Book Review: Finding Monsters

Finding Monsters

                       By Liss Thomas

Book Description:
Monsters are real but they're not what we'd expect. Their realm lays hidden only to be found in darkness. They watch their humans, the little ones and keep them from the dark portals leading to their world. To touch is forbidden... but not all follow the rules.
Missy has been fighting to live her entire life, but when she finds herself in a realm of unique and sometimes deadly monsters, she discovers just how much of a survivor she really is. Accidentally transferred to this mysterious realm by her monster and only friend, Charlie, he finds himself weak and unable to protector her. The only way she can defend herself and him, is to become a monster herself. But an unknown dark stalker watches her progress and if he steals her power, he will unleash a scourge on both his world and the world she left behind.

My Review:
Finding Monsters is a Young Adult novel, but don't let that discourage you from reading it. It's well written, has great characters, and the story is a great one. Liss Thomas definitely hit it out of the ballpark with this story. It's well written, has a great plot, and the characters are really like-able.

 I can honestly say I've never read anything like this before. We are taught all our lives that monsters are scary, bad, and evil. All they want to do is come steal us away from our families and take us to who knows where. Well in "Finding Monsters" Liss Thomas changes that perception with one of the main characters, Charlie. Charlie is a sweet monster who is in charge of the portal linking earth to the monster world hidden under Missy's bed. He watches over the portal, but of course also watches over Missy during that time. Missy has had cancer her entire life and just has one wish...to be a normal teenager. When her time comes Charlie thinks he can make that dream come true. Sadly, with one kiss Charlie seals both of their fates. With that one kiss Charlie and Missy become bonded and when Missy starts to die so does he.

The first half of the book was a bit slow, but there was never a moment where I felt I was bored with the story. I still wanted to know what was going to happen next. The second half definitely went a lot faster when Missy is pushed into the monster realm. Missy has to fight for herself and for Charlie, and who knows if she can do it.

Well actually I know, but if you want to know then you'll have to read the book for yourself. If you'd like to buy it for yourself then check out the link below. At $0.99 cents you can't pass it up, it's such a great read that is totally safe for your young teen.

Amazon.com: Finding Monsters




Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Book Review: Sheep!

Sheep

by

Martin D Rothery

Remember that hilarious book I reviewed a while back called, "Cows". Yup this is also written by the same author and is just as funny. Now I do think Martin Rothery has an unhealthy obsession with barnyard animals. I honestly don't know what went through his mind when he wrote these books. They're crazy and unbelievably ridiculous and that's what makes them so great. It's okay to have fun sometimes and read something that isn't educational and won't forward your career in some way. Well I guess if your job has to do with talking sheep and cows going up against humans, well this book is perfect for you!

Seriously, Martin D Rothery is the best animal psychic I've ever heard of. Psychics are the ones that talk to things, correct? Well either way he happens to be able to see into the minds of barnyard animals, aka dinner. Yea, that's right I said dinner, although it wasn't always that way. There was a time where cows and sheep ruled the world! Yea I know it's hard to see a hamburger and lamb chop leading anything, but it's true. Martin R got it straight out of the sheep's mouths. This book is a must read if you're wanting to find out the real history of man.

Okay so it's not really a reference type book and shouldn't really be taken seriously. Sheep and cows are known to be sworn enemies, everyone knows that. Sheep just happen to keep cows around because they offer protection. You know if you are going up against a human, who do you think will look more appetizing? The tiny little furball or a delicious huge steak? Yea, I thought so. I almost felt so horrible when the cows and sheep started dropping like flies when man first realized they would be good to eat...almost. Oh and if you think football was a human creation, think again. You've also probably never even noticed how sneaky sheep and cows are because of...camouflage. Yup, another thing you thought men came up with.

Martin D Rothery really brings barnyard animals to life in such a funny way. You will definitely be cracking up throughout the book. It's well written and I would highly recommend it as a great summer read. I would read this book before reading Cows!  because it kind of touches on some of the things found in that book. Of course there is no problem in reading this one second just as long as you read it.

Extra Links:
Follow Sheep on Facebook: Click Here
Check out Fishcake Publishing for more great books: Click Here


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Book Review: Haven - A Stranger Magic

So I couldn't wait to read Haven: A Stranger Magic and I can assure you it definitely did not disappoint. I downloaded the book for my kindle, but it never even made it there. I opened it up on my pc to read while I "worked" on some blogging. I thought it would be a nice break in between typing up stuff and editing photos. Let's just say that I've been typing up and editing photos today because they never got done yesterday. Once I got started reading I couldn't stop, it had caught me.

The books starts off pretty quickly with you meeting Sam Dolcome, who is a seemingly ordinary teenager. At 13 his life is just regular, everything is regular for him. His frustrations about being just a regular kid are really prevalent throughout the book. It's almost a restlessness inside himself that just wants more. In a way it's no different from any other teenager who feels that they can take the world head on and conquer it. There is a major obstacle in that whole idea though...a secret. A secret that Sam's mother has kept from him and from his older sister Sarah.

Sarah is another great character who I think most people would love to hate. She is the typical popular girl with the typical attitude to go along with it. She is rude and mean to everyone and anyone and yet because of her looks she gets away with it. Now don't think that Sarah likes it that way because she really doesn't. You find that she is just as lost as Sam is and just wants to be a regular girl. She is far from regular though and I don't mean her pretty looks. Let's just say that water, anger, and her equals no bueno.

Another key player in the story is Travis who seems to have a great nose for chocolates. Seriously I thought I had a thing for chocolate. Travis is a bit of a geek, loves sci-fi and has a touch of ADD. He and Sam are best friends, which we all know its great to have friends especially when you're being chased by a horde of spiders.

Towards the end of the book D.C. Akers finally reveals the secret and why the kids' mother wants so desperately to keep it that way. There is some dark people coming and I know it'll only get better so I'm waiting for book two to be finished. This was a great story that was well written, the characters are well developed and likeable, the story is believable as well. I know its a story about magic, but D.C. Akers does a great job of really bringing it to life. It's a story that could take place in my neighborhood which would be totally cool.

Now while I did get my copy to review for free you can purchase Haven: A Stranger Magic over on Amazon.com. And... it's only $0.99! Seriously it should be worth so much more because its a great book.


About The Author:

Like many who enjoy the fantasy genre, Akers started reading it as an adolescent. He was fascinated with Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Bram Stoker's Dracula. He currently enjoys reading works by Dean Koontz, Heather Brewer, J.K. Rowling, and Rick Riordan.

Akers enjoys creating a fantasy world with compelling storylines, while injecting humor and a touch of drama into the action as he did with his first book Terra Vonnel and the Skulls of Aries, which has received rave reviews.

"I start every story with this thought: Where can I take my audience now? To me it's about the journey, the escape into a world filled with the fantastic and the unexpected. There is nothing like an adventure that takes you further from reality with every turn of the page."

D.C. Akers was born in Texas and attended Crowley High School. After spending several years working in accounting, Akers began to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a writer.

Website: www.dc-akers.com
Facebook: FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorDCAkers
Twitter: @DC_Akers





I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Legend of the Oceina Dragon Book Review

Legend of the Oceina Dragon

by JF Jenkins

Synopsis:
Lord Oceina approaches the island Of Oceina when it is time for the giving of a sacrifice. This sacrifice enables the island people to live without fear of the other dragons nearby, and live life without worrying about the lives of their people.

The sacrifice must be a virgin, no older than 18 years old, of pure blood; this sacrifice is given to Lord Oceina as a trade for peace, safety and protection for the island residents. The residents find the sacrifice is just and acceptable and even the bearer considers them self to be worthy and special to be chosen. They approach their day of sacrifice to only find it is not what the past has portrayed but a whole different meaning to the word sacrifice.

There are four dragon species, representing different elements and each having their own qualities and abilities which are indescribably mystical.

Darien is the youngest of his species, Lord Oceina being his father hands Darien his sacrifice on his 18th birthday. His birthday gift if you may call it that - her name is Tai. A sacrifice I'm sure they will both remember.


My Review:
I've read a few of J.F. Jenkins books and this one definitely doesn't disappoint. I really love reading books that are in a series because I think it allows the reader time to get to know a particular character. J.F. Jenkins does an excellent job on allowing the characters enough room for growth as well as the plot. It is a YA romance novel, but it shouldn't be labeled with just that because its full or mystery and suspense. 

The characters are well thought out and really likeable. The setting is amazing and I would love to see into the mind of J.F. Jenkins because I don't know how she came up with Oceina.

Darien was a great character and my favorite in the book. He is definitely a great guy and I can't wait to read more about him and to see how he matures, because he has a lot on his plate. 

Tai is just a regular girl and is chosen to be the "sacrifice" to the dragon king. She obviously doesn't know what that means and ends up having a hatred for Darien even before she meets him. Talk about being confused when she finds herself falling in love with the "enemy". That's always a fun time isn't it?

I can't wait to read the next installment in the series and hope it is as good as this book, although I'm sure it will be.

You can find J.F. Jenkins books over on Amazon.com: HERE
Also at Barnes & Noble: HERE

Book Review: Glitter Kiss

 GLITTER KISS

Glitter Kiss focuses on a teenage girl named, Tinka. Tinka is made fun of because of rumors being spread about her. One day she is walking around and meets up with Sylvia. Sylvia is another teenager who can read palms and tells Tinka she has special powers. A weird event transpires, which for some reason neither of them think anything about. Tinka then goes to the mall and purchases a pretty, glittery lip gloss. This is when it gets really interesting! Tinka meets up with her boyfriend, Jason, and they share a nice little SECRET kiss. You see Jason doesn't want people to know he is dating Tinka because then he would ruin his rep or something.

It's the Kiss!

Anyway, Jason definitely gets his because he wakes up to a huge change in himself. What was really surprising is that even after the change his mother made it seem like all was normal. Also what was weird was that the school was so accepting of it as well and just went on like nothing had happened. This part wasn't very realistic, but then again its a story and hell anything can happen in stories. Either way Jason finds out real quick that girls don't have it so easy, and that our lives are full or torment and other bad stuff. Also Jason finds he isn't alone as the "ailment" spreads to a few of his friends.

Overall the message was good, the drawing was good, and the story was well put together. I liked it and I think you guys will too!

Disclaimer: I received this book in order to do a review courtesy of Netgalley, all opinions are my own and no further compensation was given.

Ghosts in the Graveyard Book Review

 

 BY KIM BOWMAN

The story focuses on three young children living in a home by a graveyard. Every year the ghosts leave the graveyard and go into their home. This obviously frightens the thee kids, but they won't go down without a fight. Their names are Jack, Charlie, and Millie and they decide that they can fight the ghosts themselves. Of course they can't tell their mom because they'd be in heaps of trouble.

The boys come up with some crazy concoctions to fight the ghosts with. Let's just say I wouldn't want to get covered in that stuff, no way! Well needless to say they get caught by there mother after they made a huge mess of the house. The good thing is that she ends up seeing the ghosts for herself and that makes them come together as a family. As a family they're able to chase away the intruders at least until the next year.

It was a great short read that really threw me for a loop at the end. I really had no clue that it would end the way it did. So if you're looking for a great short read then head on over to Amazon.com and get a copy of Ghosts in the Graveyard for just $0.99. Then while you're there you can check out the other books that Kim Bowman has written.

Halflings by Heather Burch Book Review

Halflings by Heather Burch

Synopsis: After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with. 

A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.


My Review:
I received this book I instantly started reading it. Although it is full of cliches it was still a good read for me.

The book is about 17yr old Nikki who is a blackbelt in karate and is a painter. She leads a normal life until one day she is chased by hellhounds and is saved by three young guys. These guys named Vine, Raven, and Mace are all half angel and half human. They are sent to protect Nikki from all the evil badness that is after her.Nikki apparently is very important that she would need three guys who are half Angel and half human to protect her. It's got some good fights and a bit of adventure mixed in with the romance. The romance isn't too bad though which is great for me because other YA romance books have a little too much romance.

The thing I didn't really like is that the characters lack substance. I'm hoping that in the next book that they are developed more. It isn't as sappy as other paranormal love stories...*gag* sparkly vampires *gag* but it is on the edge. I also don't like how easily Nikki falls in love with any guy that shows any real interest in her. Mace: You're so beautiful - swoon. Raven: You painted the broken pot - swoon. Bad Guy that was so memorable that I forgot his name - swoon! Yea hopefully she grows out of that real soon.

While it wasn't the greatest book I've read it wasn't the worst. I think it is going to be a personal choice on whether you love it or hate it. I personally didn't hate it. I'll also be reviewing Guardian which is the second book in the series. I can't wait to see what new enemies show up to fight against them.

*Disclaimer: I recieved a copy of this book from Zondervan to read and review. No other compensation provided.