Category Archives: Uncategorized

REAL VAMPIRES,
NIGHTSTALKERS,
& CREATURES
FROM THE DARKSIDE
Author: Brad Steiger

*I received this book free of charge from Visible Ink in exchange for an honest review*

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Visible Ink Press (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578592550
• ISBN-13: 978-1578592555

SYNOPSIS:
A chilling chronicle of the often ignored history of vampirism as it has surfaced repeatedly in news articles, historical accounts, and first person interviews, this shocking account of occultist rituals and the inhuman forces that influence them shines a light on the horrifying truth. Revealing that real vampires are not immortal, do not have fangs or sleep in coffins, and have no fear of sunlight or crucifixes, the examination dispels many myths but also confirms the truth behind several traits of real vampires, such as the insatiable thirst for blood and the dream of an eternal soul. Complete with 30 spine-tingling tales of the hideous wraiths and creatures that lurk in shadow, this fascinating collection includes the stories of the Mexican prostitute who mesmerized an entire village, convincing them she was an Incan goddess who required human sacrifice for her magic; the three teenagers who left a trail across the South as they conducted blood-drinking rituals with animals; and the mysterious Lady in Black who draws psychic energy from men who dare approach her as she wanders through city streets and parks.

MY TAKE:

This book was an interesting read, especially if this sort of genre interests you. It has a ton of great stories including the tale of Vlad the Impaler, Jack the Ripper and Jeffrey Dahmer to everyday people who have claimed to have encountered them. A dark and sinister read with great photos that are included with almost every story. I learned some things that were new to me and I also got a great history lesson in the process. It even includes a chronological timeline of Vampires in history. Great for even the collectors of the paranormal genre.

MY RATING:

For your Arms Only (PREVIEW)
Author: Caroline Linden

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (November 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061706477
• ISBN-13: 978-0061706479

SYNOPSIS:

He’d never been shot by a woman . . .

He was once a distinguished army officer, a man of honor and heroism. But that was before Alexander Hayes was wrongly accused of treason. Forced to abandon everything he held dear, Alec became a spy for England in an attempt to clear his name. His latest commission sounds simple: locate a retired soldier gone missing. But it also sends him back home, to a family who’d thought him dead for five years—and a woman who’d like to shoot him.

Everything Cressida Turner’s ever heard about Alec tells her that he’s a traitor of the worst kind, and yet this enigmatic, infuriating, and utterly captivating man may be the only person she can trust—and the only one who can find her missing father. With nowhere else to turn, she reluctantly joins forces with Alec, unprepared for both the dangerous secrets that threaten them and the relentless passion that drives them into each other’s arms.

First of all, let’s all thank Christine from Harper Collins for offering the following for us. Christine was kind enough to send to me to share with you the links below for all my readers of my blog.

Here is the first chapter of this upcoming book: For Your Arms Only

Here is the link to a free ebook companion to this book titled Deeper Than Desire

I hope you all will consider reading this authors new book and spreading the word of her new release. I know I can’t wait to start For Your Arms Only!

Thanks again Christine for sharing it with us!

Will November 20th ever get here????!!!!!!!!

TREACHEROUS LOVE: The Diary of an Anonymous Teenager
Edited by: Beatrice Sparks, Ph.D.
*I received this book from PaperBack Swap

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Mass Market Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen; Avon Books ed edition (May 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380808625
• ISBN-13: 978-0380808625

SYNOPSIS:

Fourteen-year-old Jennie’s life is turning upside down. Her father has walked out, and her anguished mother seeks solace in pills. Her best friend practically abandons her to be with a boyfriend. It seems like Jennie’s real best friend is her diary. Then she meets Mr. Johnstone, the substitute math teacher. Jennie has never met such a charismatic teacher. She feels honored when Mr. J. seems to single her out for special attention, and begins to fantasize about him as her boyfriend. When Mr. J. first reveals his feelings for her, she is thrilled by the relationship that grows outside the classroom walls. Then, slowly, Jennie’s diary becomes a record of her loneliness, pain, and confusion. Will it also offer her a way to escape from this treacherous love?

MY TAKE:

This was a book that I wouldn’t normally read. Since I have teenage daughters though, I thought I would give it a go. I found this book to be a little nerve wracking since I am a mom reading this.

I would say 80-90 percent of the book is Jennie writing in her diary. She spills her emotions of her parents fighting and eventually separating. She goes through the hurt, sadness and anger that any teenager would feel when their parents divorce. She sees her mom get addicted to pills, her friends go on with their lives and find boyfriends which leaves Jennie feeling alone. She tries pot and alcohol to try and numb the pain. Then her substitute teacher slowly makes his way into Jennie’s life. She is desperate for someone to love her and the teacher takes advantage of that. It is so sad to think that there are teachers out there that could do this. Being a mother of 3 girls, this scared me. It made me realize that it can happen to anyone’s child.

The part that is keeping me from making this a 5 flame read is how most of the book is just her diary. I wish we could have read more about what she goes through instead of just a couple short paragraphs in her diary.

At the end of the book it lists a question and answer list. It includes hotline numbers and ways to deal with this sort of thing if it happens to you. I really liked how they added that. If one person who is in this situation calls those numbers, then that section is not a waste of paper. It is an answered prayer.

MY RATING: