New Release Princess Dracula

Recently Released, Kindle Scout Selected Novella:

Princess Dracula

by John Patrick Kennedy

Retelling of Classic Dracula Lore

All power comes at a price…

Ruxandra learned everything she knows while growing up in a convent. Training to be the perfect nobleman’s wife, she relishes the prospect of a simple life. But everything changes when her father, Vlad Dracula, retrieves her on her eighteenth birthday. Securing her a marriage is the last thing he has in mind…

After he performs a mysterious ritual over her, Ruxandra gains uncontrollable supernatural powers. Alone, terrified, and faced with an unknown future, she is left to forge a new life for herself. There’s only one thing she knows: if she doesn’t learn to control her unnatural instincts, she’ll destroy every last shred of her humanity.

Princess Dracula is the first book in a dark fantasy horror series. If you like crisp writing, emotional gravitas, and intriguing retellings of classic tales, then you’ll love John Patrick Kennedy’s new twist on vampire lore.

Links:

Princess Dracula on Amazon

John Patrick Kennedy Official Site

John Patrick Kennedy on Twitter

Soul Thief (REVIEW)

Soul Thief

Author:  Jeff Chapman
Category: Horror Short Story

Suitable for: Teens+

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Format Read for Review: Kindle

Pages: 22

Description: This is a short story about a monster that steals souls. One unfortunate night while James is alone it comes for him...

In Short: This novelette is free on amazon. There is not a lot I can say about this book without giving away spoilers, so I will keep this review brief. Overall it is a very creepy tale and a great book for anyone looking for a scary short story.      

Pros: Very well written book. It is very descriptive and creates a clear mental picture for you at all times. The character development is surprisingly good considering it is only 22 pages. You get a clear image of the protagonist, James and why this particular unfortunate event is happening to him, and there is also a change in the relationship of the siblings as the story goes on, which is just really good writing. Even though the main story is about James who is being attacked by a monster, I felt the heart of the story is the strong theme of 'family'. Overall great, fun read. Short and fast story that created feelings of fear, suspense and anticipation.

Cons: I don't have any notable issues with this book.

Parent's Guide: Some violence.  

This novelette is free on Amazon.

Here is another free book by Jeff Chapman on Amazon: Sixpence and Rye and a Snake in a Pie

If you go to his official website you can get another one of his books for free!

We are also doing a giveaway contest where you could win 2 of his books, and other great prizes. Click here.

Blue Waters (REVIEW)

Blue Waters

Author:  India R Adams
Category: YA, NA, Romance, Fiction

Suitable for: teens+

My Rating: 5 Stars

Format Read for Review: Kindle

Pages: 112

Description: I honestly don't know how to describe this book. I don't want to use the description off Amazon either because I don't want you to get any spoilers. If you go on the ride that is this story without any previous knowledge of the plot you will truly enjoy the intrigue it has to offer. I will say it is about a girl named Whitney and her group of friends, her love story, and her devastating losses. It is a beautiful story.     

In Short: Stellar addition to the YA Romance genre. People who are fans of this genre will certainly enjoy this novel. It is a well written emotional roller coaster. It has an intriguing plot with tons of depth, a wonderful cast, great heroes and a sweet love story.  

Pros: This book is very well written and a quick read that is fast paced and full of action. The characters are charming and well developed. The love story although it starts off too fast reaches a point where it progresses at a perfect rate. What I love most about this book is how intriguing the story it. It stars off so mysterious and then starts solving mysteries for you while throwing shocking plot points at you. Absolutely wonderful. I was so surprised by many of the events that occurred. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be and it was a wonderful change of pace from other novels of the genre. Our heroine Whit is a very remarkable character. I truly sympathize with her because of all of the struggles she has had to endure. The great writing of the novel makes you feel hopeful for her despite her troubles, so it isn't at all depressing. With the plot as exciting as it is I could argue this is of the Thriller genre as well.

Cons: This isn't so much a criticism as a note. Like in many YA novels the characters fall in love instantly, this is just the style of YA Romance. I understand this happening because of the quick pace and shortness of the novel. I guess I would have liked to see some communication between the pair between the time they met and the time of their first date. Maybe seeing them connecting more and more via text messages before they fell in love on that first date would have added realism for me. However, the pace of the love story does improve and this doesn't ruin anything for me.    

Parent's Guide:  Some swearing, some violence (abduction), drug reference, sexual reference no graphic details. 

Find it on Amazon 

I was given a free copy of this book in return for my honest review.

Shara and the Haunted Village by Jeffrey Getzin (REVIEW)

Shara and the Haunted Village          

Author:  Jeffrey Getzin

Category: Mystery/Adventure

Suitable for ages:  Young teens to adults

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Pages: 156

Description:  This book is about a woman named Shara that is very down on her luck.  With no money and no job. She accepts an offer that sucks her into a world of danger and adventure. A world with a wizard, demon, ghosts and men that can’t be trusted.  The setting of this book takes place in a ancient, mysterious village. Shara and her companion much find a way out.

