“I don’t pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you.”

This is exactly what Polkinhorn’s novel is all about, the struggle to overcome your demons and let love flood in.

Karla is an artist, but like most magicians with a canvas her talents come at a cost.  At the age of 5 Karla lost her mother, and with it went her peace.  Andreas is also an artist, but instead of painting he carves tombstones.  Both have issues, both are looking for closure, and in a ironic turn of fate (or an inability to look where they are going) they are about to meet, but will their instant connection be enough to keep them together? With depression, and anger waiting in the wings Karla and Andreas are forced to make a decision… face their pasts together, or live their hells alone.

A few days ago I was dreading having to write this review. I was 20% in and bored (which is never a good sign) but luckily my inability to toss a book (regardless of how crappy) kicked in and I pushed through.  I’m very glad I didn’t give up.  While I undoubtedly enjoyed the first few chapters of this novel, my patience began to wear thin when the focus of the novel shifted.  What I thought was supposed to be a (in the most basic term) “love story” suddenly turned into a long drawn out battle with daddy issues.  Thankfully, Polkinhorn’s ability to creatively capture the culture, and beauty of her settings added brief moments of reprieve from (an otherwise) excessively wordy section, and enticed the reader to keep moving.  After her stint in Peru however, things very quickly got back on track (well… as on track as you can be for throwing depression, abandonment, resentment and infidelity at a couple) and before I knew it I was sucked back in. The writing quality as a whole was wonderful, and Polkinhorn’s ability to “write art” was a nice little treat when it was all said in done.  Her characters (though written to have a slew of flaws) were nicely detailed, and allowed the reader to indulge in their complexities.

All in all… not bad for a book I initially disliked.

One word of warning however, if this sounds like the book for you, please set aside the appropriate amount of time to read it.  It is not an easy read, and it is long… so take your time and be prepared to learn some hard lessons.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: If you plan on writing secret love letters to people, don’t leave them on the table for everyone to see… that just screams FAIR GAME!

For a complete book description click image

****~ (4/5)

I wish I hadn’t.

“Caleb Becker left Paradise eight months ago, taking with him the secret he promised to take to his grave. If the truth got out, it would ruin everything.

Maggie Armstrong tried to be strong after Caleb broke her heart and disappeared. Somehow, she managed to move on. She’s determined to make a new life for herself.

But then Caleb and Maggie are forced together on a summer trip. They try ignoring their passion for each other, but buried feelings resurface. Caleb must face the truth about the night of Maggie’s accident, or the secret that destroyed their relationship will forever stand between them.”

I have been let down by books before, (even books by Simone Elkeles) but for some reason this felt much more personal to me.  I fell in love with Caleb and Maggie’s story in LP,  I held my breath in anticipation of their future, I felt their emotional acceptance, I even cried for them, but somehow in “Return to Paradise” all of that was lost.  The character development, and intensity that was so carefully crafted seemed to disappear completely, and was replaced by (somewhat) forced dialogue, and awkward personal interaction.

The lessons in RTP (which are absolution and acceptance) were cleverly disguised as a “Re-Start” youth program, and allowed Elkeles to expand her cast, but even with witty new characters, and chapters of angst, everything just felt dry and redundant.  For a woman that has (not only) made her mark in the YA community, but kicked mounds of sand over everyone elses’, to say I was disappointed would be like saying “spiders are icky”… grossly understated. I was completely deflated.

Read it if you must, but my advice (and I really hate saying this) retain your reading high from “Leaving Paradise” and write off the rest.

Oh… and (just because I have no self control) What the hell is up with the cover art? Really? Did we have to go with the extra slice of cheese?

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Sometimes even the best book can be broken.

Click image for complete details

***~~ (3.0/5)

(On a side note: I know some of y’all are probably wondering where the 3 is coming from after such a harsh review, so let me explain.  Regardless of its inability to live up to it’s predecessor, RTP did have a few outstanding moments in it, and at the end of the day… I still love Caleb and Maggie, and giving their story anything less than a 3 felt sorta sinful.  If you are now confused I humbly apologize, this was not my intention, but so goes the game of a bi-polar reviewer.)

I only found 2 freebies this week that I thought may be worth your time, but no worries… I compromised. In addition to your 2 NEW reads, below you will find 3 books that are ALWAYS free for Kindle (so no big rush in the download department.) Pride & Prejudice, Anna Kerenina, and Dracula are just 3 examples of classic literature that shaped modern writing. Each have strong original characters and themes that were unheard of in their era.  If you have yet to read them, please take the time to do so… you won’t be sorry.

Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: A little dust never hurt anyone.

Being bad never felt so good-

After being jilted by her former master, Jane Porter looks to end her year-long celibacy by attending a bondage-themed event. Thanks to her ex-boyfriend-s stunning betrayal, she isn-t looking for happily-ever-after, just a master who-s willing to explore the depths of her passion and teach her what the BDSM lifestyle is all about.

