The Song
Jean Johnston
Berkley
Feb
ISBN : 0425219291
Fantasy
****1/2
The loss of Evanor's magical voice was a devastating blow to the Sons of Destiny and their growing family. Not only do they mourn the affliction from simple decency, but Evanor's gift was a powerful and useful magic for them all. Because of this, they seek out and bring Mariel, a beautiful, young widow with a son, to their forbidden island. It is apparent soon that not only is she the singer's best hope, but his destiny as well. Despite his handicap, the two are able to communicate well enough to fall in love. However, all is not sunshine; those on the mainland still regard the Sons with fear and anger, necessitating once more that Queen Kelly's realm be defended for its right to exist.
Ms. Johnston's imaginative world continues to be fascinating as it develops. Though Kelly and Saber are my favorite of the matched sets thus far, Evanor is the best sort of beta hero, one that manages to be gentle, yet masculine all at once, bringing to mind the old proverb about gentleness being the greatest proof of strength. I also enjoy the inventions that the family of heroes and their ladies come up with to make life easier on the Isle. Though it's hard to believe, this series is halfway over, and as anxious as I am to see Morg meet his match, I'll hate to see the final chapter close.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Better than a Ghost of a Chance you'll love this
Ghost of a Chance
Kate Marsh
Obsidian
Feb
ISBN 0451223241
Mystery/Urban fantasy
****1/2
Thanks to her unusual heritage, Karma has a gift of being able to "clean" houses of ghosts, pixies, imps, and so on; any Otherworldly being, in other words. Because of this, she has a houseful of those she couldn't bring herself to send off to another plane. She also has a no good husband she'd like to send to another plane, or at least divorce, but even if he thinks she's a freak, Spider won't let her go until she does one last job for him, namely getting a property he wants to invest in clear of its current owner. It is thus that Karma finds herself, her fosterchild, her father, husband, his less than honest partners, and a host of Otherworld beings, as well as Adam Dirgesinger, the present occupant, at the house in question when Adam seals it so that no one can leave for twelve hours, or longer if he renews the spell. That's bad enough, and then, Spider gets squashed like his namesake. Now, Karma and Adam, both of whom work for the Council that governs paranormal beings, to solve the case in this tricky locked "room" murder. With time running against them and clashing personalities abounding, it will be a challenge.
Not only is this a fun read, populated with vibrant characters who comprise a fascinatingly complex world, but it's genuinely clever. The ending twist is worthy of Conan Doyle or Christie. I hope this is the start of a new series; Karma and friends are worth visiting many times over.
Kate Marsh
Obsidian
Feb
ISBN 0451223241
Mystery/Urban fantasy
****1/2
Thanks to her unusual heritage, Karma has a gift of being able to "clean" houses of ghosts, pixies, imps, and so on; any Otherworldly being, in other words. Because of this, she has a houseful of those she couldn't bring herself to send off to another plane. She also has a no good husband she'd like to send to another plane, or at least divorce, but even if he thinks she's a freak, Spider won't let her go until she does one last job for him, namely getting a property he wants to invest in clear of its current owner. It is thus that Karma finds herself, her fosterchild, her father, husband, his less than honest partners, and a host of Otherworld beings, as well as Adam Dirgesinger, the present occupant, at the house in question when Adam seals it so that no one can leave for twelve hours, or longer if he renews the spell. That's bad enough, and then, Spider gets squashed like his namesake. Now, Karma and Adam, both of whom work for the Council that governs paranormal beings, to solve the case in this tricky locked "room" murder. With time running against them and clashing personalities abounding, it will be a challenge.
