The Last Wild by Piers Torday

In a world where animals no longer exist, twelve-year-old Kester Jaynes sometimes feels like he hardly exists either. Locked away in a home for troubled children, he's told there's something wrong with him. So when he meets a flock of talking pigeons and a bossy cockroach, Kester thinks he's finally gone crazy. But the animals have something to say. And they need him. The pigeons fly Kester to a wild place where the last creatures in the land have survived. A wise stag needs Kester's help, and together they must embark on a great journey, joined along the way by an overenthusiastic wolf cub, a military-trained cockroach, a mouse with a ritual for everything, and a stubborn girl named Polly. The animals saved Kester Jaynes. But can Kester save the animals?

The Last Wild is a book that was a good read. The characters had interesting backgrounds and met each other in unusual ways. The writing style is different from what I usually read. There are misspelled words and the grammar is a little off. But, the overall plot is good.

The story takes place in a rehabilitation home for children. The author introduces Kester, a boy that can talk to animals. The author also tells you about his past and why he is mute.  After the wardens see him holding a cockroach, they take him to the headmaster of the school. They explain to you why Kester is in the rehabilitation home. Next, 99 pigeons fly into his room and tell him they are going to break him out of the rehabilitation home. This is a turning point for Kester because he realizes that he can actually talk to all types of animals. The pigeons then invite cockroaches into Kester’s room. The cockroaches break him out of the prison-like rehabilitation home by making him crawl down a sewer pipe and enter the nasty gutters to get to the ocean.

            When they come out of the sewer pipe, the birds tell Kester that they are going to take him to their home, The Last Wild, by flying him over the ocean. They hold him in the air by holding his clothing with their beaks. The pigeons finally touch down in the Last Wild and Kester meets a wise old stag called Wildness . Wildness tells Kester that he, Wildness, sent for him because Kester is the only person alive that can help them get a cure for the berry-eye. The berry-eye is a disease that kills an animal slowly, going from the inside out. Before the animal is going to die, their eyes blaze a bright red. That is why it is called the berry-eye.            

            From then on, we get introduced to lots of crazy characters and settings. At the end Kester goes back to the Premium, a city where multitudes of the rescued people live, and meets his Dad. The Premium is the place where Kester used to live.

            Overall, this book was okay and mildly interesting, although it could have been better. It also was very clean (there was no bad language/inappropriate scenes), so that is a neat bonus. 

On my “Amazingly Fabulous Book Scale” I would give this book a 5 because it was good but it could use a little improvement in storyline, setting, spelling and grammar.  

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  Hannah

The Terrorist's Daughters (T.O.G.G.L.E., #1) by Brian Arthur Levene Review & Giveaway

Born in Chicago, Illinois, three sisters are uprooted and brought to Pakistan, after the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001. After becoming oppressed and abused by their radicalized father and drug-sedated mother, two of the girls decide to run away from home and soon they discover their inner selves. One is a twelve-year-old blessed with a gift she does not know she has, the other, a seventeen-year-old proficient in the methods of psychological warfare. Along the way they encounter a handsome young man, and his family who are also looking to start a new life away from their terrorist state. Their travels takes them to Afghanistan, Dubai, Mexico and the United States, leaving a chaotic but interesting trail behind.

Developing a family among a group of outcasts, including a young Asian girl who is prolific in computer hacking, their adventures continue with the girls making daring escapes from authorities, and fighting Al Qaeda extremists working for their father. The Terrorist's Daughter all leads to a dramatic conclusion revolving around love, faith, family, and the potential destruction of an entire city.

The Terrorist's Daughters is the first book in a new series by Brian Arthur Levene.  A fast paced book with an indepth look into terrorism, degradation and what lengths one will go to to achieve security and to do what's humanly right.   Zahra and Aalia are memorable characters who I really came to like as their story unfolded.

