Review: The Collector by Victoria Scott

Title: The Collector
Author: Victoria Scott
Genre: Paranormal, Fiction, YA
Series: Dante Walker #1

Paperback, 352 pages

Publication: April 2nd 2013 by Entangled Teen

Source: personal library 

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He makes good girls...bad.

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal-opportunity collector and doesn't want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within ten days.

Dante doesn't know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect, he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector…and uncover emotions deeply buried.

Dante is the epitome of a bad boy; he says and does what he likes without a care in the world. Dante is a collector, his job is to tag souls whenever a person sins and once a person obtains enough…they gain a one way ticket to hell (when they die). Dante’s boss has a special assignment for him, to tag and ensure the soul of Charlie Cooper in 10 days. Dante isn’t sure why the boss wants her soul because Charlie is like a saint, barely any tags on her soul. Dante does everything possible to make Charlie sin, because time is ticking and if he wants to get his promotion and leave hell, he needs to quickly seal the deal on Charlie’s soul.

I really enjoyed this book (the first half at least) more than I thought I would. Dante is the type of person you hate and love at the same time. He’s an ignorant, selfish, cocky jerk but surprisingly underneath that bad boy exterior is a heart! When he first meets Charlie, he can’t believe he has to hang-out with someone who’s as nerdy as Charlie. Dante constantly comments on how Charlie looks and her dowdy clothing, but when the popular kids pick on Charlie, Dante can’t help but come to her defense. Anyone who has a problem with Charlie and her friends means they have a problem with Dante and he isn’t going to put up with anyone’s crap. Dante acts all hard but he isn’t a bad guy really or at least he doesn’t want to be. Over the course of the book, you see Dante begins to change all because he wants to be a better person.

Charlie is your typical sweet-goodie girl. She has a big heart, and doesn’t really let anything get her down. Charlie had a rough life after her parents died in a fire, but she doesn’t let that stop her from living life to the fullest or enjoying the life she has. When Charlie meets Dante she couldn’t believe this unbelievably hot guy is talking/hanging-out with her. I liked Charlie at the start but once she signed the contract to give up her soul and in return get some improvements…I didn’t like her so much. She would ask for simple things at first such as silky-smooth hair, or better vision etc. but it eventually got out of hand (because the contracts her makes her sick if she doesn’t continue to ask for stuff) and while not all of her fault, I found it annoying that she wasn’t happy with how she looked and wanted to be more ‘pretty ‘like the popular girls. I mean she asked for so much that she became almost unrecognizable. Then of course people and Dante started to see her AFTER she got all beautified. Charlie did everything for Dante but even then she went from being a happy-innocent girl to someone who’s superficial. 

Overall THE COLLECTOR was a okay read with some flaws and bumps along the way. I like the first half of the book but didn’t really enjoy the second half. The world-building and characters were okay, nothing I haven’t read before. I usually like my books character driven, but the two leading characters had me hating-liking-hating them half the time, which never happened to me before. The ending was also kind of predictable, and if I had to describe this book  in one word it’d be mediocre. Will I be reading the next book? I’m not sure. I’m a bit curious as to what will happen next, but it isn’t a priority. I’d check out a chapter sample or excerpt before reading or buy.

Review: Sealed With a Curse by Cecy Robson

Title: Sealed With a Curse
Author: Cecy Robson
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Weird Girls #1

Mass Market Paperback, 350 pages

Publication: December 31, 2012 by Signet Eclipse

Source: Won a copy of the book from the author at My Bookish Ways blog.

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Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other twenty-something girls—with one tiny exception: They're the products of a curse that backfired and gave each of them unique powers that make them, well, a little weird…

The Wird sisters are content to avoid the local vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region—until one of them blows up a vampire in self-defense. Everyone knows vampires aren't aggressive, and killing one is punishable by death. But soon more bloodlust-fueled attacks occur, and the community wonders if the vampires of Tahoe are plague-ridden.

Celia reluctantly agrees to help Misha, the handsome leader of an infected vampire family. But Aric, the head of the werewolf pack determined to destroy Misha's family to keep the area safe, warns Celia to stay out of the fight. Caught between two hot alphas, Celia must find a way to please everyone, save everyone, and—oh, yeah—not lose her heart to the wrong guy or die a miserable death. Because now that the evil behind the plague knows who Celia is, he's coming for her and her sisters.

