Chaysing Memories Book 2 by Jalpa Williby, A Book Review

Book two of the romance novel that grabs your heart, wins another five stars.  The continuing saga is nothing shy of thoroughly entertaining.

The characters have developed some, especially Tess with her maturity.  Her graceful step up and Chayse's virility connect so strongly that they seep into your psyche and mesh for quite some time.  I found myself thinking about the story long after it ended, and since there is one more sequel, wondering what would happen next.  I know what I want to happen, and I can only hope my wishes come true.

The second book resumes pretty much where the first one left off and didn't have a lot of back story that you had to read.  I like that.  Because, if you haven't read the first one, what are you doing reading the second one of a series?  I don't want to help you get the picture; I want to get on with the show.  Fortunately, this book gets right on with the show and I was not disappointed with it either.  It was fun, well paced and easily engrossed you with the characters and their lives.

Tess was a very naive young girl in the first book, but comes into her own in the second.  The great part is, the love story actually brings her to fruition and Chayse was developed to sizzle the picture.  This guy was... well let's just say I hated it when he wasn't in the scene.  Crazy?  Yeah, I know.  But, he was just my kind of guy, and he is what made the story so great for me.  Tess was interesting, but being female, she didn't quicken my heart.  Know what I mean?

The love scenes again are well written without being offensive or crude.  They were much more tender but passionate and driven which fit the story perfectly.

The supporting characters came more into the story line this time giving some depth to Tess and Chayse.  It gave them more substance and credibility allowing the reader to feel more of their emotions and understand some of their thoughts outside of the immediate scene.  It was just well done.

Many times romance novels can be pretty predictive, not only in steps but concept as well.  I didn't feel that way with this story.  It wasn't earth shattering events, well some were actually quite, okay enormously surprising, and even when they weren't I couldn't predict how things would unfold.  I love that.

Truly, I enjoyed this book immensely.  I felt my heart beats match their steps and hope they won, and didn't want it to end.  This is a great book and well written which I thoroughly enjoyed, that you need to buy for a great journey.

Free From The Tracks by K. T. Bowes, A Book Review

Sohpia and Dane find each other, love and life.

Sophia had a hard time with social interactions.  She did well in school academically, but socially she was a wreck.  Written for young adults, they will easily be able to relate.  Her saving grace is meeting a young boy named Dane.

Dane, due to Sophia's introversion, has to make the first move.  Of course being in the awkward stage they are, neither one handles the encounter as well as they'd like.  So the uncertainties bubble to the surface and they learn how to deal with them in the normal raw and uncensored way we all do.  Their feelings are exposed and met with disdain from some and encouragement from others.  How they weave their way to a secure place, is wonderful.

Kate has a way of bringing you into their world, feeling their emotions, and living their lives before you even realize you're there.  You feel their sorrows, pains and joys and you love every minute of the journey.

This book is one of a series and you can be sure, they will all be read once the first one is opened.  The everyday lives of some are what we may be far removed from, so reading a story that's told so real and simply, gives a depth to your soul that wasn't there before.  This story will leave a mark of growth on your soul, and march you to the enlightenment of love and compassion beyond what your normal life may give.

These books should be given to all youth.  Their impact would be strong and good as well as entertaining.

Tam Lin by Heather Osborne, A Book Review

A short little tale that brought back memories of stories written long ago.

This story has been told many times in many ways, so you'd think it would be tiring to hear it again.  But if the author is adept, she will take you on a journey like you've never been there before.  Heather does quite well with that, and the story does keep you thinking about the next scene.

The love scenes were more graphic than I like, preferring to be able to paint my own final picture, but it kept you turning the pages.  I really liked the writing of the character's accent, it brought them to life and the descriptive settings made it complete. 

Overall it is an interesting short tale.  The journey will stick in your mind long after the last page, and if you're like me, take you to another era and another place.

Ill Fated by Evelyn Ink, A Book Review

This fantasy takes you on a journey that was everything but slow, boring, or stale.  The creative mind of the author kept you engaged and watching a great movie play out as fast as you could read it.

