~Book Review~ Dark Legacy

Who and What: Dark Legacy by Anna DeStefano; eBook Version; ISBN 978-1-4285-0738-8

What it's about: “Die!” scream her nightmares. The voice is her sister’s, the compulsion stronger than any ordinary dream. 

Maddie Temple can’t go through this again. Her twin has been in a coma for the last ten years. Their psychic link was severed. At least, that’s what she thought. 

But there’s a lot Maddie doesn’t know—about the 200-year-old curse on her family, about the shadowy group that wants to exploit the Temple twins’ powers for themselves, about the sexy psychiatrist offering to help her. The only way to find the answers antd avoid being pulled into the abyss of madness is to trust her heart and confront her... Dark Legacy. (goodreads)

What I thought about it: This was another one that had reviews that varied so much I decided to take the plunge. I actually liked this book very much. I loved the whole mind melding thing - it made for an interesting twist. I didn't really care for her love interest - he was kind of a hot head - but overall it was a decent read.

Where I got it: It was a free download for my Nook.

Would I recommend it? Sure - I mean it was free - and it was pretty good.

Challenges this book counts towards: 100 Books in a Year Challenge; Show Me the Free Reading Challenge

*recently I reviewed the audiobook Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk. You can read that review here.*

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ Raising the Dead

Who and what: Raising the Dead by Mara Purnhagen; eBook edition; ISBN 9781426888786


What it's about: As the daughter of the famous Silver Spirits paranormal investigators, Charlotte Silver is used to all things weird. But when coffins start floating down her street during a flood, life turns extra strange. And wonderful, when her friend and crush Noah signs on to help Charlotte and her folks in the aftermath. Cemetery cleanup might not sound exciting, but as shocking discoveries and a lurking stranger come to light, Charlotte learns that sometimes, raising the dead can bring unexpected rewards.


What I thought about it: It was a very quick read. Not only did read quick, it was pretty good. The characters were interesting. I liked that it was a book about paranormal stuff instead of vampires and such, that was a nice change for a teen book. This book must be part of a series, because it seems like there was definitely an door left open at the end for more.


Would I recommend it: Sure - it was pretty good.


Where I got it: it was a free download from Kobo Books for my eReader


Challenges this book counts towards: 100 Books in a Year; A to Z Reading Challenge; Show Me the Free Reading Challenge


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Review~ 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover by Linda Wisdom

What and Who: 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover by Linda Wisdom, eBook format, ISBN 9781402215551


It's about: Jazz can't decide whether to scorch him with a fireball or jump into bed with him 

Jasmine Tremaine, a witch who can't stay out of trouble Nikolai Gregorivich, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire cop on the trail of a serial killer. 

The sizzling love affair between Jazz and Nick has been off-again, on-again for about 300 years. Mostly off, lately. But now Nick needs Jazz's help, and while Jazz and Nick try to figure out their own hearts and resist their ever-increasing attraction, they must steer clear of a maniacal killer with super-supernatural powers. They are surrounded by a hilarious cast of oddball paranormal characters, including Norma, the chain-smoking ghost who haunts Jazz's sports car, Dweezil, her ghoul of a boss, and Fluff and Puff, a pair of bunny slippers with sharp teeth and short tempers (watch your ankles)! (goodreads)

What I think: I really liked this book. The characters were quirky enough to be real, but not over the top. A great mixture of ghosts, vamps, witches, and regular ol' humans (no werewolves here!). Some fighting, some loving, and demon beat down. Yeah, this was a pretty darn good book.

What I give it: A 4.5 yes, maybe I do need to redo my rating system to add a somewhere between 'liked' and 'loved'. 

Where I got it: This was a free download for my Kobo. 

Challenges this counts towards: Show Me the Free Reading Challenge, 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire~ by Kerrelyn Sparks

How I got it: I got this as a free download for my Kobo. I downloaded it a while ago - but I'm such a library whore I just got around to reading it.

What surprised me the most: It was a flat out romance. With vampires, of course. I honestly can't remember when I last read a romance book. Maybe 20 years ago? I used to read Janet Dailey religiously, then I started reading horror, thriller, and the like.

What I thought about it: Actually, I liked it. Once I got past the whole 'romance' thing. It even made me wonder if I should give some other romance books a shot. I thought it was well written and the silly arguments were about things a little more substantial in this book than the usual "I'm woman hear me roar" kind of thing. It's also the first in a series (Love at Stake) so it makes me wonder if the same characters will show up again? I liked Shanna a lot but found Roman was a little depressing - I guess I'll let it slide since he's a vampire.

I'm giving it a 4 - I liked it


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

Reading Challenges Update

Yes, I have a paper due on Monday so it's time for my procrastination post - reading challenges update! Seriously, you all know you wanted to know anyway!

Show me the Free Reading Challenge
I have listed all the free eBooks I've downloaded for this one. That's a good thing, because sometimes I can't remember which ones were free and which ones I paid for. I've finished 3 out of 12 for this challenge.

Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge
Big surprise - I've finished 11 out of 12. The book I'm currently reading doesn't qualify, but the next one will! I'm hoping to have this challenge finished by the end of the month.

Audio Book Challenge
I just started this one, but have managed to listen to 2 out of 12 books. I started my third today, but since I only listen in the car who knows when it will be finished. I've listed a couple of the books I've checked out from the library because I don't think I'll be able to finish them before they are due and I don't want to forget what I picked!

A to Z Reading Challenge
This one is proving to be harder than I thought, but I have managed 10 out of 26. Pretty good I think, considering I read a lot of books that start with the letter 'C'. I don't know why. It's weird, I know.

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge
According to Goodreads I'm 12 books behind on this one. I knew it was a huge goal when I set it, but I don't need to be reminded that I'm not succeeding very well - sheesh! I've finished 13 out of 100. I also double checked to see if audiobooks would count, yeah, they don't - but that's ok. I'm still going to plug away and try to reach the ever elusive 100 books! Next year I will probably look for a "beat yourself" challenge or something.

As always, current stats can be seen here.

Now I guess I'll go finish that paper.


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Review~ Antiques Roadkill: A Trash 'n' Treasure Mystery by Barbara Allen

Synopsis: Determined to make a new start in her quaint hometown on the banks of the Mississippi, Brandy Borne never dreams she'll become the prime suspect in a murder case...Moving back in with her eccentric, larger-than-life mother, Brandy Borne finds small-town Serenity anything but serene. It seems an unscrupulous antiques dealer has swindled Vivian out of the family's heirlooms. But when he is found run over in a country lane, Brandy becomes Murder Suspect Number One - with her mother coming in a very close second...The list of other suspects is impressive - the victim's business seems to have been based on bilking seniors out of their possessions. And when the Borne "girls" uncover a few very unsavoury Serenity secrets, they become targets for a murderer whose favourite hobby seems to be collecting victims. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)


What I thought: Well first, I'd like to say this was an absolutely free eRead that I downloaded onto my Kobo. Seemed like my usual 'type' of book and the price was right - so I had to go for it! I very much loved the tone of the book. Brandy is a lover of sarcasm, and who couldn't love that? If you've lived in a small town you can probably identify with almost all the characters in the book. It took me longer to finish this than it should because I got distracted by school and library books - but when I sat down to finish it, it only took a day. Quick cozy read!


I give it a 3 - I liked it




~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

The Goddess of Fried Okra by Jean Brashear

 

 Grief. Hope. Love. Sword fights. And the crisp glory of fried okra.

Ex-cocktail waitress and "convenience story professional" Eudora "Pea" O'Brien is filled with grief and regret, low on cash and all alone. Headed down the hot, dusty back roads of central Texas, Pea is convinced she'll find a sign leading her to the reincarnated soul of the sister who raised her. A sign that she's found her place in the world of the living again.

At least that's what the psychic promised.

In an unforgettably funny and poignant journey, Pea collects an unlikely family of strays-a starving kitten, a pregnant teenager, a sexy con man trying to go straight, and a ferocious gun dealer named Glory, who introduces Pea to the amazing, sword-wielding warrior goddesses of Texas author Robert E. Howard-creator of the Conan the Barbarian novels-and celebrated in festival every year. Six foot tall, red-headed Pea looks good with a sword in her hand.

Glory, the goddesses, and a grandmotherly caf owner become Pea's unlikely gurus as she struggles to learn swordplay and the art of perfect fried okra. She'll have to master both if she's going to find what matters most-her own lost soul.  Image and Synopsis from GoodReads




What I have to say:


I was pleasantly surprised by this book.  Once again, not a choice I would have made but I did get this one free!  I downloaded it onto my Kobo when I first got it on Christmas.  


I loved the way Jean Brashear wrote this book, like you were talking to her, it made it easy to read.  It was a fun read and I'm glad I took the chance on it. Eudora is a fun girl and her supporting cast of characters are not only misfits but completely enjoyable to get know. 


I would recommend this book - seriously!


I give it a 4.
 

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

This book includes: 

A Scandal in Bohemia 
The Red-Headed League 
A Case of Identity 
The Boscombe Valley Mystery 
The Five Orange Pips 
The Man with the Twisted Lip 
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle 
The Adventure of the Speckled Band 
The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb 
The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor 
The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet 
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches


Picture and description from Goodreads

This picture shows the Kindle version - I read mine on the Kobo and the front didn't look like this - but all the stories are the same.

This was the first free ebook I read.  The very first mystery book I ever read (even before Nancy Drew) was "The Hound of the Baskervilles".  I've always loved Sherlock Holmes, which is why when this came preloaded on my Kobo I knew I would read it!

My favorite story from the group was The Five Orange Pips.

It took me a little longer to finish than I had originally anticipated, but as always, well worth the read.

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

I'm Addicted

I know, I said my last reading challenge would be my last for the year.  I lied.

Today I found this one hosted by the Unread Reader where you have to read at least 12 FREE ebooks during the year.

I figured I could do this.  After all, my Kobo came loaded with tons of free books, most of which I've never read.  Think about that because they are classics.  Sad, huh?  Plus I've been lucky enough to find three ebooks already on Borders that are current and free.  They are not books I would have normally picked so I think it's cool that my Kobo is expanding my reading horizons.

This challenge has three levels and I'm choosing Coupon Clipper, which is read 12 free eBooks in the year.  Some of those classics are pretty long!

Oh, and who can resist a challenge with this cute pig button?  Really?



I just signed up today so I know the link is still open for anyone who is interested.

Here are the three books I found for free at Borders.  I normally don't pre-list my books, but I figured with these I could.  Helps keep me straight, know what I mean?

1. The Goddess of Fried Okra
2. Dancing in the Lowcountry
3. Raising the Dead

The cute piggy and my book list can be found on my reading challenges page.


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown