jbronderbookreviews

Deliverance by Kristy Centeno

Paranormal/YA/NA/Urban Fantasy/Thriller

Date Published: March 19, 2016

Publisher: Inkspell Publishing

He’s been locked away his entire life.
He dreams of freedom.
The only way he can accomplish his goals is by breaking free of the chains tying him to a dark past and gloomy existence. But there’s one catch. He’s not human.
And he’s never set foot outside his jail.

Devoted to saving his peers as well as his own life, he sets out to find the one person that can help him achieve his objectives. He knows where she will be and what she will look like, but what he doesn’t anticipate is the fact he finds himself caring for the girl whose life he’s put at risk, more and more each day.

He has no name.
He has only known hatred and violence before her.
However, she will teach him to have faith in humanity, even if she can’t trust him.
Together they will embark on a journey to bring down a corrupt system responsible for the loss of many innocent lives. But when he finds his feelings compromised, can he still move on knowing that doing so will put an end to the life she once knew? How far is he willing to go to be free?

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Kristy Centeno is the author of the Secrets of the Moon saga and Keeper Witches series.

She has always had a passion for books and after years of being an avid reader, she decided to transform her desire to write into a reality and thus, her first novel was born. When she’s not busy taking care of her five children or holding down the fort, she finds time to sit and do what she loves the most: writing.

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My Review

5 stars

Tiger has known nothing except the Radcliff Institute that he has been locked in for 25 years. But with the help of a mysterious prisoner, Castiel Tigers makes his escape. On the outside, he meets Kristina, a local farm girl that is just trying to do the right thing. But Tiger is still a stranger and his disconnection with human behaviors has Kristina questioning him. He is going to have to work hard to earn both Kristina and Rose’s trust. But that is not going to be easy with Gerard hot on Tiger’s heals. Gerard is bound and determined to catch Tiger no matter who gets in his way.

This is a great story. Tiger has no idea about much beyond the institute. I do feel for the poor guy as he tries to navigate around people. But his interactions with Kristina, talk about melt my heart. He is just so sweet and enduring as he stumbles over himself trying to express his feelings for Kristina.

Kristina is scared but she is such a strong person, she just has to find it in herself. They travel across the country trying to find someone that can help Tiger. The problem is he knows what she looks like but nothing beyond that. Not an easy quest with the bad guys knocking on your back door constantly.

I really enjoyed this story. There is lots of action and a great plot. I have never read any of Kristy Centeno’s books before but I will definitely be checking them out.

I received Deliverance from Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

Deliverance Excerpt

She coerces my lips open with her tongue. I oblige, shutting my eyes to revel in the barrage of sentiments borne of her actions. For once, I allow myself the luxury of being consumed by an emotion I can hardly keep under wraps.

A craving unlike any I’ve ever felt before rises and quickly becomes my biggest enemy. I’m overwhelmed with the need to caress Kristina—to lure her in and keep her tightly clutched against my chest. I want so much more than to sit still as her tongue invades my mouth, gently stroking my own.

My body betrays me in a very physical way. In my confusion, I’m apprehensive as to how to proceed. Where do I go from here? I wrestle with my desire to explore her body, and her specific requirements to keep my appendages where they won’t come in contact with any part of her anatomy.

Not easy to do with our mouths joined, and Kristina so painfully close to me.

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The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

Nina Redmond is a literary matchmaker. Pairing a reader with that perfect book is her passion… and also her job. Or at least it was. Until yesterday, she was a librarian in the hectic city. But now the job she loved is no more.

Determined to make a new life for herself, Nina moves to a sleepy village many miles away. There she buys a van and transforms it into a bookmobile—a mobile bookshop that she drives from neighborhood to neighborhood, changing one life after another with the power of storytelling.

From helping her grumpy landlord deliver a lamb, to sharing picnics with a charming train conductor who serenades her with poetry, Nina discovers there’s plenty of adventure, magic, and soul in a place that’s beginning to feel like home… a place where she just might be able to write her own happy ending.

My Review

4 stars

Nina Redmond is a librarian that was until she was laid off. Now she doesn’t know what to do and her roommate is kicking her out because of the overwhelming piles of books. So, Nina decides to buy a van and remodel it to be a bookmobile. She travels around Scotland recommending books to those she meets.

Nina hits rock bottom but takes a chance with something she loves, books. That in itself is impressive. But I really liked all the people she meets along the way. I loved Marek, he is so sweet and you can tell he truly loves Nina.

This is a great story. Nina is stronger than she realizes and finds the path to her dreams after falling down. I have not read any other books by Jenny Colgan but I will be checking out her other books.

