Catalyst

The Passage of Hellsfire

by Marc Johnson

received from author for review

synopsis (from Goodreads)

For centuries, the kingdom of Alexandria has protected Northern Shala from the monstrous creatures lurking in the Wastelands. Now, a dark force threatens that fragile peace.

Far from home, Alexandria's princess is abducted. When a young villager named Hellsfire stumbles upon her and her captors, he rushes in to rescue her, alone and unarmed. His fear and fury unleash an uncontrollable magical force that grants him the power to save the princess-and change the world.

Hellsfire has never craved nor dreamed of power. But such magic as he now possesses has not been seen in Northern Shala for a thousand years, since the devastation of the War of the Wizards and the creation of the Wastelands.

Now Hellsfire must leave all he's ever known, and make a dangerous journey to learn to master this wild, ferocious power-power he knows he is not ready to wield. More difficult still, he needs to master his emotions. If he can't, the power will consume him, Alexandria will fall, and darkness will eclipse the land, destroying everyone he loves.

In the dead of cold, the spark shall burn...

MY REVIEW

I enjoyed this book. It was a quick and fun read. Reminded me of a video game. I believe the target audience is age 10-15 year olds. 
The book started out somewhat slowly, but the pace improved after the first 30 pages or so. This is understandable as the author had to introduce the characters and set up the storyline. 
The character of Hellsfire is quite and interesting person, if somewhat precocious for his age. Listening to him speak, he didn't sound much like a 14 year old boy, but sounded and acted like a boy much older. Perhaps, this has to do with the era in which he lived. My favorite character was the Princess Krystal. You have to be impressed with a girl who can fight and use a sword like a pro. 
The book was a pleasant change from the many vampire and werewolf books available for YA. 
This book is only available in ebook format. 
I would recommend Catalyst to lovers of fantasy novels and/or video games

Rippler

by CIDNEY SWANSON

received from the author for review

synopsis (from Goodreads)

Samantha Ruiz has a freak gene that makes her turn invisible, or ripple. She can’t control it, and it’s getting worse. Afraid of becoming a lab-rat, Sam keeps her ability secret, until fellow runner Will Baker sees her vanish into thin air. Will promises secrecy and help, and Sam begins to fall in love. Together, the two discover there are worse things than being a scientific curiosity. Someone’s been killing people who possess Sam's gene. A mysterious man from France sends letters that offer hope for safety, but also reveal a sinister connection with Nazi experiments. The more time Sam spends with Will, the less she can imagine life without him. When Sam uncovers secrets from her past, she must choose between keeping Will in her life or keeping Will safe

MY REVIEW:

To begin, the cover of this book is just stunning.  I am always drawn to a book with a great cover.  

The book itself does not disappoint.  Imagine being able to make yourself invisible.  

This book is a very quick, easy read written by an extremely talented debut novelist named Cidney Swanson.   This is a combination of sci fi, romance and thriller, specifically genetic experimentations, the eugenics movement and Nazi's.  Still following me?  The Nazi experiments have long term consequences.  Rippling, or becoming invisible, is one such consequence.  

Samantha Ruiz is our main protagonist.  She is an intense individual.  You can 'feel' the fear she experiences when she ripples.  I was able to identify with her quite early in the book, not that I can become invisible (I wish) but because she has experienced deep, life changing sorrow and tragedy.  This is not an easily recreated emotion.  You feel for Samantha without becoming overwhelmed by her grief.  She has a friendship with Will.  His sister is studying about the Ripples.    This friendship has the potential to become much more.  I look forward to seeing the progression in book 2.

Make certain you have Chameleon (book 2) available.  You won't want to wait too long before starting it after finishing Rippler.

Overall, awesome read.

