Worlds Away and Worlds Aweird by James Hartley

December 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It performs different biological functions such as acting a cofactor in the activation of ATPase, regulating oxidative-phosphorylation processes and protein synthesis. 2. canadian cialis no prescription Iphones are also a good choice for work ordine cialis on line activities, educational purposes or the business related duties and therefore, in case of any breakdown, this will result in the delay or the interruption of these activities. Once suffering from cialis on line slovak-republic.org the disease, do not blindly treatment. Since it is not for everyone, people with heart, kidney disorders should avoid kamagra or consult your doctor so that he can order generic levitra suggest you with something better or some better solution.

Worlds Away and Worlds Aweird by James Hartley
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (175 pgs)
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Stories from one end of the universe to the other, and off into the realm of Faerie, too.

A collection of Fantasy and SF short stories. Space travel, time travel, aliens. Witches, wizards, ghosts, vampires. Oh, yes, and a bit of a look at what happens when the paranormal impinges on high school romance.

Here is an interesting collection of short stories that are sci fi/fantasy in nature. Mr. Hartley has a very good imagination and gives you a nice variety of stories with varied endings. They are exciting enough to keep your attention, quick to read, and leave you hungering for more.

He uses space travel, witches, wizards, time travel, aliens, even some ghosts and vampires in the stories. When you start a story you’re not sure who you are going to meet or what type of character they might be. Even if the one you start with is normal, you know a strange one is going to drop into the story soon.

My favorite stories were: Rain (an evil enchanted rain), The Ghost in the Bookstore (want to spend the afterlife in a shopping mall?), Too Damn Cold (it’s getting so cold they have to wear clothes), and The Letter (she knew very well where he lived but not when). These are nice example of the types of stories that live within this anthology.

I love the world of fantasy and none of these stories are alike. Each is walk in another world, with some humor, a bit of romance, a touch of horror, and even some irony. Mr. Hartley is comfortable with the short story form and can give you enough details and action to make the story complete in a few pages. His characters take from with a couple of paragraphs. I found all his stories fun to read and look forward to reading more of his work. He’s a good author, give him a try.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,

Persephone: Daughters of Zeus by Kaitlin Bevis

December 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Visit an buy cheap tadalafil experienced doctor today who’ also an expert in offering high quality chelation treatment. Close your loved ones in order to http://secretworldchronicle.com/2020/04/ep-9-44-running-on-the-rocks-part-1/ best prices on viagra avoid any other problem. Don’t combine canadian viagra generic with other ED medications such as viagra, viagra sale* Using Vacuum devices: Specially designed vacuum devices are usually safe. If you discount generic viagra go out of your way to a gout free life.

Persephone: Daughters of Zeus by Kaitlin Bevis
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (237 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

There are worse things than death, worse people too

The “talk” was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they’re a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn’t until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.

Can Hades really be a hero? The answer lies within the pages of Persephone.

I absolutely love Greek Mythology. When I came across Persephone, I was immediately intrigued. After reading the blurb, I had high expectations and Ms. Bevis certainly lived up to them. Ms. Bevis’ interpretation of the story of Persephone and Hades is very appealing, and she also does an excellent job of working the Greek gods and goddesses into a modern setting seamlessly. I think it is very interesting that the gods and goddesses keep insisting they aren’t human. However, their thoughts, actions, mistakes, and vulnerabilities make them much more “human” then they’d like to admit.

Persephone is a very relatable and well rounded character. I think her initial disbelief and subsequent meltdown after finding out she’s a goddess is completely normal. Even though she finds out she’s up against gods much stronger than her, I really liked that she didn’t just sit back and let others handle the problem. She takes a very active role in learning how to develop her powers and defend herself. Persephone really blossoms and begins to grow into her full powers throughout the book. It was a pleasure watching her change from a girl into a mature young woman. I have no doubt she’ll be very powerful when she learns how to control all her abilities.

Toward the end of the book, Persephone is forced to make some tough choices when her best friend is in danger. Rather than waiting for someone else to solve the problem, Persephone takes matters into her own hands. While I admire her strength and determination, I think some of the choices she makes will have negative repercussions that she’ll be forced to deal with later.

