Category Archives: 5 Flames

SHADOW HILLS
Author: Anastasia Hopcus
Source: Gifted

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: EgmontUSA; Reprint edition (May 10, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1606842153
ISBN-13: 978-1606842157

After her sister Athena’s tragic death, it’s obvious that grief-stricken Persephone “Phe” Archer no longer belongs in Los Angeles. Hoping to make sense of her sister’s sudden demise and the cryptic dreams following it, Phe abandons her bubbly LA life to attend an uptight East Coast preparatory school in Shadow Hills, MA — a school which her sister mysteriously mentioned in her last diary entry before she died.

Once there, Phe quickly realizes that something is deeply amiss in her new town. Not only does Shadow Hills’ history boast an unexplained epidemic that decimated hundreds of its citizens in the 1700s, but its modern townies also seem eerily psychic, with the bizarre ability to bend metal. Even Zach — the gorgeous stranger Phe meets and immediately begins to lust after — seems as if he is hiding something serious. Phe is determined to get to the bottom of it. The longer she stays there, the more she suspects that her sister’s untimely death and her own destiny are intricately linked to those who reside in Shadow Hills.

After reading this book, I only had one question for myself. Why the heck did I wait so long to read this book? I was skeptical at first when the book was gifted to me, but once I sat down reading it, I could not stop until the last page!


Phe was a great character.  She wasn’t too girlie, but she wasn’t a tomboy either.  She held her own amongst her group of friends who were great side characters in the book. Graham was a great friend to have for a guy.  The moment Phe meets him, I fell in love with him.  Then we have Zach who is the male lead of the story.  Hotness on a page that has all the things a girl wants in a boy! He was sweet, sensitive, protective and did I mention sexy?  Throw in some magic, mystery and friends to keep you grounded and you get the awesome book called Shadow Hills! 


The only problem I had with this book was that it ended!  Yes, things are resolved and you are left with the satisfying feeling of a great ending, but I didn’t want it to end.  I wanted more of the characters and thank goodness their is another book in the series coming out soon!  As a debut author, it can be hard to find a spot in the young adult genre and be remembered.  Well, this author has nothing to fear as she has just made it to the top ten of my list!

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY
Nicki Styx #1
Author: Terri Garey
Source: Personal Purchase

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (August 28, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780061136153
ISBN-13: 978-0061136153

SUMMARY:

There’s something about almost dying that makes a girl rethink her priorities. Take Nicki Styx—she was strictly goth and vintage, until a brush with the afterlife leaves her with the ability to see dead people. 

Before you can say boo, Atlanta’s ghosts are knocking at Nicki’s door. Now her days consist of reluctantly cleaning up messes left by the dearly departed, leading ghouls to the Light . . . and one-on-one anatomy lessons with Dr. Joe Bascombe, the dreamy surgeon who saved her life. All this catering to the deceased is a real drag, especially for a girl who’d rather be playing hanky-panky with her hunky new boyfriend . . . who’s beginning to think she’s totally nuts. 

But things get even more complicated when a friend foolishly sells her soul to the devil, and Nicki’s new gift lands her in some deep voodoo. 

As it turns out for Nicki Styx, death was just the beginning.

After reading Devil Without A Cause by this author, I just knew I was going to have to purchase the previous books written by this author.  Ms. Garey has the ability to keep me stitches with her writing and characters while enjoying a story that is fun and quirky.  The author’s writing reminds me of Lynsay Sands and her Argeneau series.  Fun writing and characters that are memorable make wonderful stories to sit down with.

In the first book of a series, Nicki Styx has a near death experience.  Dr. Joe Bascombe declares her dead, but Nicki surprises him by not taking death lying down!  When she awakes from her experience, she finds herself seeing dead people and not understanding why. While trying to get these spirits to go into the Light, she quickly falls for the handsome Doctor as well.  As the two start to develop a relationship though, an evil Voodoo worshiper decides to have fun with Nicki as well.  Add on the juicy gossip that Dr. Joe might be married in name only to Nicki’s long lost twin sister, and you have the makings of a Soap Opera in one book!

I loved Nicki and her rebel attitude.  She is fun and witty with enough spark in her to light off an army of fireworks!  I absolutely fell in love with her long time gay friend, Evan.  He was a riot and one I wouldn’t mind having around for ‘girl talk’ time!  The steamy romance between Joe and Nicki was great.  The author didn’t force their relationship and let it build at its own pace which can be tricky in a book.  I also liked the fact that the steamy scenes didn’t go overboard because this book was fun and carefree! I know you are shaking your head at me because you know I like the steamy romance scenes, but with this book it wouldn’t have worked out as well. 

If you are looking for a fun and laugh-out-loud dialogue, then I recommend you getting your fanny in gear to get this series! I, for one, cannot wait to start the reading the rest of the series! 