Antonio Villareal was a wanted man. Single, rich and good looking, he-s on the hunt for a submissive to share his world. The moment he sees Jane on the arm of another man, he wants to possess her body and soul. The only problem is; Jane makes it clear she isn-t a forever kind of girl.

Can Antonio convince Jane to give him a chance?

After one of the most harrowing weeks of Henry Parker’s life, night has finally come. Settled in with Amanda Davies, he sleeps before preparing to chase a story alongside his mentor, Jack O’Donnell. Meanwhile Jack sits on the other side of town, fresh out of rehab, hoping to salvage a once-great career derailed by public humiliation. This is Jack’s last chance to leave his mark. Elsewhere in the city, two killers are on the move. They are brutal, calculating, and after tonight their decade’s long plan will come to fruition. But before the morning comes they have a few stops to make… THE HUNTERS: The thrilling lead-in to THE DARKNESS

For over 150 years, “Pride And Prejudice has remained one of the most popular novels in the English language. Jane Austen herself called this brilliant work her “own darling child.” “Pride And Prejudice, the story of Mrs. Bennet’s attempts to marry off her five daughters is one of the best-loved and most enduring classics in English literature. Excitement fizzes through the Bennet household at Longbourn in Hertfordshire when young, eligible Mr. Charles Bingley rents the fine house nearby. He may have sisters, but he also has male friends, and one of these — the haughty, and even wealthier, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy — irks the vivacious Elizabeth Bennet, the second of the Bennet girls. She annoys him. Which is how we know they must one day marry. The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and Darcy is a splendid rendition of civilized sparring. As the characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, Jane Austen’s radiantly caustic wit and keen observation sparkle.

When beautiful, aristocratic, and married Anna falls madly in love with the dashing Count Vronsky, their affair shocks Russian society, tears her family apart, and leads, inevitably, to tragedy. Count Leo Tolstoy’s epic story of passion, infidelity, vengeance, and retribution has held readers spellbound since it was first published in the late 1800s. Set against the fatal attraction of Anna and Vronsky, unfolding in perfect symmetry, is another love story: of the melancholy nobleman Constantin Levin and his devoted wife, Kitty. In doubt about the meaning of life, haunted by thoughts of suicide, Levin’s struggles echo Tolstoy’s own spiritual crisis. Filled with unforgettable characters, rich in history and social realism, “Anna Karenina” is a masterpiece of world literature, a story that fires the imagination and touches the heart.

The punctured throat, the coffin lid slowly opening, the unholy shriek as the stake pierces the heart—these are just a few of the chilling images Bram Stoker unleashed upon the world with his 1897 masterpiece, Dracula. Inspired by the folk legend of nosferatu, the undead, Stoker created a timeless tale of gothic horror and romance that has enthralled and terrified readers ever since.

A true masterwork of storytelling, Dracula has transcended generation, language, and culture to become one of the most popular novels ever written. It is a quintessential tale of suspense and horror, boasting one of the most terrifying characters ever born in literature: Count Dracula, a tragic, night-dwelling specter who feeds upon the blood of the living, and whose diabolical passions prey upon the innocent, the helpless, and the beautiful. But Dracula also stands as a bleak allegorical saga of an eternally cursed being whose nocturnal atrocities reflect the dark underside of the supremely moralistic age in which it was originally written — and the corrupt desires that continue to plague the modern human condition.

Debbi Mack’s collection offers readers exactly that. Easy reading, investigation style.

All 5 of these stories offer different things; payback, bad timing, deception…but at the same time they are all identical. How? Irony. Mack’s ability to smack her own characters in the face is impressive, and because she weaves a twisted tale BEFORE she does this it makes her stories even more enthralling.

However…the best thing about “5 Uneasy Pieces” is that (with just a few short stories) you are able to get a good clean look into Mack’s writing style.  Is she for you? Can you stand the 500 classic movie references she throws out, and most importantly do you “believe” her self-made glimpses into the world of investigation. If you answered yes, then it enables you to purchase one of her full length novels guilt free. If the answer is no… no big loss, it was only 99 cents and I’m willing to bet you have more than that in your car’s console.

If you like short easy reads…go for it. Why the hell not.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: never give your shrink your address…it’s inevitable that one day they will snap. Do you want them knowing where you sleep?

For a complete book description click image

****~ (4/5)

It’s always a good sign when I have to physically pull myself away from a book to write a blog.  This has not happened to me in a while, and I have to admit… it’s rather refreshing!

The last time I read 4 books in 3 days was when I tackled the Twilight Saga (don’t roll your eyes at me!) Regardless of your feelings, the writing was undeniably captivating and had a way of sucking you in.  Amanda Hocking’s “My Blood Approves” series has successfully accomplished the same thing.

Combine: intrigue/fate/compulsion/and lust, throw in a pinch of hottie vampire, add a dash of vulnerable human and what do you get?  The next big thing, that’s what.

Sometimes my reasons for reading a particular book are… well…just plain retarded, and this time was no different. A few days ago I saw a random twitter post that read “Team Peter T-shirts!” and being the naturally nosy person that I am, I just couldn’t help myself.  Who was this Peter dude, and why in the world does he get his own shirt?  So I did the only rational thing I could think of, I bought the book.