Book two in the series also has an amazing cover:

Sixteen-year-old Samantha Ruiz has a lot on her mind. The crush who kissed her but changed his mind. The BFF who thinks Sam is in an abusive relationship. The geneticist who wanted Sam dead but now wants her ALIVE. And of course, Sam’s still dealing with a tendency to disappear into thin air.
When Sam learns of her nemesis Helmann’s Nazi-like plan to establish a Thousand-Year Reign, she’s determined to fight him. Along with Will and Mickie, Sam flees to France to meet Sir Walter—their best hope for stopping Helmann’s brave new world.
But Sam isn’t any safer in France. Someone is following her. Someone invisible. Sam will have to figure out how to hide from an enemy she can’t even see.

pemberley-ball-2011-cloak-room

Are you interested in attending the ball?

I understand dear 

Elizabeth Bennet will be attending

I have just received my new ball gown to attend

Do you like it?

Zoey's Uncreatively Titled Blog: 300 Follower Giveaway!

Zoey's Uncreatively Titled Blog: 300 Follower Giveaway!:

'via Blog this'

Unwanted

by Daniel L.Carter

given by author for honest review 

synopsis (from Goodreads)

An explosion shatters the night sky...

Smoke and flames erupt over the city of Chicago. FBI Agent Nick Catlin watches helplessly as their only lead straps on a glider and leaps off a high rooftop, soaring toward Lake Michigan. They've lost him, again. The crimes scenes always fit the patter - five babies are among the casualties. Fourteen months later, though, in New York, no infant bodies are found. Nick's gut tells him the killer was somehow interrupted in his work and won't stop until he tracks down those children and finishes what he started.

Oklahoma rancher Leigh Barrus is barely making ends meet when his estranged niece, Janet, shows up at his ranch with five babies in tow. The terrifying tale she tells him about genetic experiments is only the beginning of the shocking truths...

A gripping sci-fi thriller for all ages

 



MY REVIEW:

Amazing! I have to say, I wasn't so sure about this book when I first started. Genetic experimentation on babies? Well, I'm so glad I read it! This book is amazing. A superhuman race being genetically created, multiple murders being committed by a madman and God in the middle. Yes, it's a families faith in God that keeps them going despite many obstacles. Two young nurses working in a clinic overhear a conversation about the killing of the 5 newborns. They kidnap the newborns and run away. They raise them as their own at the ranch of Nurse Janet's Uncle Leigh. Leigh is a good man, a strong man, a faithful Christian man who believes God helps us through anything, all we have to do is ask for help. The characters in this book are colorful and full of life. I was able to feel the wonderment felt by Janet and Michelle as the children grew. A sign of excellent writing when the reader can 'feel' the emotions of the characters.

This book is incredible. Even if you are not a strong believer in the Christian aspect, it is worth reading. The genetics alone will intrigue you. The madman behind the experiments is someone psychologists would love to get their hands on! I look forward to books two and three in this trilogy. I want to see what happens with the children, how their abilities will affect them as they grow. How the madman will interfere with their lives. 
Excellent book Mr. Carter. You have managed to integrate science and religion.

from my bookcase

I'm rereading several books from my bookcase before donating the books to the library.  This is the book I chose for today.  One of my favorites.

(from Goodreads)

From Jeanne Kalogridis, the bestselling author of I, Mona Lisa and The Borgia Bride, comes a new novel that tells the passionate story of a queen who loved not wisely . . . but all too well.

Confidante of Nostradamus, scheming mother-in-law to Mary, Queen of Scots, and architect of the bloody St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, Catherine de Medici is one of the most maligned monarchs in history. In her latest historical fiction, Jeanne Kalogridis tells Catherine’s story—that of a tender young girl, destined to be a pawn in Machiavellian games.

Born into one of Florence’s most powerful families, Catherine was soon left a fabulously rich heiress by the early deaths of her parents. Violent conflict rent the city state and she found herself imprisoned and threatened by her family’s enemies before finally being released and married off to the handsome Prince Henry of France.

