Review ~ The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Title: The Winner's Curse
Author: Marie Rutkoski

Copyright: 2014
Type:  YA, fantasty
Pages: 355
Series: yes

1. The Winner's Curse 

2. The Winner's Crime

3. The Winner's Kiss

Reason for Reading: 

First and foremost the cover is beautiful secondly it just sounded interesting and I couldn't pass it up. 

Summary:

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love...

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.  .

Thoughts:

This was one of those books that I didn't anticipate to be so good. I sat down and started reading it. I have to say I even rolled my eyes a few times at Kestrel and her typical story plot. Then the next thing I realized it was 11 pm and I had finished the book and was ordering the 2nd in the trilogy. I was completely blown away with not only the story but also how much I had come to care for the characters. I liked that Kestrel was strategically smart but not physically a warrior. I liked that she knew this and overcame her obstacle by using her mind and not bronze. I came to appreciate Arin and how he was, who he was, and how he came to be the person that Kestrel will eventually fall in love with. I love the fact that while it was a Romeo and Juliet it wasn't they both live in a world of choices and Kestrel and Arin are going to have to get past this and their past in order to make it in the future. I have to admit the ending and cliff hanger-ish kind of upset me but it did make me want to read the 2nd book and after all isn't that the point of an ending?

Goodreads: 4 out of 5 stars

Would you recommend this book to others? It took me by complete surprise I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. I ended up reading it in one night. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA fantasy.

Review ~ Dead Man's Hand by George R.R. Martin & John Jos Miller

​

Title: Dead Man's Hand

Author: George R.R. Martin

Copyright: 2017

Genre: Fantasy

Reason for Reading: Um it's George...R....R... Martin

Synopsis 

Wild Cards now in development for TV! Dead Man's Hand combines the writing talents of George R. R. Martin & John Jos. Miller

Chrysalis, the glass-skinned queen of the Joker underworld, has been found brutally murdered in her popular restaurant, the Crystal Palace. New two men are out to find her killer: Jay Ackroyd, the Ace private investigator who discovered her ruined body, and the vigilante archer known as the Yeoman, who has been framed for the crime.

Their quest leads them on a nightmare odyssey of madness, violence, passion, and political intrigue that will forever alter the fates of Aces and Jokers everywhere.

Experience this gripping tale of mystery and suspense, brought to you from the incredible imaginations of George R. R. Martin and John Jos. Miller in their first collaborative novel.

Thoughts:
I have to say that I had no idea this was book 7 until I was done and I can't wait to go back and read all the series. It was that good. As far as a TV show that will be on the to watch list. I loved the characters Jay Ackroyd  and Yeoman were fascinating. I liked the overall story and how it weaved together. There were twists and turns I didn't expect and I enjoyed that. I didn't feel like I was missing out by not reading the others in this series but it is a series I would check out.  

Grade 4 out of 5
Would I recommend: yes

EXPLORE THE WILD CARDS UNIVERSE

An alien virus has changed the course of history, and the surviving population of Manhattan struggles to understand the new world left in its wake. Natural humans share the rough city with those given extraordinary--and sometimes terrifying--traits. While most manage to coexist in an uneasy peace, not everyone is willing to adapt.

Wild Cards I
Wild Cards II: Aces High
Wild Cards III: Jokers Wild
Wild Cards IV: Aces Abroad
Wild Cards V: Down and Dirty
Wild Cards VI: Ace in the Hole
Inside Straight
Busted Flush
Suicide Kings
Fort Freak
Lowball
High Stakes

The Wild Cards Are Coming…to Television! Read More About it HERE!

