Hello, all!
I recently finished watching the Netflix original television show, The Punisher. I want to talk about the show a bit without giving any spoilers. Well, not really.
I thoroughly enjoyed it for a few different reasons. For one, people died, even main characters for no reason. This show is about military conspiracies and cover-ups, so you can bet your ass there was plenty of gunfire and hand-to-hand combat. The thing is, so many movies and TV shows are afraid to kill off characters right from the start. Usually, you want to have an elaborate backstory or reasoning as to why they were killed. The thing is, it isn't always like that in real life. Some people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time and you are given little time to grieve in that moment.
The main reason I loved this show was because it drew parallels to my favorite graphic novel of all time: The Crow by James O'Barr. Now, I have not read Marvel's The Punisher comics, but I was familiar with the story itself before watching the show. Frank Castle is a soldier who was back home with his family when they were all gunned down right in front of him. His wife and two kids, gone in the blink of an eye. This begins a cycle of revenge that soon appears to be never ending.
The Crow is also about revenge for a lost loved one. Eric Draven witnesses his girlfriend's murder before dying himself. He later comes back from death as The Crow, an agent of revenge.
Now I am a sucker for a good revenge story, but what makes these two stories so special is the way they show the main character's suffering. Frank Castle and Eric Draven both go to extremes for their revenge, leaving pools of blood and dead bodies in their wake. They don't care about consequences. They don't care about right and wrong or crossing the line. In most cases, this would make them more of a villain than a hero. The truth is, they are more of an anti-hero: someone who doesn't do the morally right thing, but someone you can relate to and root for nonetheless.
Why relate to savage killers? With The Punisher, we are shown the world through Frank's eyes. Every day, he wakes up after dreams of his family. Whether they are pleasant memories, nightmares, or a cruel mix of both, it doesn't matter. We see how his loved ones are never far from his thoughts. He relives his pain over and over, again and again, and all he wants is his own form of justice since the system failed him.
The same is true with Eric Draven. Between scenes of violence, we are shown his memories of Shelly, the greatest love of his life. Even after his own death, he mourns her still and we are given every painful detail of his suffering.
This suffering is what makes these characters so relatable. Even as they break bones and fill men with bullets, we can't help but to root for them. The line between right and wrong is blurry, for sure, but these emotionally gutted individuals still elicit sympathy from the audience.
And last but not least, The Punisher is a new favorite because Jon Bernthal is an amazing actor that played the part so beautifully, that I was often trying not to sob out loud. His performance was powerful and moving. Plus, you know, eye candy!
I recommend this show to anyone who loves their action fast, their violence hard-core, and their hearts being ripped to shreds with those deep feels.
Hello fellow book-a-holics! Last month was pretty busy, but I still managed to read a good many indie books. Who doesn't love indie authors? Here is what I thought of them.
Siren Slave
by Aurora Styles
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
Do not judge this book by its "typical romance" cover! This story has a
goofy princess who loves alliteration, an OCD pirate into BDSM, a lusty
sea witch who has a potion for everything (including manly problems), a
fey "god" who loves bloodshed and wears a loincloth, a villain who
dresses in drag and has a bit too much affection for livestock,
mermaids, unicorns, and more. This magical adventure is a non-stop laugh
fest with a dash of romance and politics thrown in for good measure. I
highly recommend getting swept away on this voyage.
Kissing the Rain
by Jen Winters
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
A
nice, short prequel to Kissing Demons told from Alex's point of view.
We see his constant struggle with the two forces warring within him and
feel his fear about his father's call. I enjoyed getting in this
character's head and hope to read more from this author soon!
Souls of the Reaper
by Markie Madden
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
This
book was hard to put down! I enjoyed the first book in the series and
the second one is even better. Though there were many instances of
repetitiveness when it came to Lacey's past, I could overlook it because
of the intriguing story. The characters were well developed and the
pace perfect. A great read!
Something Borrowed
by Kimberly Kincaid
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
This
story had me laughing and falling in love with the characters from page
one. I love a book that draws me in so completely in just a few
paragraphs. I definitely recommend this one if you want a short, sexy,
but sweet read.
Undefined
by Sylvie Nathan
Rating: 3 Stars
Review:
This
was a nice little story about a girl who realizes that she is a
lesbian. The realization came on rather quickly but was well done.
However, I would have liked the characters fleshed out a bit more so I
could truly relate to their struggles. Overall, an okay read.
Up in Flames
by Shyla Colt
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
A
sweet, short story with a happy ending. It was enjoyable, but I would
have loved more. A chance to delve more into the character's lives
before the crash would have been great.