To purchase The Bookshop on the Corner make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Jenny Colgan’s website.

I received The Bookshop on the Corner from the publisher and Edelweiss for free in exchange for an honest review.

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YA Science Fiction/Fantasy

Date Published:  Re-release July 9, 2016, the book has been out since February 2013

Publisher: Rule of Three Press

A forbidden birth. A remarkable young woman. A marauding alien society. The battle begins.

A brutal alien society invades Korin and Arranon, intent on destroying the two worlds that make up Cadet Erynn Yager’s home. Forced to expose her strange abilities and reveal her forbidden birth, a guarded web of secrets unravels.

Stranded on an unfamiliar planet of eternal winter and predatory wildlife, the mysterious living consciousness of Arranon intervenes, leading Erynn on a mystical journey.

Aware of Erynn’s potential, the alien enemy pursues her. She struggles to gain control of her growing powers while in a constant race to elude the invaders, and join the forces preparing to fight a mounting occupation.

Erynn’s secret may be her worlds’ only hope, but at the cost of her life. Swept up in a chain reaction of events, Erynn’s dedication extends far beyond service and duty. She learns the true meaning of sacrifice.

Along with courage and hope, Erynn finds something unexpected on her journey of awareness and growth.

Love.

R.E. Sheahan

I have always been a reader. I’d come home from grade school with stacks of books every week, and during the summer, I’d get my fix from the library. I love books. Later, while working every day outside at the ranch, I’d listen to audio books on cassette with one of those Sportswalk players I’d hook to my belt. I could go through three or four books a week.

I started writing while working as a Paramedic/Firefighter in Northern California.

Trust me, it’s not always like it appears on TV. There was plenty of time for reading.

Writing got serious for me when I moved to my ranch in Oregon. While waiting for lambs to be born in the middle of the night, I would head back to the house for an hour or two and sit down at the computer. Before I knew it, I had a manuscript. One hundred and twenty-two thousand words that desperately needed help, but it was a start.

The characters demanded their story be told, so I joined critique groups and attended writer’s conferences. I was on the fast track to learning what I needed to know to write well, and tell, show, an engaging story.

In 2013, I received an honorable mention in Writer’s Digest’s Self Published book awards for MG/YA, so I guess I had learned something! BTW, I’m still learning.

Ideas from dreams follow me into warm sunny days or the quiet of falling snow. “What ifs” feed a vivid imagination. Even mistyped phrases may lead to an “aha” moment. Brain storming sessions standing in dark, windy parking lots with fellow writers release thoughts that pry at the corners of my mind, grasping for purchase. Sometimes the ideas pursue me, with persistence.

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My Review

4 stars

Erynn is the daughter of a powerful general and is training to be a fighter pilot. But she learns that the man that died is not her real father. Her mother is from Korin but her biological father is from Arranon. Since Korin and Arranon are at war, Erynn is looked down on. But then she is kidnapped. It seems she has some special powers from her Arranon side and that others know of these powers and plan on using them. Jaer is part of the crew that kidnaps Erynn. Jaer helps her escape which lands Erynn on Arranon. There her father’s ghost tells her of a quest on the planet. She also feels a connection to the planet.

I really enjoyed this story. It draws you in with the promise of a biological father on a warring planet. She is bound to find out more information and get more than she planned. I loved the abilities and how she could connect with others. Of course that means someone is going to try and use her for their advantage.

Jaer is a great person. You can tell that he is interested in Erynn and does what he can to keep her safe. He would be a great romantic character yet there is so much happening that there really is not any time to explore that role yet.

I think this is a great start to the series and has a lot of potential. This is a book that I would recommend to those that like young adult fantasy/sci-fi. At the time of this review you are able to get the second book, Fire and Ice for free from Amazon Kindle.

To purchase Storm of Arranon make sure to visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Goodreads.

I received Storm of Arranon for free from Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

Excerpts From Storm of Arranon – Book One

Jaer sighed. “I will get you there, Erynn.” His hand stroked her hair.

I’m Erynn again. She angled her face to see him. “Why do you do that?”

He tipped his head. His hand stopped its soft movement and dropped. “I am sorry. I will not do it again.” His arms stiffened.

“No. I mean sometimes you call me Lieutenant, or Lieutenant Yager, but rarely Erynn. Why?”

“I guess the same reason you call me, sir, and not Jaer.”

She stared at the dark outline of his face, quiet for a long moment. “So if I call you Jaer, you’ll stop calling me Lieutenant?”

