Murder on Olympus - Plato Jones #1

Blurb:

Murder on Olympus - Plato Jones #1

At first glance, the Gods of Olympus are as different from one another as salt is from sugar. Despite their bickering, they share a universal bond, a thread of commonality that unites them. 

They’re all jerks. 

After a stint with the Olympic Bureau of Investigation, Plato Jones is through with the Gods and their political games. Against his protests, he's drawn into a murder investigation, where the murderer's targets are the Gods themselves.

Plato has cracked some tough cases: exposing cheating spouses, capturing treasonous heretics, hunting three-headed dogs. But this time he’s in over his head. How can he solve a crime that’s impossible to commit? And what chance does Plato—a mere mortal—have against something powerful enough to kill a God?

Reviewed by Laurie:

I received a copy of Murder on Olympus from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.  Now that that is out of the way on to the review.  I have been caught up lately in the Game of Thrones series and after 4 books of that Murder on Olympus was a refreshing change and exactly what I needed after 3500 pages of heavy epic fantasy.  This was a fun light read with lots of humor throughout and it was a pleasant change to finish a book in a day versus a week.

Robert Warren creates a really interesting world in UF, he Gods of Olympus are not only real they are living out in the open, most are celebrities being chased around by TMZ.  Plato Jones is a private investigator called upon by the Gods to solve the mystery of who is killling them, cuz that's not supposed to happen.  Plato is very much the reluctant investigator, as a former employee of the Gods he is in no hurry to return to their employ even on a temporary basis.

This is pretty much a straight forward whodunnit, what was most interesting were the characters and the world created.  I really liked Plato, his relationship with his ex wife was hilarious and seeing how he tries to get out of working for the Gods made him really likable.  I loved how Hercules was portrayed a cheapskate and the rest of the Gods were pretty much complete dicks.  The concept of the Greek Gods living out in the open was really unique  and I would definitely look for the next book in the series.

4/5   Great read!

Book Details:

• File Size: 528 KB
• Print Length: 385 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0985023066
• Publisher: Dragonfairy Press (April 11, 2013)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00B3M4BX6

Tribulation - Rapture Trilogy #2

Blurb:

Tribulation - Rapture Trilogy #2

Halfway through the desolate Tribulation, half-demon Samael is still alone, with only his Samurai swords and memories of the dearly departed - especially his beloved Aimi - to sustain him. Fighting for the innocents who remain behind, Sam has thwarted the plans of the Antichrist once before. Now, having already conquered Europe, America remains a thorn in his brother’s side. At the head of a massive invasion fleet, an army of demons, and his sights firmly fixed on New York, he will not be denied again ...

Beset on all sides by adversaries, aided by friends old and new, Sam must stop his brother before America falls. And if that means killing him, then so be it. He failed once before; this time he will succeed - or die trying.

Reviewed by Sonali:

I would like to thank the author Mr Simpson for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

 Being a second book in the series it had both it had its advantages and drawbacks. Let’s get the negative out of the way first so we can move on to discuss the awesomeness of the book. When I read Rapture, I was enthralled by it. Although Tribulation maintained the fast pace of the first book it didn’t really provide anything new. What we read in Tribulation was more or less same what we had in Rapture.  Secondly what irked me about this book was how it had only one character that carried the book. Sam was mostly alone, being on the road and at times his inner monologues used to get a little (read very little) monotonous.

Okay, the drawbacks out of the way, it was an interesting book. It has been three and a half years into the tribulation. Sam is still trying to help the innocents who are braving the hellish Earth and fighting the demons. He is utterly alone and constantly thinks of Aimi. Those were my (one of the) favourite moments in the book. We (along with Sam) get to learn that he will never set foot in the Heaven when Christ returns to Earth at the end of the tribulation. Moreover, he would be cast of to the pits of hell along with his father (the Satan), brother( the Antichrist) and the False Prophet (he will be surprising you…more like shocking you…well, it really shocked me!). Now all this made me really angry (along with Sam). What about the all the good he is doing, saving innocents and all. What about his humility, love and selflessness.  All that counts for nothing? But our dear Sam replies with “It doesn’t change who I am. I’m not suddenly going to stop doing [saving innocents]  what I’m doing. Just because Heaven doesn’t keep its word, doesn’t mean I don’t have to.”

