Balance of 2015

During 2015 I read, watched and reviewed the following:

January

Books:
- "The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.
- "Rise of the Dragons" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.
- "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.
- "The Forgotten Knight" by Christopher Vale. Read my review.
- "The Adventure of the Red Circle" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.
- "The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.
- "Resist" by Anne-Rae Vasquez. Read my review.
- "His Last Bow" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.
- "Tea Time with Mrs. Grammar Person" by Barbara Venkataraman, Read my review.
- "The Adventure of The Dying Detective" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.

February

Books:
- "365 Days of Wonder" by R.J.Palacio. Read my review.
- "The Adventure of the Illustrious Client" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.

March

Books:
- "Dracengard - Book 2" by Christopher Vale. Read my review.
- "The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.

April

Books:
- "The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.
- "The Ghosts of Petroglyph Canyon" by Christopher Cloud. Read my review.
- "The Adventure of the Three Gables" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.

May

Books:
- "Mission Barcelona - A Scavenger Hunt Adventure" by Catherine Aragon. Read my review.
- "The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.
- "Anomie" by Jeffrey Lockwood. Read my review.
- "The Adventure of the Three Garridebs:  by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.

June

Books:
- "The Problem of the Thor Bridge" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.
- "The Adventure of the Creeping Man" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.
- "The Glassford Girl - Parts 1 & 2" by Jay J. Falconer. Read my review.
- "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.
- "The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.
- "Haw" by Sean Jackson. Read my review.
- "The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.
- "Faggot: An Appalachian Tale - Surviving Bullying"  by Frank E.Billingsley. Read my review.
- "The Adventure of the Retired Colourman" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read my review.

July

Books:
- "Glassford Girl - Book 3" by Jay J.Falconer. Read my review.
- "Ghost in the Flames" by Jonathan Moeller. Read my review.
- "The One" by Kiera Cass. Read my review.
- "False Pretenses" by Scott R.Kramer. Read my review.
Guest Author:
- Scott R. Kramer - "False Pretenses"

August

Books:
- "How to Train Your Knight" by Stella Marie Alden. Read my review.
- "Metzengerstein" by Edgar Allan Poe. Read my review.
- "A Rite of Swords" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "The Duc de L'Omelette" by Edgar Allan Poe. Read my review.
- "Arena One" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "Drowned" by Gary A.Ballard. Read my review.
- "The High King's Embalmer" by S.Cooperstone. Read my review.
- "Gravity" by James M.Corkill. Read my review.
- "Dracengard - Book 3" by Christopher Vale. Read my review.
- "A Grant of Arms" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
Interview:
- James M. Corkill, author of Alex Cave's series. Read the interview.

September

Books:
- "The Victor's Heritage" by Anthony Caplan. Read my review.
- "A Sky of Spells" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "Oliver and Jumpy" by Werner Stejskal. Read my review.
- "Turned" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "A Sea of Shields" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "A Series of Timeless Quotes" by Jack H. Read my review.
- "A Reign of Steel" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "From Afar" by Frank Scozzari. Read my review.
- "A Land of Fire" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.

October

Books:
- "A Rule of Queens" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "Engaged in Danger" by Barbara Venkataraman. Read my review.

November

Books:
- "Oath of Brothers" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "Azurite" by Megan Dent Nagle. Read my review.
- "A Dream of Mortals" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "Otherworld" by Evan Ronan. Read my review.
- "A Joust of Knights" by Morgan rice. Read my review.

December

Books:
- "A Dragon's Omen" by Alberto Bieri. Read my review.
- "Oliver and Jumpy - Stories 31 -33" by Werner Stejskal. Read my review.
- "Spirit Legacy" by E.E.Holmes. Read my review.
- "East to West" by Lolita London. Read my review.

Balance of December 2015

During the month of December, 2015, I reviewed the following:

Books:
- "A Dragon's Omen" by Alberto Bieri. Read my review.
- "Oliver and Jumpy - Stories 31 -33" by Werner Stejskal. Read my review.
- "Spirit Legacy" by E.E.Holmes. Read my review.
- "East to West" by Lolita London. Read my review.

Book "East to West" by Lolita London

About the Book: A letter in the mail, a hurried kiss goodbye, and a long train ride to her new life marks the end of Mary's childhood. When Mary Gray is informed she's been selected to be a mail order bride, she's reluctant initially. She knew her parents had signed her up, but for some reason in the back of her mind she thought it would never happen. What she finds - or rather, what she doesn't find - when she gets off the train surprises her. Her husband is nowhere to be found, and she's informed that she'll be living by herself until her fiance is finished overseeing a harvest. To pass the time, she gets a job as a local schoolteacher... but a dangerous flirtation with her eldest student, Tom, threatens to end her marriage before it begins. What she doesn't know is Tom isn't the man he seems to be... and she'll find out just how little she knows about the man she's marrying when they finally meet face to face. This book contains sex scenes and is for mature readers only.

