Book Review: Curfew

Blurb:

Trick or Treat, 
Eternal sleep, 
If you make a promise to Mary you don't keep... 

One the eve of Halloween, four teenagers will discover just how deadly keeping Mary out past her curfew can be. If you can't keep your word to Mary, you'll lose your soul.

Overall: 

I want to reiterate that just because I rate a book 3 or below does not mean that it is not a good book! It merely means that I PERSONALLY did not enjoy it as much as I normally would have compared to other stories. The book was not by any means bad, it was just not what I had hoped for. There were a few things I did not like and wish that the writer would have taken more time to develop. The writing itself is alright, I did like that the formatting was done correctly and the editing was good. I did not find typos like I normally do in the books I review. I did like the cover! It was a good mix of fright and shows the clock which is the backbone of the whole story.

Bad

I did not like the characters at all! I especially hated one the main characters, I know the writer wrote it in a way that the reader might feel pity for her later on when the story of what is tormenting them is revealed. However I found the MC annoying and did not like the supporting characters either. The supporting character's attitude/opinion would dramatically change out of nowhere. The characters didn't seem well developed.  I did not like the ending, I won't spoil it for you but I wish it wouldn't have taken such a unrealistic turn. Let's just say no one in their right mind would have done what the other MC does at the end of this book. It kind of lacked depth and the very last sentence seemed out of place. I'm not sure if the author intended it to be humorous however it did take away from the previous scene. The last line didn't leave a lasting impression.

Good

The overall story is interesting, as a fan of horror I did find this story suspenseful and thrilling. I like the 'entity' that the story focuses and and the explanation it gives of its origin. I really liked the length of the book, it was short enough for me to finish quickly. I LOVE Halloween themed books and especially love horror books so I liked the setting and the time that it takes place at. The author at the ends includes a small note about an upcoming anthology/collection. I wouldn't mind taking a look and reading other stories.

★★★☆☆

3 stars: I liked it

Book Review: Primal Stand

Blurb:

It has been twenty long years since his encounter. Its eyes, its smell, its presence, they're all ingrained in a mind that won't let him forget. The night he met the Sasquatch was one that changed his life forever, although for better or worse he's never been certain. When a film crew shows up in his small British Columbia town requesting his help finding the creature that has come to define his life, the opportunity seems too good to turn down. Though one question still remains: does he actually want to find it again?

Overall:

Josh's debut book is great! It's about Bigfoot!! There were a lot of things that were surprisingly good. I didn't find a lot of the mistakes that I find with some self published books that I review. When I initially looked at its length I worried a little bit considering it was only 34 pages. I was wrong, the writer did a great job in the short amount that he wrote. The story was overall great and in that short length managed to get me [the reader] engaged in the story. I'm very happy I picked this book up! 

Bad:

I honestly couldn't think of many bad things, like I said I'm very surprised considering this is a debut book. The first few pages had a lot of extra descriptive words but not necessarily a bad thing. I'm not so sure if I like the cover (yes I am looking at the cover also). The cover doesn't seem to very eye catching. What got me to want to read this book was the actual blurb, the cover seems a little amateurish (maybe the only thing).

Good:

The writing was great! The story progressed well and jumped into several scenes right away that kept me interested. I really am surprised, not many of the books I've read that are so short do such a good job at wrapping an entire story up. This book had a proper ending as well which I usually don't find at least for shorter books (usually end with a cliff hanger). I also love monsters and anything cryptic so the Bigfoot focus really interested me. The format on the Kindle was great, which to me is very important! I really liked this book and hope that the author decides to publish another one. Clearly the author has talent if he was able to write a short book with so much detail, suspense, and action.  

★★★★☆

4 stars: I really liked it

Amazon

Goodreads

Recommend for:

-Bigfoot lovers

-Short fun read

Book Review: Jabberwock Jack: (Nowak Brothers 2)

Blurb:

Mikkel and Szandor are back! Everyone's favorite monster hunters return for a new adventure, and this time it's a monster that's bigger than they have ever dealt with before! While on a routine job in the city's underground tunnels, they stumble on a creature thought lost for years. They are then invited to join a hastily assembled team of hunters going underground to try to kill the enormous serpent. Delving deeper into the dark tunnels than they have ever gone before, Mikkel and Szandor find themselves searching for this massive beast in dark overflow tunnels and the endless labyrinth under New Avalon. But creatures beneath the city are not their only problem. Soon tensions begin running high among the assembled hunters, threatening to derail the mission and put them all in danger. Will they succeed, or will they fall prey to the gigantic monster known as Jabberwock Jack?

Overall:

I loved this sequel! If you have not read the first book please do! Any monster lover will absolutely love these two books. I had the chance to read and review the first book earlier this year and rated it 4/5. This second book is great and definitely deserves 5/5. There was a lot more character development in this book and the story is well written and progressed at a good pace. 

Bad:

I wouldn't necessarily consider this a bad thing because I'm sure many readers like extra detail, background, and insight. However I am a very impatient reader and like to get to the next scene as soon as possible so a lot of the main character's inner thoughts and arguments with others don't appeal to me as much. 

Good: 

I normally don't praise a book as much however this really was a good book and for a brief moment really made me nervous about the fate of one particular character. I like the sudden twists in certain parts of the story and the overall ending. The author did a good job editing, formatting the book and taking the time to make sure certain details were looked at (chapter names, spacing, paragraphs). Details like these although small make a big difference for the reader especially on Kindle.

Recommend for:

-Monster lovers (zombies, ghouls, etc)

-Like action and thrilling scenes

-Fun read

★★★★★

5 stars: I loved it!

Amazon

Goodreads

Book Review: The Real Doctor Will See You Shortly: A Physician's First Year

Matt McCarthy

Blurb:

In medical school, Matt McCarthy dreamed of being a different kind of doctor—the sort of mythical, unflappable physician who could reach unreachable patients. But when a new admission to the critical care unit almost died his first night on call, he found himself scrambling. Visions of mastery quickly gave way to hopes of simply surviving hospital life, where confidence was hard to come by and no amount of med school training could dispel the terror of facing actual patients.

Overall:

I picked up this book because I love reading about health and all things medical. However I did not finish this book because I did get bored halfway in. I'm not saying this is a bad book in any way it was just not interesting to me. The book is well written and shows the very knowledgeable background that the author has. I'm sure other medical students would understand it better than a lay person.

The Bad:

I found the first few chapters alright however I found myself getting bored easily. It may have been all the extra details I didn't care much about but I couldn't find it in myself to finish it. 

The Good:

The overall account of an intern and the process of a student becoming a master at his art is interesting. I do feel that this book is very insightful and many people will appreciate the knowledge it gives readers. I like that the author did put a lot of extra details in it however to me it wasn't at all what I would have wanted. In a way it is understandable, a lot of other readers might truly appreciate this book more than me. I originally picked this book up without really looking at the description. 

★★☆☆☆

2 stars: It was OK

[Did not finish]

Recommend:
For readers who DO have and want a behind the scene look at the training of their doctors.
Have some knowledge of health and medical terms.

Book review: The Bride Wore Brains

Blurb:

Claire's perfect wedding takes a horrific turn when her guests start turning into zombies. It's up to her best friend, Kat and a motley crew of wisecracking misfits to save the day

Overall:

I enjoyed this book, it was funny, interesting and was all about zombies which I love! I love the take on the setting, a wedding. This book reminded me of a scene from the video game Left for Dead-the passing in which the survivors come across a wedding ceremony interrupted by zombies. The bride is actually sobbing in the middle of the dance floor and if the survivors turn off the music she actually tries to attack them (she turned into a zombie witch). This book really made me think about that and think about what would happen if a zombie outbreak were to happen on a day meant to be one of the happiest days of your life.

The Bad:

The author did a good job with the overall story and tried to explain the scenes and characters as best as possible. However I would have liked to see a little more personality from the characters. It seemed like the characters were all the same stereotypical bunch: the douche, the queen bee, the people pleaser, the rebel, the pothead etc. Like many indie works there were a few typo errors and the format looked a little off. 

The Good: 

This was a good book, although it did have a few errors and formatting issues it is nothing major that a reader can't get passed by. The story is engaging and pulls the reader in. As the reader I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I was excited when reading and looking forward to when the actual outbreak started. I really liked the length of the book, it was short and sweet just how I like my stories and to the point. This book really sets itself up for a series, I personally would pick up any prequels or sequels. I also liked the prologue and the last scene of the book! This is most definitely a book I'd come back to.

Rating:

★★★★☆

4 stars: I really liked it

Recommend as/for: 

A fun read

Zombie lovers

Readers who don't want to read a long story

Amazon

Goodreads

Book Review "Missing 411 (First book"

Missing 411 

1st book

By David Paulides

Blurb: 

Missing-411 is the first comprehensive research about people who have disappeared in the wilds of North America. It’s understood that people routinely get lost and some want to disappear, but this story is about the unusual. Nobody has ever studied the archives for similarities, traits and geographical clusters of missing people, until now.

Overall:

I have a soft spot for all things paranormal and mysterious just take a look at my horror blog to see how much I enjoy reading about these topics. Missing 411 touches on one of the most interesting topics I have heard about: the strange disappearances of so many people in our national parks. I respect David Paulides and the time and effort that he made in putting all these cases together in one spot. I do believe that he has touched on a subject that deserves more attention nationally.  The book is made entirely up by the cases of these missing persons and briefly touches on any explanation or theory as to what he thinks is happening.

The Bad:

I was extremely excited to get this book, I had heard so much about it through social media and podcasts. I was slightly disappointed at the lack of possible explanations or theories that David had. The author didn't really give the reader any ideas as to what he thought was taking these people. However I do respect the fact that he didn't go crazy and point fingers to a possible creature or phenomena. I'm guessing he wanted to focus more on the actual cases and present the facts and research first. 

The Good:

I love research and facts! David Paulides did a remarkable job at presenting these cases and showing readers that there is something going on. I know this is the first book of his series and I do plan on reading the rest in time. I believe I came at this book wrong, I was expecting to read a crazy theory explaining what was going on however I got the real cold facts about the actual disappearances. He did a great job and although the book is a little long considering it is filled with cases I do think readers will be able to stay interested and intrigued.

Rating:

★★★★☆

4 stars: I really liked it

If you're into all things strange, and unexplained read this book!!!

Book Review "The Proven Path to Unstoppable Ideas: Better and faster"

The Proven Path to Unstoppable Ideas

Better and Faster

Jeremy Gutsche

Blurb:

In our world of chaos and change, what are you overlooking? If you knew the answer, you’d be a better innovator, better manager, and better investor.

This book will make you BETTER by teaching you how to overcome 3 neurological traps that block successful people, like you, from realizing your full potential. Then, it will make you FASTER by teaching you 6 patterns of opportunity – Convergence, Divergence, Cyclicality, Redirection, Reduction andAcceleration. Each pattern you’ll learn is a repeatable shortcut that has created fortunes for ex-criminals, reclusive billionaires, disruptive CEOs and ordinary people who unexpectedly made it big.

Overall:
I am usually very skeptical about reading self proclaimed 'success' books, I sincerely believe that there is no one possible path that leads to general success. There are so many paths to success and just the idea of 'success' is different for everyone. In this case the book aims to teach you how to overcome neurological traps that block success. I enjoyed reading this book it didn't have the usual 'all business, infomercial commercial feeling' to it. I really liked to read the real life scenarios for each step to disruption.

As for the actual steps the author describes in the book that lead to a 'better and faster' you it was different and had enough behind each step to make a good case. I related very much to the steps as the author continued to explain and further elaborate as to why it is so important to either steer away from this action or embrace it. 

This isn't the usual material I read, especially for down time. It took me about three weeks to finish this book because I would read a few chapters lose focus and set it down until I had some more downtime. I couldn't stay focused for long periods of time because although each chapter presented new information I quickly lost interest usually after two or three chapters.

There are a few pages towards the end of the book that summarize all the points that were brought up. This is perfect for an overall review in case the reader gets lost or needs to see the bigger picture. I really enjoyed reading the I.Awaken part as well as the III. Capture: Find your Idea part. 

Rating:

★★☆☆☆ 2/5

 It was OK

This book may not keep you interested for long periods of time but is a good book to come back to if you need a break from your other reading material.  It DOES have good interesting backed up material with REAL world case scenarios that back up his traps/steps ect. You may find a lot of it intriguing and actually practice some of the hunter instincts he mentions (I really liked I. Awaken: The Hunger Vs. The Farmer)

Book Review: I Kill Monsters

Book Review:

I Kill Monsters

Dennis Liggio

Blurb: 

Mikkel and Szandor kill monsters. They're not government funded, they're not from a time-honored lineage of hunters, nor are they rich kids with lots of toys. They're two twenty-something brothers from the poor side of town who have taken it on themselves to rid the streets and underground of creatures who would prey on the innocent. Donning gas masks and using makeshift weaponry, they delve into the labyrinthine sewer system of New Avalon to grapple with snarling zombies, flesh-eating ghouls, insectoid hive creatures, and more. It's a dirty job and it rarely pays, but someone has to do it. 

Hired by a woman from the rich side of town who believes she's being stalked by monsters, the two brothers think they've finally gotten an easy job that will pay well. But as they follow the clues, things are not adding up. Kidnappings, jackbooted commandos, and mysterious emails are just the beginning. Soon they find themselves involved in something bigger than monsters. It's anybody's guess whether they'll come through it alive, much less get paid.

I Kill Monsters is an exciting punk rock urban fantasy for those who enjoy their protagonists with a mouth on them and a weapon in their hands.

Overall: 

I enjoyed reading this book and ended up bumping it up in my TBR list after reading the first few chapters. It was a lot better than I expected it to be and gained traction immediately from the beginning, which I liked. I didn't have to wait long for something to happen in the book and the story was very interesting. The idea of having a brother monster hunting duo was original I didn't see cliche ideas in the story and it was  focused more on a brotherly bond rather than a love story.

The book has unique situations and interactions between all the characters. There were some pretty good action scenes as well as good moments full of humor and excitement. This is a story for all monster/zombie/hunting lovers, it opens a world of underground creatures and could very well have its own fan cult following. Since the story is narrated through the eyes of one of the main characters we get to see everything from his perspective whether it be funny, curious, scary ect. 

This was a different kind of book that I expected would have a lame story with lame cliche villains and situations however there are a few twists in the story and the ending was satisfying. I enjoyed the characters and the monsters in the story and think this would make a great series, I'd love to read more about these two brothers taking on different creatures throughout different cities. 

The bad:

The book was very very descriptive, a little too descriptive for me which isn't bad however there were moments in the chapters that I was ready to just get on with it and see what happened next. I visualized the characters a little different, they were referred to as punk rockers with several piercing and tattoos which made them stand out and original. However the book repeated that they were punk rockers a little too much. I would have liked to see more creatures in the book besides the big four that were mentioned. I think the author can do a lot more with the many mythological creatures out there to pick from. 

The good:

I enjoyed the story, the characters and the monsters as well as all the fun facts about the creatures. I really liked the overall story it was well written and had all the key parts that make a good story. I liked reading the ending and made my own conclusions as far as what would have happened next. I think this is a good book especially if you enjoy this type of genre it will keep you interested and wanting to know more about the duo and their adventures. This story has the potential to become a series and I'm sure readers out there would like to know more about these two brothers after reading this story.

Rating:

★★★★☆ 4/5

I really liked it

Amazon

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Book Review: This is what you just put in your mouth?

Book Review:

*This is what you just put in your mouth?


Patrick Di Justo

Blurb:

What do a cup of coffee and cockroach pheromone have in common? How is Fix-A-Flat like sugarless gum? Is a Slim Jim meat stick really alive? If I Can't Believe It's Not Butter isn't butter, what is it?All of these pressing questions and more are answered in This Is What You Just Put In Your Mouth? Based on his popular Wired magazine column What's Inside, Patrick Di Justo takes a cold, hard, and incredibly funny look at the shocking, disgusting, and often dumbfounding ingredients found in everyday products, from Cool Whip and Tide Pods to Spam and Play-Doh. He also shares the madcap stories of his extensive research, including tracking down a reclusive condiment heir, partnering with a cop to get his hands on heroin, and getting tight-lipped snack-food execs to talk. Along the way, he schools us on product histories, label decoding, and the highfalutin chemistry concepts behind everything from Midol to Hostess fruit pies.
Packed with facts you're going to want to share immediately, this is infotainment at its best—and most fun!—which will have you giving your shampoo the side-eye and Doritos a double take, and make you the know-it-all in line at the grocery store.


Overall: 

I was very excited to get this book, perhaps a little too excited that I may have slightly overestimated it. I initially thought that this was going to be one of those books that would make you rethink your eating behaviors. After reading the main headline "What do a cup of coffee and cockroach pheromone have in common? ... " I thought "hey, now that is a book I want to read!!".
I am sure that many people out there will enjoy this book for what it is: an informational book with facts about what is found in food/products that we most commonly consume or eat.  I personally could not find this book interesting and felt that a lot of information could easily be Googled if necessary. 

The Bad:

I read the introduction and the author clearly states that "if you're looking or shocking stories of the gigantic corporate conspiracy to poison America through its processed foods, you're reading the wrong book" (xii). However that is the thing, I did think in a way this book would have some shocking facts that would really leave an imprint on my mind after finishing it. The title, headline, blurb all made it seem like it would be a book that would have all these shocking truths about processed foods or some other shocking interesting thing. Once I got through half of the book I could not stay interested, it felt like I was reading some time of food label over and over again. The backstories are perhaps the only interesting thing that is different in each section. 

The Good:
The book itself is written well, the author did a great job getting all the facts needed for such an informational book. I have no doubt in my mind that the author is a very smart man who is a great journalist, can easily find facts and is a superb writer. Di Justo did a great job at presenting facts about each common snack most people consume and products that are used on a daily basis.

Rating:

★★☆☆☆ 2/5

 It was OK

Amazon

Goodreads

Book Review: Summer Spark

Book Review:

Summer Spark: A Contemporary Romance Novella (Four Seasons Serial Book 1) 

Ginnie Carmichael

Blurb:

Desperate to keep her teenage daughter from running with the wrong crowd again, Elsie Anderson makes the painful decision to leave Seattle for good. For her, solitude is a small price to pay for keeping Sophie out of trouble. Love is the last thing on Elsie’s mind, especially in a small town like Smithfield, Virginia. 

Alex Becker is the star of Smithfield's firefighting department. He may be a hero, but at night he sees a broken man in the mirror. There was a time when he believed in love, but that all disappeared after he unexpectedly lost his wife late last year. 

They both need a second chance at love. Will Elsie be able to overcome her fear of getting another broken heart? Will Alex ever be able to love again?

Overall:

This short story is a great introduction to Ginnie Carmichael's contemporary romance novella. This book is entertaining and is a great short fun read that a reader can easily finish in a day. The characters are developed and each bring to the story the necessary parts that create a realistic love story. I really liked the main character Elsie, the author really made her a believable and likeable character from the beginning. 

I would have liked this book to be a lot longer than it was considering the total amount of pages is: 66 it ended right as things got good. I'm sure the author knows that the book was relatively short which makes a great introduction to her series however I would have liked to see more of the characters and see where the story is going before committing to another romance series. 

Story:

The story is well written, I liked the pace that it was going even though it felt like it was abruptly cut off at the end. Both characters seem compatible with each other unlike many other stories that annoy you because you can see how wrong both characters are for each other. The sudden flow of their meetings/encounter gives you a 'feel good' feeling making it easier to enjoy. 

Rating:

★★★★☆ 4/5

I really liked it

Recommend for a quick, fun read 

What you'll take: A short quick read story that will leave you wanting more.

Amazon

Goodreads

Ginnie Carmichael

Book review: 

Eye of Horace 

Addison L. Jones

Blyndyn Square books

Overall:

This debut novel retells the story of an ancient Egyptian myth in a modern context, it centers around a family and all their tragedies, mysteries, and secrets. It is a story that not only shows life's true realities such as loss, lies, and secrecy it also shows the aftermath of the each tragedy and how real and deep human emotions can be. 

Eye of Horace has a well written story that centers around two main characters and their perspective about all the events that unfold in their life. You can see major character development from both characters and feel a sense of pride towards the end towards one character's growth. The book has so many cliff hangers, twists and turns that it'll leave you wanting more wondering what will happen next. 

Once I started this book I couldn't help but keep going, it was not only a page turner but gave me 'the reader' a pleasure in getting questions answered, secrets unveiled and excited at certain points. Each chapter is told in a different perspective and starts off exactly where the previous point of view left off. 

There were so many different surprises that kept appearing throughout the story that I was on the edge of my seat most of the time. Towards the middle of the book the story did stall for a bit but quickly caught up to bring more excitement, especially towards the end. 

Story:

I loved the two main characters and do wish their life in the story would have gotten better instead of worse. It seemed like the main characters never really got a break or a chance to be happy. Once the ball got rolling in tragedy it didn't stop, I would have liked to see a happier ending. However I do understand that not all stories can have that 'happily ever after ending' and thought that the author did a good job in wrapping both stories very well.

Rating:

★★★★☆ 4/5

I really liked it

Recommend for a fun read 

What you'll take: It will make you revaluate your relationships with those you love and will make you think about taking different perspective on things. 

Amazon

Goodreads

Blydyn Square Books