They make questionable choices many times but I don't know what I would do in their situations.  They have been through some unspeakable horrors and yet still, they manage to keep their sanity, humanity and have goals for a future.  They are strong, capable women, and aren't afraid to draw from their strength.  The writing is fantastic, with the plot points and the character development the shining focus of this novel.  The only surprise, for me, was the ending.  Although I know this is the first book in the series, I expected it to end in some fashion.  Instead, it just stopped.  Very frustrating. If you're looking for a new series, try The Terrorist's Daughters.  But, make sure you have some time on your hands as it's almost impossible to put down once you start!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell Feature/Giveaway

New York City, 1924: the height of Prohibition and the whole city swims in bathtub gin.

Rose Baker is an orphaned young woman working for her bread as a typist in a police precinct on the lower East Side. Every day Rose transcribes the confessions of the gangsters and murderers that pass through the precinct. While she may disapprove of the details, she prides herself on typing up the goriest of crimes without batting an eyelid.

But when the captivating Odalie begins work at the precinct Rose finds herself falling under the new typist's spell. As do her bosses, the buttoned up Lieutenant Detective and the fatherly Sergeant. As the two girls' friendship blossoms and they flit between the sparkling underworld of speakeasies by night, and their work at the precinct by day, it is not long before Rose's fascination for her new colleague turns to obsession.

But just who is the real Odalie, and how far will Rose go to find out?

Suzanne Rindell is a doctoral student in American modernist literature at Rice University. The Other Typist is her first novel. She lives in New York City and is currently working on a second novel.

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*USA only
*Contest ends April 24, 2014

Sweet Tooth & Lord of the Pies by R.M. Huffman

A short urban fantasy. Physicians often spend nights awake, up at the hospital caring for patients. On most occasions this doctor is no different, but on Halloween, his nocturnal activities take on a different hue...blood red.

Meet Dr. Pierce.  He's a doctor that works for an asylum in New York. He's also a vampire who's an activist in the 'non-human eating' vampire society as well as a master of wit.

In Sweet Tooth, we meet Dr. Pierce on Halloween.  Since it's Halloween, he's craving a sweet snack.  He sneaks into a hospital in an attempt to slake his sweet thirst.  

In Sweet Tooth:  Lord of the Pies, it's Thanksgiving.  Dr.  Pierce has an unusual new admission that could cause some serious problems.  Thanks to the good doctor's super powers and the help of some unlikely friends, they may be able to keep the damage to a minimum.

The main reason I was anxious to read Sweet Tooth, well, let's face it...vampire psychiatrist.  Need I say more?  I was quite impressed by Huffman's writing style.  It's witty, intelligent, and even tosses a few factoids in for the audience.  He has an interesting sense of humor that kept me enthralled.  It's incredibly difficult to create a world, characters and plot in 7 or 8 pages, but Huffman succeeds surprisingly well.  Instead of giving you every detail, Huffman draws your attention only to the details that are actually important.  Instead of sitting there picturing what the desk is like, and the walls, and the floor, and what everyone is wearing, we get a descriptive vision of a turkey that is so vivid that you can smell it.  Because of this, each short story is a satisfying read.  You don't walk away feeling like you've missed out on anything, but rather that you've read way  more than just under ten pages.

Smashwords currently has Sweet Tooth and Sweet Tooth:  Lord of the Pies for free.  That won't be enough though.  Huffman has created six short stories surrounding Dr. Pierce.  Instead of getting each short story individually, you can get the Sweet Tooth Omnibus.  Then you can just sit back and read all of the short stories back to back.  In this way, it reads more like a novella.  

Huffman has created fascinating characters with thrilling mini-plots.  I'd really like to see a long-term purpose behind Dr.  Pierce.  My personal hope is that each of these short stories will lead Huffman to the ultimate reason for Dr. Pierce's existence and that that full story will be shared with us.

 

 

 

*All opinions are my own.  Shawn

Organic Matcha- Green Tea Powder by Kiss Me Organics Review

Green tea,  is known to be incredibly healthy.  It boosts energy and metabolism.  It can increase your focus. It can improve over all skin health.  It's full of anti-oxidants.  It has been rumored to battle cancer successfully. There's even evidence that one of the antioxidants found in green tea can generate new brain cells.

Matcha is finely ground, high quality green tea powder.  It has 137 times the antioxidants found in brewed green tea.  The higher quality the matcha, the more sweet and intense the flavor. It is popularly used in tea, noodles, as a dye, and in Japanese confections.  

I'll be honest.  I don't like green tea.  For years, I've had people trying to push it on me, stating how healthy it is.  If I can't stomach the taste, it doesn't matter how healthy it is.  Now, here's the problem. What I've tried in the past has been factory brewed and bottled green tea.  Or green tea bags.  I don't care for it at all.  I find it bitter with a chalky texture.  

Matcha is definitely different than green tea.  It doesn't have the chalky texture and it doesn't have the bitterness.  I still wouldn't call it sweet, but it's definitely more tolerable.  My discovery into Macha has been slow-moving.  I began by putting a teaspoon in with my coffee grounds when I made coffee.  As I became more bold and began to realize that I didn't hate green tea after all, we diversified into green tea milk shakes, green tea and cilantro bread, and every other idea we could come up with.  Eventually, we grew incredibly bold and made green tea cupcakes with green tea frosting. Delicious!  Honestly, my favorite way to consume green tea!  It was sweet, but still had a slight tea-ish flavor to it.  

Kiss Me Organics offers high quality Matcha that is available only through Amazon.  It's finely ground and organic and can be put into most anything in order to get your daily dose, which is about 1/2 teaspoon to a teaspoon.  I found it incredibly versatile and a great way to change my mind about green tea.  For recipe ideas, check out their website.

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

The Impaler Legacy by Ioana Visan‏ - Feature

In a world crawling with vampires, Romania is the safest place left on earth. Thanks to the Little Council, there hasn't been a vampire on Romanian ground in over five centuries, until one day when Liana Cantacuzino is ordered to bring one in, covertly.

Enter Maximilien Hess, a thousand-year-old vampire determined to ruin the existing order of things. When all is revealed, Hess's secret changes everything, and a reluctant alliance is formed because the alternative is much worse.

The Impaler Legacy Omnibus, a vampire saga like no other.

Award-winning writer Ioana Visan has always dreamed about reaching the stars, but since she can't, she writes about it.

After fighting the apocalypse aftermath in "Human Instincts", she played with shapeshifters in “Blue Moon Café Series: Where Shifters Meet for Drinks”, and then she dealt with vampires in “The Impaler Legacy” series, before tackling longer works like a fantasy trilogy and a science fiction series.

Aside from publishing short stories in various Romanian magazines and anthologies, she published a Romanian short story collection "Efectul de nautil" and the Romanian edition of "Human Instincts".

She was awarded the Encouragement Award by The European Science Fiction Society at Eurocon 2013.

Keep up with Ioana's writing news on

her website:
http://ioanavisan.zxq.net

her blog:
http://weirdvision2001.blogspot.com

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorIoanaV...

Twitter:
http://twitter.com/weirdvision(less)

Sabi Award Winning Ergonomic Cane Review

A few years ago I was diagnosed with a spine disease.  As it's progressed, it's taken a toll on my body.  There are some things that are just a lot harder to do then they used to be.  Like getting up from bed, from an easy chair, doing the dishes etc etc.  I still work full-time and go shopping, hang out with family and friends so I lead an active lifestyle.

It's only this past year that I've had to purchase aids for the bathroom, like bars for the tub and etc and to use a cane.  I always left it at home because I was embarrassed to be using it.  Who wants to walk around with a cane all the time? But Sabi has created a cane that is modern, lightweight and doesn't hurt my hand.  Not only that, they come in pretty colors and the size is perfect.

If you're not sure what size you will need if you find yourself needing a cane, they offer a sizing chart.  I know I was taller a few years ago but I've shrunk so I measured myself to make sure I ordered the correct cane.

Proper fit is essential.  If it's too tall, it will impede it's use and if it's too short, you're leaning over somewhat and if you have a disease like mine, you don't want that extra work for your spine.  The handle is made with birch, the same lightweight wood used in skateboards.  There is rubber along the sides for comfort.

