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Blog Tour Book Review: Sparks by Laura Bickle

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Welcome back! Today I have more on the blog tour for EMBERS and SPARKS by Laura Bickle. The tour is hosted by Bewitching Book Tours and you can view the rest of the stops here. Today’s post is a review of SPARKS. Yesterday I reviewed EMBERS.

sparksInfo:
Title: Sparks
Author: Laura Bickle
Release Date: August 2010
Publisher: Pocket Juno Books
Source: Blog tour
Series? Anya Kalinczyk #2
Series Reviews:
Anya Kalinczyk #1: Embers
Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy
Page Count: 368
Rating: [4/5 stars]

Summary:

WITHOUT A TRACE

Anya Kalinczyk is the rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern, who holds down a day job as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department—while working 24/7 to exterminate malicious spirits haunting a city plagued by unemployment and despair. Along with her inseparable salamander familiar, Sparky, Anya has seen, and even survived, all manner of fiery hell—but her newest case sparks suspicions of a bizarre phenomenon that no one but her eccentric team of ghost hunters might believe: spontaneous human combustion.

After fire consumes the home of elderly Jasper Bernard, Anya is stunned to discover his remains—or, more precisely, a lack of them; even the fiercest fires leave some trace of their victims—and she is sure this was no naturally occurring blaze. Soon she’s unearthed a connection to a celebrity psychic who preys on Detroit’s poor, promising miracles for money. But Hope Solomon wants more—she’s collecting spirits, and in a frantic race against time, Anya will face down an evil adversary who threatens her fragile relationship with her lover, her beloved Sparky’s freshly hatched newts, and the wandering souls of the entire city. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
The second book in the Anya Kalinczyk series, SPARKS continues the adventures of Anya, Sparky, and the DAGR team. Anya is an arson investigator and a special type of medium that can see and devour ghosts. Sparky is her super protective salamander companion. DAGR is the Detroit Area Ghost Researchers, a team of amateur ghost hunters who usually erase the boundaries between Anya’s normal world and her paranormal one.

Though SPARKS is the second in a series, you don’t need to have read EMBERS to know what’s going on. The books are more like companion novels than a true series in my opinion, since the events of EMBERS aren’t really important for SPARKS. I like that aspect of these books, since it’s so nice to not have to remember everything that happened in book one!

Anya’s worlds — worlds she tries hard to keep separate — again collide when she realizes a series of mysterious, impossible deaths can be caused by only one thing: magic. Of course, she can’t exactly explain that to her boss or the fire department, but she can do her best to fight the villain using both legal and magickal methods.

I liked the mystery in the book (cases of supposed spontaneous combustion), and also liked how the author connected scientific methods and magickal methods of investigation and crime-fighting. It’s something I’ve noted in Laura Bickle’s other novels (she has another series as Alayna Williams), and something I’m happy to see again and again in her work.

The bad guy in SPARKS is actually a woman, Hope Solomon. Think of a Sunday morning TV evangelist, and you’ve got her. Although I wasn’t entirely sure of her motivations, I was definitely rooting for Anya to take her down … because Hope goes after one of my favorite animal characters ever, Sparky.

Sparky is even more adorable in this book than he was in EMBERS. Hopefully I’m not spoiling anything, but Sparky HAS BABIES. There’s a scene where Anya and Katie, her witch friend, go shopping for baby supplies. And let me tell you, you need a LOT of stuff when you’re expecting 51 baby newts. It had to be one of the more hilarious scenes I’ve read in a while.

SPARKS was a fast, good read, with lots of stuff for urban fantasy fans. I particularly liked Anya’s journey to the Underworld, as it was cool to see the author’s take on astral projection. There’s a lot more in SPARKS that I’m not mentioning, but I think it’s worth the time to read the book and find out all the surprises for yourself. :)

About the author:
Laura Bickle’s professional background is in criminal justice and library science. When she’s not patrolling the stacks at the public library, she can be found reaming up stories about the monsters under the stairs.

She has written several contemporary fantasy novels for adults, and THE HALLOWED ONES is her first young adult novel. Laura lives in Ohio with her husband and five mostly-reformed feral cats.
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– leeanna

Book Review: The Waiting Tree by Lindsay Moynihan

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the waiting treeInfo:
Title: The Waiting Tree
Author: Lindsay Moynihan
Release Date: May 14, 2013
Publisher: Amazon Children’s Publishing
Source: Amazon Vine
Series? No
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT
Page Count: 218 (paperback ARC)
Rating: [4/5 stars]

Summary:

Eighteen-year-old Simon Peters wants to stand up for the truth about who he is. His love for Stephen is unwavering, but does he have the courage to defend it when his entire church community, including his eldest brother has ostracized him? Trapped in a cashier’s job he hates, struggling to maintain peace with his brothers after their parents have died, and determined to look after his mute brother, Simon puts everyone else’s needs before his own. It takes a courageous act of self-sacrifice on Jude’s part to change both of their lives forever. Jude, who knew that when the fig tree in their yard began to bloom, it was his time to finally be heard and to set Simon free. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
When I read the summary for THE WAITING TREE, I thought the book would be about Simon’s difficulty in being gay in a community where Being Gay Is Not Acceptable. In part, that’s some of the story, but Simon also has a lot of other problems. THE WAITING TREE is his journey of self-discovery.

Simon and his three brothers were orphaned after their parents died in a car accident. Simon didn’t even get to finish high school. Instead, to help out financially, he had to get a job at a place that’s very reminiscent of a certain big blue retailer. Simon works nights because during the day he watches his twin brother, Jude. Jude has never spoken a word in his life and can’t take care of himself. On top of everything else, Simon lives in an economically dead and conservative town, so there aren’t a lot of options. And the very worst part? His boyfriend, Stephen, was sent to a “de-gay” center after Stephen’s dad found the two having sex.

THE WAITING TREE is not a cheerful book. It is realistic and gritty, but also hopeful. I think a lot of teens will empathize with all the burdens Simon has. Times are tough for teens and young adults (and everyone else), and I think readers will understand what Simon is going through. They might even feel like they’re going through the same sort of thing themselves — overwhelmed by everything, and just getting through day by day.

And that’s exactly what Simon’s doing — living day by day. His main concern is Jude. Second is his love for Stephen. As I read THE WAITING TREE, I was both sad and hopeful, and I enjoyed seeing Simon eventually realize he couldn’t just sit back and shuffle through life, that he had to take steps if he wanted to change things.

I would have liked to see what happened when Simon went to get Stephen. The ending was my least favorite part because it was open ended; I’m the type of reader who likes closure. But otherwise, I enjoyed the book, and I don’t think I put it down while reading. It’s not a very long book (the ARC is 218 pages) so it’s easy to finish it in one or two sessions.

Simon and Jude stole my heart, and when Jude made a very painful decision, I actually said, “No, don’t do it!” As for what that decision was, you’ll have to read THE WAITING TREE to find out, which I recommend you do. Although it’s a Young Adult book, I think adults would enjoy it too. As I said, it’s not a cheerful book — there’s a lot of bad stuff going on I didn’t mention — but I think the message behind the book is a good one.

Socialize with the author:
Lindsay Moynihan:
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– leeanna

Blog Tour Book Review: Influential Magic by Deanna Chase

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Today I am the stop for the INFLUENTIAL MAGIC blog tour. The tour is hosted by Bewitching Book Tours and you can find the rest of the stops here. Check below my review for an interview with the author, Deanna Chase.

influential magicInfo:
Title: Influential Magic
Author: Deanna Chase
Release Date: March 6, 2013
Publisher: Bayou Moon Press
Source: Author for blog tour
Series? Crescent City Fae #1
Genre: New Adult, Urban Fantasy
Page Count: 310
Rating: [4/5 stars]

Summary:

It’s tough being a faery in New Orleans, a city fraught with vampires… especially when their very existence drains your life-force.

Willow Rhoswen, owner of The Fated Cupcake and part-time vampire hunter for the Void is having a rough week. Four years after her twin brother’s mysterious death, Willow’s life is threatened and the director saddles her with a new partner—her ex-boyfriend, David. To her horror, he’s turned vamp, which causes her physical pain whenever she touches him… and any other specimen of the undead.

In order to save Willow’s life, David agrees to turn double agent against the most powerful vampire organization in New Orleans. Or so he says. And she’s convinced they know something about her brother’s death. Unsure where David’s loyalties lie, she turns to Talisen, her childhood crush, to help her solve the mystery.

Caught between two gorgeous men and a director who’ll stop at nothing to control Willow’s gifts, she’ll have to follow her instincts and learn who to trust. Otherwise, she risks losing more than just her life. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
INFLUENTIAL MAGIC is a new adult, urban fantasy, a combination I’ve been trying to find for a while. Most new adult books are contemporary, which isn’t my cup of tea. I’m happy to say INFLUENTIAL MAGIC was worth the search!

Right from the start, the worldbuilding begins. Willow, the protagonist, is a faery, complete with wings that let her fly and an extreme sensitivity to metal. For her, spending several hours on a plane is more than just an annoyance: metal sucks away her energy. Which is not a good thing, because minutes after getting off the plane to New Orleans, she’s in a cemetery hunting a vampire. Cemeteries and vampires are two more deadly things to faeries like Willow.

I appreciated that the author didn’t do information dumps about the world, but gave information as it was needed. And what a world! In INFLUENTIAL MAGIC, faeries, vampires, and witches live amongst humans without hiding who they are. Willow runs a mega successful bake shop, selling magically enhanced goodies. I would love to get my hands on a Molten Muse cupcake, which sparks inspiration.

Aside from her bakery, Willow is also an agent for the Void, a government branch for supernatural dealings. So is her best friend and witch, Phoebe, as well as her aunt, Maude. It’s a big tangled deal, one Willow isn’t thrilled about being a part of. But she has a unique ability that is extremely helpful: she can track vampires.

There’s a LOT going on in INFLUENTIAL MAGIC. A lot in a good way. The action is fast, with barely a dull or down moment. There are tons of twists, and I really didn’t know how everything was going to tie together at the end. As someone who can usually figure out a book early on, I always like when a story is unpredictable. But at the same time, I had a small problem with so much action: I had trouble keeping track of the passage of time. Thinking back, it’s almost as if the whole story took place over the course of a very long day.

I also had some trouble with both of the men in Willow’s life. David, her ex-boyfriend, comes back into the picture as a vampire. He ended their relationship with a real jerk move — he sent her a text message. Willow has to deal with the feelings from that while trying to keep ahead of someone who wants to use her abilities. There’s also Talisen, the best friend of Willow’s deceased twin and a fellow fae. Talisen has become a sort of replacement brother for Willow, but she won’t go into boyfriend/girlfriend territory with him because he’s a playboy (play faery?). Though romance isn’t really a big focus, I didn’t know why Willow had dated David in the first place, since their relationship took place prior to the book. So their reconciliation or lack of one wasn’t important to me. And with Talisen, yeah he’s cute and cares for Willow, but I never felt the attraction between them.

Considering the entire book, though, those are two minor complaints. The writing in INFLUENTIAL MAGIC is strong, and the author easily drew me into the world, characters, and story. The main mysteries in this book are tied up at its end, but there are some open storylines leaving plenty of room for a sequel. I’d say the book is a steal at $3.99 for the Kindle version.

Oh goddess! I almost forgot to mention Link, Willow’s shapeshifter protector. If you like good animals characters, you’ll love Link. Sometimes he’s a Shih Tzu and sometimes he’s a wolf. He transforms with Willow’s moods and the situation, although there are some hilarious images of him in Shih Tzu form hanging from a bad dude’s butt by his teeth.

Interview:
1. I read on your blog that you feel the stigma of self-publishing even though you’ve been successful. Why did you decide to self-publish? 