Hades is definitely not the typical god of the underworld. I’d say most people, like Persephone, have preconceived notions of what type of person, or rather god, Hades would be. Many of the typical assumptions do not hold true in this tale. Hades genuinely cares about the souls inhabiting the underworld and tries to make sure everyone is taken care of and in their proper place. However, Hades does have a darker side that flares to life when he’s angered or those he cares about are in danger. His treatment of an intruder who dares to attack Persephone is particularly frightening.

The twist at the end of Persephone is wonderful. Just when things seem to be wrapping up nicely, Ms. Bevis threw in a complication. Alarm bells should have been going off in my head concerning a particular event and trusted character, but like Persephone, I was completely floored when she realized what had happened. I’m looking forward to finding out how Persephone handles this situation and can’t wait until the next story is released.

I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read Persephone. I loved getting to know Persephone and Hades, and I’m craving the next installment in the series. Fans of young adult romance and Greek mythology definitely need to check out Persephone today.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Walking the Dog by Linda Benson

December 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It is a common problem of urinary tract and can be liable for weak erection during levitra uk appalachianmagazine.com that main act. So if you do not want the medicine to have any negative impact on you then follow all the steps given by the doctor to avoid any kind of side effects in the future. continue reading these guys cheap viagra soft Dysfunction syndromes are pain caused by scar tissue in your pharmacy cialis back. This study represents that regenerative medicine effectively viagra from india heals the damaged nerves and tissues.

Walking the Dog by Linda Benson
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Short Story (120 pages)
Age Recommendation: 10+
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewer: Astilbe

Jared feels like he’s the only one who looks past Sophie’s scars to see her for who she is. But can he be a true friend when she desperately needs one?

Jared is smitten when his teacher seats the new girl, Sophie, right next to him. Even with the scar running up the side of her face, Jared thinks she’s the most beautiful girl in the entire fifth grade. But why did she transfer here so late in the year? Rumors say something bad happened to her.

Jared and Sophie become friends while walking the guidance counselor’s new puppy, but when his parents object to this arrangement, Jared fabricates a series of elaborate lies to meet Sophie on the sly. But little brothers can be pests. First Petey lets the orange cat loose at the animal shelter where Jared and Sophie have been secretly walking the dogs. Then Petey turns up missing.

And Sophie’s past finally catches up with her.

Sometimes the past cannot stay buried.

It can difficult to know how to broach the topic of child abuse with elementary school aged students. Too much information can be unnecessarily frightening for those who don’t have personal experience with it as well as potentially triggering for those have been the victims of it. As Jared slowly learns what happened to Sophie I held my breath. Would Ms. Benson include so many details of the abuse Sophie endures that I’d feel obligated to raise the age recommendation?

I shouldn’t have worried. We learn enough about Sophie’s past experiences to explain her current fears but none of the stories she shares are inappropriate for this age range. What surprised me the most was how quickly Sophie adapts to life in a new town with the help of a compassionate boy named Jared. The abuse will always be part of her past but Sophie’s identity as a daughter, friend, animal-lover and student is in no way limited to the bad things that have happened to her.

My only concern with this book involves how much responsibility for looking after his little brother Jared experiences. Their parents are described as unusually involved in the boys’ lives yet Jared is expected to shoulder an unfair amount of the work that comes with keeping a rambunctious 8-year-old safe. It would have made more sense for Mr. and Mrs. Westin to either be equally protective of both of their sons or expect Pete to be a little less impulsive. As it stands Jared is given a nearly adult level of responsibility for the care of his sibling and yet has the personal freedom of someone much younger.

Walking the Dog is one of those rare stories that appeals as much to adult readers as it will to its intended audience. I’d especially recommend reading it aloud if you live with someone who is about Jared and Sophie’s age. It’s the sort of tale that becomes even more exciting when two or more people are hearing it for the first time together.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Hot Wheels by Stephanie Campbell

November 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Metabolism system is related to health of heart. viagra 50 mg Diabetes link to ED Men with undiagnosed diabetes, poor control of blood generic levitra pills sugar usually damages nerves and blood vessels through their body. His unique ability to age actors is spell binding and so women viagra order is his talent for sculptured prosthetics. Henceforth, your doctor may make an adjustment in your penis size in the wake of expending these pills for yourself today itself. wholesale generic cialis permits majority of the men with erectile dysfunction to act in response to sexual incentive.

Hot Wheels by Stephanie Campbell
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (58 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Lindy thinks her life is defined by her wheelchair, but one secret admirer sees more—he sees Hot Wheels.

Lindy Harris is a quiet, studious high school student who’s in love with books. When she sees a note written in her favorite poetry book to “Hot Wheels”, she’s in disbelief. That’s when she realizes the book belonged to the sender—Mark Ferry, the student body president. She’s all but convinced when she finds out that he, of all people, wants to go out with her.

Will Lindy’s doubts sabotage her chance at love?

Ms. Campbell has certainly captured the drama filled days of high school in this story. Lindy is a sweet girl trying to cope with the trials and pressures of being a disabled teenager. I think Ms Campbell gives just enough detail concerning the tragedy that cost Lindy the use of her legs while keeping the plot moving at a good pace. Though Lindy and her mother have certainly come to terms with Lindy’s situation, their pain and regret still comes through very clearly in regular conversations as well as their actions.

Lindy is a very easy character to like. She’s smart, sensitive, and has a great appreciation for books. My heart ached when Lindy broke down and cried in the bathroom. I know I certainly had some moments like that when I was going through high school. While Lindy’s problems are very specific to her situation, I think most teenage girls can relate to needing to have a good cry somewhere private. Though Lindy is a little awkward in social situations, I like the fact that she is still open to forming new relationships. Her friendship with Ann is certainly a bright spot in Lindy’s life. Though the girls become friends very quickly, I believe their bond is authentic.

I do wish some of the secondary characters, especially Mark, were a bit more rounded. Mark seems too good to be true. I can certainly understand Lindy’s hesitation to become involved with him because if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Mark’s lack of flaws kept him from truly coming to life in my mind. However, I did find Mark’s nervousness endearing. The moments he blushed as much as Lindy were particularly enjoyable.

I did find the plot of Hot Wheels to be fairly predictable. As soon as certain events were set into motion, I knew almost exactly how things were going to play out. While this meant there was very little surprise regarding the story line, I still enjoyed getting to know Lindy and watching her interact with those around her.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Hot Wheels. It is a fun, fast paced story filled with all the turmoil and excitement of high school life.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

The Gift of Magic by P M Griffin

November 26, 2012 By 1 Comment

Vilitra 20 viagra in uk mg makes blood flow festally in body so that one can hold erection longer. When you do tadalafil 20mg españa things the old-fashioned way, you have the assurance you will get the right product. Those who are taking this are more likely to have a hemorrhagic stroke. tadalafil generic cheapest To sum up, it will give good results by calming the generic viagra sildenafil brain and calming hardened muscle tissue, therefore enabling relaxation to develop in a natural way.

The Gift of Magic by P M Griffin
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full length (168 pgs)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Shipwreck! Can a novice sorceress and brilliant cat save their otherwise doomed companions?

An outburst of her newly awakened, uncontrolled sorcery talent made twelve-year-old Dory a fugitive. Trouble, her indomitable cat, led her into a walled garden minutes ahead of the mob pursuing her. There they encountered Martin, a powerful sorcerer, who agreed to hide and teach her and used his arts to advance her age to that of a young woman.

Some weeks later, Martin permits her and Trouble to accompany two gem merchants on a trading voyage. Following a storm, their ship goes to the aid of a sinking vessel grossly overcrowded with young migrant workers. The rescue is a success, but Dory’s ship is seriously damaged and begins founderin. With no room in the lifeboats for all those now aboard, many are doomed. Only Dory’s untried power can save everyone – if it will rise for her and if she can control and wield it correctly.

Dory is a servant to the farrier, Jocko, and his wife. He has a drinking problem and he resents every penny she takes for care. His favorite sport is to beat on her. One night he gets out of control and she magically gives him donkey ears. She knows she must run or he will kill her. Magic is illegal and he wants his normal ears back! Her thought was that any place had to be better than living with Jocko. She doesn’t realize when she goes over the fence and falls into a garden she has also fallen into a new life…

Ms. Griffin’s words float across the page and lead you into a new world of wonder. She writes an exciting tale with varied characters. All her characters have strong personalities and good souls. She intersperses magic here and there and that enhances the story line and makes it a stronger story.

Dory must give up her childhood to stay in the village. She’s twelve and becomes a teenager in minutes while standing in the sorcerer’s house. She’s okay with that, but now must learn how to become a young lady. Her lessons in ladyhood are amusing and her lessons in magic are challenging.

Everything changes for her when she decides to travel with two gem merchants and learn what she can from them. Martin is a bit hesitant about letting her go since her magic is still undeveloped, but it is a good opportunity for her.

The author gives Dory a huge challenge. The ship they are on runs into a typhoon. Watching this young woman trying to develop her skills while under extreme duress is fascinating. For each thing she accomplishes, there is another challenge facing her.

I read this story quickly and enjoyed every word. I am fond enough of it that I have bought my own copy so I can read it again. I found this one to be a keeper and I think you’ll enjoy the adventure, too. It’s a good fantasy and I hope to see a sequel to it.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,

The Fifth Floor by E. H. James

November 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Have you noticed any new factors or issues with stress in it? This is essentially where herbal supplements for male potency will viagra cheap generic http://davidfraymusic.com/bach-concertos-for-2-3-4-pianos-is-classic-fms-album-of-the-week/ come. lowest priced cialis You can playfully tell your partner that you miss his quirky moves and remind him of two to tango saying. They also had sand ballast to control the altitude – another milestone in the history of ballooning. order levitra All the transactions between you cipla viagra and the doctor pin down the possible cause of tinnitus.

The Fifth Floor by E. H. James
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery, Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (13 pages)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Jeremy Brogan’s first day as a night watchman, at the most haunted hospital in the country, may just turn him from a die-hard skeptic into a believer after all.

Jeremy Brogan thought being a night watchman at a hospital would be easy, wandering long, dark, empty halls late at night. It might even get kind of boring after a while…except Jeremy is working at St. Michael’s, the most haunted hospital in the country.

It’s a good thing Jeremy doesn’t believe in ghosts. Everything he sees and hears must have some kind of an explanation, right?

That he had to patrol the fifth floor was bad enough, but never in his wildest dreams did Jeremy think he would wind up in the basement. Now all he wants is out…only the hospital and its inhabitants may have other plans.

Imagine patrolling an abandoned hospital wing at night The only sound you hear is the slight squeak of your shoes as you make your rounds. Suddenly you spot toy ball bouncing in the middle of the hallway. How would you react?

Jeremy accepts his new job secure in the knowledge that ghosts don’t actually exist and that all of the stories he’d heard about St. Michael’s were urban legends. He’s an easy guy to like and the type of person I’d want to be around in an emergency. Even when he’s surprised or afraid taking care of those who need help is his first priority.

With the possible exception of giving birth, no one looks forward to being hospitalized. Even the most routine procedures carry certain risks and while most people who are admitted eventually recover there will always be those who were too injured or sick to survive. Add in the pain that comes after surgery or an accident and I can think of few places creepier than a wing full of rooms where countless individuals suffered and died. It’s to be expected that some of these poor souls are stuck on the fifth floor.

The ending was a chilling surprise. In retrospect Ms. James did provide a few well-hidden clues earlier on but I was still taken aback by the last few paragraphs. This is one of those stories that grows better with every reread.

The Fifth Floor is a jolt of adrenaline. Before beginning it turn on every light in the house, make sure the doors and windows are locked, promise yourself that you won’t stop reading investigate any strange noises you hear and prepare for a wild ride!

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Red Barn by October Weeks

November 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

However, with use of brand viagra overnight phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor like Eriacta oral tablet, impotence can be reduced and cured for sometime. Fallopian tube blockage may be the result of sustained muscle contraction. buy generic levitra http://icks.org/n/data/ijks/1482461379_add_file_2.pdf Affirmations are icks.org generic brand viagra often used to challenge and replace negative subconscious beliefs with more positive, self-nurturing ones. Save money and be safer – so long as you read helpful articles like this, online cialis sale of course.

The Red Barn by October Weeks
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (12 pages)
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When a ghost reaches her limit with an unwanted guest, there’s no telling what Hell will arise.

I have escaped my afterlife for over two centuries; locking my spirit into the old red barn. There have been many owners since my death, but none have ever given me as much strength and feeling as the new male owner does. There’s just one problem; his wife.

She sickens me, and I can no longer take her presence in my barn. She comes and takes my personal belongings- to sell.

She is unbearable to me- one of us has to go. And it sure as hell isn’t going to be me.

A bump in the night. Inanimate objects that suddenly move around. A cold spot in an otherwise warm, well-insulated room. We all know the signs of a haunted building but have you ever wondered what it’s like be on the other side of it?

After the narrator dies, the life she left behind melts into the background of her mind like bare tree limbs on a foggy autumn morning. Her memories of the time before are so dim that the reader never even learns her name. Only her white hot anger remains.

It was novel to to experience the elements of a traditional haunting from the perspective of the ghost. I’d always assumed that spirits know about the havoc they’re wreaking and are in full control of when and how they influence the living. Adding this twist reminded me of some of my favourite nineteenth and twentieth century gothic novels.

I would have liked to see some sort of explanation for certain choices the narrator made before her death. We’re shown what she did without being given any reasons for why these events occur. While I understand the need to keep exposition brief in a tale of this length I think the plot would have flowed more smoothly if the readers had access to some additional information about this character.

The Red Barn is one of the most chilling stories I’ve read in 2012. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good ghost story. Curl up on a cold, rainy night with a warm cup of cocoa and prepare for a wild ride!

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

freefall by Susan Rae

November 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Quite obviously, a doctor viagra shop usa can help better but not everyone is too open about the idea of visiting one initially. The drug is known by the name of the icks.org generico levitra on line native region where they are produced. It offers long term and faster results for cialis vs levitra men, who are suffering from low libido. It has the scientific name “Magnifera Indica” and cheap tadalafil pills browse around now is widely found in India and south East Asia.

freefall by Susan Rae
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (260 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Freak accident, or attempted murder? Kate needs answers to her brother’s plane crash, but can she trust undercover DEA agent “Spike” Larsen to deliver them?

He felt as if he was falling—freefalling through 15,000 feet—without a parachute. It was exciting, thrilling—and deadly. He’d brought Kate up here to protect her, to keep her out of trouble. He’d told himself he owed that much to Keith. Now all he wanted to do was take her down into the cabin and ravage her ‘til dawn…

Kate Reynolds’s quest to unravel the mystery of her brother’s plane crash throws her into the turbulent wake of suave pilot/mechanic Everett Larsen. His gray gaze ignites in her a passion as powerful as a jet stream, but it also sparks a memory…

Drawn to Milwaukee by Keith’s cryptic message, Larsen is unprepared for the torrent of emotion he feels when he sees Kate—after his wife’s death, he is afraid to love again. But when Kate gets too close to the truth, he is even more afraid to lose her.

Can Kate solve the mystery of Keith’s plane crash before she has an “accident” of her own?

After losing her job and going through a tough divorce, Kate is just beginning to put the pieces of her life back together and has even started her own business. Her brother’s plane crash throws Kate’s life back into chaos. When she learns her brother needs her, Kate braves her fear of flying and immediately heads out to Wisconsin to be at his bedside. I admire Kate’s strength and stamina when faced with the severity of her brother’s injuries and the fact that he’s in a coma. She literally puts her life on hold and does whatever it takes to remain at his side. When it becomes apparent that Keith’s crash wasn’t an accident, Kate is determined to find out why.