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

THE IRON QUEEN
The Iron Fey #3
Author: Julie Kagawa
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (January 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373210183
ISBN-13: 978-0373210183

SUMMARY:

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who’s sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I’m not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

MY THOUGHTS:

Just when I thought the author couldn’t throw any more blows to my heart, she turns around and produces a heart wrenching and action packed read titled The Iron Queen.  Just when you though the Fae were safe for a time being, the author brings her “A Game” with and action packed book full of romance, Fae, heartbreak, and everything in between.


It was amazing to read the creativity that the author has in portraying the Fae and their Kingdoms.  I wish I had the imagination that it takes to create something as masterful as this series.  I couldn’t stop reading this book even when real life wanted to interfere.  I told the family to fend for themselves and I hid in the bedroom engrossed with my book.  I was not to be disturbed until the last page was finished and burned into my brain. 

It is hard to explain what happens in this book without giving spoilers away from the previous novels in the series.  I can say that familiar faces return, love is tested, and Realms will be thrown through unlikely circumstances.  Your heart will pound with excitement, heartbreak, sorrow and happiness.

The Iron Queen is, in my opinion, the best book in the series so far!  I cried at the end like a great big and blubbering baby.  I couldn’t believe the author did this to me after three books!  All I can say is she better write with lightning fast speed and bring us the next book quickly!  If you haven’t had a chance to read this series, or if you haven’t even heard of it before now, you need to get it in your hands fast!  Take it from me, a person who procrastinates in reading about Fae and such, you will not be disappointed in this series!  


MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

FLESH EATERS
Author: Joe McKinney
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Paperback: 364 pages
Publisher: Pinnacle; 1 edition (April 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780786023608
ISBN-13: 978-0786023608

SUMMARY:

Battered by three devastating hurricanes in a row, the Texas coast is flattened. But for the people of Houston–and soon all of America–the most terrifying events are just beginning. . .They Rise. . .
Out of the flooded streets of Houston, they emerge from plague-ridden waters. Dead. Rotting. Hungry. And as human survivors scramble to their rooftops for safety, the zombie hordes circle like sharks. The ultimate killing machines.
They Feed. . .
Houston is quarantined to halt the spread of the zombie plague. Anyone trying to escape is shot on sight–living and dead. Emergency Ops sergeant Eleanor Norton has her work cut out for her. Salvaging boats and gathering explosives, Eleanor and her team struggle to maintain order. But when civilization finally breaks down, the feeding frenzy begins.
They Multiply. . .
Biting, gnawing, feasting–but always craving more–the flesheaters increase their ranks every hour. With doomsday looming, Eleanor must focus on the people she loves–her husband and daughter–and a band of other survivors adrift in zombie-infested waters. If she can’t bring them into the quarantine zone, they’re all dead meat.

MY THOUGHTS:

Stand back everyone! I have found a new reason to continue reading paranormal!  Why have I procrastinated in reading books about Zombies?  As if that cover is not creepy enough, the story left me with chills along the way as well.

I realize that this is the third book in a series, but I didn’t care.  I figured authors tend to recap things anyway.  So I also figured if I liked how this story evolved, then I could always go back and read the first two as well.  I have never heard of this author before, and frankly I was surprised at his writing. He does a wonderful job at his creative world, and the characters were great as well!

In this book you will find suspense in nearly every chapter, zombies that are not that hard to imagine in the future, destruction, and the gritty feel that is ever present in urban fantasy and end of the world imagination. I loved the characters and what each one of them brought to the story. If you are looking for a shocking and explosive read featuring the evil zombies of urban legends, this is the next series you need to read! 

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

THE IRON DAUGHTER
The Iron Fey #2
Author: Julie Kagawa
Source: Personal Purchase

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (August 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373210132
ISBN-13: 978-0373210138

SUMMARY:

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan’s own fey powers have been cut off. She’s stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can’t help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

MY THOUGHTS:

Can I start off by asking the author how she sleeps at night knowing she is breaking the hearts of the readers??!!  After the first book, I was on the fence trying to decide if I should join Team Puck or Team Ash.  After finishing this book in the series though,  I have taken my stand as Team Ash and the author made it such a hard decision.  My heart at first wanted Team Puck.  Who wants to resist a man –or fae– that can make you laugh even in the worst of times.  Although Puck had me laughing out loud at times,  Ash was the one who captured my heart with his love for Meghan.

In this book, we see hard to believe allies, romance that is tortured and conflicting, wars, and new characters that will capture the readers interest.  I loved the path the author took with Ironhorse in this book. I also loved meeting the Queen of Exile.  She was a blast who knew that shopping was a great emotional outlet! Grim, the cat, is also back in the second installment with his habit of hiding things but keeping you on your toes.

All I can say is that this book surpassed the previous book in action, writing and overall enjoyment.  The author definitely has grown from the first book and weaved a tale to keep me interested in the entire series.  The ending will leave you with your jaw opened and wondering what the heck is going to happen next?!  Thank goodness, I have the next book to devour just as quickly as the first two!  I now want to be trapped in one of the courts and find a Prince or a Puck of my own!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS