Commencement by Paige Cucaro

Description:

Hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn for frat guys…

Emma Jane Hellsbane knows something evil is worming its way through her college campus—she can feel it. Literally. Her freakish ability to feel other people’s emotions as though they were her own has always been monumentally awkward, and it’s easier for her to just pretend it doesn’t exist. But this time her paranormal ability just might help her save lives. 

Emma Jane’s fairly certain that whatever the hateful, egomaniacal, Godlike thing is, it’s set up shop inside her boyfriend, the frat boy/soccer star Justin. And if she doesn’t figure a way to get it out of him soon, Justin’s soul will be the appetizer to the main course—the whole student body. Problem is, the big baddy is granting sinister wishes, and with each one the risks grow higher and the phrase Be careful what you wish for becomes a real-life dire warning. Of course for Emma, what feels like it could be the end is in fact just the beginning

My Review:

Commencement by Paige Cuccaro

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the very first chapter, I was hooked!  I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed Emma Jane!

So as prequels go, this one is a quick and cute novella.  In less than 50 pages, you get a good intro and the perfect set up for Hellsbane.

Mihir:

Great little guy.  Extremely smart, highly superstious thanks to his grandmother, and just a well-rounded, normal, horny teenage guy. 

I think he gave great advice about the jinn and the other supernatural things.  This really made me want to see more of Mihir.

Emma Jane:

She still kicks ass, even not knowing about her heritage.  She trusts her instincts and because of that she is able to save her campus from the jinn. 

I love seeing her skeptisiscm about religion and the supernatural, even though she herself is telepathic. 

Justin:

Such a huge ass, and I honestly have no issue with what happened to him.  I really think he had it coming.  Actually, if there was a worse punishment he probably could have used it.  Stupid, greedy, horny man. 

Overall, this is a great novella, and I’m counting down the days to the next book:  Heaven and Hellsbane.  Highly recommend this book!

Happy Reading!

Cana

Victoria Gardella: Vampire Slayer by Colleen Gleason

Description:


A short story introducing readers to the Gardella Vampire Chronicles. 

Join Victoria as she navigates her way through balls and Society even as she works to rid the world of dangerous, bloodthirsty vampires. 

For those who are familiar with the series, this story would have appeared halfway through The Rest Falls Away. 


My Review:

Victoria Gardella: Vampire Slayer by Colleen Gleason

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This short story is an introduction to the Gardella Vampire Chronicles (though, from what I understand, this comes into play after the first novel of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles).   Personally, I think this introduction was a great way to want to pull in readers. 

It has several things that really drag in a read, even though it is a short story.

·         Victoria is an interesting character as she is torn between the world of the ton and the world as a Venator (aka Vampire slayer).  Like any “superhero”, which is kind of what it is like, she has to juggle her public life with her private life.  It is almost to the point that it is funny in this short story. 

·         The appearance of a love “quadrangle” between the 3 men and Victoria is kind of funny. 

·         A good introduction to what it means to be a Venator, and what vampires are like.  It actually appears that there will be no such thing as a “good” vampire in this series, but I’ll have to read the rest of the series to confirm that. 

·         Finally, you can’t beat a paranormal historical short story or novel that actually does a good job of being actually semi historically correct.  I mean it can’t be completely historically correct because of the paranormal aspects, but it was a good job on Ms. Gleason’s part.  It was a bit refreshing. 

The funniest part of the whole thing though was the embarrassment of Victoria walking in on her mother and her mother’s beau.  I can’t think of anything worse or more embarrassing. 

Overall, this was a good short story, and was very entertaining.  I recommend this short story, and look forward to reading more by Ms. Gleason.

Happy Reading!


Cana

The Vampire's Redemption by S.J. Wright

Description:


In the third book of the Undead in Brown County series, Sarah Wood has to deal with the changes in her sister, Katie. She also gets to know someone new in her life who could end up being her salvation. And then there's Michael. He's desperate to keep Sarah safe from his enemies. How far will he go in order to protect her?


My Review:

The Vampire's Redemption by S.J. Wright

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In the third installment of the Undead of Brown County Series, we pick up right where we left off (again).  More people join the story, and there is a definite change occurring in this particular novella.  Just like the second novella, this one is in multiple POVs, but (thankfully) they are clearly labeled so that you know exactly whose POV you are reading.

So there were a few things that I liked.

·         Jackson was a great guy.  Granted, I didn’t really like him at the end of the 2^nd novella, by the time you finish the 3^rd novella you can’t help but think that he is the most amazing guy in the whole world.  You want him to end up with Sarah.

·         I love the development of Jones and Victoria.  They are both great characters who are in a lot of ways the saving grace of these novellas.  They are both likable, generally good vampires. 

So let’s kick off what I didn’t like. 

·         Katie -- I didn’t like her in the first two novellas, but I definitely hate her in this book.  The spoiled brat is now just plain evil and gullibly evil at that. Now, this might not be her fault, but it didn’t make me want to keep her alive.  I personally might have been able to stake her.  Yep, that is how much I disliked her.  I’d stake her

·         Sarah is a whore.  It has now officially been established.  In less than 2 books, she has screwed Alex, Michael, and is playing with Jackson.  Yep, giant whore, and she only feels a little bit guilty.  What?  I mean, if she cares so much for these men, what she is doing isn’t working. 

·         Michael is an ass.  He knows when he goes to talk to Sarah what she would do. He is actually hoping for it…  WTH!  He plays her, and that is not the kind of man (human or vampire) that I find myself cheering for. 

I think in some ways, this series of novellas could have easily been made into one novel.  I think it would have made it more palatable if it had been a novel instead of broken into multiple novellas.  Best example of this is because the end of this book would be better for a chapter or section ending than an actual book ending. 

Overall, this was a decent novella, but it definitely was not my favorite, and I hope that Ms. Wright comes up with a better 4^th novella to resolve some things that have not been resolved, and at least help me like the rest of her characters that she suddenly has me turning against. 

Happy Reading!


Cana

The Vampire Curse by S.J. Wright

Description:


Sarah Wood, after witnessing a battle between several powerful vampires on her land, is left stunned and feeling immensely guilty for having given permission for her friend, Alex, to be turned into a vampire rather than allowing him to die from his injuries. And though she tried hard to keep her sister, Katie from knowing about the whole vampire situation at their family's Inn in the wooded hills of southern Indiana, Katie became the victim of a kidnapping herself.

Sarah is left to face the return of her mother, who had abandoned the girls when they were children. She'll need every ounce of her bad attitude and quick temper to deal with the new surprises coming her way, including an illness that could very well leave the entire responsibility of the Inn and the vampires to fall onto the shoulders of her younger sister.


My Review:

The Vampire's Curse by S.J. Wright

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the second installment of the Undead of Brown County Series, we pick up right where we left off.  Now there are a lot of things that make me happy about this novella.  But there are some things that made me want to yell and throw things.

High points of this book are:

·         Backstory on Michael.  He is not as evil as you are first led to believe. 

·         More information on vampires, what their skills are, what powers they have, and how they can use them.

·         Sarah learns more of her heritage, of what it might mean to be a warden. 

·         We get to meet some new vampires, which spiced things up a bit.

·         There are hints of other paranormal elements, but no definites yet.  Would be nice to see some, I think.

·         Different POVs, which broke up the monotony.  Only issue with this is that the differences weren’t marked.  I’d be reading a chapter and think it was Sarah, and would only find out half way through that it was Michael. 

·         There was definitely a twist I didn’t see coming, and it had me kind of scared/upset at first.

Funniest part ever is what Captain Jones thinks of Twilight.   That had me laughing for quite a while, and that was refreshing for such a serious romance novella. 

Low points to the book are not many, but they make a big enough impression that I feel I should share. 

·         I hate to say it, but I do not like Katie as a whole.  She is a spoiled brat who seems to think she has the right to tell Sarah what to do.  If she doesn’t like Sarah’s response she runs off.

·         I was not happy with Sarah.  Love triangles are one thing, but blatant “lets screw someone because he is here” is quite another.  Not happy… Not happy… Definitely a yell and throw things part in this book.

·         Alex is an ass, and obviously becomes an even bigger ass when he becomes a vampire. 

I will admit, I was on the edge of my seat for most of this novella.  I’m dying to see what Isaiah is expecting from Michael, what it might mean to the entire vampire nation.  It does definitely make me want to see what is going to happen next!

Overall, this was a good little novella, and I do recommend it.  Here’s hoping that the next ones will be just as good as or better than this one.  

Happy Reading!


Cana

The Vampire's Warden by S. J. Wright

Description:


It was a flash in the moonlight, a blur of motion like I'd never witnessed before. No human had the capacity to move like that. When I found myself face-to-face with him there in the meadow, I knew without a doubt that the journal was authentic. I knew that my grandfather hadn't been crazy at all. 


Because a foot away from me stood a vampire.

Sarah Wood reads her grandfather's journal in stunned disbelief. What was once her grandfather's responsibility has passed to her father and now to her. She has become the Warden. Her life will never be the same.


My Review:

The Vampire's Warden by S.J. Wright

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 This little short story is a cute spin on the vampire craze that is going on right now.  Sarah has inherited the family Inn and also a long kept family secret that involves vampires. 

I liked this novella because it was a good way to start introducing something that could become a great novel series.  Sarah is a great main character, what with her need to be strong for her sister, and to figure out the legacy left to her by her father.  Michael, the mysterious and handsome vampire sounds so wonderful.  I swear, it must be the bad boy complex.  That, and there is something niggling in my mind that says he isn’t as much of a bad boy as someone who desires to do the right thing. 

There is quite a bit of mystery, and a good cliff hanger/**gasp** moment at the end, that made me wish there was more RIGHT NOW!

The only thing that would have made it better would have been more details.  I feel like I’m missing something, maybe something that could have been better explained.  I don’t know.  I think this novella could have easily been made into a full-length novel. 

Overall, I enjoyed this novella, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest in this series.  

Happy Reading!


Cana

Lily in the Snow and Other Elemental Tales by Christine E. Schulze

Description


Jewett ran. 


He and the earth carried her, the earth granting a gracious speed, as if it could feel through his arms, the rarity of the gem he held, the urgency of its protection... 


Mica Schist, a rock Elemental, has always felt secure in her caves high in the snowy mountains. Protected by her adoptive older brother, Pearson, and befriended by the bats of her cave, it is the only life she has ever known. 


Until an outsider, Jewett, an earth Elemental, arrives, illuminating Mica not only to the possibility of a whole new world outside hers, but of a life with the young man who opens that world to her. 


When Jewett unmeaningly brings great danger to Mica, her only chance of being saved is to escape with him into the woods he loves so much; it is a dream any girl would have, to flee danger with her newfound love. 


But upon entering his world, she realizes how fragile she truly is, why Pearson always seemed too obsessed with protecting her. Jewett's world, though beautiful, is harmful; no longer connected to her rocks, their security and oneness with her, she finds that the smallest things in his earthern world hurts her. The simple scraping of her skin against the bark of a tree, her falling on the forest floor--even Jewett's touch. All of these, so harmless to anyone else, make the soft mica crystals covering her from head to toe shed away too easily. 


And when an Elemental loses all of her crystals, it can only mean one thing: death. 


How can Mica choose between saving her life and saving her new life with Jewett? 


My Review

Lily in the Snow and Other Elemental Tales by Christine E. Schulze

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an anthology of short stories about the Elementals, of which I love to read about. There are six stories and each one is full of romance, adventure and even a bit of mystery. I honestly can’t tell you which story I enjoyed the most, though I think if I was going to be forced to pick one, I’d pick Lily in the Snow…. And that might just be because I enjoyed the ending.
I personally love Ms. Schulze’s short stories, just for the fact that they are fast paced and full of adventure and romance. Once you pick it up, you won’t be able to put it down. I know that I had a hard time, though after each story, I did take a moment to review in my head what had happened, and caught up with other books as well.
Overall, this was a great collection of short stories. I highly recommend this anthology.




Happy Reading!


Cana

An Exchange Of Gifts by Anne McCaffrey

Description

When Meanne, a princess of the realm, runs away from her father's castle and an unwanted suitor, little does she realize the hardships and difficulties that lie ahead of her. Loneliness is the worst part - until she finds a fellow refugee, a boy named Wisp. Together they must make new lives for themselves. Yet they both have secrets - hidden pasts and magical powers that can tear them apart!

My Review

An Exchange Of Gifts by Anne McCaffrey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Princess Meanne has run away, going to the only place she feels is safe: the old charcoal maker’s cabin in the middle of the woods. It isn’t long before Wisp comes wandering into her life. She can’t help but feel that there is more to him that meets the eyes, but she has no idea what. Both have secrets, but can they look past the secrets and find the support and love they both desire?
I love this short novella. It shows the strength a person can have when they have to make a decision that is hard. It also shows how trusting someone can lead to absolutely wonderful things. The play of the relationship between Meanne and Wisp is more than friendship, but doesn’t automatically point at romance.
The magic of this little book is like a breath of fresh air. Meanne has an unusual gift of the green thumb (she can make anything grow), which is also extremely unfortunate that she is a princess, because they don’t let princesses garden. Wisp’s power isn’t revealed until almost the end of the story, but when you finally find out it makes so much sense.
I personally love this story and have re-read it many a time. I highly recommend this book and wish that there was another book to let us know what happens after the end of the book.


Happy Reading!


Cana

Rain Plays Barefoot by Jennifer Steen

Description:


It's seventh grade. Uncomfortable at thirteen, Rain watches as her friends morph into 'hair-flinging gossip mines' and the pressure mounts to get 'girlie' using curling irons and make-up. Utterly sick of the table talk revolving around 'boys, boys...freaking boys everywhere...,' she privately wishes that men didn't make up half of the population, so maybe her friends would talk about something else. The only girl percussionist in her Middle School's history, she finds she's surprisingly good at something she shouldn't be, and overwhelmingly flawed at everything else


My Review:

Rain Plays Barefoot by Jennifer Steen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This delightful short story is about Rain, who is a 7th grade girl with a tomboy perspective on the world. She plays basketball, she plays the drums in a school that has never had a girl in the drumline. She is the ultimate tomboy, who doesn't get why all the other girls are acting crazy about boys. But when the boy that she has a crush on starts hinting that he likes her, she decides to go to the school dance with him. Yet, not all is as it seems.


This 18 page short story is a delightful reminder what it was like to be in middle school: The hormones that make almost every girl crazy, the stress when there is a crush or relationship, and just plain stress of middle school!


I really enjoyed this short story, and am looking forward to more of Ms. Steen's books. I recommend this for a good quick read.

Happy Reading!


Cana

Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress by Christine E. Schulze

Description:


He leaned his head close to my ear and whispered, "Are you afraid?"

Chrystine had had more reason than any other time of her life, even when facing one of the rampages of her drunken father. But she wasn't afraid. And that was odd, because although Aaryn, the person asking her that question, was her best friend, he was also a vampire. In fact, she was surrounded by hundreds of vampires.

But they weren't your typical vampires. They were Stregoni Benefici, the good kind. Nor was Chrystine your typical elf. She was the Golden Healer, and she alone could save the Stregoni Benefici from the Dark Enchantress. But can Chrystine figure out the Dark Enchantress' secret and defeat the evil vampires without destroying the good ones as well, without destroying Aaryn? Can Chrystine unravel the dark secret Aaryn keeps so carefully guarded and show him that by choosing to serve good instead of evil, he is still capable of being loved and his past is forgiven?

Find out as you read for yourself the story of the first vampire.


My Review:

Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress by Christine E. Schulze

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chrystine is an elf with the golden thumb and golden toe. This means she is the ultimate natural healer. Aaryn is a fairy who was turned into a vampire a thousand years ago. And for those thousand years, he has been waiting for Chrystine, for only Chrystine can save all the Stregoni Benefici (the good vampires) by destroying the curse upon all vampires and by ending the reign of the dark enchantress that cursed them. Will she be able to save Aaryn, even though ending the curse could mean his death?


