Finding My Way With Lighthouse by Connie Sanchez

Happy Black Friday, Everyone!! I know everyone is looking for Christmas gifts but they are also looking for Christmas reads.  So, I thought I would give my review of my Thanksgiving read, Lighthouse the first book in The Elemental Essence Series and the very first book written by new author, Connie Sanchez.

The setting of this book took us from the sunny beaches of Florida to the bustling state of Texas.  Mrs. Sanchez does a good job of transitioning us from each of these settings.  Since the main character, Maddie is pushed from home to home after the death of her mother, the settings are a perfect way to show her transition from each home.  

The characters are wonderful.  Maddie is someone who most teens can relate too.  Gideon is a guy that would melt all of their hearts.  The rest of the characters are well-written.  I even became attached to one of the minor characters.  I hope to hear more from Anwar in future books. 

The plot ripped my heart out at the beginning with the death of her mother.  As the story continued, I was happy that Maddie was settling in.  The paranormal aspects of the story melded with the characters well and kept the story going.  This story is about a lot of things but most of all, it is about a teenage girl who finds her place after tragedy.

I give this book a five star rating and recommend it to everyone who likes the paranormal especially teenagers.  I think this book will speak to them more than anyone.  I would like to end by thanking Connie Sanchez for an enjoyable read.

My rating: 5

Book Cover Rating: 5

Enjoying the Bite with Forever Camden by Kitten K. Jackson

Hello!  I know it's been a while.  I have had some health issues but have now had surgery,  Don't worry.  I am on my way to recovery.   I found myself with some free time and I decided to try a new author.  A new author for me anyway.  I have actually heard of Kitten K. Jackson before but had never had the pleasure of reading her books.  So, while on rest, I delved in.  I hope my review, helps you delve in too. So, here it is:

Forever Camden stretches across time from the years 1910 to 2014.  This gives the reader a delightful look into the past as well as a modern view.  In a vampire story many authors aren't able to project this but Mrs. Jackson did extremely well at helping me visualize both.  The setting itself gave the story charm but it also added to the main character, Camden's personality.  

The characters were intriguing.  I truly felt my heart and soul torn in two for Camden.  His character is interesting and my heart went out to him.  More than that, I was drawn to him.  I wanted to soothe his wounds.  I love Melanie and Karina too.  I was able to connect to the characters and they were able to touch me.  The rest of the characters were realistic and beautifully written.   They weren't simply well-written and complex but enjoyable.  

The plot was moving.  I can't find one part of this story where it was slow.  It is written in a way that it could have been two stories but they melded so well that it kept me interested. There is plenty of drama and intimacy in this story.  Whenever it comes to the love, Forever Camden is scorching hot.  A good piece of advice after reading:  You might want to add ice to your cold shower.  

So, I definitely give this book five stars and I recommend it for every adult who enjoys a spicy read.  Forever Camden will heat you up.  Obviously, this tale is for 18+.  It is certainly not for anyone below that but everyone who is of legal age should enjoy.

Book Rating : 5+

Book Cover Rating: 5+

Hanging with the God of Thunder in Surrender to Me by Nicolette Scarletti

This book has been on my to be read since reading the first in the series and falling deeply in love with it.  So, I opened this book rather excited and expectant and boy was I in for a ride.  

The setting is wonderful.  It moves easily from places like the Well of Wyrd to Brooklyn to traveling through Bifrost to Asgard and many others.  The world that Mrs. Scarletti has woven is entwined with myth and modern.  It is an absolute delight.  

The characters are another marvel to behold.  I love Jax in all of her broken glory and Thor's mixture of alpha and sweet is enticing.  The other characters like Ares, Loki, Chantelle, Nadine and especially Bells and Hades grip you with their stories and leave you wanting more.  The bad guys are the worst imaginable.  The Acolytes are from your worst nightmares and Jax's parents make you wish that you could enact justice of the most brutal sort.  

The story is fast paced and mixes mystical fantasy with modern romance.  It has plenty of action and big warriors to keep the pages turning.  I am further intrigued by the characters and I hope to see the progressions of each of their stories though Mrs. Scarletti does a good job of giving little pieces of their stories in each of her books.  I am in love with these books and can't wait for the next.  

I give this book a big five stars.  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance, myths, action and a bit of darkness.  I do not recommend this book for children because of the sexual content.  

Book Rating: 5

Cover Rating: 5  

Surrounded by Zombies with Broken Dreams by Rissa Blakely

Hi, Everyone!  I have been engrossed in a book called Broken Dreams by Rissa Blakely.  To be honest, this is one of the few zombie apocalypse books I’ve read.  Honestly, I do need to read more.  This book reminded me of that.

I’ll start with the setting.  It has the world as we know it now starting in England and ending in the United States to an apocalyptic world filled with zombies.  Mrs. Blakely made the transition a smooth one which I’ve found a problem in most novels and even movies that start before an apocalyptic event.  This is where I thank her for not putting the main guy in a coma and waking up to a changed world.  I got to see it unfold which was a wonderful change from the last couple of zombie books and I've read.

The characters are relatable and realistic.  I liked Henry though he had his jerk moments, he was equally sweet and protective.  Elaina is NOT a damsel in distress.  She does show fear but she knows how to kick butt when needed.  The other characters are wonderful too.  I didn’t think I would like Elaina’s best friend, Claire but I actually ended up liking her.  Her brother is wonderful and when it comes to bad guys, Rissa Blakely knows how to make them.  I loathed them.  So, I wanted to make sure she knew she did a good job on that.

Now, for the plot.  It is a wonderful plot.  It’s well thought out.  It is a bit slow to start which occurs through the prologue and a little of the first chapter.  I am going to tell you to push through that because after it gets going, it will keep you interested.  I realized about half-way through the book that I was thankful for the slow start because it explained things that would have otherwise been confusing.  Also, I am thankful for the flashbacks.  It gave me a view of Elaina and Henry's relationship before everything hit the fan.  It made me understand a bit more of what was going on.  There is plenty of action, romance, bad guys and zombies.  At the start of this book, I wasn’t sure about it but I ended up loving it.  I really did. 

I do give it a 4.5 because it could have sped up a little at the beginning but we all know that rounds out to a 5.  I recommend this to anyone who loves, zombies, romance, action and apocalyptic books.  However, I do NOT recommend this for the kiddos.   

Rating 4.5

Book Cover Rating 5  

Still Lightning Struck After Reading Lightning Kissed by Lila Felix

I know it's been a while but I will explain that some of that is because of health issues but a big majority of it was because from the first page of this book, I realized that I wanted to take my time getting to know this story and its characters.  It is one of those books that hooked me from the first page.  

The settings are beautiful.  They go from volcanic Hawaii to beautiful Portugal and so many other places like Tibet.  If there is ever a reason to want to be a Lucent, the beautiful places they get to see would be one of the perks.  Mrs. Felix describes these in vivid details from the very first page.  

The characters are wonderful.  I loved Theo for his gentlemanly ways.  I loved Colby's impulsive nature.  The other characters are well written.  I love Ari, Pema, Collin and especially Rebekah.  They spoke to me on an emotional level.  I love them all.

The story was phenomenal.  I could not ask for a better story.  It was full of action and emotion.  I was mentally and emotionally engaged.  I found myself rooting for Colby and Theo but I also understood the hard decisions before them.  I empathized.  Any good story will bring these emotions to the surface. When this story ended, I asked why I hadn't started it much sooner.  

So, it's safe to say that I would recommend this book for teenagers and up.  There is a great deal of romance but it's clean and acceptable for all ages.  It is a great book for paranormal and adventure lovers alike.  

I give this book; 5 +++++ Stars

I give the cover 5 Stars.

Just A Thought

In a way, I am lucky.  I have a diverse family.  Members of my family have different races, religions, sexualities and political views.  We have different thoughts and some I agree with and some I don't.  I see it as luck because I was taught to listen and not judge...Just listen.  Because I was taught that, I am able to love people through everything even disagreements.  I am thankful because growing up in the family I have has taught me to love... truly love. 

However, in a way, I am unlucky because now I have to worry.  Are me or my family members in danger? I'm not talking about one race of my family or one job description or one religion or sexuality...I'm talking about all.  Do I have to pick a side?  Because either way I go is to go against family members and people I love.  It's a terrifying thought and I guess it caused me to break today.  

That break caused me to be very candid with someone and I just threw all caution to the wind.  I told a complete stranger how I felt and something happened that had not happened in a long time.  There was no name calling or anger.  We had a conversation on social media and listened to each other.  It was amazing.  We shared opinions and even posted things to support our views in ways that were respectful.  We even thanked each other.  Whether he knows it or not, he gave me a little more faith in humanity.  

So, I'm going to try to explain one of the things that is bothering me and hopefully, it will give a point of view that will help in the very tense situations going on right now.  Hopefully, you will listen like this man did.  So, here goes...As some of you know, I live in Dallas County and it's hard to realize that people died because of circumstances they were not part of.  I have police officers in my family and I have young black men in my family too and this effects them. One of my author friends who live near me posted her support of the police officers who passed and the very first comment was that she should feel sorry for the young black men who passed instead.  Worse, I've seen similar things posted.  I admit it made me hesitant.  It twisted my soul.  I shouldn't feel like I'm choosing between them because what people don't understand is that in the police officers I see my uncle, or my grandpa or my step-dad and in these young black men, I see my nephew or my cousins.  I should never ever feel as if I have to choose because someone decides to belittle my compassion and tell me I put it in the wrong place.  I should never have to hesitate to show love and compassion to anyone especially in a world where love and compassion is scarce and I won't again.  However, I will ask you to be like the man who listened to me.  The man who wasn't a friend or companion but a complete stranger who allowed me to show him respect by giving it and allow compassion to not have to pick a side.  Be like him and do the one thing people have forgotten how to do...Listen.  Thank you.    

Reading as Goldie Finds What Is Just Right in Goldie Locks Her Bear by Mackenzie Raye

So, I sat down and read Goldie Locks Her Bear which is my first Bear-Shifter book.  I know that's a shocker.  I don't know why I've never read one especially now and I do see myself reading many more.  You have Mackenzie Raye to thank for that.  

As always, I will start with the setting.  This takes place in a small country town on the Mason-Dixon line which is good because we are talking about bear-shifters and the setting itself helps further the story.  So, the setting was done well.  However, the characters are what makes this story again.  

The two main characters, are hot.  Goldie is a player but so is the man she was only planning on having a one night stand with.  There are plenty of ex-lovers and want to be lovers to make them jealous.  I promise there is plenty of action in this book. 

The plot is different than I imagined.  It is a love story but you don't have the typical characters meeting and falling in love.  Instead, you have two characters who are known for one-night stands. They are not prepared for the feelings they have for each other.  I loved this plot because they both had to choose to change.  

I do believe there is one thing that needs to be worked on and that's editing.  A program like Pro-writing aid helps with that and it's free.  I know because I have been there and one of my friends helped me find the program.  I don't want those issues taking away from a wonderful story.  This is a wonderful story.

My rating: 4 

Book Cover Rating: 5

My Heartbreaking Review of A House Made of Stars by Tawnysha Greene

Before I go into my review of A House Made of Stars, I would like to say that I have had the honor to meet Mrs. Greene at a book signing in my home state of Tennessee.  It was there that I put A House Made of Stars on my to be read list.  I am so glad to have met her and that she introduced me to this book.  

So, I guess I'll start with the setting.  There are many places that this book travels through. They include a house on the mountain along with an apartment and a grandmother's house.  The constantly changing scenery fits the story.  It shows the heartbreak and the inconsistency of life with mental instability.  

The characters are vibrant and possess humanity that is described with rare efficiency and heart.  I lived the story with them.  I was able to feel what they felt and experience things with them.  I found myself truly caring about these characters.  It reminds me of the same feeling that I got while reading The Book Thief.  None are perfect and it's those flaws that make them beautiful like the children who are deaf and partially deaf and their mother using sign language.  It was described with such visual beauty that it will haunt me for the rest of my life.
The plot of the story is perfection.  She beautifully describes what it is like to live in a family where someone has mental problems.  She shows the pain of everyone involved.  She spins the tale in a way that is breathed and is felt with the rawest emotions.  This story is important.  It's not just told for entertainment.  It allows people to experience what a family like this goes through.  It gives people empathy.
The book as a whole is now one of my favorites.  I will cherish it forever.  I recommend this book for everyone.  I think is needed in this world.  I would give this book more than five stars.  I will say thank you to Mrs. Greene for writing it.  It is beautiful.  It truly is.

Book Rating: 5 + stars
Book Cover Rating: 5

Getting Enchanted with Enchantment by Charlotte Abel

Hi.  Okay...So I read Enchantment by Charlotte Abel and I would like to say that it made me homesick for my home state of Tennessee.  I will start off saying that.  Just the way Channie and her family spoke made me smile.  That was enough to get me into the book.  

I love the settings which ranged from Arkansas backwoods to Louisville, Colorado.  I enjoyed both because of how different the atmosphere of both were.  Also, I was able to connect with Channie quickly because I know what it's like to move to an unfamiliar place.  So, the settings were wonderful.  

The characters were likeable and I found myself loving everyone from Channie and Josh to the trips.  Even Josh's mother had likeable moments even though she was the only character I wasn't sure I'd feel about her at first.  The characters personalities were big and they made the story enjoyable.  My favorites included Channie, Josh and Aunt Wisdom.  Mrs. Abel did a wonderful job of building enjoyable characters.

The plot of the story is magical.  It kept me glued to the book and I wanted to know what was going to happen next.  It was romantic and had plenty of action.  However, do have a complaint...Channie's age bothered me.  I think she could have been a little older even though I understand the culture she grew up in.  Other than that, I loved the book and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.  

I do recommend this for older teenagers and adults.  It is not suitable for younger teenagers or children.  I also recommend this for anyone who likes magical tales, romance and a little bit of mystery.  

My Rating: 4 stars

Book Cover Rating: 5 stars