A Murder of Crows Review: David Rotenberg

Since Decker Roberts’ last run in with the NSA, he’s been trying to remain off the radar, searching for his estranged son. His synaesthetic abilities, once a lucrative gift, are increasingly becoming a liability.

When a vicious attack wipes out the best and brightest of America’s young minds, devastating the country’s future, Decker is forced to step out of the shadows and help track down the killer. And as the hunt brings him in contact with other people of “his kind,” Decker begins to realize that there may be depths to his gifts that he had never even imagined.

Meanwhile, several parties are secretly tracking the progress of Decker’s son, Seth, trying to determine if he has the same unique gift as his father. Decker is determined to go to any lengths to find his son, but along the way he will have to face down enemies, both old and new, as well as struggle with whether his son even wants to be found.

David Rotenberg’s thrilling sequel to The Placebo Effect is full of suspense, and will challenge what you think you know about people who have special “gifts.” From rural Africa to downtown Toronto, the paths of Rotenberg’s colorful characters intertwine as they move towards a conclusion that none of them can see coming.
My Thoughts:
I will first remind everyone A Murder of Crows is the sequel to The Placebo Effect and I have added my first review to keep everyone up to speed.

The Placebo Effect Review:
I get stuck from time to time when I'm reading. Sometimes I can't seem to get enough romance, then I start reading paranormal and can't seem to get enough of that genre, right now I seem to be stuck with mystery, with each mystery/suspense/thriller novel they seem to keep getting better and better. David Rotenberg has a written a great novel, it captured my interest right away, from the very first chapter and I couldn't seem to put it down until I had closed the back cover. 


I was provided by Simon & Schuster an ARC copy of this book and after I read it I was so impressed with it I emailed Simon & Schuster and asked could I do an interview with David Rotenberg which you can read after my review. I really thought it was fantastic as David is a Canadian author and I myself am Canadian living in Nova Scotia, it's so cool when reading a Canadian author and being able to say, "hey I've been there", or I know where that is" and you can picture that particular place in your mind, it puts a whole new perspective on reading that book. 
Decker is a Synaesthesia, who is a person who has the ability to see if someone is telling him the truth, imagine if we could actually do that, see who is lying to you or not that would be awesome, but poor Decker has tons of people after him because of him having this ability, they all want to know how, why, who else got it. This is a fantastic novel that takes you on a roller coaster ride with twists and turns you will not see coming and just when you think you have it figured out, oh no you don't lol, it's very fast paced, well written, unique thriller with a cast of characters that fit very well together, and the Canadian jokes and humor was great for me. I liked David's style of writing, I really am looking forward to reading the second book in this new series. 

A Murder of Crows Review: 
I had to go back before I read A Murder of Crows to refresh my memory of the first book The Placebo Effect as it had been a long time since I had read it, it didn't take me long to pick up and remember such a well written book, so on to the second I went. Like the first book it didn't take me long to get myself engrosed into this book either, Mr. Rotenburg has a way of drawing you in and keeping you there along for the ride right from the very first page. 

Decker Roberts has Synaesthete's abilities, synaesthete's is a person who has the ability to see if someone is telling the truth, what a gift to have I'm not sure if I would want that gift or not, would it be a burden? Well Decker has it and now a new deadly game is afoote.  America has some of the best young minds and they are being murdered, now if that was the only problem Decker has it gets worse, he needs to find his estranged son before the others find him. 

As with his first book Mr. Rotenburg has again captured my attention with this incredible well written book, the story line, the plot, the characters are all woven like a perfect web you get caught in while reading. I have really enjoyed his style of writing, very smooth and the story flows nicely as you switch from scene to scene, some books that do this I sometimes have to go back feeling I missed something, but that is not the case here it flows, with great twists and turns and an ending I DID NOT see coming I am waiting for the third book in this series, and as a fellow Canadian it is a bit more special to read places I have seen. This is not my usual genre of reading but I always love going outside of my comfort zone and finding a gem when I do. A must read series and bravo Mr. Rotenburg I can't wait for the next book. 

I must apologize for my late review, I was supposed to have this out March 7th for Mr. Rotenburg's tour with Simon & Schuster but I was very sick with pnemonia and I am very sorry this is so late. I hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did, please check out the trailer for A Murder of Crows. You can also find Mr. Rotenburg at these links.  

S&S.ca bookpage: http://books.simonandschuster.ca/Murder-of-Crows/David-Rotenberg/9781439170137

Author website: http://www.davidrotenberg.com/ 

Paradox - Bound By Blood Paradox Series book 3 by Patti Roberts

Love is not counted in years - Love is counted in heartbeats
Love is not bound by distance - Love is bound by blood
In the Ancient World - In the New World - Love will prevail
Some will kill for love — Some will die for love
Some will love until it hurts

Ella Medler: "Paradox is not a story in a place - it is the
legend of a whole world."

Excerpt from Book 3
The hands on a clock never falter, not for a second. One day ends, and a new one begins. If there is one thing on this earth that could be counted on, it is that. Time never pauses to mourn the dead. That particular privilege is allotted to the living. It is for the survivor to mourn, bury the dead, and leave the rest to the earth. That is the way of it – the way of death - and the misery it leaves behind.

My Thoughts: 

After reading the third installment of this series I am left speechless, truly, but for all of you I will try very hard to put into words what I want to say about this novel.  I guess I'm speechless (which never happens lol) because this was such an incredible book, I have loved this series right from the very first book where I fell in love with everything about it, and with each book Patti puts out my love for this series grows.  The only problem is, with each book I get I read it too fast and end up having to wait 8-9 months for the next installment.

What do I do in between them you ask, well usually I email Patti harrassing her to write faster so I can get my hands on the next one :) and to drive me crazy she will now and again email me an excerpt, I guess thats payback for bugging her to write faster lol, but I do tell Patti that if she didn't write such amazing books I wouldn't be in withdrawls for the next one!!

In book #2 Patti leaves us with a cliffhanger that left my mouth hanging open and after much anticipation book #3 opens with a bang, right where we left off at Grace's Masquarade Ball at her school.  She and Riley had gone as Guinevere and King Arthur, when Grace slips away to find Dameon and all hell breaks loose and the last thing she remembers is jumping off of a cliff and thinking she is about to die.  Only to wake up in bed the next morning, it must have been a nightmare....wasn't it?

Like I said book #3 opened with a bang!!  I was very happy to see some of my favorite characters back, Angela, Zach, Clair, Sonndra, Riley, and Josh.  If someone asked me which is my favorite character, I don't think I could pick just one, Patti has made it impossible to choose just one, each one of them has something special that I like, but, all of them together make one hellva team, Patti's characters good and evil blend and work together in a way you would think not possible but they do.  It's seamless they way she's blended both worlds, and those that haven't read this one or the whole series yet are in for a special treat.

Book 1 at the end offered its own set of hanging question and were answered when book 2 came out and we got a bit of a closer look at The Grigori, the Fallen Dark Angels, and again the ending offered more of its own hanging questions, but that is what a great series is all about leaving you hanging with tons of questions you just can't wait until the next book comes out to have the long awaited answers. With book 3 our questions were answered and with it we dive deep into the family Grigori and the other families that make up the other realm, we get much more of their story told and with that story many pieces of this wonderful puzzle Patti has designed fall into place.

I'am absolutely amazed at how this series has unfolded, sometimes when Authors flip back and forth from world to world and time period to time period it can become confusing and I have found myself flipping back and forth trying to remember what I had read from a few chapters back, but with this series Patti has been able to tell so many different stories, world to world, time period to time period with out missing a beat and without confusing me at all, and found my self turning the pages as fast as I could to get to the next part and had to slow down so I didn't miss anything it's so detailed. Oh the details, beautifully told so magical everything described made me feel like I was right in the story. It reminds me of a V.C. Andrews series where she gives you the story in the first 2-3 books and then in the 4th or last installment gives us the whole story from way back, how things come to be even before the original story happened a "full circle" so to speak, but with the ending of this book I have no doubt Patti is finished yet......I hope not!!!

I love books, all books for the most part there are some I just won't read because it's not my thing, but, then their are some books where I fall in love with them, the characters, the story, the plot and how it's played out, how the story is told the writing and when it's done I have bonded so much with the story and it's characters I feel well lost without them, the story is over now what? But the good thing is I know another installment is coming so for now I can rest easy it's not over quite yet. I have said with each review how talented I think Patti is, but with each book I see her talent growing as a writer, as an Author but more importantly as a phemonial story teller with great vision and an amazing imagination. You have to have an imagination to be able to produce such a top notch story like this one, it's just mind blowing.

Not only has Patti created these amazing two worlds she has taken that extra step and designed everything to visually build and support which in my opinion only genious, not only do we get to imagine these incredible worlds but we get to see how Patti see's what she has created. With most books we don't get to see that until much later, when the series is done and years later its made into a movie. Patti has created all of this and keeping in time with each book as it comes out. Here are some pictures of what some of the cast looks like.

If you haven't read book 3 yet it's a real must read and if you haven't started reading this series yet......welllll you are missing out on a spetacular series of books. Im not going to say too much more so I don't spoil anything for you all. Visit Patti's website here to see more of the worlds that have been masterfully created. I can't wait to see what Patti has in store for us next!!!!!http://theangelsarehere.wordpress.com Patti has gracouslly offered to do a giveaway with us, she is offering 3 print versions and 3 ebook versions, so here are the rules:

1. Be a follower here on my blog.
2. Follow Patti on her blog and facebook.
That's it not too hard oh and leave us a comment with your email address so when we announce the winner I can email them back, I will announce the winner just after christmas. Good Luck to everyone!!!!

Blood Magic: The Draven Witch Series Book 1 by Zoey Sweete

A witch/vampire hybrid, Renee Draven was sent to fulfill her destiny. Hell-bent on destroying the Evil One that has tormented and defiled her lineage for centuries, she must take back the power that was stolen long ago. Racing against time to destroy the darkness that threatens her life and those she loves. She must confront her demons. Losing faith in herself, and her power, she stumbles across William Angelo, the one she was said to bring home and save. While on her dark journey she must find Dante Angelo, his blood is the key to awakening her vampire side and defeating Damaskeos. Struggling to stay alive, she is torn between wanting a normal life and her duties, Renee must learn to believe in herself and the magic that flows through her blood, if she is to save the lives of those she loves. Will she find the strength to defeat Damaskeos and end his reign once and for all? Or will she fall as all the other Draven Witches before her? Blood Magic will take you on a mystical ride into alternate dimensions, the magical world of the Draven witches, and the supernatural creatures that would give their life to protect them.

My Thoughts:
When I received this book in return for a review from the author, Zoey Sweete it came to me in a PDF format and I was so excited to read it I dove right into it and we all know I love anything to do with vampires and witches. I was excited to read it because it didn't seem like it was going to be just another vampire book, it really peeked my interest when the main character was half vampire half witch.  I asked my self "how can this be, I was always under the belief that vamps and witches hated each other", and so I began my journey into The Draven Witch Series.

Rene has been sheltered for the past 20-years, living with the Mystic's, but with good reason, she is considered "the special one", the one the prophecies say she will be the one to defeat Damaskeos and finally restore her family's honor. Being half witch and half vampire, when she turns 21 she will be bitten and her vampire side will be awakened and give her powers beyond any of the Draven Witches, even her mother. So to keep her safe she has lived with on the Mystic Realm but now that she is close to her 21st birthday it is time for her to return to Earth and try to do what she wants the most.....live a normal life, impossible as when everytime she turns around she is being attacked even in her sleep she can't stop being attacked.

Things turn interesting when Rene meets her trainer, Devin, *drooling* things get too hot between them and Dad puts a stop to their training, Devin's replacement comes and the hotter then hell Tristian *drooling more*, and it gets even more interesting when William and Dante show up on the scene, *drooling even more*.  I can't say anymore I don't dare spoil it for you.

Starting the book, it didn't take long for it to suck me in and keep me there until I finished the very last page, all my instincts about this going to be a good book were right, but it just wasn't good it was FANTASTIC.  Zoey really set this series up with a huge bang.  Rene was a very strong character for me which I love, it really gets on my nerves when a main character is flighty, can't make up their mind or make a decision, or worse whiny to the point I want to put the book away for a bit, yes Rene does whine in some spots but wouldn't you if someone is trying to kill you in your sleep, your burdened with the responsibility of being the one to kill this so called unstoppable beast and you have 4 men who you have feelings for and just can't seem to decide which one to choose because you have feelings for them all and don't want to hurt any of them, and all you really want is just a normal average life, yup I'd certainly whine sometimes too, but Rene is also a no nonsense put her cards on the table, let's get the job done gal, and I loved that about her, but she was also soft, caring and very protective of her family and friends. Just an all around great main character.

If you like being on a roller coaster ride then start reading this book, it will take you on a massive emotional ride you won't soon forget.  A cast of incredible characters, plot and story executed beautifully.  When I read the pdf file I loved it, when Zoey sent me the revised autographed hard copy I read it again and loved it even more with the new changes that were made, you see the growth within the writing it was wonderful. The emotions I went through while reading were exactally what I like when reading a really great book.

If you are looking for an absolutely fantastic series this is the book you need to pick up and start reading, I can tell you it is one you will not be able to put down until your done.  I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!! Enjoy everyone.

About the Author:

Zoey Sweete is a full time mother first and foremost to a beautiful four year old daughter, who is the inspiration in her life. When she’s not writing, she works as the Senior Executive Officer of Mystic Press and the Co-Owner of Spotlight Marketing and Public Relations. She is also a full time college student, working to obtain her bachelor degree in psychology and will specialize in addiction counseling.  She lives in Killeen Texas, with her fiancé, and surrounds herself with a wonderful family.

http://www.facebook.com/ZoeySweete

http://www.facebook.com/BloodMagic1

 

 
 

The Broken Destiny Review and Giveaway!!

 

 

An amazing new sci-fi series begins with The Broken Destiny: Book One of The Broken Series.
Ava's People have been exiled to Planet Poseidon, where through a series of horrific events, Ava discovers that their existence has been fabricated by The Council, And She has a Destiny that could save them. Her Soul is a secret weapon that has been lost to an ancient race. To fulfill her destiny Ava needs to go through a series of "changes" that will reveal her true purpose. Throughout her journey she will become what she hates in order to save the ones she loves. And through it all she will find herself - for that is her Destiny, to rise above the fall. 


My Thoughts:
I have said often that Fantasy is not my normal genre of reading, but everytime I read a new Fantasy novel I am pleasantly surprised at how much I loved it, which is not a bad thing as it has kept me reading them.  Carlyle has built a world, plot, story and characters like I haven't seen since I read Patti Roberts Paradox series.
It was well written, well executed, the characters fit extremely well together.  The anount of effort Carlyle put into the details made me feel like I was transported right into the story, I could see, feel, hear and almost reach out and touch a tree or a rock or or the water.  I really love details like that in a book it draws you into the story, but she doesn't give you too many details that you can't picture the scene's and wonder what it would be like to really be there. 
I find sometimes too much detail can ruin the novel, but this was just the right amount.  I loved the characters, Go Team Troy!! They all worked so well together, it was hard for me to pick a favorite one I really liked them all.
Now I'm really not going to get into to much details of the book if I do it will ruin it for you and with such a detailed book like this one it's really hard to sum it up in a paragraph with out giving the story away, I will say if you don't read this book you will be missing out on a great series. This is the first book in The Broken Destiny series and I can't wait to read the second book, I hope Carlyle is almost done writing it because I really don't know how long I can wait for it LOL. 
It wasn't your everyday vamprie book, or should I say paranormal, after all it is Fantasy, even for Fantasy characters and what they are Carlyle made very original, I haven't read anything like it before.
So I will close by saying this is a MUST READ book in this amazing series, well thought out, executed well, plot, story and characters all mixed and blended beautifully. I hope you will grab your copy and enjoy it as much as I did. Enjoy everyone!!

