Michelle Chouinard: The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco

In her debut novel (under this name), Michelle Chouinard not only takes on a serial killer but San Francisco:

San Francisco is such a nice city, but boy is it one with a history and no one knows this better than Capri Sanzio who's grandfather was the serial killer known as OverKill Bill, and who now leads serial and crime themed tours around San Francisco. But when an OverKill Bill copycat surfaces, Capri wonders if this is the time to bring out her own family's history and reinvestigate the Overkill Bill murders, as her grandfather said he was innocent till the end. When a Overkill Bill murder happens close to home, Capri finds herself and family the targets of the investigation and now she has two generations of Overkill murders to solve.

I knew as soon as i saw the title of this book i was going to pick it up. Not only did i visit San Francisco for the first time this year, I also did a murder, mayhem and music walking tour while I was there. It was great to revisit San Fransico and actually know a bit of the area that Chouinard was talking about and there was even some cross over with the murder aspect. I mean if you want to talk a history of serial killers and crime you cannot go wrong with choosing San Francisco. I loved the little serial killer facts that Chouinard shares throughout the book and were one of the highlights for me.

Although Chouinard has written novels under a different pen name, I think for the most part this book reads like a debut novel, it was missing a bit of the polish of a more seasoned author by trying to take on a lot in this book. But at the same time, I really enjoyed the approach that Chouinard took with the past and present family drama. I think that Chouinard was able to keep the suspects alive in the book.

Capri is quite a lot in this book, her brain and life are going in so many different directions. She seems like lovely person but man her brain needs a break several times in the book and as a reader I wish I had a break from her every now and then. Do i know which character Chouinard could have given a chapter or two to, No, but I just think there needed to be a break from her.

I liked that Chouinard brought in the white-collar aspect in the book and the nuances of friendships and money with the upper elite. Money and appearance is everything to people in power or people who have money.

I enjoyed this book, Capri is a bit cooky at times, but I enjoyed the twists that Chouinard kept coming even if she tries to do a lot with this book. I would read another book by Chouinard.

Enjoy!!!

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Helen Scheuerer: Blood & Steel

In the first in a series, Helen Scheuerer, one women challenges for her right to be a protector of her realm:

Althea (Thea) has always known the age that she would die, so she has been determined to life her life to it's limit till that time. What Thea has always wanted to be was a warrior, a protector but women are forbidden to wield any blades. For years she has been practicing in secret honing her skills to perfection, until one day she is caught with a blade. The price for wielding a blade is steep but she is able to plead her case to the rulers of the 5 realms. Now Thea must find her place within warriors of Thezmarr as the veil is thinning and monsters are invading the land.

I'm always up for starting a new series, especially one that already has a few books established so I don’t have to wait forever for the next book to come out. I enjoyed this book, I like the medieval feel of the world, as well as Thea as a main character, but this was a bit slower than i thought it was going to be. With the medieval feel, I thought there would be more battles and fights but instead there was more character and relationship building. Even the times they are in lessons did not feel as fleshed out as they could have been.

I really enjoyed Thea as a character and her struggles of who she wants to be as well as her relationship with her sister Wren, who just thinks that she should just accept her position in life as a women. You cannot help but cheer for her in her want to be a warrior and show what she can do. I will say that Thea does come off younger with some of the choices that she makes, more late teens and someone in her 20s, but maybe that is due to the product of her upbringing. I also adored her friendship with Cal and Kipp, they are quite the Trio and it was great to see how much they supported each other.

If you like you a broody MMC then you will enjoy Wilder. Was a bit too broody? Maybe at times, I'm honestly more interested in his fighting ability and what he can do than the tension between him and Thea.

I will say that Scheuerer was able to shock me with one twist coming and wow some betrayal in there as well, was nicely places.

Medieval type world, with the veil coming down between the two worlds, which causes monsters to be released on the human side of the realm. This does lead to some monster fighting, but there is really only one big scene of it. I also do not 100% understand the magic system that is in place here but I feel like it will be explained in the next book (and this is just based upon the events of this one).

Although this as a bit slower than I expected, I was really invested in the characters and even the world that Scheuerer has placed them in. I look forward to continuing on in the series.

Enjoy!!!!

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Stephanie Archer: The Wingman

This is the third book in the series, and the people from previous books do make some appearances in this book (they are a Hockey Team after all) I do think that you could read this as a stand-alone.

Stephanie Archer is back with the next Vancouver Storm player and this time it's all about being a good Wingman, on and off the Ice:

Darcy is just getting out of a long-term relationship and engagement that had been failing for the past years. And what better way than to move on is to move in with her Best Friend Hayden and convince him to be her Wingman as she tries to navigate the dating (and hooking up world). But when out practice flirting and kissing sessions push the bounds of their friendship, Darcy and Hayden are not sure where the other stands. All Hayden knows is he hates seeing Men hit on Darcy and all Darcy knows is that Hayden has always been a playboy who doesn’t do relationships. But Maybe just Maybe this Wingman has been waiting for Darcy all along.

I have really enjoyed the first two installments in this series. I like that Archer writes about adults and more mature relationship but keeps me laughing at the same time and this book is no exception. Hayden and Darcy are so cute together in their interactions that you can’t help but wonder why they do not see it (many of the other Hockey guys do though). I personally do not I like the miscommunication trope, to me I just find to frustrating that people cannot just talk about things. I understand it going on for a bit as two people, who are best friends try to figure out a new dynamic, but I felt like it went on a bit too long in this book.

Honestly, how could you read this book and not love Hayden and Darcy by the end of this book. They are extremely cute together and i cannot get over how supportive they are as each other as well. How Hayden just supports Darcy to be who she wants to be and to be her true self is just swoon worthy. The thing that does set them apart is that they do have history together, one as Best Friends since College but still History. Plus, when Hayden finds out how Kit had been treating Darcy in their relationship, he knew he had to do everything to help her. 

I like how Archer throws out a social more series issue in her books and in this book, it is women in STEM. I love how Archer wove it into the plot so that it makes sense and isn’t just thrown in there to have it.

I did see a few similarities from the first two books in the series in regard to plot points or scenarios. Also, I think the book needed more Garden Gnomes (Yes, I am series about this).

If you enjoy the tropes of Friends to lovers and Roommates, then this book is for you. Throw in some witty banter and jokes and some spiciness later in the book, I'm sure you will enjoy this. 

This is a great addition to this series. I devoured this book and if it was not obvious above, I just adored Hayden and Darcy. Can't wait for the next book in this series. Can’t wait for the next book in this series that is teased quite a bit in this one.

Enjoy!!!

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Stephanie Wrobel: The Hitchcock Hotel

Stephanie Wrobel shows that anything Hitchcock inspired ends with a body: 

Alfred Smettle is not your average Hitchcock fan, he is a fanatic to the point that he decides to open his own Hitchcock inspired Hotel. And what better way to celebrate the hotel being open for 1 year than to invite his old college friends who were part of a Film Club. Never-mind that they have not seen each other since College, Never-mind there is some bad feelings and blood among the group. They will appreciate what he has created here, especially when Hitchcock like events start to happen, including a body.

This is the first book that I have read by Wrobel, so I was not sure what to expect going in. This was a slower pace than I thought it would be and then the ending seems to be a bit of a whirlwind with everything being revealed. I wish things would have progresses a bit faster with some of the backstory and what Zoe kept accussing Alfred of as we are the readers are left in the dark the majority of the book. It is this history that is key to a lot of what is going on in the Hotel and I wish Wrobel would have sprinkled a bit more of the juicy stuff throughout the book instead of having most of it come out in the last third. I think readers would still not see all the twists coming that Wrobel has in this last third but I think that it would ahve help the book's pacing and intrigue level.

If you are looking for and atmophere it book, this book is for you. Wrobel really catches the essence of Hitchcock with the tension and drama that plays out in this book. I could perfectly picture the hotel and the creepiness that it was designed with all in a balck and white scope to make it feel like a hitchcock movie.

You have to be okay with Multiple POV as each character in this books basically gets the same amoutn of page time as others do. I don’t really know if i actually liked any of the characters in this book, they all say some pretty horrible things to each other, especially towards Alfred and it seems to me a lot of them were still stuck in that College/high school frame of mind. Alfred is by far the most interesting character in the book and Wrobel writes him as such a way where you can’t help but think he is diabolical and manipulative in every way. The other characters got more interesting the book went on.