About the Author: Lolita London lives with her husband and two children in Austin, Texas. When she's not writing steamy erotic romance she enjoys horseback riding, traveling and trying new things.

To sign up to Lolita London's mailing list, visit this URL: http://mlgn.to/1okz

ALL of Lolita London's sizzling books are available via the Kindle Unlimited program.

My Review: This is a well written romance with a classical storyline. A young lady travels from Boston to west to meet her husband-to-be, from a bride's mail order service. Upon arriving at the designated place, she is informed by her future mother-in-law that she has to wait until the harvest is done in order to meet her future husband. While waiting she finds a job as a school teacher and the story evolves from there in a very interesting way.

The book is well written, the story is entertaining. I recommend this book to the library of all readers that appreciate a good romance story for a raining weekend. But be aware that on the contrary of many romances, this one contains a very colorful description of the intimate relation between the characters. 

I received this book from the author for reviewing. I was not requested to provide a positive review. Opinion expressed here is my own.

Book "Spirit Legacy" by E.E.Holmes

About the Book: “The Gateway is open..." These cryptic words wake college student Jess Ballard from a terrifying dream into an even more terrifying reality. Jess' life has never been what anyone would call easy; doing damage control in the wake of your nomadic, alcoholic mother doesn't exactly make for a storybook childhood. But now her world has fallen apart just when it should be coming together: her mother gone—dead under mysterious circumstances; her life uprooted to stay with estranged relatives she’s never met; and there’s something odd about some of the people she’s been meeting at school: They’re dead. Aided by Tia, her neurotic roommate, and Dr. David Pierce, a ghost-hunting professor, Jess must unravel the mystery behind her hauntings. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more danger shadows her every move. An ancient secret, long-buried, is about to claw its way to the surface, and nothing can prepare Jess for one terrifying truth...her encounters with the world of the dead are only just beginning. Spirit Legacy is the first of three thrilling novels in "The Gateway Trilogy" by E.E. Holmes.

About the Author: Be the first to find out about new releases by signing up here!

http://eepurl.com/XqMYL

E.E. Holmes is the internationally best-selling author of the paranormal series, "The Gateway Trilogy". Her novel "Spirit Legacy (The Gateway Trilogy Book 1)", was named a first place category winner in both the Paranormal Awards and the Dante Rossetti Awards for Young Adult Fiction by Chanticleer Book Reviews and Media, and received a National Category Silver Medal in the 2015 IPPY Awards.

For more information, please visit:

www.eeholmes.com

www.facebook.com/authoreeholmes

www.twitter.com/authoreeholmes

www.pinterest.com/authoreeholmes

My Review: This is a very intense book, very well written, with a rich plot and characters very well developed.  Jessica Ballard is not a normal teenager. After the death of her mother, he ended up living with her aunt for a few weeks during the process of moving into college. When in college, strange things start to happen and she asks for a professor (Dr. Pierce) that teaches paranormal classes to help her understanding what is going on. Her roommate Tia is wonderful. I simply love her. Always there to support Jess and to help however she can. Jess sees and interacts with dead people. But soon things get out of control and the only person who can explain what is going on is her aunt, twin sister of her mother. And then, many family secrets come to the surface and Jess needs to get ready to embrace her destiny.

I loved everything about this story. The writing style is wonderful, very well revised and edited, plot flows smoothly and there is plenty of action that makes you read the book in one weekend, at the edge of your chair. I really recommend this book to the permanent library of any reader that likes action with paranormal activity. I can hardly wait until I put my hands on the second book (Spirit Prophecy) of this trilogy (The Gateway Trilogy).

Book "Oliver and Jumpy - Stories 31 -33" by Werner Stejskal

About the Book: Oliver is an elegant tuxedo cat, who is full of himself. As a matter of fact he says: “I love myself!”, quite often. Naughty, isn’t he? But his best friend Jumpy, a kangaroo lady, is aware that he has a soft heart and will always want to help others. The great thing is Jumpy’s pouch, which Oliver loves to ride in! He calls her his kangaroo taxi! These little bedtime stories with their lovely illustrations are great for small kids. A parent can read the text and tell the child in his own words. These animal stories have sufficient text to keep early readers happy and provide some educational value. Depending on your device, there is pop-up text available. Love you all! Meow!

Story 31: Crockery Party - Crockery and Cutlery cooks for Oliver the cat.

Story 32: Shark Frenzy - Oliver is almost getting eaten by a shark.

Story 33: Small World - How fascinating can be the tiny world.

About the Author: Born in Vienna, Austria, Werner is now living in the paradise of Perth, Australia with his wife, two married children and three grandchildren. He worked many years in the printing industry and later for the United Nations in Vienna. His wife had been a pen-friend, whom Werner visited in Hong Kong and finally got married to. After an eventful life, now retired, he began to write children's stories, had them illustrated through Odesk, narrated them himself for YouTube and finally published the ebooks on most platforms. Werner's dream is to see "Oliver and Jumpy" animated as a TV series.

There are lots of fairy tales and bedtime stories around and many of them quite violent. This made Werner decide to write something different. On a flight from Europe to Australia he watched the movie Magic on Belle Island with Morgan Freeman, where Freeman teaches a little girl to have imagination and write her first story. This inspired Werner as well and the first stories with his two characters Oliver, the elegant tomcat, and Jumpy, his kangaroo lady friend, made their appearance. Some very capable illustrators have helped to create this picture book series.

Author Peter Frederick sums it all up!

Here are books created by Werner Stejskal, an author who has a wonderful sense of adaptability into the world of a child. Movements, sentiments, expressions and ideas are being visualized, that enthrall and win over the little reader. Plus, his terminology is perfectly matched to the mood of each self-contained story. The author also displays amazing sensitivity and is able to transport even adults back into long-past childhood. All good virtues are being emphasized, like friendship, loyalty, determination and civility, giving the fascinated reader the right signals for spiritual development. The main characters, Oliver and Jumpy, are the masters of a variety of situations that draw the reader into the stories. But one of the main reasons for the success of these children's books is the artwork! The graphics, outstandingly created by the artist, have their hues and shapes completely adapted to the respective situation and so contribute to the emotional absorption of each picture. Text and message. Somber feelings and cheery situations are being created and masterly entertain the little readers. One can only recommend this series of children's books to all adults who wish to keep their little ones occupied in a positive, entertaining and learning environment!

My Review: This book is part of a series called Oliver and Jumpy. This particular volume has stories 31 - Crockery Party, 32 - Shark Frenzy and 33 - Small World. It is an excellent gift for parents with children under 8 as suggested by the author. The book is beautifully illustrated by Mario Tereso (stories 31 & 33) and Maycee Ann Reyes (story 32) and that is a very important plus, as its main audience will rely on the images to follow the stories, as many will not have reached the age to start reading by themselves. In Crockery Party, kitchen utensils come alive and throw a party to Oliver, Jumpy and Joey. In the Shark Frenzy, Joey has to hurry in order not to be eaten by a shark! The revenge comes in a bottle of chili! Finally in Small World, Oliver cross a magic door and with his size reduced, he ventures himself into the yard and its big creatures...
Stories are very sweet and characters are always showing good behavior. No violence, nothing too scary or too exciting, it will keep your toddler entertained (but not excited) during that critical bedtime period. They will love the stories and soon enough Oliver and Jumpy will be in their hearts forever.

In my kindle fire the story was presented in landscape orientation. No option to have it in portrait orientation, but this is far away from being a problem. I just thought it was worth mentioning.

If you read this review, feel free to leave a comment.

Book "A Dragon's Omen" by Alberto Bieri

About the Book: In this first episode of the 12 that will be in Season 1, the author is telling the story of the rising turmoil in Calibran as dragons begin to attack the kingdom.

About the Author: He is a fantasy enthusiast since childhood when he read Dragonlance novellas and Tolkien books multiple times. He also loves the creations of fantasy artists like Larry Elmore, Angus McBride and Boris Vallejo.

Together with his friends, he still enjoys long sessions of RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons, Middle Earth Role Playing and tabletop games.

My Review: This is the first episode of a series that promises to be very entertaining. It has all the good ingredients that transforms a good story in a bestseller. Dragons, Minotaur, goblins, barbarians, elves, dwarfs, orcs, all different races intertwined in a plot full of intrigues, prophecies, fights and a lot of action. All the characters are well constructed and the environment is richly described. I enjoyed very much the author's writing style. I can clearly feel the emotions of our Dragon King Hesleof or of Ruric, the Minotaur, as well as of most of our main characters.

My only complain is that the first episode ended too soon and I can hardly wait for the second part of what promises to be a brilliant series. Kudos to the author!

If you read my review, feel free to leave a comment!

Balance of November, 2015

During the month of November, 2015, I reviewed the following:

Books:

- "Oath of Brothers" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "Azurite" by Megan Dent Nagle. Read my review.
- "A Dream of Mortals" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "Otherworld" by Evan Ronan. Read my review.
- "A Joust of Knights" by Morgan rice. Read my review.

Book "A Joust of Knights" by Morgan Rice

About the Book: In A JOUST OF KNIGHTS, Thorgrin and his brothers follow Guwayne’s trail at sea, pursuing him to the Isle of Light. But as they reach the ravaged isle and the dying Ragon, all may be just too late.

Darius finds himself brought to the Empire capital, and to the greatest arena of them all. He is trained by a mysterious man who is determined to forge him into a warrior, and to help him survive the impossible. But the capital arena is unlike anything Darius has seen, and its formidable foes may be too intense for even he to conquer.

Gwendolyn is pulled into the heart of the family dynamics of the royal court of the Ridge, as the King and Queen beg her for a favor. On a quest to unearth secrets that can change the very future of the Ridge and save Thorgrin and Guwayne, Gwen is shocked by what she discovers as she digs too deep.

Erec and Alistair’s bonds deepen as they sail further upriver, into the heart of the Empire, determined to find Volusia and save Gwendolyn—while Godfrey and his crew wreak havoc within Volusia, determined to avenge their friends. And Volusia herself learns what it means to rule the Empire, as she finds her precarious capital embattled from all sides.

With its sophisticated world-building and characterization, A JOUST OF KNIGHTS is an epic tale of friends and lovers, of rivals and suitors, of knights and dragons, of intrigues and political machinations, of coming of age, of broken hearts, of deception, ambition and betrayal. It is a tale of honor and courage, of fate and destiny, of sorcery. It is a fantasy that brings us into a world we will never forget, and which will appeal to all ages and genders.

About the Author: Morgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERER'S RING, comprising 17 books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising 11 books (and counting); of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising two books (and counting); and of the new epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising 4 books (and counting). Morgan's books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.

Book #4 in Morgan's new epic fantasy series, A FORGE OF VALOR (KINGS AND SORCERERS--BOOK 4) is now published! And book #5 in the series, A REALM OF SHADOWS, is now available for pre-order!

TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), and A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring) are each available as a free download on Amazon.

Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch! As always, if any of you are suffering from any hardship, email the author at morgan@morganricebooks.com and the author will be happy to send you a free book!

My Review: In this episode Morgan continues this very entertaining saga. Thor continues his search for Guwayne going with his brothers in arm into the Land of Blood. Darius has to fight for survival at the Empire's capital arena, for entertainment of the empire population of the city. Now he is trained by a mysterious man. Gwendolyn receives a special request from the king of the Ridge. Argon regains conscience. Erec and Alistar struggle to escape the Empire fleet and they go towards the city of Volusia. Godfrey, as usual, is in trouble, but now he learns to live by honor. And Volusia is in the capital of the Empire, defying everyone in a trial to become the Supreme Empress of the Empire. Packed with action, this book will keep you entertained for hours. And there is not an idle moment until you turn the last page! Get ready for another very entertaining episode of this incredible story. You will not get tired of following Thor, Gwendolyn and all our heroes in this new episode. 

Just be aware that in order to savor every moment of this episode, I recommend that you start reading from the first episode to better understand the dynamics among the characters, as well as have a full idea on the environment of the story. 

If you read my review, feel free to leave a comment.

Book "Otherworld" by Evan Ronan

About the Book: Aoife Finley is bursting at the seams with creativity. No one daydreams better than her and her imagination knows no bounds.

Mr. Peterson is old, his best days long behind him. He yearns for the past, mistrusts the present, and fears the future. But he's just figured out how to recapture his past:

By stealing other people's imaginations.

Armed with only her creativity, imaginary friends, and a few bickering classmates, Aoife embarks on an amazing, but dangerous journey into the otherworld that she created, a place that is slipping more and more out of her control and into Mr. Peterson’s, before the real world as she knows it—and as it could be—disappears forever.

OtherWorld is a YA fantasy adventure about the power of the imagination and how anything is possible. It is 80,000 words long and Evan Ronan’s first (but hopefully not last) YA novel.

About the Author: Evan Ronan is the author of The Unearthed, a paranormal thriller series that gives readers a little bit of everything: mystery, horror, suspense, action, and deadpan humor. Featuring protagonist Eddie McCloskey, a complex character looking for redemption, readers have said:

"This is an awesome series of books."

"So many twists and turns."

"I just couldn't put it down."

"Two days to read all five books."

"Deserves more than five stars."

"Great pacing, sympathetic characters, and a twisty plot."

In these books, Evan explores that daunting grey area where reason intersects with superstition. There is nothing more terrifying than the unknown...

Evan also loves historical fiction and with fellow author Nathanael Green writes The Tomahawk and Saber series. Set in the Pennsylvania Colony in the days of the French and Indian War, these books are good old-fashioned, character-driven adventure stories where cultures clash and life is nasty, brutish, and often short. The first in the series is called Language of the Bear.

But that's not all...

Evan enjoys writing in many other genres as well and is hard at work on another series and several standalone novels. If he's not writing, it means he's probably at work thinking about writing, or playing make-believe with his daughters, or trying to break 80 on the golf course, or making a dent in his impossibly tall To Be Read pile, or forgetting to take out the trash. (Sorry, babe!)

Evan has worked as a drycleaner, waiter, salesman, magazine editor, painter, consultant, and attorney. But his favorite job is being a dad. One of these days he'll tend bar, so he can be like every other writer ever. He and his family live in New Jersey (Exit 4, before you ask), in the same town Eddie McCloskey grew up in.

To get a FREE BOOK, hear about new and upcoming releases, and receive special offers on Evan's books, sign up for his Newsletter:

http://ronaniswriting.blogspot.com/p/mailing-list.html

You can contact Evan at ronaniswriting@gmail.com or on his website, ronaniswriting.blogspot.com.

My Review: In this time when all authors are only thinking about writing endless series, it is very nice to read a book that has a beginning, a middle and an end.

The author did an amazing job creating a set of characters that were very well built and in special our heroine, Aoife. She is an amazing girl, with an incredible imagination. All her friends (Al, lady in green, etc..) are trying to help her to save her imaginary world to collapse in its interaction with the real world. Joining this group are some of her classmates from school. The plot is very well constructed and the story develops in a nice pace. At the end we stay cheering for Aoife and her group to achieve their goal, through loyalty and friendship.

More than a young adult novel, this book will satisfy readers from all ages.

I received an electronic copy of the book from the author, but I was not requested to provide a positive review. Opinion expressed here is my own. 

If you read this review, feel free to leave a comment.

Book "A Dream of Mortals" by Morgan Rice

About the Book: In A DREAM OF MORTALS, Thorgrin and his brothers struggle to break free from the grips of the pirates, and to continue their search for Guwayne at sea. As they encounter unexpected friends and foes, magic and weaponry, dragons and men, it will change the very course of their destiny. Will they finally find Guwayne?

Darius and his few friends survive the massacre of their people—but only to find that they are captives, thrown into the Empire Arena. Shackled together, facing unimaginable opponents, their only hope for survival is to stand and fight together, as brothers.

Gwendolyn wakes from her slumber to discover that she and the others have survived their trek across the Great Waste—and even more shocking, that they have come to a land beyond their wildest imagination. As they are brought into a new royal court, the secrets Gwendolyn learns about her ancestors and her own people will change her destiny forever.

Erec and Alistair, still captive at sea, struggle to break free from the grips of the Empire fleet in a bold and daring nighttime escape. When odds seem at their worst, they receive an unexpected surprise that might just give them a second chance for victory—and another chance to continue their attack on the heart of the Empire.

Godfrey and his crew, imprisoned once again, set to be executed, have one last chance to try to escape. After being betrayed, they want more than escape this time—they want vengeance.

Volusia is surrounded on all sides as she strives to take and hold the Empire capital—and she will have to summon a more powerful magic than she’s ever known if she is to prove herself a Goddess, and become Supreme Ruler of the Empire. Once again, the fate of the Empire hangs in the balance.

With its sophisticated world-building and characterization, A DREAM OF MORTALS is an epic tale of friends and lovers, of rivals and suitors, of knights and dragons, of intrigues and political machinations, of coming of age, of broken hearts, of deception, ambition and betrayal. It is a tale of honor and courage, of fate and destiny, of sorcery. It is a fantasy that brings us into a world we will never forget, and which will appeal to all ages and genders.

About the Author: Morgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERER'S RING, comprising 17 books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising 11 books (and counting); of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising two books (and counting); and of the new epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising 4 books (and counting). Morgan's books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.

Book #4 in Morgan's new epic fantasy series, A FORGE OF VALOR (KINGS AND SORCERERS--BOOK 4) is now published! And book #5 in the series, A REALM OF SHADOWS, is now available for pre-order!

TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), and A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring) are each available as a free download on Amazon.

Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch! As always, if any of you are suffering from any hardship, email the author at morgan@morganricebooks.com and the author will be happy to send you a free book!

