Tour Review: The Blind Cupid by Karyn Gerrard (Giveaway)

Title: The Blind Cupid

Series: The Blind Cupid #1, The Edge

Author: Karyn Gerrard

Genre: Erotic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Format: PDF, 31 Pages

ISBN: 9781613334355

Release Date: December 12, 2012

Source: Tour Host {FMB Book Tours}
Rating: 3/5

Purchase Here: Kindle

Tagline(s): Was Cupid blind?

Summary: Anne Sommer, a spinster firmly on the shelf, does the unthinkable. She hires a man to give her pleasure for one night. Anne wants the erotic memories to keep her company in the lonely years ahead. She did not expect the young man who showed up at her door to move her in ways she never imagined.

Desmond Glover gives pleasure---for a price. An orphan whose childhood was mired in scandal and poverty, Desmond has learned to close off his emotions with regard to his occupation. He did not count on a lonely spinster to awaken his hidden passion.

Not only do the years separate them, but their social standings. Can Anne and Desmond cross such a chasm and find mutual desire---or love?

Short Review:

I really liked The Blind Cupid. When it looked like Anne and Desmond weren't going to work out, I was chanting over and over, "They have to be together, they have to be together." They story was actually pretty sweet, and I couldn't help but love Desmond. I really liked his show a vulnerability at points, it showed that he wasn't as unfeeling as he lets on. I can't wait to read the next books in this series.

About this Author:

Living in a small town in a corner of Ontario, Canada, I wile away my spare time writing and reading romance. As long as I can avoid being hit by a runaway moose here in this wilderness paradise, I assume everything is golden. Originally from the east coast of Canada.

I've been happily married for a long time to my own hero. His encouragement keeps me moving forward.

Author Links: Website | Author Facebook | Facebook LIKE Page | Twitter |

GIVEAWAY:

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Tour Review: Treacle and Treason by JoAnne Kenrick

Title: Treacle and Treason

Series: The Edge // Tales from the Coffin #4

Author: JoAnne Kenrick
Genre: Erotic Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Vampires, Zombies, Ghosts
Setting Location: York, England

Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Format: PDF, 28 Pages
ISBN: 9781613333549
Release Date: October 2012
Source: Tour Host {FMB Book Tours}
Rating: 3/5

Purchase Here: Kindle

Tagline(s): ~NONE~ 

Summary: It’s Bonfire Night, but the fireworks in Estella’s boudoir are more impressive than any rocket or sparkler. She has more pressing things on her mind than trivial traditions like burning the Guy and crunching her canines on treacle toffee. A spot of unrequited love, and her little deady bear’s rotting body.

What better way to distract herself than to entertain you with a ghostly retelling of the infamous Guy Fawkes and the Fifth of November legend.

In York, England—new job, new life—Tansy finds herself both fascinated and scared by the haunted history this cobbled-street city has to offer. Determined not to let her fears chase her back to her small home town, she spends the night in the birth place of Guy Fawkes on the anniversary of his arrest. When she comes face to face with the spirit of Britain’s most notorious conspirer, he kisses her oh so scandalously. The ghost of his lover joins the interlude, and takes over Tansy’s body. Possessed by Marie, she is powerless to interrupt the passion exploding between them. Not that she’d want to. Pleasure abound, their story is unraveled…

…and it’s nothing like the history books depict.

Review:

I'm not really sure what to write. I think I would have liked Treacle and Treason a bit more if I had read the other books in the Tales from the Coffin series first. I was kind of lost as to what was actually going on. I did like that story that Estella tells of Guy Fawkes and the Fifth of November, though. So I would say for reader to really understand this book, they need to read the others that came before it.

About this Author:

Born n bred Brit, JoAnne Kenrick grew up in a wee sea-side town in North Wales and has enjoyed a variety of vocations such as holistic healer, window dresser, and ghost tour guide. Having lived in Wales, England, and Scotland with her dear family, she finally escaped the dull British summers to reside in sunny Australia. After two years, they moved to the States where she endured three harsh winters in Minnesota. She now lives in North Carolina with her husband, two kids and two puddy cats. When they aren't demanding her attention, or jumping on her head, she strums away on the keys of her little laptop, creating worlds and adventures she could only ever dream of.

Come across the pond and faraway....with JoAnne Kenrick! Get exclusive sneak peeks at her new and upcoming releases by signing up to her quarterly newsletter here: http://tinyletter.com/joannekenrick

Author Links:

http://www.joannekenrick.com/p/home.html
https://twitter.com/joannekenrick
https://www.facebook.com/joannekenrick

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Challenge Review: The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross

Title: The Strange Case of Finley Jayne
Series: The Steampunk Chronicles #0.5
Author: Kady Cross
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Science Fiction, Steampunk Fiction
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Kindle Edition
ASIN: B004WEKR1W
Release Date: May 1, 2011
Source: Amazon.com
Rating: 3/5

Purchase Here: Kindle 

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Finley Jayne knows she's not 'normal.' Normal girls don't lose time, or have something inside them that makes them capable of remarkably violent things. Her behavior has already cost her one job, so when she's offered the lofty position of companion to Phoebe, a debutante recently engaged to Lord Vincent, she accepts, despite having no experience. Lord Vincent is a man of science with his automatons and inventions, but Finley is suspicious of his motives where Phoebe is concerned. She will do anything to protect her new friend, but what she discovers is even more monstrous than anything she could have imagined....

Review:

Finley Jayne has just been fired for punching the governess, who slapped the young son of the house and made him cry. She returns home feeling down until she is approached by Lady Morton with a job offer--be a companion for her daughter, Phoebe. Finley was suspicious and reluctant at first, but accepted the offer. She becomes friends with Phoebe and everything seems normal until the night of Phoebe's engagement party. There, Finley meets Lord Vincent, Phoebe's much older fiance. She felt suspicious about him before, but when she learns that she was hired to protect Phoebe from him, she realizes how serious things have become. Finley just needs to learn what he's up to before it's too late for Phoebe.

When reading The Girl in the Steel Corset, we know that Finley was working for Lady August-Raynes. This job with Lady Morton leads Finley to working there. She even warns Finley about Lord Felix. Which makes sense since this is the prequel to The Steampunk Chronicles.

One thing I really liked about The Strange Case of Finley Jayne was the Phoebe and Lady Morton were really accepting of Finley and her strange abilities. I bet it felt real good to be accepted like that. Lord Vincent's little scheme and reasoning for marrying Phoebe were totally creepy--in an obsessive, drowning in grief and guilt way.

It was kind of funny how Griffin, or Lord Greythorne as he's known in this novella, is like this elusive person. Every time he's around, Finley completely misses him, except the time she saw his backside as he was walking out of the chocolate shop. "I don't have a chance with him, either. All I'll have is the memory of his backside." It's almost ironic considering what happens in The Girl in the Steel Corset.

About this Author:

Kady Cross is a pseudonym for USA Today bestselling author Kathryn Smith. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and a pride of cats. She likes singing with Rock Band on the 360, British guys, Vietnamese food, and makeup (she’s hopelessly addicted to YouTube makeup tutorials!). When she’s not writing Kady likes to catch up on her favorite TV shows, read a good book or make her own cosmetics.

PART OF....

Tour Review: Night Music by Margie Church (Giveaway)

Title: Night Music

Series: The Edge
Author: Margie Church
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Erotic Romance

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Format: PDF, 26 Pages
ISBN: 9781613333426

Release Date: August 3, 2012
Source: Tour Host {FMB Book Tours} 
Rating: 3/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: A quiet, lakeside vacation is just what Brielle needs to decompress after her busy concert season. She expects the weeks to pass uneventfully. Until she meets the men next door.

Tyler and Zeke are as adventurous and sexy as the Harleys they ride. The passion they hear in Brielle’s music draws them to her.

Convinced the hunks are gay, Brielle lets down her inhibitions. That turns out to be the best decision she’s made in a long time.

Review: 

Brielle is a cellist who goes to her uncle's cabin for some much needed R&R. Tyler and Zeke come roaring by on their Harley's and pull up to the cabin next to hers. Brielle's music draws the two bikers to her porchstep. And soon they're all in bed together.

I really liked the music aspect of Night Music. I used to play the violin, but always wanted to try the cello. I thought that this story could have easily been made into a full length novel. I would have loved to read more about the characters and whatnot. But since this is a novella, we only get a small look.

Excerpt:

Brielle had stopped at the local market to get enough supplies for a few days. She had no intention of going to town unless there was a darn good reason. After her clothing and other belongings were unpacked, she opened a bottle of wine—one of several she’d bought—and contemplated the glorious evening sun.

The rumble of motorcycles disrupted her musings. She craned her neck to see who the offenders were.

Two men on leather-bedecked hogs cruised down the neighboring driveway. She watched from the seclusion of her covered porch as they got off and parked their bikes. Leather chaps covered their jeans. Boots and black leather vests made them look badass. She waited for them to remove their helmets and reveal more of their features.

She wasn’t disappointed.

One of the broad-shouldered men had flaxen hair. The second man ran his hands through his dark hair that reached his shoulders. Even from a distance, she could tell they were in good physical shape, and probably in their late twenties. A twinge of naughtiness plucked her libido. Her vacation was already looking up.

The bike-riding neighbors unpacked their saddlebags and carried their gear into their cabin. The door shut softly behind them and returned the peace and quiet they’d interrupted.

Brielle watched the sun dip lower, streaking the sky with brilliant red, orange, and yellow against the clear blue backdrop. The deep sounds of a motoryacht’s engines mixed with the haunting sounds from the loons.

Inspired, she refilled her wineglass, and then brought her cello to the three-season porch. She moved her bow across the taut strings, warming up, wondering what she should play. She sipped her wine while searching through her extensive music collection. Her hand rested on Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. Did she dare? Could she play with even half the passion Mei Ju had the other day?

Closing her eyes, Brielle focused on the sounds and sight of Mr. Ju on stage.

Will that ever be me?

She drew her bow back and forth on the strings to play the fiery interludes and soulful chords. Brielle imagined herself in front of the orchestra, the way Ju had been, and did her best to do justice to the piece he’d played so brilliantly.

As she played the last, low note, she noticed the two men standing on their porch, watching her. Heat flared in her cheeks, whether from the exertion of playing or the embarrassment of their witness, she didn’t know.

One man began clapping.

Not expecting that reaction, she chuckled.

“Play something else,” said the man with the long hair.

Thinking they were making fun of her, she closed her music and stood. “Funny guy.”

“No, really, play some more.”

She contemplated the request for a moment. “You’re not going to call the cops?”

The blond one laughed. “Oh, hell no. Come on. Play something hot and sexy.”

Bolstered by their enthusiasm, she wondered what she could play that might fit the bill. “Just a minute.” A number of titles ran through her mind and she dismissed them all. Ah, the perfect one.

About this Author:

Margie Church writes erotic romance novels with a strong suspense element, in keeping with her moniker: Romance with SASS (Suspense Angst Seductive Sizzle). She has a degree in writing and editing and has been a professional writer, editor, and journalist for over 25 years. If you enjoy books you can't put down, read one of hers.

Margie lives in Minnesota, is married, and has two children. Some of her passions are music, flower gardening, biking, walking on moonlit nights, nature, and making people laugh. She also writes children's books under the pen name, Margaret Rose.

Website (Romance with SASS) | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon Author page | Goodreads |







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Tour Review: Consumed by Love by Pavarti K. Tyler (Giveaway)

Title: Consumed by Love
Author: Pavarti K. Tyler
Genre: Horror Fiction, Erotic Fiction
Publisher: Fighting Monkey Press
Format: PDF, 24 Pages 
ASIN: B004PYDQBC
Release Date: February 27, 2011
Source: Tour Host {FMB Book Tours} 
Rating: 3/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Consumed by Love is the story of a couple who must face one partner’s supernatural transformation. This short piece is written in the style of a classic horror story with a dark take on the addictive nature of love.


Review:

Consumed by Love is a short story about the lengths one will go for love. Bree watches as her husband slowly changes into Something Else. What that is, I can't really tell you, but it drives Hugo to cannibalism (which is gross, ew). Hugo's sister warns Bree not to let it go too far and to bring him home to the reservation where they can help him, but the warnings are not heeded.

I could tell you what happens after that, but then there would be no surprises! I'm not sure I'd say that Consumed by Love is "scary," but it's definitely very disturbing. That factor makes this short story perfect for October reading lists, with Halloween on its way. 

About this Author:

Pavarti K Tyler is an artist, wife, mother and number cruncher. She graduated Smith College in 1999 with a degree in Theatre. After graduation, she moved to New York, where she worked as a Dramaturge, Assistant Director and Production Manager on productions both on and off Broadway.

Later, Pavarti went to work in the finance industry as a freelance accountant for several international law firms. She now operates her own accounting firm in the Washington DC area, where she lives with her husband, two daughters and two terrible dogs. When not preparing taxes, she is the Director of Marketing at Novel Publicity and busy penning her next novel.

Find the Author: 

My blog is all ages | My Tumblr is 18+ only | My Fan Page needs your likes | My Twitter likes friends | My Google+ is random |

GIVEAWAY:

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Tour Review: Guardian of the Moon Pendant by Laura J. Williams (Giveaway)

Title: Guardian of the Moon Pendant
Series: Highland Secrets #1 
Author: Laura J. Williams
Genre: Fantasy Fiction, Supernatural Fiction, New Adult Fiction

Elements: Fae, Pixies, Demons, Ghosts
Publisher: Laura J. Williams
Format: PDF, 216 Pages
ASIN: B008P30FV8 
Release Date: July 25, 2012 
Source: Author {Laura J. Williams} 
Rating: 3/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: The MacAlpin women are of a fierce clan, born from a rare bloodline that harbors a dark and powerful secret – a mystical heirloom called the Moon Pendant. It is the key to controlling the MääGord standing stones, a magical Portal into the Otherworld, the realm of the Fae.

Anabel and Izzy’s MacAlpin are two sisters, polar opposites, living separate lives.

Anabel’s life is going precisely according to her plan, a ring on her finger from her steady beau, Edgar, and medical school in the fall.

