Book Review: "Hourglass" by Daniel James

 

Two best friends. One living, one dead. Together they'll protect the borders between life and death.

Clyde Williams is no stranger to death, having lost his older brother and father in service to the US Marine Corps, and more recently, his best friend Kev to a liquor store hold-up. But Kev never stayed dead, and ghosts are something Clyde certainly has no experience with. And things only get stranger and deadlier for Clyde and Kev when Rose Hadfield, agent of Hourglass, knocks at their front door. Rose has some understanding of what it’s like to commune with the dead, and offers them the choice to train their untapped abilities, or remain under Hourglass’ scrutiny in the name of public safety.

Unbeknownst to either of them, they're about to embark on a collision course with an ex-KGB officer turned necromancer, the wealthy and morally dubious Cairnwood Society, and the horrific denizens of Erebus. They're about to learn that death is only the beginning. - from Booksirens.com

This eARC was given to me through Booksirens.com and I am providing an unbiased review.

I actually came across another book in this series, and since I had not read the first, I saw it was still available to request for reading. However, once I started, I just could not continue reading it, so I admit, I did not finish the book. Though the plot of the story sounded somewhat interesting, the writing just made me feel like the author was trying too hard. We have a struggling comic book artist, with a dead best friend's ghost that "lives" with him. They can converse like normal people, and the ghost is slowly gaining some sort of telekinesis power as he is a ghost longer. There conversations are just... inane? I think that is the word I want. Then the ghost starts messing with people, like an evil streak. 

They get approached by a person from a secret organization that wants to bring them on, so they both just say yes, and go traveling with said person to the 'headquarters'. I know we need to get the story moving and giving some background as to how they get in this group, but it just felt too fake, rushed, and lacked a real feel to it.

Book Review: "Platinum Tinted Darkness" by Timothy Wolff

 

The Kingdom of Boulom has been lost.

The realms have already seen what happens when the Gods and their Harbingers are left unchecked.

Destruction. Chaos.

Death.

The Gods cannot be trusted. No one knows that better than David Williams, the leader of the Guardians tasked to protect the realm from the gods and their powerful Harbingers ever since the fall of Boulom.

Six Guardians take their pledge to leave the squabbles of kingdoms behind and live only to stop the Harbingers and protect the realm from the gods.

Serenna Morgan, a famed Crystal Mage and Guardian, struggles with the Guardian Pact when the Kingdom of Terrangus invades her home.

She's supposed to stay out of it.

But she can't.

When she breaks her Oath and joins in the skirmish, she earns the favor of the God of Death when the conflict escalates to an all-out war.

And he makes her an offer, one that'll make sure she'll never fail in her goals again.

To become his Harbinger. To partake in the ecstasy of destruction. - from Goodreads.com

I was provided an eARC from Netgalley.com and am providing an unbiased review.

This is the type of book I always dread to come along. The artwork is nice, and the story blurb is interesting enough that I anxiously wanted to read it. But it could not grab my attention from the start. I tried to set it aside, and restart a couple days later, but did not make it much further than the first attempt. After a week of tries, my attention just would not hold. For as far as I was able to read, the world building was good, though some of the characters were hard to remember their status, or relationship to others. As long as I have it available to me, I may go back and try after a short time again, and if so, will amend my review.

Book Review: "Cold As Hell" by Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle

 

In the West, there are worse things to fear than bandits and outlaws.

Demons. Monsters. Witches. James Crowley’s sacred duty as a Black Badge is to hunt them down and send them packing, banish them from the mortal realm for good.

He didn’t choose this life. No. He didn’t choose life at all.

Shot dead in a gunfight many years ago, now he’s stuck in purgatory, serving the whims of the White Throne to avoid falling to Hell. Not quite undead, though not alive either, the best he can hope for is to work off his penance and fade away.

This time, the White Throne has sent him to investigate a strange bank robbery in Lonely Hill. An outlaw with the ability to conjure ice has frozen and shattered open the bank vault and is now on a spree, robbing the region for all it’s worth.

In his quest to track down the ice-wielder and suss out which demon is behind granting a mortal such power, Crowley finds himself face-to-face with hellish beasts, shapeshifters, and, worse … temptation. But the truth behind the attacks is worse than he ever imagined …

The Witcher meets The Dresden Files in this weird Western series by the Audible number-one bestselling duo behind Dead Acre. - from Netgalley.com

So, This is book one in the Black Badge series. The Dead Acre mentioned in the plot description above, seems to be in the same story line as this book, but I have no idea where in the series it would go, and I had not read it. Either way, let's get down to the thoughts as I picked this one up.

I didn't really like it. Within the first few pages, it reminded me very much like another book I had read previously called Blood Oath, in that the main character has a superpower that helps him reclaim justice/vengeance on the bad, all directed by a higher power authority. This was just in the first handful of pages. I set this one aside for a week, and tried to pick it back up. Each time, I might make it a few pages further, but just could not stay interested. I admit. I did not finish it.

Overall, I did like the idea of a fantasy western. Over the last few years, I have come across a couple that were good reads, but it is a genre not written in often. I truly believe if there had been more time between my reading the other book and this one, I would have been able to offer a different opinion. I guess I felt that there were just too many similar things, in my memory, of these stories, and I felt that jaded this one a bit.

Thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGalley.com for allowing me to read this ARC and to share my opinion about the story.

#NetGalley #ColdAsHell

Book Review: "She's The One Who Cares Too Much" by S.R. Cronin

 

Can Coral raise a baby, placate an absent military husband, and help her sister save her homeland?

Do you know what your problem is?

Coral knows hers. People have been telling this tenderhearted 13th-century woman for years. So when a heroic army officer proposes, she decides she’s stronger than people realize and her dreams have come true.

Except, the perfect man turns out to be less than ideal. And she’s gotten pregnant. And her homeland is gripped with fear of a pending Mongol invasion and she cries about everything now that she’s with child.

When a friend suggests the ever-caring Coral possesses a power well beyond what anyone imagines, Coral’s sister decides this formidable talent is what the realm needs. Can Coral raise a baby, placate an absent military husband who thinks he’s stopping the invasion, and help her sister save her homeland?

This is just the sort of predicament that arises when a woman cares too much. - from Booksirens.com

This is the second book in "The War Stories of the Troublesome Seven Sisters" and I am safe to say that there will be some ***SPOILERS AHEAD***.

Thanks to Booksirens and the author for an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

There is a difference in this second book of the series. The timeline in the tale of this sister, takes place over the same period as the first book. So what you are getting is basically the same timeline, but from the viewpoint of the second sister, in this case, Coral. From reading the first book, about Ryalgar, the one who thinks too much, We know the lands are going to be attacked from the Mongols, and that the people were being led to build defenses for when the horde comes. During this time, Coral gets pregnant, married and moved off to a new home. She finds out she also has some "magical power" as a Luska, basically someone that can control another through the sound of their voice. So she ends up living with the witches of the woods, the Velka, and learns more of her skill, has the baby, and assists Ryalgar with planning the defense of their nation.

I was a little let down while reading this one. I knew it was going to, at least partly, play over the same timeline as the first story, but I was looking for something more. I felt that there wasn't much character building for this sister going on. For being one that cares too much, she carried herself around like she could give a rat's ass about anyone or anything. Maybe she was bitter from falling out of love with her husband. I don't know. Either way, I ended up skimming sections, rather than reading them, as it just couldn't hold my attention. 

This is not a stand-alone book, as you will need details for reference from the first tale. I am presuming that the following books will be like this one, going over the same time line but in the view of the next sister. At least until maybe the last book, where the story will move forward and the horde attack, and the people defend. I just don't think I will be along for that ride. I do love the artwork on the covers though!

Book Review: "Master of None" by Sonya Bateman

 

ONE UNLUCKY THIEF. ONE UNLIKELY GENIE. ONE VERY ODD COUPLE.

Gavyn Donatti is the world's unluckiest thief. Just ask all the partners he's lost over the years. And when he misplaces an irreplaceable item he was hired to steal for his ruthless employer, Trevor—well, his latest bungle just might be his last. But then his luck finally turns: right when Trevor's thugs have him cornered, a djinn, otherwise known as a genie, appears to save him.

Unfortunately, this genie—who goes by the very non-magical name of "Ian"—is more Hellboy than dream girl. An overgrown and extremely surly man who seems to hate Donatti on the spot, he may call Donatti master, but he isn't interested in granting three wishes. He informs Donatti that he is bound to help the thief fulfill his life's purpose, and then he will be free. The problem is that neither Donatti nor Ian has any idea what exactly that purpose is.

At first Donatti's too concerned with his own survival to look a gift genie in the mouth, but when his ex-girlfriend Jazz and her young son get drawn into the crossfire, the stakes skyrocket. And when Ian reveals that he has an agenda of his own—with both Donatti and the murderous Trevor at the center of it—Donatti will have to become the man he never knew he could be, or the entire world could pay the price. - from Goodreads.com

This is book one in a three book series, with a short novella labeled as being between books one and two.

The description pulled me in, and I thought this could be good if the author can figure out how to get a Djinn story going versus the common shifters/magic wielders/fae stories all over the place. It just didn't happen. This is the first car that starts the train derailing from the tracks. There wasn't much character build=up, background (aside from him being a "lucky" thief at times, but unsuccessful at it (??). A Djinn shows up out of the blue with a story of why he there for the MC...kinda sketchy, but okay. All the additional characters? Nothing. There are just wallpaper for the MC to hang on, paint on, kill off when needed... pick something.

The story was a quick read, and does leave the traditional open-ending that there are additional tale(s) going to continue. The lack of substantial world-building just made me feel like "blech". The story description was the 2-minture long movie trailer, that contained every good part of the whole 3-hour movie. Needless to say, I won't be reading any of the other books in this series. The author does have some other series, and I may try one of them, hoping it was not like this one.

Book Review: "Broken Shield" by J. D. Rhoades

Chief Deputy Tim Buckthorn takes center stage in this scorching sequel to the bestselling BREAKING COVER.

Buckthorn and his beloved hometown of Pine Lake thought they'd seen the last of FBI agent Tony Wolf. But when evidence of a kidnapping literally falls from the sky, Wolf returns to assist in the search for an abducted young girl. Buckthorn, Wolf, and brilliant FBI prodigy Leila Dushane race against the clock to piece the clues together.

When the evil they find follows Buckthorn home, vengeance begets vengeance, and Pine Lake is once again torn apart by the hatred of violent and lawless men. By the explosive finish, Tim Buckthorn, a sworn officer of the law, will have crossed every line he ever knew to protect the people and the place he loves. - from Goodreads.com

If I remember correctly, I got this from Amazon for free at some point, and it has just taken me awhile to get to it. When it comes to books in a series, or containing a sequence using the same character, I always like to read previous stories, but in case, I was needing a book pretty fast, and this one felt right at the time. Not having read the first book, this one seemed to start off just fine, but the further I got into the book, I realized I had gotten more than what I bargained for.

The writing style was pretty easy to follow, and much of the story was easy to figure out what was going to happen next. There didn't seem to be character development for anyone. No 'fleshing out' character backgrounds, and to me, it made them feel like cardboard cutouts. Dialogue was at a minimum, and I just felt like the reader was to make assumptions based on stereotypes. 

I made it just over half way through this book before quitting on it. The abducted girl was safe, and I knew the remaining half of the book would be the supercop and his female FBI/sex partner would chase down the big, bad boss that caused all the hoopla in the beginning. Yeah, and I got tired of the fake sexual tension and wordplay.

Book Review: "The Shadow Reader" by Sandy Williams

A Houston college student, McKenzie Lewis can track fae by reading the shadows they leave behind. For years she has been working for the fae King, tracking rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn't her only secret. She's in love with Kyol, the King's sword-master-but human and fae relationships are forbidden. When McKenzie is captured by Aren, the fierce rebel leader, she learns that not everything is as she thought. And McKenzie must decide who to trust and where she stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.  - from Amazon.com

Not sure where to go on this one. I must have just skimmed over the story synopsis when I picked it out. Either way, I read the whole book.

I enjoyed the story mainline. Two different realms, Faae and Earth (as we know it) where the Fae can "fissure" (appear like through a portal) can travel between realms, but Humans cannot unless with a Fae, and have an anchor stone (a rock that has an imprint of the destination). Few Humans have this gift to see through the illusions, and even fewer are able to "read" the fissures when they close, which reveals the location of where that Fae went. Having this gift, Mckenzie has worked with the Royal Fae, in tracking down the rebels in the Fae Realm, and on Earth, for ten years. From there, I could care less about the book. Obviously it is a romance novel, though there was no graphic sex scenes (thank goodness). The normal love triangle was there, two men fighting for opposite factions, both are desirable hunks, and the girl can't decide which she truly loves. I am sure that carries over into the next book, if not the third as well. I am not reading anymore of this series.

Book Review: "The Darwin Elevator" by Jason M. Hough

In the mid-23rd century, Darwin, Australia, stands as the last human city on Earth. The world has succumbed to an alien plague, with most of the population transformed into mindless, savage creatures. The planet’s refugees flock to Darwin, where a space elevator—created by the architects of this apocalypse, the Builders—emits a plague-suppressing aura.
 
Skyler Luiken has a rare immunity to the plague. Backed by an international crew of fellow “immunes,” he leads missions into the dangerous wasteland beyond the aura’s edge to find the resources Darwin needs to stave off collapse. But when the Elevator starts to malfunction, Skyler is tapped—along with the brilliant scientist, Dr. Tania Sharma—to solve the mystery of the failing alien technology and save the ragged remnants of humanity. - from Amazon.com

I came across this author via Kevin Hearne (author of the IRON DRUID CHRONICLES) as he was helping get the word out, as well as sharing some promotional event earlier this year. The book sounded interesting enough, and once I was able to get the time I sat down to read it. I feel bad when I admit that I did not finish the book. Though I say I like Sci-Fi/Fantasy, my tastes have seemed to move more towards Fantasy than Sci-Fi. Being space-related to some degree in the story, I just started losing interest, even though the writing was fine. Maybe part of it was the background development, that the more interesting stuff was going to happen later ... I don't know.

Hough's writing style was fine, and the story line sounded interesting. I am sure if I had stuck with it, and the next two books, I would enjoy the entire series. I only feel bad that I just couldn't get into the story.

Book Review: "High Heat" by Lee Child

Thriller master Lee Child returns with an exclusive eBook novella. In the midst of a savage heat wave and an infamous murder spree, a blackout awakens the dark side of the city that never sleeps—and a young Jack Reacher takes action as only he can.

Don’t miss the exciting preview of Lee Child’s highly anticipated Jack Reacher novel, Never Go Back!

July 1977. Jack Reacher is almost seventeen, and he stops in New York City on the way to visit his brother at West Point. The summer heat is suffocating, the city is bankrupt, and the mad gunman known as Son of Sam is still on the loose. Reacher meets a woman with a problem, and agrees to help her . . . but then the power grid fails and the lights go out, plunging the lawless city into chaos. What does a visiting teenager do in the dark? If that visiting teenager is Jack Reacher, the answer is plenty. - from Amazon.com

I was a bit disappointed that this wasn't a full novel, but see that the next book is due to be released soon, I was hoping this was enough to fill my Reacher fix until then. This one jumps us back to when Reacher was 17 and on vacation in New York City. It is a pretty short read (for me) so I was a bit down about it (again). We know a little from his life growing up from one of the other novels, and short bits and pieces throughout the series, but I felt my credibility was stretched a bit with this one.

Reacher's 'fighting tactics' are pretty much the same as 20+ years later. I understand he was raised as a Marine's son, and lived on bases around the globe, but though they aren't specified as military training, it seemed a bit ... overkill from a 17 year old. Granted, physical description stated he was basically the same build as the novels but still. The story, him helping out a suspended FBI agent, in dealing with a "mob boss" seemed sketchy as well, considering how it started (won't share and ruin it for you). But him single-handedly taking on said mob guy ... c'mon! And throw in the whole Son of Sam thing, too?! Now you're pulling on both legs. 

In short, I was just disappointed with this short story. It just didn't feel like the other Lee Child novels. I liked the idea of the small fill-in on Reacher in his youth, but this was a bit too far-fetched for me. hoping the next novel will be better.

Book Review: "The Whirlwind in the Thorn Tree" by S. A. Hunt

Genre: "Weird Western" / Fantasy. The legendary gunslingers of late author Ed Brigham's fantasy novels were supposed to be the stuff of fiction, but when his son Ross and two of Ed's fans stumble into the desolate parallel world of Destin, they discover a war for the very soul of the universe, waged by the immortal muses that once pledged to enrich it -- and a strange secret that might bring America itself into the mystery. - from Amazon.com

I found this one through Amazon.com when it was listed for free. The story description sounded interesting enough, especially considering the price. I felt just a bit let-down however. The idea of the parallel universe travel has been done several times over, and the author does doe a fine job of it, but I just felt like I was reading a copy of Stephen King's 'Dark Tower' series. In this alternate world there are 'gunslingers' with a special skill in being able to shoot. There's a 'dark man' that they are 'chasing'. Three main characters, plus the King, whom the author in the story had written about. It is all just a bit too much for me. This is the first book of this series, but I don't think I will be revisiting it anytime soon.

Book Review: "What We Saw" by Ryan Casey

If you stumbled upon a shocking mystery as a child, how would you react?

What We Saw tells the story of a young boy, Liam O'Donnell, his cousin, Adam, and their experiences at their grandparents' caravan site one summer. When the disappearance of their dog leads to a terrifying discovery deep in the nearby woods, Liam and Adam are plunged into a very adult world of morals and decisions, and find themselves trapped in the dark clutches of secrecy and suspicion, far transcending mere mystery.

What We Saw is a touching and thrilling British mystery novel that will have you hooked as the plot hurtles towards a shocking conclusion. - from Amazon.com

This is listed as a thriller novel, but I just didn't feel it. In fact, I would add that I felt it was more of a Young Adult book. The story starts off wonderfully introducing the main characters and location. From that point, I felt bogged down with extra daily routine, that didn't seem to have anything to do with any one thing in particular. I found myself skipping pages at a time to see if anything interesting happened. I was not a bit surprised about the ending, and felt more let down than thrilled. The writing itself was well done and easily read, with descriptive passages where needed, just a bit mundane and boring with what I felt were unnecessary details.

Book Review: "London Falling" by Paul Cornell

Police officers Quill, Costain, Sefton, and Ross know the worst of London—or they think they do. While investigating a mobster's mysterious death, they come into contact with a strange artifact and accidentally develop the Sight. Suddenly they can see the true evil haunting London’s streets.

Armed with police instincts and procedures, the four officers take on the otherworldly creatures secretly prowling London. Football lore and the tragic history of a Tudor queen become entwined in their pursuit of an age-old witch with a penchant for child sacrifice. But when London’s monsters become aware of their meddling, the officers must decide what they are willing to sacrifice to clean up their city. - from Amazon.com

If I remember correctly, I came across this book from a 'Books Similar to What You Have Picked' category, and after reading the story description, went ahead and picked it up. Being a bit of the urban fantasy reader, I thought it would be a bit interesting, and maybe even be a bit about London's darker, 'hidden' side, similar to Gaiman's "Neverwhere". I was a bit let down. After about one-fourth of the book, I was just disinterested in the story. I could not get into the characters, and having just gained some kind of paranormal sight from one person touching and object - it kind of lost me. I mean, one person touches, and three others (in the same room) gain this sight, too. Also, I felt the story dragged in getting started. Maybe this was early background story for character/story development, but it just wasn't grabbing my attention. Unfortunately, I did not finish the book, so the rating is low.

Book Review: "Crossing Jack" by Jeffrey J. Michaels

When elven Jack arrives at the Crossing House, he only seeks a bit of wine and perhaps some lively conversation. The rough men he finds do not bode well for companionship, but Mary, the pretty daughter of the innkeeper, has a glint in her eye. Jack shares that glint, to the dismay of one particularly large, rough man. 

Jack a’ the Green is a lover first, but a lover can be a fighter if the cause is beautiful enough. Is Mary a prize to be won? Or does she have a mind of her own on the matter of Jack?

Author Jeffrey J. Michaels is a Gemini. As such he is deeply involved in whatever interests him at the moment. Currently he is polishing a sweeping fantasy series of interconnected tales collectively known as “The Mystical Histories.” It is varied enough that he may even finish most of the stories. 

He likes to think of his work as “metaphyictional,” combining fantasy and humor with metaphysical elements. In his real life he is a well-respected creative and spiritual consultant. 

He doesn’t like to talk about his award winning horror story. - from Amazon.com

That was the whole story description from Amazon.com, and yes, it included the information about the author, and I felt it is needed.

