Books 14 - 21
Sorry about the lack of update but was having major internet problems. Here are some of the books Ive read in the meantime.
Dynasty Zero by Elijah Stephens
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
In Dynasty Zero we follow along as a monk by the name of Radix Redwood who has made it his mission to restore the balance of nature thus saving the world. His journey ultimately leads him to Heliopolis, a scientific outpost where monstrous human experiments are taking place.
In all honesty through no fault of the author I had a time trying to get into this story. I'm just not a fan of the dystopia genra; I'm more of an action girl.
Speaking of, the scenes in which action took place where all of my favorites. It was those times I could picture this story happening on screen. Based on the ending I wouldn't be opposed to reading more of this story if Elijah Stephens decides to carry on.
The Devil's Pretty Daughter by Nicola Rain Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A super fast yet intriguing read inwhich a young woman recounts an encounter she had with then unknown serial killer Robert William Pickton.
The takeaway I got from this read is to trust ones instincts.
I don't want to spoil the story by saying too much but from the very moment she met him her instinct and the situation told her something was wrong and she didn't listen.
I definitely want to check out more of her writings.
Shopping for a Billionaire by Julia Kent
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Rating: 3 1/2 Stars
Are you single? Ever wonder why you can't meet a successful, good looking man? It's probably because you aren't hiding in the mens bathroom like Shannon Jacoby. (Some gals have all the luck)
It is on assignment as a mystery shopper where Shannon and Declan McCormick, a gorgeous business man first meet. Needless to say sparks fly.
This is only the first installment in their story but I think I'm hooked. While things seem to progress rather swiftly I found this Rom-Com light and amusing.
Interview with the Vampire: Claudia's Story by Ashley Marie Witter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Although I haven't read Ann Rice's book Interview With The Vampire, I am familiar with the Claudia character thanks to the movie starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt with Claudia being played by Kirsten Dunst.
Anyway as far as this book was concerned the images were nice, albeit a little basic with its lack of vibrant color. As far as the story goes I'm unsure how or if this retelling differs from what Ann Rice originally wrote but it seems to follow along with the movie but with more of her insights as its her (Claudia) story and POV.
If you are familiar with the original story you may find it lacking and an unnecessary read where new comers may find it interesting.
After: The Shock by Scott Nicholson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
We follow along as a group of strangers of varying walks of life are forced to deal with and more importantly survive a new world when a freak solar storm decimates a large portion of the population, turning some into Zapheads who seemed bent on mindlessly killing. This event is known as the After.
I like the premise of the story and the pace of how he made some the characters cross paths. One of the main problems I had was how it just ends. If you're familiar with some of my previous reviews then you'd know cliffhangers tend to anneoy me.
With all that said its part of a 7 book series that seems to have spawned a spinoff and I definitely want to check the remainder of books to see where the characters end up. Will all survive? Will the world bounce back? I want to know.
Shmucks by Seymour Blicker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Rating:2 1/2 stars
Have you ever seen that Seinfeld episode where people were fighting over a parking space, basically refusing to move? Well this story reminds me of that.
In Shmucks we have two smarmy guys, in my opinion, who are in the process off of a standoff when they both drive into an alley way at opposite ends and refuse to back-up letting the other party have the right of way.
Levin is a divorced business man who is self proclaimed stubborn when it comes to the issue of proving himself right.
Pelzic, a down in his luck Romanian, is always looking and failing miserably at the next get rich quick scheme. In an effort to convey his accent the writer tended to phonetically spell his words. That took a second for me to get in to.
There's not a lot of action that takes place so if that's your thing then this isn't the story for you. If however you're a fan of douche bags or Schmucks as the title states then read away.
Lotus: Revelation by Michael Shoemaker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
If you want to know anything about me then you should know I love stories with strong, kick ass females which leads me to Michael Shoemaker's Lotus: Revaluation.
This super short story centers around Michiko Akiyama, a deadly assassin. I'm randomly came across this story and am not sure if it was meant to be just a short or a teaser to a larger more flushed out story but I hope it's the later because my interest have been peaked.
The Death Factory by Greg Iles
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Greg Iles' The Death Factory follows along as Penn Cage, a Mississippi DA turned writer/mayor not only comes to terms with his ailing father's mortality but we see how he views death and the justice system as he talks about a particular hard case that was dropped in his lap at an inopportune time.