Izzy’s life is filled with scars and wounds from her past. Dubbed the “spare child” by her family and treated poorly, she rebelled, and now lives life by her own rules.

These two sisters’s worlds are about to explode when one of them must go to Scotland and fulfill her duty as the Guardian of the Moon Pendant, by recharging this magical heirloom with four elementals, air, earth, water, and fire, and then finally close the Portal.

There’s only one problem…

The Baobhan Sith – a vampiric faery who lures men in with her hypnotic voice, feeding on their blood or transforming them into Màrmann, her zombie-like warriors who do her bidding – desires the Moon Pendant to take control over the Portal, opening a gateway into the realm of man, helping her to seek revenge on the MacAlpin clan, and to quench her eternal thirst for human blood.

Anabel finds herself torn between a sinfully handsome Scottish warrior, Blane and her fiancée, Edgar. Izzy finds herself, angered by her sister’s lack of faith in her.

Both sisters are forced to help one another, but may end up killing each other in the end.

Will these two sisters put aside their differences before the final task to charge the Moon Pendant or will the Baobhan Sith, the vampiric faery, be successful and open the Portal into the Otherworld?

Guardian of the Moon Pendant (Highland Secrets #1) on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Pendant-Highland-Secrets-ebook/dp/B008P30FV8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344829239&sr=8-1&keywords=Guardian+of+the+Moon+Pendant

Review: 

Guardian of the Moon Pendant takes us on the journey of two sisters who travel to Scotland to prevent a portal to the realm of the Fae from opening. On the Isle of Moon stand the MääGord standing stones and the portal to the Fae realm. Once every nineteen years the full moon passes through the standing stones and the portal will open a pathway for the Fae. Before that can happen the Guardian of the Moon Pendant must recharge the Pendant's power with the elements--Air, Earth, Water, and Fire--and close the portal. The new moon is here. Can the Guardian accomplish each task and save mankind from the Fae?

Anabel and Izzy MacAlpin are two sisters who couldn't be more different. Anabel has her life all planned out and everything is going accordingly. Izzy is just trying to get through each day in one piece. These two are constantly fighting, bickering, and trying to one-up the other. Their relationship perfectly portrays the sibling rivalry to a T. Although Anabel and Izzy go too far sometimes, I felt the relationship between them was genuine.

The MacAlpin clan has been the Guardians of the Moon Pendant and the portal for generations. Anabel, being the eldest daughter, is the heir and it's her duty to become the Guardian, but she wants no part of it since it will ruin her perfect life plan. Whereas Izzy is nicknamed the "spare child" and treated badly. Izzy views Anabel's resistence to being Guardian as her chance to prove herself by becoming the Guardian instead. But as their grandmother said, the Pendant is fickle and it may not let Anabel go.

I love reading about mythology and folklore, so when I saw that Guardian of the Moon Pendant featured Scottish fae folklore, I couldn't wait to start reading. There's the Red Cap, the Baobhan Sith, the Nuckelavee, the Ghillie Dhu, Trows, Will-o-the-Wisps, among others. I just love the stories behind these fantastical and otherworldly beings.

While I'm on the subject of Scotland, this book does have a highlander--in all his kilted glory. Blane is a Sentinel of Light, who swore an oath to Danu to protect the Guardians and the portal. He is roughly 500 years old, but only looks about 25 years old, and boy, does he make Anabel want to change her mind about marrying Edgar. It's too bad that a Sentinel is forbidden from marrying a Guardian. Though I thought the romance between Blane and Anabel wasn't necessary to the story as a whole, it was nice to see a bit of romance--and I'd like to know what Anabel ever saw in Edgar? He's kinda icky in my opinion--I'd choose Blane when I first laid eyes on him.

Besides the Fae was a whole, the main villain of the book is Lainahywn, the Baobhan Sith. She is a vampiric faery who sucks men dry or turns them into zombie-like warriors. She wants the Pendant and control of the portal--and she'll do anything to get it. Lainahywn is really kinda scary. She may look real pretty when she's all glamored up, but once she drops the facade--ugh! She's definitely a baddy you want to stay away from.

About this Author:

Laura J. Williams is a hopeless and lost cause, tucked away in her dark sleeping chamber, in her gloomy abyss of a writing cave, separated from the realm of man, chomping on chicken legs and quenching her thirst with large glasses of red wine. She is consoled daily by her rescued cat, baby-kitty, who only gives her love when she wants to.

Aye, it is a sad life she lives…

But, God danced the day Laura was born, the angels rejoiced, and the demons trembled.

She’s just another day-dreamer with a story to tell, doing her best to kick arse. She hides behind a shroud of anonymity, creating a world of lost mythical creatures, breathing life into them, and praying that someone will take pleasure in her work.

She is the warrior of the heroine, the sorceress of words, yielder of magic, teller of dark secrets, and the jester of tantalizing tales.

Author Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_LauraJWilliams
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6451448.Laura_J_Williams
FB: https://www.facebook.com/LauraJWilliamsWriter

GIVEAWAY: 

5 signed copies of Guardian of the Moon Pendant
US Only

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Tour Review: The Rising Moon by Nilsa Rodriguez (Giveaway)

Title: The Rising Moon
Author: Nilsa Rodriguez
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Werewolves, Vampires, Witches, Shapeshifters, Reincarnation 
Publisher: Black Dove Publishing
Format: PDF, 64 Pages
ISBN: 9780983910  
Release Date: September 12, 2011
Source: Tour Host {FMB Book Tours}
Rating: 3/5

Tagline(s): How many lives do you have to live to realize that love is stronger that time and death?

Summary: Orphaned at the age of five, Angelia (Lia) Lafosse was left with questions about whom and what she truly was. One thing was clear. Lia was different. Some might even say cursed.

With the help of her best friend, Ryan Woodruff, she begins to unlock the secrets of her families past and discover answers that prove more startling than she ever imagined. Not only was she a werewolf, but a reincarnation of the immortal werewolf, a werewolf with immense powers beyond any of her kind. A werewolf that if discovered by the Lobison’s to have returned, can jeopardize both Lia and those she love.

As destiny finds her love does too…and they couldn’t be more different. Torn between Lyle Ulric, the charming werewolf whose bloodline is as ancient and powerful as her own. And Adam Ambrose, the mysterious and alluring vampire who’s determined not to allow fate or anyone tear their love apart again.

Lia has to make a choice…
Destiny or Love…
Run or Fight…
Live or Die...

Review:

In The Rising Moon, Lia is the reincarnation of Zaria, the Immortal Wolf. Torn between the love of Lyle, a werewolf and Adam, a vampire, Lia will have to make a choice. A choice that could potentially be deadly to not just herself but those she loves as well.

I loved the concept of The Rising Moon. We have a reincarnated Immortal Wolf stuck between the love of a werewolf and a vampire. And it just so happens that that werewolf and vampire are eternal enemies. This isn't one of those bright stories. The Rising Moon is actually really quite dark. There's loneliness, betrayal, jealousy, vengeance, hate, longing, heartache, death--but underneath all of these dark emotions is an undying love. That is what makes this story beautiful. That that undying love endures while surrounded by all that darkness.

The very core of the story is perfect, but the outer layers could have used some work. The grammar was really bad--there were way too many commas and in places that made no sense, a number of misspellings, and the sentence structure made it difficult to read. This seemed more like a rough draft with no revisions. I thought there needed to be more background to the events and occurrences. It's like they just happened--there wasn't much history or depth. And there are no questions asked, it's just accepted. These grammatical and developmental issues are what caused me to rate The Rising Moon with a 3 out of 5.

I'm not sure if this is a first book in a series or not--I couldn't find any information about that--but if the issues I stated are fixed, this story could be golden. Like I said before, the story concept is amazing, and with some fine tuning, this could be an equally amazing series if the story continues.

Buy Links:

Amazon Paperback- http://www.amazon.com/The-Rising-Moon-Nilsa-Rodriguez/dp/0983910200/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337903692&sr=1-1o

eBook-Smashwords- http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/80024

B&N-eBook- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rising-moon-nilsa-rodriguez/1104926733?ean=2940011461668

B&N-paperback- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rising-moon-nilsa-rodriguez/1032693636?ean=9780983910206

Book Trailer:

About this Author: 

Nilsa Rodriguez ‘s love for writing began at an early age. Being an author is quite literally a dream come true for a girl who spent most of her childhood moments escaping to far-away lands and wondering into enchanted forests through the many books she's read growing up and still enjoys to this very day. Having had studied Fashion Design at Parsons School of Design and Early Childhood Education at Penn Foster College her love for writing has always remained close to heart. Nilsa received her literary diploma from The Institute for Children Literature in 2009. Born and raised in New Jersey, she now lives in sunny Florida with her husband and son where you can find her writing well into the night on her next novel.

Visit the author on the web: www.NilsaRodriguez.com

Find the Author:

Website- www.NilsaRodriguez.com

Blog- www.Nilsa-Rodriguez.blogspot.com

Twitter- https://twitter.com/#!/Nilsa1221

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/NilsaRodriguez

Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nilsa-Rodriguez/257970040897033

EXCERPT: 

 

∞ Chapter 1 ∞

THE AIR FELT THICK as a sauna. Clouds clustered overhead, like black mountains violently unleashing a torrent of lightning bolts that lit up the sky, making the night bright as day. I felt in the pit of my stomach that something terrible was brewing outside. The storm was unlike any other I have ever seen before…it seemed supernatural.

“Lia!” hollered John. His voice sounded impatient and thunderous as the storm outside. “Li-a!”

I rushed out of bed and met him in the kitchen.

He was drunk again. The smell of whisky reeked through his pores and clothes and met me at the doorway. He wasn't always an alcoholic. He once was happy and full of life, but it all changed the night his wife Veena died. Her sudden and horrific death were too much for him to bear.

The night she died, John was returning late from a hunting trip and accidentally struck an animal as he drove up the dark and narrow road that led to our house. The animal was quick and John couldn’t make out what it was. All he knew was he struck it hard because the whole front bender on his truck was damaged. He got out and reached for his shot gun and followed the animal into the woods, but although the animal was injured, it was still fast enough to outrun him so he decided to leave the animal alone.

When he got home, Veena wasn’t there. I was asleep and John awoke me, asking me if I knew where she was. It wasn’t like her to be out so late or to not answer her cell phone---especially after he’s called her four times, one phone call after the other. Worried, John set out to look for her while I asked the other ranch workers if they’ve seen her.

After searching for nearly two and a half hours, John found her lifeless body a hundred yards from the house in a pool of blood. She was badly injured. She had deep wounds across her face, her ribs were crushed and her legs were broken.

The medical examiner declared the cause of the death as being mauled by an animal. John felt that if he‘d killed the animal he injured with his truck earlier that night; Veena would still be alive today. He blamed himself for her death and ever since that night, he hasn’t been the same.

“Listen girl,” he said. “It seems Star has gotten out again and the storm is picking up pretty bad out there. See if you can get that stupid horse to return back to the stables. God only knows why she listens to you and not me.”

Star’s an Appaloosa mare and the latest addition to the ranch. Her temperament was supposed to be gentle, but since her arrival four months ago, John hasn’t been able to tame her. I’m the only person on the ranch she allowed near her. I didn’t mind it at all. There was something about her human-like brown eyes that comforted me as much as I comforted her.

“Well, are you going?” he asked reaching for a chair, but nearly missing it. I really had no other choice but to go out in the storm. We didn’t own the ranch we lived in, the Ulric’s did. And if they saw John, or smelled him for that matter, in the condition he was in tonight they’d surely run us out in a heartbeat.

“Go on now,” he said as he swooshed me with his hand.

“Yes sir,” I grumbled.

Not caring to change out of my blue cotton night gown, I quickly put on my boots and at the sound of a roaring thunder, I reached for my raincoat and headed out the door. The howling wind and blinding rain was harsh and poured down unsteady. It came at me from all directions, slapping me as I attempted to make my way through. I pulled the strings on the neck of my hood to keep it from falling, but it was no use, my hair was already drenched and now stuck to my stinging face.

“Star!” I shouted over the smacking rain. “Where are you girl?”

Unable to see where I was going, I stepped on a thorny bush beside the stable wall. Blood ran warm and quick down the side of my leg. With a slight limp, I hopped into the stables and examined the wound. I was relieved that it was just a mere scratch, but boy did it sting! I limped over to where the horses were and to my surprise Star was there staring at me with those large brown eyes.

It was obvious by the look of her chestnut coat that she was dry. What John saw outside the stable wasn’t Star or any of the horses because all six of them were dry and cozy in their stall.

Bordering with the Shoshone National Forest it wasn’t rare to come across a wild animal every now and then. We’ve been visited by grizzly bears, coyotes, elks, and wolves on the property many times before. John was drunk and the storm was blinding. There was no way he could’ve known what he saw out there wasn’t Star. I’m sure he must’ve saw something, but whatever it was the bullying storm chased it away. I locked the stable doors and rushed back home.

I limped back to my room closing the door behind me. I wrapped my dripping hair in a towel and wiped the blood off my leg. The wind was becoming fainter, more like a whisper as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling. I turned on my side and faced the window as a cool breeze crept in through a crack in the window frame. The sheer ivory curtains swayed gently, twinkling against the dark wood panel walls and floor.

Hugging my pillow tight, I began to think of Veena. On how her brown eyes always sparkled when she smiled and how her short dark hair always smelled like lavender. She was the only person who truly understood me. Her and John treated me like family and I was grateful for that, and just like John, I missed her too. Especially on nights like tonight.

The following morning the sky was blue and promising. I pulled myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom. I stood there brushing my teeth glancing hard and deep at the person staring back. I wondered if I looked like my father. Was he pale like me? Or maybe I looked like my mother?

I looked closely into my large blue eyes. At the white pigment in the iris of my left eye that resembled a half moon. I was five years old when it first appeared.

Dr. Parker, a medical doctor from River View Hospital, diagnosed it as heterchromia. He told me it was mostly common in animals, but it can also be past down genetically in humans. I always wondered which of my parents had it.

No matter how many times I tried to remember them, I couldn’t. All I knew was what was told to me: that they were killed in a car accident when I was four years old. When I thought back to my early childhood, all I could remember were the countless nurses and doctors from River View Hospital. I was sent to live there after my first foster parents, claimed I would howl at the moon and constantly suffer from night terrors.

Although they tried their best to comfort me, their attempts had reached its limit on the day they found me asleep outside, naked and covered in dirt and leaves. They felt I was too much for them to handle so they decided to return me to the state, which then sent me to River View where I was diagnosed with Lycanthropy, a rare psychotic disorder that causes the person to believe they can transform into an animal.

During my time at the hospital, Dr. Parker helped me overcome the night terrors that he believed triggered the disorder through medication and psychotherapy. I haven’t had any night terrors in a very long time. But ever since the night Veena died, my nightmares have returned and several times, I’ve found myself waking up in the woods.

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GNA Review: Manga Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice

Title: The Merchant of Venice
Series: Manga Shakespeare
Author: William Shakespeare
Adapter: Richard Appignanesi
Artist: Faye Yong
Genre: Young Adult Graphic Novel Adaptations
Publisher: Amulet Books, ABRAMS Books
ISBN-13: 9780810997172
ISBN: 0810997177
Release: March 1, 2011
Rating: 3/5

Tagline(s): All that glisters is not gold.

Summary: 

In one of the Bard's most enduring plays, Bassanio seeks the hand of the heiress Portia, but needs money to make a good impression. He and his friend Antonio borrow from the sinister banker Shylock, whose famous terms require a pound of flesh in forfeit if the money isn't paid back. Featuring one of literature's most famous courtroom scenes, and full of high-stakes drama, this manga interpretation is sure to grip readers and not let go.

Review: 

Adaptation

With most of Shakespeare's writings, it can be difficult to understand. The Manga Shakespeare series is supposed to use the original text and art to make it easier to understand and more fun.

I think personally, having never read The Merchant of Venice before, that the play would have been easier to understand if the adapter had used modern English. I think with a mix of modern language and the art depiction the play can be very easy to understand. But by using the original text you're still not making it any easier to understand. I had to use a Spark Notes No Fear Shakespeare version of the play while reading the graphic novel so I could understand what was being said.

Art

Though I don't like the word adaptation I really love the art. The artist depicts the characters as looking elvish; though the prince of Arragon looks more like a mer person and the prince of Morocco reminds me of a snake.

There is a distinct difference between the depictions of the Christians and the Jews. The Christians have light countenances and clothing, while the Jews are dark haired and wear dark clothing.

Faye Yong's are is just really beautiful and pleasing to look at.

My Final Thoughts:

Though I didn't like the adaptation and comprehension was as difficult for me as any Shakespeare play or poem, the art made up for it. I really enjoyed looking at Faye Yong's depictions of the characters. Her art is really beautiful.

About this Author:

William Shakespeare (baptised 26 April 1564) was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "The Bard"). His surviving works consist of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language, and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.

Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon. At the age of 18 he married Anne Hathaway, who bore him three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Between 1585 and 1592 he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part owner of the playing company the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men. He appears to have retired to Stratford around 1613, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive, and there has been considerable speculation about such matters as his sexuality, religious beliefs, and whether the works attributed to him were written by others.

Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1590 and 1613. His early plays were mainly comedies and histories, genres he raised to the peak of sophistication and artistry by the end of the sixteenth century. Next he wrote mainly tragedies until about 1608, including Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth, considered some of the finest examples in the English language. In his last phase, he wrote tragicomedies, also known as romances, and collaborated with other playwrights. Many of his plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime, and in 1623, two of his former theatrical colleagues published the First Folio, a collected edition of his dramatic works that included all but two of the plays now recognised as Shakespeare's.

Shakespeare was a respected poet and playwright in his own day, but his reputation did not rise to its present heights until the nineteenth century. The Romantics, in particular, acclaimed Shakespeare's genius, and the Victorians hero-worshipped Shakespeare with a reverence that George Bernard Shaw called "bardolatry". In the twentieth century, his work was repeatedly adopted and rediscovered by new movements in scholarship and performance. His plays remain highly popular today and are consistently performed and reinterpreted in diverse cultural and political contexts throughout the world.  

About this Artist:

A former pianist left Malaysia to pursue an Illustration degree in the UK. Faye has a weakness for shoujo manga and anything with a happy ending and is on a lifelong quest to improve her artistic & storytelling skills. Her main influences and inspirations include Japanese manga, fashion & fabulous looking people. She works primarily with Photoshop, Manga Studio, Illustrator and her Intuos tablet.

Faye placed third in the hotly contested Rising Stars of Manga UK and; Ireland 3 in 2008 and; won the People's Choice Award in the same year.

Bassanio and Antonio

Portia and Nerissa





Shylock and Jessica

Review: Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Title: Fury
Series: The Fury Trilogy #1
Author: Elizabeth Miles
Genre: Young Adult Supernatural
Elements: Furies
Publisher: Simon Pulse, Simon and Schuster Inc.
ISBN-13: 9781442422247
ISBN: 1442422246 
Release: August 30, 2011
Rating: 3/5


Tagline(s): Sometimes sorry isn't enough. / What goes around comes around.

Summary:

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

Em and Chase have been chosen. 

Review: 

Characters

Emily Winters is one of the IN crowd. She could have any guy she wants. But the guy she does want just happens to be her best friend's boyfriend. And he's showing an interest he really shouldn't be showing. When Em's BFF goes on vacation, she spends some quality time with the BF. And as they get closer strange things start happening. Em better watch out, or she's gonna get burned.

Chase Singer seemingly has it all---he's popular, quarterback of the football team, and recently met the most beautiful girl. But behind that facade is the real Chase---he lives in a trailer, doesn't have much money, and has a terrible secret. As his carefully constructed mask begins to crumble around him, Chase starts to come unraveled himself.

Ty, Meg, and Ali are the furies, or the Angry Ones. Tisiphone, Megaera, and Alecto. The furies are merciless in their pursuit of punishment. And the punishment must fit the crime. You definitely don't want to ever gain the attention of these three girls. 

Theme

There are three themes that correspond with the three characters I mentioned earlier. 

In Em's case, she betrays her best friend and cheats with said best friend's boyfriend. I guess, technically, that's two themes, but I'm putting them together as one. Em knows what she's doing is wrong and that is will hurt her BFF, but she truly believes that the BF, Zach, really cares for her. When she finds out that he's just been playing her, she ends it, but the damage has already been done.

The theme in Chase's case is, you could say, a type of bullying. I can't say too much or I might give something away, but Chase does something that drove an old childhood friend to suicide.

And it's obvious that with Ty, Meg, and Ali the theme is vengeance or punishment. As it is a fury's job to punish those who have done something wrong, they go after Em and Chase respectively for the wrong they both have done.

Plot

The plot switches between the POV's of Emily and Chase.

I think I would describe this book as a psychological thriller with elements of horror and the supernatural.

The mythology of the furies was used expertly in the character names, personalities, and behaviors. Though their names are shortened and modernized, you can still tell who is who. Ty is Tisiphone, Meg is Megaera, and Ali is Alecto. Their personalities and behaviors match up pretty well with their legendary selves as well.

Tisiphone is known as the avenging one who is the voice of revenge and the avenger of murder. So it makes sense how Ty in Fury is the spear point in exacting revenge against Chase who ultimately caused a suicide.

Megaera is known as the grudging or unwilling one who burns with envious anger and punishes for infidelity. Meg and Ali are the ones who exact punishment against Em for her cheating and betrayal.

Alecto is known as the unceasing one who is never-ending in her anger and castigates mortal crimes. Ali really is relentless when she interacts with Em, and seeing as infidelity can be considered a moral crime, it only makes sense that Meg and Ali work together to punish Em.

Setting

The story is set in Maine during the winter. Winter is sort of eery in itself. It's cold, ruthless, unrelenting, and quiet. The earth in its rest. It's easy to imagine something scary happening in such a setting. Winter is hauntingly beautiful, just like the furies are in the story. The furies themselves are like Winter; cold, ruthless, and quiet. Unrelenting in their purpose. For a story such as Fury, it doesn't seem right for it to takes place in any other season.

My Final Thoughts:

I thought that the beginning of the book was a little slow, which made it hard to really get into the story. Once the story started to pick up and more action was happening, it was really enjoyable. I love the mythology of the furies and how it's used in the book. The author has them appear in a modern setting and modernized their names, so it's like old meets new. I like how Em grows a backbone after her encounter with the furies. It's going to be interesting to see what happens in the next book, Envy, with Zach. He definitely deserves the wrath of the furies.

Quotes:

Chapter 16, Page 248

"It just seems like...everything comes full circle."

Chapter 24, Page 356

"It's much better this way, Em dear. It's perfect, really. The punishment has to fit the crime, you know." 

Chapter 25, Page 363

"This is wrong. You know it. You must know it. This is not justice. This is not karma. This isn't helping anything. You're not teaching anything. Ty. Please. What you did to Chase---what you're doing to me. It doesn't make any sense. It's not right. This isn't how the world should work."

About this Author:

Elizabeth Miles grew up in Chappaqua, New York, not far from New York City. She graduated from Boston University in 2004, and has worked ever since as a journalist for an alternative newsweekly. She has been honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. Elizabeth serves on the board of trustees of Portland Players, a community theater and second home. She loves pizza; she can often be found running around on stage while scantily clad; and a cold winter night in Maine is one of the creepiest and most beautiful things she can think of. Fury is Elizabeth’s first novel.