This is just a short story, a prequel sort of, and was a fairly quick read. As it states, the author has some interconnected tales called "The Mystical Histories", and I see this as the first, though there is not much history to it. I did not find any of these other tales listed under the author at Amazon, so I figure they are works in progress, thus making this the first of a few. I wasn't very impressed with this tale, which gave more history about a pub-owner's family, than about the event that starts the story. Very little narrative and conversation, more on this is what was, and as time went on, this happened. Need something quick to read, without much to it, this is it.

Book Review: "The Book of Lost Things" by John Connolly

High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mourns the death of his mother. He is angry and alone, with only the books on his shelf for company. But those books have begun to whisper to him in the darkness, and as he takes refuge in his imagination, he finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. While his family falls apart around him, David is violently propelled into a land that is a strange reflection of his own world, populated by heroes and monsters, and ruled over by a faded king who keeps his secrets in a mysterious book... The Book of Lost Things.

An imaginative tale about navigating the journey into adulthood, while doing your best to hang on to your childhood. - from Amazon.com

This was my first novel by this author, whom I have read good things about (the author, that is). This is a tale about growing up, I think it was meant for a more Young Adult crowd, than an adult one. I rallied through it, as I hoped it would get more interesting, but it flitted through a twisted version of a fairy tale, into another one, enough that I wondered where the real part of the story was going to appear. It finally did appear, and was an okay finish. I think I would have enjoyed this work much more if I had read it when I was 12 years old. That being said, it wasn't a terrible novel, just more suited to a younger reading crowd, in my opinion.

Book Review: "Indigo Springs" by A. M. Dellamonica

Indigo Springs is a sleepy town where things seem pretty normal . . . until Astrid’s father dies and she moves into his house. She discovers that for many years her father had been accessing the magic that flowed, literally, in a blue stream beneath the earth, leaking into his house. When she starts to use the liquid "vitagua" to enchant everyday items, the results seem innocent enough: a “’chanted” watch becomes a charm that means you're always in the right place at the right time; a “’chanted” pendant enables the wearer to convince anyone of anything . . .

But as events in Indigo Springs unfold and the true potential of vitagua is revealed, Astrid and her friends unwittingly embark on a journey fraught with power, change, and a future too devastating to contemplate. Friends become enemies and enemies become friends as Astrid discovers secrets from her shrouded childhood that will lead her to a destiny stranger than she could have imagined . . . - from Amazon.com

I just couldn't get into this one. The synopsis of the story sounded good, but after getting about halfway through the book, I was having a hard time keeping my attention focused (much like the lead character). I am not sure if it was just my mood when trying to read this, or the way the author wrote, that made me feel like I was reading something a grade-schooler wrote. Literally, it gave me a headache. I do admit, that I do like the idea of the story, but just couldn't deal with the writing style.

Book Review: "Juggernaut" by Adam Baker

THEY SEARCHED FOR GOLD. THEY FOUND DEATH.

           

Iraq 2005. Seven mercenaries hear an enticing rumor: somewhere, abandoned in the swirling desert sands, lies an abandoned Republican Guard convoy containing millions of pounds of Saddam's gold.  They form an unlikely crew of battle-scarred privateers, killers and thieves, veterans of a dozen war zones, each of them anxious to make one last score before their luck runs out. 

After liberating the sole surviving Guard member from US capture, the team makes their way to the ancient ruins where the convoy was last seen.  Although all seems eerily quiet and deserted when they arrive, they soon find themselves caught in a desperate battle for their lives, confronted by greed, betrayal, and an army that won't stay dead.

An unputdownable military thriller that SFFworld.com called "Three Kings meets The Walking Dead,” Juggernaut is a heart-pounding, fast-paced read that doesn’t let up until the last page. - from Amazon.com

I originally thought this was a stand alone novel by Baker, but realized it is sort of a prequel to his other novel, OUTPOST. I didn't realize the connection until I was about a good third into the book. It started out well, gathering a group of mercs, and sending them on a mission to find a hidden cache of gold. Really? Needless to say, it was little better than I expected. I did finish the second half of the book, just because I wanted to see how it tied into OUTPOST. Baker's next book, TERMINUS, I hope is much better.

Book Review: "Sh*t My Dad Says" by Justin Halpern

Tuesdays with Morrie meets F My Life in this hilarious book about a son’s relationship with his foul-mouthed father by the 29-year-old comedy writer who created the massively popular Twitter feed of the same name. - from Amazon.com

This was a pretty short read, as one would expect being it is a collection of sayings from a Twitter feed. It was nice that Halpern included some short stories to help explain some of the sayings, and filled some space between recollections with other random things his Dad said. Not as funny as I expected, though I admit I did snicker a time or two as I read about some mishap.

Book Review: "The Lord of Lies" by Sam Bowring

The world is crumbling. Fissures crack the shaking ground, babes are born with twisted limbs and the taste of apples is just a memory. 

Rostigan and the Priestess Yalenna must face those Wardens who remain bent on steeping the land in ruin and, somehow, close the growing Wound in the Great Spell. Standing in their way is a pitiless army commanded by a madman, a sky full of silkjaws and, worst of all, an old friend, once betrayed, whom they must now convince to join them again. 

There is only one thing for it – Rostigan must break an ancient oath and use powers he has dared not touch, powers that could tip the balance in favour of the spreading corruption. Caught in a web of his own deceit, he struggles to live the lies he has spun, for if he cannot, Aorn itself may well be doomed. - taken from Amazon.com

Ths is the second (and final) book of this duology, and unfortunately, I could not bring myself to finish it. After the reading of the first book, I was just put off too much by the comparison between this story and the HIGHLANDER movie franchise. Even though I did try to read it, to find out the final ending. The story for me just dragged on a bit more. I made it through about a third of the book, and decided it was just worth the time it would take to finish. So, I give it some bonus since it was I that just couldn't continue, not the author's fault. A whopping 2 stars.

Book Review: "The Legacy of Lord Regret" by Sam Bowring

Book One of the STRANGE THREADS duology. Centuries have passed since the Wardens slew the tyrant Lord Regret, but while the Wound that he ripped in the sky remains open, the earth trembles and the sun vanishes without warning.

The great warrior Rostigan wanders Aorn, weary of battle and unwanted renown. With him travels his lover, the minstrel Tarzi, who hopes she may soon witness further deeds from him worthy of song and tale. Despite Rostigan s reluctance to re-enter the world, she may get what she wishes for . . .

When they travel to the once magnificent city of Silverstone they discover it has been wrenched out of existence. Journeying onwards, they come to learn the disturbing truth. The land has descended into chaos for the Wardens, now craving destruction, have returned from their ancient graves and Lord Regret s malicious legacy grows ever stronger, corrupting the very nature of reality. - from Goodreads.com

Not a bad story, if you liked the movie 'Highlander'. I felt like I was reading a similar type script, with a set number of characters, risen among the mundane, who could absorb another "power" if they were in close proximity when one of them were killed. Oh, and it seems only another with the "power" can kill them. Yeah, HIGHLANDER overkill. Overall though, the book wasn't terribly bad, and decently written. I started the next book (two-book series, as far as I know) just to find out how it all ends.

Book Review: "The Library of Shadows" by Mikkel Kirkegaard

Imagine that some people have the power to affect your thoughts and feelings through reading. They can seduce you with amazing stories, conjure up vividly imagined worlds, but also manipulate you into thinking exactly what they want you to.

When Luca Campelli dies a sudden and violent death, his son Jon inherits his second-hand bookshop, Libri di Luca, in Copenhagen. Jon has not seen his father for twenty years, since the mysterious death of his mother.

After Luca’s death is followed by an arson attempt on the shop, Jon is forced to explore his family’s past. Unbeknown to Jon, the bookshop has for years been hiding a remarkable secret. It is the meeting place of a society of booklovers and readers, who have maintained a tradition of immense power passed down from the days of the great library of ancient Alexandria. Now someone is trying to destroy them, and Jon finds he must fight to save himself and his new friends.

The Library of Shadows is an engrossing literary thriller of intrigue, conspiracy and the extraordinary power of reading. - taken from Goodreads.com

When I came across this story, and read the basic description, I was a bit excited to start it. The first half of the book kept my attention, and the story seemed to be going well. Then about half way through, I felt it stalled. All the things going on just slammed on the brakes, even though things were still be developed leading to the conclusion. Once I got about 3/4 way through, things picked back up. I wasn't overly impressed with the ending, and thought it dragged just a bit (after the climatic finale). Overall, I loved the idea of the story, of how books and reading books create 'energy'.