Not only is this a fun read, populated with vibrant characters who comprise a fascinatingly complex world, but it's genuinely clever. The ending twist is worthy of Conan Doyle or Christie. I hope this is the start of a new series; Karma and friends are worth visiting many times over.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
AWESOME
Chosen
P.C. Cast
Kristin Cast
March
St Martin's Griffin
ISBN-10: 0312360304
ISBN-13: 978-0312360306
Paranormal/YA
*****1/2
Zoey Redbird has far more problems than your average teen faces. First off, she's been Marked as a fledgling vampire; second, she is the most powerful fledgling in ages and has been set apart for service to Nyx; third, rather than cutting ties to her human boyfriend, she imprinted him; fourth, the hottest guy and the hottest teacher in her school both seem to want her; fifth, her best friend was turned into an undead monster; sixth, she has discovered her mentor is not Glinda the Good, but an evil, two or more faced expletive deleted, and seventh, the person she can trust most turns out to be the one she thought was the evil witch with a b. Finally, her birthday is on Christmas Eve. The last may seem inconsequential, but her dislike of that fact begins a chain of events that will culminate in several of those problems being lifted, but not in a way Zoey finds at all comforting or positive. Being Chosen is not only an honor and a gift, but a burden, not to mention, a pain in the backside. Soon, Zoey will find herself being cut off from those she loves and left with only her knowledge that she has a great evil to stop.
Be prepared to be as completely blown away as you probably were a few months ago when you closed the Deathly Hallows. You might even be more floored. This is a stunning, intense, story that will, no pun intended, grab you by the throat and refuse to be put down when you hit the halfway point, if not sooner. I wanted to slowly savor Chosen, but once the action kicked up the pace, it was impossible to not finish all at once. The character development is incredible and drives this series. I want the next book RIGHT NOW.
P.C. Cast
Kristin Cast
March
St Martin's Griffin
ISBN-10: 0312360304
ISBN-13: 978-0312360306
Paranormal/YA
*****1/2
Zoey Redbird has far more problems than your average teen faces. First off, she's been Marked as a fledgling vampire; second, she is the most powerful fledgling in ages and has been set apart for service to Nyx; third, rather than cutting ties to her human boyfriend, she imprinted him; fourth, the hottest guy and the hottest teacher in her school both seem to want her; fifth, her best friend was turned into an undead monster; sixth, she has discovered her mentor is not Glinda the Good, but an evil, two or more faced expletive deleted, and seventh, the person she can trust most turns out to be the one she thought was the evil witch with a b. Finally, her birthday is on Christmas Eve. The last may seem inconsequential, but her dislike of that fact begins a chain of events that will culminate in several of those problems being lifted, but not in a way Zoey finds at all comforting or positive. Being Chosen is not only an honor and a gift, but a burden, not to mention, a pain in the backside. Soon, Zoey will find herself being cut off from those she loves and left with only her knowledge that she has a great evil to stop.
Be prepared to be as completely blown away as you probably were a few months ago when you closed the Deathly Hallows. You might even be more floored. This is a stunning, intense, story that will, no pun intended, grab you by the throat and refuse to be put down when you hit the halfway point, if not sooner. I wanted to slowly savor Chosen, but once the action kicked up the pace, it was impossible to not finish all at once. The character development is incredible and drives this series. I want the next book RIGHT NOW.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Getting free of your problems
Get Out of that Pit
Beth Moore
Thomas Nelson
2007
ISBN 1591455529
Christian Living/Self help
*****
Let me begin by saying the term self-help might be the closest term to apply to this book in secular terms, but it is NOT a self help book; it's a getting God's help book. If you have tried the Secret, to have your "best life now," find your purpose, or have a positive attitude by using what amounts to the Music Man method- just telling yourself to be happy, you have by now found they don't work. This is what you've been searching for, or at least the first step to getting there. In a folksy, yet powerful fashion, Mrs. Moore gives her readers hard hitting reality about how everyone at some point in their life finds themselves arriving in a pit, whether they just got there accidentally, were shoved in, or dove in with their eyes open. She makes it clear that God alone can get you out of there and how surrendering to Him and cooperating with Him is the only rope that will get you free. The back of the book even offers a mini workbook so that you can on your own go through with scriptural prayers and questions designed to help you think about what you've read. Unlike some bestsellers in the "self help" genre, this one is replete with the Bible. Maybe you can't get to a Beth Moore study or you're a guy and would feel like a duck out of water among a few hundred women. This is a good substitute or supplement.