I’ve been writing for about six years now and when I started, self-publishing was known as the kiss of death for writers wanting any type of career. The only way to be taken seriously was to submit to agents and publishers and pray someone, anywhere would like what you write and give you a chance. I did my time on the query merry-go-round with not much success.

Then one day I read an article on Amanda Hocking. Up until that point, I had no idea Kindle Direct Publishing, Pubit (now NOOKpress), or Smashwords even existed. I spent the next forty-eight hours scouring the internet to find out as much as I could about the viability of self-publishing. After my eyes were glazed over and my head was spinning, I got that nervous anticipation feeling in my gut and I knew what I was going to do.

I’d been running the glass business I share with my husband for six years by then. Since I’m used to being my own boss, self-publishing seemed like a no-brainer. I like being in charge of my business and holding my professional fate in my own hands. And I was right. Self-publishing turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I now have a writing career that I’m proud of.

As far as the stigma of self-publishing, I wrote that blog post back in September of last year. I was (and am still) very proud of my accomplishments, but there was a bit of self-doubt about how other writers might see my choices. But attitudes and the market are changing so fast these days, I no longer feel the way I did then. I’m very proud and comfortable with my decisions. I wouldn’t change them and really, I’m no longer bothered by what anyone else may think.

Bead-DeannaChase2. I checked out your glass beads (which are awesome!). How did you get into lampworking, and do you find yourself working on beads when you’re stuck with writing? 

Thank you!

In 1999 my husband and I were at a street fair and we saw a woman selling handmade glass beads and marbles that she made using a technique called lampworking (also known as flameworking). It’s called lampworking because in the past people used to melt glass over oil lamps. My husband (who at the time was a stained glass artist) decided he was going to learn to be a lampworker. He went home, bought a book and all the equipment, and three months later he was selling his work on eBay.

He did that as a hobby for three years. Then in 2003 my husband and I sold our house and moved into an RV to travel the country fulltime while working at campgrounds. It was a grand adventure that we both loved. Along the way, I started lampworking as well and in 2005 we started selling our glass beads and marbles fulltime. In 2007, when we decided we needed more studio space than our RV could handle, we settled into a house in southeast Louisiana. I started writing that year.

As far as lampworking when I get stuck writing, yes it helps. It helps a lot actually. The studio is a great place to work out plot issues.

Duncan-DeannaChase3. Where did the idea for INFLUENTIAL MAGIC come from? 
Hmm, tough question.  To tell you the truth, I don’t even know. I started writing Influential Magic back in early 2011 after I decided Haunted on Bourbon Street, my previous novel, wasn’t going to find a home with a publisher. But then I learned about self-publishing and went full speed ahead on publishing the Bourbon Street novels. I came back to Influential Magic late last year to finish it because that story was always in the back of my mind.

I will tell you that Link, Willow’s shih tzu is inspired my dog Duncan (full name Duncan Donut). He’s positive he’s a wolf and quite pleased he has a starring role in Influential Magic.

4. I’m thrilled there’s finally a new adult novel that *isn’t* contemporary. Did you decide consciously to write new adult, or did Willow just pop into your head? 

As I said earlier, I started writing this back in early 2011. I’m not even sure New Adult existed as a genre back then. So no, I didn’t consciously decide to write New Adult, but I think it does fit squarely in the genre given Willow’s age of twenty-four, the fact that she’s dealing with her childhood crush, and that she’s just now coming into her powers and what they mean for her life path.

5. When reading yourself, do you prefer e-books or physical books? 
Both. And audio books. Audio books are great for when I’m in the studio.

6. Favorite book or series you reread? If you reread.
JK Rowling’s Harry Potter, of course.
The Hollows series by Kim Harrison.
And let’s not forget the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.

7. Any tips for aspiring writers? 
To just write. If you have a story in you, get it out. Then worry about editing and story structure and all that good stuff. It’s wonderful to take workshops, find critique partners, and read books on how to write books. But until you have words down, you don’t have anything to work with. So if you want to write, then write.

Also, write from the heart. Don’t worry too much about what you think people want to read. Write what you want to read. If it means something to you, it’s likely the story will resonate with readers.

Giveaway:
Tour Wide Giveaway:
–One tote bag with a notebook, keychain and signed copy of Influential Magic
–One notebook, keychain and signed copy of Influential Magic
–3 keychains and signed copies of Influential Magic
–5 signed print copies of Influential Magic
–10 ebook copies of Influential Magic

Physical prizes open to US Shipping

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:
Deanna is a native Californian, transplanted to the slower paced lifestyle of southeastern Louisiana.

When she isn’t writing, she is often goofing off with her husband in New Orleans, playing with her two shih tzu dogs, making glass beads, or out hocking her wares at various bead shows across the country.

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– leeanna

Blog Tour Book Review: The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher (and giveaway!)

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Today I am one of the stops for THE S-WORD blog tour. The tour is hosted by Shane at Itching For Books. You can check out the rest of the stops here.

the s-wordInfo:
Title: The S-Word
Author: Chelsea Pitcher
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Gallery Books
Source: Edelweiss/Blog Tour
Series? No
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Mystery
Page Count: 304
Rating: [4/5 stars]

Summary:

First it was SLUT scribbled all over Lizzie Hart’s locker.

But one week after Lizzie kills herself, SUICIDE SLUT replaces it—in Lizzie’s looping scrawl.

Lizzie’s reputation is destroyed when she’s caught in bed with her best friend’s boyfriend on prom night. With the whole school turned against her, and Angie not speaking to her, Lizzie takes her own life. But someone isn’t letting her go quietly. As graffiti and photocopies of Lizzie’s diary plaster the school, Angie begins a relentless investigation into who, exactly, made Lizzie feel she didn’t deserve to keep living. And while she claims she simply wants to punish Lizzie’s tormentors, Angie’s own anguish over abandoning her best friend will drive her deep into the dark, twisted side of Verity High—and she might not be able to pull herself back out. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
I almost passed over THE S-WORD. As a rule, I don’t read a lot of contemporary fiction. It’s just not my favorite genre. But so far in 2013, I’ve read a couple of great contemporary books, so after reading the summary for THE S-WORD, I decided to give it a try.

I am happy I did. I like when YA books go deep into issues, and THE S-WORD explores quite a few, like bullying. I also like when YA books are realistic, and THE S-WORD is. There’s sex, drinking, and all the stuff teens do that adults don’t like to think they do. I think it’s important that teens have these realistic books, so that they have examples of how life can really be, instead of the sanitized and unrealistic relationships that populate many YA books.

Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox.

THE S-WORD is a powerful book that explores what the word “slut” really means. As Lizzie herself says, in a diary entry, “Ask a hundred people the meaning of that word and you’ll hear a hundred answers (p. 89, ARC).” The author leaves it to the reader to come up with their own meaning.

At the start of the book, Lizzie is already dead. But, as Angie says, Lizzie didn’t go quietly. A few days after Lizzie’s funeral, “Suicide Slut” shows up on lockers, the words written in Lizzie’s handwriting. Determined to find out who is making fun of her best friend’s suicide, Angie delves into the reasons why Lizzie took her own life. It’s not a pretty look, and Angie’s not always a character I liked. That was a plus for me, because usually, I am a character-driven reader, but the story the author created was compelling enough for me to overlook the fact that Angie was somewhat psychotic at times.

THE S-WORD is also a mystery, with layers of story surrounding the truth about Angie and Lizzie. It was a book I didn’t want to stop reading, because I had to find out what was going to happen next, or what truth would be revealed.

Excerpt:

Miss Popularity is found on the bleachers of the football field, positioned perfectly so the boys below can see all the way up her long, long legs, past the hem of her skirt, and then . . . nothing. her legs cross at the thigh, cutting off the view just when it gets interesting. We girls learn early what to show and what to hide, to walk that tightrope between useless prude and usable slut. p. 7, ARC)

Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

*giveaway is tour wide

About the author:
Chelsea Pitcher is a native of Portland, OR where she received her BA in English Literature. Fascinated by all things literary, she began gobbling up stories as soon as she could read, and especially enjoys delving into the darker places to see if she can draw out some light.

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– leeanna

Book Review: Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear

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innocent darknessInfo:
Title: Innocent Darkness
Author: Suzanne Lazear
Release Date: August 8, 2012
Publisher: Flux
Source: Library
Series? The Aether Chronicles #1
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Page Count: 408
Rating: [4/5 stars]

Summary:

Wish. Love. Desire. Live.

Sixteen-year-old Noli Braddock’s hoyden ways land her in an abusive reform school far from home. On mid-summer’s eve she wishes to be anyplace but that dreadful school. A mysterious man from the Realm of Faerie rescues her and brings her to the Otherworld, only to reveal that she must be sacrificed, otherwise, the entire Otherworld civilization will perish. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
INNOCENT DARKNESS is one of the first books I found when I first started book blogging. At the time, it wasn’t yet published, and I couldn’t wait to read it. From the blurb and cover, the book seemed like a great mix of steampunk and faeries.

Fast forward to now. I don’t know why, but sometimes I keep putting off books I REALLY want to read. I did that with INNOCENT DARKNESS, but it worked out, because I don’t have to wait quite as long for book two, CHARMED VENGEANCE, coming out in August 2013.

There are a few steampunk elements in INNOCENT DARKNESS, but there’s a lot more focus on the faerie world and on romance. I didn’t mind that, because I liked the faerie world so much, but readers looking for pure steampunk might be disappointed.

Noli, or Magnolia, is the rebellious main character. She’s a rebel with a worthy cause — she doesn’t want to conform to societal standards for what a lady should be. She wants to go to college and to have a career. One of her favorite things to do is work on the flying automobile her father left her. But her mother insists that Noli make a good marriage, to restore the family name.

After an incident involving that flying car and the police, Noli is sent to a reform boarding school. I liked that the author wasn’t afraid to harm her characters — Findlay is a horrible place. It’s creepy, and I felt so bad for Noli and the other girls with the punishments they endured. There’s one scene that will make any book lover wince. Ouch.

From there, Noli is whisked into the faerie world. Kevighn Silver, the Queen’s Huntsman, is searching for a girl with plenty of “Spark,” which Noli has in abundance. Spark is creativity, joy for life, that sort of thing, and just what Findlay tried to beat out of her. But the Otherworld, while magical and something Noli didn’t believe in until she actually saw it, isn’t a place of rescue. Girls with the Spark have one purpose: to be a sacrifice.

INNOCENT DARKNESS ends with a real shocker, one that made me feel absolutely horrible for Noli. Again, I was pleased that the author wasn’t afraid to mess with her characters, because I wouldn’t have expected any less of faeries, especially in a dark fantasy.

There’s sort of a love triangle in the book, though I hesitate to label it as such because Noli doesn’t return Kevighn’s feelings. She’s in love with V, her best friend since they were kids. V is a cutely nerdy guy, one with a secret past that comes out over the course of the book.

I could tell INNOCENT DARKNESS was a first novel. There were a few phrases that were really overused, such as “loose women and opium” and “hoyden.” There was also one, “dollymop,” which Noli used a lot in reference to herself, but I had no clue what it meant.

I also liked that there’s some steamy content in the book. Authors usually shy away from anything other than kissing scenes in YA, but Noli and V share a few makeout dreams.

While in the moment, I greatly enjoyed INNOCENT DARKNESS. Looking back, I find myself being critical of some parts of it. So I’m going to stop here, before I over-analyze it. I’m looking forward to the next book to see what the author has in mind for Noli and the Otherworld.

Socialize with the author:
Suzanne Lazear:
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– leeanna

Blog Tour Book Review: Nefertiti’s Heart by A. W. Exley

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Today I am one of the stops on the blog tour for NEFERTITI’S HEART by A. W. Exley. The tour is hosted by Bewitching Book Tours and you can check out the rest of the stops here.

nefertiti's heartInfo:
Title: Nefertiti’s Heart
Author: A. W. Exley
Release Date: February 2, 2013
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Source: Blog tour/NetGalley
Series? Unknown
Genre: New Adult, Steampunk, Mystery, Romance
Page Count: 280
Rating: [4/5 stars]

Summary:

Cara Devon has always suffered curiosity and impetuousness, but tangling with a serial killer might cure that. Permanently.

London, 1861. Impoverished noble Cara has a simple mission after the strange death of her father – sell off his damned collection of priceless artifacts. Her plan goes awry when aristocratic beauties start dying of broken hearts, an eight inch long brass key hammered through their chests. A killer hunts amongst the nobility, searching for a regal beauty and an ancient Egyptian relic rumored to hold the key to immortality.

Her Majesty’s Enforcers are in pursuit of the murderer and they see a connection between the gruesome deaths and Cara. So does she, somewhere in London her father hid Nefertiti’s Heart, a fist sized diamond with strange mechanical workings. Adding further complication to her life, notorious crime lord, Viscount Nathaniel Lyons is relentless in his desire to lay his hands on Cara and the priceless artifact. If only she could figure out his motive.

Self-preservation fuels Cara’s search for the gem. In a society where everyone wears a mask to hide their true intent, she needs to figure out who to trust, before she makes a fatal mistake.

My Review:
I have to start this review by saying I had a serious case of cover lust for NEFERTITI’S HEART. It’s simple yet eye-catching, a perfect combination of the steampunk heart with the ankh in the title. The best part? The heart on the cover plays a big part in the book. It makes me a happy reader when the cover and story match.

And whew, what a story! Like the cover, NEFERTITI’S HEART is a blend of steampunk and Egyptian mythology, along with a healthy dash of mystery, romance, and memorable characters. If you’ve read any of my reviews, you’ll know that I like me some kick-butt female characters, and Cara Devon is definitely a kick-butt character. Within the first few pages, she shoots two thugs who come to steal something from her. I think I adored her from this quote: “She [Cara] popped the metal dome and drew her pistol. Her arm was straight and unwavering as she aimed directly at the thug. ‘My friend here, Mr Smith, also wants you to leave (p. 8, ARC).’”

In a world where most noble-born women are simpering, pretty playthings waiting for marriage, Cara is an anomaly. When she was fourteen, Cara’s reputation was sullied, but through no fault of her own. Traded by her own father to cover his gambling debts, she was horribly abused, which left her with a hatred of being touched and a fear of intimacy. Seven years later, after exploring the world and hiding behind a feisty, shoot first and ask questions later personality, Cara’s drawn back into a world she’d rather forget when her father is murdered.

But when Cara starts tracking down her father’s precious artifacts — famous historical objects he loved more than her — she gets tangled up with a murder investigation. The question of who is murdering the daughters of noblemen is one big mystery, and I have to say, I was totally surprised by the culprit. The clues dropped throughout the book, as well as the sections from the killer’s personality, had me thinking it was one person, but I was wrong. I love when that happens! I hate when a book is too predictable.

Cara was my favorite part of NEFERTITI’S HEART. I enjoyed seeing her growth, becoming stronger by confronting the demons of her past. She’s helped along in that process by Nathaniel Trent, the Viscount Lyons. Nathaniel is the ruthless head of London’s underworld, but he’s also the biggest gentleman in the book. I had a little trouble believing the relationship between him and Cara at first, but the author took time to develop it, and didn’t rush them into bed. NEFERTITI’S HEART is an adult book — there are some steamy scenes — but those scenes contribute to Cara’s development. Nathaniel’s character also represents the divide that exists in a society where a rich man can get away with almost anything. Unlike the man who raped Cara and faced no consequences, Nathaniel is a rogue who both attracts and repulses society. He’s like the big, bad, protective wolf. I adored him, and I usually don’t have more than a passing thought for the male romantic lead.

I also have to mention Cara’s grandmother, Nan, and her friend, Nessy. They were only in a few scenes, but they stole those scenes! I have to quote: “‘You’re young, you’re beautiful, and he sounds ridiculously handsome. Enjoy what you have. If you don’t jump him, someone else will.’ Nessy summed the situation up succinctly, to earthy laughter all round (p. 203, ARC).” I can’t imagine the typical, sixty-year-old Victorian woman saying such things. Nan and Nessy were a hoot.

The only thing about NEFERTITI’S HEART that might turn off some readers is the overly descriptive writing. Every setting is detailed, clothing is described down to the color, and so on. Some readers like that level of detail — I do — and some don’t. I thought the writing helped set the tone and established the world in the book. The beginning of the book was a little slow, but when it gets going, it zooms like an airship.

NEFERTITI’S HEART is a quirky, unique book. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something different than the usual romance or adventure, and I know I can’t wait to see what else the author has up her wordsmithing holster.

About the author:
Books and writing have always been an enormous part of my life. I survived school by hiding out in the library, with several thousand fictional characters for company. At university, I overcame the boredom of studying accountancy by squeezing in Egyptology papers and learning to read hieroglyphics.

Today, I write steampunk novels with a sexy edge and an Egyptian twist. I live in rural New Zealand surrounded by an assortment of weird and wonderful equines, felines, canine and homicidal chickens.

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– leeanna

Blog Tour Book Review: Stung by Bethany Wiggins (and giveaway!)

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Today I am one of the stops on the blog tour for STUNG by Bethany Wiggens. The tour is hosted by The Book Paparazzi and you can find the rest of the stops here.

stungInfo:
Title: Stung
Author: Bethany Wiggins
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Source: Walker Childrens for blog tour
Series? Not that I know of
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Romance, Thriller
Page Count: 304
Find It: Goodreads | Barnes and Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository | IndieBound
Rating: [4/5 stars]

Summary:

There is no cure for being stung.

Fiona doesn’t remember going to sleep. But when she opens her eyes, she discovers her entire world has been altered—her house is abandoned and broken, and the entire neighborhood is barren and dead. Even stranger is the tattoo on her right hand—a black oval with five marks on either side—that she doesn’t remember getting but somehow knows she must cover at any cost. She’s right.

Those bearing the tattoo have turned into mindless, violent beasts that roam the streets and sewers, preying upon the unbranded while a select few live protected inside a fortress-like wall, their lives devoted to rebuilding society and killing all who bear the mark.

Now Fiona has awakened branded, alone—and on the wrong side of the wall. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
Bees scare the honey out of me. As there’s one featured on the cover of STUNG, I almost passed this book up the first time I saw it. But I love me some dystopian and post-apocalyptic books, and so after I read the blurb for STUNG, I knew I had to take a chance.

I’m happy I did. STUNG captured my attention from the beginning. Fiona wakes up, in her house, but something is wrong. The house is filthy, destroyed, and empty. Fiona last remembers being thirteen, but she’s no longer thirteen — years have passed while she was sleeping. She also has a mysterious tattoo on her hand, one that’s similar to the one on her brother’s. But Fiona’s brother isn’t there to explain things — he’s after her, and minutes after waking up, Fiona’s jumping out the bathroom window to escape.

The first several chapters are a wild ride. Fiona knows nothing about the world into which she’s awoken. It was a challenge to put the pieces together and figure out what happened. I liked being confused at the beginning, because it’s no fun to know the whole story before the main character does. I mostly liked Fiona. I thought the author did a good job of balancing Fiona’s past and present. There are some flashbacks scattered throughout STUNG that help explain what happened to make the world the way it is. The flashbacks also develop Fiona’s character.

In the world of STUNG, Colorado has separated from the rest of America and formed its own government. A militia protects a walled off inner society, where only people who are perfect and young are allowed to live and reproduce.

Back when the world was normal, honeybees were going extinct. So the government created genetically modified bees, because if there were no bees, crops wouldn’t grow, animals wouldn’t have food, people wouldn’t have animals to eat, etc. But the genetically modified bees turned out to be dangerous in unexpected ways.

Fiona runs from one place to the next, not sure who to trust. Running away from one danger, she meets Arrin, a mysterious “Fec” (you can read where “Fec” comes from yourself; hold your nose!), who is the epitome of creepy and unreliable. Arrin helps Fiona, but demands a price for helping, which sends Fiona straight into the hands of the militia.

There she meets a boy from her childhood, Dreyden Bowen. Now, the romance was the one part of the book that didn’t work for me. It smacked of insta-love, and I had some problems with Fiona falling in love with her captor. Bowen goes from hating and fearing Fiona to returning her feelings, and even saying he would rather have Fiona tear his heart out than see her captured.

Oh, yeah. I didn’t mention the whole people turning into beasts thing, did I? The tattoo on Fiona’s hand signals that she had a special vaccine before the world changed… one that turns kids into raging animals who have no thoughts but killing.

The idea behind STUNG is unique. There are some science fiction aspects to the book, which I appreciated. The ending was a bit too neatly drawn together for me, but overall, I’m happy I read STUNG. Bees still creep me out, though, and maybe more than before now that I’ve read it!

The author:
Bethany Wiggins has always been an avid reader, but not an avid writer. She failed ninth grade English because she read novels instead of doing her homework. In high school, she sat alone at lunch and read massive hardback fantasy novels (Tad Williams and Robert Jordan anyone?). It wasn’t until the end of her senior year that the other students realized she was reading fiction–not the Bible.

Once upon a time, Bethany’s sister dared her to start writing an hour a day until she completed a novel. Bethany wrote a seven-hundred page fantasy novel that she wisely let no one read–but it taught her how to write. She is the author of SHIFTING, STUNG (April 2013), and CURED (2014).

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Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This giveaway is tour wide. I am not responsible for the prizes or winners.

– leeanna

Book Review: Kings of Ruin by Sam Cameron

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kings of ruinInfo:
Title: Kings of Ruin
Author: Sam Cameron
Release Date: March 19, 2013
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Source: Bold Strokes Books/NetGalley
Series? Unknown
Genre: YA, LGBT, Adventure, Contemporary, Supernatural, Science Fiction
Page Count: 193
Rating: [4/5 stars]

Summary:

Danny Kelly cares only for rock ‘n’ roll and fast cars. Too bad he’s stuck in the capital of country music and he’s banned from driving until he turns twenty-one. Plus he likes other boys, a secret that he’s vowed to keep until he graduates high school. When his stepdad’s new truck roars off on its own, Danny discovers a secret that is endangering cars and drivers across America. It almost kills Danny, too, until he’s saved by seventeen-year-old Kevin Clark. Kevin’s gay, handsome, and confident, but working with his dad’s secret government organization has left him lonely. It’s going to take a weekend of car chases, fiery explosions, and country-western singing to save the citizens of Nashville from certain death—but can Danny protect his heart and secrets as well? (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
KINGS OF RUIN is a compelling mix of contemporary and the supernatural. I sat down to read a few chapters and before I knew it I’d finished the whole book. I was that into the story and the characters.

Danny and Kevin are teenagers with one big thing in common: they each lost someone they loved in a car crash. Otherwise, they have some differences. Danny won’t admit that he’s gay, and has a girlfriend to keep up appearances. He doesn’t know the truth about how his father and brother died. Kevin is proudly out but single because of his job — he and his father are part of a team from the Department of Transportation who hunt down Ruins all over the U.S. Kevin’s mother died in a crash caused by the Ruins. Think of Ruins as malevolent spirits that take over cars because they like killing people and creating chaos.

The characters were one of my favorite parts of the book. Aside from Danny and Kevin, there’s the rest of the Ruin hunting team, and I got the feeling they all had interesting back stories of their own. In particular, I liked Mrs. Morris, and the way Danny thought about her when she fills in for his physics teacher: “She was easily the most beautiful woman Danny had ever seen. If it weren’t for the whole gay thing, he might have fallen a little bit in love with her right then and there (p. 17, ARC).”

