Saturday, July 23, 2011

Review: Dark Corners by Liz Schulte

Dark Cornersby Liz Schulte

***I received this book from The Bookish Snob Tours in exchange for an honest review and participation in the Blog Tour.

Amazon Product Description:
Ella Reynolds knew from the first moment she walked into the old house someone or something was watching her. Waiting. Her husband's violent murder sent her spiraling into a world of grief and isolation, but Ella isn't alone. Who or what is responsible for her husband's death is still with her. Darkness has engulfed the past year of Ella's life. Everyday reality slips a little more between her fingers as she struggles to break free from her memories. She must look deeper into her past as well as the present to discover truth of her husband's homicide. A string of uncanny events takes place and practical explanations run thin as Ella follows the terrifying road to closure. As the past and present come to a head, Ella must decipher who or what the murderer is before it takes her as well.


My thoughts:
     I have to start this review with:  I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!
Dark Corners is brilliantly written.  Liz Schulte is obviously a very talented writer.  
     I was captured by the prologue and didn't put the book down until I was finished.  
     The writing is visually descriptive.  It's vivid, detailed, and concise.  This story reads so smoothly that it was as if I was hearing it played out instead of reading words.  You literally "feel" the emotional turmoil that is Ella's life.  
     When I got to the bar scene I laughed out loud.  After 20+ years working as a bartender, I was thrilled to see such a genuine bar scene and she captured it so perfectly!  
     The world that she has built for her story is realistic and her characters are so lifelike that they are easy to invest in.  Ella's experiences with the people in her town, the police, her so called friends, and her horrid doctor became personal; it was like I knew her!
     The story is filled with mystery and intrigue.  I was on the edge of my seat many times, wondering what was coming next!  You will have to read it to find out more!!! 
Posted by Beverly at 5:00 AM 2 comments
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Friday, July 22, 2011

Review: Steam and Sorcery by Cindy Spencer Pape

Steam and Sorcery by Cindy Spencer Pape

*NetGalley book

NetGalley Marketing Copy:

Sir Merrick Hadrian hunts monsters, both human and supernatural. A Knight of the Order of the Round Table, his use of magick and the technologies of steam power have made him both respected and feared. But his considerable skills are useless in the face of his greatest challenge, guardianship of five unusual children. At a loss, Merrick enlists the aid of a governess.
Miss Caroline Bristol is reluctant to work for a bachelor but she needs a position, and these former street children touch her heart. While she tends to break any mechanical device she touches, it never occurs to her that she might be something more than human. All she knows is that Merrick is the most dangerously attractive man she's ever met-and out of reach for a mere governess.
When conspiracy threatens to blur the distinction between humans and monsters, Caroline and Merrick must join forces, and the fate of humanity hinges upon their combined skills of steam and sorcery...

My thoughts:
I enjoyed this story very much.  I have come to love steampunk and this is a fabulous example of genre.  The characters are delightful!  Well developed, interesting, and lovable.  The author has done a fantastic job of disarming the reader and depositing the children directly in your heart.  Sir Merrick is a treat and Miss Caroline Bristol is wonderful.  The unexpected romance is an added bonus.  Social class be damned!
The story flows smoothly and is filled with gripping intrigue, unusual adventures, and monsters.  It is clever, creative, and well written.  Well worth a read!  
Posted by Beverly at 1:35 PM 3 comments
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Winner! Vampire Bites by Kate Salidas

Congrats to Velvet! 
You have won an ecopy of Vampire Bites by Kate Salidas.

Posted by Beverly at 12:32 PM 2 comments
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Blog Tour: Better Than 8 by Erin Jamison


Welcome to The Wormhole!
Today I am pleased to feature: Erin Jamison and her book,
Better Than 8 Fantasy!

This Virtual Book Tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours!
You can check out the whole tour schedule HERE!
You can read my review by clicking HERE!

I hope you enjoy this feature:
a book excerpt for your reading pleasure!


From Chapter One:
"How long has it been, Amara?" my girlfriend Stacey asked.  Then she continued without waiting for a reply. "Let's see...the last man I heard about wanted to be your maintenance man while keeping his main squeeze. What was his name?"
     "Adrian, I think..." Nicole chimed in waggling her eyebrows. "And you know everybody needs a maintenance man... to you know... maintain certain areas."
     Chuckling along with the rest of my friends, I looked around my living room at them.  All four of them were in relationships, save me. It ad been four years since I'd been with Adrian, since he'd gotten married.
     I looked around my living room at my four girl friends. We had all been friends it seemed like forever but in reality, it had only been six years. They were all the sisters I never knew I wanted and never had until now.
     We had all worked together in one capacity or another. There were many friends I would say were associates or friend, the term used loosely. These girls, though, I loved.
     There was Nicole aka Nikki, the party planner. The very one that had planned this little girls night we sometimes had on Sunday nights at my cozy two-story Tudor house not far from downtown Mountain View, an hour south of San Francisco. Nikki was the youngest of my friends. She was half white, half Mexican, 26 years old, tan, shorter than five feet tall, and a brunette, usually.
     Then there was Vanessa aka Nessa. Nessa was brown skinned, 28, big brown eyes, with a mischievous sense of humor. She was also the whitest black girl I had ever known.
     Then Stacey, the red headed, stubborn, "I ain't taking no shit off nobody" kinda girl. She was 40 and a long way away from mellowing out. 
     Last but not least was Charlene aka Charlie. Charlie was the quick-witted, 30-year-old, strawberry blond shit talker.
     I felt my face heat up at the mention of Adrian as I gathered the dishes off the table and took them into the kitchen. I grabbed the strawberry cheesecake. On my way back I passed by the floor-to-ceiling hallway mirror and paused. My cheeks were flaming from all the talk about Adrian. My skin was naturally all peaches. I had long dark brown wavy hair, hazel eyes, petite nose, and a full lush mouth. I was cute and curvy. I could admit that to myself.
     After four years of being single, I had trouble explaining to myself why me, 35-year-old Amara Simmons, why I was still alone. Except that Adrian had burned me bad.
     "Mmmmmm," Nessa hummed as she bit into the strawberry cheesecake I had served. "I swear I don't understand why you're still single." I shrugged.
     She continued. "I mean your're gorgeous, small waist, full breasted, phat ass: for a white girl. And...you can cook. Hell, I'd marry you simply so I can have cheesecake!"
     Amid a chorus of laughter and the clink of wine glasses lifted in agreement with Nessa's statement echoing my own thoughts, I offered a suggestion. "I simply haven't met the right one." 

A Brief Overview of "Better Than 8: Fantasy"
"Better Than 8: Fantasy" is a series of romance and dating novels written by Erin Jamison. There will be 8 books in the series, with each one focusing on a different aspect of romance, love, and relationships. These books are packed full of exciting stories chronicling a journey to find true love in the rocky and tumultuous dating world.
Several Ways to Enjoy "Better Than 8: Fantasy"
Erin Jamison's book series is available in two different formats: paperback books and online e-books. Call or e-mail author Erin Jamison to place an order in the format you prefer.
A Controversial Story of Love and Intrigue
"Better Than 8: Fantasy" has been praised as a controversial and engaging piece of literature that highlights the mysterious nature of online dating. If you have dabbled in the world of online romance before, this book will provide you with a brand new perspective.
 You can buy your own copy at the links below:
There is another tour stop today at:  
Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole!
Happy Reading!
Posted by Beverly at 6:00 AM 0 comments
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Thursday, July 21, 2011

Without Mercy Release Day Blitz Coming Soon!


Blitz Schedule:


July 29 – July 31


July 29

 July 30
July 31


Each stop hosts a giveaway of 2 ecopies each so stop by and enter to win a copy of Without Mercy, the first installment in the urban fantasy Mystic Wolves novellete series!

Posted by Beverly at 5:00 AM 0 comments
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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Review: Better Than 8 by Erin Jamison

Better Than 8 by Erin Jamison

*I received this book from Roxanne at Bewitching Book Tours in exchange for an honest review and participation in the blog tour.

Blurb (from Bewitching Book Tours site: http://bewitchingbooktours.blogspot.com/2011/06/now-on-tour-better-than-8-fantasy.html)
Blurb
Amara Simmons has always fantasized about having two lovers but believes it is just that: a fantasy. She likes her men “gifted”, if you know what I mean. At the suggestion of a friend she registers for an online dating website for well-endowed men called www.betterthan8.com She believes nothing will come of her site membership but after months of flirting online via email and instant messaging, she’s shocked to discover that she’s fallen for a gorgeous Latin man that has the potential to be her everything – except he never calls and she has no idea why. Nursing a broken heart she is totally unprepared to meet her would-be Latin lover in person much less at the negotiation table of a multi million-dollar real estate deal. In Puerto Rico, passion ignites. Promises are finally fulfilled and the lines of reality blur when her fantasy finally blooms to life. Can Amara have it all: the deal, the man, and the fantasy?

My thoughts:
Although this is not usually my genre, I enjoyed Erin's story.  The story, although steamy and not for the sexually timid, is centered on the characters.  I feel that they represent Erin's desire to show the importance of the people you have and bring into your own life.  Throughout the story she stresses openness, honesty, respect, and trust; in all aspects of life, especially personal relationships.  Erin builds characters that walk their own path, inspiring readers to do the same.  She builds them to both embody and encourage self-confidence, bravery, and the desire to be their own person - to go after what you want it life because we all deserve to be happy.  The relationships between her characters are intense.  She writes with an open-minded, non-judgmental style giving the reader the idea that it is okay for someone to want the unconventional.  
I enjoyed the camaraderie between the women and I was impressed by the interaction between Amara and (the old flame) Adrian.  Neither are aspects that are constant in my own personal life.  Old flames tend to want to move on and more than 2 or 3 women in the same room tend to get clique-y in my world.  
Posted by Beverly at 6:00 AM 0 comments
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