Book Series Review: Until the End of the World

I'm not typically a fan of horror, zombies, or books that mess with my emotions as broadly as this book did. That being said, all four books in this series where addictive, well written, kept me guessing, and thoroughly had me on edge in one way or another.

The author of Until the End of the World, Sarah Lyons Fleming, has a way with words that is not only unique but makes her one of the better authors I've discovered in 2015. If you choose to listen to this series instead of read it, the Audible version read by Julia Whelan is an excellent choice. She adds to the characters with her tone, pitch, and pauses.

Book Review: Arcadia Falls

This murder mystery is a sad tale that merges real life mysteries from the past with the present. Most of the magical twists and turns are nothing more than personal secrets bottled up like a volcano and presented with beautifully written descriptors.

I enjoyed this short book. It immediately pulled me in and moves along at an even keel. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance novels, murder mysteries, or stories about people discovering their genealogy.

Written by: Carol Goodman

Narrated by: Jen Taylor

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Book Review: The Last Testament by David Javerbaum

I began this book like any other, with an open mind and an eagerness to get connected with the narrator and characters. That never happened. I tried to start the book multiple times and just didn't enjoy the narrator or story line. It's a satire on religion that, for me, was hard to listen to. A narrator change might have made a big difference, but who knows. You can't win them all.

My latest book purchases

Reviews coming soon!

Purchase Summary

Arcadia Falls

Written by: Carol Goodman

Narrated by: Jen Taylor

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What Every BODY Is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People

Written by: Joe Navarro, Marvin Karlins

Narrated by: Paul Costanzo

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Body Language for Dummies

Written by: Elizabeth Kuhnke

Narrated by: Kate Harper

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Effective Communication Skills

Written by: The Great Courses

Narrated by: Professor Dalton Kehoe

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Your Deceptive Mind: A Scientific Guide to Critical Thinking Skills

Written by: The Great Courses

Narrated by: Professor Steven Novella

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Understanding the Mysteries of Human Behavior

Written by: The Great Courses

Narrated by: Professor Mark Leary

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A Big Thanks to Craig Halloran

This post is going to be short, but should entice you to stay tuned. Craig Halloran and I connected recently thanks to an introduction from Brian Rathbone.

Craig generously provided me with copies of his series, The Chronicles of Dragon. I've already finished the first book of seven (books 8-10 coming soon). I'm steadily on pace to finish the rest of the series in the next couple weeks, but I'm a little afraid the beautiful weather has been distracting me from writing. So, this is an advanced thank you to Craig and heads up to anyone who reads this blog: I will be reviewing all seven of Craig's books, doing a give away, and an author interview very soon.

Until then, happy reading.

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Words Hold the Means to Meaning

Content on the Web

There is a plethora of writing that has come with the objectivity of internet blogs, sharing and social networks. A plethora of writing and not all of it is good writing. We, as writers and bloggers, have forgotten the importance of well thought out storytelling. Storytelling is more than just writing to get out a point, it is the process of giving true meaning and depth to what we have to say. It has become cliche to say “content is king on the internet” that is not to say that it isn’t true, it’s very true but that also makes it the catalyst for quickly drawn stories that often lack thought or provocation. I’m also not trying to imply that I’m not guilty of the same crimes I’m accusing the rest of the internet, I too am guilty of this verdict. Hook, line and sinker.

Quote: The Four Brothers of the Spirit

The Four Brothers of Spirit

“The child is taught from earliest consciousness that she has these four brothers with her in the world wherever she goes, and that they will always look after her. The brothers inhabit the four virtues a person needs in order to be safe and happy in life: intelligence, friendship, strength and poetry. The brothers can be called upon in any critical situation for rescue and assistance. When you die, your four spirit brothers collect your soul and bring you to heaven.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Quote: A Soul without Wisdom and Little Grace

A Soul Without Wisdom

“I filled the song with everything I wished I could teach him about life. I tried to reassure him with every line about how the world is hard and unfair sometimes, but that it's all OK beacuse he is so loved. He is surrounded by souls who would do anything to help him. And not only that- he has wisdom and patience of his own, buried deep inside his being, which will only reveal themselves over time and will always carry him through any trial. He is a gift from God to all of us.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Diary: A BIG Thank You to Brian Rathbone

Thank You, Author Brian Rathbone

Brian found me on Twitter shortly after I started posting my book blog posts on social media. We hit it off as online friends. He's funny, I'm nerdy, and well I thought he was so interesting that I had to check out his site. I love indie authors and fantasy books so I figured I'd enjoy his work, so far I was definitely right. After following the link from his Twitter profile, I noticed a few things where broken on his site and walked him through fixing him. In the long run, a lot more things broke and we reconnected. That led to a whole new website. I'm proud to present BrianRathbone.com. It still has a ways to go but is leaps and bounds ahead in design, analytics, among other nerdy things.