Carlyle is giving you all a chance to win a copy and some very beautiful prizes, follow this link to enter for your chance to win. Good Luck everyone!! http://www.carlylelabuschagne.com/revealed-tour-giveaway.html

Haunting Obsession by R.J. Sullivan Review

Haunting Obsession Synopsis

“She wants to be loved by you…alone!”

Daryl Beasley collects all things Maxine Marie, whose famous curves and fast lifestyle made her a Hollywood icon for decades after her tragic death. Daryl’s girlfriend, Loretta Stevens, knew about his geeky lifestyle when they started dating, but she loves him, quirks and all.

Then one day Daryl chooses to buy a particularly tacky piece of memorabilia instead of Loretta’s birthday present. Daryl ends up in the doghouse, not only with Loretta, but with Maxine Marie herself. The legendary blonde returns from the dead to give Daryl a piece of her mind—and a haunting obsession he’ll never forget.

 

 

My Thoughts:

The title peaked my interest first, the synopsis grabbed my attention even more, but when I saw the cover it was the deal maker for me I wanted to read this book.  I won't lie, I was kind of on the fence not knowing what to expect, but, I do try hard not to judge a book by it's cover haha (get it) yes I know my small attempt at book humor :)

 

So I sat down in my comfy purple comfy chair and started reading this 100+ page book and right away was sucked into the story.  R.J. Sullivan's style of writing quite impressed me, the story flowed well and the characters were believable, and I could relate to them very well, it was a funny story sometimes, and made you absolutely cheer for Loretta while she was trying to save the one she loved from.....well not what you would expect really.  Daryl has an obsession with his favorite movie star Maxine Marie, only problem is she is dead and some how returns from the dead and seems to be very pissed at him.

 

With Halloween coming this is a book you will not want to miss.  An adult book for sure as some scene's are quite steamy, dam awesome steamy!  A good love story, with some Paranormal thrown in, it was funny and I could relate to Daryl and Loretta as the book/movie loving  geeks which is totally me.  Loretta's dedication and love for Daryl and willness to stand and fight for her man was very nice to see, I know most women would have high tailed it outta there if they saw a ghost trying to choke the life out of them to take their man away for themsleves lol.  I very much enjoyed this book and I know you will as well it was an easy fun read, thank you R.J. Sullivan for having me a part of your book tour. Enjoy everyone!!

RJ Sullivan Bio and Links

R. J. Sullivan resides with his family in Heartland Crossing, Indiana. His first novel, Haunting Blue, is an edgy paranormal thriller about punk girl loner Fiona "Blue" Shaefer and her boyfriend Chip Farren. R.J. is hard at work on the next chapter in Fiona's story, Virtual Blue, coming soon from Seventh Star Press.  R.J. is a member of the Indiana Horror Writers.

Website: http://www.rjsullivanfiction.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/R.J.SullivanAuthor

Twitter: @RJSullivanAuthr

 

 

 

Win A Kindle for Christmas!! Supporting Indi Authors Contest!!

Here is a contest you will not want to miss out on all you have to do is click on the link below the picture and follow the rules for your chance to win this Kindle. Good Luck everyone!! Also don't forget if you haven't already check out Patti's fantastic Paradox-The Angles Are Here Series, they are books you will be missing out on if you don't get your copies soon.



Click on this link Kindle Christmas Giveaway to enter this amazing contest.  Good Luck to everyone!!!!!

Her Dear & Loving Husband

Book One of The Loving Husband Trilogy
By Meredith Allard

James Wentworth has a secret. He lives quietly in Salem, Massachusetts, making few ties with anyone. One night his private world is turned upside down when he meets Sarah Alexander, a dead ringer for his wife, Elizabeth. Though it has been years since Elizabeth's death, James cannot move on. 

Sarah also has a secret. She is haunted by nightmares about the Salem Witch Trials, and every night she is awakened by visions of hangings, being arrested, and dying in jail. Despite the obstacles of their secrets, James and Sarah fall in love. As James comes to terms with his feelings for Sarah, he must dodge accusations from a reporter desperate to prove that James is not who, or what, he seems to be. Soon James and Sarah piece their stories together and discover a mystery that may bind them in ways they never imagined. Will James make the ultimate sacrifice to protect Sarah and prevent a new hunt from bringing hysteria to Salem again? 

 Part historical fiction, part romance, part paranormal fantasy, Her Dear & Loving Husband is a story for anyone who believes that true love never dies.

 

 

 

Her Loving Husband’s Curse

Book Two of The Loving Husband Trilogy

By Meredith Allard

How far will you go to protect the one you love?

Finally, after many long and lonely years, James Wentworth’s life is falling into place. Together with his wife, Sarah, the only woman he has ever loved, he has found the meaning behind her nightmares about the Salem Witch Trials, and now they are rebuilding the life they began together so long ago.

But the past is never far behind for the Wentworths. While Sarah is haunted by new visions, now about the baby she carried over three hundred years before, James is confronted with painful memories from his time with the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears. Through it all, the persistent reporter Kenneth Hempel reappears, still determined to prove that the undead walk the earth. If Hempel succeeds in his quest, James and Sarah will suffer. Will the curse of the vampire prevent James and Sarah from living their happily ever after?

 

My Thoughts:

I must say I was absolutely blown away with the first two books in this amazing trilogy.  It has everything I love to read about, vampires, witches, Salem, mystery, a great love story, magic, werewolves, and twists & turns like you would never see coming cause I didn't.

 

Moving to Salem had been something Sarah had been thinking about for some time, after divorcing her ex-husband she had packed up and left Los Angles to start her new life.  Hoping her change of location would put a stop to the dreams she has been having, dreams of a faceless man.....it didn't stop them.

 

I had a chance a while back to speak with Meredith Allard, I was supposed to read/review but my computer had crashed and I had lost all of my books so when I was asked to review again through Bewitching Book Tours I jumped at the chance having wanted to read for some time. When I had spoke to Meredith and had a chance to ask a few questions one was on the research she did for this novel.  I was very impressed that she travelled to Salem to do her research and I loved seeing her pictures on her website she took while there. It always impresses me when an author puts so much time and effort into their research and writes with accurate times, dates and the stories being told are accurate as well.

 

The first book for me was a job well done, creating the characters, the story line, and the detail Meredith put into describing and setting the stage for the first of three novels was outstanding, it pulled me into the story and held me it captivated me. Leading into book two it wasn't just another story about vampires, werewolves and witches.  It was much more than that, yes it's a Paranormal novel but it also tells of a story that can be very much related to today's times, of what other cultures have to go through when their culture is not understood and people are scared of what they have heard through gossip or word of mouth, not by getting to know a person and understanding for themselves, seeing a person for who they really are not what they are.

 

When I was almost to the end of the second book, I had to slow down my reading as I really did not want the story to end, I was bonding with the characters, with their situation, cheering on their love story and for the fairy tale ending, but of course it being the second book I was left with a cliffhanger that left my jaw hanging open.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I read the last chapter.  I can't wait for the third book to come out and hope it's soon.  This really is a must read and I know you will all enjoy it as much as I did!!!

 

About the Author:

 

Meredith Allard is the Executive Editor of The Copperfield Review,  an award-winning literary journal for readers and writers of historical fiction. She received her B.A. and M.A. degrees in English from California State University, Northridge. She has taught writing to students aged 10 to 60, and she has taught creative writing and writing historical fiction workshops at Learning Tree University, UNLV, and the Las Vegas Writers Conference. Her writing has appeared in journals such as The Paumanok Review,  Moondance, Wild Mind,Muse Apprentice Guild, The Maxwell Digest, CarbLite, Writer’s Weekly, and ViewsHound. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Links:

 

Website

Twitter

Facebook

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The Copperfield Review