He laughed quietly. “Yes, Erynn.” His hand moved back to her hair, sliding around to hold her face. His lips brushed hers, tentative at first, then with more pressure, but still gentle.

Erynn put one arm around him and the other up to his jacket, grasping the collar and pulling him, returning the kiss. Electric blue tendrils wove around, slow and graceful, encompassing them in a soft light.

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Gertrude and Toby’s Friday Adventure (Gertrude and Toby – 1) by Shari Tharp

Gertrude the goat and her best friend Toby the tortoise are adventurers. No sitting around on the boring farm for them! They love to explore, and every Friday they sneak off the farm for some extra fun. One Friday, Gertrude and Toby decide to visit the local candy store in town. They discover yummy goodies and treats, but soon find that the treats are not free!? Uh oh! The market owner grabs Toby. He demands money for the candy that Gertrude and Toby have taken by mistake. Gertrude must find a way to save her friend and get back home before Farmer Sam returns.

My Review

5 stars

Gertrude the goat and her best friend Toby are always looking for a new adventure. They especially love Fridays because that is when Farmer Sam went shopping in town. One day, when they see Ryan, Farmer Sam’s son eating goodies and treats they decide that next Friday they are going to sneak into town to get some treats themselves. Along the way they meet a girl in a red cap, a frog princess, an old lady with shiny red apples, and a boy going to sell his cow.

Gertrude and Toby find the store with goodies and load up a bag. Unfortunately they didn’t know that they had to pay for the goodies. Toby is held at the store until Gertrude can find some way to pay for the goodies. Thankfully they meet a bunch of great people that are willing to help.

This is a great story with wonderful illustrations. Gertrude and Toby are not normal farm animals. They love their adventures and the get a big one. They do have consequences for their actions but I loved how Gertrude was will to do anything to help save Toby. I loved how the people they met along the way were willing to help Gertrude and Toby out.

This is a wonderful kid’s story and is the first in a series. I can’t wait to see what happens in the other books.

To purchase Gertrude and Toby’s Friday Adventure make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.

I received Gertrude and Toby’s Friday Adventure for free from eBooks for Review in exchange for an honest review.

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Subversive (The Warrior – 3) by Rebecca Royce

Rachel Clancy has been through a lot. With a mission to fight vampires, while losing two boyfriends—one to a vampire and one because of his daddy issues—she is in charge of a secret revolution that could change Genesis, her home, forever. Her confidence is shot, her hands are shaking, and she hasn’t felt a real emotion, except for anger, in a long time.

But Rachel should never be counted out. She sees things others can’t, even if her ideas are considered downright traitorous. The life destined for Rachel is to lead in the world, filled with vampires and werewolves instead of romance and flowers—always forced to fight to stay alive and vanquish any threat to her friends and family. But no matter how many times she’s won, the evil that has stalked her never forgets her name….

Life is a continuous battle that never ends….

My Review

5 stars

Rachel is still hurting from Chad’s death and Jason leaving for his pack. But now that Genesis is above ground she is going to have to put those feeling aside and fight to keep everyone safe. Although things look bleak, she still keeps fighting the secret revolution. But this is starting to weigh heavily on Rachel. How can one person be so important but feel like they are the only one fighting? But then a nasty twist just ratchets up the excitement.

Just when you think that it couldn’t get any worse, surprise! Rachel is starting to get burned out fighting, especially when it seems everyone is against her and she can trust no one. Then things change and turn everything on end.

I can’t get enough of this series. Just when you think you have it figured out you realize that there is way more happening. I can’t help but feel for Rachel. For her I hope there is an end in sight. But as a reader, I can’t wait to see what happens and don’t want this series to end.

To purchase Subversive make sure to check out Amazon, Goodreads and Rebecca Royce’s website.

I received Subversive for free from Candid Book Reviews in exchange for an honest review.

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First Circle Club (First Circle Club – 1) by Alex Siegel

When Virgil is betrayed and murdered, he thinks his days of catching fugitives as a U.S. Marshal are over. He is condemned to an eternity of filing paperwork in the First Circle of Hell. Then a demon lord gives Virgil an unprecedented assignment. He will return to Earth as part of a team: two souls from Heaven and two from Hell. They must stop another damned soul who escaped and is now murdering teenagers on Earth. The serial killer has supernatural skills and is part of a larger conspiracy which is well prepared for a fight. If he is not careful, Virgil could be murdered a second time.

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Alex Siegel

Alex Siegel has written three series, full of hellish scenarios and diabolical plot twists. The First Circle Club is the first book in his latest series. He is a computer programmer by day and a passionate, even obsessive, writer by night. He lives in Chicago with his wife and triplet teenage boys. A gray cat and two guinea pigs complete the menagerie.

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My Review

4 stars

Virgil was a U.S. Marshal that died in 1985. He wasn’t an overly bad person but enough to get sent to the first ring of Hell pushing paper. But then a serial killer manages to escape Hell and continues his killing spree. The Angels and Demons decide to put together a team of humans to hunt down the killer. Lisa was a rogue cop that was killed in 1995 and counted coins in Hell. From the first ring of Heaven we have Sara, a forensic specialist that passed in 1993 and Alfred, a forensic psychologist that died in 1965. All four are given powers to help them along the way. Lisa has the power to hurt while Sara can heal. Virgil can shame while Alfred can create trust.

The killer, Daniel has started killing kids again. They are at the proper age before they start sinning. His killing is sending them to Heaven before they get a chance to be corrupted and go to Hell. But there is more to this than just a serial killer escaping. Daniel had help getting out of Hell. And what are Heaven and Hell really when Heaven is more boring than anything and Hell gives you no chance at redemption.

I really liked this story. None of the characters were overly good or evil, just enough to send them to either Heaven or Hell. The one thing that got me was Virgil and Lisa did what needed to be done and didn’t think twice but it makes them look like the bad guy when in thier positions that is not always the case. But I was surprised at Sara and Alfred being so bored in Heaven that they jumped at the chance to be part of this team. I liked the Daniel, he was evil thinking he was doing good. But it makes you think about why are humans even on Earth if we just die young and not have any sin on our souls.

This is a great story and one that I recommend checking out. I’m really excited to see what happens in the next book of this series.

I received First Circle Club for free from Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

Exceprt

The angel touched down lightly on the sand. A supremely beautiful face made Sara want to cry with joy.

“I am Barachiel, chief of the guardian angels. You are Sara Bass?”

Sara nodded. “What can I do for you?”

“The Lords of Hell screwed up and allowed an evil soul to escape to Earth. Now we have to clean up their mess.”

“Oh. Sounds awful. What do you want me to do?”

“Go back to Earth as part of a search team,” Barachiel said. “The soul belongs to a serial killer, and he has started to kill again. It’s a uniquely important assignment.”

“I guess you know my background. I was a medical examiner for many years.”

“We picked you because of your background.”

“We?” Sara said.

“The Council of Light.”

The enormous magnitude of the situation was dawning on Sara. Of all the many millions of souls in Heaven, the Council had chosen her to return to Earth.

“Does this kind of thing happen often?”

“It has never happened before,” Barachiel said. “This search team concept is completely new. It might be a disaster, but we don’t have any other options. Regular angels aren’t suited for something like this. Hell is sending its own representatives. Try to be polite even if they smell bad.”

Sara wrinkled her nose.

“And of course, you can come back to Heaven any time you want,” Barachiel added. “If the job proves too much for you, we can find a replacement.”

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary.” Sara was looking forward to doing something useful again. “But how did this happen? I didn’t think it was possible to escape from Hell.”

Barachiel shrugged its beautiful shoulders. “I’m sure incompetence was the cause. Demons are so consumed by sinful thoughts they can’t think clearly. Regardless, it’s a big mess now. With all the bickering and accusations, you would think the Apocalypse had arrived.”

Sara doubted the explanation was so simple.

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Escape to Redemption by Peter Parr

Josie only had the gun to frighten Curtis Rook, but his son disturbed her. One startled reflex and now he’s dead. Josie flees to Poland leaving her boyfriend Snaz to take the rap. A reformed criminal offers her refuge from the police and the chance to begin a new life, but she cannot hide from her guilt. As the stakes rise, Josie begins to realise that only her own forgiveness can set her free. Fast-paced and original, Peter M. Parr’s contemporary take on Crime and Punishment challenges traditional ideas about guilt and redemption, and the meaning of forgiveness.

Peter Parr

Peter M. Parr works part-time as a civil servant, which gives him time to indulge his passion for writing. He facilitates workshops to encourage people to reflect on what truly matters. He lives in Hastings, East Sussex, overlooking the sea. He is a Quaker and student of ‘A Course in Miracles’.

Website

My Review

5 stars

Josie is a spoiled brat and learns something about her mother. She decides to teach Rook a lesson but when she threatens him with a gun she accidentally shoots and kills him and injures his son. Fearing the consequences, Josie runs away to Poland and plans to let her “boyfriend”, Snaz take the fall. Snaz quickly figures out that Josie is going to let him be blamed for the murders and plans on getting arrested just to blame her. But Josie can’t live with the guilt of what she has done and the thought that Snaz will be blamed.