In Short:  This book takes you to a haunted village which contains a wizard, a demon and ghosts. You find yourself wondering what is real and what is not while you eagerly read to find out how they get out?

Pros:  This book is an incredibly fascinating read that is full of adventure. I found the characters to be especially unique and wild.

Cons: I sometimes had a hard time visualizing what the author was describing. 

A Death in the Highlands by Caroline Dunford (REVIEW)

A Death in the Highlands

Author: Caroline Dunford

Category: Historical Fiction Mystery

Suitable for: Teens+

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Format Read for Review:  Kindle

Pages: 145

Description: Euphemia a maid for a wealthy family finds herself promoted to housekeeper and put in charge at the family’s hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands. After the mysterious death of one of the guests she finds herself trying to solve the murder before an innocent person is punished for it.  

In Short: This is the second book in the Euphemia Martins Mysteries but it stands alone well and makes for a quick fun read. The mystery will have you guessing the entire time. It makes for a fun trip back in time to the beautiful Scottish Highlands. The slight hint of romance will make you eager to read the next book to see if love will flourish.

Pros: I loved the mystery in this book. I was constantly second guessing my assumptions and ended up being totally surprised at the ending. Although the killer surprised me after looking back at the clues it was completely believable so I didn't feel like I was being tricked. I also really appreciated how well this book ‘stood alone.’ When I got it I didn't realize it was the 2^nd book in a series but the character development was still strong and enough back story given to completely immerse me in the story. I am a huge fan of historical fictions and mysteries and I loved how this book was done.

Cons: Although I loved the story in this book I knocked off half a star because it lacked a little something something to make it perfect. I would have liked a little more romance. There is the slightest little hint of a love story forming and I am dying to see how that turns out. I really like the main character, Euphemia and admire how hard she works to support her family so I really want her to have a happily ever after. I hope that there will be more of a love story for her in the next book in the series.

Possessed by P.C. Cast (REVIEW) After Moonrise - Part 1

Possessed

Author: P.C. Cast

Category: Supernatural

Suitable for: Adults Only

My Rating: 3 Stars

Format Read for Review:  Kindle

Pages: Approx. 125

After Moonrise is made up of 2 novellas: Possessed by P.C. Cast and Haunted by Gena Showalter. Both novellas are set in the same world and centered around a Psychic Detective type of agency called After Moonrise. This review is for Possessed.

Description: A woman seeks help after her twin sister is murdered. She goes to a psychic who specializes in finding murders by tracking negative emotions. Together they search for her sister’s killer and attempt to save her soul from annihilation.

In Short: This supernatural novella has a dark plot with some unique ideas. The concept is interesting but there were some bizarre and even uncomfortable developments. I thought this novella was just OK. It isn’t a book I would want to read again someday.

Pros: This book had an interesting plot. I feel like maybe if this had been a regular length novel or at least a little longer the story could have grown into something a little more believable and been less rushed. I did think that the mystery elements of this book were good. It was interesting how the ghost was giving them little hints to find her killer. I do enjoy P.C. Cast’s writing style.  

Cons: The romance element of this book was a little unusual. Like most of the other reviewers for this book I found the sister “taking one for the team” to be weird and it made me uncomfortable. I also thought their romance happened too fast making it less believable to me. I’m really not a fan of “insta-love” because I generally have the feeling that it isn’t based on anything real and therefore wont last. I also thought the general premise for the book was a bit cheesy. I didn’t get into the ooey gooey happy feelings stuff. There was also a lot of unnecessary swearing in the beginning. I’m not usually that annoyed by cussing but who drops F-bombs in front of clients like that? Very unprofessional of the psychic detective main character. I also really couldn’t get into the male main character of this story. Him being so moody and only able to experience negative emotions (until the happy girl comes along) was just so unrealistic even knowing his back story. They have to make him experience joy in order to help them. Unfortunately the only way they can think of to make him experience joy is sexually. I thought certainly there are other ways to make men feel happy. That definitely wasn’t the deepest and most thoughtful solution.

The Voyage by Ivana Vianno (REVIEW)

The Voyage

Author:  Ivana Vianno

Category:  Sci Fi (Science Fiction - Aliens) (short)

Suitable for:  Adults

My Rating: 2

Pages: 102

Description:  This is a short story about a man who is abducted by aliens and travels around with them. He experiences communication problems and experiences their way of living.

In Short:  A man is abducted by aliens and has new, strange and sometimes funny alien experiences.

Pros: It was kind of funny.

Cons: There was no plot. It was pretty stupid and had a lousy ending. The main character was unlikable and hard to understand.  The author failed to explain why things happened the way they did and went the way they did, so it left the reader confused and with a lot of questions.

Fortunately, I got the kindle edition of this book while it was free on Amazon.