Roommate Menage
by Harmonie St. James
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
If you are looking for a short, sexy ride that will leave you hot and
bothered, this is it. An unexpected event finds Chad invited into a
threesome with his roommate and his roommate's hot girlfriend. Is this a
one time deal? Will things be weird afterwards? You have to read to
find out!
Looking Into the Abyss
by Various Authors
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
An
interesting collection of varying short stories. Each author brought
their own unique style and I enjoyed discovering a few new authors.
My favorite stories would have to be "The Elephant" and "Bad Cadet".
A great read for a wonderful cause!
That wraps up last month's reads and reviews. Stay tuned for exciting news coming this month and happy reading!
Hello, all!
It's a new year and that means a new reading goal and new books to be discovered and enjoyed. My 2017 Goodreads Reading Challenge has started off well. I plan to read 120 books this year with 19 down already. I'm coming in hot!
So let's get down to it. Here are the indie books I read and reviewed in January.
He Left Her at the Altar, She Left Him to the Zombies
by Katie Cord
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
I
enjoyed this collection of short stories involving zombies in one
fashion or another. Some stories were funny, some tragic, some sweet,
but all were well written. I hope to read more from this author soon.
Dead Men Don't Pay
by Tim Hemlin
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
For
such a short story, this was a well written mystery. Fast paced, but
with enough detail to draw you in, this "who-done-it" tale was a
pleasure to read.
Wedding Bands
by Ev Bishop
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
An
enjoyable read! The characters were flawed but relatable and the story
was parts fun, heartbreaking, and sweet. A great way to spend an
afternoon.
Hooked
by Ev Bishop
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
A
bit predictable, but still adorable, this story was a nice, cozy read
for a lazy day. Now I just have to read the next in the series!
Spoons
by Ev Bishop
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
This is a great read featuring characters with real world problems. Tears, laughter, and a happy ending within.
A Neophyte's Tale
by CK Dawn
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
This
was a heartwrenching glimpse into Abbey's life before she discovers who
she really is, and finds her place among a new family. Having already
read Cloak of Shadows, I enjoyed getting to know more about Abbey's
past.
After the Before
by Jessica Gomez
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
A
dark but interesting story with a satisfying ending. The plot was
intriguing, if not a bit cliche, with a female who constantly needs
saving and a hot guy that every girl he gets near throws themselves at.
There are also a good amount of editing issues that should be addressed.
Even so, the story shines through and I found myself riveted to the
page and rooting for the unlikely couple to get through the drama.
Little Brats: Taboo A-Z
by Selena Kitt
Rating: 3 Stars
Review:
I
enjoy short naughty stories and this collection was pretty decent. The
taboo part wasn't too out there and it was nice that the characters had
varying looks and personalities. Unforunately, the sex scenes in each
story sounded almost exactly the same so after reading a couple, it was
basically a repeat with new characters.
There you go, faithful readers. I hope to read some more awesome indie books this year and share my finds with you. Happy reading!
Last month was really busy for me. I published one book for both of my pen names and read lots of great books! Let's take a look at the indie books I enjoyed in August.
The Ever-Burning Light
by K. L. Cottrell
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
Spellbinding! I absolutely loved this book. A perfect conclusion to a
beautiful trilogy. The writing style was fun, humorous, and beautiful.
The story was powerful and inspiring. I'll be thinking about this one
for a while, I'm still completely immersed in that world of Light and
Dark, of humans and monsters, and love and hate. A wonderful urban
fantasy
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
This is Me.
by C. E. Wilson
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
Wow! What a wonderful sci-fi romance! The question of what's real and
what's not, what's alive and what isn't, is explored in this beautiful
story about a woman, her robot companion, and her jealous love interest.
Can a machine learn to love?
I had a hard time putting this down!
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
Never Kiss Me Goodbye
by Ranay James
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
Though it started off slow and repetitive, once the story got going, it
was hard to put down. The constant twists, action, and sexual tension
between the main characters kept me on my toes. And that ending was
certainly not what I expected. Can't wait to read the next installment!
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
Point of No Return
by Ranay James
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
Fasted paced fun! More twists and turns and great action in this second book in the series. I had a hard time putting it down!
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
What Once Went Wrong
by T. E. Hodden
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
A tragic but heartwarming tale of love and friendship. This story flowed
like poetry of the sweetest kind. George's story of finding Happy Ever
Afters for his friends was well written and inspiring. I couldn't put it
down.
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
Illusional Reality
by Karina Kantas
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
Grabbed me in the first chapter! Though this started out as your
typical, "Oh by the way, you are unique and have to save our people"
fantasy, it quickly became a more interesting tale. Thya discovers her
true identity and though she tries to take it all in stride, it's
obviously still really hard for her to let go of her life on Earth.