For once that annoying little voice in my head did something right!

Normally this would be the part where I give my own personal synopsis of the book, but since I have read all of them so very quickly I figured I would let Amanda tell you.

Seventeen-year-old Alice Bonham’s life feels out of control after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave hits aside, Jack’s unlike anyone she’s ever met. Then she meets his brother, Peter. His eyes pierce through her, and she can barely breathe when he’s around. Even though he can’t stand the sight of her, she’s drawn to him.  But falling for two very different guys isn’t even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood…

The only real problem I had with any of these novels was in the first 30% of the 1st book.  There were so many similarities to Twilight (sudden appearances in a car to save the day, family vampire setting, and a waitress that just couldn’t stop staring) that after 4 chapters I had to stop making annotations for fear of running out of memory on my Kindle, but thankfully… once the characters were established the story took on a life of its own, and a new world was created.  Hocking’s writing shined brighter the longer I read, and by the end of “My Blood Approves” I was hooked.  The tension created between the “love triangle” was so intense I felt a physical response when reading their dialogue, and the battles both inner and external (and believe me there were some doozies) were expertly plotted.

There were blood whores, pudgy brothers, mangy men from Finland, cracked skulls, one very high-tension moment with a cross, and lots of angst between a house of otherwise lovable creatures.

If you are a vampire enthusiast or would like to know the true meaning of “If you love them let them go” these are a MUST read!

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-its and remember: there are always two sides to every story! (And yes… in case you are wondering, Peter does deserve his own shirt)

For complete book descriptions click image

***** (5/5) <– and that goes for all of them!

Needless to say I was never fully convinced that these “take-downs” where 100% spontaneous (not that it mattered all that much) but now…being the much older, (and I would like to think marginally more intelligent) person that I am, I have decided that yes… these crazy, “I’m-going-to-confront-you-on-late-night-TV” melodramas do actually happen.

When I first picked up “Excuse Me, Miss” by Phillip Thomas Duck, “Cheater’s” is the first thing that popped into my mind. (I had a time warp moment… it was a little scary.)

Victoria (or “V” as her “savior-boss” affectionately addresses her) is a “Sexy Decoy.”  What is that exactly? Well, let’s just say that you think your hubby is shagging his secretary… instead of performing your own home-grown lame version of Sherlock Holmes, (reading text messages while he’s in the shower, or wearing a lame red wig and hiding behind a bush) you can just hire V to hit on him.  Perfect right? Not so much.  On paper the idea is brilliant, but when V’s emotional past starts to rear its ugly head, she suddenly realizes she’s not just lying to the men she’s sent to catch… she’s lying to herself as well.  Will Victoria burn herself in the process of burning someone else… or will help arrive just in time to stop her from self destructing?

When I  started reading EMM my thoughts were, “Wow! This is kinda cool… fun… sassy” and then, all of a sudden it wasn’t.  I was not expecting the dramatic, and pragmatic turn that popped up in the 2nd half of this novel, but that’s not to say it wasn’t well received.  Duck’s writing was a tad elementary in the first several chapters, (over using names, and awkward dialogue) but by the time to novel took it’s turn, so did its fluidity. Chalk it up to the change in structure (conversational to reflective) or even throw out the standby “author found his niche” cliche’, (it really doesn’t matter,) what matters is that it got better the longer I read.  I think the plot was a tad bumpy in places (specifically when detailing her past) and I could have used a little more insight into her “love interest” but, what the hey… I got what I needed and that’s what matters. Let’s just see if Duck can hold onto his groove for any future pieces.

Let’s put this one into the decent summer read column. Fun, sometimes deep, and easy to read.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: If a guy in a green tweed jacket ever approaches you at 2 in the morning and says he “just wants to talk” keep in mind that that is code for… your woman is about to bitch slap you.

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***½~ (3.5/5)

Hello my lovely Kindle-ites!

Today is KindleObsessed’s 1 year Blogiversary and I’m SUPER excited!! Now…before I bore you with the milestones I have reached this year I first wanted to thank all of you who have made KO such a success. Without dedicated readers, and authors like yourself I would not be here; instead I would be just another random chick that reads a lot, and bitches to much, so… *Hugs* to all of you for not only giving me an outlet, but actually listening to my advice on what to read and what to avoid.  This year has been a whirl wind for me, I never expected KO to take off quite like it did, but I don’t regret a single moment of it.  I have met a boat load of talented people, gotten to share opinions with some of the best in the business, and have become friends with people I only every dreamed about. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.  So again…thank you for letting me enjoy the ride!

Much Love! – Misty

These are the milestones I felt warranted a shout out… enjoy!

1 Year of KO History~ 8.22.09 thru 8.22.10

• KO has had 8,139 site visits & and whopping 14,996 pageviews
• Those visits include layovers from over 100 countries and all 52 states (<–that includes Puerto Rico and DC)
• My readers? I have 138 Facebook Fans, 212 Twitter followers, 100 Shelfari friends, 252 Myspacer’s & 50 Amazon subscription holders!
• I have been a featured panelist on Book Chatter with Stacey Cochran twice
• KO won the “Versatile Blogger” award, and was also named #27 in the “50 Awesome Blogs for Kindle Addicts“
• I also had the pleasure of (not only) interviewing 2 very well known authors (Chadda & Shorts) but being interviewed myself by David Wisehart!
• KO has had 226 post and a WHOPPING 128 of those were book reviews!

Paying It Forward

Whew! Ok… now on to the moment you have all been waiting for.  In honor of YOUR dedication to KO over the last year I wanted to give you a little something.  At the end of the week I will make a list of ALL of my FACEBOOK FANS, throw your names into a hat, and randomly pick 9 winners!! What can you win exactly?

A signed copy of:

Or… The AUDIO Version of:

Would you rather have a sassy series about a kick-butt girl? OK… how about this: I have The complete “Alexis Stanton Series” in both Digital and Signed Paperback!

Still not satisfied? Ok… have it your way.

A copy of EVERY KINDLE book in my library!!

What does that mean? Well… it means you will get a digital copy of approximately 128 books!! Scroll to see the list (Or the best list I could provide on short notice… I’m sure I missed a lot + I still have authors sending me copies! *wink Kippoe*)

If you see something you really want be sure to tell me, and if you see something you could care less about, let me know that as well… I would love to give the appropriate people a chance at their desired prize! Also… I still have gifts coming in, so who knows… I may keep adding more gifts, and more chances to win as the week progresses!

Again… thanks so much to ALL of you, and HAPPY READING!

Stephen James Price wrote a prime example of “use-your-imagination- literature.”

“Pages of Promises” is comprised of 15 “dark fiction” short stories boasting anything from a confirmed (*ahem*) hatred of Stephen King to the more literal “You are what you eat.” All are unique in there own way and (I’ll admit) kept me VERY entertained, (and sometimes laughing) but none of these attributes are what caught my eye. Nope, it was Price’s amazing way of letting the READER finish the story.  Each of his tales were detailed without actually being detailed. (Ok… that was a ridiculous statement so let me explain.) Price gives his readers the set up, he gives the characters, and tells the story, but then… right when you are sucked in, and your mind is running a million miles a minute… BAM! He throws a wrench into the plot line, and then stops writing completely.  Normally this would annoy me, (I have thrown my Kindle on more than 1 occasion for this very thing) but for some reason this was the clincher for me.  This is what made me appreciate and love these sometimes quippy, sometimes creepy stories.

On a side note: the horror that was so eloquently expressed in each and every story was only made better with the explanation of their matriculation at the end of the collection.  Knowing the thought process of such off beat stories was almost as entertaining as the stories themselves, and the introduction Price threw as an his preface made me belly laugh. Nice bonus.

Overall: HUGE success, and… (pay attention, this is the important part) a collection that even the newest of horror fans can appreciate.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Sometimes all you need is a “pretty kitty” to solve all of your problems.

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****½ (4.5/5)

Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

What’s Wrong With My Hair?

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Product Description
Lionel is going to a party today, so he must do something about his bad hair. He finds a barber who has lots of crazy suggestions for hairstyles, from dandelion hair to octopus hair! Will Lionel find a style that suits him, and what will be the surprise ending? A head-sized hole in each page allows children to try out Lionel’s hairstyles for themselves, and the back cover has instructions for how to create your own hairstyle.

Nope, simply put… I just wanted to watch the movie. (Which means in “OCD Land” that I had to read the book first.)

My hopes for EPL were a big fat goose egg. I am (admittedly) not that big of a fan of Non-fiction, but the more I read, the more I realized this book was not about 1 one woman’s journey to find the things she felt she had lost, no… this book was a 12 month experience in what your head, and heart can handle if you make up your mind to confront them.

Now, I can’t really breakdown this book in the traditional sense (which is one of the reason’s I choose to avoid novel’s like this) but I can offer you a little insight into how it reads. Elizabeth Gilbert is witty. Amidst the paragraphs of self loathing,  and her search for the perfect meditation mantra she tends to crack jokes at herself.  This is a very good thing, otherwise it would basically be 400 pages of college level psychology classes, and Gandhi talk. Instead… think of this as a week long discovery channel mini-series on the inner workings of traditional and non-traditional prayer, add a dash of pizza obsession, a few (very awkward) banana references and viola, you have Gilbert’s travel journal.

What could have very easily been the most boring book on the planet was actually entertaining, and while yes… Gilbert tends to get a little wordy in places, (oh dear lord please answer MY prayer and make her move on) in the end I didn’t seem to mind so much. The topics in which I was learning about were things  I never (in a million years)  would have guessed myself caring about,  yet I found myself unable to stop reading about them, engrossed by the semblance of them all I guess you could say.

In the end I would concur that my eyes have been opened, my head has been scolded, and my respect for yoga has grown exponentially.

My final thoughts: This book is DEFINITELY not for everyone. If you are one of those people that demand a plot, and could careless for mundane details like; why guru’s have 109 beads on their prayer necklaces, then this book will act like Ambien and lull you to sleep in minutes, but if you are a non-fiction fan, and don’t mind learning a few new things, take a chance on it; you just might find some inner peace yourself.

Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: “Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it.”

***½~ (3.5/5)

Movie Trailer

I read “His Eyes” over a week ago with every intention of writing a review on it, but the later in the week it got, the more I felt ashamed of my views on this particular piece of work, and wanted to spare the author my thoughts.  The story was actually a good one. Well thought out, wonderful characters, believable. “So what’s the problem?” I’m sure your asking.  Ok, I’ll tell you. It needed to “be more.”

Let me explain, (be more is kind of a vague thought) This was the story of a teenage girl and her quest to fund her really expensive college experience.  In order to pad her pockets she does what most would do… she gets a job.  This job however, is not like every other job, (flipping burgers or brewing lattes) no, this job is to be a “babysitter” for a blind boy, (who in a twist turns out to be her age). Now… we all know where this story goes, it’s kind of predictable, (and that’s ok) it’s not always about the ending, sometimes it’s about the journey, but when the journey feels as though it is at warp speed, there is a problem.

As I said before, I didn’t think the book was bad, it was just lacking. Renee Carter created this wonderful world of circumstantial love, she set up her characters, she drew her audience in, and then she just… well… dropped the ball. Just when I started to really get into the story it ended. She waited way to long to introduce her 3rd act, and then only allowed herself roughly 10 pages to clean it up and make it tidy.  Why?  Is there some digital paper Nazi out there I am unaware of? Why would someone take such great care in creating a world, and forming a relationship with her characters just to tap out when things were getting too emotional?

I guess this is something I’ll never understand, or maybe it is something I should just learn to live with…because lately it seems to be the norm, but do you know what gets me most of all? The sadness that erupts from me when I can tell an author just gave up.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: sometimes being honest hurts.

For a complete book description click image.

***~~ (3/5)

I will have a review later today for “His Eyes” and tomorrow will be “Eat Pray Love” but until then I wanted to give you a heads up on some Kindle freebies I found today. Now… I get tons of emails throughout the weeks that say ‘Misty!!! I thought you said these were free, why does it say $9.99?” Well, just because it is free today, does not mean it will be free tomorrow, so if you see something below that peaks your interest be sure and download it TODAY! 1 days worth of dawdling may cost you a free read, and that’s just no fun.

Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Make your own plot… don’t follow someone elses.

A City Gripped By Fear. . .

Seattle newspaper photographer Nick Wilder has snapped his fair share of gruesome homicide scenes. But when a serial killer dubbed the Street Butcher takes his sick crimes to new depths of depravity, Nick finds the case suddenly getting to him in more ways than one. . .

A Killer Who Knows No End. . .

With each new murder Nick is shocked by what he won’t soon forget. But the deeper he digs, the closer he gets to his own disturbing past–and the more he must risk to unmask an unpredictable, deranged psychopath. As the motives multiply and the suspects mount, the cold, stark Seattle winter is about to turn even chillier. . .

Flowers For Elvis is quirky Southern fiction with a literary edge, surprising humor and an uplifting spirit. In 1956, Olivia and her twin sister are born to a nun an old auto parts store turned convent in rural Mississippi. Little Olivia doesn’t survive the day, but her spunky spirit hangs around and takes on the role of ethereal watchdog over her twin. When the Reverend Mother-and holy guilt-convince the nun’s sister (a young pregnant newlywed) to secretly raise the baby as the twin of her own soon-to-be-born child, Olivia realizes the urgency of her presence and support. Not only is her aunt a fanatical Elvis fan, she’s a renegade Southern belle, bent on self-indulgence and desperate to safeguard her multitude of sins. Without revealing which girl is her twin until the end, Olivia takes the reader on a flower strewn tour of misguided love and maternal betrayal which culminates at Elvis’ funeral, where they finally discover the truth of their parentage and unravel the generations of secrets that shadowed their lives.

The Blues were born out of need, anger and pride. Murder comes from those same dark places. Memphis has both. One of Memphis’ most seductive and notorious socialites has vanished. Either she’s off on another drunken escapade or the disappearance is something much more frightening. What begins as an ordinary day’s work for Detective Billy Able quickly grows into a complex spider’s web of tragedy, mystery, suspicion, and sordid secrets including a few of Billy’s own. With the help of Mercy Snow, the estranged sister of the missing socialite, Billy follows a twisted trail of human frailty and corruption to disturbing truths that undermine everything he thought he knew about himself and the people he loves.

How true.

In life we deal with 2 types of pain, emotional and physical. Most of the time the two are mutually exclusive,  however at times they are triggered by the other.  “Willow” by Julia Hoban is just one example of what happens when the inability to control your emotions leads to the compulsion to feel physical relief.

