9th Reads: The Dream Virgin by Don Quine

Synopsis: A young comic book entrepreneur wins a startup contest to work on her dream venture at a innovative business incubator in the Oregon Alps, but when a homicidal maniac escapes from the state prison mental ward, the teen’s sponsored summer gets ambushed by a madman she must confront and destroy.

Elfri Fleming travels to public libraries in the southwest with her ex-cop grandfather to teach kids the power of lucid dreaming. A converted school bus called the Dreamland Express, fifty-nine issues of her Dream Zoo comics, pure talent and calculated ambition helped the professional dreamer create a mobile enterprise with a loyal following who question why there have been no new comics for way too long.

Why did Elfri stop drawing Dream Zoo and start a new comic book series that she keeps hidden? How in one whirlwind summer did the Texas tomboy adapt to a tourist town with a futuristic boardwalk of trend-setting shops and lakeside intrigue? What made her move into a guarded estate to help a mute boy, then fight to the death to save him from the killer who abused him eight years before?

Ventures Nest is a fun and freaky high-risk thriller where the payoff of good and evil will blow the minds and capture the hearts of popular fiction fans!

I received a copy of The Dream Virgin from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Good: I found the storyline intriguing, particularly the scenes with Elfri and her Dream Zoo comics. I found myself rooting for her and the other Venture’s Nest peeps. (Let’s get those dream businesses funded!) I was in awe of the amount of attention Don paid to even the smallest detail, which made the story all the more believable.

The Bad: This book contains scenes that are shocking and could be triggering. (As other reviewers have already discussed this, I don’t think I need to elaborate.) But this was definitely me reading the … er.. unsavory parts:

Overall: Because it’s a thriller, this book has terribly dark scenes that I found myself unprepared for. With that being said, the storytelling was incredible and I had a great appreciation for the unexpected funny moments. (Pun business named, anybody?)

Even though this book isn’t for everyone, I loved it and would recommend it to fans of the thriller, horror, and mystery genres as I think they’ll have the greatest appreciation for it. The Dream Virgin reads a lot like a movie or TV show (sorta like Stephen King’s Rose Red mini-series), and that’s basically how I read it (in three parts, rather than all at once).

No spoilers but the ending was so, so satisfying and I was sitting there like:

 

9th Reads: Alice: The Wanderland Chronicles by J.M. Sullivan

Hi, everyone! I’m back after taking a hiatus, and I have great news! I’m a Readers’ Favorite Official Reviewer now. 🙂 One of the first books I reviewed was Alice: The Wanderland Chronicles by J.M. Sullivan. I wanted to post it here on my blog, but you can find the official review on the Readers’ Favorite website.

Synopsis: “Always protect your queen.”

Ever since the outbreak of the Plague, life hasn’t been easy, and for seventeen-year-old Alice Carroll, it just got worse. Her sister, Dinah, has contracted the ‘un-deadly’ Momerath Virus and without a cure, will soon be worse than dead. She’ll be momerath.

Alice must leave the safety of the Sector and venture into Momerath Territory to find the antidote – if it exists. Chasing a rumor about a mysterious doctor with the cure, Alice falls down the rabbit hole into Wanderland, where ravenous momerath aren’t the only danger lurking.

Alice: The Wanderland Chronicles is a dark take on the Lewis Carroll classic. Follow Alice Carroll as she leaves the safety of the Sector to find a cure for the (un)deadly Momerath Virus to save her sister, who has begun to show signs of infection. As Alice wanders through territory swarming with Momerath, she makes unlikely allies along the way—Chess, a mysterious young man who comes and goes unexpectedly; Bug, a surveillance expert with theories about the Momerath Virus and its origins; and Nate, a knight who works for the Red Queen. In a perilous dystopian world, where perhaps nothing is as it seems, Alice discovers that the Momerath aren’t the only things she has to be afraid of.

Author J.M. Sullivan’s debut novel ensnared me from the very first line and kept me captivated throughout. Alice reads like a film, in large part due to Sullivan’s uncanny writing ability. As you join Alice on her adventure, you cannot help but feel like you are there battling the Momerath with her! It is obvious that Sullivan put a great deal of love and thought into each character (even the baddies), as they all have their own fully developed backstory that unfolds as the story progresses. A novelty in the YA genre, Alice is a strong female protagonist who is human, flawed, and relatable. You will find yourself fully invested in Alice’s journey from start to finish.

I loved this book so much that I would have been remiss if I rated it any less than 5 stars. I would recommend Alice: The Wanderland Chronicles to readers who enjoy re-tellings, books with strong female protagonists, and those who like Easter eggs! (Sullivan artfully hid a secret message in the body of her work.) J.M. Sullivan is a talented up-and-coming author and is one to keep your eye on!

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The Good: J.M. Sullivan’s Alice in Wonderland retelling is as dark as it is fantastic.

The Bad: No spoilers, but my ship sunk! 😦

Overall: This story goes from strength-to-strength as you continue falling down the rabbit hole that Sullivan meticulously dug for us.

 

Follow the white rabbit and be sure to pre-order a copy of J.M. Sullivan’s debut novel on Amazon.

9th Reads: 12 Hours in Paradise by Kathryn Berla

Twelve hours, thirty-six questions, and a chance to fall in love…

It’s the last day of Dorothy Patmont’s family vacation. Soon, she must head back to Reno, where all that waits for her is the cold and the snow. To top it all off, her brother, Chester, acted like a little jerk and ate one too many cookies from the sample jar in the cookie store. But his antics have an unexpected benefit—attracting the attention of an intriguing boy who could change her life forever.

Treats can be sweet, but love is sweeter still…

Arash Atkinson, fluent in four languages and an adventurous soul, is in Waikiki for a high school band competition. When he meets Dorothy, he realizes their time together is limited. “Come out and play,” he texts her. A night of romantic adventure ensues, and Arash discovers an app that claims it can make people fall in love after answering thirty-six questions in each other’s presence.

With each question asked, their stories and feelings continue to unfold. But with every hour that passes they’re more at risk of being found out—Dorothy, by her parents, and Arash by his school chaperone. And then Arash gets the dreaded phone call—he has been discovered missing from his room, and must return immediately. Can they finish the questions before facing their consequences?
When time is running out, true love cannot wait. What Arash and Dorothy have is beyond special, something that comes along once in a lifetime, and begins with Twelve Hours In Paradise…but can it survive the trials of the real world?

I was fortunate enough to read 12 Hours in Paradise while it was up on Swoon Reads, and again when I was chosen to be a reviewer for its release with Limitless Publishing. This sweet love story revolves around Dorothy Patmont and Arash Atkinson. Can a chance meeting between two teenage tourists in Waikiki lead to true love? (The answer, for me, is a resounding yes! I am a die-hard romantic and believer in love at first sight.)

The Good: Kathryn Berla is an extremely talented writer. “Extremely” may be an understatement. She is a true wordsmith and knows how to paint a whole picture using just the power of words. Her descriptions of Waikiki and the experiences of visiting Hawaii are spot on. This is one of the only books I’ve read with a POC as the romantic lead in what may actually be forever, and I love it.

The Bad: People who have never been to Hawaii may be shocked and horrified to discover that we have a severe issue with homelessness.

Overall: Arash is likable, endearing, and intelligent. You can almost immediately sense that he has a sweet, boyish romantic interest in Dorothy and over the course of the night we are treated to the opportunity of watching her feelings for him develop. As you near the end of the book you will find yourself hoping in your heart of hearts that things work out for Dorothy and Arash, our new and unlikely romantic ship. Of course, you’ll have to read 12 Hours in Paradise yourself to find out how it ends. 😉

12 Hours in Paradise officially releases on April 19th but it is currently available for pre-order right now. If you’re as excited as I am, I encourage you to pre-order the e-book now and it’ll be sent to your kindle device on April 19th! 😀 I would undoubtedly recommend this book to a friend (and I have)!

On that note, a hui hou (until we meet again)!

9th Reads: Ei8ht by Macy Filia (on Wattpad)

In honor of the #WattpadBooksAreRealBooksToo movement I wanted to review Ei8ht by Macy Filia.

Synopsis
He’s a player. She’s a pro at playing mind games. It’s a match made in heaven as they put each other through hell.

Till it stops.

Till what’s between them is stronger, madder, more explosive than any battle.

And that’s when another kind of war begins.

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“Sometimes I dream about killing you,” he said.

I smiled. A lie. “Tough luck. In my dreams, you’re already dead.”

(Author’s note: New Adult. First draft. Cycle 1 + Cycle 2 = o + o = 8. Featured in Wattpad Romance’s New Adult reading list. Dark themes, but no alcohol, drugs or explicit violence. No cheating between the main characters either. They use other methods to mentally tear each other apart.)

The protagonists of Ei8ht are River and Beth. Both characters are impossibly flawed but inherently good people. Their emotional damage comes from similar but different backgrounds which eventually leads to serious issues between the two.

The Good: Macy is a brilliant writer who sets up feasible scenarios with her deep understanding of psychology. Personally, I made a connection with Beth as certain events in her life run parallel with mine. (Which, I guess, maybe isn’t so good but it was nice to be able to connect with a character on an emotional level.) Even though the relationship between the protagonists may seem toxic, you want them to open up to one another, to understand that the other person is capable of loving them wholeheartedly if they are given the opportunity.