The cane is not adjustable.  That is why it is crucial you order the correct size.  Not being adjustable also adds to it's strength, not to mention that the staff is made from aluminum - much like used on a bicycle.  The tip is rubber and I've not problem with it on multiple surfaces - carpet, pavement, store tile... It gives me just the support and security I need.  I like the fact that is is modern and fashionable so I don't leave it at home.  It's not worth a broken hip.  If you're in the market for a sturdy, fashionable and modern cane, then visit sabi.com.  The classic cane is a must have and I highly recommend it!

CLASSIC is made by Sabi:
Website: http://www.sabi.com
Blog: blog.sabi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sabibrand
Twitter: @sabi_brand


Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

The Garage by Joe Zito

In 1974 the small Indiana community known as Bludenhale was turned upside down by a shocking and horrendous murder that claimed three lives. The carnage took place in a small white garage in the middle of a cornfield. The accused, a twenty two year old dark haired beauty by the name of Angel Larson was found guilty of the murder. Among the slain was her best friend Heather Smith. She left behind her two year old daughter Amy to be raised by her distraught grandparents. They raised her as if she was their own and never spoke of the violent way in which her Mother had died. All that would change though one sunny spring morning at local hardware shop ‘Sam’s’ when jaded ex-cop Red Brown, the one who first discovered Heather Smith body in the garage, laid out the gruesome details to twelve year old Amy Smith, planting the seeds for her ‘dark world’ and hatred and obsession of Angel Larson. She would go on to adopt a frenzied and out of control lifestyle of sex and drugs in order to deal with the murder of her Mother and the one who took her life; Angel Larson. 

Then, on the 20th anniversary of the ‘Bludenhale Massacre of 1974’ twenty two year old Amy Smith’s dark world hallucinations will explode with blood gushing force in her mind, leading her down a path of bloody acts of sex, terror and revenge. 

Starting in 1994, ‘The Garage’ will take you on a twisting and turning bloody trip through time going back to 1974, attacking your senses along the way with shock and awe literary style tactics that will both arouse and horrify until the bloody end. The bloodbath awaits you.

In rural Indiana, 20 years ago, there was a horrible massacre of 3 teenagers.  Four teenagers were hanging out in a garage near the corn fields, and only one survived.  Popular belief is that the fourth, Angelica, murdered the other three.  Angel was found alongside the road, repeating 'I bathed in her blood'  over and over.  Although Angel maintains her innocence, she was found guilty and sentenced to life in a mental hospital.  

Now, 20 years later, Amy is out for revenge.  On that fateful night, when Amy was only two, her mother was one of the murdered teenagers.  Having been brought up in the same little town by her grandparents, she's been plagued by nightmares of her mother's demise her entire life.  Strung out on heroin, hatred and fear, Amy decides it's time to finally put her mother's ghost to rest by killing Angel.

The only place I've found this book available is Smashwords.  Zito also has several other books listed there and most of them are free.  In this book, there's a pretty serious lack of editing, but for the price, you can overlook it.  Zito has an obvious Tarrantino quality to his writing.  It's mostly blood, terror and sex.  If you're looking for over the top horror writing, this could be up your alley.

I found the characters to be strong and well-rounded.  Although I didn't personally like them, I still found them to be believable and realistic.  Some of the graphic scenes were a bit over the top for me.  I also would not suggest anyone under the age of adult read this.  

Though some writers tend to throw in sex and violence for the sheer shock factor, I don't believe that's the case here.  The scenes are definitely shocking, but I don't believe they were inserted for the purpose of shocking anyone. The entire story surrounds Amy and the murders that took place in the garage.  The night of the murders was a horrific night and there's no way to portray just how gruesome it was without going into some severe detail.  As for Amy, most of her scenes are there simply to explain the person she has become and what her mindset is.  Her life is filled with nightmares and hallucinations that aren't your normal garden variety.  She is a drug user that has become uncaring with her own life and actions.  She's concerned about money, getting laid, her next high, and revenge.  The shocking scenes that surround Amy's life are there so that you can see the inner Amy and what's going on with her. Without them,she's just another stripper gone rogue.

Though some of the scenes were a bit too much for me, I did find this to be a compelling read. Zito has a great way of spinning a story that's filled with all of those gruesome and terrifying things us humans love and still having a purpose behind it.  Once I regain my stomach composure, I fully intend to go back and read the rest of Zito's work.

*All opinions are expressly my own.  Shawn

Evening Stars (Blackberry Island #3) by Susan Mallery

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery returns to Blackberry Island with the poignant tale of two sisters on the verge of claiming their dreams.

Small-town nurse Nina Wentworth has made a career out of being a caretaker. More "Mom" than their mother ever was, she sacrificed medical school—and her first love—so her sister could break free. Which is why she isn't exactly thrilled to see Averil back on Blackberry Island, especially when Nina's life has suddenly become…complicated.

Nina unexpectedly finds herself juggling two men—her high school sweetheart and a younger maverick pilot who also wants to claim her heart. But as fun as all this romance is, Nina has real life to deal with. Averil doesn't seem to want the great guy she's married to, and doesn't seem to be making headway writing her first book; their mom is living life just as recklessly as she always has; and Nina's starting to realize that the control she once had is slipping out of her fingers. Her hopes of getting off the island seem to be stretching further away…until her mother makes a discovery that could change everything forever.

But before Nina and Averil can reach for the stars, they have to decide what they want. Will Averil stay? Will Nina leave? And what about the men who claim to love them? Does love heal, or will finding their happy ending mean giving up all they've ever wanted?

Upon receiving this book I was a little worried about if I would understand what was going on in the story and if I would be able to understand the characters’ personalities; mainly because this book is part of a series called “Blackberry Island.” I looked on Goodreads.com and read the summaries of the first two books in this series that way I could at least get a little bit of an idea what the books and this series was about.

 After I started reading this book I became engrossed in “Nina,” mainly because I felt like I could really relate to her. I could identify with her situation and her feelings throughout the entire book; when she was upset so was I. The only thing I could identify with “Nina” are the 2 men who want to be with her. I myself am a happily married woman and “Nina” is single and has to decide what and who she wants to be with. I found chapter 2 to be a little slow and there were a few other chapters that made the story a little boring sometimes, but once I read through those few then the story picked up again. 

 I was just as excited for “Nina” as I would have been if it was me getting into Tufts University instead. I cried when she told her mother she was leaving and when she told “Kyle” that she wouldn’t marry him; I felt like I was the one breaking his heart instead of her. When I got to the last few pages and realized that “Dylan” unexpectedly moved into her apartment I was giddy with excitement!

 I really loved this book and these characters (although I never “knew” them until this book!) I felt like everything these characters went through I had gone through it with my own family and their feelings were mine as well. I loved how the author was able to really put emotion into this story. Ms. Mallery is a wonderful author and I have loved all the books that I have read by her. This is a wonderful book to read for anyone who has read the other 2 books in this trilogy or who wants a story that is a little different. I give this book an “A-“and Ms. Mallery an “A+.”

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  Tiffany

The Last Time I Saw You by Eleanor Moran Spotlight & Giveaway

When Olivia Berrington gets the call to tell her that her best friend from college has been killed in a car crash in New York, her life is turned upside down. Her relationship with Sally was an exhilarating roller coaster, until a shocking betrayal drove them apart. But if Sally really had turned her back, why is her little girl named after Olivia?

As questions mount about the fatal accident, Olivia is forced to go back and unravel their tangled history. But as Sally’s secrets start to spill out, Olivia’s left asking herself if the past is best kept buried.

About the Author:

Eleanor Moran is the author of three previous novels: Stick or Twist, Mr Almost Right and Breakfast in Bed, which is currently being developed for television. Eleanor also works as a television drama executive and her TV credits include Rome, MI5, Spooks, Being Human and a biopic of Enid Blyton, Enid, starring Helena Bonham Carter. Eleanor grew up in North London, where she still lives.
http://www.eleanormoran.co.uk/

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will win their own copy of The Last Time I Saw You

*Fill out the Rafflecopter to enter

*Winner can choose paperback or ebook.  Only USA winner for paperback

*Contest ends April 17, 2014