Books SERIES Review: The Loving Husband Trilogy by Meredith Allard

Book Series Titles: "Her Dear And Loving Husband", "Her Loving Husband's Curse", "Her                                      Loving Husband's Return".

Author:  Meredith Allard

Genre: Paranormal/Historical/Romance

I found this series interesting to read.  It taught me things about history that I didn't know. The first book relates to the Salem Witch Trials, and talks about how people were treated and how accused, regardless of their innocence.  The second book takes us to the Trail of Tears, showing us the atrocities that young immigrants to the "The New World" executed upon the Natives who had been living here for generations.  The third book takes us to the horrible reasons, and lack of humanity that was set upon American Citizens during WW2 at the Japanese Internment Camps.  I learned quite a lot about each of these subjects that were simply skimmed over in school, ANY school I attended, and I am a college graduate.

As you are being taught about each of these historical events, a story about a Vampire, a reincarnated wife, witches and werewolves are all intertwined.

The story is heartbreaking at times, but the love that continually flows through the book for family and friends, relates back to the old adage of Karma.  If you've treated people well, even when times are tough, when they get tough for you, those people who you've helped will almost inevitably help you.

There's a little romance, not really graphic.  The story gets exciting where it's suppose to, sad where it's suppose to.  I just kind of feel like the author, towards the end of each book, just didn't know how to to tie the story off.  I felt the last book, in particular could have ended three chapters before the epilogue.  

Though I liked the series as a whole, I was underwhelmed when I got to the end.  Instead of wishing there was more, I remember thinking, "Thank Heavens, I can read a different book now."  

2.5 out of 5 bookmarks for the entire series.  

Book Review: Virginia Creeper by Blaine Pardoe

Book Title:  Virginia Creeper
Book Author: Blaine Pardoe
Book Genre: Non-Fiction Horror


I have to admit this....  I have NEVER read a book, and have that book give me nightmares.  NEVER!  It actually took me more than two to three days to read this book. Which I burn through books pretty fast because I read so much and so many at a time. BUT, while reading this one, I literally had to put it down at times.  The visual images you get from this book are created by the fantastic telling of this true story.  Add to the fact that the characters were real people and the facts were taken from actual record, you get creeped out.  

The telling of the story, I'm sure, helped those who are still left after such a story has transpired.  The ritualistic ceremonies, the research into history to find the meanings of symbols, and the strangeness of things that happen, even to the author and his family.  

Virginia Creeper is the name of a plant that once it gets a hold of something to grow on to, is quite difficult to kill, thus is the way of the person in this story who cannot tell his secrets.  He can give you clues though!  Each one, making the case more and more creepier...  like a Virginia Creeper.  

Murder, Native American Rituals, Small Towns where everyone knows everything and going into the hardware store is an excuse to visit for the day, like the good 'ol days.  A big mountain with a history back to the colonial times...  

You like Horror... try this non-fiction on for size.  See if you can get a good night's sleep while you read it, knowing it's all true...

5 out 5 Bookmarks (Because I actually had nightmares!)

Book Review: BLACKWATER (Book 1, Blackwater Witches Series) by Tara Brown

Book Title:  BLACKWATER (Book 1, Blackwater Witches Series)
Book Author:  Tara Brown
Genre: Supernatural Thriller


This book is placed in the 60's, in the deep South of Louisiana.  Debutantes attending "Finishing School" to learn how to make the perfect tea sandwiches, Politics, Arranging Marriages to move the family name up into the higher echelons of governmental authority. Regardless of whether or not children marry for love, or even if they may be in harms way.  I learned quite a bit from that first part of the book.  

The characters in this story are built up quickly, and the reader becomes fond of them creating the bond that allows the author to play with the mind of the reader a bit.  When that door is open to the imagination, almost anything can and usually does happen, when the book is written correctly.  This one is!  We fall in love with Lorelei.  She's a teenager hearing voices in her dreams, warning her of evil coming.  She wakes frequently.  

We met her best friend, who in the time frame we're meeting him, is simply known in "society" as her driver.  They tell each other almost everything.  Almost.   Ramon calls her a Goddess, and does everything in his power to keep her safe.