So, let me introduce you to the first novel about a Christian vampire. These vampires aren’t dead, they are merely cursed to be cold for eternity, sparkle the color of their eyes in the rain, sunshine, firelight, etc, and to need blood. The Stegoni Benefici have been living off an elixir made of special herbs that curbs the need for blood. Set in both our world (where magical beings are common every day creatures, and there are even schools and classes for them) and another world called Lamialle, it is easy to see how this could be true. If not for it being mentioned that Chrystine is an elf, you would think that this is a story about how an average girl can change the world(s).


Chrystine is a great healer and an elf, but she is a normal girl. Even she has problems. Her father is drunk and is becoming increasingly abusive. She has one friend who is in love with every boy, while the other friend hates boys and any relationships with them. She takes classes at the local college. And she loves Aaryn.


I love how Aaryn keeps asking Chrystine if she is afraid. Hmm… Like any person in a relationship, there is fear, but he is asking about a deeper fear. A fear of him being a vampire. A fear about what he could do to her. A fear about what he knows about himself. A fear about what she was born to do. But she keeps answering with no, she isn’t afraid, even without knowing the whole truth.


This novel almost reminded me of the Chronicles of Narnia: Evil witch, brave girl from earth, a whole other world/dimension that must be saved. But it still has its own elements that set it apart. Ms. Schulze makes sure to make her story unique in how she portrays her characters. She also puts her own spin on creatures like vampires, incubi, elves, and so on.


I can definitely tell you Ms. Schulze loves and cherishes her friends, as all of her characters are named from the friends she mentioned in her dedication. I think that this makes the book special on a level that shows that she couldn’t imagine going on any adventure without her friends, including writing this novel.


Highly recommend, and looking forward to reading more by Ms. Schulze.




Happy Reading!


Cana

Soul Swap - Promises by Carrie Olguin

Description


On planet Del'noshe, Tenor vowed to be Telima's Protector. The Tribal Chief refuses the match. Instead, he send Tenor to acquire new blood for the tribe. At the Warrior games, Tenor wins Annie. He decides to trade his Prize for Telima. On the trip home, Annie proves to be everything he would ever want or need in a woman. Can he chose between honoring his vow and his burning need for Annie?

On 21st century Earth, Annie's life is in the toilet, no job, no boyfriend and no family. She makes a drunken wish, which the Universe grants, sending her to different planet – as the prize of an all-too-sexy warrior. Is the soul swap permanent? If she solves Tenor's problem, will be sent home? Or if she wins Tenor's heart, can she stay? The magical Anom Tribal Counsel has the answers, if she dares to seek their help.


My Review:

Soul Swap - Promises by Carrie Olguin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Annie has had a hard life. Her family are all dead. She lost her jobs. Her boyfriend broke up with her. Her roommate/best friend is leaving her alone and abandoning her with a horrible apartment. She is to the point where she doesn't feel like she has anything to live for. Then she gets drunk one day, and she is transported (soul only) to one of the Five Worlds. Tenor, a native of one of the Five Worlds, is a man who made a promise, and he plans on fulfilling it. But then Annie comes along, and the plans change. Will they be able to make it together when things are going against them?


As a whole, this short novella is very good. There is a lot of confusion for Annie, especially when she realizes that she has been given a new body (more cat like than human), and try as she might to figure out what is going on, she is distracted by the handsome Tenor. Tenor is a strong man who follows the rules of his tribe. Annie occasionally uses the comparison to a caveman idea, which for a modern woman, it is probably the closest comparison that she can come up with.


I wish there had been a bit more of a back story to the "puppet master" of the book. I really didn't understand who she was exactly to the end... But it did lead to some interesting thoughts then.


I will say that I enjoyed Fire and Ice more than I enjoyed this book, but it has its own merits. So I can honestly say that I enjoyed this novella, and recommend it, especially if you are looking for a good quick read.




Happy Reading!


Cana

Haunting the Night by Mara Purnhagen

Description:

Charlotte Silver has been through hell.

Her mom’ s in a coma. She may have caused the death of a young man. And now her friend Avery wants her to tackle going to Prom? Not going to happen, even if she is dying to spend some alone time with her boyfriend, Noah. Instead, Charlotte needs to find some answers to a few nagging questions—why was her family attacked? Will her mother survive? And is there a creature from the Other Side coming for her? Soon enough, Charlotte's search for the truth becomes a race against time. But she may just find the sign she's been looking for all along....