Alright, straightup this book and twists did now go how I thought it would at all. You know at the beginning there is going to be a body but you don’t know who or when in the story it is going to occur. I think that Wrobel did a great job of having basically everyone up for grabs of who was going to end up dead.

This was a good book, but I think the slowness in the beginning really hurts it and I will admit that I was not picking it up as much as I would have if it was a faster paced thriller. I still think that it is one that people will enjoy espically if they are Hitchcock fans and like a more atmosphereic read.

Enjoy!!!!

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Sangu Mandanna: A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

Sangu Mandanna shows that a place can Nowhere House can actually lead somewhere: 

Mika Moon has been taught that she and every other witch, has to hide their magic and not draw attention to herself at all. Mika has been pushing the line on this with making TikTok videos of her making potions. It is these videos that lead to a very unexpected email of some people who are searching for a witch to teach three young witches how to control their magic. This Breaks all the rules but they desperately need her and not going is not an option. Once Mika arrives at Nowhere House, she gets entangled in the lives of all those living there, the girls, an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two caretakers and the librarian Jamie, who is convinced that Mika is a threat to Nowhere house. As Mika starts to settle in to Nowhere house, the increasing magic in the area is not the only threat that will come knocking on the door. 

This is the first that I have read by Mandanna, so i was not sure what to expect, but I was completely enchanted by the book that Mandanna created. This book was a great comfort read, it is just whole heartly sweet and naive, probably my favourite cozy read so far this year. Mandanna created just a great story of found family that just pulls at your heartstrings throughout the book. 

I loved Mika as a character, and you cannot help but feel for her who is only looking to be loved and a place to belong. Mika has a troubled past, that is not dark, but one of loneliness. Because of the rules that have been created by the head of the Witches Society, that witches need to be alone, Mika has been alone since she was a child. I love how Mika handled magic, what she can do with Magic and how she tries to teach the children it. Mika has so much love, caring and fight within her, that you cannot help but love her.

Even the magic is more magical in a way as appearing as gold dust to those who can see it. I loved that magic was all around, and they had to harness it from nature, or from natural phenomenon. 

The one part I do not understand, or what was not fully dealt with in the book, is the curse that has been places on all witches, that all witch mothers die after they have a witch child. I'm not sure if we are going to get another book in this world and this seems like a big aspect to not clear up. As it is one of the main reasons that Mika is alone.

I really enjoyed my time reading this book. I highly recommended if you want something a bit cozy this spooky season. I’m excited to check out the other book that Mandanna has released.

Enjoy!!!!

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Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti: Zodiac Academy - The Awakening

In the first of a series Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti shows that your fate can always change but may be not for the better:

Twins, Tory and Darcy went from one foster home to another growing up, but now that they are living on their own, they are struggling to keep a roof over their heads. That is until they find out that they are changelings and not only are they Fae but Heirs to the throne. But there are many that do not want Tory and Darcy to return, and at the head of this is the Heirs. The sons of the four power houses, Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and they have plans to rule in their stead. So they have hatched a plan, make Tory and Darcy’s lives a living Hell at school, who comes out on top, it will be whom ever have not only the most power, but the highest Will.

This is the first book a I have read by Peckham and Valenti and I won’t lie I totally picked it up because it was touted as Harry Potter but for adults. And let me tell you I did not want to put this book down. Every moment I would get in to read even a page or two I was. I think this also says something about the writing style, as it was easy to read and follow what was happening.

I don’t think I have read a bully romance before this book, so i was not sure what to expect, or like what level of bullying does it get to. And let me say it gets pretty extreme in both the mental and physical by the end. Is it all a bit heartbreaking and disturbing at times? Yep but it kept me glued to the pages. Also the idea of consent is played with quite a bit in this book, especially when it comes to the Heirs, teachers and other teachers using their powers on Tory and Darcy, as they are easy prey as they don’t know how to use their powers.

I was drawn more to Tory as a character than Darcy. Tory just has the bad girl don’t give a fuck attitude down, was slightly more of the risk taker of the two (though Darcy does try at times) and not one to show her feelings at all. I just found that with Tory’s POV more interesting aspects of the plot seemed to happen to her rather than Darcy’s. I found with Darcy’s POV a lot of it was about Lance and more Lance.

