Eileen Cruz Coleman

Winner of the Thanks for the Books Hop

November 17, 2011 by JBronder

Sorry I’m late in posting this. Congratulations to Judy Cox!! I will get that in the mail today. Thank you to everyone that left comments and are following my blog.

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The Always War

November 15, 2011 by JBronder

The Always War by Margaret Peterson Haddix

4 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) In a war-torn future United States, fifteen-year-old Tessa, her childhood friend Gideon, now a traumatized military hero, and Dek, a streetwise orphan, enter enemy territory and discover the shocking truth about a war that began more than seventy-five years earlier.

Tessa is barely surviving. She goes to school, where everyone doesn’t like her, then cleans at a hospital to get by. Her parents have given up a long time ago and barely leave their bedroom. She attends the award ceremony of Gideon, a childhood friend. But things don’t go as planned when Gideon panics about not being a hero and runs.

Gideon was sent to the military school and is a pilot that dropped a bomb on the enemy. But he hacked into the system and learned that he killed innocent women and children. Now he is living with the guilt and decides to right his wrong. He steals a plane and flies out to where he dropped the bomb. Tessa sees someone following him and tries to warn Gideon but ends up in the plane with him. But when Gideon and Tessa see the war zone, something is missing. They can’t understand where they are and what is going on.

I liked this book. It has great potential. It has people that are too afraid to change or the willingness to look further into their situation. I did feel that the story felt a little flat. It felt like the ending was just tossed on without really working with the idea. Beyond that I do feel that if you like dystopian stories, that you will like this one.

I received this book for free from the Simon & Schuster Galley Grab in exchange for an honest review.

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The Pledge

November 15, 2011 by JBronder

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

4 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she’s spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It’s there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she’s never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can’t be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country’s only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

Charlie is a Vendor, a class designed strictly to serving people. She is only supposed to know her language. If she hears someone speaking in another language, she is supposed to avert her eyes and be passive. Unfortunately, Charlie has the ability to understand all languages spoken and written. She has hidden this from people, with the help of her parents, for several years. But when she is at a club with her friend Brooklyn, she hears a language never spoken before and almost gets caught.

Then we learn that the Queen of Ludania is dieing. But she has magical powers that let her transfer here Essence from her body to a female heir. The problem is she has no female heirs and is on the look out for the last surviving family from the time when all royalty was killed. She has sent her grandson Max out to look for the girl. Max stumbles upon Charlie at a club and has the feeling that there is something special about her and vows to protect her.

All this happens as Ludania is about to erupt into war. Rival monarchies and rebels are tired of the Queens rule. Xander is the leader of the rebels. After a chance meeting with Charlie, he has thinks that he has found the key to getting the Queen off the throne.

I really liked this book. I hate to say it, but I liked Charlie’s friend Aron better than Max or Xander. I will admit that I might have been a little slow in the beginning but the ending came with a bang. After reading this, I’m really excited to read The Body Finder series.

I received this book for free from the Simon & Schuster Galley Grab in exchange for an honest opinion.

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Smoke and Mirrors

November 10, 2011 by JBronder

Smoke & Mirrors by Rue Volley

Did Not Finish

(Excerpt from Goodreads) Book two in the Blood & Light Vampire series takes Rue, our teenage vampire, even deeper into the rabbit hole that has become her life. This book introduces a deeper look into the vampire city of “Valon” that all vampires derive from…taking a darker turn as you are invited into their world and their lack of compassion for the human race, and even in some cases, a total disregard for their own kind. As the story twists and turns you are also introduced to two new vampires, that of a sister/brother team by the names of “Jonah & Lily” who run a traveling carnival, luring unsuspecting humans into their lair, not only to seduce….but to feed upon. Rue faces many dangers in this addition, not only from her own kind…but this new vampire breed…that of the rogues, who serve no one but themselves and their own desires. Rue also struggles with her want to be “normal” as she comes to terms with the fact that she is indeed a vampire of great importance, and as she navigates her way through this she is also coming to realize that Joshua Barrington has seduced her and perhaps stolen her heart. Please join us as you find yourself sucked deeper into an epic story in the life of one girl, who although she has good intention, may indeed be her own worst enemy. Book two is more graphic in nature…with language, sexual situations and violence. Sure to make you laugh, cry…and realize that sometimes you find yourself standing at the corner of WTF and OMG.