Willow talks to no one, she wears long sleeves regardless of the weather, and she is addicted to pain. Why? because she is a cutter. Unable to deal with the emotional responsibility of  her parents sudden death (that she inadvertently caused) Willow does the only thing she can think…she abolishes her heartache with physical pain, but when a boy named Guy suddenly takes notice of her…and her arms, something snaps.  Will Guy’s intense nature eventually help, or hinder Willow’s little problem? Will Willow ever understand the significance of crying, and if she finally does…will it be enough to stop her destructive behavior?

I know it can sometimes be confusing when I label devastating literature as beautiful… but that’s what it is.  When a book has the ability to make you forget where you are, feel the pain, and love of its characters, and push the boundaries of what is acceptable conversation… it is no longer a book. It is art.  Hoban created a story that was so overwhelming, that at times I felt as if I would explode from the on-slot of sensory overload. The skeletal plot of “Willow” was about love, grief, and understanding… but the lessons in between are what is important: acceptance, compassion, compulsion, redemption, and the ability to let go.  There are several places through-out this novel in which you will hang your head in disbelief, unable to mentally comprehend what is actually happening, and even more moments in which you will find yourself shaking or crying. Let it happen… it’s what keeps you from becoming broken…it’s what keeps you from becoming Willow.

Now, I could write for days, pages of beautiful words to express what I felt for this book… the writing was breathtaking, the plot was wonderful, I fell in love with a damaged girl…but none of it would ever be enough. So it leaves me only one solution,  you will just have to read if for yourself.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: YOU create your own paradise, and your own prison.

For a complete book description click image.

***** (5/5)

I’m sorry! Can you ever forgive me? I have been so focused on cleaning out my inbox lately that I have been a tad bit neglectful towards you.  Well… the buck stops here, and to prove it… I have put together a list for you.  Here are the biggest of the big slated to come out in the next few  months.  Most of them can be pre-ordered for your Kindle, all of them can be pre-ordered in hardback.  So, here is to making amends, and forging a new path.  My promise to you is this. Every 3rd book I review will be a paranormal. Guaranteed. (Because to be honest… I kind of miss them too.)

Click the book Image for additional details, Click the TITLE to view the book trailer.

Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: I love you

2010 End of the Year Paranormal Must Buys!

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Release Date 8.31.10

Cameron Dawson just wants a little peace and quiet. Hoping to escape his tortured past, he moves back to his childhood home in Faith, but when bodies start piling up at the morgue, Cameron suddenly realizes his dreams of peace have morphed into the stuff nightmares are made of.

Kyle Bancroft doesn’t have a clouded past… she “sees” everybody else’s. Finding herself haunted by a little girl with a dark secret, her generic “Dr.”  life starts to spin out of control, but cryptic messages or not, Kyle is determined to come up with an answer and set her companion free… even if it kills her.

Is Kyle’s mystery girl the answer to all of Cameron’s question? Will Cameron even believe such a wild accusation, and if he does… is there anyway to stop his little town from tearing itself apart?

I’m going to be honest, (deep breath) I have been sitting here for over an hour trying to think of something to say about this book, a way to breakdown the characters… explain the narrative and plot sequences, but for once I am speechless.  (Yes… shocker, I know) It’s not often that I find myself in this situation, and it’s a little unsettling, but alas… here I am.  The fact is…I would have been completely content with this review being 1 sentence long.

“This book is the best book I have read in months”

(But then you would have labeled me lazy, and scolded me for my lack of originality… so here is the best I can offer you.)

If you are looking for expertly written characters,  a murder mystery that (not only) reads like a movie in your head, but is so twisted that you almost need a piece of paper to keep the players straight… this one is for you.  “While The Savage Sleeps” is not only a story that keeps you guessing “who” the entire time… but also adds that unexpected element of “what” as well, and even when you think you have if figured out, chances are you don’t. The best part? The last 10% when something inside of you clicks, and you realize you care about the characters. (Oh the horror.)

So what does this mean for you? Simple.  You are out $2.99 cause this one is a must read.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: There is no such thing as harmless.

For a complete book description click image

***** (5/5)

A few days ago I felt like I was kicked in the back (see Days of Grace review) so diving into a fast paced suspense was (to put it mildly) refreshing.

If your older brother’s parting words were “If something bad should happen to me contact…” what would you do? Well, for Emily (a children’s book illustrator with no clue as to who her brother actually is) the answer would be “hop a plane to Brazil and get him back.” Armed with nothing more that a name (Christovao Santos) and cluelessness as to where to go next, Emily does the only thing she can think of… scrounge up a gun, and starts asking questions. Bad plan? Yes. Dropping like a fly due to fever, and exhaustion, Emily suddenly finds herself on the opposite side of the gun. Unsure of her surroundings, but clear of her intentions, she uses the only thing left in her arsenal… her power of persuasion. Is her brother really who these mysterious men say he is? What really went on Africa, and… is that a gun toting nun?

A few years ago I would have been afraid to touch this book. Not because of the synopsis (which was a little wordy for my taste) or even the meshing of genres (Romance and Suspense,) the killer for me would have been the author. (Don’t freak Sharon… I’m not specifically talking about you) In the past I have noticed a trend with female suspense writers, they find it hard to turn off the mush. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is necessary to have intimate interaction between characters to help build suspense, and rooting for specific outcomes on multiple levels is engaging, but in order to successfully pull off a suspense novel the author must maintain a certain level of mystery through-out their plot. Thankfully… Sharon Garner did exactly that. Great concept… better execution.

The only significant hiccup I found was the ending (yes.. I know I’m spouting cliché’s) Where the writing was solid, and fluid through the first 85% of the novel, it seemed sloppy, and a little forced in the last few pages, (as if Garner was scrambling to get the book done) There were a few scenes that seemed rushed, and others that seemed slow, but all in all, the emotional “baggage” created by Garner for her characters (grief/apprehension/duty/desire) only added fuel to an already blazing fire, and in the end kept me from wanting to put it down. In my eyes that equals success.

There were hidden files, sexy Lambadas, people jumping from ceiling tiles, angry African men with swords, and one very sleazy man with blonde hair and a dirty mouth.

Conclusion: This one is a keeper kiddies… get it, live it, love it… pass it on.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: when in doubt… shout it out.

For a complete book description click image

***½~ (3.5/5)

Afternoon Everyone!!!

When I first read the slip cover for “Days of Grace” I picked up two very distinctive things,

1.  Struggling with the affects of war through the eyes of a 12 year old girl

2.  Experiencing the inner turmoil of a lost love

but when it was all said and done, when I closed the back cover, and switched off the light, it occurred to me that what I got was so much more.

Troubled with the idea of loosing her daughter unnecessarily to war, Nora’s mother does the unthinkable… offers her up as an evacuee, and plops her on a train bound for the country, however, what her mother sees as a selfless act of sacrifice, Nora saw as abandonment.  Unsure of herself (or her surroundings) Nora’s mind starts to run wild, that is until she meets Grace.  As a girl who is used to running free (and getting her way) Grace teaches Nora a whole world of things she never knew existed… books, beauty, and love… but when Nora’s love continues to go unrequited, and her life suddenly starts to take a direct left, the place that she lovingly started to refer to as home, is not so welcoming anymore.  In an effort to escape an unhealthy situation, and take control of her own future, Nora decides to runaway.  With Grace, dutifully by her side, the two girls set out to experience the other side of life… the war torn, desolate streets of London. Will their love for each other be enough to battle the forces around them, will the shady side of their new home tear them apart, and will Nora ever accomplish the most challenging feat of all… forgiving herself for the things she has done for love?

“Catherine Hall” did exactly the opposite of what I expected in this novel… she focused on the negative.  This story was not about WWII, or even an enduring friendship for that matter, what is was… was a story about a young girl so desperate for a family, that her own conscience created a mutilated web of abandonment issues, and internal punishment.  The fact that Hall used such a significant, (and life altering) war as her backdrop only added fuel to the already abundant turmoil.  Now… does the fact that this novel is so blatantly depressing mean that I disliked like it?  No… on the contrary,  the writing (for being a debut novel) was quiet impressive.  The plot was split into 2 eras, both boasting the same narrative voice (Nora) but both in very different times in their life.  Writing in this way not only allowed the reader to experience Nora’s emotional unsteadiness as a young girl, but also allowed the reader to connect to her on a deeper level, as her age gave way to unfiltered thoughts of the past.  The character development was astounding, (there was no way the story could have possibly made sense without it) but the thing that caught my interest was Hall’s very straight forward way of relaying details. There were no paragraphs of flowery descriptives, letters of profession, or even filler chapters (which so many new authors rely on) instead, you had a straight forward plot, with a straight forward objective, with just enough twist to keep the reader from taking unscheduled trips in their own head.

Do I think this book is for everyone? No.  The novel, as a whole, was well written, but remains a difficult read, and though it’s lovely (in its own way) it remains sad. Only those truly dedicated to literary structure, and an artfully crafted story need apply, I’m afraid that everyone else will find it to much to handle, and consequently… be unhappy with the book as a whole.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Sometimes it’s healthier to love the attainable, than to destroy our lives with the untouchable.

Click for a completed book description

***½~ (3.5/5)

Now, on to the good stuff. Since this is the final week I decided to shake things up.  Several of you (shakes head in shame) have let it slip that you haven’t read the classic “Pride & Prejudice” and while I refuse to give away my copy (it’s kinda falling apart anyways) I decided to share my love with you in a new medium.  Recently Marvel has started adapting classic novels into GRAPHIC novels and they are FANTASTIC!! So in order to spread the comic book love I am giving 1 lucky winner the trade paperback version of P&P (aka… all five issues, beautifully hardbound and ready for reading.) All you need to do to be qualified is comment below and viola’

Happy reading!! Misty

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife… Tailored from the adored Jane Austen classic, Marvel Comics is proud to present Pride & Prejudice! Two-time Rita Award-Winner Nancy Butler and fan-favorite Hugo Petras faithfully adapt the whimsical tale of Lizzy Bennet and her lovable-if-eccentric family, as they navigate through tricky British social circles. Will Lizzy’s father manage to marry off her five daughters, despite his wife’s incessant nagging? And will Lizzy’s beautiful sister Jane marry the handsome, wealthy Mr. Bingley, or will his brooding friend Mr. Darcy stand between their happiness? Collects Pride & Prejudice #1-5.