Her best girlfriend attends school with her.  She's, deep down, a party girl, but loyalty and friendship are hand in hand for her, and she'd do anything for Lorelei.  Anything.  Angie is the best girlfriend any girl could ask for, almost like a sister.  They share secrets at school and talk about everything.  Almost everything.

Lorelei's parents are polar opposites.  She's a "daddy's girl".  When she's arguing with her mother, she petitions her father, like all girls do when they're "daddy's girl".  Her mother, prides herself on her looks, prides herself on her status, her money, her china, her entertaining skills, yet she doesn't pride herself about Lorelei.  She's constantly putting her down, calling her names.  She also has her husband, to make her look good.  But when she doesn't get her way, wait.. she always seems to get her way.

Daddy is a work-a-holic.  But he enjoys a good party like any man.  And being doted on by the women, well, that's part of living in the South!  Bourbon in one hand and Cigar in the other after dinner, while the women go to the parlor to giggle and chat.  

Lorelei's sister also gets her mother's wrath, but not as often.  Being younger, she has yet to be entered into to society as Lorelei has.  She has yet to experience the side of their mother, that Lorelei has.  The mean, wicked side that stops at nothing to get what she wants.

All these characters line up for the dance that is book one in the Blackwater Witches Series.  I adored the Southern Drawl written into the book.  I loved the interactions between friends, the sadness shared, and other things.  I absolutely love that Lorelei learns new things, and finds herself.  But she doesn't like it because it came it at a high cost.  A very high cost.  But, love isn't free in the debutante world of the South, is it?

I guarantee if you read this book, you'll not want to put it down.  It's fast-paced, filled with action and emotion, a little supernatural "ju-ju" courtesy of Louisiana and a little town, a little river, and a little house with a lot of it. ("Ju-Ju" that is.) When you get to the end, quicker than you thought you would, you'll go searching for the second book, knowing it's a series.  May I suggest you read some of Tara's other books, as it seems she's leaving us hanging for a bit!  GO READ THIS NOW!!

4.8 out of 5 Bookmarks

New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season!  I took the end of November off to enjoy my family and December was surgery month for me!  If any of you suffer from Chronic Back/Neck pain (I have a cage at L4-L5 and a fusion that didn't take all the way at L5-S1) and medications aren't helping it all the way, perhaps what I have had newly installed would help you!  Otherwise, I won't get into the "guts" of the deal, let's get on with some reviews!

Book Title: NOS4A2
Author: Joe Hill
Genre: Horror/Mystery

This Christmas themed thrill ride surprised the heck out of me!  As I read it, I kept thinking of other people I could share this book with who love horror and mystery scary things like I do.  Not that you'd get that from the books I've reviewed thus far, but I really do like a good scare.  This book took it to a "oh my gosh" level.

Children...  they always love Christmas.  So, this story begins NOT at Christmas.  But it spans through time..LOTS of it.  By the title of the book, I assumed this was going to be a "devil" to read. (Yes, pun intended.)  As I read through the book, yes the "bad guy" is bad, and there's definitely some "supernatural" stuff about him.  But we're wondering if he's the "devil".  Which is great, because the twists, turns, dancing, laughing, tears, screams, blood, death....  the ride we take is out of this world!  This book is definitely an adult thrill ride.

Of course, as per the pedigree of *all* horror stories...  There's always that one person or thing at the end, that leaves you wondering..."Is it really all over?"  But to get to *that* part, you'll have to read through the story of manipulations, murder, mayhem, scary looking kids, and kids not so scary but scared.  This my friends, is a definite must read, if you're into the scary side of book-ville!

4 out of 5 Bookmarks

Book Review: Renegade by Andrew Chapman

Book Title:  Renegade (Book 3 in the Ministry of Paranormal Research and Defence)
Author:  Andrew Chapman
Genre: Paranormal/Sci-Fi/Action


Because of the previous books, I will state : SPOILER ALERT!!!

This is the third installment in the series about Vampires, Werewolves, Black Ops, Defunct Politics and the list goes on.

I've been waiting for a while for this installment, and Andrew didn't fail to deliver!  Our protagonist, Jack "Pagan", has taken an actual vacation from the ministry.  He and his Mate, Marie are truly enjoying themselves.  But something terrible happens that ensures that Jack will definitely be spilling some Vampire Blood.

As usual, Jack and his armaments are quite fond of each other, so we get lots of information about what he's using and how it's being used.  We also see what happens, when Jack loves unconditionally.  

The story ends up coming to the USA from Great Britain, leaving Jack with no authority of any kind. From there we're kept at a fast pace with lots of great detail about where and who we're meeting.  Why we're there and who exactly is in charge of trying to do the nefarious things the Vampires are doing.

Andrew has written this book from a duel view.  Usually the books are from Jack's point of view.  This is written from both Jack and Marie's point of view.  Therefore, we're flipping back and forth, and it was quite refreshing to hear Marie's thoughts.  It was easy to keep up and understand more about werewolf pack politics.  Along with the beliefs of the people in the USA vs those over the pond.  

The story flows freely, as does Jack's anger, which is usually kept in check.  But this, is personal.  However, Andrew has done it yet again..  I'm left at the end feeling like there should be more... 

I bought the book the minute it was available and had it finished the next morning.  I've read it twice already, and the ending.. UGH.  I hope we're not left hanging for a long time, or Jack might die..  and no one would ever know.  (laugh)  

Great book for the series and I look forward to many more!  I wish it was longer though.  

4 out of 5 bookmarks

Book Review: Insight (The Insight Series) by Jamie Magee

Book Title:  Insight (The Insight Series)
Book Author:  Jamie Magee
Genre: Sci-Fi


Quite an interesting take on what people see, or...  what they don't see.

As the name of the book indicates, Insight is that little peek into anything - another person, another place, another time.  Is it a dream?  Is it real?  

This book grabs you right at the beginning.  You immediately have feelings that you can identify with, and as the story progresses, the twists and turns throw your for a head spin. The characters are perfectly written so that you can "see" right away what the characters themselves are explaining to others as they go along.  

The antagonist of this story will give us a nice momentum through the series.  This book gives us a glimpse at that, but does more explaining and getting to know characters and forge relationships than it does to really make the guy seem like he's intimating to the point that he's explained to be.  

Looking forward to more!

4 out of 5 Bookmarks

Book Series Review of the Elemental Enmity Series by Christie Rich

Book Title(s):  Five (#1), Dark Matter (#2), Genesis (#3), Horizon (#4), all in the Elemental Enmity Series
Author:  Christie Rich
Genre: Fantasy/Action/Love Story

I'm putting all the books together in one review because I think it would make for a more coherent understanding of the series as a whole, at this point.

This story is a coming of age story, mixed with the bonds of friendship, love, lies, magic, and some chivalry thrown in for good measure.

I enjoyed the series and truly hope the author is going to add on to it, as she seems to indicate she might at the ending.

There were a few problems I had.  First, the author was able to aptly describe the countenance of almost every character, except for a couple, which to me, were Rayla the lead female, and Heath one of her suitors and eventually her champion at one point.  All I can tell you about Heath is he has a dimple, stands a little taller than Rayla and has dark hair.  For some reason I was only able to visualize him as one of the main dwarfs from Lord of the Rings, just taller, braid and all.  The ability to describe the architecture and surroundings was beautiful and I was able to completely visualize it. The characters were difficult, though their personalities were defined a little better than their countenance, I was still left scratching my head at times.  The characters are in their 20s, which gave their actions merit given their lack of experience at times.  And there are quite a few characters to keep up with.

There were questions not answered (MANY!), especially with the final book of the series.  I thought the whole "climactic end" would help answer those questions I had and then I read the epilogue, hoping IT would finish that for me, but unfortunately, I really couldn't keep up with it.  There were so many questions when I got to the end and it said: "The End (Or Is It?)" I was hopeful that my answers would come in a next book.  

Regardless of the "huh?" moments I had, the books had some good story telling, action sequences, tension and overall I was pleased with how the books came together as one cohesive book in total, rather than four separate books.  What I mean by that, is that the transitions from one book to the other were seamless, making the storytelling so easy to follow from one book to the next.  Usually in a series, the first chapter or two, we're trying to catch those who haven't read the previous books, up to where the current book begins.  However with this series the next book, starts off where the last book ended.  Love that.

I would definitely recommend the series, just have a better memory than I or take notes, because there are so many Kings, Queens, Lords, Under Lords and other things you may get your characters mixed up, which is what happened with me, quite frequently I'm afraid.


4 out 5 bookmarks for the series