My Review:

Haunting the Night by Mara Purnhagen

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Charlotte Silver is a senior in high school, dealing with things that she shouldn't have to deal with. her family and her are recovering from an attack that left one man dead and her mother in a coma. Mentally, she is trying to get over the guilt over what has happened, as she feels that it is her fault. When a "shadow man" starts stalking her nights, she decides she must seek a way to end her guilt by solving the mystery of who and why all of this happened.


For me, this book starts out a bit confusing. It is like coming in on the last part of a conversation... You have no clue what is going on. As the reader, we never really find out what exactly happened. This was frustrating for me, as I prefer to have at least a little bit of a back story for a book. I think I would have personally like this book better if I had had more of a back story to it.


Perks to the book is that the setting is in South Carolina (and what Carolina girl doesn't LOVE her state being in a book, in a GOOD light), the book is a little novella, which makes for an easy read, and Noah the boyfriend is the dream boyfriend for girls young and old alike.


Downfalls of the book is that it is just lacking information. There is some confusion of who some of the characters are (Like who exactly is Shane? Is he Charlotte's brother or cousin, or family friend?). Also, the title suggest that this is paranormal, but for me, it was really lacking the paranormal element.


Overall, this is a nice, quick read of a book, and if you are looking for that, than this is a good book to pick.


Happy Reading!


Cana

The Island of Living Trees by C.L. Ragsdale

Description:

An island infested with trees that walk around, capture unsuspecting visitors and turn them into trees? An absurd fable unworthy of being taken seriously, unless that is you are a member of Irene's Eerie Adventures then it is Good TV and that is your business. Once again Irene Waters finds herself in the unknown territory of the sensational as she and her cameraman, Troy Stenson, visit Isla de los Árboles Vivos, or The Island of Living Trees.
Supposedly the island is under the curse of a banished Indian shaman who turned himself into a tree and does the same to anyone unfortunate enough to wear out their welcome on the island. Sensational tales abound, but actual facts, thanks to Reboot's consistently unreliable research department, are scarce. However, such minor details have taken a back seat to the sensational storyline. As usual.
As if animated trees were not enough to contend with, Irene is also facing issues of the human persuasion inserting themselves into the story.
Yvonne Ruben is an overzealous political candidate determined to protect an up to now unheard of species of island fox whose existence Irene suspects may be more wishful thinking than concrete in nature. Steve Parker, the superstitious boat captain who has a past relationship with Yvonne, wants them off the island before they even arrive. Brian Wells, an enthusiastic real estate developer thinks the island would be a good investment, putting him in direct conflict with Yvonne. Worst of all, there is Pepper Fierce, an environmentalist who insists her sole concern is the aforementioned island fox but whose attention seems solely fixated on Troy.
Things go from bad to weird (what else is new?) once the Reboot Team, Yvonne, Pepper and Steve arrive on the island. Troy's mind is on the charms of Pepper not the mystery, and for some reason he is nervous of the trees. Pepper seems intent not on finding her precious fox, but in turning Troy against Irene. Steve won't leave his boat, and Yvonne is merely tolerating the others. Then a member of the party mysteriously disappears, and everyone, with the exception of Irene, is certain they have been kidnapped and turned into a tree. Outnumbered and on defense, Irene must rely on the long distance assistance of her station manager Bernie Youngman to cut the tree myth off at its roots and solve the mystery.

My Review:

The Island of Living Trees by C.L. Ragsdale

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, yet again, we watch a wonderful mystery for Irene and Troy. Going to the Island of Living Trees, they are there to see if it is true that an ancient shaman is turning people into walking trees. You get to meet a politician, an animal activist, and a crusty charter ship captain.

I loved this one almost as much as the first in the Reboot Files series. Irene and Troy prove that they are human with the few little fights that they have. Also, the way this story moves is a bit faster than the first, just because the island gives a more "secluded" feeling. Within the first couple of chapters, you are trying to figure out who is the mastermind behind the living trees.

Also, the intrigue about who is the Secretary, and who is keeping the Reboot files gets deeper as Bernie gets a call to warn him about the file. Hmmm, who are they?

As a whole, great short story. Looking forward to more from the Reboot Files!

View all my reviews

The Mystery of Hurtleberry House by C.L. Ragsdale

Description:

Most people would be excited to be hosting their own TV show. However, most people do not work for Reboot, a television station better known for employing the rejects of the “legitimate media” than the quality of its programming.
Such is the fate of Irene Waters, a once promising Christian reporter struggling to recover from a counterfeit scandal that ruined her career and left her questioning her trust in God.
As her employment options are limited, she finds herself assigned to a cheesy paranormal investigation show called “Irene's Eerie Adventures”. She and her cameraman, the talented but reckless Troy Stenson, are quickly dispatched to their first assignment, a rumored haunted house. At first glance their subject, Hurtleberry House, does not look promising even for the less than ambitious goal of “Good Television”. Putting aside the nonsensical name, the house is undergoing major renovations making filming itself a challenge. Even worse, the residents are cliché and the ghost is camera shy.
Fortunately for the Reboot team, all is not as it first appears as circumstances soon take a turn for the weird if not the supernatural. For Irene soon discovers that everything they thought they knew about the house and its ghost has been brought into question with the apparent goal of tricking a low budget TV show into coming out to film. But why and who is behind it? The flamboyant owner who appears to be a true believer in the family ghost? Her sensible sister with the grating personality who seems determined to protect her flamboyant sibling? The helpful but cranky elderly caretaker who could have ulterior motives? Or the handsome, but oddly redundant handyman who appears to have few skills and no apparent part in the renovations?
Irene will have to draw upon her until now unknown deductive skills and renewed faith in God to solve the real mystery of Hurtleberry House. A goal somewhat hampered by her efforts to curtail, with varying degrees of success, the enthusiasm of her cameraman to exploit the sensational. Whether it actually exists or not.

My Review:

The Mystery of Hurtleberry House by C.L. Ragsdale

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So if Nancy Drew was a Christian who grew up to be a news reporter for an obscure network as a debunker of ghosts -- This would be her story.

Irene Waters is a news reporter who is trying to heal after what her last network did to her. Troy Stenson has a bad habit of putting himself into dangerous situations. Together they are teamed up to debunk the story of the ghost of Hurtleberry House.

I love how you think you know who is the villain, but until the last 20 or so pages, you don't know exactly. I think it gives a great beginning to the Reboot Files series. Also there is an underlying mystery that you have to continue the rest of the series to figure out... I really want to know who those strange people are at the end of the book!

You will get to learn some big words (Irene says a lot of them), and you will even get to learn the meaning of hurtleberry (read the book or find a dictionary to find out).

The great thing about this book/novella is that is a quick read, but it is even quicker because you are trying to figure the whole thing out! I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a quick read and loves a good mystery.

Cana

View all my reviews

The Princess and The Penis

Description:

A beautiful, chaste, and completely naive princess encounters a strange lump in her mattress. The lump soon morphs into a shape familiar to everyone but her, triggering her curiosity and her father's greatest fears. He frantically tries to intervene, but having a large phantom phallus in a curious maiden's bed is never a good combination. 

My Review:

The Princess and The Penis by R J Silver

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What would you do if an unknown penis (no man connected) was in your bed every night, preventing you from sleeping, because it is bothering your butt? And what if you, the virgin princess, didn't know what it was because your parents had never explained to you the facts of life? And what if the only way you discovered to sleep through the night was to put it between your legs? Well, that would be the story of Amalia, the virgin princess.

This light-hearted tale tells of what a King, his wife, his two sisters, and his daughter's ladies-in-waiting have to do to protect the chastity of the princess, to ensure that she marries a wealthy prince to save their Kingdom. With many play on words and wonderful ending, this short story will leaving you laughing through the day!

It also carries a wonderful moral: If you don't educate your children, especially your daughters, they might just have to figure out what the strange penis in their bed might need to do!

I recommend for a quick read!

Cana

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