“It was never going to be easy, he reflected, reminding himself why he was doing this. Not for those in Heaven. Not for Him. This was for the innocents. Those who didn’t deserve to be the targets and subjects of the Antichrist’s rage. If Sam killed the Antichrist, surely he would save many innocents.”

Now if these aren’t the words of someone who deserves Heaven, I don’t know who does. Even with all this, he carries on with fierce determination and sheer will power, knowing that it may kill him and it almost did! Even after all this, nobody showed even an ounce of gratitude. Take Grace for example, Sam went to hell to save her but instead of being thankful she snubbed Sam that what made him wait that long! What the nerve! I really couldn’t figure out what her problem was.

One of the best things about this story was the entry of Yeth, a hellhound that became Sam’s most trusted and loyal companion. What the author depicted through Yeth and Sam was that absolutely nobody is born evil. It’s the influences in our lives that deviates us from the path of good.

Overall, I find this book a good read. The plot was consistent and there were no holes or missing pieces in the story. This book has got some cliff hanger. What happens to Sam now that his powers are stripped? Does he get Aimi back? I am definitely awaiting the next installment in the series!

4/5  Great Read

Book Details:

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Pear Jam Books Ltd; C Format Trade Paperback edition (October 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047319161X
• ISBN-13: 978-0473191610

A Game of Thrones - A Song of Ice and Fire #1

Blurb:

A Game of Thrones - A Song of Ice and Fire #1

"Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.

Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones."

Reviewed by Laurie:

Ok so a little bit of backstory is needed for this review, first I have to admit that I watched the TV show long before I ever picked up the books, and second I neither wanted to watch the series nor did I ever intend on reading the books.  See a friend recommended the TV series and I said...meh when epic fantasy is right up my alley.  So eventually I gave in watched half of the first episode and then ignored it for another year.  I watched TV almost exclusively on my computer and while looking for a new series to watch I stumbled back onto GoT and then became addicted.

Now the book, no I didn't want to read that either even after watching the TV show.  I was afraid that one wouldn't measure up to the other or it would be like True Blood where both the TV show and the books are ok but have very little in common with each other.  As it turns out I was wrong again and happily so.  So hat's off to HBO for getting it right.

Now to the book, I have had it on my TBR pile for years, literally and ignored it for many reasons.  First the book is huge 700 pages, huge so I didn't feel like reading anything that big.  Second I measure all epic fantasy up against Lord of the Rings, is that fair...nope not in the least but I still do it and I had the mistaken idea that this was a regurgitation of that.  God was I wrong.

So I am not going to bore you with a synopsis of the book, if you haven't read it or seen the TV show what GoT is about is everywhere and the blurb above is just fine.  I will tell you what I did like about it though, GRRM creates a brilliant cast of characters and the chapters go back and forth from different points of view.  The characters are brilliant, some are absolutely loathsome, some so caught up in their version of honor and others motivated by revenge.  On a side note every scene with the dwarf has me picturing Peter Dinklage who is brilliant in this role.  The world GRRM has created is awesome in it's variety and depth but the characters drive this series for me.

5/5  Absolutely Brilliant!

Book Details:

• Paperback: 720 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; Reprint edition (March 22, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553386794
• ISBN-13: 978-0553386790

The Undead Heart - Blood Thirst #1

Blurb:

The Undead Heart - Blood Thirst #1

Rebecca Stockdale had enough issues in her life; parents that hated her for the strange abilities that she had been born with, she was about to move away from her sister and only friend, Bev, and she had had a really bad date that would change her forever.

Just when she was about to escape the drama that she had always lived in, Richard, a vampyre, walked into her life and shattered her reality with one request; travel back in time to 1888 to stop a psychopathic vampyre bent on revenge and save the family she never knew she had.

She would be joined on her journey by a band of vampyre hunters. Hunters who, centuries ago, had vowed to slay all vampyres. A vow they set aside to protect the family that they had come to love, knowing that the outcome of that decision would be an eventual battle. A battle of decapitation and blood; a battle they may not survive.

She was leaving a life she would kill to get away from for a family she would gladly die to protect, but could she do it? Could she make it back alive? Did she possess the strength and courage it would take to change the past and save their future?

She was about to find out.

The Undead Heart is a tale of love, life, horror, humor and family and is the first novel in The Blood Thirst Series.

Reviewed by Cassandra:

If you are a paranormal romance reader, this book is a must read!!  The only thing I couldn't stand was not having enough time due to working to read it straight through!!  I can't wait to start the next book in this series.  This book of course has romance but it also was funny, had sadness, time traveling, serial killer, crazy people, vengeance, fights, vomiting, adoption of adults, weddings, and did I mention funny and romance.  This book was an awesome surprise like waking up without an arm that was there when you went to sleep kind of surprise.  I can't even begin to put into words why I loved it so much because it would ruin your journey, and I wouldn't want to take that from you.  I absolutely love Beck and Richard and their entire family :)  This author just hit my favorite list, and I will read all her PNR books :)  Definitely worth the read and recommended to all PNR fans!!!    

5/5  Loved It!

Book Details:

• Paperback: 362 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (June 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1453600698
• ISBN-13: 978-1453600696

Twice Tempted - Night Prince #2

Blurb:

Twice Tempted - Night Prince #2

Dating the Prince of Darkness has its challenges...

Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover, Vlad, has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her.

Like choosing between eternal love and a loveless eternity...

Soon circumstances send Leila back to the carnival circuit, where tragedy strikes. And when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who may be closer than she realizes, Leila must decide who to trust– the fiery vampire who arouses her passions like no other or the tortured knight who longs to be more than a friend? With danger stalking her every step of the way, all it takes is one wrong move to damn her for eternity.

Reviewed by Laurie:

Jeaniene Frost's book are one of those things I buy without really thinking about it much, I first fell in love with Cat and Bones and the rest of the vampires caught my attention, most especially Vlad.  C'mon he's the Prince of Darkness, they based Dracula on him I always want to read someone else's take on him, particularly when their books are generally kind of funny.  Oh there's always a hot romance but Jeaniene Frost's take on the world ending is usually done with a healthy dose of humor.

I have a weakness in romance for those uber alpha type bad boys, I guess you can call them the anti-hero or whatever but Vlad personifies this type, kinda like Bones only a little meaner.  I love those types and I love it when the heroine doesn't try and change them...sadly that's not the case here.   I don't know what happened to the characters from the first book, but damn they got kinda annoying here.

Leila at times got kinda whiny and annoying, her reasons for leaving Vlad were silly and immature and kinda made me want to slap her.  Vlad giving into her whining kinda made me want to slap him at times too.  Eventually they both got it together and...got together.  While I did like Twice Tempted it wasn't as good as Once Burned, will still be grabbing the third one when it comes out.

4/5  Like it a lot!

Book Details:

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (March 26, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062076108
• ISBN-13: 978-0062076106

A Novel Obsession - Novel Series #1

Blurb:

A Novel Obsession - Novel Series #1

What could be more peaceful than a small town nestled in the plush and picturesque Appalachian foothills along the Ohio River? Seemingly nothing unless you actually live in such a place and experience the incestuous nature of the meddling, gossip, and desire that can fester there.

Abby Lane has cornered the market on virtue in her small town, yet there are forces that want to take that innocence away from her. Unfortunately, the depths of deception, often undetected by the pure of heart can be harmful to the unsuspecting soul.

As an English teacher, dreamer and hopeless idealist Abby immerses herself in romantic fiction to fill the void in her reality. There is one author in particular who speaks directly to her heart and she foolishly makes him the model lover by whom all suitors are to be judged. When others try to bridge that gap, idyllic small town America becomes a mysterious place to be.

A Novel Obsession is a great mix of Mystery, Suspense, Intrigue, and romance. It will answer the question:

Is it possible for two people to fall in love having never met?

Reviewed by Cassandra:

Okay, the author gifted me this book, and it is not my usual genre because it is realistic fiction.  I get enough of real life but it was romance which is fantasy in my life...lol! 