My Review: In this episode Morgan continues this very entertaining saga. Thor continues his search for Guwayne while Darius has to fight for survival at the Volusia arena, for entertainment of the empire population of the city. Gwendolyn finds the Second Ring, but loses most of her people on internal conflicts. Erec and Alistar struggle to escape the Empire fleet and at the end they receive an unexpected help. Godfrey, as usual, is in trouble, but also receive a help after escaping prison with his friends and revenging the betrayal of dome finisan authorities. And Volusia is in the capital of the Empire, defying everyone in a trial to become the Supreme Empress of the Empire.   

Packed with action, this book will keep you entertained for hours. And there is not an idle moment until you turn the last page! Get ready for another very entertaining episode of this incredible story. You will not get tired of following Thor, Gwendolyn and all our heroes in this new episode. Just be aware that in order to savor every moment of this episode, I recommend that you start reading from the first episode to better understand the dynamics among the characters, as well as have a full idea on the environment of the story. 

 If you read my review, feel free to leave a comment.

Book "Azurite" by Megan Dent Nagle

About the Book: There is magic in the earth.

It is a volatile force, forged from the energy of our planet’s birth and instilled into the spirit of every living being. It is what binds the world together–constant and unchanging, simply existing, unable to be created or destroyed.

Our progenitors named it Ithillium.

In the beginning, there were those who could maneuver Ithillium–sorcerers who Bonded to it. Used it. But now their legacy only survives by the grace of their legends. There are those who believe sorcerers still exist, but fear of persecution subdues them into silence.

And there are those, the anomalies, who are ignorant to the truth, but by their very existence prove what should have been told from the beginning. The last heir to the Samarian throne, Zora Winnser, is one of these people.

Resented by her Queen mother and denied her right of ascension by an archaic law, Zora is exiled to Cara, the southern most country in the Realm. It is these trials, and the appearance of an unlikely companion, that forces Zora to face the truth about herself, her abilities, and the world as she knows it.

Back home, an ancient foe looms on Samaria’s horizon, threatening to exploit the very heart of their wealth–the mines.

Embittered with secrets of her own, Queen Evangeline foolishly leads Samaria into certain demise, through a war they cannot win. Throughout the country mutiny is unleashed, loyalties are tested, and all faith in Evangeline is lost.

In order to combat the evil invading her country, Zora must embrace her new identity as a wielder of Ithillium. But in a world where history is rewritten to accommodate an ideal, where lies become truth and truth become lies, will her country accept her back for what she was? Or hate her for what she has become.

About the Author: She is originally from Hollywood, FL, so she grew up near the beach and the Everglades. She is a graduate of FAU (GO OWLS!) and have a degree in business and accounting.
Her passions are reading and writing. She is kind of a health nut and love eating healthy and working out.
She is a Christian and all the glory goes to God above.
She just published her fist book, Azurite. It's a new adult fantasy novel and the first in a series, Daughter of the Mountain.
Check it out!

Her favorite books are: Interview with the Vampire, Wuthering Heights, and anything by Edgar Allen Poe.

My Review: This is an amazing beginning of a series by this very talented young author. The plot is rich, full of politic intrigues, battles, betrayal, sorcery. The characters are well constructed and very much enjoyable. The world she created is described in details and we feel like we are living the story together with our heroine.
We cheer for Zora at every turn of pages. Evangelina, the Evil Queen of the story, is easy to dislike. Her greedy for power and eternal life are ingredients for trouble. Zora is her daughter, but she is despised by her mother. Although loved by the people of Samaria, Zora will not succeed her mother, if that depends on Evangelina's will. Zora is exiled and with the help of a warden, begins to learn the power of bonding with Ithillium, a kind of energy force that flows from the spirit of every living being. While Zora is in exile, Evangelina makes a deal with the worst enemy of Samaria and things go from bad to worst.
This book has all the ingredients to be an instant success. Excellent plot, a dose of romance, and a lot of action. Kudos to the author in her first book! I hope the second book will not take long to be released!
I received a copy of this book for reviewing, but I was not requested to provide a positive review. Opinion expressed here is my own.