Quote: The Tempest

The Tempest

“Go back to bed so that, when the tempest comes, you'll be strong enough to deal with it. And the tempest is coming, dear one. Very soon. But not tonight.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Book Review: How to Catch a Prince By Rachel Hauck Published by Zondervan

How to Catch a Prince

Rachel Hauck

Book Description

Prince Stephen came to America to escape responsibility. But what he found complicates his life more than ever.

Corina Del Rey is happy with her life in Melbourne, Florida. She spends her days engrossed in her career as a journalist and has her sights set on climbing the corporate ladder-if for no other reason, to distract herself from her dissolving family. But when she is confronted with the past she fought so hard to put behind her, she struggles to make sense of her future.

Prince Stephen of Brighton Kingdom has moved on since the tragic death of his buddies in Afghanistan. A star professional rugby player, he has no intention of looking over his shoulder at what could've been

But when a notice arrives in the mail requiring his and his wife's appearance before the courts to dissolve their marriage, he must deal with the questions rumbling around in his heart. He thought his marriage had been annulled long ago, but his memories of Corina Del Rey remain close. Does he still love her? Can he even find her? Above all, can he tell her the truth about that fateful night in Afghanistan seven years ago? If he does, he might really lose her forever.

BOOK REVIEW: The Wood's Edge by Lori Benton (Sponsored by Blogging for Books)

The Wood's Edge by Lori Benton

First Two Chapters

About The Book

At the wood’s edge cultures collide. Can two families survive the impact? 

The 1757 New York frontier is home to the Oneida tribe and to British colonists, yet their feet rarely walk the same paths.

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Featured Vlog - Book Nerd Paradise + @BrianRathbone

Book Nerd Paradise

Featuring Guest Brian Rathbone

Checkout Book Nerd Paradise on Youtube, or Brian Rathbone and the World of Godsland.

The Finishing Touches by Hester Browne

The Finishing Touches

Book Author: Hester Browne

Romantic Comedy

Overall

Performance

Story

If you love Hester Browne books or just funny chic literature, then you will love The Finishing Touches. This book doesn't start off as a typical Hester Browne novel with a free-spirited women running a business. Instead, she is running a finishing school for girls. You will learn about etiquette, fashion, and have fun while reading this novel.

I hope some day soon that Hester Browne makes this book into a series.

I highly recommend The Finishing Touches by Hester Browne.

Delirium (series) by Lauren Oliver

Delirium

Book Author: Lauren Oliver

Delirium Trilogy

Delightful Narration + Adventurous Cautionary Tale of a Futuristic World Without Love

Overall

Performance

Story

Delirium is a story of the United States in a hypothetical future where scientists have cured love. In this world love is seen as a delirium, a mind-poison, and something to be feared. Men and women are segregated. The USA has borders reminiscent of the German Holocaust or the Berlin wall. Everyone is a prisoner. The procedure is required and at first the lead character is looking forward to it.

"The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't." Love, also known as Delirium.

The Runaway Princess by Hester Browne

The Runaway Princess

Book Author: Hester Browne

Romantic Comedy

Overall

Performance

Story

A modern day prince charming story. Hapless princess goes through some of the craziest dating twists that only the rich might run into. It's cute and silly. The story leads you on and has you on edge laughing. I love Hester Browne. She is one of my favorite authors, which is why this book earned not only my favorite author award, but also favorite story award.

A Duck by Any Other Name

Let’s call a duck a duck, okay? By duck I mean spammer. If you spam me via email, Twitter, Facebook, direct mail or any other medium don’t be upset when I do my darnedest to block you from my community, my world, my time. I get it, spammers are people too, but you and I get to choose which people we associate with don’t we. That doesn’t mean I’m condoning being an asshole to people, but in a way I am. If you spam me I will block you. If you mass spam me and I will probably snarkily comment about it and then block you. Let’s call it my own personal primal instinct. So, when you randomly message me and 20 of your closest strangers, whom you’ve never met, and ask me to follow you on Twitter and I ask you why I should follow you if the majority of your tweets are asking other people to follow you en mass, don’t be mad at me when I directly ask you why I should follow you. It’s a valid comment, a simple question and I think it’s a fair one. What would you bring to my world when the last 20 things I see when I skim through your Twitter life appear spammy? You can respond calling me an asshole, but really who does that reflect on, me or you? I stand by my comment and I frankly don’t think I was much of an arse to this person (yes, this really happened). If you randomly found me and want to offer me something of value, like a question, a comment on my blog, actually read one of my tweets and reply to it and then ask me to follow that’s one thing, but it’s clearly another to follow 20 people and retweet their blog posts and then ask me to do follow you just because. I’m not that picky in who I follow, clearly, all I ask for is authenticity and I’ll be damned if I’ll apologize for asking someone why I should follow you. It’s not a snarky question, it’s not rude, it may be aloof but at least it’s not spammy. Happy Spamming. If you quack like a duck, act like a duck but call yourself a horse makes no difference when I say I hate ducks.

