THE DARKLING by Keoni Anderson

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THE DARKLING
Author: Keoni Anderson
Source: Author Submission
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Paperback: 436 pages
  • Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (December 10, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1439264260
  • ISBN-13: 978-1439264263
SYNOPSIS:

The Darkling by Keoni Anderson follows Henry, a San Bernadino, California, high school student who desperately wants to escape the slums and get admitted to a good college. But when he stumbles upon a mysterious key and note in a local park, all bets are off for a normal college life, when the found items lead Henry to Sofa Re and the dark secret hidden in the shelves of Re’s innocuous bookstore. A hidden world of alien conspiracies, creatures, hunted fugitives, and relentless persecutors unfold before Henry, who is pulled into an alien civil war whose seeds were planted on Earth millennium earlier, now coming to life in the form of a conflagration in which Henry is destined to play a key role, changing him, his world, and a galaxy forever. Written in nail-biting prose and filled with compelling characters, author Anderson has created a space epic worthy of the best in the science fiction genre. This is a must read for any sci-fi fan, or anyone who loves a great story well told.
MY THOUGHTS:
I am not a big fan of Sci-Fi books.  When the author contacted me to review this book,  I thought it sounded great for my first book in this genre.  First of all, the cover is amazing!  It gives you the creepy and dark feel of what I think Sci-Fi books have.
When Henry finds a key in the park, he knows his quest for a normal life is not going to happen.  This had all the elements you would come to expect in this genre.  Aliens, conspiracy, bad guys and creatures of all sorts.  I dove right into it and even though some parts I found myself skipping over, I continued to read it.  The book had the definite Sci-Fi feel and plot to it.  
Even though this was a great book, I am still not sold on this genre.  If this is what I use my basis on though,  I would more than likely give it another go.  The author did a wonderful tale and had a wonderful plot!

MY RATING:



Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!

A HOUSE AFIRE by Emma Kinna

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A HOUSE AFIRE
Author: Emma Kinna
Source: Author submission (Thanks Emma!)
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review* 

  • Paperback: 504 pages
  • Publisher: PublishAmerica (December 4, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1448990874
  • ISBN-13: 978-1448990870
SYNOPSIS:
Phyllis Sorin has seen all sorts of people. With two kind Aunts who rent out the rooms of their house to anyone in need, the people she calls family are a little different from most. There’s Bill, who takes on the personalities of movie characters. There’s Quincy, whose best friend is a drag queen. There’s Anna, an opera singer and kung-fu master. And Phyllis, well, she’s not exactly normal herself. But even as she begins to navigate high school’s social jungle, Phyllis finds comfort and humor in her odd home. When Dominick Siddons moves in, however, all of Phyllis’s priorities become inferior to finding out his secret. A young lawyer with a vicious wit and ferocious temper, Sid may understand Phyllis in a way no one else can. And through truth and fiction, through the inevitable chaos of the house, Phyllis finds much more than she bargained for.
MY THOUGHTS:
This was a fun and unique book with great detail and flow to the story.  The characters could get a little wacky which is what I loved about this book. Talk about some out there talents though!  Within just a few pages, you are saying wow!  The story does seem to drag though in certain spots due to lots of dialogue.  There is suppose to be a sequel to this book as well.  
Overall a good book that was a good read.  It is definitely different than my usual reads, but that is not a bad thing.  If you want to step out of your reading box, this could be just the book!

MY RATING:



Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!