Beth Moore
Thomas Nelson
2007
ISBN 1591455529
Christian Living/Self help
*****
Let me begin by saying the term self-help might be the closest term to apply to this book in secular terms, but it is NOT a self help book; it's a getting God's help book. If you have tried the Secret, to have your "best life now," find your purpose, or have a positive attitude by using what amounts to the Music Man method- just telling yourself to be happy, you have by now found they don't work. This is what you've been searching for, or at least the first step to getting there. In a folksy, yet powerful fashion, Mrs. Moore gives her readers hard hitting reality about how everyone at some point in their life finds themselves arriving in a pit, whether they just got there accidentally, were shoved in, or dove in with their eyes open. She makes it clear that God alone can get you out of there and how surrendering to Him and cooperating with Him is the only rope that will get you free. The back of the book even offers a mini workbook so that you can on your own go through with scriptural prayers and questions designed to help you think about what you've read. Unlike some bestsellers in the "self help" genre, this one is replete with the Bible. Maybe you can't get to a Beth Moore study or you're a guy and would feel like a duck out of water among a few hundred women. This is a good substitute or supplement.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Non book rview- but important
I offer traditional proofreading for basic grammar and spelling errors, reading for the flow of the prose, continuity and logic issues; such as plot holes, believability, repetitive words, and characterization, and fact checking. For an added fee, research assistance can be contracted. Also, I can provide a summary blurb for a book back cover.
I am willing to work with a writer on fee structures.
contact me at afkillgore@yahoo.com
or
afkillgore@comcast.net
I am willing to work with a writer on fee structures.
contact me at afkillgore@yahoo.com
or
afkillgore@comcast.net
Monday, January 21, 2008
Delightful Double post
Thanks to feeling cruddy and rain, here's two hightly rec'd reads.
Kitty and the Silver Bullet
Carrie Vaughn
Grand Central
Jan
ISBN 0446618756
Fantasy
****
The saying goes you can't go home again, and if you are a banished werewolf, this is doubly so. However, when her Mom is diagnosed with cancer, Kitty will defy the laws and everyone who would stand in her way to be there for her family. Of course, she finds herself in trouble. Between landing in a war between two vampires battling for local supremacy and becoming the incentive for other werewolves to defy the abusive Alphas of her former pack, Kitty and her new lover have their hands more than full, and this time, Cormac can't bail her out, since he's in jail. It's time for her to learn what she's made of, no matter what.
True to life, human drama and supernatural pathos are intricately woven into perhaps the most intense, compelling, and fascinating of all the Kitty books. Though there is less humor, given the situations, Kitty is one of the best characters to hit the scene, and the two men in her life, especially Cormac, continue to provide added depth to the mix without getting up to one's chin in angst.
Morning Light
Catherine Anderson
Berkley
Jan
ISBN 0451222776
Paranormal/Contemporary/Inspirational
*****
Loni McEwan's life was shattered by the consequences of her psychic gift two years ago, but when a new vision points her in the right direction to find a lost, missing boy, she follows her instincts and reaches out the the one man her talent says can pull off the rescue, Clint Harrigan, a devout non-believer in psychic mumbo-jumbo - until faced with proof that she's for real. Soon, the somewhat antagonistic pair find themselves working as a team in the wilderness, fighting the elements, the odds, and an attraction that neither was prepared to discover as they race time to save a life.
It may be impossible for Ms. Anderson to write a bad book. Though technically, this would not be shelved on the Christian fiction aisle, Loni and Clint's strong moral convictions formed by their faith make it an excellent book for all put the most Puritanical Christian readers. Even those put off by the, as some people call it, "weird" stuff, i.e., ESP, that element, though vital, is not a prepossessing issue for the most part. What makes this book are the characters and their building relationship set against the background of a life or death quest.
