The new semester starts and my blog posts go down.  Sorry about that my few and faithful readers, but school does come first. That’s not to say I’m happy about neglecting you.  I very much appreciate the people who read my blog, but the hours in the day are working against me at this point.  I’m still reading, writing, and having my brain boggled by all this information from school – most of which I’ll probably never use, but hey having a little bit of information on a little bit of everything is never a bad thing.  It can give me a starting point for research when I want to incorporate something into a story.

Four classes is a bit of a challenge.  I may go back to three next semester.  We’ll see how things work out.  I’m past the drop date, and I probably wouldn’t even if I still could.  Generally, once I start something, I want to finish it.  So long as I keep my GPA up, it’s all gravy.  So what if my brain explodes a little bit?  Maybe some new creative juices will slip from the cracks.  Besides, I like a good challenge every now and then.

Right now my current predicament has left my bank account hacked twice.  I’ve narrowed it down and I think I know who the culprit is that’s stealing the numbers of my cards. Almost a month ago we went someplace – I’ll refrain from saying where – and my account was hacked two days later.  My husband and I went to the same place about two days ago, and low and behold, our account is hacked again.  It may be a coincidence, but I think not.  I’m going to go back through my bank records and double check tonight.  If it is what I think it is, I’m going to give the bank a heads up and see if they can look into it.  

I’m still reading and reviewing for I Read A Book Once, so if you haven’t been over to that site, make sure you check it out.  Jonathan and his band of merry reviewers are awesome people, and they give wonderful insight on the books they review.  There’s something for everyone.  Why are you still reading my blog?  I Read A Book Once will hold your interest better than I can with my random and sporadic thoughts.

“She wants to be loved by you…alone!”

A Rebecca Burton Novella. Daryl Beasley collects all things Maxine Marie, whose famous curves and fast lifestyle made her a Hollywood icon for decades after her tragic death. Daryl’s girlfriend, Loretta Stevens, knew about his geeky lifestyle when they started dating, but she loves him, quirks and all.

Then one day Daryl chooses to buy a particularly tacky piece of memorabilia instead of Loretta’s birthday present. Daryl ends up in the doghouse, not only with Loretta, but with Maxine Marie herself. The legendary blonde returns from the dead to give Daryl a piece of her mind—and a haunting obsession he’ll never forget. - R.J. Sullivan

Haunting obsession is a really fun book.  It somewhat feels like a spoof of Marilyn Monroe with the ghost being a blond bombshell sex symbol from the sixties whose name is Maxine Marie.  It’s engaging, witty, and for the most part the characters are likeable.   It wasn’t overly complicated, it was straight forward, but to be honest, Loretta annoyed the hell out of me.   It was somewhat irritating how she forgave her Daryl left and right for all his misdeeds.   Here I am rooting for her to give that man a tongue lashing, or at least make him grovel a bit, but in the end all was forgiven.  None of this would have happened had he not bought the memorabilia item to begin with.  She loves the guy, I get it.  She wants to help him, of course.  That doesn’t mean that once everything is set and done that he shouldn’t have to make it up to her.  Granted, the man went through hell, but even before that she just automatically forgave him.  Grow a back bone girl!  After everything she was hurt just as much, if in different ways.  

It’s supposedly a Rebecca Burton novel, but she only makes a few cameos.  This lady definitely has some nifty gifts that I’d like to learn more about.  Honestly, I wish there had been more of this woman and her sense of awesomeness throughout the entire novel.  It was that little grain of Rebecca that will make me most definitely want to pick up R.J. Sullivan books in the future.

Other than the easy forgiveness from Loretta it was actually a decent novel.  Nothing that is overly phenomenal, but it’s a book to curl up on the corner of the couch with a soft blanket, and warm cup of cocoa to relax your mind.  If you like ghosts, were a fan of Marilyn Monroe, or just like a fun, easy read, I’d suggest picking this book up.

I give this book 3 1/2 out of five stars and a recommendation for a fun read.

Let me first say that I only just got a Kindle for Christmas.  I was perusing the free books and stumbled across the Mary O’Reilly series by Terri Reid.  I’m an avid lover of horror, steampunk, urban fantasy, and paranormal books.  That’s not to say those are the only genre’s I read, but they’re among my favorite.  The blurb at the Kindle store for Loose Ends sounded pretty good, so I thought I’d give it a shot.

Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat I’m glad that I did!

"Dying is what changed Mary O'Reilly's life. Well, actually, coming back from the dead and having the ability to communicate with ghosts is really what did it. Now, a private investigator in rural Freeport, Illinois, Mary's trying to learn how to incorporate her experience as a Chicago cop and new-found talent into a real job. Her challenge is to solve the mysteries, get real evidence (a ghost's word just doesn't hold up in court), and be sure the folks in town, especially the handsome new police chief, doesn't think she's nuts. Twenty-four years ago, a young woman drowned in the swimming pool of a newly elected State Senator. It was ruled an accident. But now, as the Senator prepares to move on to higher positions, the ghost of the woman is appearing to the Senator's wife. Mary is hired to discover the truth behind the death. She unearths a connection between the murder and the disappearance of five little girls whose cases, twenty-four years later, are still all unsolved. As she digs further she becomes the next target for serial killer's quest to tie up all his loose ends."

BEWARE THE SLIGHT SPOILERS!

Terri Reid wove Loose Ends together beautifully.  There were some bits that were foreshadowed a little too well.  That is to say, I knew the Police Chief Bradley was her mysterious racing partner almost as soon as one and the other were mentioned.  However, the characters are witty, fun, and despite having their own dark pasts, they aren’t broody and depressing.  They have unique personalities, flaws, and strengths.  It was also a unique perspective on someone who’s a medium and able to see ghosts.

It took me a day to read this – mostly because I was doing it in between chats at work and when I could get a moment to myself at home – but it’s an addictive read.  Reid knows how to keep the reader engaged in the well thought out plot involving politicians, missing girls, a murdered pregnant woman from the eighties, and a few ghosts that need help along the way.  The chemistry between Mary and Bradley isn’t forced, and I like that she didn’t try pushing them together, especially with Bradley still mourning his wife and child who have been missing for eight years.  Instead the attraction slowly builds more and more throughout the book instead of just smooshing them together like two blow up dolls being used as instructional sex toys.  Which reminds me – I love the fact that Rosie’s emergency fashion kit contains a blow up doll which was not just something quirky in the plot – it’s in there for a reason.

I love when writers think things through.  The little details enhance the story so much.  Reid is able to give vivid – yet not too much description to bog the story down.  It’s consistently moving forward with enough information to keep the story flowing so that the readers are fulfilled with the information, and not so much that you’re drowning in factual data.  It’s a great balance, an engaging read, and yes, I will absolutely be picking up the next one in the series.  Be careful if you decide to start on this journey.  It’s like a drug addiction.  Once you inject yourself with this creative story, you’ll find yourself jonesing for your next fix.

I’m giving Loose Ends four out of five stars. The only reason it’s not five is because for me, it was too easy to figure out a few points in the book, but that didn’t want me to stop reading it.  It only made me want more!

For more on Terri Reid and her phenomenal series you can visit here website:

http://terrireid.com/

Email: terri.reid@reidassociate.com

Holy sweet baby Jesus the holidays snuck up pretty damn fast this year.  Provided the world doesn’t end tomorrow (which it probably will just because I got all of my Christmas shopping done early) I will have a four day weekend.  At least from the boring, mundane, mind numbing, cubicle job that consumes my days.  I can’t say I’m disappointed about that.  Christmas, though busy for most, is slow for us.  That gives me time to work on stories, read new books, and find other interesting ways to keep myself from slowly losing my mind.  Okay, well I may have lost my mind a long time ago, but there’s no need to spiral down into a cesspool of madness that leaves me cackling like a frizzy haired, black toothed shrew….No comments from the peanut gallery.

In other news, I’ve been trying to find a book review blog to contribute to.  It was painstaking, grueling research, (more like luck) that lead me to "I Read A Book Once".   (The header pic belongs to the site.)Well, that and Google.  This little gem was created by a Mr. Jonathan Wilhoit – husband, father, IT guy, and devoted book nerd who turned his avid love of reading into a successful book review site filled with guest postings, give aways, author interviews, and a refreshingly honest viewpoint.  Jonathan is not at all afraid to say what’s on his mind when it comes to the books he’s reviewing.  Don’t request a review unless you want honest feedback, because that’s what you’re going to get.

The Critic-in-Chief as he is dubbed on I Read a Book Once has been awesome enough to accept my offer to become a contributor on his website.   To say that I’ve been gushing and smiling wider than the Joker on laughing gas is an understatement.  I’m uberly excited.  Yes, uberly.  If you’ve ever been a gamer you know what it means.  Let’s face it, the most prestigious thing I’ve ever done is won the Kick Butt First Line Contest a few years ago.  I’ve been entirely too shy, too self-deprecating, and doubtful to put myself out there.  Recently, between going back to school and finding a network of supportive people who are like, “Uh get your shit out there,” I figured I’d give it a go. Worst case scenario, I get rejected. 

Rejection hurts, but it’s a part of life.

The Critic-in-Chief has been kind enough to give me a shot, and I don’t intend to let him down.  Also FREE BOOKS!  What!  Okay, seriously, unleashing free books on me is like giving a sex addict multiple orgasms. I’m in heaven! I’m so, so, so, so completely, totally, utterly, and humbly appreciative of this opportunity.  Now, get your fingers off the keyboard, go back to the link and click on the site.  Wait, nevermind, I’ll give it to you again. I Read A Book Once! Go! Read!  Laugh!  Enjoy!

Thank you kindly Jonathan Wilhoit.  I hope I live up to, and learn from this experience.

It was in 2007 that I first picked up Dime Store Magic.  Little did I know, I was picking up a book that was actually the third installment of what would become one of my all-time favorite book series.  I was working at a bookstore at the time.  Lingering in the Sci-Fi and fantasy section was something I tended to do, especially when restocking.  I found so many gems while walking down those aisles, reading the backs of books that looked interesting or had a catching title.  Dime Store Magic was one of them.  I bought a copy, read the book – and then realized that Bitten and Stolen came before it.  I was happy that Kelley Armstrong was able to weave a story in a series that had enough information to be a stand-alone novel as well.

I was introduced to Paige, Lucas, and Savannah, the wonderful world of witches, cabals, and magic.  It took me a day and half to read.  After that I was scouring the net for information on the author and any other books she may have written. That’s when I found out that Bitten was the first in the series.  The bookstore I was working at also had it in the bargain section for $2.00.  So, I read Bitten, then Stolen, then the next book, and the next, until I was caught up and had to wait with the other fans in eager anticipation of the next book being released.  Armstrong intricately brought so many characters together in one world, and it was pleasure to meet all of them, following their adventures as they try to keep their magical existence a secret from the world. Armstrong didn’t create just one protagonist with supporting characters and stick them into a world.  She created a world with several stars and stories to tell. 

Picking up ‘Thirteen’ for the final hurrah left me with a feeling of dread and excitement.  There was no way that this book was going to be anything less than phenomenal, but at the same time, I knew it meant saying goodbye to so many of my favorite characters.  Watching Savannah grow from a little girl into an independent, kick ass witch who could handle her own was probably my favorite.  The reunion with her mother Eve was heartbreaking and finally seeing Savannah and Adam admit their feelings for each other had me cheering to the literary muses that spark Armstrong’s imagination.  It was action packed, with twists, turns, and cameos of just about everyone from previous books.   Riveting, full of emotional ups and downs, and ending that had everyone taking the next step in their lives, ‘Thirteen’ is perhaps one of the best series finales I’ve read.  

It’s always hard to say goodbye to people we care about.  Characters we’ve been following for years are no different.  Fare thee well you strong, independent, inspiring woman.  I shall revisit your stories often, and hope that Kelley Armstrong gives us a glimpse into your lives in the future.