Author: Barb

Cover Reveal: Alien Like Me by Sherilyn Putnam

- Barb 1 Comment

Alien Like Me Cover Reveal

Seriously, how AMAZING is that?!?

Author Sherilyn Putnam is releasing her newest book for middle graders on April 30 and you won’t want to miss it! Let’s just take a minute to ogle that gorgeous cover before we dive into the story’s blurb . . . still ogling? Yeah, me too.

Alien Like Me

by Sherilyn Putnam

With the Earth still recovering from an alien invasion, one boy goes about life the only way he knows how. Survival. It’s working well until he realizes that the aliens have seemingly singled him out.

Now he is left with the decision of staying the path he has picked for himself, or venturing into the unknown. Once he makes the decision, his life will change dramatically. But is it for better or worse?

You can check out my dear friend and author Sherilyn Putnam at her website here or just stalk her like I do on social media (really, she loves it!) at the following links:

Sherilyn Putnam on Facebook and on Twitter.

So go on, go check her out right now. Go. I’m done here.

And don’t forget to mark your calendars for April 30 for ALIEN LIKE ME.

The TBR List

- Barb 3 Comments

Like many of you, my TBR or to-be-read list keeps growing despite the fact that I continue to read and finish books. And how can it not grow when there’s a continual supply of new books from both veteran and first-time authors?

More than 300,000 print books are traditionally published each year, just in the U.S. You can check out the statistics here.

And what about ebooks? And self-published books? Bottom-line — there are a lot of books available and it’s no wonder our TBR lists keep growing. Personally, I think it’s a good thing to have a large reading list. Recently, I wrote out an actual list of my TBR book titles as part of an effort to get a bit more organized. I didn’t list the books in any particular order and I’m not reading them in a certain order either.

I thought I’d share some of that list with you today along with links to the book so if it strikes your fancy, you can add it to your TBR list as well.

TBR pile2

Barb’s TBR Book List (in no particular order)

The Tattooed Heart by Michael Grant (sequel to Messenger of Fear)

Front Lines by Michael Grant

The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah

The Replaced by Kimberly Derting (sequel to The Taking)

The Devil Within by Lauren Greene

Deceived (Soul Keeper Series) by L.A. Starkey

Starstruck by Brenda Hiatt

Avoidables by Rachel Medhurst

The Waking Engine by David Edison

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

Cloak of Shadows (The Netherwalker Series) by C.K. Dawn

Ghost Unbroken by Annie McLeod

Doctor Abbott by Michelle Laverdure

Flirting with Fame by Samantha Joyce

Now That You’re Here by Amy K. Nichols

This is a mere snapshot of my TBR list — some pretty amazing books on there and I’m anxious to read each one. Go ahead and leave the title and author of the next book on your TBR list in the comments, I’d love to have more great books to add!

Book Review: Cupid’s Curse

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I actually read “Cupid’s Curse” by Rebekah R. Ganiere on Valentine’s Day. It was the perfect Valentine’s Day read, effortlessly combining romance, mystery, humor, and the right amount of steamy heat. This novella was a quick read, full of action that kept me turning pages.

Unknown amazing sexy woman

Author Ganiere gives us Raine, a Fae who has no magic, but she does have a pet dragon. Raine lives among the ‘Mundanes’ (you know, humans like you and me) and works as an Inquisitor for Otherworlders (magic types and others that are not Mundane.) Her boyfriend is a weretiger and her best friend is another Fae who helps her out with a bit of magic when she needs it.

Raine’s world gets even more complicated after she excepts a job from Cupid. Seems someone or something is killing off the clients from his dating service. Toss in some serious harassment from the Otherworld Guardians (think secret police) and some issues with her weretiger boyfriend, and Raine’s not having the best February.

I really enjoyed this novella. It was fun, Raine was an awesome heroine, and I simply enjoyed story. I recommend “Cupid’s Curse” by Rebekah R. Ganiere to anyone who enjoys paranormal romance and wants an original story with unforgettable characters.

**I received this book as an ARC in return for an honest review.**

To check out more books by Rebekah R. Ganiere, please visit her site here.

Book Review: The Truth about Broken Trees

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“The Truth about Broken Trees” is the third book in the Light Keeper series by author Kelly Hall. I like this series and book 3 did not disappoint, in fact, I’m once again anxiously awaiting the next installment. With a tumultuous teenage love triangle, ghosts, magical waters and several family secrets, “The Truth about Broken Trees” entertained from start to finish.

If you’ve been reading the Light Keeper series (and if you’re not, grab book 1 “The Legend of the Light Keeper” now) then like me, you’re invested in the Owen-Lily-Talon triangle. Should Lily be with Talon or with Owen? Personally, I’ve liked Owen from the start—he may be a smart-ass and have a bit of an ego, but he’s always looked after Lily, putting her first. Can’t say the same about Talon and “The Truth about Broken Trees” explores this more.

There’s a lot going on in this book. From exposed family secrets to deadly ghosts, lurking shadows—literally lurking in bedrooms, very creepy and a bit disturbing—to Owen and Lily learning how to work together to harness their powers into something more formidable. Yes, Owen has some special abilities as well, but that’s as close as you’ll get to a spoiler from me.Book 3 Light Keeper

I enjoyed “The Truth about Broken Trees” and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys paranormal YA. It’s well-written with likable characters, strong dialogue and a solid story. Plus author Kelly Hall used a real haunted road as the source of inspiration for Bragg Road. It’s true, check out the pic of the real “Ghost Road” in Saratoga, Texas on her site.

This YA series offers a good balance of action, romance and paranormal mystery. Check out “The Legend of the Light Keeper” and “The Secret of Strange Waters” and then dive into “The Truth about Broken Trees” for a story you won’t want to miss.

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My review of Book 1: The Legend of the Light Keeper on Goodreads.

My review of Book 2: The Secret of Strange Waters on Goodreads.

Book Review: Knotted

- Barb 1 Comment

“Knotted” by Quenby Olson

Funny, charming and delightfully witty, Quenby Olson delivers a winner with “Knotted.”

I’m a huge fan of YA and because I’m a fan, I’ve also become more picky (maybe it’s old age) about the YA that I choose to read. I’d already read Olson’s “The Half Killed” (a wonderfully wicked paranormal novel) and her romantic novella “First Position,” so I’ll confess it—I’m a fan of author Quenby Olson, her writing style and “Knotted” didn’t disappoint, keeping me entertained from the first page to the last.

“Knotted” takes the age-old tale of teen getting a new step-mother and completely

Knottedflips it around into a fresh, funny and unique story. After 17 year old Olivia Davies receives a call from her dad telling her he’s getting married, she finds herself headed to England to meet her future stepmother and spend time with the dad she’s not seen in a long time. Olivia is stunned to discover her stepmom-to-be, Emmy, is young enough to be her sister! Has her dad lost his mind?

I loved the honesty in Olivia’s reactions and Olson writes fabulous inner monologues for her characters. Throw in Emmy’s brooding older brother, the flurry of wedding prep and a stately English manor home complete with a gaggle of servants plus a Lord and Lady, it’s all a bit much for Olivia. But, she’s the type of character to step up and help, putting her dad’s happiness before her own. I liked Olivia. She was real and I could relate to her, something I consider important when I’m reading.

I’m not going to give any spoilers. There are a lot of ups and downs in “Knotted” as well as witty dialogue and a bit of romance. I really liked Olson’s details, she has a knack for painting the scene so it’s zero effort to become immersed. “Knotted” was a fast read for me—I finished it in two sittings. I highly recommended “Knotted” by Quenby Olson for anyone who enjoys YA and if you’ve never picked up a YA novel, this would be a good first. You won’t be disappointed.

Book Review: Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

- Barb 3 Comments

“Ordinary people were capable of extraordinary bravery. That was the only magic Sam knew or trusted.”

Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray (page 173)

My original review from 2015 stands in its entirety below. I’ve add a new pic and just a bit more to say as I’m currently re-reading this novel as part of my 2018 Summer of Re-Reads. First, I forgot how much fun this book (and the series) is! You’ve got to love a book with the opening line:

“Every city is a ghost.”

It’s just perfect and set the mood. My original review states that I found the book a bit slow for about the first 100 or so pages. I didn’t this time, and it may be because I went right from the first book to this one in the same day. There are a few spots that have lagged for me, but overall, it’s a great ride and I can’t wait to finish and step into book 3.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

Lair of Dreams, the second novel in Libba Bray’s “Diviners” series continues the story of Evie O’Neill who has now become known as the Sweetheart Seer. As a reader, the first book of the series titled The Diviners held me riveted from start to finish. You can check out my GoodReads review of it here. However, Lair of Dreams started a bit slow for me. About 150 pages in, it started to pick up and then author Libba Bray had me again.

LairOfDreams

Step into Lair of Dreams and the world of the supernatural, where having a special “Diviner” ability doesn’t mean you’re safe from ghosts and creepy crawlies that go bump in the night (or hide in forgotten New York subway tunnels.) While Evie is a Diviner with the ability to “read” objects, divining the secrets of the person who touched the object, other Diviners have the ability to walk in dream, makes themselves undetectable, create fire from their fingertips and even heal.

To save the city from the Sleeping Sickness that has it in its grips and thwart the evil that threatens everyone’s lives, Evie and her friends will have to work together, each using their individual gifts. Libba Bray weaves multiple story threads together, from Evie and Sam’s complicated relationship to Henry and Ling’s dreamwalking escapades, Theta’s secret and Memphis’ personal struggles, plus we can’t overlook Mabel and Jericho with his past. There’ a lot going on, but Bray intertwines each story effortlessly.

I really like the characters in this series, but what I enjoy the most is the setting. I love that this story is set in the Roarin’ Twenties—from the fashion descriptions, to music and especially the era’s slang, it’s just fun and keeps this reader completely immersed from page to page. Libba Bray also creates vivid imagery with her words throughout Lair of Dreams.

I’ll admit it, I’m a fan of this author’s style and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the Diviners series, pos-i-tut-ly.