Honeymoon Hotel by Hester Browne

Honeymoon Hotel

Book Author: Hester Browne

Romantic Comedy

Overall

Performance

Story

This book reminds me of the 2001 movie of Jennifer Lopez as The Wedding Planner. It's a light hearted novel of love, marriage, and silly fun. Like most of Hester Browne's novels, this book is love-able chic literature.

I first fell in love with Hester's books with the Little Lady Agency series. The characters and story plot are very similar. Both books involve strong, independent, silly women who fall in love with men who need to grow up.

I recommend this book if you are looking for an easy-read to pass the time.

Swept Off Her Feet by Hester Browne

Swept Off Her Feet

Book Author: Hester Browne

Romantic Comedy

Overall

Performance

Story

Swept Off Her Feet is a quick read. This book is full of quippy honest humor. The book is engaging and quirky, a typical fun Hester Browne love-struck comedy.

I first fell in love with Hester's books after reading the Little Lady Agency series. All of her books are fun, easy to read, and hilarious. If you are looking for a happily-ever-after tale, this is the book for you.

Little Lady Big Apple by Hester Browne

Little Lady Big Apple

Book Author: Hester Browne

Romantic Comedy

Overall

Performance

Story

Little Lady Big Apple is the second installment of the Little Lady Agency series. The love-able protagonist, Melissa, travels with her boyfriend and they are confronted by a number of obstacles. Jonathan forces the lead to leave her business, the business she loves, and goes from a fan-favorite to a hard to love character, and back to love-able in the span of a few pages.

This book will make you laugh, smile, and pull your heart around with ink. I love the British accent throughout the book and silly use of 'arse' throughout. I highly recommend this book for a light-hearted read.

Author: Abbi Glines

About Abbi Glines

Erotica & Young Adult Fiction Author

Born Birmingham, Alabama, The United States

Gender female

Genre Young Adult, Romance

Abbi Glines is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, and Existence series.

"“Everyone always says that love was enough. It wasn't. Not when your soul has been shattered.” "

-- Abbi Glines, Fallen Too Far

Kiro's Emily (Book 10 of Rosemary Beach Series) by Abbi Glines

BOOK REVIEW: Kiro's Emily

Book 10, Novella, Rosemary Beach Series

Book Author: Abbi Glines

"Innocence Meets Hard Core Musicians"

Overall

Performance

Story

Recommended Age: Adult, Young Adult

Genre: Drama, Fiction,Love,Romance,Sex,Women's Literature,

Characters: Musician

Book Type: Audio, Novella

This book is a lot like the Notebook in some ways. A bit rushed at the end, full of cutesy romance and innocent quips.

About Book Review Rating and Awards

What are the Stars?

Books may be rated 1-5 stars. 1 star being the lowest possible rating and 5 stars being the highest. Books that have not been read do not have a rating.

Every book review may have an overall rating, a performance rating, and a story rating. The overall rating takes into account both the story and performance. The Performance rates the narrator, if the book was reviewed as an audible book. The story rating is for the book overall.

Books are not graded by spelling or grammatical errors, although poor performance or books that are hard to read may factor in layout. If something stands out, this will generally be mentioned in the review.

Author: Alyson Noël

About Alyson Noël

Best Selling Author

Born Orange County, The United States

Gender female

Genre Young Adult, Children's, Paranormal

Influences: Judy Blume -- JD Salinger -- Life

Alyson Noël is the #1 New York Times best selling, award-winning, author of 21 novels.

Book Review: Cursed (The Watchers Trilogy) by S.J. West

Cursed

"Blessed and Love Struck by This Mysterious Series"

S.J. West

Overall

Performance

Story

By S.J. West Cursed (Watchers Trilogy) epitomizes everything I love in a book or series. It offers romance, humor, and mystery. Author S.J. West doesn't spell out every detail in the series or answer all your questions up front, she lures you in with one mystery after another and leaves you yearning for answers, mystery, and a few more moments with her lovely characters. 

The Watchers Chronicles is blessed, pun intended, with not just one handsome lead male character, but three. The book includes a damsel in chronic distress, and her witty southern side-kick best friend. 

BOOK REVIEW: BANG (The Black Lotus Series Book 1) by E.K. Blair

Bang

The Black Lotus Series

E.K. Blair

Overall

Performance

Story

It all begins and ends with a bang.

E.K. Blair is a New York Times Best Selling Author, Bang (Black Lotus #1) (The Black Lotus Series), is the first book I've read by her. Bang is heart wrenching. I finished the first book in this series in one day and am now traumatized waiting for the second and third to be released. 

Last week (Feb 27, 2015) while interviewing indie author Nicole Collet, she recommended Bang and a few other books for me to read. This is the first book in her long list of recommendations that I dove into, head first. I nearly cracked my head and heart open with this book (diving head first). 

Book Review: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer

My New Favorite Chronicle

Overall

Performance

Story

“Even in the Future the Story Begins with Once Upon a Time.” 

“I'm sure I'll feel much more grateful when I find a guy who thinks complex wiring in a girl is a turn-on.” ― Marissa MeyerCinder

"Science Fiction Meets Cinderella + All Your Other Favorite Fairy Tales"

The Lunar Chronicles starts off with a book called Cinder. This is a futuristic dystopian view of Cinderella in reverse. A young girl who loses everything in the worst ways possible only to discover things she never knew about herself and make lots of new friends against impossible odds on a mission to save two worlds. 

Books: Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler

Mein Kampf

Mein Kampf is an autobiographical manifesto by Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, in which he outlines his political ideology and future plans for Germany. Volume 1 of Mein Kampf was published in 192 5 and Volume 2 in 1926. Someone recently recommended I read Mein Kampf. I have not read it. I did however, study propaganda in relation to art, design, and advertising in college and remember discussing this book (maybe I did read it then, if so it would have been over a decade ago).

I do not have a lot of useful information to convey on this book. I'm open to starting a discussion on this book if anyone else is interested, then I will read it and reopen this review at that time. I'm disinclined to read this, even the reviews are a little disturbing (scroll down to book description or Amazon.com Review).

Book Review: For the Love of the Duke by Christi Caldwell

Woodsworth and Byron in the Heart of a Duke

Overall

Performance

Story

For the Love of the Duke is a historical fiction novel set sometime in the 17th to 19th century when the Thames River of London would freeze over. During this time winters where significantly colder in London than they are now. This time was known as the Little Ice Age. To celebrate Christmastide, what the book and that period fondly referred to as the winter or Christmas season, merry goers would brave the chill air with a little cup of alcohol to enjoy the Frost Fairs. At the time the River Thames would freeze over and they would walk an elephant across to prove it was solid. Then peddlers would set up tents of trinkets and goodies to sell, this would have seemed a lot like any other festival combined with a farmers market.

The first recorded frost fair was in 1608. The most celebrated frost fair occurred in the winter of 1683–84 and was described by John Evelyn:

BOOK REVIEW: Listening Is an Act of Love by Dave Isay

"Fantastic makes me want to be involved"

Overall

Performance

Story

Would you listen to Listening Is an Act of Love again? Why?

This is touching. I loved hearing other people's life stories. You laugh and could cry with this book. It's short and I just want to hear more. It's fantastic.

Book Review: Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities by Amy Stewart

Entertaining and Educational Botany

Learn All About the History of Poisonous Plants

Overall

Performance

Story

Wicked Plants is an educational book about poisonous and insidious plants. It's written more like the story or life of a plant, how it's been mis-used, and as a cautionary tale. The audio version is interesting but fast passed and hard to take notes. I have a large garden and am always afraid I will run into something and not know it's side effect on myself or my puppy.

Highly recommend this book for any gardener, horticulturist, botanist, essential oils fanatic, or just someone curious about poisonous plants.

Book Description

A tree that sheds poison daggers; a glistening red seed that stops the heart; a shrub that causes paralysis; a vine that strangles; and a leaf that triggered a war. In Wicked Plants,

BOOK REVIEW: An Unlikely Duchess by Nadine Millard Narrated By Beverley A. Crick

"Irish Scoundrel Vs. Handsome British Duke"

Overall

Performance

Story

This historical romance starts off with a twist when two best friends make plans to wed their future children. Little did the two men know what twists and turns fate would make for their future children. In a lot of ways this story plays by the typical historical love story template, but luckily it has a deeper plot than most of these types of books.

An Unlikely Duchess has a few antagonists plotting against the happiness of the main characters. Overall this is a happy story with light hearted characters who are at the whimsy of their hearts and notions. The story makes 18th century London society sound like child's play. It's an enjoyable book to pass the time with very little reference to day-to-day life.

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