Overshadowed by her husband’s mistress, the gorgeous, conniving Diane de Poitiers, and unable to bear children, Catherine resorted to the dark arts of sorcery to win Henry’s love and enhance her fertility—for which she would pay a price. Against the lavish and decadent backdrop of the French court, and Catherine’s blood-soaked visions of the future, Kalogridis reveals the great love and desire Catherine bore for her husband, Henry, and her stark determination to keep her sons on the throne.

MY REVIEW

One of the best books by Jeanne Kalogridis. I love reading anything about the Medici family, especially Catherine. Having been born into the infamous Medici family was both a blessing and a curse for Catherine. She became little more than a political pawn toward her families advancement. This is an amazing historial fictional account of Catherine's life. Catherine is not a sympathetic figure,and the author doesn't attempt to elicit sympathy for Catherine. She was a schemer who would do anything for herself and her family. This book contains something that should appeal to everyone. I particularly enjoyed reading about Catherine's relationship with Nostrodamus. 

I enjoyed reading this book and feel it is one of the best books Kalogridis has written to date.

KATIE SALIDAS IMMORTALIS TOUR and BOOK GIVEAWAY

ABOUT THIS AUTHOR:    Katie Salidas is a superwoman, endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women.  She can get the munchkin off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons.  She can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths and bedtime...And She still finds the time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink).  She can do all this and still have time to write.

And if you believe all those lies, there is some beautiful swamp  land in Florida for sale...

Katie Salidas resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Mother, wife and author she does try to do it all, often causing sleep deprivations and many nights passed out at the computer.  Writing books is her passion, and she hopes that her passion will bring you hours of entertainment.

Find out more about Katie by visiting http://www.katiesalidas.com/ 

AND NOW THE BOOKS

Explore the emotional upheaval that is the transformation from human to vampire.

Bleeding to death after brutal mugging on the campus of UNLV, Twenty-five year old Alyssa, is rescued by the cold and aloof, vampire, Lysander. Taking pity on her, he shares the gift-and curse-of immortality. She awakens as a vampire and is soon devastated by harsh realities of her new way of life: An unyielding thirst for blood as well as the loss of her friends, her independence, and her humanity.

As if having her humanity stripped away was not enough to make life interesting, Alyssa finds out her "turning", did not go unnoticed by the rest of undead society. Old enemies; an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum, as well as a powerful Vampire mistress, each set plans in motion to destroy both Alyssa and Lysander.

Only by accepting her new-found immortality, seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.

The exciting sequel to Immortalis Carpe Noctem. 

Rule number one: humans and vampires don't co-exist. One is the hunter and one is the prey. Simple, right? Not for newly-turned vampire Alyssa. A surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum's most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the human friend she's missed more than anything. Now she has some explaining to do. However, that will have to wait. With the Acta Sanctorum hot on their heels, staying alive is more important than educating a human on the finer points of bloodlust

After a few months as a vampire, Alyssa thought she'd learned all she needed to know about the supernatural world. But her confidence is shattered by the delivery of a mysterious package - a Pandora's Box. Seemingly innocuous, the box is in reality an ancient prison, generated by a magic more powerful than anyone in her clan has ever known. But what manner of evil could need such force to contain it? When the box is opened, the sinister creature within is released, and only supernatural blood will satiate its thirst. The clan soon learns how it feels when the hunter becomes the hunted. Powerless against the ancient evil, the clan flees Las Vegas for Boston, with only a slim hope for salvation. Could Lysander's old journals hold the key? And what if they don't? And how welcome will they be in a city run by a whole different kind of supernatural being? Werewolves..

NOW, THE GIVEAWAY

Each site on the Immortalis tour is offering an ebook giveaway – winner’s choice –  any of the three books in the Immortalis series

 

In addition there is a tour wide giveaway

 

The Grand Prize is a signed set of all 3 books in the Immortalis Series with book swag

 

Open to International Shipping

 

Winner to Be Chosen January 1, 2012

Just fill in the form below: