Bound (Arelia LaRue #1) by Kira Saito

This was a great introduction for an indie author. The author wrote each character distinctively; each has flaws or traits that made it easy for me to relate to on some level. At least one character was more mysterious than the others, creating a bit of intrigue. I liked that each character had their own issues. It made them more real for me as no one is perfect. The main character can be a bit impetuous and rude, but it was apparent to me that these reactions were defense mechanisms born out of her life experiences, and as such, made her all the more believable.

I especially loved the amount of information the author imparted about voodoo/hoodoo. Most books that speak of voodoo/hoodoo, do so in a very superficial or vague way. There's usually only basic references to the most pop-cultural aspects of voodoo, such as queens, spirits, gris-gris and, of course, dolls. This book was completely different. It's obvious the author spent a lot of time researching the subject. It made for a more fascinating read. The author describes the spirits, both in appearance and in aspects of their magical domains. She even goes into surface details about the uses and various components to make charms or spells. All of which drew my interest more deeply into the book.

I will definitely read the next book soon!

Breakers by Edward W. Robertson

This is one of those books that I feel like I stole because I only paid 99¢. The story begins with a flu pandemic. Then an alien space craft appears over the ocean in Southern California. It quickly becomes apparent they brought the plague.

There are three main characters--Walt, who decides to walk from New York to California after his actress girlfriend dies from the flu--and a married couple, Raymond and Mia, who do their best to survive right under the glare of the alien mothership. Walt is by far the best character. He starts off as a doubtful, suicidal wimp and over 3,000 miles turns into the hero who doesn't care about being a hero. His sarcastic of humor lends some real brevity to the story.

The descriptions of the aliens and their actions didn't fill me with terror but there was enough action on their part to give me a growing sense of dread that the remaining humans would gradually be extinguished and this would be one of those stories where the aliens win. Eventually our characters meet but to say any more would spoil the story. I will say that when I got to the end, I wondered why he had a second and even third book but quickly realized so many questions hadn't been answered by the first book.

Vampire Shift (Kiera Hudson Series One #1) by Tim O'Rourke

I came upon this book and thought that I would give it a shot. I wasn't displeased. I enjoyed the story line and how different it was from other books I read. I love the CIS approach to the crimes and the main character's personality. I think I enjoyed it more because she wasn't the "damsel in distress" kind of thing. She was a strong character. The writing was easy to follow and it had a clear picture that was believable. Overall, great.

With all that being said, I am the person that will find out how the series ends to find if it is something I want to spend time on. I was devastated by the end of some series. I came to the realization that if I wanted drama, love triangles or negative endings, I will just watch TV. I don't read books to be miserable, sad or get angry. So, this series will end on book one for me. I found that some of the story is going to do a 180 in the next book and I would rather walk away with respect for the characters that I like than end it on a bad note and shun the story line and writer because it didn't turn out right in my mind. But, that would be my personal opinion.

Possess by J.A. Howell

Harley runs away from a bad relationship and ends up in Midtown, Rhode Island. She quickly gets a job and an apartment too. The only thing about her apartment is that it's haunted by its last occupant Brody Walsh. To make everything more interesting, the pub owner where she works, along with the waitress that helps her get the job were friends with Brody. She very quickly gets all tangled up with what happened to Brody, as his ghost is pushing her to find the truth as well.
I liked this book, it was interesting and is well written. I would recommend this story to anyone looking for a good paranormal murder mystery. I got so caught up in the story I didn't want to put it down. I mean what's better than a murder mystery and romance all in the same place? I will be on the watch for more from J. A. Howell.

Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham

I love to love books by John Grisham - in large part, I'm sure, because I'm a huge fan of legal thrillers - and almost without exception, that's certainly been the case. And happily, it's true here as well. I will say that for most of the first half I concluded this is meant to be a book of short stories or vignettes that take place in the life of street lawyer Sebastian Rudd. But while each "story" might be able to stand on its own, bits and pieces of each are connected to create (aha!) a whole book. And that's not easy to pull off.

Rudd really doesn't have a home base, unless you count a tiny, well-secured apartment and the heavily armed van complete with heavy-duty bodyguard/driver that serves as his mobile (and only) office. He's got a young son and an ex-wife lawyer whose primary goal in life, it seems, is to gain sole custody plus 25% ownership in a mixed martial arts cage fighter named Tadeo. Rudd's paid work, for the most part, consists of defending bad guys (and I suppose gals) other lawyers won't touch with a 10-foot pole.

Rudd doesn't love them either, but neither does he have much respect for insurance companies, government or the criminal justice/legal system. Even if his clients are guilty - and in fact, most of them are - when he wins (and that's fairly often), he derives satisfaction in knowing he's once again stuck it to the unethical powers that be and lived to tell about it.

Given the natural tendencies of his clients, though, that last part is subject to change at any moment. Early-on clients include a teenage boy who's accused of the grisly murders of two young girls (a case thought to be a shoe-in win for the prosecution) and defense of "his" fighter Tadeo who, after losing in the ring for the first time, pounded the hell out of a referee who happened to be in the ring at the time of the judges' decision. The pounding, caught on video, proved fatal - and now Rudd is the only thing standing between his fighter and decades in jail.

If I have a complaint, it's that there's a fair amount of repetition, although that's necessary to some extent to make sure readers connect the dots among the various "stories." Still, because there seems to be a little too much of it, I'm inclined to give this one 4.5 stars - but since that's not possible here I'm perfectly willing to round up rather than down. The ending also left the door wide open for a sequel, and since I thoroughly enjoyed this one, if that happens it's a sure bet I'll be in line to read it as well.

The Legacy of the Key (Ancient Guardians #1) by S.L. Morgan

I really loved these books! I fell totally in love with Levi, Harrison and Reece.. I finished all 3 books in a matter of days and when they were done, I started reading them all over again, just slower. Levi is gorgeous, he is romantic and honest and a true gentleman, with amazing confidence and a sense of humor, everyhing you need in a man. Harrison is funny and kind and I love his sarcastic nature. Reece is strong and adaptable, she is not a damsel in distress that needs saving! I love that this book is light and adventurous! It doesn't delve into dark depressing realms for too long, it is a light hearted amazing read that makes you feel almost powerful with the characters! The characters of the book are well developed and beautifully connected. Read the books, they are wonderful!

The Good Neighbor by A.J. Banner

This is a good suspense story. I don't know where the other review found Harlequin Romance, but I found suspense and deviousness. It's a story about a woman who rescues the little girl next door during a house fire. Then the woman starts suspecting her neighbors, friends and husband of all kinds of wrongdoing and the reader really doesn't know what to expect next. Yes, some of the actions and lines may have been a bit overdone or too dramatic, but overall it is a good story that held my attention and kept me reading. Lots of twists and I kept changing my mind on the "who done it". The ending was not expected but what I like is that it leaves room for a sequel and I really hope she writes one.

Frey (The Frey Saga, #1) by Melissa Wright

I rather liked this one. Liked it enough to buy the second book and I am glad to say it ended peaking my interest for book three.

No glaring spelling or word errors worth noting. Good for a free book. M. W. shows some writing skills here. Frey is bound to prevent the use of magic. Her power starts to return and there are surprising results. Along with her powers being taken so are her memories. The author executed this very well. She feels or knows people/things and not sure why she has certain reactions. Now the part that cost a star is a bit of repetitive reaction to her use of magic and return of memories. This worked most of the time because of the nature of her being magically bound and the negative effects involved. This carried across the first two books and just almost went once too far. It felt like it was resetting the story about 30 pages to be done again the last time or so. I am being vague here to prevent spoilers. In the end it was done well and I am glad to say at the end of book two this is all resolved and I await book three.

Hostile Witness by Rebecca Forster

If you're a fan of straight up legal dramas then you won't be disappointed by Hostile Witness (and it was a freebie at Amazon - doesn`t get much better than that). It reads like any great lawyer show you might watch on TV or see at the movies. In fact it would make a great movie. I was hooked right from the opening chapter. A well-loved, Supreme Court Justice Fritz Rayburn is dead and a young 16 year old girl, Hannah Sheraton is in jail accused of his murder. Josie Baylor-Bates is a great lawyer. She's an athlete who enjoys a little beach volleyball, has a great no strings attached, mutually satisfying relationship with ex-cop turned PI Archer and a great low stress job at a laid back practice in Hermosa Beach...ahhhh that's the life.

But once upon a time Josie was a big time lawyer, forced into the spotlight when she defended a young woman, a mother of two small children. Josie defended her client so brilliantly that she walked only to later perpetrate the greatest crime a mother could commit. Josie never wanted to be in that position again so she threw in the towel for local small time, small problem law. Until a blast from her college days Linda Rayburn begs and pleads for Josie to defend her innocent daughter, accused of murder...the murder of Judge Rayburn.
The whole case is extremely interesting and complex. Hannah was a disturbed teenage whose metal status I continually questioned. She's got OCD, cuts herself with razor blades and has been in trouble with the law in the past...basically she's a mess. Did she or didn't she do it?

It's up to Josie to figure out the truth from the lies. What hidden Rayburn family dynamics are at work? The judge's son Kip, married to Hannah's mom Linda is poised to assume his father's seat on the bench. Who's willing to lie to keep the truth hidden? And is a little bit crazy Hannah going to be the scapegoat? I really enjoyed Hostile Witness. It keep me guessing (even at 90% into the story). Was Hannah really innocent? Was she a consummate master manipulator? Josie was steadfastly in Hannah's corner, defending her with every lawyer bone in her body when others would have sacrificed her to further their own agenda. Was history going to repeat itself? Was it possible for Josie to be so wrong about someone for a second time?

Weaving Destiny (The Soulkeepers #2) by G.P. Ching

Just finished reading the second book in the series and I was so hoping for the next to be available so that I could quench my curiosity. Jason and Malini seem to be two star-crossed lovers fated to be woven in different destinies. Malini's strong, unwavering faith in herself and her friends is about to be challenged. Who is she and how does she fit into this band of Soulkeepers? Then there is Dane. Katrina. Mara. As Good and Evil battle it out, we find more back story and more depth is brought to the already captivating cast of characters. New characters are introduced and new plot lines develop, but are not fully explored.

The Soulkeepers by G.P. Ching

This is a neat interpretation on spiritual beings and their presence on Earth. I was thrilled that I picked up this book, even though I got it for free...I'm definatley buying the next book Weaving Destiny. I couldn't put it down, and finished it within 3 days...I loved it. I'm about to start reading the second book in a few minutes!! If you enjoy studying about the decendents of David, Abraham, or even of Lucifer, this is a cool opinion! Highly recommended!

Nomad by Matthew Mather

Something dark and very deadly is headed toward Earth. Unseen for years by any of the eyes gazing into space, the only cue to its existence is the path of chaos and destruction left in its wake as it screams through the universe on its way toward Earth. It is named NOMAD. And it’s big. Big enough to pull the solar system along with it as it passes through. Dr.Ben Rollins, head of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics is one of a team tasked with piecing together the puzzle in an effort to figure out what is coming toward Earth and what path it will take. When he realizes it is on a trajectory with Earth, his attention shifts toward his ex wife and his daughter, Jessica. As Ben franticly tries to meet up with his family and attempt to get them all to safety, Jessica Rollins and her mother begin their own quest to reach Ben. However, Jessica’s efforts are impeded as she is pulled into an age old vendetta involving the intriguing Baron Giovanni Ruspoli. But NOMAD is still coming, and time is running out for Jessica and her family, as well as for the rest of humanity. It’s coming, and there is no place to run to, no place to hide.

Matthew Mather has done it again. With a compelling story line and superbly written characters, NOMAD grabs you up from the beginning and pulls you along for the ride.

The Legend of the Firewalker by Steve Bevil

I was really into the book for certain reasons, Leah being one of them and Lafranda being the other. Like most books I have read though I new Amanda was the culprit off the bat I'm afraid. Yet I still had to read all to make sure I was right,since I was not feeling Nathan because of his lazy and self absorbed, and woe his me attitude. I knew but thought otherwise he was the hero. Man like was my favorite because he reminds me of those smartallick hero's in vampire werewolf stories. Nathan still rules me because he needs training and maturity as well as confidence to be better equipped to take on these fallen one's again. Love the story lines and the plot but wished more at the end about the adults involved like Nathan's Grandfather Roy and his brother Angus. I also know that LaDona is one of the order members. That the locket Nathan mother gave to her husband to give to LaFrada was to shield her abilities and protect Nathan in the future whiplash the could not detect him. The one cannot be detected anyway, thalamus be no fun. Excuse my spelling bad at remembering odd names, though I can tell there southern names. Cannot wait to read the next installment which I just purchased. I would highly recommend your book and plan to have my daughter read them when I am through.

The Girl In The Box by Robert J. Crane

The reviews for these books were mixed. But I got them anyway because I know peoples reading interests vary. I'm glad I did! I loved these books! They caught my attention from the very beginning and I never found myself bored or skimming through the pages. Many reviews were bashing the main character Sienna for having a bad attitude. But really, she's a 17 year old girl who doesn't have experience interacting with other people, of course her attitude will be different. But either way, I found her quite interesting. I'm usually not a fan of stories like this, but I fell in love with these books! I read the first 3 in a week and had to buy the 4th right away. Only thing I don't really like is that the books are recapped in the beginning like we had just picked them up and need to know what's going on.

By the time I've reached Book 10 in the series, my interest has waned just a bit, but this is still nice writing, good character development. (10 books is a long series... but suddenly I'm excited that there's a whole second series utilizing the same characters!) The premise is pretty typical "super hero" type fare - sort of like X-Men in the powers - but a more global expanse to the story. Violence? Sex? Well, yeah, there's a bit of violence, sort of comes with the premise. Sex? No, nothing to speak of. Anything sexual happens "off stage" and is left to the reader's imagination.