Though
the Tsinians strike me as pretty naive (They have been constantly
attacked by their enemy for decades and all of a sudden decide he is
trustworthy? Really?) Thya isn't and doesn't play around when it comes
to people she doesn't trust. She basically tells the guy who killed her
parents, and now wants to marry her as part of a peace treaty, to stick
it where the sun doesn't shine. We see her character grow stronger of
mind and more confident as the story progresses.
Full of action, a
budding romance, betrayal, and some really cool yet terrifying magic,
Illusional Reality was a fun read that I just had to finish in one
sitting.
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
I also caught up on the most recent issues of I Hate Fairyland. Yes, it's crazy and bloody but I still love it.
Happy reading, everyone!
I read a lot of great books in April. As per my usual review blog, I'll just be posting my reviews of indie books with 3 stars or more.
The Professor
by Fallen Kittie
Rating: 3 Stars
Review:
I enjoyed this story about a young university student, content to wile
away her hours studying in solitude. Her newfound relationship with her
old professor opens her eyes to what her life has truly been like for
the last few years and how "playing it safe" when it comes to
relationships of any kind, doesn't necessarily mean finding contentment.
My favorite part has to be:
"When you found someone to relate
to, it made for an easier mind. I understood why people weren’t so bad.
Assurances arose when you drew parallels. A sense of purpose arose from a
sense of solidarity."
I can certainly relate to the main
character and enjoyed watching her grow. Though the dialogue carried
most of the story, (I would have liked a glimpse into other aspects of
her life.) it was an amusing read that was both sexy and thought
provoking.
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
What Hides in the Darkness
by K. L. Cottrell
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
An amazing book!
I thoroughly enjoyed this original story full of
romance, action, and even some mystery. The writing is dark but
wonderful, full of exquisite details that draw the readers into each
scene without boring us. The characters are well written and easy to
love, but they also harbor little flaws that make them relatable. The
secret world the Lightforce live in is well formed and believable.
I
fell in love with this book in no time and knew halfway through that I
would have to read the entire series in short order! Excellent writing,
excellent storyline, excellent book!
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
Oddlywood
by Dewed Yelley
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
An amusing book of poems! Adorably creepy pictures along with cute and
humorous poetry makes this book hard to put down. A great, quick read
for teens and adults!
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
Awethology Dark
by The Awethors
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
Great book of many unique stories varying in genre and voice! Get swept
away with tales of romance, horror, fantasy and more. Quite an enjoyable
read.
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
Cemetery at Devil's Bend
by Gina Moray
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
A disturbing tale about sins and sinners and the influence of evil on our hearts. A great read!
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
BloodLoss
by Lu J Whitley
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
A
wonderful introduction to Jaromir's world. We find out how he finds
Stein and just how deep his love for his adopted son goes. A fun and
heart wrenching read.
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
Flirting With Forever
by Kim Boykin
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
A sweet story about finding love after a failed marriage. Fun read!
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
I also finished up The Sandman graphic novels. I just loved them all! I read Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book as well as starting the first volume of Kamisama Hajimemashita, both of which were amazing. Looking forward to another month of fun reads.
After having read very little in February, I tried to make up for it in March by reading a lot. A lot for a busy person like me, anyway. I read twelve books last month! The best part is, I thoroughly enjoyed every single one of them. Nothing under four stars this month!
I read more trade books than indie books this month so I will only be posting reviews for indie books in the YA or adult market. The children's books I read are reviewed on my other blog.
Jade
by Rose Montague
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
Action packed and fun! I loved the tone of this book and how Jade's true
nature is kept a mystery for a time. A real page turner.
My only
complaint is the pacing. It was a tad fast for my taste, I would have
liked to slow it down and see more of the initial spark between Jade and
Jane, let that romance build more.
Great read!
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
Demon Within
by Julie Nicholls
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
I couldn't put it down!
This story was exactly what I look for in a
romance. The author took her time introducing us to each character,
leaving a bit of mystery to be discovered along the way while letting
the reader become emotionally invested in their own stories. The action
was exciting and the romance sizzling. Some twists were predictable,
others less so, but all done so well that it felt genuine.
A great read that hooked me, reeled me in, and left me wanting more.
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
Five Seven Five
by C. E. Wilson
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
This story sucked me in from page one!
A colony that lives
underground. Strict enforces of the rules, rules that no one really
understands. A girl curious about the world above. A death that will
change everything.
I couldn't help but to root for White from the
start. Her character is flawed, headstrong, and endearing, everything I
love in a protagonist. The vivid details and original story line made
this book very hard to put down! Excellent read.
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
Stake Out
by Lily Luchesi
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
A great start to a promising series!
A killer on the loose, a doomed
romance, and paranormal creatures functioning in modern society make for
an exciting story. It has issues that usually accompany an author's
first book like head-hopping confusion and showing versus telling, but
the story itself shines through. I enjoyed the bit of mystery and
romance just as much as the action and fight scenes.
Very well done and can't wait to read the sequel!
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
A few other books a read include Hollow City, the sequel to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Excellent book, can't wait to read the third and final story! The Sandman Volume 9, which, geezus, almost killed me with that ending. I also finished off a manga series I started reading many years ago, Descendants of Darkness (Yami no Matsuei).
All in all, it was a great month for reading!
February is finally over, including the loneliest holiday of the year.
Binge eating chocolates aside, I had a lot of personal stuff going on this month including deaths and health issues so I was not able to read half as many books as I had originally planned. But let us take a look at the one I did sit down and enjoy.
DEATH LOVE LUST Anthology
by Various Authors
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
An assortment of delicious stories and poems that are sure to please!
As
the title suggests, each piece of this collection involves a gruesome
death, undying love, or a passionate sexual need. Some contain all
three. Each author brought their own voice, their own style to this
anthology and though every story contained the same central themes, they
were each unique. Some brought tears, some brought a sense of longing,
some brought terror, and some brought lust. Every work contained in this
collection grasped me firmly and held me, riveted, to the page.
I
was captivated from the start, each story and poem leaving me in a
dreamy daze of contemplation. I recommend reading it in the dark.
To purchase this title, find it on Amazon here.
I was able to read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I found this to be an excellent book that I easily give five stars. I plan on starting the next installment soon.
I also launched my new author website last week! Yay!
This site will have all my author info, including buy links for my books, reviews, videos, and a short bio. What I am looking forward to the most is the new blog. Don't worry, this blog isn't going anywhere, the new blog is completely different. That one will be a writing blog. I will be posting a new chapter to an ongoing story called Fur & Feathers each week. Fur & Feathers is a fantasy romance with some action and drama mixed in.
Come by and check out the new site here.
I'm doing the Goodreads Reading Challenge again this year. Last year my goal was to read thirty-five books and I read eighty. This year my goal is one hundred books. I got this!
This month started the year out right with twelve books. That's right, super mom with four screaming kids squeezed in twelve books this month! (Though a lot of these "books" are those romance novels split in three. It's a thing people are doing now and it is annoying. It's short enough to be a short story. The three together could be one book. But yeah, let's call it a "series".) Let's look at my reviews for what I managed to read for January 2016.
The Everlasting Chapel
by Marilyn Cruise
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
Perfect ending to a great trilogy.
My
only real complaint is that I think Scarlett fought too hard against
Michael. Once she finally gave in to the inevitable, a happy ending was
guaranteed.
For more of Marilyn Cruise's books and buy links, check out her Goodreads author page.
Gravitas: Valkyrie in the Forbidden Zone
by Lynne Murray
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
I adore this book! Humorous, action-packed, and full of jabs at society, this book has everything I could want and more.
For more of Lynne Murray's books and buy links, check out her Amazon author page.
Dreamwalker
by Desiree Morgan
Rating: 3 Stars
Review:
The story was sweet but it
felt too short for my tastes. I would have liked more detail leading up
to the car accident. More scenes of them interacting in the dreams to
show Chase falling in love with Emily. A few editing issues here and
there but nothing too distracting from the story.
All in all, a good quick read but didn't draw me in as much as I had hoped.
For more of Desiree Morgan's books and buy links, check out her Goodreads author page.
Five Dates
by Amy Jo Cousins
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
Humorous, sexy, and fun! A great read that draws you into Devin and Jay's worlds and the realities of a relationship.
For more of Amy Jo Cousin's books and buy links, check out her Amazon author page.
Regina: The Monster Inside
by DM Singh
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
An
exciting leap into a magical world unlike any other. This book is full
of characters that are unique and interesting. The heroine isn't
perfect; she is young, makes mistakes, and often doesn't think her plans
through. All of which makes her easy to relate to. Though at times the
pacing is a bit slow, the story is otherwise engaging. Great read, can't
wait for the sequel!
For more of DM Singh's books and buy links, check out her Amazon author page.
Ready To Were
by Robyn Peterman
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
I really enjoyed this book. It has everything I could want in a were
story: humor, heartbreak, action, sexy romance, and a kick-ass heroine. I
was tickled pink by the no bullshit tone, the humor having me laughing
my butt off quite often. I definitely can't wait to read the next
installment!