Okay first impressions, the blurb sounded interesting, but not usually my type of book, and it had a teacher as the main character.  I don't usually think of men as romance writers even though I know they do; I'm used to female authors.  The prologue jumped right into adult material, so I was wondering if the whole book would be sex rather than plot.  After the prologue with the exception on one date, the whole book was plot and I liked it. :)  I was sucked into Abby and Daniel's world and wondering if they would ever actually meet.  I loved the journey this book took me on and I will definitely read the next book to see what happens to Abby next.  This book is one of those books that is refreshing to read and gives you hope, but it has its real world problems, and you see Murphy's Law at work.  And this book reinforces the idea that even though it might not be the type of book you usually read, doesn't mean you can't be pleasantly surprised, I look forward to the author's next book in the series.

• 
  

Book Details:

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (December 21, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 148115902X
• ISBN-13: 978-1481159029

4/5  Really liked it

Rapture - Rapture Trilogy #1

Blurb:

Rapture - Rapture Trilogy #1

The Rapture has occurred, just as the Bible predicted. The faithful have risen up to Heaven. Those left behind are in a living hell. 

Earth burns, hell-like in its oppressive heat. Every volcano in the world has erupted, and tsunamis and earthquakes continue to devastate the planet. Clouds continually rain ash onto the scorched landscape, sparking fires all around. Plants and animals are dying. Food is scarce. The night sky is devoid of stars, and the moon - when it can be seen - is the colour of blood. 

The remnants of humanity fight for survival. Most have fled the cities and now hide in caves deep in the mountains. By night, demons stalk the Earth, capturing the remaining humans and killing them - if they're lucky. The less fortunate are converted to worship of the Devil, and ushered into endless hell. 

Eighteen year old Sam is unable to rise up because he is half demon. Hikari, a Japanese sword master and demon expert and his beautiful daughter, Aimi, have been all the family Sam has ever known. Now they're gone, and Sam must set out on the mission Hikari charged him with long ago: to help all the humans left behind. Armed only with his beloved Japanese swords and his wits, Sam wanders the post-apocalyptic world alone, separated forever from everyone he loves. Cursed by his demonic heritage, he must now embark on a quest that will take him across the US to the City of Angels. 

There he will confront his destiny. There he must fight to save a friend ... and the souls of the living.

Reviewed by Sonali:

I have to say when I was recommended this book by a friend I wasn’t really keen about reading it. I am not really into dystopian fiction and this is my first one. What really sold me for this one is its cover. What a gorgeous cover!

Like I said, this is my first dystopian read and it was amazing. I think after reading this one I’m going to try reading more dystopian books.  The subject matter was fantastic. This story is set in the post-apocalyptic period. The Rapture had occurred as predicted in The Bible and all the most devote worshippers of Jesus have been taken up to the Heaven while the nonbelievers and the damned have been left on earth that has been ravaged by hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

This book basically revolves around Sam, a half demon who had been in the care of a priest Hikari and raised along with his daughter Aimi. He is trained by his sensei in the art of sword fighting from an early age. It has been told earlier in the story that Sam is the chosen one to fight the Antichrist. What I really liked about Sam was his ability to resist temptation. Being a half demon, he is constantly subjected to temptation and give into his true nature. But no, Sam is determined to let his human goodness prevail and sets out to help the innocents left behind from the clutches of the demons that plague the Earth at night.

I loved the writing style of the author. It has been written in the alternating history/current day format. The story jumps back and forth to events that happened before the Rapture, focusing on Sam's life and his training for his mission, and back to the present, where he is in the middle of slaying demons and fighting for the good of humankind. The moments it would jump back to his past were a little heartbreaking to read because you can see how much Sam loved his Sensei and especially how much he loved Aimi, and the thought of them being taken up to Heaven when the Rapture occurred was devastating to read. 

The author definitely has a knack for writing action sequences descriptively. The fighting scenes were lively that gave an impression of been happening right there in front of you. Anyone and everyone who likes action in their books are going to enjoy it.  I think Phillip Simpson has written a very interesting and engaging story. All the Biblical references that were made gave credibility to the story. Overall, good job!

5/5  Loved It!

Book Details:

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Pear Jam Books Ltd; C Format Trade Paperback edition (October 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047319161X
• ISBN-13: 978-0473191610