 5 STARS

Review- Resist by Missy Johnson

Normally, I don't read contemporary stories nor do I buy serials. I'm a tad bit impatient and hate waiting for stories to be released bit by bit. I read the blurb and it was fascinating, so I bought a copy. I am so happy that I did. Jaxon is arrogant, domineering and conceited and I can't wait to find out what made him the man that he is today. Charlotte appears sweet and vanilla and I want to see how far she is willing to bend. The author did a great job building up the story. "Resist" had well fleshed out characters, mystery, suspense, sexual tension and steam.

Pros: quick read, a cliff-hanger that left me wanting more
Cons: N/A

I would highly recommend this story and can hardly wait for the next installment.

5/5 STARS

Review- Dragonlyst: A Short Novel by Randall Seeley

Blurb:
The people of Ardonor suffer from a curse that flows through their veins…

…at any moment one of them could snap and transform into an enraged dragon.

To survive, the Order of the Dragon was created to train brave warriors how to combat dragons, and teach brilliant scholars how to alter the curse through science.

But not everyone was fond of the strict governance of the Order, and many saw that they could turn a handsome profit if they learned these skills outside of the Order’s control.

Jefrie Danglon was one such person.

Gifted with a brilliant mind, Jefrie found himself drawn to dralchemy. Working with his uncle, his best friend, and a Master Dralchemist, they quickly formed one of the most successful underground businesses in Ardonor.

But performing dralchemy outside of the Order has its risks.

When they agree to the most lucrative contract they’d ever seen, they thought it was simple and straight forward. Dragonlyst. An inordinate amount of dragonlyst. But what they soon realize is that they may have agreed to something that none of them were prepared for.

My Review:

I received an e copy of Dragonlyst: A Short Novel by Randall Seeley from storycartel.com in exchange for an honest review. I am a huge fantasy lover. This story line is unlike anything that I have previously read. The characters are interesting. The friendship between Jefrie and Arthur added to the story. I loved the mystery surrounding The Dark Lord, Morgar, The Templars and the Order. Overall, this was a fascinating read and I wish the next installment was available now.

I would highly recommend this story and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

5 STARS

Review- Puha by J. Bradley Van Tighem

I received an e copy of Puha by J. Bradley Van Tighem from storycartel.com in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't read a good Indian/Native American tale in many years. I loved how the author showed the growth of Hollow Leg/Many Wolves/Wild Man/. There was plenty of action and adventure. I loved the relationships between Many Wolves, his hawks, the wolf Rojo and his friend Ten Arrows. The character Laughing Crow was well fleshed out. In the beginning, he was a cruel man who cared only about power. Throughout the story, he became more humanized. He was still cruel, but he did care
for those close to him, especially his sons. There is violence in the story, but I think it enhanced the story and was a necessary part of the plot.

Overall, Puha was an entertaining read that I would highly recommend and I look forward to reading the next book.

Pros: very detailed, interesting characters
Cons: Some of the hunting scenes were a bit repetitive and there are a lot of characters to keep up with.