Some of the other characters that shined were 2KEWEL, FIREBUG, and CHOPR. I don’t know if they would appreciate being described as cute, but they were! The author infused personality into the toy cars and helicopter, and they were an important part of the story even though they couldn’t talk.

I had fun reading KINGS OF RUIN, and I hope there will be another book to continue Danny and Kevin’s story. As you can probably guess, a spark pops up between the two boys. I liked how meeting Kevin made Danny re-evaluate keeping his sexuality a secret. And, although both boys are gay, KINGS OF RUIN isn’t a coming out story. It’s just part of who they are.

I only wish the book had been longer. I thought there could have been more explanation about the Ruins, as I had some questions about them (how does the government know about them? what happens to Ruins after they’re zapped? etc.), and I would also have liked to see some more romance between Danny and Kevin. However, the hints of romance in the book were realistic, and I was happy that they didn’t fall instantly in love and ride off into the sunset together.

KINGS OF RUIN is a well-written YA book full of adventure. I’d recommend it for guys, because there’s a lot of car talk and both main characters are guys, but I think anyone would enjoy it.

Socialize with the author:
Sam Cameron:
Website

– leeanna

Book Review: The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan

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the girls of atomic cityInfo:
Title: The Girls of Atomic City
Author: Denise Kiernan
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Publisher: Touchstone/Simon & Schuster
Source: Publisher
Series? No
Genre: Nonfiction, History, Adult
Page Count: 400
Rating: [4/5 stars]

Summary:

The incredible story of the young women of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, who unwittingly played a crucial role in one of the most significant moments in U.S. history.

The Tennessee town of Oak Ridge was created from scratch in 1942. One of the Manhattan Project’s secret cities, it didn’t appear on any maps until 1949, and yet at the height of World War II it was using more electricity than New York City and was home to more than 75,000 people, many of them young women recruited from small towns across the South. Their jobs were shrouded in mystery, but they were buoyed by a sense of shared purpose, close friendships—and a surplus of handsome scientists and Army men!

But against this vibrant wartime backdrop, a darker story was unfolding. The penalty for talking about their work—even the most innocuous details—was job loss and eviction. One woman was recruited to spy on her coworkers. They all knew something big was happening at Oak Ridge, but few could piece together the true nature of their work until the bomb “Little Boy” was dropped over Hiroshima, Japan, and the secret was out. The shocking revelation: the residents of Oak Ridge were enriching uranium for the atomic bomb.

Though the young women originally believed they would leave Oak Ridge after the war, many met husbands there, made lifelong friends, and still call the seventy-year-old town home. The reverberations from their work there—work they didn’t fully understand at the time—are still being felt today. In The Girls of Atomic City, Denise Kiernan traces the astonishing story of these unsung WWII workers through interviews with dozens of surviving women and other Oak Ridge residents. Like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, this is history and science made fresh and vibrant—a beautifully told, deeply researched story that unfolds in a suspenseful and exciting way. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
Before hearing about THE GIRLS OF ATOMIC CITY, I had never heard of Oak Ridge, or knew how the atomic bomb was created. I just knew it had been used to bring about the end of World War II. I did know a little about the science behind it, because I’ve read a few books on Marie Curie and the scientific world at that time, but not a lot.

THE GIRLS OF ATOMIC CITY is a book I savored. In fact, I took longer reading it than I should have because I didn’t want it to end. I can’t remember the last time I so thoroughly enjoyed a non-fiction book from cover to cover. I even found the notes at the end, that gave details on interviews with the women, to be interesting. The majority of the book reads like historical fiction, but even better because you know it’s true! The only parts of the book that were hard for me to get through were the Tubealloy sections; they were in a different font I found hard on the eyes, and I ended up skimming them.

The book is told from the viewpoints of a handful of women whose jobs varied from secretary to janitor to chemist. All of the women had different backgrounds, from girls fresh off the farm and out of high school to college graduates. I felt like I really came to know the women. I was sad to leave them behind when the book finished, because I got the feeling that each of them led fascinating lives even after the end of Oak Ridge as a production site for tubealloy (enriched uranium).

Oak Ridge — a secret, government run project — would never happen today. It’s impossible. Smartphones and social media and the Internet would blow the secret. I also don’t think people share the same patriotism and sense of duty to the U.S. that the WWII generation had (this is MY opinion). Celia, one of the women in the book, took a job at Oak Ridge without knowing where she would be going or what she would be doing. She just got on the train she was told to get on. I know I never would have done that! “[...] all the women on the train had been told that their new jobs served one purpose only: to bring a speedy and victorious end to the war. That was enough for her (p. 7).”

Throughout the book, I wondered how the women who lived and worked at Oak Ridge would feel about the use of the atomic bomb. The author makes sure to answer that question, in their own words. As the author says about her work, “The challenge in telling the story of the atomic bomb is one of nuance, requiring thought and sensitivity and walking a line between commemoration and celebration (p. 313).” I think Denise Kiernan more than succeeded in that challenge, and did an admirable job of melding personal stories with information about how Oak Ridge started and how it operated, as well as its impact on American history.

I highly recommend THE GIRLS OF ATOMIC CITY. The book takes a secret part of American history and brings it into the spotlight. After reading it, I can only wonder what other secrets about the atomic bomb are still classified. It’s the sort of history book I like to read. Instead of focusing on big name people, the author told the story of the average, everyday American woman. The women in this book will stay with me for a long time; for me, it’s ordinary women like the ones featured in THE GIRLS OF ATOMIC CITY that make history real.

Socialize with the author:
Denise Kiernan:
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Twitter

– leeanna

Blog Tour Book Review: Writing Scary Scenes by Rayne Hall

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Today I am the blog tour stop for WRITING SCARY SCENES by Rayne Hall. The tour is hosted by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, and you can visit out the rest of the stops here. Below my review is a guest post by the author, so make sure to check that out.

scaryscenes-bannerInfo:
Title: Writing Scary Scenes
Author: Rayne Hall
Release Date: July 6, 2012
Publisher:
Source: Author for blog tour
Series? No
Genre: Nonfiction, How-to
Page Count: 83
Rating:

Summary:

Are your frightening scenes scary enough? Learn practical tricks to turn up the suspense. Make your readers’ hearts hammer with suspense, their breaths quicken with excitement, and their skins tingle with goosebumps of delicious fright.

This book contains practical suggestions how to structure a scary scene, increase the suspense, make the climax more terrifying, make the reader feel the character’s fear. It includes techniques for manipulating the readers’ subconscious and creating powerful emotional effects.

Use this book to write a new scene, or to add tension and excitement to a draft.

You will learn tricks of the trade for “black moment” and “climax” scenes, describing monsters and villains, writing harrowing captivity sections and breathtaking escapes, as well as how to make sure that your hero doesn’t come across as a wimp… and much more.

This book is recommended for writers of all genres, especially thriller, horror, paranormal romance and urban fantasy.

My Review:
If you’ve been by my blog before, you may have seen some of my posts on writing. Writing is something very important to me, and I hope to publish my own work someday. So when I got an email about the tour for WRITING SCARY SCENES, I was curious to read it and see if I could pick up any useful tips.

Although the book is intended to help writers work on scary stuff, many of the tips and tricks within can be applied to any type of scene or genre. In fact, the author includes advice on how you can use the techniques in various genres.

WRITING SCARY SCENES flows in a logical way, starting with building suspense and ending with how to tell if you’ve made your main character into a wimp or not. I found a lot of things to watch out for in my own writing, such as keeping a character from wincing or shrugging too much, or overusing suspense or fear. I’m sure that I’ll refer back to WRITING SCARY SCENES when I need to add suspense or fear to a scene.

There are plenty of examples sprinkled throughout the book, both from the author’s writing and from famous authors such as Lisa Gardner or Tanith Lee. At the end are three of Rayne Hall’s short stories, so you can see her advice in use.

Recommended!

Socialize with the author:
Rayne Hall:
Website
Twitter

Guest Post:

WRITING CRAFT: HOW TO WRITE ABOUT VIOLENCE AND GORE
by Rayne Hall

If your novel’s plot includes violent scenes, then some pain and gore is needed to create realism. However, it does not have to be much. Choose carefully how much gore you want to include, based on on your personal taste, your genre, and your readers’ expectations.

Personal Taste

Do you enjoy reading gory fiction, with graphic descriptions of violence, with chainsaw massacres and disembowellings? Then write it, and include detailed descriptions of the injuries.

Does the mere mention of violence repulse you? Do you get sick at the sight of blood? When watching a horror movie, do you fast-forward through the gory bits? Then keep descriptions of violence brief and leave out the gruesome detail. Instead, focus on the psychological aspects.

Genre

Some genres – especially thrillers and full-length horror fiction – practically demand violence, because this is what readers expect, so you need to provide it, although not in every scene.

In a thriller, few scenes contain violence, but the violence is graphic. Descriptions of murder victims are graphic, too, often with details intended to shock.

The horror genre spans a wide range. On one end, psychological horror may show no violence at all, although the threat of it is present; the readers know something terrible is going to happen but they don’t witness it on the page. At the other end is slash & gore horror, filled with brutal murders and mutilations, chainsaw massacres and mounds of gore.

In children’s fiction and romance, there is little violence and no gore. Urban fantasy often has some gory bits, but they tend to be brief.

Reader Expectations

Readers expect a certain amount of violence – a lot, a little or none – depending on the genre, on other books by the same author, the book description and the cover picture. If you give them too much for their taste, they’ll be grossed out; if you give them too little, they’ll be disappointed.

While you can’t get it right for everyone, you need to get it right for your average reader. Visualise the typical person buying your book, and consider what other books she has read and who her favourite authors are. Use those as a yardstick for the violence level in your own writing.

In the age of the ebook, readers download sample pages before buying. Try to include in your first pages a hint of the level of violence to come.

The book’s blurb (short description on the back cover or the product page) can also give readers a clue. Use phrases such as extreme horror, violent, not recommended for young readers to warn potential buyers that this may not be the right book for them.

Striking a Balance

While violence can create many different kinds of fear, gore creates horror, shock and revulsion.

If you choose to write gory fiction, take care not to create a non-stop gore-fest. Mutilated corpses piling up in scene after scene soon become boring. The impact of gore soon wears off. Also remember that the mental states of horror and shock don’t last long; they may give way to indifference. Revulsion is stimulating only if it is brief; continued revulsion puts readers off and sends them in search of something more pleasant.

The trick is to use violence and gore only in some scenes, not all the time. Give the reader the chance to recover between each slaughter, so they’re able to experience the horror afresh.

Think of gore as spice: it enhances the flavour of the dish, but is not a dish in itself. Sprinkling black pepper on a dish makes the food more exciting, but you wouldn’t enjoy a dish consisting mostly of black pepper and not much else.

Using Gore to Create Horror

If you want some shock, horror or revulsion, but not too much, make the descriptions graphic but keep them short, perhaps just a sentence or two.

To create horror, describe the colours, textures, shapes and movements of the corpses, injuries and horrible things. Describe one or two details rather than the whole thing. Show the white maggots wiggling in the wound, the blood spurting in a wide arc from the shoulder where the limb has been severed, the eyeball hanging by a thread from its socket.

You can increase the horror further by mentioning something innocuous in the same sentence as the gory detail: Blood drips from the ceiling and forms dark patches on the baby blanket. Intestines spill across the lace tablecloth.

A related technique is to use similes, comparing the terrible thing to something innocuous: Blood stains her lace shawl with pink and scarlet like a garden of roses. Guts spill from his abdomen like strings of undigested sausages.

My advice: Make the gore graphic and intense, but use it sparingly and keep it short.

Questions?

If you want feedback for an idea or have questions, leave a comment and I’ll reply. I’ll be around for a week and I enjoy answering questions.

More links:
Book Trailer
Kobo
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes
Smashwords

– leeanna