Here are a few examples of the Art Work

(Click to enlarge)

(Click the Image to get more details!)

Brown, author of the Navy Justice Series and a former U.S. Navy lawyer, has written a book destined to top Christian fiction lists. A rogue Indonesian general and his army of terrorists attack oil tankers in the Strait of Malacca in order to profit from oil futures and buy nuclear weapons to establish an Islamic superpower. Navy JAG officers Zack Brewer and Diane Colcernian race against the odds and a 24-hour deadline before nuclear attacks hit the United States. Departing from the sea of books barely better than soap opera romance and using the frantic pacing of suspense fiction, Brown glides flawlessly among global hotspots of terrorism–including the United States–and the book’s principal settings in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The plot surges headlong with energy; characters–from various cultures–are both believable and accessible; rich dialogue flows. A Bible-quoting evangelical Christian president in the war room is over the top, and while evangelical hot-button issues may please some readers and turn others off, Brown has penned another winner.
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From an extraordinary new voice in fiction comes a haunting, powerful novel about mothers and daughters, choice and regret, the mistakes we make and the ones we hope we can correct before it’s too late.

Nothing much ever happens in Falling Rock, Kentucky. So when Virginia Lemmons’ husband takes off in his Trans Am to take up with a beautician, there’s not much to do but what people in rural Kentucky have always done–get on with it. Now, overwhelmed and unsure, Virginia’s got her hands full trying to keep it together, body and soul, while raising her two teenage kids–eighteen-year-old son, Will, and her spirited fourteen-year-old daughter, Shannon.

But Shannon has her own ideas for breaking free of Falling Rock, and in her reckless, wild-child daughter, Virginia sees echoes of herself and her own painful past. She’ll do whatever it takes to keep her daughter from making the same tragic mistakes, and saving what’s left of her fragile family just may be the biggest fight of Virginia’s life.

In this compelling, heartbreaking first novel, Janna McMahan brings to authentic life the dreams, passions, and troubles of one southern town, where choice isn’t always easy to come by, and living the hand you’re dealt with is a grace all its own.

“A beautifully wrought novel populated by a vivid cast of characters. . .Janna McMahan takes us completely into the lives of these people and their small town, presenting this world with authenticity and dignity. I absolutely loved this book and will carry it with me for a long time.” –Silas House

Sixteen-year-old Nathan Shepherd has a great life traveling where the careers of his father, an investigator, and mother, a renowned violinist, take him … until his parents are found murdered. Left with only a mirror and notes from his father’s last case, Nathan goes into hiding at the remote country home of Tony, his father’s college buddy, and Tony’s teenage daughter, Kelly. The mysterious mirror must be a clue to what happened to his parents, and when images appear in it—people and things that don’t exist—Nathan and Kelly painstakingly gather evidence. But the killers want the mirror too, and danger threatens the teens at every turn. As it becomes evident that Nathan’s father had stumbled upon dark forces at work in the world, several questions arise. Could it be that the mirror is a portal to a parallel world? Could this technology be used for evil purposes? And could his parents still be alive, trapped in another dimension? Nathan and Kelly struggle to solve the mystery before they too become victims. This chilling, hair-raising adventure is jam-packed with action in a fantastical world where nothing is as it seems, and even mirrors tell lies.

Grief. Hope. Love. Sword fights. And the crisp glory of fried okra. Ex-cocktail waitress and “convenience story professional” Eudora “Pea” O’Brien is filled with grief and regret, low on cash and all alone. Headed down the hot, dusty back roads of central Texas, Pea is convinced she’ll find a sign leading her to the reincarnated soul of the sister who raised her. A sign that she’s found her place in the world of the living again. At least that’s what the psychic promised. In an unforgettably funny and poignant journey, Pea collects an unlikely family of strays-a starving kitten, a pregnant teenager, a sexy con man trying to go straight, and a ferocious gun dealer named Glory, who introduces Pea to the amazing, sword-wielding warrior goddesses of Texas author Robert E. Howard-creator of the Conan the Barbarian novels-and celebrated in festival every year. Six foot tall, red-headed Pea looks good with a sword in her hand. Glory, the goddesses, and a grandmotherly café owner become Pea’s unlikely gurus as she struggles to learn swordplay and the art of perfect fried okra. She’ll have to master both if she’s going to find what matters most-her own lost soul. “Jean Brashear writes with warmth and emotion truth. The depth of her understanding of human nature marks her as a writer to watch, a writer to read and a writer to enjoy.” –Debbie Macomber, #1 NY Times Bestselling Author “THE GODDESS OF FRIED OKRA is a fabulous read. Riveting. Original. Those characters grabbed my imagination and didn’t let go.” –Cathy Maxwell, NY Times Bestselling Author