Awesome Giveaway

Hey all!  Just wanted to make you aware of an awesome giveaway from one of my favorite authors, Cameron Jace.  It is a weekly giveaway of one Kindle book of your choosing.  Hop on over to his blog for more information on how to win and check out his books while you are at it.  I highly recommend all of them!

The Thirteenth Tale Review

**3 stars**

August 23, 2012

Hardcover Edition

Honestly, I initially didn't think I was going to enjoy this book and struggled to keep reading. But once the story really begins it is difficult to put the book down.  The author weaves a tale within another and keeps you wanting more.  I absolutely love Vida Winter's story and the breaks between telling were well done.  Every time I started to get antsy and want to skip ahead to the "past," it would pick up again.  I wasn't really interested in Margaret's story which is probably why I had a hard time getting into the book in the beginning.  But I'm glad I stuck with it.  I don't know if I would really recommend the book to the general reader.  I really think you have to like the genre and the writing style to actually enjoy the story.

Beastly (Kendra Chronicles #1) Review

**2 stars**

August 21, 2012

Paperback Edition

An interesting retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but not my favorite.  I actually prefer how the movie portrayed Kyle/Adrian as simply a scarred and ugly human over the book's description of him as an actual beast.  I guess I like my fairy tales to be slightly realistic.  However, I did like how Kendra pops up here and there throughout the book and has her own happy ending, even if we don't know what that ending is.  The chat text was humorous and a nice addition to the story.  I would have liked to know if SilentMaid's story ended up following that of the traditional Little Mermaid since her part in the book ended before you found out if she ended up as sea foam.  Overall, the book was okay.  It wasn't really what I was expecting and I am slightly disappointed in the book, but that is probably due to my having watched the movie before reading the book.

Calamity Jayne Review

**3 stars**

August 21, 2012

Kindle Edition

A fun chick-lit mystery.  I loved Tressa even through her ditzy blond moments.  Who doesn't enjoy laughing at accident prone characters?  I was happy there wasn't really any romance in it which I feel would have definitely taken away from the story.  The addition of the bikers and the crazy grandparents was perfect.  I absolutely loved Joe and Manny and they were by far my favorite characters.  The tone was pretty light for the entire book which made the story seem a little less serious, but made it more entertaining.  I would recommend the book for those who enjoy sassy chick-lit every once in a while.

Illicit Magic (Stella Mayweather #1) Review

**3.5 stars**

August 21, 2012

Kindle Edition

I really liked this book.  It was fun and humorous throughout the entire book.  It was an interesting take on witches and how they can and cannot use their magic.  The characters were fun and fairly well described and while I wasn't able to "connect" with them, I still enjoyed reading about their lives.  My only complaint is the bedroom scenes which, to me, were completely unnecessary.  There was too much description for my liking and the conversations that took place after each scene was ridiculous.  I lost track of how many times Stella assured Evan that she "didn't usually go around doing this" etc.  I wish the author had worked more paranormal creatures into the story, but that is probably in the next book.  I was a little surprised that Stella hadn't figured out what Aunt Meg was until the end.  Then again, she was pretty much clueless the entire time about pretty much everything.  Not my favorite character, but at least she was sassy most of the time.  Overall, the book was funny and original.  I would recommend, but maybe for an older audience due to the few scenes.

February Review

**1 star**

August 20, 2012

Paperback Edition

Honestly, it was a struggle to keep reading this book until the end. The language was beyond irritating and extremely confusing. It was written almost as if the characters were taking down every thought as they move through their lives. It was constantly switching from past to present and from character to character and I could never keep up. Just when I thought I understood what was going on, the whole thing shifted again and I was completely lost. There didn't really seem to be much of a plot to the book other than perhaps learning to move on after a loss and learning to deal with your mistakes. But those are just guesses since that is all I could understand of the book. I would not recommend this book at all unless you are the kind of person who loves rambling, artsy language.

Origins (Black #1) Review

**1.5 stars**

August 16, 1012

                                          Kindle Edition

First to explain the rating: I did not hate the book (which I reserve 1 star ratings for) nor did I think it was okay (which is 2 stars). It just wasn't good. The book is fairly short and I really think the plot suffered because of it. The characters weren't developed, the places weren't described well, and nothing was resolved. In the beginning of the book, we are introduced to several characters who initially appear to be important. For example, Bryn the best friend. Yet a few pages after being introduced to these characters, they are never heard from again. I had really hoped that Bryn would have made more of an appearance since she is, after all, the best friend. But all she gets is one little scene and then she disappears completely from the story with not even a little phone conversation to tie her back in. The conversations between characters were, for me, the unrealistic conversations that make you roll your eyes in disbelief. I'd be lying if I said I didn't skim most of the dialogue.

Next comes the romance. I couldn't keep up with it half the time! They like each other one second, the next they hate each other, then they are back to making out, then they want to kill each other, and so it goes. All in one or two paragraphs. I guess that just isn't really my kind of love story.

I think the overall idea of the book was decent, but the execution was really lacking. But that could just be because I'm not a huge fan of the genre. I wouldn't recommend it, but it also isn't on my "avoid at all costs" list.