There are ALOT of POV and do we really need all of them? I mean I understand why we need them from Tory and Darcy’s POV as well as Lance but do we need them from all the heirs? They sometimes are just saying the same things but in a different way and for the most part they have the same feelings about Tory and Darcy. It just felt a bit repetitive at times and I struggled a bit to remember who’s who especially at the beginning.

I’m really interested in learning more about the Nymphs and their desire for magic. I feel like there was some sort of betrayal in their history that started this war. I also want to know why their dad was called the Savage King. Like what did he do to really earn that Title? 

I thought it would be spicier that it was, people always say this is a spicy series but I am going to guess that happens at a later in the series.  I also found it a bit predictable at times, like you knew that the Heirs planned a lot of the time, as we have their POV.

I really enjoyed the start of this series and am prepared to keep going on this series. I really need to know what happens after the ending of this book, as wow it was intense. I really look forward to seeing where Peckham and Valenti take the characters and series.

Enjoy!!!

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Jasmine Walt & Rebecca Hamilton: Shadow Born

In the first of the series, Jasmine Walt and Rebecca Hamilton shows you never know who lurks in the shadows in both your present and the past:

Brooke knows that the supernatural exist and while during the day she works as a Chicago PD Detective by night she is a Vampire hunter along with her Fiancé. When her Fiancé dies while tracking down a lead in Salem, she knows that something supernatural is at play. When Brooke arrives in Salem, she is not welcomed with open arms but she is hoping her special talent will help shed some light of Tom's last few days there. What Brooke doesn’t realize is that the darkness that is in and around Salem and her coming there she is going to have to get dirty.

I had not heard of Walt and Hamilton before but I’m always looking for UF series to delve into and hope that the authors are able to do something new and fresh with the series and I think that Walt and Hamilton were able to put some aspects in that I do not normally see in this Genre.

I loved that it was more Fae based, as I haven’t read too many Fae urban fantasy books, they tend take a sideline in UF to other more common creatures, like vampires, which are also featured in this book and not just side characters, you can tell that they are going to play major roles in future books. 

Brooke was a good female character but as a detective she seemed quite reckless at times, and not doing enough questioning as she should be. Almost like just burst in their guns blazing when that is not always the answer. I just don’t understand with all the training she claims to have she uses very little of it. It also seemed like I as the reader knew more than the main character and this annoyed me. I found Brooke's ability to touch objects and see the impressions or last moments on them interesting, but it is something that I have read before.

I did not see one of the twists coming, i was stunned and it was awesome. One of the best aspects on the books, it takes a lot for me to not figure something out beforehand, so I applaud Walt and Hamilton for being able to do this.

I like that the world building was explained, did not drone on and was enough there for me to understand it but not take me out of the overall story.

I really enjoyed the start of this series and I look forward to not only continuing on with this series but seeing what else these authors have written. If you are looking for an Urban Fantasy Series, check this one out. I will say that I hope that Brooke grows on me more in the future books.

Enjoy!!!!

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Abby Jimenez: Yours Truly

Abby Jimenez shows the power of a good old fashioned letter:

Bri's life is not in the best spot; Her divorce is finally coming through, her brother is still searching for a kidney donor and he's getting worse each day and the promotion she thought she was going to get is probably going to a new doctor who just transferred to the hospital. And this new Doctor all the nurses hate and patients seem to be dying on him every which way. Jacob knew it would be hard to transfer to a new hospital, he knew that he may struggle for a bit, but he can tell that the nurses hate him and his patients keep dying, plus a run in with another Doctor here, he is struggling and his anxiety is at a 10. He knows he needs to do something, so he decides to write her a letter. And its a really good letter one that is set to change not only his life but Bri's as well.

This is the first book that I have read by Jimenez and it was really cute and well done. Although this book is part of a series, I did not read the first one but did not feel like I needed to in order to enjoy this book. The friendship between Bri and Alexis is explained with them being best friends. And while there are hints back to the first book it was nothing major that made me put down this book to read that one first.

I really enjoyed the banter between Bri and Jacob and to me it is crazy that they did not realize their soulmate material when they first met. Granted that could have gone better but man they just seemed to click. It was like the truly understood each other from the beginning even when they were mortal enemies for the short period of time.

