Neurotic Thoughts on Blood of the White Witch

Blood of the White Witch
Author: Lacey Weatherford
Released: October 28, 2010
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Pages: 254
Publisher: Moonstruck Media
ISBN: 9780984592630
Target Age: Young Adult
Source: Sent to me by the author through The Bookish Snob book tours for an honest review
Summary from Goodreads:

When love came knocking on the door of novice witch, Portia Mullins, in the form of handsome bad boy, Vance Mangum, she had no idea how quickly the attraction between them would escalate. Now she finds her relationship with Vance taken to a whole new level, in a way she had never dreamed possible at this point and time of her life. Yet even as the personal connection between them explodes, the two quickly find themselves in a world of shifting balances. While searching for Vance’s missing mother, they realize they are suddenly unsure of who to trust, learning that sometimes things are not always as they appear. When Vance’s demon characteristics abruptly begin to resurface again without warning, the horrible truth comes out, crashing down upon them and shattering some of their most precious dreams. Once the deadly plan is uncovered, Portia and Vance find themselves hastily rushing against the hands of time in an attempt to stop an ancient ritual from being performed. But will they be successful before fate reaches out to twist them cruelly, possibly separating them and changing magic forever? Passion, loyalties, powers, and family ties, will all be tested when dangerous adventures abound in this third installment in the Of Witches and Warlocks series, Blood of the White Witch.  

                                    I REALLY LOVED THIS BOOK!


I'm finding it harder and harder to review the Of Witches and Warlocks series without writing spoilers for the previous books. I must say that it really seems like each book is just a little better than the book before, and so far this one is definitely my favorite. In Blood of the White Witch Vance and Portia are happier than ever, and even more passionate than ever. All sweet and gooey. I found parts of this story to be a little predictable but then later when the story jerked the rug out from under me I suspected that maybe the author had lulled me into that state of predictability on purpose. Tricky tricky! Just a couple of warnings, this book had me crying, really more like sobbing actually, and be prepared for a MAJOR cliffhanger! I am in desperate need of the fourth book! The Of Witches and Warlocks series has become one of my very favorite.

I know this review is short and sweet but everything that I want to say is SO spoilery. Instead of giving anything away I'm just going to leave you now with a reminder that if you love sweet, sweet romance stories then you have just found a series that is sure to become one of your favorites.

Neurotic Thoughts on Townhouse

Townhouse
Author: Brian Rowe
Released: June 17, 2011
Genre: Horror
Pages: 243 according to my nook

Publisher: Self Published
A SIN: B0056P19DG
Target Age: Adult

Source: Review copy from the author for BLB Book Tours

Summary from Goodreads:

Sara Crimson isn't happy about moving into a shady apartment complex with a man she barely knows. But after discovering she's pregnant with her first child, she decides to try to make a relationship work with the baby daddy Max, an up-and-coming talent agent.

An aspiring novelist, Sara at first is elated with the additional free time she has to focus on her writing. But as the days turn to weeks, she starts to suspect that something peculiar is happening in the Executive Townhouses of North Hollywood, California. People start disappearing, strange noises echo down the corridor, and an old, creepy tenant finds his entertainment value in staring at her from afar.

But what Sara doesn't know is that the hidden horrors that lie inside the complex are far worse than anything her overactive imagination could have ever conceived...

                                                  I Really Like This Book!

If you like your books to get your heart racing and your adrenalin pumping, then you have to get your hands on Townhouse. Brian Rowe nailed the suspense, and the horror in this novel!

I haven't read a book like this in a long time, and now I remember why! I was really freaked out!! Since this is a horror/suspense novel, I'm pretty sure that is how I was suppose to feel. Luckily I don't have many neighbors or I'd be suspicious for months.