The Bad: The level of realism in this novel may cause triggers in those who have experienced abandonment or emotionally abusive behavior from their parents or loved ones.

River and Beth summed up in a gif

Overall: Ei8ht is one of those books that you simply cannot miss out on reading. It is real and moving. You will find yourself wanting to shout at the characters, “BE HONEST!” or “TRUST HER/HIM!” Yet, at the same time you’ll find yourself crying with them or wanting to comfort them. This story is so well written that you cannot help but feel emotionally invested in it. If you are looking for an amazing read, look no further than Ei8ht by Macy Filia.

 

 

 

9th Reads: SPOOK by Gabe McClure (on Wattpad)

Cover image from Wattpad

SPOOK by Gabe McClure

Synopsis:

Here’s what’s up: when you die, you get options. Some can choose Heaven, some Hell, and everyone has the option of staying out in the Real World and haunting their old stomping grounds or starting anew in Spook City – a town located on no map that I know of, filled to the brim with monsters of all sorts, all of which live normal everyday lives.

Thing is, I didn’t get to make a choice. I just wound up here in Spook and I have no idea why – the only thing special about me is that I can kind of sort of definitely read minds, but that’s not something I go bragging about.

But doggone it, I don’t have time to worry about my sudden appearance in this creature feature because some witch decided to cast a curse over Spook. And for some odd reason that I couldn’t tell ya for the afterlife of me, I’ve taken it upon myself to fix this mess. A task I’m completely and totally unprepared for, considering that I lived an embarrassingly uneventful life in my double-wide in Cromwell, Indiana. But hey, trying new things!

I’ve got help though – Chance L. Ford, the overworked cowboy, Harper Davenport, the ex-mean girl werewolf, and Ace Montgomery, the self-proclaimed “friendly neighborhood demon”.

Everyone disagrees with him on the “friendly” part except me. In fact, I’d keep “friendly” and add “cute and considerate” in there as well.

Ace says I have a spark, that I’m different, and he doesn’t know of my little superpower but I get the feeling that telepathy isn’t at all what he’s getting at.

Oh, boy.

This is the part where I usually discuss how much I spent to read the book. Well, I’m happy to share that a completed version of SPOOK is available to read for free on Wattpad. There is also a revised version that is being serialized  with new chapters  being posted about once a week, however this review will cover only the completed version.

The Good: Demons, ghosts, and werewolves – oh my! I loved the motley crew of characters assembled by the author. They’re quirky and they shouldn’t work as friends, but they do. The little town of Spook is charming, and I wish it were real so that I could pop in and hang out with those meddling kids and their hell hound, too!

My inner child squee’d with joy (not to be confused with peed with joy) as I kept on reading. The novel is like, The Southern Vampire Mysteries (aka the Sookie Stackhouse novels) meets Goosebumps meets Halloweentown, and it felt so good finding something that catered to my inner child and my paranormal loving adult self.

The author is consistently funny. I wish I could get into it more, but I’m afraid I couldn’t do that without giving away little bits and pieces of the story. You’ll just have to take my word for it. 😉

The Bad: The main baddies in the story were annoying. You literally could not wait for them to be defeated. (Although I suppose this isn’t really a bad thing, because you’re generally supposed to dislike the antagonist of the story.) I was also sad that we didn’t get to learn more about certain characters, like Blake Grimm, although it’s pretty obvious that this was because we’d learn more in the second novel, which I’m still waiting for. *impatiently taps watch*

Overall: SPOOK is fun, funny, and a very easy story to be pulled in to if you like awesome things. (Oooh, see what I did there? Now you have to like it, otherwise you’ll be admitting your tragic lack of awesome!) I’ve recommended it to my friends, and as with Velvet I would love to buy it as birthday and Christmas gifts… if only it were published. That’s right – the ball is in your court now, literary agents. *squint*

9th Reads: As They Rise by Jen Marie Wilde

As They Rise J.M. Wilde

Synopsis: A kick-ass teenage girl, a nation swarming with zombies, and a sweet romance that grows amongst the ruins. You’ll find all that and more in this exciting and action-packed, post-apocalyptic young adult novella.

Readers have said it’s had them on the edge of their seats, reading all through the night and still craving more.

Eva was just an everyday girl, working as a waitress, hanging out with her friends, and falling in love. But her world changed overnight when a powerful virus spread throughout the country, transforming it into a wasteland of deadly disease and crazed zombies. With Australia cut off from the rest of the world and rampant with terror and chaos, Eva and her friends must do whatever they can to survive.

Set in Australia, horror, friendship and true love collide to make this tale of survival stand out from the rest.

The Eva Series will make you smile, scream, cry and fist-pump the air as you go on a wild and dangerous ride with Eva and her friends. And it all starts here, as they rise.

As They Rise is the first book in “The Eva Series”, and is available for purchase as an e-book through many retailers for only .99 (USD)! What a steal. I mean seriously, when you pay 99c for a book (game, toy, basically anything…) don’t you feel a bit like you’re robbing the person/artist/company? I saw other reviewers asking why they should bother to purchase this novella when it’s available to read for free on Wattpad; well, here’s what I think, if you really enjoy the author’s work you should support them, especially if they are indie artists. Let’s be real, as nice as it is to receive praise… love doesn’t pay the bills, and if the bills don’t get paid, your favorite author/musician/artist/whatever may have to give up on their passion for something that does.

My Opinion:

I loved this book, and went ahead and purchased book 2 (While We Fall) on Google Play just yesterday. (Oh, another perk to actually buying the book versus reading it on Wattpad – you can download the book into your mobile device and read it anywhere, even when you have no Internet!) There was a grammatical error here and there, but it wasn’t enough for me to say, “Wow, this sucks!” I can honestly say that it didn’t distract from the story at all. The story flowed well, and all of the characters are very easy to relate to. There are so many things I want to share, but I’m not sure how to do it without spoiling any part of the story for ya’ll!

If you’re into apocalyptic/zombie/survival type stories, The Eva Series might be for you! Why not give it a read? I mean, it is only 99c. 😉

9th Reads: Velvet by Temple West

I’ve been really, really, really into reading lately (Shout out to my friend Krystal who bought me a 3-month Scribd membership for my birthday!) so I thought I would start reviewing books I’ve read recently. I’m not going to utilized a starred rating system, instead I’m simply going to state at the end of my review whether I would recommend the book to friends (or not) and why (or why not.)

For my first review I’ve chosen Velvet by Temple West, which is a new book that was just published last month. Here are my thoughts…

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Cover image from Good Reads

VELVET Temple West

Synopsis from Amazon: After losing both her parents before age 17, aspiring designer Caitlin Holte feels like her whole world has been turned upside down, and that was before the terrifying encounter with a supernatural force. Then, she learns that her hot bad-boy neighbor, Adrian–who might have just saved her life–is actually a half-demon vampire.
Suddenly Caitlin is stuck with a vampire bodyguard who feels that the best way to protect her is to become her pretend boyfriend. Trouble is, Caitlin is starting to fall in love for real, while Adrian can never love a human. Caitlin trusts Adrian to keep her safe from his demon father, but will he be able to protect her heart?

I bought Velvet on the Google Play Store for about $7, which I considered to be a good deal. My decision to buy Velvet was influenced by the following factors:

1. (To my knowledge) It was the author’s first published book, and I enjoy supporting up and coming authors. Everyone starts somewhere!
2. The cover is gorgeous. (I know I shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover – shoot me.)
3. I like, no, LOVE supernatural love stories. I’m not ashamed (okay, maybe a little ashamed) to admit that even though I had the flu and felt like I was dying, I dragged my then-boyfriend (now husband) to see the first showing of Twilight.
4. She had me at “hot bad-boy neighbor”. Can we all have one of those? KTHNXBAI.

The Good The story itself is well written and flows smoothly, not spoiled by obvious grammatical or spelling errors. The characters are well written. They are flawed, they are human, and they have problems. Real life problems that actual people go through, that I won’t get in to, because as River Song says, “Spoilers!”

Be more like River Song and tag your spoilers! Lol

As the synopsis says the main character, Caitlyn, is an orphan; the death of her mom being more recent in the story. (I read through blurry, sleep deprived eyes but if memory serves we’re talking weeks. As in, it was only a matter of weeks since her mom died and we were introduced to her story.) Having recently lost my mom, too, I could relate a lot to what Caitlyn was going through. You’re mad at everyone, even yourself, and you just want to be alone. I don’t know how Temple West managed to accurately sum up the feelings of someone who just lost a parent to cancer, but she did. Yes, it’s awful, but in regard to her book it only adds authenticity to the story.

There are funny parts. Seriously funny. So many pop culture references and witty banter. Take a moment to imagine an 18-year-old vampire as part of the Harry Potter fandom and admitting to owning merchandise from the franchise. Heehee.

The Bad Well… here’s the thing, it reminded me a lot of Twilight. Like, a lot. I know that tons of authors play around with the Vampire mythos but there were so many parallels. It’s obvious that Temple was a fan before she started writing this novel, because at the end of the book in her acknowledgments she references going to every midnight release. (Omg.)

Summary Even though I was turned off when I made the Twilight comparison mentally (Sorry, that’s the truth!) I feel like the story is good enough that I would recommend it to my friends but only if I knew they’d definitely be into it. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, but I’m really hoping it’ll be a little less Twilight-y.