Book Review: Human no longer by Kathryn Meyer Griffith

Jenny and Jeff Sanders become victims of a bizarre crime; leaving Jeff dead and Jenny in a temporary coma. She returns to her children. With Jeff’s death she must move back to her childhood home, a haunted farmhouse, in Summer Haven, Florida, where once they destroyed a family of vampires.

Jenny has no appetite. She’s edgy. Her eyes hurt. She thinks it could be trauma or grief. Until one night she can’t resist the night woods or the overpowering urge to drink warm animals’ blood–and accepts the truth. Her attackers were vampires.

Now she’s becoming what she once reviled. She can’t abandon her children but must find a way to live in the human world. At night she hunts, hides what she’s becoming and attempts to fit in.

Then townspeople begin dying. Like years before. With her blackouts, she fears she may be the killer, or is it her vampire attackers? They find her and demand she joins them–or her family will die. She resists until they kidnap her children. Then she has to find a way to outwit and ultimately destroy them.

Where can I buy this book?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Human-No-Longer-ebook/dp/B00AU50VD6/ref=la_B000AP9HXQ_1_25?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378198462&sr=1-25 

http://www.amazon.com/Human-No-Longer-ebook/dp/B00AU50VD6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378198520&sr=1-1&keywords=Human+no+longer 

My Review:
 
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Jenny barely survives the brutal attack that kills her husband and forces her family to return to her childhood home where she once killed vampires. So Jenny is well aware that she is becoming one and that Jeff's killers are seeking her out, threatening her family. She has to learn to adapt to her powers to protect her children from the real monsters.

Although this book is shelved as horror, it's not a blood and gore horror read. It is more of a psychological thriller with vampire bad guys which should give it a wider appeal. Jenny and the other characters are real people that you can relate to with financial problems, kids being bullied at school, losing their jobs, working hard for a living to make ends meet and dealing with grief and change. Even with her new vampire powers, Jenny is a loving mother and sister, not an evil monster and you do root for her. The story does not have a lot of action but it is well written with plenty character development and is not over descriptive. The plot is an interesting take on vampires, asking you if becoming a monster means you have to lose your humanity. I liked the fact that even someone as good as Jenny can struggle to fight her new impulses.

I'm usually more of an all action urban fantasy type of person but I did like this book. I'd have liked a bit more action as I did find it a bit slow in places and it takes a while to really get into the story, but that is more about my personal preference than any fault of the author. It is not meant to be fast paced monster filled urban fantasy. This is a human story about a woman protecting those she loves from herself and the monsters who track her. The author does a good job of telling the story and keeping you interested in what is happening next. She is particularly good at writing her characters which is vital for me as a reader. So for me there are no real negatives to the book connected to the author, her writing or storytelling ability.

There is no serious blood and gore, no sexual content and no constant swearing so this book should appeal to lots of people. I'd recommend it to those who like paranormal thrillers, books with mild horror or paranormal elements, and to those like me who enjoy a different kind of horror or UF.Even if you are not big fans of vampires, I still think this book will appeal. I'll certainly look at more work by this author.

Book Review: Curve Day by LR Currell

Would you survive a day where killing was legal?
Do you know someone that for whatever reason you wouldn't be particularly bothered if they were no longer with us?

Welcome to Curve Day.

In the near future, desperate times call for desperate measures.
The Earth's population is now so out of control that the Government has enforced one day of the year where murder acts as a form of population control.

Sure, it wasn't always that easy to get people to accept this idea and in truth
there is still an element of resistance to it. As time ticks on though, with
each passing Curve Day the American people gradually accept and adapt
to the notion of citizen on citizen killing.

Our story takes us to the eve of the eleventh Curve Day following an eclectic bunch of individuals as they each prepare and execute the fight of their lives.

Characters include a German ex paratrooper, a French foreign exchange student, a homeless academic who suffered a midlife crisis, a woman who is a victim of spousal abuse, a female police officer and a marine who has lost faith in his Government.

Who will survive the annual slaughter?

Where can I buy this book?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Curve-Day-L-R-Currell/dp/1489504168/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378197409&sr=1-1&keywords=Curve+Day 

http://www.amazon.com/Curve-Day-L-R-Currell/dp/1489504168/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378197468&sr=1-1&keywords=Curve+Day 


My Review:
*I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

The population of America is out of control and the government decide to do something radical. For one day each year, citizens will be legally permitted to murder anyone they want without fear of arrest. The book follows individual people during preparations for Curve Day and see how they survive during it. The homeless Vietnam vet, the battered wife, the military men, the off duty cop, the owner of an online kill video site out filming the carnage, a French student etc. Who will survive?

I liked the idea of this as soon as I read the blurb. It starts with a brief prologue about the history of Curve Day. Now I fear info dumps but this intro wasn't like that. It was fascinating. It gave me just the right amount of information about Curve Day to bring me up to speed on what was going to happen and it explained that even Curve Day has its own rules, which was a nice twist to the concept. The next section deals with preparing for the 11th Curve Day, introducing you to characters with fueds and grudges who are going to be in conflict with each other when the carnage starts. I found this to be surprisingly interesting. I again feared info dumps but instead I felt that it helped build the tension as the big day got closer. With the book following so many characters, in depth development was not going to happen but I don't think much more was really required in this type of novel.

The action on Curve Day itself I felt could have been a bit longer. I think another 50 or so pages were required to really flesh out what was happening to the characters. I did think that what happened to a few characters was a bit abrupt and I'd like to have seen more. (see examples in Spoiler section below). An epilogue as to what happened to the people when Curve Day was over might have been interesting unless that is being saved for a sequel.

***SLIGHT SPOILERS***
For example when Mary was trapped by the car, I'd have liked to have seen her having to repel a few attackers prior to Chip arriving. Following the Decimator and the camera crew to witness what happened when they took on the sniper. The wife beater hunting down his prey through the house before the conclusion of that story, or citizens in a big complex being chased through the corridors and apartments by a madman. Just a wee bit more!

I suspect that the author was probably just being wary of putting too much detail in and making the book too long. With his storytelling abilities, I think a bit more would have been fine. However what was there I did enjoy. I wasn't expecting a few things that happened which is always a nice surprise.

One thing that might put people off is that there were a lot of editorial errors, which I'm well used to when I read so many Indie authors. It doesn't bother me personally as I tend to look past that to the plot itself but it might bug others.

Overall though, an enjoyable read. I find myself thinking what I would do on Curve Day to protect myself, and I'm thinking that a plan may well be needed!

New Release: Waking Dream by JJ DiBenedetto

“Oh, God! We can hurt each other. Whatever we do to each other in the dream, we’ll do it to ourselves for real…”

When her own dreams are visited by a mysterious woman in a red dress, Sara realizes she has something she never expected: a counterpart, someone outside her family who shares her talent to see other people’s dreams.

When the woman in red keeps showing up in other dreams as well, leaving ruined lives in her wake, Sara knows she has something she never imagined: a nemesis.

Now, Sara must track the woman in red down in the waking world, before she’s forced to fight for her life in her dreams…

“Waking Dream” is the exciting fifth novel in the “Dreams” series.

Released August 2013.

 "As Sara watches, a shadowy hand reaches up from underneath the bed, holding another weight, placing it on her father’s chest.  His breathing is extremely shallow and labored now. His eyes open.  His right arm reaches up to his chest, but he can’t lift the weight off with one hand.  She sees him try to raise his left arm and fail, gasping in pain.  Sara can see the arm throbbing, from the shoulder on down.

Her father is trying to speak, but no words are coming out and the words wouldn’t be for her anyway.  He doesn’t know she’s here.  He thinks he’s alone, Sara realizes.  He’s trying to cry out for help, but he knows there’s no one to provide it.
Sara knows exactly what’s going on, and she also knows she’s the only one who does.  He can’t hear her, but she calls out to him anyway: “I’m coming, Dad!”
She turns away from him and begins to run back the way she came…

***

I can feel my feet on the floor even before my eyes open.  I was asleep, and I was making myself get up.  Why?  Where was I…
It comes back in a rush.  The whole dream – the cave, the weight pressing down, the pain in the left arm.  Dad!
I’m already halfway to the door.  “Brian!”  I shout at the top of my lungs.  There’s no thought for the kids, nothing matters except Dad.  “Brian, up, now!”  I’m standing in the doorway, waiting for him to register my voice.  I can’t wait much longer.  Now he’s stirring, though.  “Brian!”
“Wha?”  He’s trying to focus his eyes on me, and barely succeeding.
I don’t consider my words, it just comes out: “My Dad’s having a heart attack!”  His eyes snap into focus instantly.  “I’m going over now.  Call 911, send them over there, right now!”  I hear the words coming out of my mouth, but they don’t mean anything.  All I know is that I have to act.  I have to save him.  I’m the only one who can.
“Sara, I don’t understand.”
Neither do I – except that I think I do, and I’m afraid to say it.  It’s impossible – but it’s impossible for me, too, and I can still do it.  “There wasn’t anybody else?”
“No.  That was it, just who I said.”
I’m staring hard right back at him, holding his eyes.  “You’re sure?  Nobody else?  Not a woman in a dress, a red dress?”
He has no idea what I’m talking about; I can see it all in his eyes.  “No.  Why would you think…?”  His jaw drops.  “No.  You don’t mean what I think you mean?”
“I saw her, but you didn’t.  Nobody else in the room did, either.  The same way that you didn’t see me, and neither did anybody else.  The way nobody ever notices me.”
We’re both silent for a moment, then we speak the same words, exactly in unison: “Oh, my God…”

Where can I buy this book?

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/349800 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waking-Dream-Dreams-Book-5/dp/1490938842/ref=sr_1_17?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378131863&sr=1-17&keywords=Waking+Dream

http://www.amazon.com/Waking-Dream-Dreams-J-J-DiBenedetto/dp/1490938842/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378131943&sr=1-1&keywords=Waking+Dream%28dreams+book+5%29

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/waking-dream-jj-dibenedetto/1116739842?ean=9781490938844

Please 'like' this video on YouTube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ySyi3Ct8qE&noredirect=1

Leanore Elliot:http://www.youtube.com/user/MsWickedmuse?feature=watch

Ramblings from the Book Cave #2 The Rapist Hero

I bet a few of you were already growling at the post title huh? Well let me explain. I read all kinds of books that would scare the crap out of some of you. Nothing is too violent or gory to upset or scare me as I'm a big tough booky reader! But I do take issue with the use of The Rapist Hero in urban fantasy, and paranormal books for all ages. 

Let me explain. You have the plot where the terrified girl is running away from the psycho monster who keeps trying to rape her. She is sobbing for her life as he abducts her and takes her to his home to 'lay claim to her' as his soul mate. As soon as he starts touching her, she's falling in love with him. Say WHAT??? The excuse given is that he's a paranormal creature who has had a tough life. This was my reaction on reading Kresley Cole's 'A hunger like no other' which had this very storyline:

"I DESPISE this kind of rape-glorifying b******t! We have the innocent half vampire girl chased all over town by psycho madman who makes several starts to raping the terrified girl and has her crying and begging, then lo and behold just as he is about to 'do' her she suddenly feels desire for him and off we head to lovey dovey land despite him treating her like shit. This s**t sickens me to the bloody stomach and I hate to see this kind of forced sex used as entertainment and wrapped up with pink bows and paraded as romance and seduction. If men on the street behaved like this I somehow doubt that we'd see it as fluffy bunny romance-we'd be screaming blue murder! I know this is fiction and the excuse is his tortured past but it still isn't the slightest bit erotic or romantic to me,just plain sick." 

Apologies for the language as this was the way I used to write my reviews. If I were to re-write it now I would be a bit more constructive.  OK lets take that plot and go to the real world. Guy on a Glasgow housing estate chases a girl into the darkened underpass and starts ripping off her clothes to rape her. Is that poor girl suddenly going to melt at his touch and fall in love? No, her life is about to be ruined by what he will do to her. He has grown up with an alcoholic mother and deadbeat dad. Does that excuse what he does? No of course not. So why is it that in our paranormal books, we seem to happily accept violent rapists and bullies to be portayed as romantic heroes? I find it pretty sickening. I have read a book where the heroine is dragged across the floor by her hair and assaulted by the guy who has been voted as an ideal man by some of my friends. That disturbs me! Here is that book:

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning: "Barrons did nothing for me as a romantic hero-cold, cruel, nasty and with a delight for physical violence against women. Being dragged around by my hair and almost passing out as my ribs are crushed by him is not what I'd want from a man, I can tell you that right now. I've read lots of reviews where people are talking about how much they love Barrons but I despise violent men being packaged up as a perfect boyfriend that we should all aspire to have."

A Girl's guide to vampires by Katie MacAlister:  
"And then the caveman behaviour of the 'men' that they meet in the hotel bar that night had me gritting my teeth. The women were getting physically pushed around and hurt by these guys(I call that assault buddy!!!).I'd have checked out and gone home if men were shoving me down the stairs deliberately or treating me as if I was some kind of slag to be claimed and fought over because I'm sitting in a bar. I don't call that a romantic vacation! I call that a pretty damn scary place to be.Seduction is fine but intimidation and force ain't!"

Now, I am NOT saying that people who love these books are wrong or sick or anything like that. Of course they are not. It is fiction we are reading, not instructions on how to behave badly. We all have the right to love or hate any story we read, and there is no right or wrong opinion of a book, only opinion. I am also not trying to say that the author is sick or is a 'bad author' because of their chosen subject matter. They are obviously selling plenty books and many readers rate them highly. Should these books be treated as harmless fun or should we be worried about it? 

I am concerned what message we are sending to the more vulnerable teenage YA readers if this sexual bullying is continually paraded as the ideal man to want to be with. It is coming into a lot more YA books and that is a concern to many parents that I know. Maybe I'm getting old and cynical but I just don't want to see this in the books that I choose and if I see in a review that The Rapist Hero is being used, I move on to buy something else. 

Best not to send those books to me to review!

Sunday Post #5

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @
Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~

It’s a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week,
showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming
up for the week on our blog. 

Well it has been a bit of a scrappy week. I've had so much to get done and too many things getting in the way! I did manage to do a few Featured Author segments on Andrea R Cooper, Michelle Scott and Suzy Turner, which look pretty nice with those gorgeous covers! I got 4 books read and LOTS downloaded *ahem* but I'm running a bit behind on my Ada Adams feature. More on that later! 

I joined Bloglovin to add some order to the chaos in my life but it will take a few days to get that fully up and running. I hope to be adding a few of your blogs to that so I can see what you are reviewing and downloading all week and not just reading your weekly post. That's the plan anyway. And I got my first book from Netgalley! Yea! I hope this week will be a bit more settled and I get some more time to just read!

READ THIS WEEK:

CURRENTLY READING:

READ AND REVIEWS RECEIVED:

 

 







                                                                          NETGALLEY DOWNLOAD:

                                   EBOOK DOWNLOADS:

  *ALL BOOKS DOWNLOADED ON THIS PAGE WERE FREE ON SMASHWORDS*

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11533728-xbestia?from_search=true
 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11567626-the-gossamer-crown
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10562069-angel-fire?ac=1

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11297376-dirty-blood?ac=1 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17562757-ill-conceived-magic?ac=1 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16089623-scorned?ac=1 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13162223-bentwhistle-the-dragon-in-a-threat-from-the-past?ac=1 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15727215-vortex?ac=1 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10796535-ordained?ac=1 

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14743349-the-devil-s-demeanor?from_search=true
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11947156-prince-of-wolves?ac=1 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17380997-the-sword-of-sighs?ac=1 

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10275728-initiate?from_search=true 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9411579-tempest?ac=1

                                     GIFTED:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16128429-under-the-never-sky

THIS WEEK AT THE BOOK CAVE!
Featured Author Ada Adams
Featured Author Joanne Brothwell
Book reviews of Revamped and Reawakened