From the beginning of the book I wondered what was going to happen and that never changed.  The character was anything but perfect which made you enjoy her even more.  You saw her as a real person, not a perfect part of a real person.  In fact at the end it was like saying goodbye to a new friend.  I really wanted there to be more, and at the very end of the book I read she is now writing a sequel.  This book does and can stand alone.  The story ends on a good note, but how Evelyn wrote the story, you really got to enjoy these characters and want to spend some more time with them.  You know, I wondered what they would do next.  And I'll bet most everyone else will too.

Leila is the main character that flows on a quest from an affluent upbringing to the ills of dirt, danger and horrors.  She doesn't become a person using her background to let others take the lead or do the dirty work.  Her actions and reactions don't really surprise you once you get to know here, in fact they give you satisfaction.  She's straightforward, non-assuming, and honest.  That's her first quality, and far from her last.  Her determination makes you root for her, and her morals gain your respect.  She keeps you interested, entertained and happy to see what she does next.  Interested yet?

Who she meets along her quest, and how the story unfolds will bring surprises and awwhh moments that only enhance the storyline.  What I really watched for was the development of a romance between Leila and Cyrus.  It was on the fringes and yet circumstances had to keep it at bay.  Evelyn was good at keeping the emotions there yet not dwelling on them which I think could have made the storyline less exciting and more assuming than it was.  She did bring that subject to the surface at the very end though, which only made me want more of them both.  See what I mean?  It needs a sequel.

The story is about a young girl on a quest she knows little about, to prove she can lead the people of her ruling father's kingdom.  What she discovers in the quest changes her life, her knowledge and her destiny.  It's a well written and highly entertaining story that anyone who enjoys fantasy or a mystery will love to read.  I know I will now be reading her other books because a good writer usually has some great stories.  Enjoy friends!

Chaysing Dreams by Jalpa Williby, A Book Review

It's romance novel that had some great love scenes, an interesting storyline and a sequel that's an absolute requirement.  The author drove the line with an interaction between two people that was obviously fated.  Neither could escape the other and you don't want them to either.

This is the kind of story that you feel.  Jalpa writes so you feel the emotions, the sensations and the physical pain as clear in your mind as if you were truly there.  Unfortunately and maybe it is due to the age the character spans, but there are some moments that make you say, really?  You know, the 'she isn't really that dumb' thoughts.  Again, I can only assume the author was portraying the main character's age so in the sequel, we should be past those moments since she matures.  I know it makes the character more real to not know it all, and make mistakes, but these moments went a little too far for me.  I must stress though, it did not take away from the story as a whole, I loved it, and would actually read it again.  Few other books do I say that about.

The steamy love scenes were just that.  I felt Jalpa wrote them very well.  This is not always an easy task, but she has it down.  The immaturity of the main character Tess though, due to her age, inexperience and other things you'll find out, did at times take some of the steam out.  But alas, it was easily ignored when the fires were that hot.  If you like romance and love scenes, then you will certainly like these.

So many times romance stories can be really dull.  The actual story is nothing to care about, wonder about or even remember.  Hopefully for those ones you had great love scenes to read.  This one is different.  You find yourself wondering a lot about what was really going on, and what was going to happen.  What does this or that mean in the scheme of things?  When a love story can keep you entertained beyond the love scenes, then the author is going their job.  Jalpa certainly did her job in both writing, storyline, character development, intrigue, romance and everything in-between.

After I had finished this book I found out the sequel was just released.  I quickly purchase it because I have to find out what happens next, as soon as possible.  I really am excited and anxious to read it.

This story was very entertaining and the characters memorable.  Actually envisioning would be a better word, at least the male one, for me, if you know what I mean.  It had more depth than many other romances and kept the fires burning even after the scene was done.  If you enjoy romance novels, you will absolutely love this one.

Kindreds: An Alliance of Bloods By Tani Mura, A Book Review

I love it when the story goes to scenes that you don't see coming, and ones that may even get you a little upset.  One such scene in this book did get me a little upset.  But, I have to believe there is a reason for what happened and hopefully the second book will massage my feelings.

Tani Mura gives us a taste of not just one different world, but two via completely dissimilar cultures.  The characters in these two cultures see things differently in some ways, but very much the same in some of their foundational thinking.  They just don't see it yet.  You certainly get the feel for what they think and why, and then, per design I'm sure, you start to wonder how things will jell for them as a whole and be ultimately be resolved.  What you think you want to see happen doesn't quite get there this time, but you do get a surprise.

The surprise has a great amount of potential and depth, again keeping the reader not only engaged, but anticipating and anxiously waiting for more information to be revealed.  The depth of this surprise is one you can only guess at because this author is not someone you can assume or predict with.  She is quite unique and creative.

The characters are well defined.  And even though the lead was sometimes a little too head strong for me, I realized it was only because of where her personality developed from.  To make her any other way would have been uncharacteristic and unworthy of her situation.  The others were true to how they developed.  Tani showed how some can change because of some little thing that was different in their life or change because they couldn't see past their own selfish wants. Tani did it right from one to the next and kept you interested and liking every single one. 

If you like dystopian stories you will really like this one.  It actually had me REALLY curious from the beginning, and even as things unfolded, I never lost that quest for answers.  I really grew to like and even enjoy the characters.  I could see the expressions on their faces and feel the energy  and personality each of them had.  That only comes when an author tells you enough to see them right there before you. Well done Tani.

I know every teen and adult would enjoy this book and once read, will hunt down the next one.  Five stars to a great book.  Thank you Tani Mura!

Red River by Kelly Van Hull, A Book Review

This second book doesn't miss a beat continuing the journey with a creative and structured plot of exciting wonder.

The characters, story and writing I so enjoyed in the first book certainly didn't disappoint in the second.  The very first chapter brought you back into the fold of family and the whole different life they were forced to create.  You easily slipped into and accepted their plight, and sooner than a flash of light you were cheering them on to win.  Win not only the freedom their hearts sought, but a win for the others who may not see the forest through the trees.  Everyone needs a hero, but few can be one.

Dani, I'm sure, never dreamed about being a hero.  She just wanted to do normal things, be independent and laugh with her friends.  Like most teenagers.  But when push came to shove, she wasn't having it.  Forced to face a new reality in the first book brought her to a new level of self reliance and independence that just can't be undone.  And as much as her parents wanted to believe in their own control, the new Dani was not coming back.

Even as she learned that help from her family and friends was priceless, her stubborn pride often got in the way.  The teenage and even sometimes adult stubborn reluctance to meld with her supporters and comrades cost her, but also helped her.  You'll have to read the book to know what I mean.  I just can't give too much away and spoil the adventure for you.

Loss and tragedy are no strangers to Dani, her family or friends.  But reality has a way of dealing the blows and yet blocking the disintegration you would expect.  Sometimes the determination and resolve to win, keeps you going and ensures your propensity for strength.  For them, that strength and weathered hearts were hard earned.  The costs were incalculable as they fought to keep it together, but the wealth would prove to be infinite and forever seared into their souls.

Each character had their journey you got to read and see throughout the book.  The author's ability brought them all together yet kept them separate enough to understand and get to know, and then absolutely grow to love.  I have to say I was even hard pressed to 'choose' as Dani was supposed to do.  I hurt for the loser, yet reveled for the winner.  It was just that involved, intense and yet crazy.  Crazy I couldn't choose, and really didn't know which one she would choose.

The book came to an end and it wasn't one I felt let down with... well except for one part.  I wanted there to be another solution for just one thing, but who knows, maybe there will be yet another book moving this even further.  There really could be, it's a great storyline.  So again I just have to say, get the books!  Seriously, you do not want to miss out on a great story.  Thank you Kelly Van Hull, it was a wonderfully well written adventure I truly enjoyed, and just give another addition to these two some thought.  Please.

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