Friday, January 19, 2018

BtVS FAQ

Title: Buffy the Vampire Slayer FAQ
Author: David Bushman, Arthur Smith
Rating: 2/5
Reviewed for Edelweiss

Description: 
Buffy the Vampire Slayer redefined what was possible for teen-centric TV, built an extraordinary strong bond of love and loyalty with its passionately devoted fans, and launched the meteoric writing and directing career of creator Joss Whedon. Buffy the Vampire Slayer FAQ takes a comprehensive look at the groundbreaking series, giving both Buffy experts and newbies fresh insights into the creation and production of the show, in-depth analysis of the show's complex mythology and thematic concerns, and lots of irreverent cracks at Riley's expense (love ya, buddy). Readers will learn secrets even the Watchers Council doesn't know, relive their favorite moments from the show, and settle once and for all: Angel or Spike?

My Review: 
I loved BtVS, watched it all and of course I even use my email since 7th grade which is BtVS based. But reading the facts of the show was hard... might just go back and watch it... yup sorry wasn't quite into to the book! But the answer to the question about Angel or Spike... Either. She moved on! Gurl Power!

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Fire's Kiss

Title: Fire's Kiss
Author: Brittany Pate
Rating:  5/5

Description:
Embyr tends her tavern while keeping her dangerous parentage a secret, until she's attacked by a hellhound and saved by one of the most feared men in history.

For the last eight hundred years, Ryder McLennon, the infamous leader of Death's Horsemen, has used his army to hunt the vampire who killed his wife. He's earned a reputation as a murderous madman. But in Embyr, he discovers something that could turn the tide of battle in his favor. Her control over fire can reduce an enemy to ash and her flippant disregard of him heats his blood in ways no one else ever has. She's beautiful, powerful and completely different from her violence-loving brethren.

Embyr finds herself thrust into a war she wants no part of, targeted by a vicious vampire because of her cooperation with Ryder. As she learns to wield her demonic powers without letting the madness of her race overcome her, she also has to fight her attraction to a killer bent on her seduction.

My Review: OMG what a good book! It made me laugh, cry, and just plan blush. The story of a half-demon girl and 'death' was just so pulling that I barely could put the book down. And not noticing the book pages as I flew through the story and enjoying it like it was a slice of cheesecake (I love cheesecake!). Also not only Embyr (btw perfect name) was on fire during this story but the relationship between Ryder and her was in flames. So yup I enjoyed this completely and I would and will be reading more from this author as soon as their is more!

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Between the Blade and the Heart

Title: Between the Blade and the Heart
Author: Amanda Hocking
Rating:  5/5

Summary: 
When the fate of the world is at stake
Loyalties will be tested


Game of Thrones meets Blade Runner in this commanding new YA fantasy inspired by Norse Mythology from New York Times bestselling author Amanda Hocking.

As one of Odin's Valkyries, Malin's greatest responsibility is to slay immortals and return them to the underworld. But when she unearths a secret that could unravel the balance of all she knows, Malin along with her best friend and her ex-girlfriend must decide where their loyalties lie. And if helping the blue-eyed boy Asher enact his revenge is worth the risk—to the world and her heart.

My Review: Wowzie, this story was so good I didn't even want it to end and what a cliffhanger. Amanda writes a great story, that moves along and the colorful characters! I loved it, will be reading the next book in the series you can say that again! 5 Stars, I would give this a 6 if I could!

AUTHOR BIO:

Amanda Hocking is the author of over twenty young adult novels, including the New York Times bestselling Trylle Trilogy and Kanin Chronicles. Her love of pop culture and all things paranormal influence her writing. She spends her time in Minnesota, taking care of her menagerie of pets and working on her next book.

Buy Links:

Social Links:
Twitter: @Amanda_Hocking
Facebook: @AmandaHockingFans


Chapter One Preview:

ONE
The air reeked of fermented fish and rotten fruit, thanks to the overflowing dumpster from the restaurant behind us. The polluted alley felt narrow and claustrophobic, sandwiched between skyscrapers.
In the city, it was never quiet or peaceful, even at three in the morning. There were more than thirty million humans and supernatural beings coexisting, living on top of each other. It was the only life I’d ever really known, but the noise of the congestion grated on me tonight.
My eyes were locked on the flickering neon lights of the gambling parlor across the street. The u in Shibuya had gone out, so the sign flashed SHIB YA at me.
The sword sheathed at my side felt heavy, and my body felt restless and electric. I couldn’t keep from fidgeting and cracked my knuckles.
“He’ll be here soon,” my mother, Marlow, assured me. She leaned back against the brick wall beside me, casually eating large jackfruit seeds from a brown paper sack. Always bring a snack on a stakeout was one of her first lessons, but I was far too nervous and excited to eat.
The thick cowl of her frayed black sweater had been pulled up like a hood, covering her cropped blond hair from the icy mist that fell on us. Her tall leather boots only went to her calf, thanks to her long legs. Her style tended to be monochromatic—black on black on black—aside from the shock of dark red lipstick.
My mother was only a few years shy of her fiftieth birthday, with almost thirty years of experience working as a Valkyrie, and she was still as strong and vital as ever. On her hip, her sword Mördare glowed a dull red through its sheath.
The sword of the Valkyries was one that appeared as if it had been broken in half—its blade only a foot long before stopping at a sharp angle. Mördare’s blade was several thousand years old, forged in fires to look like red glass that would glow when the time was nigh.
My sword was called Sigrún, a present on my eighteenth birthday from Marlow. It was a bit shorter than Mördare, with a thicker blade, so it appeared stubby and fat. The handle was black utilitarian, a replacement that my mom had had custom-­made from an army supply store, to match her own.
The ancient blade appeared almost black, but as it grew closer to its target, it would glow a vibrant purple. For the past hour that we’d been waiting on our stakeout, Sigrún had been glowing dully on my hip.
The mist grew heavier, soaking my long black hair. I kept the left side of my head shaved, parting my hair over to the right, and my scalp should’ve been freezing from the cold, but I didn’t feel it. I didn’t feel anything.
It had begun—the instinct of the Valkyrie, pushing aside my humanity to become a weapon. When the Valkyrie in me took over, I was little more than a scythe for the Grim Reaper of the gods.
“He’s coming,” Marlow said behind me, but I already knew.
The world fell into hyperfocus, and I could see every droplet of rain as it splashed toward the ground. Every sound echoed through me, from the bird flapping its wings a block away, to the club door as it groaned open.
Eleazar Bélanger stumbled out, his heavy feet clomping in the puddles. He was chubby and short, barely over four feet tall, and he would’ve appeared to be an average middle-­aged man if it wasn’t for the two knobby horns that stuck out on either side of his forehead. Graying tufts of black hair stuck out from under a bright red cap, and as he walked ahead, he had a noticeable limp favoring his right leg.
He was a Trasgu, a troublemaking goblin, and his appearance belied the strength and cunning that lurked within him. He was over three hundred years old, and today would be the day he died.
I waited in the shadows of the alley for him to cross the street. A coughing fit caused him to double over, and he braced himself against the brick wall.
I approached him quietly—this all went easier when they didn’t have time to prepare. He took off his hat to use it to wipe the snot from his nose, and when he looked up at me, his green eyes flashed with understanding.
“It’s you,” Eleazar said in a weak, craggy voice. We’d never met, and I doubt he’d ever seen me before, but he recognized me, the way they all did when their time was up.
“Eleazar Bélanger, you have been chosen to die,” I said, reciting my script, the words automatic and cold on my lips. “It is my duty to return you to the darkness from whence you came.”
“No, wait!” He held up his pudgy hands at me. “I have money. I can pay you. We can work this out.”
“This is not my decision to make,” I said as I pulled the sword from my sheath.
His eyes widened as he realized I couldn’t be bargained with. For a moment I thought he might just accept his fate, but they rarely did. He bowed his head and ran at me like a goat. He was stronger than he looked and caused me to stumble back a step, but he didn’t have anywhere to go.
My mother stood blocking the mouth of the alley, in case I needed her. Eleazar tried to run toward the other end, but his leg slowed him, and I easily overtook him. Using the handle of my sword, I cracked him on the back of the skull, and he fell to the ground on his knees.
Sigrún glowed brightly, with light shining out from it and causing the air to glow purple around us. Eleazar mumbled a prayer to the Vanir gods. I held the sword with both hands, and I struck it across his neck, decapitating him.
And then, finally, the electricity that had filled my body, making my muscles quiver and my bones ache, left me, and I breathed in deeply. The corpse of an immortal goblin lay in a puddle at my feet, and I felt nothing but relief.
“It was a good return,” my mother said, and put her hand on my shoulder. “You did well, Malin.”

Copyright © 2018 by Amanda Hocking in Between the Blade and the Heart and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Griffin.


My Review:
Wowzie, this story was so good I didn't even want it to end and what a cliffhanger. Amanda writes a great story, that moves along and the colorful characters! I loved it, will be reading the next book in the series you can say that again! 5 Stars, I would give this a 6 if I could!








Wednesday, January 3, 2018

I am a Zombie...

Title: I am a Zombie Filled with Love
By: Isaac Marion
Rating: 3/5

Description:
This very short story was the spore that eventually grew into WARM BODIES. Presented here for historical value.

Found here

My Review: I sort of wish this wasn't a short story, the character has a wonderful sense of humor and a story that is interesting- plus Warm Bodies is pretty good book and the other short story that turned to book 2, which I still need to finish like now!

Monday, January 1, 2018

Belles

Title: Belles
Author: Jen Calonita
Rating:  4/5

Description:
Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she's ever known, and, unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous lifestyle of Emerald Cove doesn't go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn't thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and, in addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates' Southern charm, a secret is unfolding that will change both girls' lives forever.

My Review:

Pretty cute story, I love Jen's writing style not to mention character writing. They are so real-life and this book had some real mean girls in it! And i will most definitely be revisiting this world and reading book 2 and 3 real soon!