Kitty and the Silver Bullet
Carrie Vaughn
Grand Central
Jan
ISBN 0446618756
Fantasy
****
The saying goes you can't go home again, and if you are a banished werewolf, this is doubly so. However, when her Mom is diagnosed with cancer, Kitty will defy the laws and everyone who would stand in her way to be there for her family. Of course, she finds herself in trouble. Between landing in a war between two vampires battling for local supremacy and becoming the incentive for other werewolves to defy the abusive Alphas of her former pack, Kitty and her new lover have their hands more than full, and this time, Cormac can't bail her out, since he's in jail. It's time for her to learn what she's made of, no matter what.
True to life, human drama and supernatural pathos are intricately woven into perhaps the most intense, compelling, and fascinating of all the Kitty books. Though there is less humor, given the situations, Kitty is one of the best characters to hit the scene, and the two men in her life, especially Cormac, continue to provide added depth to the mix without getting up to one's chin in angst.
Morning Light
Catherine Anderson
Berkley
Jan
ISBN 0451222776
Paranormal/Contemporary/Inspirational
*****
Loni McEwan's life was shattered by the consequences of her psychic gift two years ago, but when a new vision points her in the right direction to find a lost, missing boy, she follows her instincts and reaches out the the one man her talent says can pull off the rescue, Clint Harrigan, a devout non-believer in psychic mumbo-jumbo - until faced with proof that she's for real. Soon, the somewhat antagonistic pair find themselves working as a team in the wilderness, fighting the elements, the odds, and an attraction that neither was prepared to discover as they race time to save a life.
It may be impossible for Ms. Anderson to write a bad book. Though technically, this would not be shelved on the Christian fiction aisle, Loni and Clint's strong moral convictions formed by their faith make it an excellent book for all put the most Puritanical Christian readers. Even those put off by the, as some people call it, "weird" stuff, i.e., ESP, that element, though vital, is not a prepossessing issue for the most part. What makes this book are the characters and their building relationship set against the background of a life or death quest.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
No Mystery why this is a winner- Oblivious
Oblivious
Cyndia Dupre
Mundania
March
ISBN 978-1-59426-723-9
Mystery
****1/2
When Tucker Monroe needs an alibi after a woman he spent a slight amount of time with is killed, Olivia Chatham is his salvation, but the slightly daffy seeming, much married young woman is not content to just do that for him. Convinced not only of his innocence, but that Tucker is nursing a broken heart that seeing justice for the woman he loved done can help heal, Olivia sets out to solve the case, with Tucker and her sister in reluctant tow. As he works with her, Tucker realizes she might be different, but it's a good different, and she's far brighter than she lets on. Despite his anti-marriage stance, Olivia gets to him. However, as the case unravels, things get dangerous and the future turns iffy.
This is a laugh out loud masterpiece. Whilly clean, it intrigues you and keeps you smiling from beginning to end. Olivia is utterly charming and I hope this is only her first outing as a sleuth. I love this book and it goes on my virtual keeper shelf.
Cyndia Dupre
Mundania
March
ISBN 978-1-59426-723-9
Mystery
****1/2
When Tucker Monroe needs an alibi after a woman he spent a slight amount of time with is killed, Olivia Chatham is his salvation, but the slightly daffy seeming, much married young woman is not content to just do that for him. Convinced not only of his innocence, but that Tucker is nursing a broken heart that seeing justice for the woman he loved done can help heal, Olivia sets out to solve the case, with Tucker and her sister in reluctant tow. As he works with her, Tucker realizes she might be different, but it's a good different, and she's far brighter than she lets on. Despite his anti-marriage stance, Olivia gets to him. However, as the case unravels, things get dangerous and the future turns iffy.
This is a laugh out loud masterpiece. Whilly clean, it intrigues you and keeps you smiling from beginning to end. Olivia is utterly charming and I hope this is only her first outing as a sleuth. I love this book and it goes on my virtual keeper shelf.
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