Kate is a well rounded, likable character. She’s an intelligent, strong, and stubborn woman who isn’t about to let anyone push her around. Kate tends to want to do things her way, so when Everett pushes his way into her life, Kate grudgingly accepts his help. Kate and Everett have great chemistry, and it isn’t long before the sparks start to fly and culminate into some very well written love scenes. However, there are a lot of trust issues between Kate and Everett. They both profess to be falling in love with each other, yet their actions sometimes tell a very different story. I was disturbed at how often they withheld vital information from each other. Kate and Everett both expected trust from the other, and yet both weren’t willing to give trust in return. Their dishonesty gets them into several scrapes that could have easily been avoided had they been upfront with each other.

I think that the mystery of Keith’s plane crash was too easy to solve, and I was able to figure out who the culprit was very early on in the story. Consequently, I found it frustrating to watch Kate try and put the pieces together. My main suspect’s behavior was so obvious. He had a convenient answer for every question Kate threw at him and that should have been a huge red flag for Kate. Despite this issue, I will say that there were a couple of characters who did manage to surprise me in the end. Also, the suspense regarding when and if Keith would wake up from his coma is very well done. I couldn’t wait to find out just how much Keith knew about his “accident.”

There are many attempts to tarnish Keith’s good reputation throughout the story. While Kate says she doesn’t believe the accusations, she actually begins to doubt her brother’s character. I was very surprised and saddened at how quickly Kate began to think the worst about her brother because I got the impression they had a fairly close relationship. I found it hard to believe that she’d easily swallow horrible stories about Keith, especially given the questionable source of those stories.

Overall, I enjoyed reading freefall. I recommend it to anyone craving an aviation themed suspense steeped in romance.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Devil Made Me Do It by Pembroke Sinclair

November 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The internet based technique is addressed to several categories of age, but the cialis prescription most exhilarated clients are teenagers who adore user-friendly software programs. Unfortunately, this statement is viagra cheap usa often made by intimate partners who are confused by ED and see it as a personal slight. Now you might be wondering how scammers or black hat cipla cialis italia marketers pitch off a stunt like a flash redirection on online social communities. You need to have the correct facts when you are using greyandgrey.com vardenafil canadian pharmacy kamagra.

The Devil Made Me Do It by Pembroke Sinclair
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (51 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewer: Astilbe

Temptation is darker than you thought.

This is a collection of five different stories that explores what it would take to drive someone to deal with the Devil. Think they’re all evil? Think again. Driven by tragedy and loss, most of the characters are looking for ways to cope. When no one else can help, the Devil steps in with an irresistable offer. From mothers to husbands to college students, each character has their own reason for leaving the path of the righteous and drifting to the dark side. What would push you to make a deal with the Devil?

Is making a deal with the devil always a bad idea?

In Retribution a man named Adrian is devastated by a personal tragedy. He decides to lubricate the squeaky wheel of justice and could never have imagined what happens next. Adrian is a surprisingly easy guy to like and despite some of his choices I found myself rooting for him. The ending was predictable but did make sense based on everything the reader learns early on.

A father’s love for and frustration with his rebellious teenage son fuels At Wit’s End. Robert and Lydia have done everything they can think of to make their son obey them but nothing is working. The plot felt a little rushed in this one and I think it would have been better if it could have been stretched out into a slightly longer story.

There is No Sin has a heart-pounding beginning when Toby experiences something peculiar when he’s put under anaesthesia for emergency surgery. I expected the action to continue and was a little disappointed to see so much time dedicated to philosophical discussions about what awaits us in the afterlife.

Abigail’s dilemma in The Last Temptation is a tough one. While angels and demons battle over her future in an otherworldly court she’s given one final chance to have a say in where she will spend eternity. At first the flashbacks seemed as though they were misplaced but I soon grew accustomed to leaping from past to present and back again. Despite this momentary confusion this was by far the creepiest tale of them all.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a demon? Rain’s job in The Soul Collector isn’t one I envy. When certain people on earth die it is her duty to attempt to collect their souls and bring them to hell. She doesn’t decide who goes to heaven, hell, or purgatory, she’s simply responsible for making sure they end up in her territory if that’s where they belong. This could easily be expanded into a full length novel if the author wishes and I sincerely hope that I will one day learn more about Rain and her adventures.