THE HOUSE OF TOMORROW by Peter Bognanni

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THE HOUSE OF TOMORROW 
Author: Peter Bognanni
Source: Publisher
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Hardcover: 354 pages
  • Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam (March 4, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0399156097
  • ISBN-13: 978-0399156090
SYNOPSIS:
Sebastian Prendergast lives in a geodesic dome with his eccentric grandmother, who homeschooled him in the teachings of futurist philosopher R. Buckminster Fuller. But when his grandmother has a stroke, Sebastian is forced to leave the dome and make his own way in town.
Jared Whitcomb is a chain-smoking sixteen-year-old heart-transplant recipient who befriends Sebastian, and begins to teach him about all the things he has been missing, including grape soda, girls, and Sid Vicious. They form a punk band called The Rash, and it’s clear that the upcoming Methodist Church talent show has never seen the likes of them. Wholly original, The House of Tomorrow is the story of a young man’s self-discovery, a dying woman’s last wish, and a band of misfits trying desperately to be heard. 
MY THOUGHTS:
At first, I wasn’t to sure about this book.  The blurb on the book seemed to be a little out of my comfort zone of reading.  I decided though, that if I was going to expand my reading experience, I should give it a go. I am so glad that I did.
This book was such a great read. It was quirky, fun and heartbreaking all at once.  Before you even realize it you will be on the last chapter. It has teen life, music, and romance.  You will find yourself thinking back to your teenage years without even realizing it.  Each character has a flaw, but that is what makes this book great. It is a moving book without making you think too hard.  

MY RATING:



Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!


DOUBLE TROUBLE by Susan May Warren (BLOG TOUR)

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DOUBLE TROUBLE
Author:  Susan May Warren
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (January 11, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1414313136
  • ISBN-13: 978-1414313139
SYNOPSIS 

With one solved case under her belt, PJ Sugar is ready to dive into her career as a private investigator. Or at least a PI’s assistant until she can prove herself to Jeremy Kane, her new boss. Suddenly PJ’s seeing crime everywhere. But is it just in her head, or can she trust her instincts? When she takes on her first official case—house-sitting for a witness in protective custody—Jeremy assures her there’s no danger involved. But it soon becomes clear that there is someone after the witness . . . and now they’re after PJ, too.

MY THOUGHTS:
This is the second book in a series and I really recommend you read the first book before reading this one.  I had a hard time trying to figure things out, even though near the end of the book, it explains it all.  It could possibly be read alone, but not without some confusion at first.

Once you get into the book though, the characters humor and the way she is always causing trouble for herself will keep you hooked.  PJ is in training to be a private investigator, but she seems to make more work and trouble for herself than learning! It is comical to see what happens to her and what she will do next.  The character is likeable and she draws you into her world just to find out what is coming next.  Some of the stuff is so out there, but you can’t help but laugh at her. 

Not only does the book have great mystery, but the author throws in a love triangle that leaves you rooting for all the people involved. It makes it hard for you to decide which one you want to prevail. 

A great book for all.  The humor, witty writing and chick lit feel was enough to keep me interested for the whole book. 

MY RATING:


Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!
 



SIZE EIGHT IN A SIZE ZERO WORLD by Meredith Cagen

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SIZE EIGHT IN A SIZE ZERO WORLD
Author: Meredith Cagen
Source:Author
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Paperback: 340 pages
  • Publisher: iUniverse (November 23, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1440169748
  • ISBN-13: 978-1440169748
SYNOPSIS:
Meet Lindsay Chandler-a 32 year-old New York working wife and mother with old-fashioned values who thinks she’s living a fairy tale life (she’s not). Then an unexpected friendship with her upstairs neighbor (he is smart, successful, sophisticated and sexy- she’s not) unleashes her passion and re-ignites her sparkle. This liaison causes her to question the way she lives her life. Yearning for a storybook ending, she decides to make changes in her life, embarking on a quest for self re-invention.
MY THOUGHTS:
Are you looking for a sassy and upbeat book to read?  The author did a wonderful job of writing a witty and fun book with Size Eight in a Size Zero World.  Not only will this book make you scream at Lindsay for some of the choices she makes, but you will stand up next to her for the decisions she finally realizes are the right ones.  She gets tired of being a doormat and wakes up and realizes there is more out there. A great plot that finishes up nice at the end.  Some parts seem to drag out, but the end is worth the wait.

MY RATING:


Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!