Brian's writing is engaging and quick to read, and by the end I was literally on the edge of my seat. Sara's character is very believable and real.  Her fears and thoughts seemed very genuine even if she was a bit judgmental, whiny and petty most of the time. By the end of the novel I had a bit more love for Sara. I enjoyed how the point of view occasionally switched to the other characters in the book so that I was able to get a broader perspective of the goings on in The Executive Townhouses. I would recommend this book to people that enjoy a good mystery, suspense and a bit of gore.

Townhouse is now available from amazon and  Barnes&Noble

 Make sure to check out the other stops on the Townhouse blog tour for more opinions, giveaways, and guest posts by Brian himself. 

8/8 – review @ Books Glorious Books
8/9 – review @ Fameless Ramblings
8/15 – review @ Workaday Reads
8/15 – giveaway @ Books Glorious Books
8/18 – giveaway @ Workaday Reads
8/20 – review @ My Neurotic Book Affair
8/21 – review @ Aobibliosphere
8/22 – excerpt @ Aobibliosphere
8/22 – review @ Just Another Book Addict
8/23 – excerpt @ My Neurotic Book Affair
8/23 – guest post @ Fameless Ramblings
8/23 – giveaway @ Just Another Book Addict
8/24 – review @ Imaginary Reads
8/27 – guest post @ Imaginary Reads

 

  As always thanks for stopping by!

Neurotic Thoughts on Without Mercy

Without Mercy 
Author: Belinda Boring
Released: July 8, 2011
Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
Pages: 20 This is a short novella
Publisher: Moonstruck Media
ISBN: 9781452452739
Target Age: Adult
Source: From the author for The Bookish Snob Promotions blog tour
Summary from Goodreads:

What would you do if a simple errand takes a deadly twist, turning you from cautious prey to dangerous predator?

When Darcy’s outing takes a turn for the worst and tests her to the point of breaking, she struggles to maintain her humanity. Where loyalty and pack mean everything, she surrenders to the inevitable and only an act of complete trust can touch her. When all is said and done, with memories flooding her mind, Darcy holds tightly to the only thing that makes sense – it was all a dream. Or was it? 

Seriously WOW!  I think this is my favorite novelette ever!!! Belinda Boring did an incredible job of pulling me right in and not letting go.  So much action and emotion in just twenty pages.  I can't wait for the next installment and more of Darcy and Mason. If you love werewolves, you won't be sorry that you picked up Without Mercy.

NeuroticThoughts on Raven's Kiss

Raven's Kiss
Author: Toni LoTempio
Released: April 11, 2011
Available from: amazon b&n smashwords
Target Age: Adult due to some sexual content
Source: I received this book for an honest review as part of the Book Lovin' Bitches ebook tour
Summary from Goodreads:

Raven Grace was a college senior with ambitions of a career in law enforcement when she met the demon Aega, whose bite turned her from mortal to Shapeshifter. Now a member of the Recovery Organization, Raven keeps the peace between humans and errant Hellhounds, trolls, wizards and the like while trying to track down Aega and bring him to justice. After a particularly dicey encounter one night with a Hellhound, she goes to the aid of a girl who’s been attacked and near death—and is amazed to find Aega’s bite mark on the girl’s arm. Determined to get to the bottom of this, she revisits the victim’s apartment and there discovers her closet is a portal to a parallel universe, where people she knows lead vastly different lives. She also gets a glimpse of the Recovery Captain there—a six foot, redheaded Scotsman named Finn McPhee, whose sexy accent and even sexier bod sets her senses aflame. Seeking answers, Finn takes Raven to the magickal underworld, where an ancient fae informs them the demon’s quest is rooted in Scottish mythology and magick. As they delve deeper into legend, the truth comes to light—Aega is only a pawn, subservient to another, darker demon…a being who knows the truth about Raven’s heritage, and who orchestrated her return to this parallel universe for the ultimate showdown. Now, Finn and Raven find their passion for one another must take a backseat to Raven’s battle with a dark force who won’t be satisfied until he’s claimed her soul for his very own…

 

                                                    I LIKED IT!

Raven's Kiss started out the tiniest bit slow, but  picked up wonderfully once Raven discovers the portal to a parallel universe. The idea of the same people in a parallel universe isn't a new idea, but I really loved the way Toni LoTempio wrote the characters in the bizarro universe. Raven's character is tough, brave, and just a little messed up. She harbors a raging hate for the demon Aega, with good reason, and is letting her feelings about him run her life. Finn McPhee is a sexy, fun character that despite not really believing Raven's story of being from another universe, still sets out to help her. I love reading a book that has a man with an accent, I can just hear it in my head the whole time. Once Raven and Finn started working together in the book, I was hooked. The two of them had great chemistry, and I loved their banter. My biggest and really only problem with Raven's Kiss was at the end of the book when Raven and Finn got up close and personal. I the found scenes to be a little crass and not really sexy.  I think I would have liked this to have been the kind of book where they had a super, steamy hot kiss and then the lights go out and we know what happened, but we aren't told what happened. I would recommend this book to the ADULT, urban fantasy, paranormal romance lovers out there. 

Neurotic Thoughts on Out of the Transylvania Night

Out of the Transylvania Night
Author: Aura Imbarus
Release Date: September 27, 2010
Publisher: Bettie Youngs Books
Target Age: Adult
Source: I received this book from the publisher for an honest review
Summary from Goodreads:


In an epic tale of identity and the indomitable human spirit, OUT OF THE TRANSYLVANIA NIGHT explores tyranny, freedom, love, success, and the price paid for misaligned dreams. An incredibly powerful memoir.
'I'd grown up in the land of TRANSYLVANIA, homeland to Dracula, Vlad the Impaler, and, worse, the Communist dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu—who turned Romania into a land of gray-clad zombies who never dared to show their individuality, and where neighbors became informants, and the Securitate made people disappear. Daylight empowered the regime to encircle us like starved wolves, and so night had always been the time to steal a bit of freedom. As if bred into our Transylvanian blood, we were like vampires who came to life after sundown. I buried the family heirloom jewels, tucked the flag into my sweater and left my outpost to join the action . . . tonight Ceausescu would die!'
Known for using stand-ins to pose for him, Aura doubts if it was even Ceausescu himself who was killed that night. Nevertheless, when her countrymen topple one of the most draconian regimes in the Soviet bloc, Aura Imbarus tells herself that life post-revolution will be different. But little in the country changes. With two pieces of luggage and a powerful dream, Aura and her new husband flee to America. Through sacrifice and hard work, the couple acquire a home, cars, and travel—but trying to be Americans is much more complicated than they expect. More difficulties set in: the stock market crash takes their savings, house, and cars; thieves steal three centuries' worth of heirloom jewels; and Aura's beloved mother dies.
Aura's marriage crumbles under the stress. Devastated, she asks herself, 'How much of one's life is owed to others?' Tested even further by the vagaries of fate, Aura discovers a startling truth about striking a balance between one's dreams and the sacrifices and compromises that allow for serenity, selfhood, and lasting love. More resolution comes when in 2010, Ceausescu's body is exhumed to answer questions of a cover-up, and Aura can finally lay to rest the haunting mysteries of her past.

I really liked this book!

I accepted this book from the publisher not really knowing what to expect, but wanting to broaden my reading horizons a bit. I'm so glad that I did. The story of Aura Imbarus was fascinating, heartbreaking and uplifting all at the same time. Aura takes us on the roller coaster ride of her life. While she has a beautiful family and is surrounded by love from them, the country around her is in turmoil and she dreams of making a new life in America. Things that I take for granted every day, were luxuries rarely had during her life in Romania. Reading about her struggles reminded me to be grateful for the country that I live in, and the blessings in my life. Her writing style was easy to read and very compelling. Definitely worth reading!

Neurotic Thoughts on Embody

Embody
Author: Jamie Magee
Expected Release: July 2011
Publisher: Lulu.com
Target Age: Young Adult - Adult
Source: Received from author as a part of the Book Lovin Bitches ebook tour
Summary from Goodreads

Not many Scorpio’s are known for their patience, and Willow Haywood is no different. Her only desire is to love Landen Chambers and redeem the lost souls of Esterious, but the path to that desire is long, dark and dangerous...
Before Willow’s life had a chance to balance the sudden revelations and grief she had to endure to get to Chara a disturbing discovery is made. A photo, one that shows Willow blissfully embracing the flawless image of Drake Blakeshire; giving her not only proof that she had lived before, but that she had loved him.
Running away from the memory of Drake’s hypnotizing touch, and the prophecy set before her seemed like the logical thing to do. That is, until a dark dream reignites her passion to save the hopeless dimension of Esterious. Willow struggles to find patience – to learn everything she needs to know before she faces Drake again, but her eagerness is dangerous and one step in the wrong direction takes everything and everyone away from her – the only way to survive this trial is for Willow to remember who she is and what she really wants out of this life. The question is….can she do that?

                                                   I Loved This Book!

Wow! This was such a great book. I found myself having to read Insight (book 1) a little slower than I normally read. The writing and descriptions were so beautifully detailed that I didn't want to miss anything. However, I felt like there was a lot more dialogue when reading Embody, and I was able to read it a bit faster. This did not in anyway take away from the story, in fact I definitely enjoyed Embody even more. I loved reading the next step in Willow and Landen's journey. I love, love, love Willow and Landen as a couple. The love, loyalty and trust that they have in each other is so amazing and is what the entire dimension of Chara is based on. What a wonderful world that would be! The introduction of new characters Evee and Stella had me entranced and that part of the story ended up being my favorite. I still love the idea of soul mates, it is just so romantic to me to know that there is just that one perfect person for everyone. I really hope that there will be more books in this series because I really want more of this wonderful world. 

Join Jamie on tour!

6/20  review @ Sara Is Reading What?   

6/21  review @ Workaday Reads    
6/24  review @ Reader Girls  
6/26  review @ Midnight Book Girl   
6/27  review @ My Neurotic Book Affair   
6/28  giveaway @ Workaday Reads
6/29  review @ Ramblings of a (Future) Librarian 
6/30  giveaway @ My Neurotic Book Affair
6/30  review @ A Chick Who Reads 
6/30  giveaway @ Ramblings of a (Future) Librarian
6/30  giveaway @ Lisa's World of Books
7/1    excerpt @ Reader Girls
7/1    review @ It's All About Books
7/1    review @ Just Another Book Addict  
7/1    interview @ Midnight Book Girl
7/2    excerpt @ A Chick Who Reads
7/2    interview @ Just Another Book Addict
7/2    review @ Lisa's World of Books
7/3    excerpt @ It's All About Books
7/5    review @ The Phantom Paragrapher 
7/6    excerpt @ The Phantom Paragrapher 

 

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

 

Neurotic Thoughts on Insight

Insight
Author: Jamie Magee
Released: July 20, 2010
Published by: Lulu.com
Pages: 314
ISBN: 0557522935
Target Age:  Young Adult and Adult
Source: Received by the author for an honest reveiw
Summary from Goodreads

Before that fateful summer night, Willow had balanced the insight of emotion, and the vivid images. That night, the figure in her nightmare marked her wrist with a star, giving her father no choice but to tell Willow a family secret that would abruptly change life, as she knew it, forever. Before Willow had time to absorb the shock of her father's secret, her soul mate that had shared every stunning dream with her, found her, and darkness captured her closest friends. In order to save them, she must weave through broken myths and the undeniable power of the Zodiac. In the end, Willow discovers that at the moment of our birth we are all given a divine gift.

                                             I really liked this book!

There is so much I want to say about this book. Like how beautifully it is written. How the descriptions are so extraordinary that you can see what is described perfectly.  How you want the characters to be your family because they are so amazing.  If I knew you had read this book I would love to discuss with you the depth of the love that Willow and Landen share.  Or how amazing and loyal Willow is when it comes to her friends.  Or how I don't think Drake is as evil as you first think he is, because really aren't there usually shades of gray to the darkness. However, I don't know if  you've read this book and I would hate to give anything away because most of the fun of this story is discovering what's going on each step of the way.  If you enjoy reading fantasy, adventure, and love stories that make your heart melt, then read Insight and get back to me so we can talk about how awesome it would be to live in Chara.

Reunion - Review

Reunion
Author: Jeff Bennington
Release Date: April 1, 2011
Published by: nexGate Press
Pages: 336
Target Age: Adult
Source: author asked for an honest review
Summary from Goodreads:
David Ray killed eight students and then turned the gun on himself. He thought the shooting and suicide would fix his world. It didn't. The massacre threw Tanner Khan and the other survivors into chaos.

Twenty years later, Tanner and his fellow classmates reluctantly agree to hold a reunion to lay the past to rest. Although they suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, they come back to their hometown and reunite in the defunct school building. Old flames are rekindled, fears are ignited, and their lives are about to explode in a whirlwind of memories, haunted by the spirit of David Ray.

Once they're inside the school, they discover that a dark entity has joined them. It has come to collect a debt, long overdue, and someone has to pay. Will Tanner and his classmates overcome their fears, putting the pieces of their lives back together, or will they be consumed by their worst nightmare?

 This novel starts out heartbreaking!  Jump ahead twenty years and it turns suspenseful, and oh so creepy.  It was so great, I loved the shift! The characters are so well written that they reminded me of  the kids I went to high school with.  David Ray is a character that you have to hate because of what he does, but at the same time you feel so bad for him.  He's been through so much and treated so badly in his short life.  I loved how Jeff Bennington gave the survivors each strengths to go along with the weaknesses of their PTSD.  Reunion is a book that will have you glued to the pages, and will leave you thinking about it long after you've finished.


REUNION is available at Amazon and Smashwords.
 
You can also check it out on Goodreads, where Jeff is giving away two signed copies to Goodreads members between April 1 and May 15, 2011.
 
Join me tomorrow along with Jeff Bennington and learn more about one of the great characters from Reunion.  You'll also learn how you can win a kindle in Jeff's Reunion giveaway.

Beyond Beautiful - Reviewed

Beyond Beautiful 
Author: Jan Bornstein
Publisher: Back Channel Press
Released: December 2006
Pages: 286
Target Age: Adult
Source: Given to me from the publisher for review
Summary from Goodreads: 
It's hard enough for us mere mortals. In the rarefied, high-wattage atmosphere of the music world, rock stars Jenna Bradford and Scott Tenny struggle to find love.Two beautiful people living their lives in a fish bowl, where every rumor of happiness or grief becomes grist for the gossip mill, where every public moment is chronicled in close-up by paparazzi armed with cameras. Two human beings grappling with realities present and past as they seek to establish common ground and trust where their love for one another can blossom and grow. Two individuals experiencing the truest love either has ever known. Two giants of the music industry, both industries in their own rights, trying to make a life for themselves that is Beyond Beautiful.
JAN BORNSTEIN makes her literary debut with Beyond Beautiful, volume one of The Song Trilogy. A registered nurse, with degrees in psychology from Bridgewater State College and nursing from UMass Boston, she granted herself a hiatus from a busy career in home nursing care management to indulge her inner writer. She makes her home south of Boston.

There was so much going on in Jenna and Scott's lives but for some reason I was unable to connect with either of them.  As rock stars both Jenna and Scott are damaged goods however their problems seemed really forced and not quite believable to me.  I found myself putting this book down for long periods of time because I would lose interest and pick something else up.  I have to admit I won't be picking up the next book in this trilogy.  As always this is just one reviewers opinion and I know that there are some other reviews out there that are very positive.  So if you were thinking of reading this book and would like some other opinions you can view them here and here.