Being Medusa: And Other Things That Suck by A. Lynn Powers

Being Medusa: And Other Things That Suck is a YA fiction written by A. Lynn Powers. The book is about a high school student from Grove High School, Medusa Gordon. She is gorgeous. She is smart. She likes making lists. She hates her classmate Thea and she is always sent to the school disciplinarian's office. What is so special about Medusa, though, is that she grows snakes out of her head and she can turn people to stone by staring at them.

Medusa is having a bad first day at school. First, she accidentally 'freezes' her English teacher and is sent to the school disciplinarian's office, again. Second, she catches her chemistry lab partner staring dreamily at her. She knows, however, that Donny is off-limits because he is Thea's boyfriend. Finally, by lunch period, while walking at the school parking lot, a new student hits her with his car.

I love this book. For one, I find the plot original, in this modern times. Second, it is written in a funny and casual way and third, it is packed with witty and realistic characters. I am so looking forward to reading the next book, Being Medusa: And other Nightmares.

Congratulations to A. Lynn Powers (@VivaLaToothy) on such an amazing book! 

The Spirit Guide by Elizabeth Davies

The Spirit Guide is a historical fiction written by Elizabeth Davies.

Set in 12th century Britain and told in the first person perspective, the story is about Seren, a 16-year old gentlewoman who has the ability to see and communicate with spirits of dead people. 

As she leaves her home to accompany Lady Matilda de Braose at Hay Castle, Seren meets various people whom she comes to love, to hate and to fear. Among them are Lady Matilda herself, Lady Matilda's most trusted adviser Vaughan fitz Maddock and an unknown knight whom she previously meets in the siege of Painscastle. 

For a paranormal story, this is creepy in an exciting way.  I have read several books with characters who can communicate with spirits but this is the first time I read about someone who guides the spirits to the light, making this story unique for me. 

There are so many things I like about this book. First of which, of course, is the romance part which is at times blissful and at other times painful, exactly how romance is supposed to be. Second is the surprises. They are plenty, making this book very difficult to put down. Finally, the ending is just awesome. It is not what I expected and I love it. 

Moreover, I commend the author for her top-rate descriptions. The settings are vividly described and the characters seem alive I can see them in my mind. 

Though I find the pace a little too slow and the use of language appropriate for the setting, somehow, makes for slow reading, still, it is one amazing read and I recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction, romance and paranormal. 

Congratulations to Elizabeth Davies (@BethsBooks) on such an amazing book! 

Rune Gate by Mark E. Cooper

Rune Gate is the first book in the Rune Gate Cycle written by Mark E. Cooper.

The book features Alex Yorke, a police clairvoyant who is actually a witch. After an unfortunate incident, Alex withdrew to the peace and quiet of the farm she inherited from her grandfather. However, when her friend Deputy Jenn Hale asked her to check out a crime scene, she could not refuse and she discovered a rune on the body of the murdered victim. Not long after that, another body was found.

In the midst of the growing number of victims, Alex accidentally came across Douglas, a stranger who seem to be lost in place and time, but is somehow connected to the killings.

Though I initially dismissed this book as another witch story, I was completely surprised by an unexpected turn at Chapter 5. From then on, I could not put it down. I was totally intrigued. The arrival of the new and charming character makes the story even more interesting. 

However, I was a little disappointed by the cliffhanger ending. Despite that, I enjoyed the book immensely and I am looking forward to reading Book 2, Chosen. 

Congratulations to Mark E. Cooper (@mark_e_cooper) on such a great book!

The Gallery of Wonders: Magora Book 1 by Marc Remus

The Gallery of Wonders is the first book of the Magora Series by Marc Remus. 

When Holly's grandfather died in a mysterious fire incident, she was left to the care of her mean and abusive foster family, the Smoralls. However, everything changed. First, Holly received a package with strange things inside. Second, she discovered an equally strange creature in the attic. Finally, Holly and her three friends fell into a mysterious painting and found themselves in the magical world of Magora. 

Basically, the book is about art, love, friendship, and of course, magic. It is a real deal fantasy novel for the young and the young-at-heart. It features magical paintbrushes, talking tree houses and various creatures, some delightful and some not so delightful. 

Most importantly, the book is about faith, believing in yourself and what you can do, believing that you can do something even if other people tell you otherwise and believing in your friends the way you believe in them. 

Congratulations to Marc Remus (@MarcRemusArt) on such a wonderful and very enjoyable book with an amazing cover that he painted himself. A toast to such a very talented person!

Click HERE for the official review of The Gallery of Wonders: Magora Book 1 and for more amazing and interesting books check out Online Book Club.  

Altdorf by J.K. Swift

Altdorf is the first in the two Forest Knights novels by J.K. Swift.

The year was 1314. After 30 years of being with the Hospitaller Knights of St. John, Thomas was finally back in his hometown of Schwyz and settled as a ferryman. He believed he was living the peaceful life he deserved until he transported an injured boy. With the boy was the famous outlaw Noll Melchthal. They were trying to cross the river to go to the healer, Seraina, a reclusive druid priestess.

Written in a conversational tone, the book is a delightful read. The dialogues are engaging and the fighting scenes are vividly described. The characters are lovable. Thomas is an ideal protagonist, quiet, hardworking, an accomplished healer, first-rate fighter and a loyal friend. Seraina is an admirable woman, generous, brave and compassionate. Noll is inspiring, stubborn and fearless. My favorite is Pirmin, Thomas' brother-at-arms. He is funny, sweet and endearing. Even Leopold is a well-developed character, mean and loathsome.

Needless to say, I enjoyed this book immensely and I would love to read the second book MORGARTEN. 

Congratulations to J.K. Swift on such a wonderful book!

What the Hand by Todd Stockwell

What the Hand is a novel about the end of the world written by Todd Stockwell.

The book is told in the first person perspective of George Somerset, a man who witnessed the end of the world and ended up in a shack on the outskirts of paradise. 

George was a a divorcee who had an inclination to lying and other more evil acts. After having a serious talk with his co-worker, Charlie, George became aware of the signs that the end of the world was near, like earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions and wars. However, he was too lazy and too stupid to care. It was only after the Rapture, when good people as well as mentally challenged and children disappeared, that George finally believed what was written in the Bible. 

He started to pack some food, weapons, books that would help him survive in the wilderness including a Bible. After employing the help of an old acquaintance to obtain false documents to let him out of the city, George made a run for it. He lived in caves, hunted animals and searched for edible plants in order to survive. He eventually found seven other people and he invited them to live with him. 

This book is written in a conversational tone and is therefore easy to read. It told of the Rapture, Tribulation, Antichrist, New World Order and the New Kingdom. Other subjects include the Illuminati, Nephilim, giants, fallen angels, guardian angels and aliens. There are historical figures mentioned in the book like Adolf Hitler, Pres. John F. Kennedy, John Lennon and Abraham Lincoln. 

Needless to say I enjoyed the book a lot. It is very informative, highly entertaining and downright amusing. This is one great book that makes the reader contemplate and reflect on his life, what he did with it and what he plans to do. It leads to a very important question, What will I do if the end, indeed, comes? Will I take the Mark of the Beast and suffer eternal damnation or proclaim my faith in God and die a painful death in the hands of the Antichrist?

The choice seem easy at this time, but as my favorite excerpt from the book stated:

'It wasn't a life full of constant miracles and daily enlightenment, but a hard road of self-discovery and inner change, often beset by difficult test of faith and most difficult of all, the tedium of devout living.'

Congratulations to Todd Stockwell on such a great book!

A Soul Divided by Daniel M. Quilter

Princess Olivia, daughter of King Ryker of the Human Empire, was kidnapped by an Anti-Luck, a genetically engineered soldier. Only someone as powerful as a Fortunatus could save her and there were only two Fortunatus left; the king of the Mystics, who was at war with the Human Empire, and Drake Ashbell, a wanted criminal and half brother to Palace Guard Vahn Ashbell.

Drake found no reason to extend his assistance to the humans who annihilated his people. However, when the same Anti-Luck who kidnapped the princess took Angela, a girl he just rescued on her way to slavery, in exchange for his blood, Drake had to team up with Vahn in order to get the two girls back. 

The book is fast-paced and action-packed with very interesting plot. It was complete with chasing and fighting scenes softened by a few brief romantic interludes between Drake and Angela. The writing style was easy to read and the dialogues were engaging and in the case of Drake, funny most of the time. 

In addition to the great plot was a cast of memorable characters. Drake was an unlikely hero: arrogant and sarcastic. Despite his complacent facade was a dark and painful past making him the the most interesting character in the book. The most endearing, however, was Al, a wolf-like Mystic and the best Vhy-Rai healer, also Drake's best and only friend. Among other interesting characters were Titus, the Draco Hominis who would do anybody's bidding for the right amount of money and Olivia, the spirited princess and heir to the throne of the Human Empire.

It is, indeed, a well-written, highly entertaining and very enjoyable book and I recommend it all science fiction enthusiasts. 

Congratulations to Daniel M. Quilter ( @dquilter6 ) for a wonderful book!

Time Stands Still by Stacy Froumis

Time Stands Still is a beautiful story of love by Stacy Froumis.

Lauren and Stavros dated in college. Shortly after graduation, Stavros went back to Greece with his family but not before making a promise to Lauren that he would find a way for them to be together.

Except for a single phone call, Lauren did not hear from Stavros again, so she decided to place a call. Although it was met with indecipherable yelling in Greek, Lauren kept on calling for weeks. Finally, Stavros' sister, Athena answered the phone and told Lauren that Stavros was about to announce his engagement to Daphne, the girl their parents chose for him. Naturally, Lauren was devastated. 

Eight years had passed. Lauren moved on and was now engaged to her high school classmate, Noah. A few months before the wedding, however, Lauren received a letter from Stavros. Then one day, Stavros, himself, came face-to-face with Lauren.

The story was fast-paced and was devoid of irrelevant details. It was concise and written in casual and conversational manner, hence, easy to read. The plot was interesting, intriguing and, somehow, unpredictable making the reader clueless about Lauren's choice. 

The characters were relatable especially Lauren. She was torn between two men whom she both loved and for good reasons. She was a smart woman who was willing to do what she thought was right under the circumstances. 

Moreover, the author adeptly described the beauty and charm of Greece. She added mystery to the plot by including a visit by Lauren to centuries old monasteries where she met a mystical elder whom she asked for advice.

All in all, it was a well-written and very enjoyable book. It was a story, though basically about love was also about life; the decisions a person makes, no matter how difficult it is and no matter how painful it will be for the people he loves. In the end, everything will fall into place because that is exactly where everything should be. As stated in my favorite excerpt from the book:

'There is no right decision or wrong decision. All decisions lead you to where God wants you to be.'

Congratulations to Stacy Froumis ( @StacyFroumis )  for such an amazing book! Looking forward to the next one. 

Wedding Haters by Melissa Baldwin

Wedding Haters is the second book of the Event to Remember Series written by Melissa Baldwin.

It was about Madie's upcoming wedding to Cole. With one of her best friends, Sienna, as the wedding planner, Madie was confident that her wedding would be one of the biggest events of the century. 

Looking forward to tying the knots with Cole, Madie, however, was anxious about one thing, her family,  meaning her grandmother and her cousins, Ellie and Stephy. Madie loved her grandmother with all her heart and tried her best to please her, but ever since she was young her grandmother always took her cousins' sides, her cousins who seem to take pleasure in bullying Madie every chance they get. Much as Madie detest the idea of inviting them to the wedding, her grandmother was, apparently, expecting her to. 

The story basically dealt with family and family issues, what one does and does not do for family. Moreover, it was also about standing up for oneself, for having the courage to say what needed to be said and do what needed to be done. My favorite excerpt from the book was:

Madie to Grandmother: 'I'm sorry that happened to them. But how is that my fault?'

What I like most about the book was the cast of lovable characters. The author created characters with distinct personalities. Abby was the understanding and nurturing one, that's why she became a teacher; Sienna was organized, thus, she was an event planner and of course, Madie was very creative, hence, she became a hairstylist and cookie designer. All three were smart and strong women who knew what they wanted in life. 

Congratulations to Melissa Baldwin ( @mpbaldwinauthor ) for such a wonderful book!

Eight Days by Scott Thompson

Eight Days is a touching story by Scott Thompson.

Clive Kinsella had always wanted to go places. He dreamed of finding a job in a bigger city. However, that dream was set aside when he met Annabelle. When they got married, the couple settled down in Georgetown where Clive lived most of his life.

The story began with Clive's death. At his funeral, Clive met his long dead grandfather, Pachu, who had come to guide him through his Reckoning which went on for eight days. During the Reckoning, Clive got to relive the most difficult times of his life and the most difficult decisions he had made.

The author masterfully wrote a book with interesting plot and memorable characters. The writing style was top rate making the book an easy read. The scenes were vividly described and the dialogues were engaging. The narratives were so heartfelt that I cried at some point in every chapter. 

The book, though it started with death, was basically about life and the choices a person makes while he lives. It is a touching story of love, friendship, childhood, old age, life and death. The entire book was filled with food for thought and words of wisdom that would stay not only in the reader's mind but also in his heart. 

This is truly one memorable book that will make the reader contemplate on his own life, his priorities and the decisions he could live with.

Congratulations to Scott Thompson (@sthompsonauthor) for such a wonderful book.