For more of Robyn Peterman's books and buy links, check out her Amazon author page.
Unmasked: Volume 1
by Cassia Leo
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
A dark and intriguing story. A mysterious start to a trilogy that promises more action and turmoil to come!
For more of Cassia Leo's books and buy links, check out her Amazon author page.
The Viscount's Christmas Temptation
by Erica Ridley
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
An enjoyable historic romance with original characters and a sweet story.
For more of Erica Ridley's books and buy links, check out her Amazon author page.
Chameleon Sea: Part 1
by Catherine James
Rating: 3 Stars
Review:
A good start to a series with vivid details and a sensuous story.
For more of Catherine James's books and buy links, check out her Goodreads author page.
The Girlfriend Wager
by Edward Davies
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
An
amusing tale about a group of teenage boys who make a bet: Which of
them can get a real girlfriend and sleep with her within a year? As we
journey with them through their failures and follies, we are reminded of
youth and how strange and awkward those hormonal years are.
A fun read with interesting and hilarious characters.
For more of Edward Davies's books and buy links, check out his Goodreads author page.
I also read the short story "The Battered Bride" and Volume 8 of The Sandman. I look forward to a year full of more wonderful reads to come by some amazing indie authors!
I have so much reading to catch up on that it's ridiculous!
My kindle app is full, I have a real Kindle sitting collecting dust, I have some downloaded books on my computer, and then there are the paperbacks double stacked on my bookshelf. There is just not enough time in the day for reading!
I'm going to go back one month and post some reviews that I gave for what books I have been able to knock off my TBR. Some I enjoyed immensely, some, not so much. I give honest reviews but I try not to be a douche canoe about it.
I finished The Sandman Volume Five on October 19th. I gave it five stars because, well, awesome! I have to say that though every book in this series isn't gold, I am loving it so far as a whole. Can't wait to read the next one. (Which will be soon.) I don't tend to give reviews to "trade" books unless it was so phenomenal that I fan-girl screamed.
Cloak of Shadows
by C.K. Dawn
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
What an exciting and well-written story!
I love that the world was
introduced slowly; the scenery and characters fleshed out with such
detail. Creating such relatable characters made their successes and
failures truly resonate. The secret, magical world they were a part of
was introduced piece by piece. The author is a master of giving the
reader action and romance all while keeping them intrigued by the
mysteries of how this secret society worked and each character's place
in it.
Wonderful read! Highly recommended!
For more of C.K. Dawn's books and buy links, check out her Amazon author page.
Norma Jean's School of Witchery Book One: Jewel
by Rose Montague
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
A suspenseful, action packed tale!
This book follows the young witch
Jewel and her exciting adventures as she enters a new school, makes new
friends, and deals with assassination attempts, a budding romance, and
loss. Finding out you have rare witch powers is hard enough but having
to learn to utilize them to save your friend's lives is a hell of a way
to spend your school year!
Fast paced and fun, this book was a great YA read I would recommend to any lover of fantasy.
Having read this wonderful book, I now have to read Jade, Jane and the next installment of this series!
For more of Rose Montague's books and buy links, check out her Amazon author page.
Cowboy Command
by Olivia Jaymes
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
An exciting romance full of action, drama and hot sex scenes! A great read!
For more of Olivia Jaymes's books and buy links, check out her Amazon author page.
Ink Inspired
by Carrie Ann Ryan
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
A short, sweet read featuring a sexy, tattooed hunk. What's not to love?
For more of Carrie Ann Ryan's books and buy links, check out her Amazon author page.
Jaded (3 Book Series)
by Ali Parker
Rating: Overall, 4 Stars
Review:
(Book 1) A great introduction to Kari and her friends. I enjoyed how the story
played out slowly, really letting you get to know the characters
intimately. Great read!
(Book 2) Not as detailed as the first book but a good introduction to Jake and
his own heartbreak. We immediately see the sparks between Jake and Kari
but they do seem to be taking it a bit fast for two individuals who have
been hurt by loved ones, especially since he never let his wounds heal
and hers are still so fresh.
(Book 3) Not the best installment of this series but good nonetheless. This last book feels a bit more rushed than the previous two. Kari still has serious trust issues and because of that, I feel like they should slow down a bit. If she doubts him as soon as he leaves town, how will they ever have a meaningful relationship?
For more of Ali Parker's books and buy links, check out her Amazon author page.
That's all I've managed to finish since this time last month. I hope that over the holidays I can relax and snuggle down with some more books. As much as I love to write, I need my reading time too!
