Lost Cause Review

Lost Cause

Author: J.L. Simpson

Average Rating: 4.5/5.0

Personal Rating: 5.0/5.0

Page Count: 312

Finished Reading: July 

Published: July 3rd, 2014

According to Goodreads: 

Daisy Dunlop loves a challenge but heir hunting is supposed to be easy. She can deal with anything her new job throws at her, except the bullets, bombs and working with P.I. Solomon Liffey. Her husband's best friend is supposed to be looking out for her, but when she uncovers Solomon’s biggest secret he's the one who needs protection.

My opinion:

I received an electronic copy from the author to review, but in no way does that have an influence on my opinions and views. 

I felt like the first chapters were rocky with me. My interpretation of Daisy was rather weak, but as the plot line progresses you can definitely see how Daisy becomes a stronger character. 

Once I got passed chapter two I was drawn into the action. No one could get me to stop reading until I had finished this novel. I would be literally walking around with my face in my Kindle trying to absorb every word. I was constantly on the edge of my seat after each chapter. The suspense and the friendship that grows between Daisy and Solomon immersed me into the story.

Oh my golly gumdrops!!!

Solomon melted my heart. He was so mysterious and guarded, which made my tear through the pages just to see what he was hiding. I had my theories, and then I got to the end to only have them ripped into tiny pieces when I read what he was actually hiding. I loved his protectiveness, and his whole sense of confidence. I wouldn't mind having my own Solomon in my life hahaha! 

I recommend this book to all of you. This is a great novel that is filled to the brim with wit. I can guarantee you'll fall in love with Daisy, Solomon, and Daisy's husband. They all play major roles throughout the novel, and if one wasn't there then the novel would be a bust. I'm going to encourage you to get your hands on this novel, so I can have someone to swoon with over Solomon! 

More Info:

http://jlsimpson.com/

Dark Eden Review

Dark Eden

Author: Chris Beckett

Average Rating: 3.83/5.0

Personal Rating: 4.0/5.0

Page Count: 441

Finished Reading: July

Published: April 1st, 2014

According to Goodreads: 

On the alien, sunless planet they call Eden, the 532 members of the Family shelter beneath the light and warmth of the Forest’s lantern trees. Beyond the Forest lie the mountains of the Snowy Dark and a cold so bitter and a night so profound that no man has ever crossed it. 

The Oldest among the Family recount legends of a world where light came from the sky, where men and women made boats that could cross the stars. These ships brought us here, the Oldest say—and the Family must only wait for the travelers to return. 

But young John Redlantern will break the laws of Eden, shatter the Family and change history. He will abandon the old ways, venture into the Dark…and discover the truth about their world.

Already remarkably acclaimed in the UK, Dark Eden is science fiction as literature; part parable, part powerful coming-of-age story, set in a truly original alien world of dark, sinister beauty--rendered in prose that is at once strikingly simple and stunningly inventive.

My opinion:

Have you guys ever read a book where you feel like your brain loses all feeling and coherent thoughts, because the book left you so con-fuddled? Dark Eden, my dear friends, is one of those books.

I started reading this book about three weeks ago. I remember getting it in the mail, and being so excited to dive right into it, because the world that was created seemed so different and thought provoking. Unfortunately, life got in the way so I really didn't get into the story until earlier this week. 

The world that Beckett created in this story makes you question some things. Is there life, like you and me, on planets in our solar system? How far will we go for something we believe in? Who will be with us every step of the way? You all know that I love to read, but I love reading even more when I get something from it. This book opened up questions that ordinary people don't really think about, unless you are a scientist or an astronaut. 

This book touched on arrogance, sadness, power going to people's heads, hope, and coming of age. Here is a group of young teens and tweens going against their Council in order to prove a point. To be honest, I don't think I would have done the same thing if I lived in their society. While I was reading I kept thinking about how a couple characters rose to a leadership position throughout the progression of the book. In each situation, the power consumed the individual. We are all taught to take the lead, and be the one who takes action first. As a result, those who follow are criticized for not being the first to do it. I wished there would have been more collaboration between the leader and the people of the group. A more of a group effort. 

The chapters went between four characters' perspectives, which I didn't mind. I was fine as long as I looked at the name before I started reading the chapter. The characters didn't have a lot of development, which kind of surprised me. I felt like from the time the journey started to the time it ended there should have been some type of change in the way the characters had strengthened. 

I recommend this to anyone who is open to thinking about questions that aren't thought about on a daily basis. The world that is real in Dark Eden could someday become our reality. It's scary, but intriguing at the same time. 

For More Information:

Press Release: http://crownpublishing.com/news/arthur-c-clarke-award-winning-author-chris-becketts-brilliant-us-debut-dark-eden/#.U8dSGJRdWSp

Conversation with Author: http://crownpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/A-Conversation-with-Chris-Beckett.pdf

More Info: http://www.randomhouse.com/book/233710/dark-eden-by-chris-beckett

Read Chapter One: http://crownpublishing.com/feature/dive-into-dark-eden-by-chris-beckett/#.U8dSUZRdWSp

Author Bio: http://www.randomhouse.com/author/184008/chris-beckett

DISCLAIMER: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Murdermorphosis Review

Murdermorphosis

Author: Jeffrey A. Apostol

Average Rating: 4.67/5.0

Personal Rating: 4.0/5.0

Page Count:  76

Finished Reading: July

Published: May 29th, 2014

 

According to Goodreads:

A police detective, adopted at birth, pursues an enigmatic killer, responsible for the death of a beautiful yet troubled woman. Unknown to him, his own true identity holds the key to solving the case. When the murder becomes something else, the detective spirals down a path of self obliteration. Will he survive the Murdermorphosis?

My opinion:

I received a copy to review from the author, but in no way does that have an impact on my views and opinions. 

Let me start off with saying that this novel isn't for the young ones out there. There are some graphic descriptions and language that is included that are not appropriate. 

This novel was a pretty easy and quick read to get through. I found myself flying through the pages to find out what would happen next. There were times that I was completely taken back with surprise, because I didn't see the event coming. I would definitely define this novel as a psychological thriller. I really felt this book get into my head...if that makes sense.

As far as the characters went, I really didn't feel any connections with them. They lived completely different lives than I do. But they were also very one dimensional. There was no development throughout the book with them, so connecting with them on a personal level was quite a task. 

The only major problem I had with this novel was the ending. It was extremely abrupt and rushed. I felt like there were quite a few questions left unanswered.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel. I would definitely recommend it to all those thriller, suspense, and crime lovers out there. It is definitely a quick read, so if you're interested in the genres and are looking for a quick read you  have found a winner! 

More Info:

Amazon US Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KNI00NQ
​Amazon UK Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KNI00NQ?*Version*=1&*entries*=0 Amazon Author Central Link: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00KOGIFM0

Hope At Dawn Review

Hope At Dawn

Author: Stacy Henrie

Average Rating: 4.53/5.0

Personal Rating: 5.0/5.0

Page Count: 384

Finished Reading: July

Published: June 24th, 2014

According to Goodreads:

In a Time of War, Love is the Inspiration.

With her brothers away fighting the Great War overseas, Livy Campbell desperately wants to help her family. Her chance comes when she meets a handsome stranger who lands her a job as a teacher in a place far from her parents' farm. But the war casts a long shadow over the German-American town that Livy now calls home—and the darkness will test everything she thought she knew about family and love . . .

More than anything, Friedrick Wagner wants to be part of his adopted country's struggle for peace. But when the bitter animosity between Germans and Americans soon turns citizens against newcomers, friend against friend, he will do whatever it takes to protect Livy from the hysteria that grips their town. As tragedy—and dark secrets from the past—threaten their future, Friedrick and Livy have one chance to stand up for what's right . . . and one chance to fight for their love.

My opinion:

I received an electronic copy of this book to review from the publisher through NetGalley, but in no way does that have an impact on my views and opinion. 

Hope At Dawn is one of those books where you wish you could travel back in time, even if the time period is during the midst of World War II. I loved this book so much!! I don't truly know how explain it to all of you in a way that will inspire you to pick it up when you have the chance. There wasn't any action throughout the novel, but it portrayed a romance between two people that literally made me wish I was in the girl's place. 

Friedrick Wagner has been definitely added to my list of fictional characters I would date. He's protective, gentle, and chivalrous. He doesn't overdue it, but he just encompasses the whole picture of a gentleman. It's a miracle in itself if a guy holds a door open for a woman now. I know it's just not the men, but it's always nice to see an act of chivalry every once in awhile to remind us that we shouldn't stereotype every guy that we see as a rude, arrogant human. 

I felt like I really connected with Livy throughout the novel, because of her love for teaching. Some of my favorite scenes to read were the ones that she was teaching her class. It's one of my hopes that time travel becomes a thing, because I would travel back in time so I could teach in a wooden schoolhouse. I have no idea why that setting has been intriguing to me throughout the years. I guess it has a sort of charm to it. Who knows. Of course, I am not a teacher yet. I still have to earn my degree, but I know the day will come when I will have a turn at teaching. 

The author made the struggles of German Americans during World War II prominent as the plot progressed. She wrote about the language laws that were created that forbade them from speaking German. She also briefly included how family businesses were vandalized, and had to close due to lack of business. These particular scenes opened my eyes. Why were these American citizens being treated like trash? What did they do to deserve this? Escaped Germany for a better life? They are humans. What really matters is what is the inside, not the faults of their ancestry. Sounds a bit cliche, but it's true. 

I found no faults while I was reading the novel. It went along at a nice steady pace, which I felt matched what the author was trying to portray about the time period and the struggles endured. I highly recommend this book to all of you. This book isn't some romance where two main characters fall in love over night. This romantic relationship is about a romance that I think we all secretly long to experience.