Category Archives: 5 Flames

EAT YOUR PEAS DAUGHTER
Author: Cheryl Karpen
Source: BookSneeze
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Hardcover: 80 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1404189831
ISBN-13: 978-1404189836

SUMMARY:

A delightful book to encourage your daughter and show her she is always in your heart.

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to encourage and inspire that special daughter in your life, look no more! Eat Your Peas® Daughters is a 3-minute read with a forever message. Small doses of simple truths and insights are hand-illustrated to express your unending love and desire for the very best for her life. It’s a wonderful keepsake and reminder that she’ll forever and always be your girl.

MY THOUGHTS:

I absolutely loved this book.  Sure it is a quick read, just like the cover and description said.  I still read it several times and enjoyed it.  As a mother of teens, this book helped me say the things I have wanted to say to them but never really have.  I always want my children to know that they can come to me with anything and that I am always here to listen to their problems.

At times, life gets in the way and I forget all of the promises I made to myself when I became a Mother.  With this book, not only does it remind me of these promises, but it lets my children know of these as well.  How many times have you wanted your child to talk to you but everyone is always too busy? With this book it reminded me that they still need their Mother and it reminded me to always be there when life gets busy.

The illustrations were cute and fit the theme of the book.  The pages had a texture to them that gave it that fancy feel to it.

If you are looking for a book to help talk to your teens or even to have as a keepsake for years to come, I would get this book.  Not only is it great to give your child, but it would also make a great gift for a new mom for Mother’s Day.  One I plan on buying for future baby showers!

MY RATING:

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

BITE CLUB
Morganville Vampires #10
Author: Rachel Caine
Source: Author
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: NAL Hardcover (May 3, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451233182
ISBN-13: 978-0451233189

SUMMARY:

After discovering that vampires populate her town, college student Claire Danvers knows that the undead just want to live their lives. But someone else wants them to get ready to rumble.

There’s a new extreme sport getting picked up on the Internet: bare- knuckle fights pitting captured vampires against each other-or humans. Tracking the remote signal leads Claire- accompanied by her friends and frenemies-to discover that what started as an online brawl will soon threaten everyone in Morganville…

MY THOUGHTS:

After my excitement of receiving this book in the mail died down from an extreme happy dance,  I quickly started devouring the latest installment in the Morganville Vampire series.  I wanted — no needed— more of the cast of characters and their constant struggle of vampires and humans coexisting together in one town. 


In Bite Club,  we get to see previous characters reappear, a new setting for the characters to immerse themselves in, and more obstacles for them to overcome.  What I absolutely loved more than anything in this book is how the author took a chance and changed the POV through out the book.  This series has been in Claire’s POV the entire ride, and in Bite Club we get to peek into Shane’s head as well.  Not only is Shane sexy, sweet, funny and charming at times, but now we actually get to read about his feelings and past events that shaped him into the guy he is. 


When Shane joins a new self defense class taught by a vampire, Claire starts to notice Shane changing.  He is angry at everything, starting to pick fights with Michael, and even goes as far as hurting Claire emotionally.  What he does to Claire was not only heartbreaking and had me mad, but it was torture now knowing if Claire was going to be able to pull him back from the dark place he was in mentally. 


Moving on to my next favorite character of the series, we get to see a lot more of Myrnin in this book.  I just love this crazy vampire!  The scenes where he is driving Claire and Eve around town was one of my favorites parts of the book.  Even though Myrnin is in typical better-than-humans form, I felt the author showed more of his compassion and fondness for Claire in this book. 


Then as the ending approached and previous enemies were dealt with, Shane finds out the secret that Claire has been hiding from him about his Father.  His reaction was perfect and fit with what has happened through out the entire book.  Plus we even get a few surprises involving Eve and Michael that I have been waiting forever for!


Not only do I love this series and adore the wonderful author, but I must say that Bite Club is probably one of my favorites of the whole series!  If you are a fan of the Morganville Vampire series, this is going to be one book you are going to want to read!  


MY RATING:

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

TRUTH OR DEMON
New Orleans Vampires #5
Author: Kathy Love
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Brava (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758231970
ISBN-13: 978-0758231970

SUMMARY:

If you ask Killian O’Brien, Hell gets a bad rap. True, he’s a demon, so he’s bound to be a little biased. But he’s got great job security, all the women he can handle, a body to die for–literally–and free reign to do as he likes. Or he did, until teenager Daisy Reed and her two friends got hold of a book of spells and summoned him to do their bidding. Their demand: find Daisy’s older sister, Poppy, a boyfriend. Can’t be that difficult, right? It’s not like the woman is unattractive. Truth be told, Poppy is irresistible–and mind-blowingly sexy. Which is exactly why finishing this simple little assignment so he can be sent back where he came from is turning out to be the hardest thing Killian’s ever done. . . 

MY THOUGHTS:

Poppy has had to grow up fast when her parents die.  She has to take care of her younger sister, Daisy, and pushes her own dreams aside to raise her.  After a bad break-up, she has also given up on ever finding love.  So Daisy decides to take matters into her own hands and summon a Demon to find Poppy’s soul mate.  Little did Daisy and her fellow teen friends know,  Killian O’Brien could be just what they are looking for instead of just a Demon to do their bidding.


I absolutely adored this book!  The characters were fun, amusing and felt real.  Killian was so much more than a Demon in this book.  You almost forget that he is actually a Demon from Hell!  He has charm, when he attempts to use it,  sexiness, and the patience to deal with young teens that believe in true love.  The only problem I had with this book was how naive Poppy was.  She believed everything that the young teens told her without much questioning.  


I loved how Poppy had self esteem issues to work through after her previous boyfriend ditched her.  What woman doesn’t feel frumpy and mousy at some point?  While Poppy knows she could never be supermodel gorgeous, she does want someone to love her as is.  At first Killian doesn’t know how he is going to find a soul mate for such a mousy and plain human, but he eventually realizes that there is so much beauty in Poppy that he wants her for himself.  The only problem is Killian is a Demon from Hell with no chance of being with a human. 


Personally, I can’t wait for the next book in this series by this author.  I loved everything about this book and who wouldn’t want a man like Killian? Perfect to read as part of the series, but can easily be read as a stand alone book.  Sexy, fun and full of spunk! A great read from a great author!


MY RATING:

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

THE SCREAMING SEASON
Possessions #3
Author: Nancy Holder
Source: Author submission
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Razorbill (March 17, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595143335
ISBN-13: 978-1595143334

SUMMARY:

The third novel in the bone-chilling Possessions series by New York Times bestselling author Nancy Holder.

The gutsy heroine of Possessions and The Evil Within returns for another year of boarding school at the haunted Marlwood Academy. Lindsay wakes to find herself strapped down in the infirmary. She had a breakdown and might have tried to kill her nemesis Mandy or Mandy’s boyfriend, Troy—or both. The details are hazy, but one thing is certain: she is possessed by a spirit she cannot trust. 

Lindsay soon realizes that nowhere on campus is safe. Then, she finds a surprising ally in her former rival. Together, Lindsay and Mandy must figure out who can be trusted—and who wants them dead. But when Lindsay’s ex-boyfriend shows up at Marlwood, she is given a chance to get away and be free of the curse. Will she take Riley’s hand and run, or team up with a new love to save Marlwood from the evil spirits forever?

MY THOUGHTS:

If you have been looking for a new series to satisfy your creepy cravings, then this is the series you need to read!  After reading and reviewing The Evil Within last year,  I had been waiting for the next book in this gripping series.  When the author asked me to review this book as well,  I jumped on the chance to read more about Lindsay!


First I want to say how I loved the quote on the very first page before you start chapter one. 

Silence is the most powerful scream.
–Anonymous

Lindsay wakes up in the infirmary after a breakdown.  The first chapter alone had me gripping the pages of this book.  The action and creepiness starts with a bang and doesn’t stop there.  I absolutely fell in love with this book in the series.  In my opinion, this is the best book in the series yet!  Want some suspense and scary horror?  You got it! The author delivered it with the ease that only a skilled writer can execute.  Even with the many young adults on the market featuring boarding schools as the backdrop,  don’t let the common theme of that spoil the series for you!  It fits with the theme and makes the book better! 


Personally, I own all three books in this series so far.  I can’t wait to see what will come next and hopefully soon since the ending left me craving more!  As each book progresses to something better and even more chilling,  I am sure the next book will keep up all night as well! A thrill ride that will keep you going through highs and lows along with the heroine!


MY RATING:

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

ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE
A Night Huntress Novel #2
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Source: Personal Purchase

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (April 29, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061245097
ISBN-13: 978-0061245091

SUMMARY:

You can run from the grave, but you can’t hide . . .

Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head—wanted: dead or half-alive—means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep things professional between them, she’ll find that desire lasts forever . . . and that Bones won’t let her get away again.

MY THOUGHTS:

After serious issues with the ending in the first book, I am happy to say that the author has redeemed herself with this book.  I was not happy with the way Cat left in the final chapters of the book before this one, and I was hesitant on reading the rest of the series because of it.  I didn’t want to get my hopes up again in this book and then the author pull the rug out from under me at the end.  Good thing she didn’t or I might have screamed!


In this book, we flash forward four years into the future.  Cat has been working for Don at the FBI group that is not well known. She is basically doing the same thing she did with Bones, but she is now working with humans as her back up.  When Bones shows back up in her life, everything starts to go crazy in Cat’s life.  She is hurt, elated, scared and angry all at the same time.  The feelings are the same with Bones who feels that Cat deserted him instead of trusting him.  


With kick ass fight scenes, witty writing and additional shockers to add to the story, this book surpassed my excitement from the last book.  The characters have grown and in turn have made relationships more concrete and lasting.  Friendships are developed, family is exposed and love scenes that will keep you flushed and hot all night long! (Go Chapter 32! RAWR!)


After reading One Foot in the Grave, it is safe to say I am officially hooked on this series.  I am intrigued and in love with the characters that captured my interest from book one and in this one!  I still have my favorites, and I still have my least appealing characters, but overall I am sucked into the world of fantasy and romance that this author writes so well!


FAVORITE QUOTES:

I couldn’t help staring at him.  I might be immune to vampire powers, but Bones had always been my kryptonite.
–page 93

“You’re dating a vampire!  You just admitted it!”  Tate burst out.
I shrugged.  “You know the old saying.  Once you go dead, no one’s better in bed.”
“Christos,” Juan muttered.
“I hadn’t heard that one,” Don stonily replied.
–page 153

With deliberate slowness, Bones began unbuttoning his shirt. I watched…..

Oh just read all of Chapter 32 because I am not typing it all out! RAWR!

MY RATING:

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