I admit that I couldn’t stand Josie. She was such a brat and the plan to threaten Rook, what in the heck was she thinking? But I will say that as we follow along with Josie she does impress me. There is a lot of thought on her part and she does become a better person. Snaz on the other hand, he thinks because he is lower in the social scale he deserves to take the blame for the death. But as you read on, he just gets worse and worse.

I enjoyed this story, it does make you think. If you were in Josie’s position what would you do? How would you react? And how would it change you? The book is well written and had me thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it. This is one book that I recommend people check out.

To purchase Escape to Redemption make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.

I received Escape to Redemption for free from Virtual Author Book Tours for free in exchange for an honest review.

Excerpt

      Josie felt shy to ask for a glass of water, so the sour taste of the vinegar-drenched herrings lingered in her mouth. The others spoke in English, trying to include her in the conversation, but their efforts only made her feel more left out. She hadn’t heard of the writers they talked about, never mind read their books.

If anything, Kogut sounded the most enthusiastic: ‘We create our own experience,’ he declared to nods from Helena. ‘What you think, you become.’ Their hostess agreed with everything he said, interrupting only when she didn’t understand the meaning of a word. Ola also appeared to be a convert, coming up with clever answers when Kogut turned devil’s advocate to challenge her in jest.

Josie found herself warming to Roman more than to the women. He said very little and she assumed all their new-age talk must be above his head too. But when the conversation turned to people dying in Malawi because they had no clean water, he chimed in as animated as the rest. Josie could only nod: they all knew far more about it than she did.

She finished her herrings before any of the others, and the next course – steaming-hot sauerkraut with wild mushrooms – too. No doubt they considered her ignorant. She didn’t understand why Kogut had brought her here, unless he took pleasure in showing her up.

Her mind kept returning to what he’d said outside. We are Spirit. What did he mean? She stared at him, the dancing flame of the candle between them, and she felt a growing urge to confront him. We’re all Spirit? Well if he really believed that, why did he live in a mansion and have people to cook and clean for him, and Adam to drive his Merc? Or perhaps he’d set up the whole evening, but why would he? Not to get her into bed with him, surely, when he could have chosen a hundred more obvious ways.

Josie waited for a break in the conversation, but she couldn’t get a word in while Ola offered her solutions to the world’s problems. She spoke like a proper little oracle, like the world’s leaders simply had to follow her suggestions and everything would be sorted. Josie couldn’t help but smile when Ola spilled some greasy cabbage from her fork onto her plush velvet dress.

When Roman brought the carp from the kitchen and set a plate in front of her, Josie recalled the live fish in the bath at Pete’s family’s flat: the ripples it made in the water, the languid movement of its fins. Pete and his family would be having their meal too, an empty space at the table where a week ago she’d sat.

Josie had hoped Pete might change her and show her another way to live. She’d allowed herself to get close to him because a part of her did want to change. Instead she’d ended up hurting him twice now. She’d been kidding herself, to imagine a relationship with someone so different could ever have worked.

Helena borrowed her daughter’s plate to cut the meaty fish into small, bite-size chunks for her. The emeralds in Ola’s earrings looked real. Weren’t they wasted, on a girl who couldn’t see?

‘You are not eating,’ observed Kogut.

‘I’m not hungry,’ Josie said. ‘I’ve had enough.’

‘You’ve been very quiet, Josephine.’ Ola spoke to her for the first time since they’d sat at the table. ‘Tell us about yourself.’

The invitation jolted Josie. ‘Like what?’

‘Do you study?’

‘No. I went to drama school, but I left it after a year.’

‘So do you work?’ Ola pressed.

‘I do some modelling.’

‘Oh, really? What kind?’

‘Magazines. Fashion magazines.’

‘What colour is your hair?’

‘Blonde.’

‘Oh, but it’s much darker than yours is, Ola,’ said the girl’s mother, returning her plate. ‘Bardzo ostry—’

‘Vivid,’ Roman translated.

‘Almost halfway towards red.’

Josie realised, if she did stay in Poland, she’d have to dye her hair to avoid being recognised. Maybe black would suit her.

‘… Josephine is very beautiful.’ Helena interrupted her thoughts. ‘Don’t you think so, Arkadiusz?’

Kogut took a long moment to reply, until Josie looked at him. ‘Yes, she is. Very.’

Ola struggled to capture an obstinate piece of fish on her fork. ‘But of course, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

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