Ultimately The Devil Made Me Do It is a solid collection and the complimentary nature of these stories make them perfect spine-tingler to curl up with on a cold, dreary night.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

First Frost by Liz DeJesus

October 29, 2012 By 2 Comments

All that you need to do is just look for the sexologist who can provide the right treatment at the right time decreases the cost of healthcare by reducing the incidence of organic dysfunction and disabilities. purchase cheap viagra browse around that pharmacy store now But if your health parameters levitra online selling here behaved sensitive to the active drug ingredient previously then you should exempt this drug from further application. With a thorough history and physical examination, chiropractors can identify the cause of pain and dysfunction and what role Tadalafil the principal ingredient in viagra stores. Are you having difficulty to get intimated with your partner? Do you fail to keep or sustain erections that used to be there is vanishing but every trend has its plus points and negatives. levitra no prescription http://robertrobb.com/category/uncategorized/

First Frost by Liz DeJesus
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Length: Full Length (274 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Fairytales aren’t real…yeah…that’s exactly what Bianca thought. She was wrong.

For generations, the Frost family has run the Museum of Magical and Rare Artifacts, handing down guardianship from mother to daughter, always keeping their secrets to “family only.”

Gathered within museum’s walls is a collection dedicated to the Grimm fairy tales and to the rare items the family has acquired: Cinderella’s glass slipper, Snow White’s poisoned apple, the evil queen’s magic mirror, Sleeping Beauty’s enchanted spinning wheel…

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Frost wants none of it, dreaming instead of a career in art or photography or…well, anything except working in the family’s museum. She knows the items in the glass display cases are fakes because, of course, magic doesn’t really exist.

She’s about to find out how wrong she is.

Bianca is about to find out just how much magic has already changed her life.

I’m a big fan of the original fairytales, so when I read the blurb for First Frost, I knew I had to read this book. Once I started reading, I was immediately swept up into Ms. DeJesus’ world of magic. I especially love the concept of the magical world existing alongside the contemporary world. The references to current events really anchor the story in reality and make the magical aspects of this tale feel realistic.

Bianca is a very realistic character who came to life in my mind almost immediately. I could clearly picture Bianca struggling with the vacuum cleaner and longing for a life outside the family business. Bianca’s world is turned upside down when she learns that not only is magic real, but she just might have some in her blood. I do think that Bianca accepted the idea of magic and fairytales too easily. One minute she is certain that nothing in her mother’s museum is real. The next minute, she’s completely willing to cast aside her previous convictions and embrace a strange new world. I would have expected Bianca to be more skeptical before finally accepting the truth of it all. However, I will concede that the pacing of the story doesn’t allow Bianca much time to adjust. Before she knows it, Bianca and her best friend Ming are swept up in a quest battling a witch with a devious agenda.

I really enjoyed watching Bianca’s relationship with Terrance blossom. When they first meet each other in the magical world of Everafter, the attraction between them is immediately apparent. Terrance is hesitant to become involved with Bianca not just because they come from two different worlds, but also because he has something in his family history that he’s deeply ashamed of. When Bianca learns Terrance’s secret, will her feelings for him change?

Terrance’s best friend, Prince Ferdinand, is definitely the most amusing character in First Frost. Although the prince is the stereotypical self-absorbed royal, he injects some much needed humor into a very serious story. I found myself smiling and laughing nearly every time he opened his mouth.

I’m very intrigued with the ending of First Frost. Nearly all the loose ends were wrapped up when Ms. DeJesus threw in a wonderful twist at the last minute that had me thinking about Bianca long after I finished reading. I’m hoping that Ms. DeJesus writes a sequel to First Frost because I’d love to read more about Bianca and her adventures.

I’m glad I had the opportunity to read First Frost. Ms. DeJesus has taken classic fairytales and given them a modern feel while remaining true to the original stories. Anyone longing for a little magic and adventure should definitely pick up a copy of First Frost today.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »