#BookReview - Foreigner In My Own Backyard - Humor

Title: Foreigner In My Own Backyard

Author: Travis Casey

Genre: Autobiographical humor

Release Date: August 1, 2014

My Rating: 4 stars!

A family crisis brings Travis Casey back to the land he used to call home after living in England for the past two decades.

His parents need him – not as a carer as he expected, but as someone to drive them from Florida back to their home in Minnesota.

Just as well; he’s not a caring person, but he is a damn good driver.

But the country is not how he left it…

Casey uses his own brand of humor to explore what has changed in America since he lived there – that’s when he’s not recounting the chaos that occurs as he attempts to reestablish himself as an American. He discovers that entering the United States with his British wife is more difficult than he had anticipated.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

--Chinese Proverb

A journey of seven thousand miles begins with a trip to the US Embassy

-- Travis Casey Experience

Website http://traviscasey.com/

Foreigner In My Own Backyard on Amazon

Review: 

I'm a big fan of Travis Casey and his brand of humor. Though much different from his fiction works (in Tyler's Trouble Trilogy books are far-fetched Navy journeys of laughter and thrills) I still really enjoyed this one. This autobiographical story about Travis Casey and his wife uprooting their lives in the UK to move back to America to take care of his aging parents is so easy to relate to. Many of us have to sacrifice for the love of our family. Travis' parents are lovable and exasperating all at the same time, and it was great reading about the different trials they go through with Dad not wanting to give up his independence and Mom becoming forgetful. It made me think so much of my grandparents and what we all face with age. 

There were a lot of funny bits in the book that gave me a good laugh, most notably a reference about a mountain and a molehill. As always, Travis Casey entertains. Read this book to get a glimpse into the mind and life of a writer, and a good chuckle along the way.

#BookReview ~ Salty ~ Action/Romance

Title: Salty

Author: K.S. Thomas

Genre: Action/Adventure Romance

Rating: 4 stars!

http://amzn.com/B00IHRQBE2

My Review: 

This is my first read by K.S. Thomas and I'm happy I was able to read it as a beta reader shortly before publication.

Salty is smart, sassy, and funny, and not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. I have to admit that the male lead, Finn, quickly captured my heart, even if Salty wasn't sure about him at first. When they are forced together for her protection, things are rather rocky for a while. Pirates and cops don't really mix, but somehow they are able to work together to go after the gangs and protect Salty's family.

The action is fast paced and exciting. I would say this book is more tilted toward action than romance, but I liked reading both. The ultimate baddie was a surprise to me, but everything tied nicely together in the exciting conclusion.

A fun read! Will be on the lookout for more from Thomas.

Happy reading!!
~~ Chantel ~~

#BookReview ~ The Timekeeper ~ Jordana Barber

Title:    The Timekeeper ~ Book One of the Aliis Mundi Series
Author: Jordana Barber
Genre: Fantasy/Angels/Paranormal Romance
Rating: 4 stars

The Timekeeper, one of the manipulators of the threads of fate, is now the target of Angels. After being on the protected list of every race known since her existence, Ilana is now forced to knock the rust off her Assassin training. Her death will trigger the end of time, but with her Dragon husband, a Demon King, and her own group of oddball guardians as her only chance, she might be able to save herself. Deception lingers in the Timekeepers world, and the beginning of the end of time hangs in the balance.

My Review

I have to say, this book is very different from anything I have read before. There is a bit of mythology, a bit of modern religious beliefs, and a very compelling voice from the demon princess herself. 

In the first couple pages, I honestly wasn't certain I would enjoy  this book. There is quite a bit of back story given about Ilana's 'real' life on the other side of the veil, what her job is, and the people surrounding her and her family, that I thought I would get lost. However, the voice of the character was so compelling and entertaining that I had to read on. And I'm glad I did.

I really, really like Ilana. She is tough, capable, and does her best to do what she sees as right, even if she is half demon and certain values (such as faithfulness to one's spouse) aren't quite in keeping with a traditional romance story. I was drawn in by the problems she faced, the fact that she was helping fallen angels, trying to protect her family (and really everyone with the job she has), and the strength she had within herself to do what needed done. I also enjoyed the details about mythology and other fantasy elements incorporated into Barber's world. 

There were parts in which I got confused as to which character was speaking, which did detract slightly from my overall enjoyment. That said, it was never enough to stop me from reading. The idea for this story is unique. I felt as though the main characters weren't just a rehash of everything I'd already read before, and I think it's a great start to the series. 

Four stars from me and a wonderful job on this author's debut book. I look forward to reading more by Jordana Barber and more in this world she has created.

You can find TheTimekeeper on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Timekeeper-Aliis-Mundi-Series-ebook/dp/B008Y6B0Q0/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t  

Happy reading, my friends. Have a great week! 
~~ Chantel ~~

#BookReview ~ Crisis of Identity by Denise Moncrief ~ Romantic Suspense

Title:     Crisis of Identity
Author: Denise Moncrief
Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Rating: 4 stars

Book blurb:

Tess Copeland is an operator. Her motto? Necessity is the mother of a good a con. When Hurricane Irving slams into the Texas Gulf coast, Tess seizes the opportunity to escape her past by hijacking a dead woman’s life, but Shelby Coleman’s was the wrong identity to steal. And the cop that trails her? He’s a U.S. Marshall with the Fugitive Task Force for the northern district of Illinois. Tess left Chicago because the criminal justice system gave her no choice. Now she’s on the run from ghosts of misdeeds past—both hers and Shelby’s.

Enter Trevor Smith, a pseudo-cowboy from Houston, Texas, with good looks, a quick tongue, and testosterone poisoning. Will Tess succumb to his questionable charms and become his damsel in distress? She doesn’t have to faint at his feet—she’s capable of handling just about anything. But will she choose to let Trevor be the man? When Tess kidnaps her niece, her life changes. She must make some hard decisions. Does she trust the lawman that promises her redemption, or does she trust the cowboy that promises her nothing but himself?

My Review:

I have been wanting to read this book since announcing it's release on my blog a few months ago, and I'm so glad I finally got a chance to read it! This book opens full of action and doesn't let up. Denise Moncrief writes with a very intense, fast-paced style that is a bit different from what I normally read, but you are kept in the action throughout the book.

Tess definitely has issues, and I enjoyed how the what and why of her trouble unfolded throughout the book. Between Trevor and Jake, I didn't know who Tess should really be trusting, as my mind changed several times about which man was actually telling the truth. Tess, herself, is very tough and capable and I like her a lot.

The one problem I had with this book is that the action is so fast and intense and sometimes in between chapters there would be a jump in the action where we didn't see something that happened and it would take me a little bit to catch up and realize what had happened. However, if you like fast-paced action, this would be a plus.

I liked the subplot of what was going on with Shelby's life (the woman's identity Tess stole) and kept me intrigued. As the story progresses, Tess becomes even more likable, in my opinion, because of the choices she makes. Especially when it comes to family matters with her niece and ex's sister.

The big question for me is always about the romance. Which man really has her best interests in mind and who can she trust? These were the questions that kept me quickly turning the pages. When the romance finally came out, it was a bit fast and I would have loved the happy couple to have a little more time together (what can I say? I'm a sucker for the mushy bits) but I was happy that Tess had finally let herself open up to him.

The one thing that I saw as a drawback for this book is one of the big story questions was left unanswered. I'm hoping that means the author is doing a sequel, but I like all the major things to be resolved by the end of a book, so would have preferred to know the answer to this one - yep, I'm impatient! ;-)

This is a great, quick-paced read and I recommend it for your weekend reading pleasures. I'm so glad I finally had the opportunity to read this book, and I look forward to reading more books by Denise Moncrief!

Amazon Product Link

Happy reading, my friends! Have a fantastic weekend!

~~ Chantel ~~

#BookReview ~ Fly Away ~ Teen Fantasy

Title:     Fly Away
Author: Jennifer Donohoe
Genre: Fantasy/Teen Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars

Robin Sullivan is given a magical book where she can experience a better life in a new world called Tearmann. She can finally escape the terrible reality of life with an abusive, alcoholic father, her mother's schizophrenia, and her best friend's Leukemia. Robin must choose between deserting her real life or living in a world promising a better one. Events come into play forcing Robin to make a decision. Will she be able to save those she loves and still save herself?



Amazon Kindle Link



My Review:

Robin's life hasn't been the easiest, raised by an alcoholic father after her mother disappeared from her life. Robin's in for some surprises as she finds out who she really is and where her family comes from.

Only problem is, Robin puts others in danger while trying to help someone she loves very much, and now she must risk her life to make things right. Along with a group of men who are given guardianship over her and help her, she goes on an incredible journey that is one of self-discovery as much as setting right the things she put in jeopardy.

The story has a lot of neat places to explore and was quite the interesting read. More for teen readers or those who enjoy teen books, it was a little younger in tone than my normal picks. However, I really did enjoy the fantasy elements. I also thought it had a good moral or message as far as following rules and the consequences of disobeying laws/rules. 

If this sounds like the genre of book you'd like, pick it up for some nice weekend reading. Have a great one!

~~ Chantel ~~