Book Review Torn Canvas by Donna Weaver

Ever wish you could find out what happens to other characters from a book you love? I'm so glad Weaver wrote a story about Jori from the Cruise ship story in A Change of Plans.

Here's what the book says about itself: 

Modern-day pirates took more than Jori Virtanen’s friends; they stole his face. Not only does the twenty-four-year-old former model have to confront months of reconstructive surgery, he discovers his previous life was as superficial as his looks. Jori struggles to make a new life for himself as an artist while evading the press. They expect a hero, but he knows the truth. His beauty masks a beast. Olivia Howard’s given up a normal life for her job, and the sacrifices are finally paying off. The twenty-six-year-old talk-show host’s ratings are heading to the top of the charts. Her dream is to make a difference in people’s lives, but the studio wants mind fluff—like interviewing hot model Jori Virtanen. When Olivia learns the guy helped rescue passengers on a cruise excursion from kidnappers, she knows this is the story she needs to make her case. The only problem is the hero was injured, and now he’s disappeared. The more Olivia learns about the man behind the scar, the more intrigued she becomes. But Jori is no girl’s happily ever after. Once she finds him, Olivia has to free his heart and help heal the beast.

Here's what I have to say about it. 

Jori is a hot model and total ladies man, but he has a hard and sad past he's trying to overcome. And Jori struggles with it. His reactions to things and responses to live are totally believable. Loved his character. When he's injured in the attack from book one, his face is scarred too bad for him to be able to continue modeling. Not sure he would even want to go back to that life after having a taste of real friendship on the cruise, he returns to his passion of art.

Olivia is an up and coming Television Host that wants to do stories that matter, and not just mindless fluff shows. When she learns Jori was a hero on the ship, she wants to interview him on her show. And though we've met both of these characters in book one: A Change of Plans, this story about Jori and Olivia is so real and emotional, I loved it. 

 Though they communicate through phone calls, emails, and chats and have a few almost meetings, the romantic tension is still there. It's a wonderful story showing how people deal with troubling events and overcome very trying pasts.

I highly recommend this book.

Find it on Amazon here

Barnes and Noble here

Book 1 A Change of Plans is HERE. 

For other books by Donna, check out her Amazon Author profile here

Book Review: STOLEN LUCK by Jaclyn Weist

What the book has to say for itself: 

Sixteen year old  Megan Crenshaw has everything going for her until the day a leprechaun shows up on her doorstep and steals all her luck. Not only that, he follows her around and wreaks havoc in her life. With the help of her friends, Megan must get her luck back before he manages to destroy her life and the lives of all those around her.

What I have to say about it: 

Man, there aren't many books that will make me think about them all day like this one did. I'm a mom to 5 kids and was called away a many times from my reading of this, and I couldn't wait to get back to the story. That in itself tells me it was good. Then as I was reading it, I giggled, snorted, and laughed enough that my kids kept asking me what I was reading. And it was so engaging I finished it in a day.

There are so many things that poor Megan has to deal with when Louie takes her luck, something she's had a surplus of her entire life. But Megan handles it so well. I loved the fact that Megan seemed like a real girl. Having moments of anger and frustration and all out sobbing when it got tough, but then she got up and did something about it. She didn't cave when Louie kept piling on the misfortune. And Jared? Oh man he was adorable. Hope my girls can meet someone as awesome as Jared some day. There is just a touch of romance, but done perfectly that I wasn't wishing there was more, or thinking it wasn't necessary either. There are parents who are involved in the lives of their teens and teens that made some pretty good choices overall or at least make an effort to do it right. I highly recommend this book to younger teens and adults alike. 

I'm really looking forward to book 2. 

About the author:

Jaclyn is an Idaho farm girl who grew up loving to read. She developed a love for writing as a senior in high school, when her dad jokingly said she was the next Dr. Seuss (not even close but very sweet). She met her husband, Steve at BYU and they have six happy, crazy children that encourage her writing. After owning a bookstore and running away to have adventures in Australia, they settled back down in their home in Utah. Jaclyn now spends her days herding her kids to various activities and trying to remember what she was supposed to do next.

To find on Barnes and Noble click HERE

To find on Amazon click HERE

Or if you want to try your LUCK (pun intended) then do this Rafflecopter.


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Book Review: INSIGHT Beholders book 1 by Terron James

What the book says for itself.

Rumors are surging through Appernysia that a Beholder has been born, the first wielder of True Sight in over a millennium.

Seventeen-year-old Lon Marcs discovers he has been blessed—or cursed—with this gift. He cannot control the power of True Sight and feels it killing him with each passing day. He realizes that the only people who might possess the knowledge to save his life are the sworn enemies of his king. To obtain their help, Lon would have to journey into exile, leaving behind his village, family, and beloved Kaylen.

Although this is the hardest decision Lon has ever made, it is only the first of many that will test his strength and challenge his interpretation of right and wrong.

What I have to say about it.

I had already read this book in its first printing and enjoyed it then. I think it has improved a lot since the first version. Some of the extra fluff and unnecessary stuff was removed or condensed. (And I loved the prologue in this version) 

Things I liked about this book. Lon Marcs actually goes and does something about his problem. The battle and fight scenes were very engaging and kept my attention throughout. I liked the characters and how they were developed for the most part. Some characters I even hated, but I believe I was supposed to and Terron did a great job on making me feel something for many of the characters. The world and the magic system were interesting and I liked how Lon had to work hard to figure out how to survive with this magic that was taking over his body.

Some things I didn’t like. Though most of the characters were well developed and I got a pretty good feel for them, I thought they were lacking in emotion and a solid reason for them to do what they did. I didn’t see it enough. I’m not used to reading 3^rd person stories where we get to see everything everyone else sees, I prefer the kind where I get really into a characters mind and emotions so I personally didn’t feel what I had hoped to from the characters.

I also thought there were many times when things were skipped over for one character while we went to a different location and a different character. I wanted to see more of Lon’s trials and experiences in the Rayder lands instead of the stuff about his twin sister Mellai and his girlfriend/fiancé Kaylen. I’m sure they are important later on in the series, but I sort of found their little side stories kind of annoying at times since I missed out on stuff from Lon’s point of view.  

The only real fault I can find with this story is that Lon’s experience spans something like 7 months in the story and I never really felt that his rise to power in the Rayder army was truly warranted. I didn’t see him really earn it since I think a lot of the time we went to the side characters stories and missed what he did to actually earn his place. I can believe his change of loyalty and the reason for him truly joining himself to the Rayders cause. I just don’t think it really would have happened that fast with the information I saw as a reader experiencing Lon’s actions. Other than that, it was a fun read. Not quick and easy by any means, but enjoyable still.

It will be released on June 1st and you can buy it on Amazon HERE or 

Get it on Barnes and Noble HERE

Book Review: A Perfect Fit by Heather Tullis

What the book says for itself:

Cami DiCarlo doesn’t agree with her father that her life has been stuck in a rut, so she is not happy when he forces her hand into heading up guest services at his newest five-star hotel. The fact that he unveils the existence of four half-sisters at the same time, and insists that they live together while they launch the new resort, only makes things worse. When she meets Vince Talmadge, the sweet, sexy landscaper her father would never have approved of, Cami can’t say no. If only she could be sure she is on the right track—and that they will be able to stop the person who is trying to destroy everything she and her sisters are working to build.

What I had to say about the book.

I sort of struggled with this book and I couldn’t decide at first why it was I didn’t immediately like it. I could have been that the story is about one couple, but ALL the sisters are involved in this book as the set up to the series begins. The names of the girls were all about flowers but I couldn’t really remember what each girl was supposed to be in charge of in the running of the Hotel their father forced them into working in. They are all sisters, but only 2 share the same mother and the other 3 have different mothers. They struggle to come to terms with their relationships as sisters, and their feelings for their cheating father. And though I did like that part of the story where I could see the inner turmoil and how they interacted with each other and eventually learned to get along. It was still difficult to grasp the love story I wanted to read about because of all the extra family involved in the plot.

I totally guessed the “bad guys”. One right from the start and the other pretty quickly afterward so it was kind of predictable, but there were still fun twists and surprises I didn’t see at first. The whole issue the “Bad guy” had was a little cheesy and overblown, but desperate people do desperate things.

The love story should have had me riveted, but it kinda happened really fast, then they started sleeping together (though nothing is given in detail so it could still be considered basically a clean romance) and I was really annoyed. Their kissing started to get boring for me since there was no “sexual tension” because they were already a couple, just afraid to commit to the long term relationship at first.  I’m sure I’ll read the others that come out for the series (the teaser for book 2 at the end of this book 1 was interesting), but I’m not dying for them right away. 

DOUBLE Book Review Shatter Me and Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

     
                                                                                  


What Shatter Me says for itself:

I have a curse.
I have a gift.

I'm a monster.
I'm more than human.

My touch is lethal.
My touch is power.

I am their weapon.
I will fight back.

No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own. After a lifetime without freedom, she's finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time—and to find a future with the one boy she thought she'd lost forever.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a riveting dystopian world, a thrilling superhero story, and an unforgettable heroine.

What Unravel Me says for itself:

tick
tick
tick
tick
tick
it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

What I have to say about both of them:

These books are awesome and you tear right through them. I read the first book when it was online for the promotion of book 2. I read it in one afternoon. Then book 2 was done in 5 hours. Such a fast read, but not a small book. (Either of them)

The style is unusual and not what I’m used to reading, but these books didn’t slow me down on that at all. The only thing I didn’t like is that in book 2 I read it in the actual book form, not an e-book, and they had the edges of the pages roughed up. (probably to give you a feel for a dystopian world with books being banned) but I found it annoying.

Shatter Me starts out with Juliette in a mental institution and she’s been writing in a journal about her issues. As we read her thoughts, I love how some of them are crossed out like she’s trying to be honest, then changes her mind to show she’s not completely lost her senses. The thing about Juliette is that she has a superpower that makes it so people can’t touch her skin. She will drain them of all lifeforce and it hurts them as she touches them. She loves the way it feels, but is so sickened and horrified that what her touch does is kill another person.

Adam is sent to observe her, and we come to discover that he can touch her through some weird  trick of fate. They knew each other in school before she accidentally killed a child through touch and is sent from doctor to doctor and hospital to hospital to eventually end up all alone in an institution. Through the comments in her notes and a few conversations with some other people, we see the world has been changed because of the way the humans treated it. Grass is not green. Birds can’t fly. Martial Law rules.

Warner wants to use her as a powerful weapon to reorder and start the world anew with him in control, but she refuses to be used as a weapon. Adam helps her escape and they find themselves at the end of the book with a group of people I can only relate to the X-men.  Ari thinks she’ll finally have something of a normal life.

Unravel Me picks up a couple weeks after book 1 ended. Ari is having a hard time adjusting to this new prison. She still feels trapped and wonders if her power will be used for this side of the war and how being used by one group would be any different than being used by a different group.

The interactions between the characters and how they try to make the best of the really crappy situations they find themselves in is wonderful. I’d have to say Kenji is my favorite character in this book. (He was a supporting one in book 1, but here we get to see all the awesome stuff he can do.)

Adam, we discover has some kind of mutation as well, thus the reason he can touch Julliette without injury, but there of course has to be a twist. And I loved how there would still be some tension and hardness for the characters, though I was still really sad for Juliette that she couldn’t find any happily ever after.

Warner comes into play in this book, and it’s even better than book 1. We get to see that Warner isn’t just a bad guy. (he is a bad guy), but he does have a reason for what he’s doing and getting into his mind through the interactions with Juliette was awesome. Plus there is kissing and a whole lot of confusion, and guilt, and action, and fighting and on and on.

I CANT WAIT for book 3. 

Buy Shatter Me on Amazon HERE

Buy Shatter Me on Barnes and Nobel HERE

BUY Unravel Me on Amazon HERE

Buy Unravel Me on Barnes and Nobel HERE

Book Review: FEUDLINGS by Wendy Knight

Hey, I might actually be able to post this. Been having difficulty with blogger lately, but it seems like it may be fixed.

So I've not been reading as much since I've done tons of writing and editing over the last month. Finished book # 3 the middle of April. So fun to be able to create something from just an idea.

And its also amazing to read someone else's ideas. In the form of a book. And speaking of reading other books, let me tell you about one that kept me up way into the night it was so good.

FEUDLINGS by Wendy Knight.



First off, can I just say I love this cover! And those boots! If I could stand to wear heels, I'd totally have a pair like that.
Here's what the book has to say for itself:

Nothing makes a new school suck worse than discovering the guy you’re in love with is your prophesied nemesis.

Ari is the most powerful flame-throwing sorceress ever, and her people’s last hope in an ancient war. But she’s also a seventeen-year-old girl, and in her free, not-hunting-nemesis times, she jumps from school to school, trying to figure out regular people her own age and pretending she’ll get the chance to graduate.

Shane lives a double life. He goes to school and masters the art of popularity, hiding the fact that he has a fate with a slim chance of his survival. He’s destined to end a 300 year-old war by killing or being killed. He knows he’s hunted by a powerful enemy who’s not afraid to die. Only problem? He has no idea who that enemy is. 

When Ari shows up at Shane’s school, angry and sullen and determined to keep him at arm’s reach, neither of them realize they are supposed to be killing each other, not fall-ing in love. Until Ari does realize it, and she almost dies – by Shane’s hand.

Here's what I have to say about it:

This was such a fun book. Very much a Romeo and Juliet without the tragedy. Two kids from feuding family's fall in love and try to stop the whole war. Romance without being inappropriate. Battle scenes without being horrible and bloody and gory. A teenage assassin who has to fight her family's ancient battles, and does her best to be merciful, giving them the chance to run yet protects her family and her mother especially. Ari has a brother who is supposed to be her protector, (fighting assistant, right hand man, guardian, and so forth) but since he has a conscience and didn't want to continue fighting in the war, he is now an outcast and can't ever return home, but that doesn't stop him from still being her guard and doing what he can. The magic in the story was believable (as far as magic goes) there were rules to it, they had to do it right, no one could do all the things and there were limitations.
The humanity and relationship development was right on. Ari wasn't used to having friends and had always shut herself off from people, but as her classmates begin to break down her walls and she lets her guard down she starts to realize she can be human and actually enjoy life, even to the point of falling for a guy. Shane at first seemed like the egotistical popular guy that had to have a girlfriend all the time, but we soon get to see how Shane is so much different than the image he projects as a way to keep himself hidden in the open. The supporting characters were awesome and I even loved to hate the room mate.
Wendy did a wonderful job on this story and it has a sequel coming before long.

Here is Wendy's BLOG

It's a great price as well.
Here's the link to buy it on AMAZON

Here's the link for Barnes and Noble

And if you have a preference for Smashwords, it's right HERE

Book Review: Seeking Persephone by Sarah Eden

Here's what the book says for itself:

When Persephone Lancaster receives a marriage proposal from the ill-tempered Duke of Kielder, she refuses, and then reconsiders. The obscene sum of money he's offering Persephone would save her family from ruin. With her characteristic optimism, she travels to the far reaches of Northumberland to wed a greatly feared stranger. Lodged deep in a thick forest infested with wild dogs, the Duke's castle is as cold and forbidding as the Duke himself, a man with terrible scars on his body and his soul. But the Duke's steely determination to protect his heart at all costs is challenged by his growing attachment to his lovely and gentle bride. With caring persistence, Persephone attempts to pierce the Duke's armor and reach the man beneath. Yet he cannot tolerate such exposure, and his repeated rejections take their toll. But when grave danger arises, the Duke realizes he must face the risk of revealing his true feelings or lose the woman he cannot live without.

Here's what I have to say about it:

I LOVE it when a romance is clean and sweet and you are left wishing it wasn’t clean, but so relieved when it really is clean. Sarah Eden is a masterful writer and none of her plots are the same or feel forced.  This was such a cute book, and I wondered how on earth people back then did what they did, and why they would possibly consider marrying someone they had never met to save their family from ruin. It would never happen today, but by Sarah's wonderful storytelling, you can see how the characters would do just that. And still believe it was all logical.  The only thing I didn't really love in this story is the villain and the harm he caused seemed slightly odd. His retaliation seemed a little too mean for the offense given to him. But of course, he was a jerk, so they do those things right?

Persephone went through a lot, but held up really well. She was such a positive thinker and tried so hard that I was getting really irritated at Adam for not realizing how fortunate he really was sooner. I loved how Adam was a mean bear, but still had a soft spot, and his friend Harry is so awesome. (He's featured as the Hero in a follow-up book "Courting Miss Lancaster" and I absolutely recommend it too since Persephone and Adam are in it as well) See my review on it coming soon.

Wonderful book all around. Get it. You won't be disappointed.

Find it on Amazon HERE

Find it on Barnes and Noble Here

BOOK REVIEW: Reasons I fell for the funny fat friend. By Becca Ann

Book review  REASONS I FELL FOR THE FUNNY FAT FRIEND  By Becca Ann

What the book says about itself:

It's stupid to fall for your brother's ex. It's even worse to enlist another's help to win the ex over. But Brody is desperate and Hayley, his partner in American Sign Language, is more than willing to lend him a few tips. She’s the school’s ‘matchmaker’, and with her bizarre and positive personality, Brody finds her easy to talk too, even about the most awkward situations. Hayley’s tips seem to be working, but as Brody learns more about his matchmaker, he starts finding reasons to spend time with her, and not the girl he thought he was in love with. But Hayley isn’t ready to fall for anyone. Labeled the “Funny Fat Friend” within her group, her self image makes it impossible for Brody to share his feelings without Hayley shrugging it off as a joke. Convincing her Brody can, and did, fall for the “Funny Fat Friend” turns out to be a lot harder than simply falling in love.

What I have to say about it:

This was a cute book overall, but it was sort of offensive in places. Maybe it was because it was told from a teenage boys point of view. He was sort of crude in places, and I was very relieved when he changed his language because Hayley didn’t like the way he talked. There was also a lot of sexuality and reference to sex in it. I know that’s the “norm” for kids these days. (makes me sound like an old prude, but I guess I am) I don’t think it needed all the reference to sex and that the kids in it seemed to treat a sexual relationship as so casual and as something not important.

The things I liked about this were how Brody could see all the good qualities in Hayley. How Hayley was struggling with her own self image and that Brody could see past the whole “you have to be model perfect” image so many girls struggle with. I liked the set up in the book, the Chapter headings cracked me up a lot of the time. I liked how it came gradually for Brody to realize why he was falling for Hayley, and how even though he was trying to prove he liked her, he still screwed up and made mistakes along the way. It seemed like a very real portrayal of a true to life situation.

 

Check it out on Amazon HERE

Check it out on Barnes and Noble HERE

Book Review: Gentleman of her Dreams by Jen Turano

 

A book review:

Gentleman of her Dreams by Jen Turano

 

 

What the book says about itself:

When Miss Charlotte Wilson asks God for a husband, she decides He must want her to pursue Mr. Hamilton Beckett, the catch of the season. The only problem? She's never actually met Hamilton. Fortunately, one of her oldest and dearest friends, Mr. Henry St. James--who has returned to New York after a two-year absence--does know Hamilton. Much to Henry's chagrin, Charlotte immediately ropes him into helping her meet Hamilton. However, none of her plans to catch Hamilton's eye go as she expected, and she is even more confused when her old feelings for Henry begin to resurrect themselves. In the midst of the mayhem Charlotte always seems to cause, she wonders if the gentleman of her dreams might be an entirely different man than she thought.This novella is a companion to A Change of Fortune, Jen Turano's full-length debut novel, available fall 2012!

 What I have to say about it:

This was so cute. Charlotte is a riot and that she wanted to catch Mr. Hamilton Beckett and the way she tried were hilarious to me. I loved how Henry tried to help her and put aside his own feelings for her to try to help out, but that Charlotte’s family and even the servants knew Henry was more suited to her and were rooting for him. I rooted for him too. Such a nice guy and it was wonderful that they figured it out eventually.

It was so fun and I know it was a prep or a teaser for the Change of Fortune coming out soon I loved her style of writing I’m definitely going to get it soon.

This was free or really cheap at the time of this review. Maybe it still is, but its worth paying for either way.

Check it out on Barnes and Noble HERE
Check it out on Amazon HERE

Book Review TIDE EVER RISING by Mandi Tucker Slack

BOOK REVIEW of TIDE EVER RISING by Mandi Tucker Slack



What the book says about itself:

Kadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns, but when she and her sister, Maysha, stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the author of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte's still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family.

Kadie and Maysha, upon arriving in Washington, are immediately immersed in Adelaide and Charlotte’s story. Kadie soon learns that Charlotte disappeared the night of a tragic fire that took the lives of Adelaide’s entire family. With the help of Logan Mathews, Adelaide’s handsome grandson, and Charlotte’s ever disconcerting presence, Kadie delves into the past. Hoping to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance, Kadie immediately discovers the secrets contained in the journal will toss her and Adelaide’s family into a world filled with mystery, past regrets, and dark unknowns.

  

What I have to say about it:

This was a good book with a great plot and fun storyline. The little hints of supernatural elements like a ghost were well done and something that even I could accept. I liked the characters and felt I was really getting to know them. (Little sister Maysha was one of my favorites) I even developed an understanding for the bad guy. The motivations of the bad guy seemed a little strange at first, but people want to keep their secrets buried deep and not ever admit to wrong doing. The only thing I didn’t buy in this story was how fast the relationship developed between the love interests. Through their experiences together, it was natural and evolved in a way I could accept, but it was just way fast for me. Mandi’s other story THE ALIAS was a quickly developed relationship too, but for some reason I accepted it better.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and finished it quickly. It’s a clean romance with hints of religion, but nothing preachy.

Find it on AMAZON HERE

Find it on Barnes and Noble HERE

Book Review: Adversarious by M. L. Chesley

ADVERSARIUS


            By:  M. L. Chesley

M. L. Chesley is an Alaska based author, online blogger and MMORPG junkie. She has been writing fantasy for several years. Between writing, work and family she barely has time for much gaming, but some days, raids take precedence over all. If you would like to learn more about her world, created in this book, go to www.mlchesley.webs.com. You can also follow her blog at www.caledonialass.blogspot.com.

 

What the book has to say about itself: 

Two kingdoms, two goals.
The king of Relavia is determined to wipe out his warring neighbors in Paridzule, a worthy adversary for over five hundred years. News of an arranged marriage between his son and the daughter of his lifelong enemy has fueled the temper of Relavia's tyrannical king. What he doesn't realize is the true measure of his son's honor and how far he is willing to go to gain peace.

What I have to say about it:

I didn't really know what to expect from this book. I'd heard hints about it, but I purposely didn't look up anything about it because I wanted to come at it fresh with no previous prejudice. I do wonder if that approach is what made me unsure which character was the Main Character. (I'm still not exactly sure, but I'm thinking its two of them.)

Things I really liked.  The story gets off to a start with a battle scene on a ship being attacked by Pirates. (she spelled it weird, but I can't remember exactly how it was) The world building was wonderful. The variety of characters was fun. And usually when you have that many characters in a story, you begin to lose some of them, or they become 2 dimentional, but all her characters felt pretty developed to me. I even remembered who most of them were even the ones who only showed up in passing. Something I thought was well done. Not even their weird names could throw me off.
There wasn't really any romance per se, but it was still a romantic type book. The two characters who love each other, don't even interact really except in a flashback, but I was still rooting for them. 
There are also side stories, and supporting characters who have wonderful interactions with each other, and there is always excitment and adventure and even more fight scenes. (including assassins.)

Things I didn't like so much, and some of this might be a bit of a spoiler, but I'll try to be careful.  This book seemed to stop too soon for me. I know it is the first in a series, and it wasn't like I was left with a cliff hanger or anything, but I really wish she would have been able to keep going. I want to know what happens to those people right away.
I kind of know what the plot is, but there are a variety of side plots that enhance the story, but also make it so this book couldn't complete a full circle without becomming too large. I didn't like it that the two I was rooting for didn't end up together, but I'm pretty sure it will happen in another book. (It better!)
There were a few spots where I stopped believing in the magic because I couldn't help feeling the same way about it as the characters did when they found out the limitations of magic, but later on it was explained in a way I could accept.

Overall, this is a fun book. Pretty hefty, and not a light or a short read, but it is enjoyable. I really am looking forward to the next book because I have to see what happens next.


Check it out on Smashwords HERE
Check it out on AMAZON HERE

Book Review. The Tyrant King by Cheri Chesley

    

Here's what the book has to say about itself:

Krystal's peaceful life as queen of Fayterra is shattered when a stranger arrives with a connection to Jareth that threatens to change everything. Soon her loved ones are threatened, her people are under attack, and Krystal must face a devastating loss. As the future becomes bleaker and the mystery continues to unravel, Krystal's enemies will learn just how far she will go to defend the people she loves.

Here's what I have to say about it:

This was a fun read. Krystal was the Peasant Queen (see below) so some of what I say here will be a spoiler for the Peasant Queen. Now that she's married to King Jareth and they have a son and her Sister-in-law's wedding is coming fast, we get to meet the son of King Greggory (the bad guy from the Peasant Queen.) But Krystal didn't know Greggory had a son, so his arrival is a surprise. One they aren't sure what to think of.
Donovan is a good looking friendly type guy, but you can't help wondering about his motives. He comes to the castle to attend his cousin's wedding, and get a feel for the people and life there. Then  he shows his true colors as an angry and jealous man. He wants what would have been his had his father lived to give him the kingdoms he gained by his own betrayals.
Donovan demands the kingdoms be given to him, and when he's refused he wages war against them. Krystal isn't your typical queen. She grew up on a farm and has some ideas that aren't quite in line with a perfect queen, but she isn't going to let anyone stop her from protecting the people and country she loves. Krystal even gets to work some magic, but she doesn't solve her problems with magic, she gets into things by pulling up her sleeves and using a sword. (something I loved since magic can't take care of everything.)
There is sweetness and romance. Kissing and babies, but you don't have to worry about it being inappropriate. No blushing going on here. The romance is throughout the story. The characters are all well developed and I found myself really rooting for them. Though there is war and fighting, and one scene where there's a bit of blood, it isn't going to give you nightmares either. I'd recommend this book to anyone. But I'd also suggest you read the others first. They are available in print or ebook form.


The other books in this series are also available.

  Where we learn about Greggory's mother, and King Jareth's grandmother. (one warning about this. Though it is excellently written and the story is very engaging, it has a non- traditional ending that some readers didn't like. (not your happily ever after, but who really has those all the time anyway.)

 

 

  Where we get the story of Krystal who loves Jareth, but is kidnapped by Greggory.

Read the Peasant Queen first, then the Wild Queen, then The Tyrant king if you're looking for what order to start.


check them out on Amazon HERE
Barnes and Noble HERE
Smashwords HERE

See Cheri's website HERE . You can learn how to enter in for a $50 amazon gift card just for reading this review.