#BookReview ~ Dead Ever After: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel

Title:  Dead Ever After: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel

Author: Charlaine Harris

Rating: 2 stars

THE FINAL SOOKIE STACKHOUSE NOVEL

There are secrets in the town of Bon Temps, ones that threaten those closest to Sookie—and could destroy her heart....
Sookie Stackhouse finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back at Merlotte’s. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. But her relationship with Eric Northman is not so clearcut. He and his vampires are keeping their distance…and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated.

Then a shocking murder rocks Bon Temps, and Sookie is arrested for the crime.

But the evidence against Sookie is weak, and she makes bail. Investigating the killing, she’ll learn that what passes for truth in Bon Temps is only a convenient lie. What passes for justice is more spilled blood. And what passes for love is never enough…

NOTE: After having a day away from the book to cool off a bit, I just want to put a side note here that I feel very bad about having to leave a 2 star review. I try so hard to never be a negative person and I understand how hard creating something from nothing and pouring yourself into the pages is. However, after thinking on it all night, I still think my review is accurate and fair. 

My Review:

Ugh and what? I am so upset and disappointed by the way this series ended as a whole. I feel like promises were made to the reader about what would happen clear back in the fourth book, and the author failed to deliver on those promises. That is to say nothing of the awful writing itself, or how hard this book was to read.

I pre-purchased this book months before it was due out. Before I had a chance to read it, I saw a post on Facebook of Charlaine Harris' about how upset she was about people not understanding her artistic vision and attacking this book. Already having a clue for what I must be in for, I decided to put off reading it, in the hopes that once my expectations were no longer there, I'd be able to enjoy the story and forget about the negative hype.

First off, was this even written by the same author? The writing throughout is just...horribly hard to read. When switching from first person point of view with Sookie, suddenly we are in third person and not only do we not stick with just one person, it jumps to the heads of each person in the room. I got whiplash wondering who's thoughts I was reading. A single paragraph would take up an entire page in my Kindle and switch topics so many times...with even more than one person speaking in the same paragraph. Was there a ration on how many times the author or editors could hit the enter key?

Then, there are all the extraneous details that were absolutely pointless! Description after description of food and conversations that went no where while they were eating. I kept thinking that surely there must be a reason behind these conversations, this elaborate description of their every mouthful while they ate. No...it was all filler. Nothing ever came to matter. Nothing! At one point, a neighbor stops by (who I'd never heard of) to drop off some food when Sookie has been hurt, and they sit and talk about the tomatoes Sookie gave her (which I don't remember seeing happen in the play by play we were given) and discuss the tomatoes. The great details on the garden throughout the entire book, I thought that would be significant. Maybe it was in a way, but not for the amount of time spent on it. After the neighbor finally leaves, while we are waiting to see what happens in the next room, Michele calls. While this at least did lead to something happening, it seemed a rather drawn out conversation...maybe because I was already annoyed.

There was time after time of those instances. Now, on to the spoilers which I never do, but I'm so upset.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Eric... After all their trials and triumphs, after killing anyone who got in his way including a king, after defying everyone and everything for them to be together...he just gives up? What the heck? He risked everything before to be with Sookie, and now she's not worth it? Eric is a freaking 1000 year old vampire. He's really going to go with Freyda and do something he doesn't want to do as long as they promise not to hurt Sookie? Really? Leave Pam in charge of his little bar and not take her along wherever he went? This is the story line I was most disappointed in. They always worked together before (even if Eric was devious in ways). Last time someone threatened them, they pulled off an elaborate plot  and killed their enemies. This made absolutely no sense and I'm angry at what the author did here. She broke every promise the entire series held. 

And Sookie? Don't get me started on her. Oh, my boyfriend just left me but I'm not sad because I'm a heartless bitch in this book. Don't worry about it. I'm going to have hot, steamy, mind blowing sex with Sam and everything will be okay. I'm going to be happy for my life because I always wanted to be with Sam. - Her reactions were so unrealistic and so bad.

Finally, Claude. Seriously? I would have been okay with this, if it weren't for the blatant homophobe conversation. At first, I rolled my eyes because it seemed the author was trying too hard to make homophobe's the bad people. Then, I was left reeling because the way she ended portraying it, left me feeling she feels gays are the real problem. From everything I've read about her, I know that isn't true, but that is how it came across. It left me with a bad taste in my mouth that I won't soon forget. 

***Spoilers over*** 

In the end, I gave this book 2 stars instead of 1 in honor of the 9 books in this series that I did love. I wish I had stopped reading at book 10 and forgot about the final books (also skipping book 5, which I didn't particularly enjoy). I have enjoyed books by this author before, but after this I don't think I will be buying her books again. Although I would skip this book if I had the choice again, every reader is different. 

I'm off to new horizons, on to the next book on my list. Happy reading, my friends! I hope you find great books to love!

~~ Chantel ~~

Spotlight on author Jennie Sherwin

I want to thank the Members of the Board of the Rave Reviews Book Club for this incredible opportunity to be featured as the club's first “Spotlight” Author. You've all done a great deal of work to make this club a reality. To Nonnie Jules, Founder and President, thank you for founding the club and giving authors a place to hang their hats among friends. I am also grateful to my longtime friend Kathy Treat, Membership Director, for inviting me to join. Marketing and promotion are challenges for the first-time author. Being selected as the “Spotlight” Author, who receives marketing and promotion to the social media outlets as well as to print media, is truly a gift from heaven. Last, but not least at all, I send a special thank you to all the bloggers who agreed to host me on their site. I am truly grateful.

I have always loved to read, so it was natural for me to pursue a career where I could share my love of reading with others, which I did as a teacher of English. I liked writing, too, but it took years to hone my craft. I was fortunate to have wonderful mentors. One, in particular, at Random House, the trade publishing company in New York City, literally taught me how to think about writing, always holding the reader in mind and using that focus to sharpen the clarity of my text. My experience at Random House opened the door to a career in public health consulting. Working in a busy editorial office on publications for many clients, each with specific needs, gave me the perfect opportunity to gain experience writing or editing books, papers, and articles targeting different audiences at varying reading levels. As a service to all of the writers and editors who might be reading this blog, I'd like to pass along the names of the manuals that I've used throughout my career with links to their Amazon pages. They include the Chicago Manual of Style, Words into Type, New Hart's Rules, Fowler's Modern English Usage, and Scientific Style and Format.

Now to my book: In Intentional Healing…I tell the story of my transformation from a Western-educated woman who worked as a writer and editor in the field of public health, to a woman who awakened to a more Eastern-oriented way of thinking that included a de-emphasis on the individual and ego and an emphasis on collective consciousness and the soul. After bizarre symptoms upended my life, I sought help from Western medicine. No one I consulted could explain what was happening to me. No one, that is, until I met diagnostic detective, Dr. Leo Galland, who tied my symptoms to environmental illness and referred me to a pioneer in environmental medicine, Dr. William J. Rea, in Dallas, Texas, founder of the Environmental Health Center-Dallas. While at the EHC-D, I was introduced to the view held by doctors of environmental medicine that many chronic illnesses are triggered by environmental toxins. During treatment, I unmasked (or became aware of a sensitivity I had not recognized before) for sensitivity to electromagnetic fields. Dr. Rea referred me to Deborah Singleton, founder and director of “A Healing Place”, and her energy healing team. Energy balancing helped me respond to the treatment program at Dr. Rea's clinic. With Deborah's guidance I began the process of expanding my consciousness and understanding the real roots of illness. My journey, which included initiation into Reiki channeling and healing from Navajo hataali, took me from dark nights of the soul to a new way of thinking about illness.

Jennie Sherwin, author and editor

http://jsherwinblog.wordpress.com/

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Grimnirs - YA Paranormal Romance

Book Title:  Grimnirs

Series:  A Runes Novel

Author:  Ednah Walters

Release Date:  December 2^nd 2013

Genre:  YA Paranormal Romance

Publisher:  Firetrail Publishing

Presented by:  As YouWish Tours

Banner Made by:  Jamie Turner-Norton

BLURB

One lost love.

One lost best friend.

One hot soul reaper.

Straight out of the psyche ward, Cora just wants her life to be normal. She doesn’t want to see souls or the reapers collecting them. The love of her life, the guy she’s loved from a distance for years, has moved away without saying goodbye. So yes, she’s nursing a serious heartbreak. It’s no wonder love is the last thing on her mind when Echo storms into her life.

The chemistry between them is mind-blowing. The connection defies logic. It doesn’t help that Echo is the poster boy for everything she hates in a guy—hot, beautiful, and cocky. A general pain-in-the-butt. Being around him makes her feel more alive than she’s ever felt before. But more important, the souls leave her alone when he is around.

Echo is perfect for her. Echo might even be her soul-mate. There is only one problem. Echo is a freaking soul reaper. A Grimnir. The very beings she wants out of her life. Maybe normal is overrated because Cora wants it all. Answers. Love. A life. You see, once you fall for a Grimnir, your life will never be the same again.

EXCERPT

“Isn’t it late to be going out now?” Dad asked, standing. “You could always go tomorrow.”

“It’s only,” I glanced at my watch, “eight, and Raine would be there for me if it were you in the hospital, Dad.”

He reached for his jacket. “I’ll come with you.”

“No. I’ll be fine. I’m picking up a friend on the way. Go back to your work. I’ll call you when I get to the hospital and when I’m on my way back.”

He glanced at his computer. “No, I’m not letting you drive anywhere alone, muffin. I’ll tell your mother where we are going.”

Arguing with him was pointless once he made up his mind. “I’ll be by the truck. I want to get something from my car first.”

Outside, I saw Echo in the front passenger seat of my car. I opened the car door and peered at him. The runes on his body glowed. “My dad insists on taking me.”

“Good. We’ll finish our conversation later. Remember, your memories are gone because Norns erased them and replaced them with fake ones. When you get them back, it will all make sense.”

“You said the Valkyries don’t like you. Why?”

“I didn’t reap Mr. Cooper as a favor to Torin St. James, so he owes me. Valkyries don’t like owing us favors.”

I’d gone into selective listening at the name Torin St. James. “Raine’s boyfriend is a Valkyrie?”

He nodded. “Yep. He’s a hard ass, but a good soldier. We tend to steer clear of each other. Andris is young and an idiot.” He touched my cheek. “Go. Your parents are coming. Oh, don’t forget. No mentioning my name to anyone.”

That again? “Why would I do that?”

He smirked. “Because girls love to talk about guys they’re crazy about.”

I laughed. “You are one person I try not to think about.”

“You can try, but you can’t help yourself, doll-face.”

AUTHOR BIO

EDNAH WALTERS grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she’s at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans.

Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released by Pill Hill Press in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, was released April 2013. She’s currently working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN. Visit her at www.ednahwalters.com.

Ednah also writes YA paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. IMMORTALS is book 2. She is presently working on book 3, GRIMNIRS [Book 2.5] was released in December 2013. Read more about this series and the world she's created here www.runestheseries.com.

Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published five more books in this series. She's presently working on book seven. You can visit her online at or www.ebwalters.com.

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Calling all Book Bloggers...

Do you love romantic suspense books? Looking for something new? Book reviews are one of the hardest things to come by, but one of the most necessary for any author hoping to do any advertising. Since I'm wanting to really push the Agents in Love series once I publish the third book late this year, I'm scheduling a review-only tour with Irresistible Reads to start the process.

Love & Deception (Agents in Love - Book 1)

Publication Date: October 18th, 2013

Genre: Romantic Suspense

What if everything you believed in was a lie?

In hiding for six years, Carlie Hollis is tired of running. All she wants is to stay in Sayle, Washington and make a success of her struggling delicatessen. Because of her past, she’s suspicious of anyone who takes an interest in her.

Nick Kendall works as a spy in a top-secret government operation, protecting innocent people from danger. Sent to Sayle on a mission to infiltrate a suspected terrorist organization, Nick finds himself attracted to Carlie, an alleged key player of the group.

Despite her misgivings, Carlie develops feelings for the handsome stranger, believing he is there to help her. But when Nick finds evidence of her guilt, he’s given orders to do the unthinkable—eliminate the target, one he's fallen hopelessly in love with. Will he follow orders...or become hunted himself?

CONTENT WARNING: Violence, language, sizzling love scenes.

Want to know what other readers are saying so far?
“This is a great read with the right amount of suspense, love, romance, sexiness, and adventure at every corner. ”Melinda Hildebrand| 3 reviewers made a similar statement

“I've come to expect shocking twists from this author, and this book was no exception as it kept me hooked to the end. ”cms1171| 3 reviewers made a similar statement

“I look forward to the second book in this series because of that! ”alzzy| 2 reviewers made a similar statement

Interested in reviewing before the second book comes out in late April? Head on over to the Irresistible Book Tour sign up page! Form sheet is at the bottom of the post there.
http://irresistiblereadstour.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/reviews-only-tour-love-and-deception-agents-in-love-01-by-chantel-rhondeau/

If you are not a book blogger, but would still like to read this awesome book, check out the "Books by Chantel" tab for links to all your favorite book vendors!

Happy reading!

~~ Chantel ~~

#BookReview ~ The End ~ Romantic Suspense

Title: The End

Author: Denise Moncrief

Genre: Romance/Suspense
Rating: 4.5 stars

Amazon purchase link: http://www.amazon.com/End-Denise-Moncrief-ebook/dp/B00EZB7U3K/ 

Okay, I know it's been quite some time since I did a book review. Life gets crazy and reading gets pushed to the back burner for me (unfortunate, since I love reading so much). I've been planning to read The End for several months now, and boy am I glad I made the time!

My Review:

First off, let me just say that this was the kind of book that kept me saying to myself, "just one more chapter and then I'll go to sleep." I ended up staying awake until 4 in the morning to finish it the day I started, thinking upon going to bed I'd just read for an hour and put the book down. It is a fast-paced read that keeps you turning the pages.

Ellie's life has plenty of bad luck in it, and she can't believe how it keeps piling up. The widow is suddenly facing unemployment because she refused her boss' advances, and it becomes clear someone is stalking her and searching for something connected to her husband's death...she just has no clue what. Hot and hunky detective, Paul, has been her friend for two years, but after her husband's death their relationship started transitioning into something Ellie's not sure she's ready to face. Paul seems more than willing to protect her from whoever is after her, but here comes more trouble for poor Ellie - suspicions arise surrounding Paul and she's not sure she can trust her one confident and the man she's falling for.

Sometimes I became a touch annoyed with Ellie and her easy anger at Paul, how she switched so quickly between love for him and anger with him, but this was a minor problem. Also, the plot was pretty intricate with a lot of characters ending up being more important than I thought they would be. At the end, I had a hard time remembering who certain people were. This could be a failing on my part, not the author's, because I was reading so late into the night and the conclusion of this one did surprise me. Just be prepared for a twisted plot. I actually thought I had it figured out for about half the book, and was a bit disappointed I had, and then I was blindsided (in a good, logical way) as to who the culprit actually was. 

Other than Ellie's occasional strange behavior toward Paul, I found the chemistry and sexual tension between them to be hot and enjoyable to read. I loved the scenes with Paul in them the most, whether they were tender moments or danger filled. When Ellie finally became honest with herself, I could understand and feel her hesitancy and agony over what to believe and how she should feel.

I would say this story is mixed pretty well between suspense/mystery plot and romance plot, and I was happy with the way each concluded. There is no swearing or outright sex in this book. I found it to be a sexy, tense, page turner that I just couldn't put down until I reached the end. Denise Moncrief continues to grow as an author and I look forward to more of her work!

Happy reading, my friends! 

~~ Chantel ~~

Free Christian Mystery - Jan 16-20

Title: The Collins Case

Series: Heartfelt Cases (Book 1)

Author: Julie C. Gilbert

Release Date: October 31, 2012

Genre: Christian Mystery

Presented by: As You Wish Tours

Banner Made by: Camelia Miron Skiba

BLURB

Working for the FBI certainly isn’t a “normal” job, but Special Agent Julie Ann Davidson has never encountered a case as personal as this one. Although not officially assigned to the case, Ann and her partner, Patrick Duncan, take up the cause of finding Rachel, Jason, and Emily Collins. As if that task wasn’t enough, Ann and Patrick also have a baffling case of internet thievery to investigate.

Who is Christopher Collins and what about his past is endangering his family? Where are Rachel and the kids being held? Where is God in the midst of chaos? Will Ann and Patrick arrive in time or will they find only pain?

 EXCERPT

After work on Thursday, Rachel Collins stopped at the grocery store for basics and something special for dinner. Having heard many horrible stories, she didn’t dare leave the children alone in the car. Warnings about best behavior fell upon deaf ears. Somewhere, she found the patience to tolerate Jason and Emily’s childish antics.

“Why you frown, Mommy?” Jason asked.

“I’m just tired, Jay,” replied Rachel. Her mind took a trip back to the office where a thousand little things had gone wrong. The secretary’s morning car accident had added considerable stress to Rachel’s hectic life. Her trust in God’s sovereignty didn’t make lousy days any easier to live through.

For years she had believed Christ to be mere church rhetoric. Finally, during a particularly rough college year, she had accepted God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. It pained her that Chris avoided church. Come Sunday, Rachel forced a bright smile, sang in the choir, helped in the nursery, and coordinated other children’s ministries. In fact, she kept herself so busy with work, kids, and church that her spiritual walk floundered. Stress and bills were her biggest problems, but she understood that they allowed her family light, food, warmth, and a fine home in the great state of Pennsylvania. She knew the ‘could-haves’ and the ‘what-ifs’ could drive her mad so she decided not to worry about the future.

“When we get home, you need a nap,” Jason said.

Her son’s solemn suggestion drew Rachel back to the present. She chuckled softly. Children were a blessing, even if they did jump all over her nerves sometimes.

“Cookies!” Emily shouted, pointing with a tiny finger.

Annoyed at herself for wandering down the wrong aisle, Rachel winced at the volume, grabbed Emily’s wildly waving hand, and said, “Hush, sweets, I see them.”

That’s what you get for not paying attention. Oh well, the damage is done. The pantry’s nearly empty anyway.

She let them each pick a favorite and finished the hike to the back corner where the main selection of milk and eggs were located.

Ingenious to put milk in the back, Rachel admitted.

Next, they swung by the fish department where Jason made a face.

Emily covered her nose and announced, “Stinky!”



About the Author
Julie mainly confines her writing to three genres: Christian inspirational, YA real-world science fiction, and normal science fiction.

She likes teaching, writing, reading, sleeping, doing puzzles, and hanging out with friends. (Not necessarily in that order)

Writing has made her super picky about the things she reads but normally, her reading list includes something that fits under the thriller, mystery, science fiction, or fantasy.

Occasionally, she attempts short poetry. The poems turn into songs, which she sings with abandon when nobody's looking.

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Cover Reveal - Seeress by Ednah Walters

Book Title: Seeress

Series: A Runes Novel #3

Author: Ednah Walters

Expected Release Date: April 2014

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Firetrail Publishing

Presented by: As You Wish Tours

Banner Made by: Julia Hendrix

BLURB

I love Torin St. James...

I crave his touch...

I need his strength...



Raine Cooper is certain of two things: her love for Torin St. James and her destiny to be a powerful seeress. But when she starts having premonitions, they are unclear and disturbing. Worse, they involve Torin. Not sure what to do, she keeps quiet.



But when the visions are about her and another man, Raine realizes she needs to talk to someone. Just her luck two new students arrive at her school and they seem to have answers. When with them, her powers are enhanced and her visions become clear. There is only one problem: Torin does not want Raine to have anything to do with the two girls but he won't explain why.



Can their love survive the secrets they are keeping from each other?



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

EDNAH WALTERS grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she’s at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans.



Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released by Pill Hill Press in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, was released March 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN. Visit her at www.ednahwalters.com.



Ednah also writes YA paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. IMMORTALS is book 2. She just released book 3, GRIMNIRS December 2013. Read more about this series and the world she's created here www.runestheseries.com.



Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published five more books in this series. She's presently working on book seven. You can visit her online at or www.ebwalters.com.

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