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Praise for WILD CARDS VII: DEAD MAN'S HAND

“Perhaps the most original and provocative of the shared worlds books.” —Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn

"Delicious...Everything I hoped for in a new Wild Cards book. The character interactions and plot twists have exactly the complexity, surprise, and unsentimental realism I'd expect out of a George R. R. Martin project." —Austin Grossman, author of Soon I Will be Invincible on Inside Straight

“This is a wild ride of good, blood-pumping fun that packs a surprisingly emotional punch for a book that looks on the surface like just another superhero adventure.” —Publishers Weekly on High Stakes

"Martin has assembled an impressive array of writers. . . . Progressing through the decades, Wild Cards keeps its momentum to the end." —Locus

"The shared-world series known as Wild Cards has had a long and illustrious history of contributors and achievements." —SciFi.com

"Highly recommended." —SFRevu on Lowball

“Emotionally powerful. Wild Cards deals up the variety of short fiction without losing the continuity of a novel.”—The Seattle Times

“A delightfully imaginative speculation.”—The Toronto Star

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

George R.R. Martin was born September 20, 1948 in Bayonne, New Jersey. His father was Raymond Collins Martin, a longshoreman, and his mother was Margaret Brady Martin. He has two sisters, Darleen Martin Lapinski and Janet Martin Patten.

Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin’s first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: “The Hero,” sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.

In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.

As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.

In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.

Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.

Martin’s present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers’ Guild of America, West.
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS | WEBSITE |

Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison

John Jos. Miller has published nine novels, and more than 20 short stories and 6 comic book scripts. He also wrote GURPS Wild Cards, a supplement for the GURPS role-playing system published in 1989, and two Wild Cards world books and histories from Green Ronin.
GOODREADS | WEBSITE |

Photo Content from John Jos. Miller

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Review ~ Black Dawn by Mallory McCartney

Title: Black Dawn
Author: Mallory McCartney
Pages: 180
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Series: I believe it will be

Reason for Reading: I was given an ARC to read from Chapter by Chapter books as a tour host

Summary: 
The end of an Empire, The rise of a Queen

Emory Fae enjoys leading a quiet, normal life. That is until two mysterious, and handsome soldiers show up at her apartment, and the life she knew is instantly whisked away. Memphis Carter and Brokk Foster come from the magical and war ridden world of Kiero, and upon Emory's arrival she will discover she is the long lost heir to the Royal Line and is thrown into the Black Dawn Rebellion with a dynamic role to ignite the rebels and reclaim her throne. 

With both men being darkly woven in her past Emory uncovers hidden secrets, a power held long dormant, and will soon realize there are worse things than supernatural humans, love, loss, betrayal, and a Mad King.

Some things are better left in the shadows.

Thoughts

It was slow go and confusing at the beginning due to all the different POVs going on and I it started in a weird place. Especially being put in the middle of the story having to discover all at once where the we are and where we are heading. So that was a little jarring. There are a lot of interesting creatures and backgrounds happening in the beginning. Once you catch on to who is who and what side is what and how this is happening the story makes it interesting. As much as I am making it sound complicated it actually didn't take long to figure out what to do and who is who. I did enjoy the fantasy aspect of this book and the interesting parts.
The story is very original and not like anything I have ever read. The characters are strong and independent and move fluid together. This story is very interesting and I have to say something that I totally enjoyed. After reading this book I can see that it will be a series of books due to how it reads. The villain is actually complicated enough to make you believe he is a villain and not cheesy so that you don't roll your eyes every time you see his name. I have to say this is definitely a book I enjoyed reading. 
Grade: 3 out of 5 stars 
Would I recommend: yes

Link to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33851538-black-dawn  

Purchase Links:

BAM | Chapters | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

Link to Tour Schedule:

http://www.chapter-by-chapter.com/tour-schedule-black-dawn-by-mallory-mccartney/  

Giveaway Details:

·        Three (3) winners will receive a signed copy of Black Dawn by Mallory McCartney (INT)

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Mallory McCartney currently lives in London, Ontario with her husband and their two dachshunds Link and Lola. Black Dawn is her debut novel, the first in a series. When she isn’t working on her next novel or reading, she can be found dog grooming, book shopping and hiking. Other favorite pastimes involve reorganizing perpetually overflowing bookshelves and seeking out new coffee and dessert shops.

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Excerpt 

Jaxson sat on a wooden perch, his chin resting on his hands as he stared longingly onto the horizon. She spoke softly, “Go to bed, Jaxson, I have it from here.”

Snapping to attention, he jumped slightly, not having heard her come in. “Nyx, you scared me a bit there. How are you?”

She winked at him. “Needing some starlight and an endless night.”

Nodding solemnly, Jaxson hopped down. Before leaving, he placed a burly hand on her shoulder. “We have to be prepared not to give up hope. For Alby.”

His words were like a weight anchoring onto the ocean floor. Nyx climbed up on the perch as Jaxson left, the door swinging closed behind him. Nyx closed her eyes. She could move forward with this. It was already too late. She had pushed Memphis to make his decision. He believed in Emory like he had never believed in her. He had and would always choose Emory. Her chin wobbled as her eyes snapped open. There was no going back now. She silently said goodbye to the man she loved as her eyes searched the land stretching out in front of her. To her left, the woods, and beyond that, an escarpment of mountain terrain…and Adair. It was as simple as breathing as Nyx reached out, her mind brushing against a thousand consciousnesses. A thousand whispers sounded back to her. She searched only for one. She didn’t have to wait long.

Review ~ Tick Tock Man by R.M. Clark

Title: Tick Tock Man
Author: R.M. Clark
Genre: young adult fantasy
Format: Ebook

Reason for Reading: This book was offered as an ARC from Chapter by Chapter and I thought it sounded interesting after reading the summary

Summary:
When the clocks in town stop, thirteen-year-old CJ discovers an unusual "clock world" where most of the citizens are clock parts, tasked with keeping the big clocks running. But soon the seemingly peaceful world is divided between warring factions with CJ instructed to find the only person who can help: the elusive Tick Tock Man. With the aid of Fuzee, a partly-human girl, he battles gear-headed extremists and razor-sharp pendulums in order to restore order before this world of chimes, springs, and clock people dissolves into a massive time warp, taking CJ's quiet New England town with it.

Thoughts:
I have to say the premise alone got me interested! By the 3rd chapter I was hooked. There is enough stuff happening throughout this book that once you pick it up you can't help, but want to finish it. CJ is an interesting character in the fact that he keeps getting sucked into clocks! Add to it he is the one that discovers all the clocks are stuck at 2 in town and yet he's the only one that can see it. When you throw in that the gears in the clocks are actually citizens that can talk a half human half gear girl... well needless to say you are on a not stop adventure.
I was worried with the age of the character (13) that it would be a teenage drama fest and full of discovering ones self. While there is a time and place for that I don't enjoy reading about it all the time. This book was a discover who you are and what you can muster but in a fun light way with a lot of action to boot. I enjoyed watching CJ grow a little throughout the book without having to go through the whoa is me trials.
Fuzee is also a fun character to learn about and discover as her role becomes ever so important when CJ sets off to find the "Tick Tock Man" the only one who can help with the "warring factions" This book is absolutely delightful and a quick read.

Goodreads Grade: 4 out of 5 stars
Would I recommend: Yes


Tour Date: May 1-5, 2017 (Please note that tour posts must be up by 08:00 hours EST)
Link to Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32902825-the-tick-tock-man
Purchase Links: Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Indies | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

Link to Tour Schedule: http://www.chapter-by-chapter.com/tour-schedule-the-tick-tock-man-by-r-m-clark/

Giveaway Details: One (1) winner will receive this kid’s watch (INT)

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Publication Date: May 2, 2017
Publisher: Month9Books/Tantrum Books

AUTHOR INFO: R. M. Clark is a computer scientist for the Dept. of Navy by day and children’s book writer by night. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife and two sons.

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Review ~ The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey

Title: The Girl with All the Gifts

Author: M.R. Carey
Copyright: 2014
Type:  dystopian
Pages: 435
Series: no

Reason for Reading: I mean come on the summary alone deems this book a glance at

Summary:

Melanie is a very special girl. Dr Caldwell calls her "our little genius."

Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh.

Melanie loves school. She loves learning about spelling and sums and the world outside the classroom and the children's cells. She tells her favorite teacher all the things she'll do when she grows up. Melanie doesn't know why this makes Miss Justineau look sad. 