We start with Rue not knowing anything about herself, except what she has been told by Jonathan. But she has flashes of memory that cause blinding pain. In one moment she overcomes the binding placed on her and escapes back to her friends and brother just to learn that Jonathan was actually Caine in disguise.

When Rue gets home, she learns that Jonathan has been trapped in a memory and goes to rescue him. Through difference circumstances, she finally admits that she has feelings for Joshua. Rue then has a break down and doesn’t want to be the thing of legend and runs away. Joshua goes with to keep her safe and they run into rogue vampires Jonah and Lily. They travel with a circus and prey upon humans at will caring only for themselves.

I admit that I could not finish this book. I got about 140 pages in and had to stop. The story does have potential and I did want to find out what happens next after I read Blood and Light. I could not continue because I lost my patience with Rue. I was getting tired of reading how she wanted to jump Joshua but hated him. I also was irritated with her running away and temper tantrums.

I see a lot of people really liked this book and I’m sorry to be the one grumpy person. I will gave it a neutral rating (3 stars) for those sites that need a ranking because I can’t say it is horrible when I couldn’t finish it. If you like a lot of teenage angst with some vampires thrown in you will probably like this book.

I received this book for free from Roxanne at Bewitching Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

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Resonance

November 10, 2011 by JBronder

Resonance by AJ Scudiere

4 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) A catastrophic polar shift threatens the survival of humanity, and two scientists must convince the world the shift is happening-and figure out a way to stop it.

Something strange is going on in the world. First we meet David Carter, a geologist. He is at a dig but he is more interested in the local rocks than dinosaur bones. About 65 million years ago, it seems that the Earth’s magnetic field switched. He is looking for is proof of that event.

Jordan Abellard and Jillian Brookwood have just started working with the CDC. Their mentor is a grouchy old man that made it clear that they are basically going to be diagnosing minor illnesses. After Jordan’s brother passes away, Jordan goes on the mission to figure out what happened. That leads them to a strange death in Florida and another small town where people are getting really sick and dieing for no valid reason.

Becky Sorenson discovers mutated frogs by her parent’s house. She starts researching them when she is sent off to look into a strange bird migration. Although she is initially threatened with loosing her tenure and her frogs, it is later decided that she would be the best person to figure out what is going on with the frogs and birds.

I had a hard time getting into the book for the first 100 or so pages. After that the book just flowed. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next and thought the ending was a good twist. I admit that I am really curious about the possibilities from the results of the pole switch. I would like to have learned more about what exactly was making the people ill.

Over all this was a good first book. I admit that I started reading God’s Eye and can’t wait to find out what happens. I think most people will like this story. It’s a great new idea that has lots of possibilities.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Posted in 4 Star Books | 1 Comment »
Thanks for the Books Hop

November 2, 2011 by JBronder

Well, here is my first giveaway Hop. I’m so excited!!! I’m sorry that I’m late getting this posted.

I have almost finished reading AJ Scudiere’s Resonance. This is a great book, I should have the review posted shortly. I want to share this book with everyone so I will be giving my copy away.

(Excerpt from Goodreads) A catastrophic polar shift threatens the survival of humanity, and two scientists must convince the world the shift is happening-and figure out a way to stop it.

When I think of all the wonderful things in my life, I’m glad that I have the ability to read and the access to all the books I could ever read. I love meeting all the people that have blogs and especially the authors. Thank you for keeping me informed of up coming books, introducing me to authors that I have never heard of, and to the authors for thinking all these wonderful new books that I cannot wait to get my hands on.

To be entered, please leave a comment telling me what you are thankful for regarding books and a way to contact you. Followers are appreciated but not required.

This giveaway is being hosted by Grace Fonseca at Livre De Amour. Check out her page for the full list of participants in the Hop.

Posted in Giveaways, Uncategorized | 10 Comments »
In My Mail Box

October 31, 2011 by JBronder

Books I Purchased:

Ghost at Work by Carolyn Hart

Under the Dome by Stephen King ($5 in the bargain pile – I couldn’t resist)

Dark Side of the Mirror by RL Austin (.99 at Barnes and Noble)

Seed by Ania Ahlborn (.99 at Barnes and Noble)

Shada by Craig Hansen (.99 at Barnes and Noble)

Cameo the Assassin by Dawn McCullough-White (.99 at Barnes and Noble)

Road Rash by Simon Wood (.99 at Amazon)

Books I Won:

Black Light by Patrick Melton from Good Reads

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi from Good Reads

The Peculiar Superpowers of Eleanor Armstrong by KA Schloegel from Velvet at VVB32 Reads

Hunters by Gregory Marshall Smith from Bev at The Wormhole

Legend of the Ociena Dragon and Vala: Agendas by JF Jenkins from her blog giveaway.

Witches and The Bull Years by Phil Stern from Darlene at Darlene’s Book Nook

The Experiment in Terror Series by Karina Hall from Sarah at I’m Loving Books

Books for Review:

Keeping Cooper by Samantha Masone (Requested by Author)

Crushed Sugar, Sugar Rush, & Sweet Bytes by Kimber An (Requested by Author)

The Prize: Tales From a Revolution: Vermont by Lars DH Hedbor (Requested by Author)

BPRD: Being Human from Dark Horse Comics (NetGalley)

Infestation: Outbreak from Idea & Design Works (NetGalley)



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Return to Exile – Revised

October 27, 2011 by JBronder

I originally got a copy of this book from the Simon & Schuster Galley Grab but I didn’t get to finish it before my time expired. I lucked out and got a copy from the Amazon Vine Program. Here is the revised/finished review.

Return to Exile by EJ Patten

5 stars

(Excerpt from Good Reads) ONE BOY. UNTOLD ENEMIES. A WHOLE WORLD TO SAVE. TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

Eleven years ago, a shattered band of ancient hunters captured an unimaginable evil and Phineas T. Pimiscule rescued his nephew, Sky, from the wreckage of that great battle. For eleven years, Sky Weathers has studied traps, puzzles, science, and the secret lore of the Hunters of Legend, believing it all a game. For eleven years, Sky and his family have hidden from dark enemies while, unbeknownst to Sky, his uncle Phineas sacrificed everything to protect them. For eleven years, Sky Weathers has known nothing of that day. But on the eve of Sky’s twelfth birthday and his family’s long-awaited return to Exile, everything changes. Phineas has disappeared, and Sky finds himself forced to confront the mysterious secrets he’s denied for so long: why did his family leave Exile on that day so long ago? What, exactly, has Phineas been preparing him for? And, the biggest mystery of all, who is Sky really and why does everyone want to kill him?!

It is Sky’s twelfth birthday but it is the worst birthday ever. His uncle Phineas goes missing and he has to move to Exile. Now he feels like something is wrong. When he follows his father onto Phineas’ property, he is attacked by creatures that he though were just stories in books that Phineas gave him years ago. A shifter and three cloaked people save Sky from these creatures.

The next day, Sky learns that kids his age are the ones that saved him and they have no knowledge of what they are fighting. They have created their weapons from the trash dumped in caves below Phineas’ property. Sky is a great asset to them since he knows about the creatures that they are fighting.

The hunters that Sky grew up learning about are no longer around. Now the kids are going to have to work together to keep the prison from being unlocked and deal with the disappearances of local children all the while relying on Sky and his stories. Sky also has to work with Errand, a boy that can help him talk to the monsters with his hunters mark but Sky is the only on that can see him. But Errand abandon’s Sky when Sky needs him that most.

I loved this story. All the hunters that are supposed to keep the regular people safe have disappeared and left the kids to use trash to make tools in their fight against the monsters. Sky gets his eyes opened about what defines a Monster. And the ending leaves it open for several more books to come.

I got sucked into the book and couldn’t put it down. This is geared to younger teens but any one of any age will enjoy it. I recommend this to anyone that enjoys fantasy and young adult books.

I received this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review.

Posted in 5 Star Books | 1 Comment »
A.J. Scudiere’s God’s Eye Sale

October 25, 2011 by JBronder

The publisher is having a $2.99 sale from October 24 through 31 for this book.

God’s Eye by A.J. Scudiers.

(Excerpt from Goodreads) Katharine Geryon is living the life her family name has dictated, and why not? After all, it has given her a good job in the family company and a fine life with all the things she should want. But all that changes as increasingly disturbing events begin to occur: soot stains on the carpet, glimpses of strange black animals, and cryptic messages written on her bathroom mirror. Baffled and afraid, Katharine begins to doubt her own sanity.

At the same time, two charismatic men enter her life: Allistair, her new assistant at work, and Zachary, a well-heeled neighbor who just moved into her building. Katharine soon finds each of them inextricably entangled in her affairs. As her life becomes stranger and her dreams more terrifying, she realizes neither man is what he seems and that she’s caught in something far beyond her own comprehension. For the first time, she must reach beyond her own boundaries. There Katharine forges her first true friendship with Margot, a librarian who helps her discover what these men really are, why she’s drawn to them, and what they want with her.

The answer places Katharine in the middle of a fierce battle that forces her to decide between the two men fighting for her soul.

In the end, only one can be saved, but all three will be judged.

I just started reading this book. I have gotten sucked into the story and cannot wait to find out what happens next. I will be getting a review for it up shortly.

If you are interested in purchasing God’s Eye, check out Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Just remember that the Halloween Special Ends 10/31.

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Rumpel

October 25, 2011 by JBronder

Rumpel by Eileen Cruz Coleman

3 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) Rumpel is the dark and quirky retelling of the Brothers Grimm Rumpelstiltskin.

When foreigners arrive on an island beach in search of a lost spinning wheel which they believe rightfully belongs to them and on which their very existence depends, the island inhabitants are thrust into a course of events during which some will become allies and others will turn against their own and Elizabeth Miller must defend her unborn child from a vengeful troll.

Rumpel follows several people but is based around the classic story Rumpelstiltskin. This is a darker, more mature version that we grew up with. Rumpel is a troll that had a wife and child that have passed. Through a series of misfortunes, he has come across the opportunity to reclaim a child as his.

Elizabeth is Rumpel’s target. She has been friendlier than she should have with the prince and is now with child. But being the target of Rumpel’s obsession and the king’s desire for an heir don’t mean things are going to be easy for her.

At the same time, the county of Niapson has people in the Rodavlas harbor. The Rodavlas king thinks they are looking for fish. The truth is they are looking for a spinning wheel that turns straw to gold. Niapson’s people are slowly starving to death and have been for about a hundred years. They know that the spinning wheel is in Rodavlas and they are prepared to go to war for it.

Once I figured out who was who and what was going on, I did like the story. It is a great retelling of the classic story. I really liked the background to Rumpel’s obsession with Elizabeth’s unborn child.

But, the story was very choppy. It took me about four or five chapters to figure out who was who. It also bounced around a lot. One moment we are talking about a woman that has a child by Rumpel, then we go to Elizabeth sneaking around with the prince, to Rumpel’s history, and I have still to figure out what is going on with spirits and their abilities being taken away from them.

I really feel with more editing to make everything flow better this book would be much better than it turned out to be.

I received this book for free from Book Rooster in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)