House of Lights By Natalie Banks, A Book Review

 

This was a great story. It kept me turning the pages to find answers to the questions it raised throughout the chapters. It started strong and kept the pace up until the end.

The characters were well developed, so you could understand and relate to their turmoil, emotions, and joys. I surely didn’t want to live their lives, but it was interesting enough to want to hear all the details. The main character, Kate, was a normal person, just in the wrong place at the right time, causing her to question everything, including her own sanity.

The writing easily creates pictures in your mind with details that sharpen the images and enhance the emotions attached. I enjoyed not just the story, but the imagery she created. Anyone who likes thrillers, psychological thrillers, or mysteries will enjoy this book. I gave this book 5 our of 5 stars.

Village E3: Survival of the Human Spirit (Village E3, #1) By James Holler, A Book Review

 

An interesting story, with an ending that confused me somewhat. This is the first of a series, so now it makes me want to see how the second one goes.

The writing was simplistic, and I wondered if it was due to the target age group. I am not sure. The descriptive writing gave a vision of what was happening, but again, it was a basic structure for me. I am used to the weaving details that keep your mind moving to the next scene without a stutter or stop, breaking the connection. It did, however, give you the full picture of who, what, and where, with keen interest, just with a different style of writing.

I did like the story. It kept the interest and questions of what happened ongoing throughout the book. There were three main characters in the story, starting with one, then introducing the other two. There were gaps in the storyline that I thought should be there, though, such as the backgrounds of the characters. Getting past that, the rest was enough to keep the plot intact, keeping you reading.

Although I had more questions that didn’t get answered, hopefully they will be revealed in the second book. I think readers would enjoy this story. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for the interesting concept outweighing the issues I had with the writing.

KARA: Seeds of the Universe (Astrex #2) By Peter Beard, A Book Review

 This is the second book of this series, and I really enjoyed the first one. So I expected the second one to be as good, but it had some moments that drew me into a faded view.

The start of this book was very confusing and beyond most understanding. The words didn’t fit together in the overall picture. I felt like it was fluff, allusions to what the story was about, instead of a real, solid read of the story. So that thwarted my enthusiasm, and I actually had to put the book down and read another for a bit.

The rest of the story went pretty well, though, and I did enjoy it. I am hesitant to read the next one when it is available, even though I do want to find out what happens next and how. I do understand now what the author was saying in the first part of the book, but it only happened after reading much more of it. Maybe that part should have been after the next part, look back. I don’t know, but it complicated things for me.

The whole story of the two books is interesting, and I am glad I read them. I believe, without revealing any of the great parts, that others would enjoy the story too. The characters are explored, developed, and lovable, keeping you in the whole plot. The sci-fi part is also engrossing, which I particularly like because it is a world you can create and develop however you like. It is fun and exciting to see the creativity, as long as it doesn’t go beyond the believable.

I would recommend this series so far to any of the sci-fi fantasy readers who want action, steady, or fast-paced stories that you can connect to and thoroughly enjoy. I rated this 4 out of 5 stars.

Out Of The Box Everlasting-Book 3 of the Out Of The Box Series By Jennifer Theriot, A Book Review

 After reading the second book of this series, I had to immediately read the third. From my reactions of the first book, to the happy findings in the second, I had to read the finishing saga in the third to complete my quest for answers.

I am content, satisfied with the family events and all the emotional baggage and trauma that came with it. It felt real. Exciting. Disappointing. Sad. All the things real life is, and you were crying, excited, and rooting for each member of this family.

I really enjoyed each book, each event they endured or celebrated, and I was sad to see them go. Writing well pulls the reader into the story so deeply that the characters become part of your life. This saga does just that.

Out Of The Box Regifted-Book 2 of the Out Of The Box Series By Jennifer Theriot, A Book Review

 

This is the second book of this series, and I wrote the following about the first book. ‘I was disappointed in the holes and doubts the characters' personalities created. I think it should be tweaked and revised to bring the reader into the story to root for and hope for their great moves to successful growth, not just happiness because of others’. As for the saying: if wishes were horses, beggars would ride, this book puts a solid stamp of thank you on my first book thoughts. In other words, the characters’ development is all it should be, and takes the reader along with it, every step. The truth of emotions is, you are never on a linear path, and this one is pleasantly no exception.

I enjoyed this book even more than the first, and there is one more to read, which, of course, I will.

The story revolves around a family of older and young adults, who are living their lives as best and happily as they can. As with any life, there are things they don’t see coming, and things they don’t like, but pulling together in tragedy and celebrations, keep them strong and deliberately loving to weather and enjoy each day they have together.

The emotions are strong, every single time, so enjoy each page. I did.

Kara: The Astrex Series, Book 1 By Peter Beard, A Book Review

 

A book that grabs you from the first page, holding you tight through the very last one.  I was excited from the start. I knew this was going to be a great book from the very first page.

There aren't many books that can do that. I was so happy to have found another one. Peter writes with emotion, even in his hard-hitting action scenes. It keeps you in the present and enduring all the twists, turns, and hits that his characters experience.

As I said, it is gripping. It is exciting, and the pace is flying like the wind. There is no boredom or thinking hurry up, because you are already into the next twist or turn. I can’t imagine anyone not finishing this story and eagerly reading the next.

Kara is a character who seeks to learn who she is, who her parents really are, and what her purpose is. She is deeply loyal and protective of her close circle of friends. She doesn’t have any biological family alive, or does she? She always thought she was alone in that realm, so she sought answers from anywhere she could. The answers were dangerous, but they had no clue why.

Reading this book was a breeze because you quickly became engrossed in the story, reading many chapters before you even thought to take a drink from your cup. I gave this story 5 stars out of 5 for the story itself, and the writing was so enveloping, you couldn’t and didn’t want to escape. Loved it.

The Wrong Family By Tarryn Fisher, A Book Review

 

It was confusing at first, trying to figure out what was going on, but I’m certain that was intended. Then it was chilling, and again, intended. As the story slowly slid into place, it was clear that not everything can be discerned from clues. Sometimes you need cold, hard facts, no matter how disturbing they may be.

Winnie, Nigel, Sam, and Juno have all struggled to live a happy, good life. Why each did what they did, though, most likely can’t be understood or put into logical order, especially for a reader who wouldn’t do what they did. But the comprehension of people’s actions cannot be reasoned out very often, so pull your thoughts tight and move on. This is what made the story disturbing, and it could very well be true. Who’s to say with what was presented? It made for an interesting read just the same.

It isn’t a can’t-put-down book, an unstoppable page-turner, but it keeps you reading just the same as you try to figure it all out. I liked the story because it wasn’t dull, slow, or crazy impossible. It was a sad story with troubled characters who are believable because the writing justifies their actions and keeps you reading.

I would recommend this to others. I only gave it 4 stars out of 5 because in my world, I need to know more. I want the characters to be understood and felt to the core, especially by the end of the book. There were too many unanswered questions for me, but I still enjoyed it.