Thoughts:

I must say this book was a pleasant surprise.  I was shocked by how much I enjoyed this book. It was a great glance into the way people in general would and could react should something happen. People try to do what they “deem” best when it might not be. I am very shocked by how the book ended but also about how it got there. I loved learning about Melanie and who she is as well as what she might be. I also enjoyed her reaction to Miss Justineau. The side characters such as Dr Caldwell and Sergeant Parks are also well written and fascinating in themselves. I really enjoyed watching their interaction as well as possible growth or not so much. I did enjoy getting to know all the characters not just one of them and I enjoyed that fact that this story was fast pace. I never once wished it was different or had a different storyline. There were points when I thought this could have been wrapped up quicker but at the end I had the sense that I should have slowed down and enjoyed it more. Very rarely does a book come along that makes a person want to continue reading and then investigate more from that author. This book however, did and now I want to see the movie!

Goodreads Grade: 4 out of 5 stars

Would you recommend this book to others?  YES very much.

Review ~ Play Dead by Anne Frasier

Title: Play Dead

Author: Anne Frasier
Copyright: 2014
Type: mystery
Pages: 366
Series: yes (Elise Sandburg)
1. Play Dead
2. Stay Dead

Reason for Reading: I had some unlimited space on my kindle and thought it was interesting anything with voodoo and mystery has my attention. Also I love zombies and thought why not.

Summary:
No one is more familiar with Savannah's dark side than homicide detective and native resident Elise Sandburg. She's been haunted for years by her own mysterious past: she was abandoned as a baby in one of the city's ancient cemeteries, and it's rumored that she is the illegitimate daughter of an infamous Savannah root doctor. The local Gullah culture of voodoo and magic is one that few outsiders can understand, least of all Elise's new partner. Now someone is terrorizing the city, creating real-life zombies by poisoning victims into a conscious paralysis that mimics death. As the chilling case unfolds, Elise is drawn back into the haunted past she's tried so hard to leave behind.

Thoughts:
It was a typical first book of a series. I enjoyed that the "main" character is female however they did hint that her male partner is going to have a major role. They did play up that the 2 of them will have a romance soon so it reminded me of Castle only instead of him being a writer he's a cop/ex-FBI. His background was way more dramatic then her's and almost needs his own book but was handled well for the most part. I'm surprised he still has a job, but he is a guy and all that. She is tough as nails and reminds me of every female cop you see on TV the only difference is her background apparently she is the daughter of a powerful witchdoctor so that will come out to play in the series I am hoping and her eyes are "unique" we kept getting told over and over and over.
The mystery itself was zombies and the powder that makes them while at first it was interesting and held my attention by the end I was like come on already I got it and it dragged too long. That being said had it shortened by about 3 chapters it would have been perfect. The writing was good, the background and setting was good I felt like I was there for the most part. I enjoyed the mystery until the end and I did figure it out so it wasn't too hard or from left field I just was almost bored by the end. I am still going to give the 2nd book a try because I have invested myself in the characters enough to want to see what is going to happen with them.

Grade: 3 out of 5 stars

Would I recommend: It was an interesting mystery but not knock your socks off. Nothing too violent or grisly and if you like voodoo and Georgia atmosphere it's up your alley.
Keep or Give: Gave back b/c it was a kindle unlimited read. I probably wouldn't keep the series. It was interesting but not a OMG have to keep re-reading series. 

Review ~ The Round House by Louise Erdrich

Title: The Round House

Author: Louise Erdrich
Copyright: 2013
Pages: 321
Genre: Fiction
Series: No

Reason for Reading;
It was suggested due to past reading history by Amazon kindle. And it looked interesting.

Summary:
The Round House won the National Book Award for fiction.

One of the most revered novelists of our time—a brilliant chronicler of Native-American life—Louise Erdrich returns to the territory of her bestselling, Pulitzer Prize finalist The Plague of Doves with The Round House, transporting readers to the Ojibwe reservation in North Dakota. It is an exquisitely told story of a boy on the cusp of manhood who seeks justice and understanding in the wake of a terrible crime that upends and forever transforms his family.

Riveting and suspenseful, arguably the most accessible novel to date from the creator of Love Medicine, The Beet Queen, and The Bingo Palace, Erdrich’s The Round House is a page-turning masterpiece of literary fiction—at once a powerful coming-of-age story, a mystery, and a tender, moving novel of family, history, and culture

Thoughts:
First let me say this was one of the hardest reads I have done in a while. It is not graphic to a point in the middle and in the end it described more of the rape and what happened to the mom. It build up to the incident but it didn't hit the reader with it until then. But when I say it was hard to read LAWD it was very, very hard to read. We are given this story from the son's perspective of what is happening in his family after his mother is assaulted and how they figure it out, how his mother survives it and how his family adjust to what has happened in their family. Because rape doesn't just happen to women it happens to a whole family. It shows what a woman really goes through in an accurate portrayal. It shows what a family has to deal with. And it shows the legal system at it's worst and semi-best. It also shows us what life is like on a reservation. All that together made this book one of the hardest reads I have had to read.
That being said it was also hands down one of the best reads I have read so far. It was handled with care, delicately and with honesty. I felt like I got to know the family, the victims, and the tribe. I felt like I was there when it was happening. I came to care for all those involved. I was angry about the injustice and I wanted to stand up and do more. I wanted more to happen and I wanted it to happen quicker. I felt the racial barrier and that if it had been a white woman this would have moved quicker.
The writer wrote beautifully I felt the dust, the heat, and I smelled the trees and lake. She did such a beautiful job with describing the scenes with out going into "Stephen King" overload that I felt like I was there that I understood what it was like being on that reservation. This is a writer that I will for sure pick up again and feel safe reading.

Grade: 4 out of 5 stars

Would I recommend: Yes I thought it was a hard read and will have some triggers for some, but a fantastic read.

Review ~ The Heiress of Linn Hagh by Karen Charlton

Title: The Heiress of Linn Hagh

Author: Karen CHarlton
Copyright: 2015
Pages: 270
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Series: Yes the Detective Lavender Mysteries)

Reason for Reading:
I have the unlimited kindle it was offered and it said it would be similar to Sherlock Holmes so I thought to myself who doesn't like a good mystery?

Summary:
Northumberland, 1809: A beautiful young heiress disappears from her locked bedchamber at Linn Hagh.
The local constables are baffled and the townsfolk cry ‘witchcraft’.
The heiress’s uncle summons help from Detective Lavender and his assistant, Constable Woods, who face one of their most challenging cases: The servants and local gypsies aren’t talking; Helen’s siblings are uncooperative; and the sullen local farmers are about to take the law into their own hands.
Lavender and Woods find themselves trapped in the middle of a simmering feud as they uncover a world of family secrets, intrigue and deception in their search for the missing heiress.
Taut, wry and delightful, The Heiress of Linn Hagh is a rollicking tale featuring Lavender and Woods—a double act worthy of Holmes and Watson.

Thoughts;
It was a decent enough mystery that kept me entertained until the end. I did wonder how the gal escaped from her room, who she was with, was she dead and all that which is what it is suppose to do until the end. I was entertained and wanted to keep reading. Lavender reminded me of Sherlock but only to a point he is more personal, but I do feel as if the writer was trying almost to hard to make that stick. She kept pointing out how he was so analytical and so serious and so anti-human. Yet everything he did showed the opposed. The "love" story aspect with the Spanish woman could have been completely left out and I would have been 100% happier I didn't want to be wooed in this book. So I didn't need the female to keep me entertained. Or Lavenders constant sexual thoughts of her which was too distracting for someone who prides himself on "never letting emotions get in the way". That being said she wasn't in the whole book and Lavender did pull himself together to get the job done (total Hamilton moment there if anyone else sang that from Immigrants we get the job done song we are now BFF's... any who moving on). The book was a quick, easy read not bloody or gore filled and something I would even suggest to my 60+ mother which is something. I will for sure continue with the series.

Grade: 3 out of 5 stars on goodreads

Would I recommend: yep if you are looking for a historical mystery this is a good one to start with