This was a short, nicely written story that also includes excerpts from two other stories. If I'm being honest I probably wont be reading them because I just couldn't get into the story/
Dynasty Zero by Elijah Stephens
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
In Dynasty Zero we follow along as a monk by the name of Radix Redwood who has made it his mission to restore the balance of nature thus saving the world. His journey ultimately leads him to Heliopolis, a scientific outpost where monstrous human experiments are taking place.
In all honesty through no fault of the author I had a time trying to get into this story. I'm just not a fan of the dystopia genra; I'm more of an action girl.
Speaking of, the scenes in which action took place where all of my favorites. It was those times I could picture this story happening on screen. Based on the ending I wouldn't be opposed to reading more of this story if Elijah Stephens decides to carry on.
The Devil's Pretty Daughter by Nicola Rain Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A super fast yet intriguing read inwhich a young woman recounts an encounter she had with then unknown serial killer Robert William Pickton.
The takeaway I got from this read is to trust ones instincts.
I don't want to spoil the story by saying too much but from the very moment she met him her instinct and the situation told her something was wrong and she didn't listen.
I definitely want to check out more of her writings.
Shopping for a Billionaire by Julia Kent
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Rating: 3 1/2 Stars
Are you single? Ever wonder why you can't meet a successful, good looking man? It's probably because you aren't hiding in the mens bathroom like Shannon Jacoby. (Some gals have all the luck)
It is on assignment as a mystery shopper where Shannon and Declan McCormick, a gorgeous business man first meet. Needless to say sparks fly.
This is only the first installment in their story but I think I'm hooked. While things seem to progress rather swiftly I found this Rom-Com light and amusing.
Interview with the Vampire: Claudia's Story by Ashley Marie Witter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Although I haven't read Ann Rice's book Interview With The Vampire, I am familiar with the Claudia character thanks to the movie starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt with Claudia being played by Kirsten Dunst.
Anyway as far as this book was concerned the images were nice, albeit a little basic with its lack of vibrant color. As far as the story goes I'm unsure how or if this retelling differs from what Ann Rice originally wrote but it seems to follow along with the movie but with more of her insights as its her (Claudia) story and POV.
If you are familiar with the original story you may find it lacking and an unnecessary read where new comers may find it interesting.
After: The Shock by Scott Nicholson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
We follow along as a group of strangers of varying walks of life are forced to deal with and more importantly survive a new world when a freak solar storm decimates a large portion of the population, turning some into Zapheads who seemed bent on mindlessly killing. This event is known as the After.
I like the premise of the story and the pace of how he made some the characters cross paths. One of the main problems I had was how it just ends. If you're familiar with some of my previous reviews then you'd know cliffhangers tend to anneoy me.
With all that said its part of a 7 book series that seems to have spawned a spinoff and I definitely want to check the remainder of books to see where the characters end up. Will all survive? Will the world bounce back? I want to know.
Shmucks by Seymour Blicker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Rating:2 1/2 stars
Have you ever seen that Seinfeld episode where people were fighting over a parking space, basically refusing to move? Well this story reminds me of that.
In Shmucks we have two smarmy guys, in my opinion, who are in the process off of a standoff when they both drive into an alley way at opposite ends and refuse to back-up letting the other party have the right of way.
Levin is a divorced business man who is self proclaimed stubborn when it comes to the issue of proving himself right.
Pelzic, a down in his luck Romanian, is always looking and failing miserably at the next get rich quick scheme. In an effort to convey his accent the writer tended to phonetically spell his words. That took a second for me to get in to.
There's not a lot of action that takes place so if that's your thing then this isn't the story for you. If however you're a fan of douche bags or Schmucks as the title states then read away.
Lotus: Revelation by Michael Shoemaker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
If you want to know anything about me then you should know I love stories with strong, kick ass females which leads me to Michael Shoemaker's Lotus: Revaluation.
This super short story centers around Michiko Akiyama, a deadly assassin. I'm randomly came across this story and am not sure if it was meant to be just a short or a teaser to a larger more flushed out story but I hope it's the later because my interest have been peaked.
The Death Factory by Greg Iles
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Greg Iles' The Death Factory follows along as Penn Cage, a Mississippi DA turned writer/mayor not only comes to terms with his ailing father's mortality but we see how he views death and the justice system as he talks about a particular hard case that was dropped in his lap at an inopportune time.
This was a short, nicely written story that also includes excerpts from two other stories. If I'm being honest I probably wont be reading them because I just couldn't get into the story/