This Wird girl has never had it so tough.

SEALED WITH A CURSE is the first book in a new series by Cecy Robson. This is probably the most fun and entertaining urban fantasy I’ve read to date. SEALED WITH A CURSE has vampires, werewolves, witches, were-shifters, and 4 unique sisters that have their own ability and personalities that I haven’t read in any book. The Wird sisters were a hilarious bunch, and the type of gals that everyone would want to be friends with. Celia is the oldest, and plays the leader/protector role of the siblings. Shayna has the go-with-the flow-surfer mind-set, Taran is the girlie-girl- model and even if she’s covered in vampire guts she knows how to strut her stuff, and finally the baby of the family, Emme, the innocent sister that looks like a baby-doll/angel. Celia’s power is very interesting; she’s a fierce tigress but has other abilities that were pretty cool. Shayna rocks at wielding a sword; her aim is always perfect and can turn certain things into a weapon. Taran can manipulate fire, and Emme can move objects with her mind and heal. In addition to the girls, Celia has two sexy men vying for her attention the master vampire Misha and warrior werewolf Aric. It really isn’t much of a competition since Celia is interested in Aric, and vice versa but Misha is so darn charming, I couldn’t help but root for both (odd, I know since I’m not a fan of love triangle)! Misha and Celia may not be connecting on the same attraction level but I am looking forward to seeing how their relationship will play out in the next book.

SEALED WITH A CURSE is a fun-action packed novel that will have you captivated from page one till the end.  I love everything about this book, but the characters are truly the stars of the novel. The characters make it a one-of-a-kind urban fantasy that cannot be replicated. I like my heroines to be funny, strong, and kick-ass…and SEALED WITH A CURSE has not one but four of them! I wish I picked read this book sooner, and can’t believe I let it sit on my shelf for months! I love this novel and highly recommend this to everyone looking for something fresh and different, it will not disappoint! It hard to distinguish oneself in an already saturated genre but Robson was able to do just that that. I can’t wait to read A CURSED EMBRACE when it comes out next month! This is a series not to be missed!!!

 

Review: Letting Ana Go by Anonymous

Title: Letting Ana Go
Author: Anonymous
Genre: Young-Adult
Series: N/A- Stand Alone

Hardcover, 304 pages

Publication: June 4, 2013 by Simon Pulse 

Source: I received a review copy from the Publicist in exchange for an honest review. 

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In the tradition of Go Ask Alice and Lucy in the Sky, a harrowing account of anorexia and addiction.She was a good girl from a good family, with everything she could want or need. But below the surface, she felt like she could never be good enough. Like she could never live up to the expectations that surrounded her. Like she couldn’t do anything to make a change.

This is my first ‘Anonymous’ book, having never read any of the other similar books published in the previous years (Go Ask Alice, Lucy in the Sky or Jay’s Journal). LETTING ANA GO is the diary of a 16-year-old girl chronicling how a simple task of keeping a food journal for track turned into an uncontrollable obsession to be thin. At the beginning of each journal entry Ana jots down her weight trying to retain the daily suggested 2,200 calories intake. As the story progresses, Ana’s best friend Jill convinces her to start losing weight with her. Ana’s usual 2,000 calories went down to 1,700 calories, 1,200 and then 1,000 calories a day. 

LETTING ANA GO gives readers a glimpse into the mind of someone who suffers with anorexia nervosa, a person who loses weight that would be consider unhealthy for their age and height. I don’t know anyone that suffered an eating disorder, but this book shows how easily and scary a person can develop an eating disorder and not know it. It was sad to see how far Ana, and her friend Jill went to obtain the ‘model’ figure. This is a real problem that many women have suffered for a long time, thanks to the media, magazines, and celebrities some women believe that in order to be considered beautiful they need to weight a certain amount, or their waistline needs to be certain size, etc. Ana’s account is very real and disturbing, and though she’s blinded by her own actions…it was also heartbreaking to see everyone that loved her unable to help her. Her parents checked her into a rehab facility, hoping that she’d get better and her boyfriend would always tell her how much he loved her and how beautiful she was but it was never enough. 

LETTING ANA GO is an amazing and at the same time heartbreaking story. It highlights the issue of anorexia and how it can become an obsessive-addiction that can lead to serious health consequences. The ending had me floored. I was completely in shock. I don’t really remember how I expected it to end, perhaps a happy ending like most book but I guess the way it ended made sense. This is a book everyone should read, not just teens. This book is the type of book that will stay with you long after you read it, I’m really glad I got the chance to read it. 

Review: Trail of Dead by Melissa F. Olson

Title: Trail of Dead
Author: Melissa F. Olson
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Scarlett Bernard #2

Trade paperback, 310 pages

Publication: June 4, 2013 by 47North

Source: I received a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

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As a null, Scarlett Bernard possesses a rare ability to counteract the supernatural by instantly neutralizing spells and magical forces. For years she has used her gift to scrub crime scenes of any magical traces, helping the powerful paranormal communities of Los Angeles stay hidden. But after LAPD detective Jesse Cruz discovered Scarlett’s secret, he made a bargain with her: solve a particularly grisly murder case, and he would stay silent about the city’s unearthly underworld.

Now two dead witches are found a few days before Christmas, and Scarlett is once again strong-armed into assisting the investigation. She soon finds a connection between the murders and her own former mentor, Olivia, a null who mysteriously turned into a vampire and who harbors her own sinister agenda. Now Scarlett must revisit her painful past to find Olivia—unless the blood-drenched present claims her life first.

Scarlett and company are all back in TRAIL OF DEAD, the sequel to last year’s exciting urban fantasy debut DEAD SPOTS. The story picks up a few months after Scarlett helped LAPD detective Jesse Cruz with a homicide case relating to the old world (vampires, werewolves and witches).  Jesse never wanted to get mixed up in the old world, but his new case requires him to jump back into the world he longs to leave behind and the only person that can help is Scarlett. Scarlett is a null, meaning she has a rare ability that enables her to cancel out spells (witches can’t cast spells) and magic (vampires & weres revert back to human) in her vicinity. Someone is murdering witches and innocent people in LA and all signs are pointing to Scarlett’s old mentor Olivia. It’s up to Jesse and Scarlett to find out who is working with Olivia before another person ends up dead.

TRAIL OF DEAD dives more into the old world history and the background of Olivia and Scarlett’s relationship.  Scarlett and readers both learn the interworking of all three big heads like why there are certain cities run by vampires, witches or weres and little secrets that even Dashiell, Kristin and Will (three big head leaders in LA) don’t share with anyone outside their group.  Scarlett in my opinion hasn’t exactly grown since the last book, she is still plagued by a lot of self-doubt, blaming herself for her parents’ death and in this book; putting everyone she cares about in danger.  Scarlett may constantly be putting herself down but she is always selfless when it comes to people she cares about. I just hope she gets over this hurdle in the next book, and stop feeling bad about what Jesse think and stop blaming herself for things that aren’t in her control. Since the foundation for the book was already set in DEAD SPOTS, Olson did a great job strengthening and creating very realistic-unique characters that I found myself connecting to each and every one of them (ex. I was saddened when a secondary character died).

The love triangle is still present but from reading the book you know who Scarlett would choose… no question about it. I’m not a fan of love triangle, and oddly it didn’t bother me in the first book but it does now. Eli seems to really care for Scarlett but she questions his feeling for her because she doesn’t know if he likes her for her or her ability which helps to calm his inner wolf. Then we have detective Jesse, Jesse likes Scarlett as well and the two actually tried to have a relationship at the end of DEAD SPOTS but Jesse couldn’t get over what Scarlett did for a living. At the beginning of TRAIL OF DEAD Jesse has a girlfriend but at the same time still has feelings for Scarlett. What bothered me was that Scarlett unconsciously made up her mind on which person she wants to be with but still bounces back between both guys. One minute she seems to be into Eli, Jesse, Eli and then Jesse again. I didn’t like how she strung --- along, not really thinking about his feelings. Also Jesse had a girl but he acted like he was still single, the way he acted towards Scarlett made it seem like she was his girlfriend not the other girl. I’m not feeling Jesse, and I wish Scarlett gives Eli a real chance…or at least make an official decision on which guys she wants. 