I loved the letter writing aspect of the book as that is such a lost art. But I really appreciate how Jimenez incorporated it into the novel, with Jacob being a journal writer and that is how he gets his thoughts out, especially with dealing with anxiety.

Jimenez did mental health in a way that felt real and not like she was using it as a butt of a joke or the comedic relief for the story or having it overshadow all of the story. She made it a part of Jacob, part of who he is which is okay, and this was showcased by Bri every time they enter into stressful situations

The Miscommunication trope is not my thing, it makes me want to pull my hair out any time i read a book that one has it and if it goes on too long. For this book i think the miscommunication went on way too long and it was this that also made the book longer than i think it needed to be. 

This book has cemented that I need to try more books by Jimenez, as this was really cute, but it still had some substance to it by tackling harder topics that many shy away from when writing romance books. I look forward to reading more books by Jimenez

Enjoy!!!

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Jay Kristoff: Empire of the Vampire

In the first of a series, Jay Kristoff shows what happens when Vampires rule the world:

It has been 27 years since the sun became nothing more than a faint light on the horizon, that barely anything that is still alive can grow. This does not mean the darkness has not brough new "life" to the world. The Vampires are now able to move about at any time of the "day" and they take advantage of every aspect of the new lack of sunlight. Vampire and Humanity have been waging war with very little light of hope left. Gabriel de Leon is half man, half monster and the last remaining Silversaint from the brotherhood of the Silver Order, who had dedicated their lives to destroying the creatures of the night. But at last he has been captured by the enemy and before he meets his death, A mistress of death wants his story in the hope that he will reveal where the only hope of Humanity remains, with the Holy Grail. 

In the illustrious words of Gabriel "Fuck My Face" this book was awesome. I did not know what to expect when going into this book, so i was extremely happy with where Kristoff took the story and characters in this book. I was just looking for a down and gritty vampire book and this book fucking delivers (there are a lot swears in this book so I am just reciprocating). I don’t think I can state how good this book was, and it will take you through all the emotions not only as a reader but for what Gariel goes through in the book, both the highs and the lows and lets say there are quite a few lows.

Gabriel as a character is gruff to say the least, but at the same time he lives up to the attitude that he had. He has lived more lives in his one than many of the people we meet along this quest and that includes the vampires. Yes, he is gruff a lot of the book, but once you hear all of his story it makes sense. One thing that Gabriel is good at is surviving and surpassing all the odds.

I really enjoyed that Kristoff has this world set in a more medieval world with the weapons, beliefs, some culture and religion that are more common in this time. The world that Kristoff created here is immersive but no overwhelming which I appreciate. The idea of the Holy Grail being the savior of this time is not something new, but how Kristoff presents it in this book is, and while the book does center around the idea of the Silver Brotherhood and the circle I did not find that this book was preaching God to me (which I appreciate).

I like that Kristoff had Gabriel tell his story and there are the slight interludes with the current timeline. Though we do not get a round POV this way, I think that the story is so well done that we do not need multiple POV to fill it out. The book does jump around a bit with the timeline but i never felt lost or didn’t know which part of Gabriel's history that we were being told about. As you learn more about Gariel it makes sense why he would not want to talk about certain aspects of his life.

I also liked Kristoff's take on vampires, in the sense that not only the type of vampire you will be depends on which line turns you but also how long you stay dead after you are killed. So if you have stayed dead and your body is rotting away you are basically a mindless vampire set on killing anything in your path, but if you arise not long after being killed you will be more deadly. 

This is a chunky book and i was able to read the physical copy as well as the audiobook at the same time and this saved me lots of time when i could not have the physical book with me. I will say that Damian Lynch brought the book to life with his voice and when i was reading my physical copy it was his voice I heard in my head. Also I was not expecting the illustrations in the book these were a nice surprise and beautifully done

This will easily be one of my favourite reads this year and start the car, I'm on my way to get the second book as not only was this book fantastic but there is still so much that needs to be told. Highly recommended book.

Enjoy!!!

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J.D. Barker: The Fourth Monkey

The first in a series, J.D. Barker gives new meaning to See No Evil, Hear No Evil and Speak No Evil:

Det. Sam Porter receives a phone call that he never thought that he would, the 4MK killer is dead. As the lead detective on the task force, Porter knows that he has to go to the scene and Porter knows that even in death he is going to cause problems. He has a victim that is still missing and within the 4MK's pocket is a dairy that unravels the twisted history of them. Porter hopes that understanding the killer will help him find the missing, victim but time is running out for that has been done to the victim is not something one can survive.

WOW, I do not know why I slept on this book for so long, but I totally regret it as this book was simply fantastic, and one of my favourite reads this year. This book 100% lives up to its hype, and I think more people should read this book, and I will keep recommending this book. It grabs ahold of you from the very beginning and never lets you go. I mean how can you not be hooked when the beginning starts with the death of a serial killer that our lead detective has been chasing for 5 years.

This book is dark and descriptive when it comes to the bodies found and how the victim dies and who the killer chooses as a victim is just downright disturbing. This book had the mystery and thrills that I look for in these types of books. Barker knows how to flirt with the line that takes this book from thriller to horror and I am here for it.

I really enjoyed that Barker included a POV from the killer in this book, even if it is in dairy form from when the killer was a young boy. This gave an insight in where they came from and the whole idea of nature vs nurture aspect of creating a serial killer.

I love that the main detective, Porter, he is very real and is not made pretty by the book but just an old grizzled detective who is great at what he does. Porter just feels real throughout the book, from what he is dealing with the case, as well as in his personal life. Porter and his partner Nash, have a really good rapport with each other and it does add some comedic relief in the book. I like how Porter treats his teammates and does what he thinks is best for the team, investigation and the victim have been taken.

Barker keeps the reader guessing throughout the book and I will completely admit that I did not see all the twists coming in both the present time as well as the diary one. This made me turn the pages faster and faster as I got further and further into this book.

I was so engrossed I did not want to put it down, and I don’t think that you will want too either. I highly recommend this book if you like mystery, thriller books with serial killers. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Enjoy!!!

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Carissa Broadbent: The Serpent & the Wings of Night

The first book in a series, Carissa Broadbent pits a lone human against the vampires in the fight for one wish:

Oraya is the adoptive daughter of the Nightborn Vampire King and while she has carved out some sort of existence surrounded by Vampires, she wants more. Her only chance is to enter the Kejari, a tournament where the winner is granted one wish by The Goddess of Death. Oraya knows that to stay alive she cannot trust anyone but herself but she needs allies as well. Raihn is not only ruthless and dangerous but a threat to her father’s crown as he from a different vampire kingdom. Oraya will be pushed past her limits, past her guards but she must always remember to guard her most important thing, her heart.

This is the first book that I have read by Broadent and I personally think that this book deserves the bype that it has received. You will want to make sure that you are able to dedicate some time to this book as I bet that you are going to want to read it in one sitting. This book grabs you from the beginning and takes you on a great ride. 

I loved the games and trails (though I thought they felt over a bit too quickly for me, I wanted more of that action). I loved the relationships that were formed and the heartbreak that occurs not only to the main character but side/enemy characters as well as more people die in the trials and awaiting the next game. I acutally thought this book would be a bit darker than it was, though carnage is there, it was either over really quickly or not expanded upon.

I like both main characters, but I am sure that I am not the only one who wished to have a POV from Raihn. I understand why there is not but man i wish i could have known what he was thinking for quite a bit of the book. Oraya and Raihn are very similar characters, and probably why they butt heads alot, they are determined and know what it means to fight to survive.

We have shiny vampires in this book but damn are they ruthless. The maiming of their children so that they are unable to take their place at head of the family is just dark and the whole idea of when one Vampire line is in control the others all suffer. Also human are basically cattle in this book, they are needed to stay alive but that is about it so they suffer deplorable conditions and situations.

I was able to predict the twist at the end (I actually thought it was a bit obvious but that may just be me) but this did not make me enjoy the book anyless, especally what happens right before things are revealed and after. I would have like some sort of backstory as to what started the games, as we know the games represent trials that God went through but why did she start the games? Was it jsut to ensure there was always a way to transfer power from one Vampire Type to another? I guess more world build a bit and information would have been nice.

This book was great and with the ending how can one not pick up the next book in the series. I know I cannot resist. Highly recommened if you like vampire with bite, games/trails and fantasy.

Enjoy!!!

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B.R. Spangler: When the Sky Falls

In the first in a new series, B.R. Spangler show what happens when humans mess with the environment:

The machines were supposed to help, they were supposed to save the world from Climate change, reverse the damage that humans had caused to Earth. When the machines are turned on, the unthinkable happens, the Machines do the opposite of what they were supposed to do and release a toxic fog that not only burns those who touch it but it has the ability to tear apart anything that was made from organic material. Emily has one job given to her by her parents is to take her sister Sammi to the mall, where they will be safe. Her father is trying to fix the machines make the fog go away and he would meet them there. But you can never see anything Fog and something the Fog is the safer than humanity.

As the first in a new series, I think that the premise that Spangler has presented here is one that had me instantly sold. I will say I did not realize that it was a YA book, so that took me a bit by surprised and I had to readjust my expectations for the book and this did take me a bit. The majority of the book also takes place in about few days after the Fog emerges and a lot happens in that time, frame very fast paced as everything is going to shit, which i feel is very realistic, but then when get a huge time jump.

I'm on the fence with the 15-year jump in time that occurs, part of me wishes that we got to see how Emily and Peter were able to survive but at the same time, I'm happy for the time jump to see how far the colony has come. However, there are some Significant events that happened in those 15 years that are not addressed. Also the time jump occurs around the 75% mark of the book, so it was almost like a teaser for the next book especially with the cliffhanger at the end.

I liked the idea of the Fog coming from a man mad machine that was supposed to help but the opposite happens. I feel like this is the premise of many dystopia books, so not that original but I appreciate that Spangler took the route of Fog causing the earth to be uninhabitable outside and trying to find places that the Fog could not eat through.

As with any end of the world type book there are tragedies in this book, and most of them I did not see coming. Spangler did a great job of showing that no one is safe and heartbreak can happen to anyone.

I liked the characters and felt the heartbreak with them but never really knew the characters as the reader is with each of them for only a short amount of time between the two timelines. This is more of a plot driven book than i thought it would be.

There are A LOT of unanswered questions by the end of this book, from the Outsiders to the Machines, there are many things that need to be resolved or explained further. I have so many questions and I don’t really like that Spangler left so much unresolved/unexplained.

This book was okay. I think if you like plot driven books, end of days and YA book then you will enjoy this book. I am unsure if I will continue on with the series, I mean the cliffhanger is pretty big but I don’t like all the unanswered questions in this one and if Spangler continues this, I know I would not enjoy the second book.

Cheers!!!!

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Rachel Caine: Stillhouse Lake

In the first in a series, Rachel Caine shows how far a mother will go to protect her children:

Gina Royal has an ordinary life, two kids and a husband who loves her, the white picket fence is where her life it, that is until a car accident changes everything. It reveals that her husband is a serial killer. Now Gina, now Gwen, is forced to run, not from her husband who is behind bars, but from the internet trolls and family members of the women who her husband murdered, not believing that she could not have known. Gwen finally feels that she has a found a place where her and the kids can settle down for a little while but when the first body shows up and then threatening letters from a familiar address, Gwen does everything she can to keep the truth of who her and are kids are hidden, but you can only hide from evil for so long before it finds you.

This book/series has been on my TBR for a very long time and I should not have put it off this long. I was hooked right from the beginning, I mean it is hard not to be, as it is not every day that your FMC discovered that her husband is a serial killer and just the night before there was a woman strung up in your garage who was being tortured to death. I mean if you like thriller books, that is a hard start to stop reading at. Caine did an amazing job of keeping the story flowing and fast paced that you do not want to put this book down.

I liked that there were multiple mysteries that Caine presents in the book and you wonder are they connected are they not connected, who could be involved, things like that. Although, I was able to figure out some of the twists that Caine was going to do, I did not figure out all of them. I certainly did not think that Caine was going to end the book the way she did and it left be wanting for more.

You cannot help but feel and root for Gwen who has everything stacked against her, and there are those out there that not only want to hurt her but her children as well. All she is looking for is a place and a way to keep them safe. I appreciate that she tries to balance safety and normalcy for them even though it is restrictive at times.

You better believe that after I finished this book I went right out and got the next book in the series. If you have been eyeing this book/series, don’t wait any long pick it up and start reading it, you'll probably want to get it done in one day.

Enjoy!!!!!

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