First Blood (The Blood Series, #2)
“First Blood” is the second book in The Blood Series, and I would recommend going back to read the first book if you haven’t before reading this. The story continues with the eternal fight for power and loyalty. It begins in the underworld with a battle for dominance. Hades and his dead army are being challenged with some surprising and brutal consequences. I was happy to see my favorite characters Dev and Tray. I enjoy how their friendship grew into something stronger. Their devotion to each other and their humor are some of the best parts of this story. I love the use of mythology because it paints a colorful world. There were unexpected twists and plenty of action along the way. Although it took me a few pages to get into the story and remember all the storylines, once I got into the narrative it was a hard book to put down. I’m looking forward to the next book and continuing this journey to see where it goes. If you love mythology and fantasy, you’ll enjoy this series.
Fairies, Myths, & Magic ~ A Summer Celebration
This is a magical collection of poetry, myths, short stories, and personal insight. I loved the whimsical theme of the book and was drawn into the world of fairies through Ms. Chesebro’s skillful prose. The poetry deserves multiple readings, and the short stories were very entertaining. “Halloween Havoc” still has me laughing at what was traipsing about the front yard. This is a great book to get lost in and be reminded of the magic surrounding us. I highly recommend this celebration!
The Weaver (Weaver Trilogy #1)
“The Weaver” is an NA paranormal romance set on a college campus, although I felt it was more a YA, and the setting reminded me of high school. That detail, though, didn’t take away my enjoyment of the story. I loved the idea of characters coming to life and the consequences. Laney is a freshman at college, but before she gets started, she is pushed down a set of stairs. That leads Laney down a path of mystery to figure out why she was attacked. Laney settles into school and finds herself back in touch with a childhood friend, Jason. As they rekindle their friendship Jason’s roommate, William has her intrigued. I was surprised by some twists in the story that kept me involved until the last page. I’ll be reading the next book in the series to see what happens next.
This is the second YA Book in the series beginning five years later. Linda and Shana had enjoyed peaceful lives in Oasis, after a showdown with vampires, until everything changed. They were thrust in the middle of a battle that took them to an exclusive club in Disneyworld. The girls played the wives of Todd and Sam, but Linda was in a love triangle, with hybrid vampires on opposite sides. I loved being taken to Disneyworld in the story, even though they were surrounded by danger. Linda’s heart was taking her in two directions. Like Linda, I couldn’t decide who she should be with—if either of them. There are beautiful descriptions of the landscape giving a strong atmosphere and plenty of action that kept me reading. I was satisfied with Linda’s ending, but I hope there is more about Shana. If you like vampires, a love triangle, mystery, and deception, you’ll enjoy this story. This can be a stand-alone, but I recommend reading the first book.
by Sandra Cox
Texas ranch owner, Coop inherits his young niece, Kallie, after her parents suddenly die. When she arrives, Coop finds his childhood friend, Randa, accompanying Kallie. Convincing Randa to stay on at the ranch, everything goes well until Coop breaks up a beating and kills in self-defense. This sets up for retaliation and puts Coop and the ones he loves in danger. I loved the connection between uncle and niece, and it showed a gentle side to the cowboy, that was charming. Randa was a strong character that I liked, along with her determination. The interaction with horses, and the introspection if they should be wild, added another dimension to the story. There was a nice mixture of action, relationships, and scenery. I could imagine myself riding out on a horse and finding the peace Randa found on the ranch. If you love engaging westerns with romance, you’ll want to read this book.
UPDATES: We are still rainless with no rain forecast in the near future, but they aren’t predicting winds here at least for the next week. Now is the time to do that Raindance and hope a storm decides to join in. Fingers crossed no more power outages this year, but this seems to be a long term solution for the power company.
I finally decided to join the NaNoWriMo. I’m off to a good start on a story that I brainstormed the night before Halloween. I decided to write it for myself. But doing this really limits my social media time. I will try to keep up, but can’t promise I can.
I might be doing more picture blogs or poetry if time gets away from me. I did get a lot of great pictures walking around town on Halloween. Of course, my reading will be limited.
Watch for a special edition blog this week.
Embrace your inner child by reading a good book this fall! D. L. Finn
Good reviews, Denise.
Thanks, John:)
Well written reviews, Denise!
Thank you, Eden:)
You sure read a lot this month, Denise! Great collection.
Yes, I definitely did read a lot in October. Don’t think I will get much reading done this month though. Thanks.
Great reviews, Denise! And good news that maybe the winds will stay down and let the firefighters put out the fires. Rain would be great! I started out good for NaNoWriMo, but then the last two days I haven’t been able to write one word. Frustrating!! But maybe tomorrow. Congrats on your progress!
Thanks, jan:) yes, really good news the winds are settling down. Hope they get the fires out soon. I can’t wait for the rains to start. I started out well, too Jan. I had to go back after the first day and make some changes. Now the story works and I was able to move forward. Happy writing.
Excellent reviews, Denise. I’ve read Colleen’s book, but not the others, so thanks for the recommendations 🙂 I’ll send up a prayer for rain. And good luck with NaNo. 🙂
Thank you, Diana:) I really enjoyed Colleen’s work. It was another good reading month. I appreciate a prayer for rain! I got off to a good start writing for NaNo and I’m hopeful.
Good to hear you got off a good start with Nano this year, Denise. I’ll have to do it some other month next year. You surely had a good month of reading and review. I enjoyed reading them. I did Colleen’s book, but not the others. Thank you for the info.
Yes NaNo going well. I like doing this for myself and just writing without any thought who will read it. November isn’t an easy month to do it though I’ve considered other months as well. Been a good reading month
Happy writing and reading:)
I did Nanowrimo two years ago. It’s was a hard month with Thanksgiving to write. I bought their book of instruction to write in other month. April is good, we can set our goal. 😀
Thank Denise! Great reviews.
Thank you, Mary. A good selection to read.
🙂
They all look and sound soooo good! 😀
Thank you, Kevin. Another good reading month.
A lovely selection, Denise. I have read Colleen’s and am keen to read Heather’s.
Thanks, Robbie. I believe you will enjoy Heather’s book.
Fabulous reviews to share, Denise. Cheering you on for NaNo! 🙂
Thank you, Natalie:) So far so good.
Nice reviews Denise, thanks for sharing. Wishing you a productive NaNo, I have travel plans for most of the month and hope rain would have charmed Mother Nature by the time I come back.
Thank you, Balroop:) I hope your travels are amazing, and safe. Getting our rains in late November seems to be a new pattern. Happy writing.
This is a great group of authors, Denise. Thanks for sharing their books, and your reviews. Happy writing! <3
It is:) Thanks Vashti!
These sound like interesting reads, Denise. Is ” Red Eyes in the Darkness: A Short Story” a new release? I just read the excerpt and purchased the Kindle version.
Oh yes, good luck with NaNoWriMo.
Thank you! So far so good.
It was another good month of reading, Rob:) Red Eyes was released in July, so fairly new. Thank you! I look forward to hearing what you think. It was my slight nod to Hitchcock.
Thanks so much for the lovely review. Good luck with the wind. May it remain calm and only be at your back when you’re writing:) I’ll be doing a rain dance. Hugs
I like the idea of the wind being at my back when writing. Good place for it to be now. I appreciate all rain dances, thanks!
So is the rain dancing helping? 😉
I read Susanne’s first book. The second one sounds like a lot of fun.
YOU have a safe and pleasant evening.
Hugs
The second book was fun, too, Sandra:) There might be some rain or winds again in a week…keep those dances coming. Xo hugs
Praying for rain, Denise! I loved colleen’s book, thanks for the other recommendations and best of luck with NaNo!
Thank you, Jacquie! If the storms would just dip a bit more south….So far so good with NaNo:)
Great reviews, Denise! My TBR list keeps getting longer….
Thank you, Julie:) I know the feeling. I’m afraid to see how many are on mine.