My review might seem like I didn’t like the book but that isn’t the case. I thought this was an excellent follow-up to the Scarlett Bernard series. The mystery-plot kept me engaged and guessing the entire time. The characters and world building were strong, thoroughly researched and perfectly executed.  Olson writing didn’t suffer the usual sophomore slump that other new authors encounter, but instead showed a well written and balanced flow between chapters.  The chapters alternate between Scarlett first person POV and Jesse third person POV. Olson also did an interesting technique (that was also used in the first book) in which the prologue is told in third person but a past event that ties the entire story together which I found really cleaver.

I highly recommend this series; it isn’t like the usual UF out there. Olson brings an entirely different spin on her vampires, weres and witches and a completely unique heroine that isn’t like anyone I’ve ever read before. I’ve compared Scarlett to Gail Carriger’s Alexia Tarabotti (her null abilities) but DEAD SPOTS and TRAIL OF DEAD showed me that Scarlett is totally different and what she can do now is barely the tip of the ice berg of what she could do. The first book was about the vampires, this book was about the witches, so I’m guessing the third book will be about the werewolves. I can’t wait to see what Olson has in store for Scarlett and the gang, and am looking forward to learning more about Nulls and the old world. BRING ON BOOK 3!!! 

 

Guest Blog with Mysti Parker + Giveaway

Labor of Love: The Birth of a Series

By: Mysti Parker

Little did I know back in 2009 when I submitted a novelette based in a fantasy world called Tallenmere, that a whole series would spawn from it. I was simply thrilled to get a story published and hadn’t thought much beyond the initial jubilation.

Then the publisher asked about my future submission plans.

Gulp. What? You want me to write more stories? As in, I can do this on a regular basis?

Luckily, I did have a little novella-sized story called “A Ranger’s Tale” sitting on my hard drive. But, it was hardly polished to a shine. I needed help, STAT!

I went looking for critique groups online and stumbled onto a promising-looking one: Critique Circle. Seemed simple enough. It works on a credit system. You earn credits for critiquing others’ work, and you use those credits to submit your own.

It took several months to find some compatible critique partners—ones that didn’t tear my heart out OR sugarcoat everything I wrote. They quickly let me know my strengths and especially my weaknesses. One very valued writer made me realize I was trying to cram a novel-sized story into a novella. 

Over the course of a year, I expanded the story, submitted two drafts, gained insight from both critiquing and getting critiques, rewrote, edited, and eventually had a story worth calling my first novel. Therefore, A Ranger’s Tale was born in January, 2011.

But before I even finished it, I knew one of the main characters, Jayden Ravenwing, HAD to have his own story. It wouldn’t be right to leave him like I did. So, he got a starring role in my next book, Serenya’s Song, born in April 2012.

And wouldn’t you know it? One of the paladins from THAT book, Sir Robert, started telling me HIS story in my head and how he desperately missed Loralee, his long-lost love, so I wrote Hearts in Exile to give him a voice. That book is hatching (along with a baby dragon) this June. 

Of course, one of the characters from that book will star in Book Four…I think you see where this is going. But, I’m happy with the pattern that’s evolved and the beauty of the series is this: each one of these novels serves as its own stand-alone story. Yet, they’re all connected in a wide-reaching plotline, each with a main character who moves on to star in the next book, with a few cameo appearances from earlier main characters to make things more fun. 

As time goes on, I love hearing how the different stories impact readers in different ways. They’re like my kids—I’m proud of them and their individuality. I’ve spent a good year and burned lots of midnight oil on each book. Yes, writing this series (though much less painful than childbirth), has truly been a labor of love!

Thank you Mysti for stopping by the blog! I had the opportunity to read A RANGER'S TALE, book 1 in the Tallenmere series, and it was a enjoyable fantasy-romance. Scroll down to check out my 4-stars review!

GIVEAWAY

Mysti has generously offered a copy of A RANGER'S TALE to one lucky reader! To enter please fill out the Rafflecopter below! 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mysti Parker (pseudonym) is a full time wife, mother of three, and a writer. Her first novel, A Ranger's Tale was published in January, 2011 by Melange Books, and the second in the fantasy romance series, Serenya's Song, was published in April 2012. The highly anticipated third book, Hearts in Exile, has already received some great reviews. The Tallenmere series has been likened to Terry Goodkind's 'Sword of Truth' series, but is probably closer to a spicy cross between Tolkien and Mercedes Lackey.
 

Mysti's other writings have appeared in the anthologies Hearts of Tomorrow, Christmas Lites, and Christmas Lites II. Her flash fiction has appeared on the online magazine EveryDayFiction. She has also served as a class mentor in Writers Village University's six week free course, F2K. 

Mysti reviews books for SQ Magazine, an online specfic publication, and is the proud owner of Unwritten, a blog voted #3 for eCollegeFinder's Top Writing Blogs award. She resides in Buckner, KY with her husband and three children.

Mysti can be found at the following places:

†WEBSITE† TWITTER†FACEBOOK†GOODREADS†

Other books by Mysti

Review: A Ranger's Tale by Mysti Parker

Title: A Ranger's Tale
Author: Mysti Parker
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Tallenmere #1

Tradepaperback, 213 pages

Publication: December 18, 2010  by Melange Books

Source: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

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High elf Caliphany Aranea leads an enviable life as King Leopold's niece and daughter of Sirius, Leogard's most famous wizard. Yet, being forced to follow in her father's footsteps and being betrothed to a man she doesn't even like makes her want a taste of life outside the city walls. As a young boy, half-elf Galadin Trudeaux witnessed his parents' death at the hands of pirates. After being raised by those same murderers and forced to do their bidding, he escaped and now lives an honest life as a sea merchant and ranger.

When two brutes at Leogard Harbor attempt to kidnap Caliphany while she dreams of faraway lands, Galadin comes to her rescue. Impressed by his skills, she asks him to train her as a ranger. Though he is hesitant at first to train a woman of her class, Caliphany's hefty sack of gold finally persuades him. Unfortunately, her father is not amused, and the two must escape before Caliphany faces a forced marriage and Galadin faces a noose.

From that moment on she and Galadin embark on an adventure of a lifetime. Only if they can survive the trials ahead, will they find a love that stands the test of time.

A RANGER’S TALE is a fantasy-romance novel about an Elvin princess who wants more in life. The story takes place in the magical land of Tallenmere where humans, elves, wizards, trolls, and faeries coexist with one another.  Caliphany Aranea is the daughter of Tallenmere’s most prominent wizard and is the only niece of King Leopold. Caliphany’s parents hope that since she is the last heir of the family that she’d eventually take over her dad’s job as a teacher in the mage guild. Caliphany doesn’t want to be stuck doing the same thing day in and day out; instead she longs to travel to different lands, for all she seen is within the city’s wall. Finally fed up with people dictating her fate Caliphany set sails with ranger-pirate Galadin, who saved her from a near kidnapping attempt.    

The story is told from three different point-of-views; the first half is told from Cali and Galadin’s perspective and in the last half the author adds another person.  I didn’t really like Cali right away; she came off as annoying and naive in the beginning. For someone who is 100 years old (elves age slow) she acted like an adolescent. Thankfully as the story went on, readers got to see Cali slowly grow and mature (since the book spans about 8-10 years give or take).  Let’s just say that Cali in the beginning and Cali in the end are almost two different people, but I think it makes sense when one has a family of their own.  Cali isn’t the type of woman that stands back and let’s other people fight her battle; she tough and can definitely hold her own.  Then we have our main hero Galadin, he was a pirate turned ranger (warrior/ hunter who sell goods to different lands/merchants) who is half Elvin and half human. He happened to be on his many sailing trips when he meets Cali. He rescues her from a kidnapping attempt and later hired to teach her everything he knew about being a ranger. I really liked Galadin, he had a tough life growing up and a bit of a shady past but eventually got out of that life. Galadin is everything readers look for in a male lead; he’s sexy, kind/humble, strong and a warrior. 

I really enjoyed A RANGER’S TALE. I love the perfect balance of fantasy and romance, both genres never out-doing the one another. The book was pretty steamy, almost leaning toward erotica if I really think about it but it never once took anything away from the story or its characters. While I liked most of the book, there were two things I didn’t like. Towards the last half of the book something happened to Galadin and while not Cali’s fault…I didn’t like how fast she kind of moved on. She never once stopped loving Galadin but some of the stuff she chose to do was questionable in my opinion and in a way she was stringing ---blank--- on…it all rubbed me the wrong way. Regardless of these two little problems I had with the book, A RANGER’S TALE overall had a good story and world-building that kept me engaged the entire time.  If you like fantasy or a steamy romantic story then this is the book for you.