If you read this review, feel free to leave a comment

Book "Oath of Brothers" by Morgan Rice

About the Book: In AN OATH OF BROTHERS, Thorgrin and his brothers emerge from the land of the dead, more driven than ever to find Guwayne, and set sail across a hostile sea, leading them to places beyond their wildest dreams. As they come ever-closer to finding Guwayne, they also encounter obstacles unlike ever before, obstacles which will test them to their very limits, which will call on all their training and force them to stand together as one, as brothers. Darius stands up to the Empire, boldly waging a guerilla war, amassing an army, as one freed slave village after the next rallies to his cause. Facing off against fortified cities, against an army a thousand times his size, he summons all of his instincts and courage, determined to survive, determined to win, to strive for freedom at any cost, even at the cost of his life. Gwendolyn, with no other choice, leads her people into the Great Waste, deeper into the Empire than anyone has ever journeyed, on a quest to find the legendary Second Ring-the last hope for the survival of her people, and the last hope for Darius. Yet along the way she will encounter horrific monsters, worse landscapes, and an insurrection from amidst her own people that even she may not be able to stop. Erec and Alistair sail for the Empire to save their people, and along the way stop at hidden islands, determined to raise an army-even if it means dealing with mercenaries of questionable repute. Godfrey finds himself deep inside the city of Volusia and deep in trouble as his plan goes from bad to worse. Imprisoned, set to be executed, finally, even he can see no way out. Volusia forges a pact with the darkest of sorcerers, and driven to even greater heights, she continues her ascent, conquering all who stand in her way. More powerful than ever, she will take her war all the way to the steps of the Empire Capital-until she is up against the entire Empire army, an army that dwarfs even her own, setting the stage for an epic battle. Will Thorgrin find Guwayne? Will Gwendolyn and her people survive? Will Godfrey escape? Will Erec and Alistair reach the Empire? Will Volusia become the next Empress? Will Darius lead his people to victory? With its sophisticated world-building and characterization, AN OATH OF BROTHERS is an epic tale of friends and lovers, of rivals and suitors, of knights and dragons, of intrigues and political machinations, of coming of age, of broken hearts, of deception, ambition and betrayal. It is a tale of honor and courage, of fate and destiny, of sorcery. It is a fantasy that brings us into a world we will never forget, and which will appeal to all ages and genders.

About the Author: Morgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERER'S RING, comprising 17 books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising 11 books (and counting); of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising two books (and counting); and of the new epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising 4 books (and counting). Morgan's books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.

Book #4 in Morgan's new epic fantasy series, A FORGE OF VALOR (KINGS AND SORCERERS--BOOK 4) is now published! And book #5 in the series, A REALM OF SHADOWS, is now available for pre-order!

TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), and A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring) are each available as a free download on Amazon.

Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch! As always, if any of you are suffering from any hardship, email the author at morgan@morganricebooks.com and the author will be happy to send you a free book!

My Review: In this episode Morgan continues this very entertaining saga. Thorgrin leaves the Land of the Dead with his companions, but one of them decided to stay behind. When they leave, some demons are also released with them. they continue their search for Guwayne and they reach very close to find him. In the meantime, Darius start to build an army by freeing one village at a time from the power of the Empire. Gwendolyn goes with her people to the Great Waste, trying to find the legendary Second Ring, looking for help. Erec and Alistair depart from the South Isles and try to raise an army with the help of mercenaries. Godfrey is fighting for survival inside the city of Volusia. And Volusia wants to become the next Empress and marches toward the capital of the Empire to face all the Empire army.

Packed with action, this book will keep you entertained for hours. And there is not an idle moment until you turn the last page! Get ready for another very entertaining episode of this incredible story. You will not get tired of following Thor, Gwendolyn and all our heroes in this new episode. Just be aware that in order to savor every moment of this episode, I recommend that you start reading from the first episode to better understand the dynamics among the characters, as well as have a full idea on the environment of the story. 

 If you read my review, feel free to leave a comment.

Balance of October 2015

During the month of October, 2015, I reviewed the following:

Books:
- "A Rule of Queens" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "Engaged in Danger" by Barbara Venkataraman. Read my review.

Book "Engaged in Danger" by Barbara Venkataraman

About the Book: Finally, life is good for reluctant family law attorney, Jamie Quinn--her father may get his visa soon, her boyfriend is the bomb, and her law practice is growing like crazy--but when she agrees to take on a high-profile divorce case, everything falls apart. What looked like an opportunity to work with her friend Grace and make some serious bucks has turned into a deadly game, one that could destroy their friendship and tear their town apart. Why couldn't Jamie just leave well enough alone?

About the Author: Award-winning author, Barbara Venkataraman is an attorney and mediator specializing in family law and debt collection.

She is the author of "Teatime with Mrs. Grammar Person"; "The Fight for Magicallus," a children's fantasy; a humorous short story entitled, "If You'd Just Listened to Me in the First Place"; and two books of humorous essays: "I'm Not Talking about You, Of Course" and "A Trip to the Hardware Store & Other Calamities," which are part of the "Quirky Essays for Quirky People" series. Both books of humorous essays won the "Indie Book of the Day" award.

Her latest works are "Death by Didgeridoo," first in the Jamie Quinn series, "The Case of the Killer Divorce," the second Jamie Quinn mystery, "Peril in the Park", and just released, "Engaged in Danger", the latest in the popular Jamie Quinn series.

My Review: This is another masterpiece novel by this talented author, featuring Jamie Quinn. This author is a natural storyteller. Her characters are so real that you will be cheering for our heroine from the first page. If I ever had to hire a family lawyer, I would hire Jamie Quinn. What a set o characters the author managed to develop. They are so richly described, so human and so full of life that I challenge you not to fall in love with them at first sight.

Mrs. Barbara description of places and situations is so real that I feel like I can see all the places she so vividly describes. 

In this particular episode, Jamie's boyfriend goes to Australia to work in a project, leaving Jamie for three months. During this period, Jamie reluctantly gets a high profile divorce case and manages to get in trouble multiple times, almost breaking friendship with Grace and almost having both of them killed. And of course, Duke is present at his best, as always.

This book has an excellent plot and no doubts is another smashing success for Mrs. Barbara.

I recommend this book to all those readers who appreciate a very well written mystery novel. It will keep you entertained for hours!

If you read this review, feel free to leave a comment!

Book "A Rule of Queens" by Morgan Rice

About the Book: In A RULE OF QUEENS, Gwendolyn leads the remains of her nation in exile, as they sail into the hostile harbors of the Empire. Taken in by Sandara’s people, they try to recover in hiding, to build a new home in the shadows of Volusia.

Thor, determined to rescue Guwayne, continues with his Legion brothers on his quest far across the sea, to the massive caves that herald the Land of the Spirits, encountering unthinkable monsters and exotic landscapes.

In the Southern Isles, Alistair sacrifices herself for Erec—and yet an unexpected twist might just save them both.

Darius risks it all to save the love of his life, Loti, even if he must face the Empire alone. But his conflict with the Empire, he will find, is just beginning. And Volusia continues her rise, after her assassination of Romulus, to consolidate her hold on the Empire and become the ruthless queen she was meant to be.

Will Gwen and her people survive? Will Guwayne be found? Will Alistair and Erec live? Will Darius rescue Loti? Will Thorgrin and his brothers survive?

With its sophisticated world-building and characterization, A RULE OF QUEENS is an epic tale of friends and lovers, of rivals and suitors, of knights and dragons, of intrigues and political machinations, of coming of age, of broken hearts, of deception, ambition and betrayal. It is a tale of honor and courage, of fate and destiny, of sorcery. It is a fantasy that brings us into a world we will never forget, and which will appeal to all ages and genders.

About the Author: Morgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERER'S RING, comprising 17 books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising 11 books (and counting); of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising two books (and counting); and of the new epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising 4 books (and counting). Morgan's books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.

Book #4 in Morgan's new epic fantasy series, A FORGE OF VALOR (KINGS AND SORCERERS--BOOK 4) is now published!

TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), and A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring) are each available as a free download on Amazon.

Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch! As always, if any of you are suffering from any hardship, email the author at morgan@morganricebooks.com and the author will be happy to send you a free book!

My Review: In this episode Morgan continues this incredible saga. Gwendolyn reaches the outskirts of Volusia, already in the Empire lands. They need to hide and plan on next actions to take. Thor continues the search for his son, this time at the Land of the Spirits, while Erec and Alistair have to fight to survive the civil war in the Southern Isles.

We found that our new hero that was introduced on last episode, Darius, is the brother of Sandara. He continues his struggle to convince his people to battle the Empire. And he keeps protecting the love of his life, Loti. The other new character, Volusia, continues her insatiable rise to power.

Packed with action, this book will keep you entertained for hours. And there is not an idle moment until you turn the last page! Get ready for another very entertaining episode of this incredible story. You will not get tired of following Thor, Gwendolyn and all our heroes in this new episode. Just be aware that in order to savor every moment of this episode, I recommend that you start reading from the first episode to better understand the dynamics among the characters, as well as have a full idea on the environment of the story. 

 If you read my review, feel free to leave a comment.

Balance of September 2015

During the month of September, 2015, I reviewed the following:

Books:
- "The Victor's Heritage" by Anthony Caplan. Read my review.
- "A Sky of Spells" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "Oliver and Jumpy" by Werner Stejskal. Read my review.
- "Turned" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "A Sea of Shields" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "A Series of Timeless Quotes" by Jack H. Read my review.
- "A Reign of Steel" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.
- "From Afar" by Frank Scozzari. Read my review.
- "A Land of Fire" by Morgan Rice. Read my review.

Book "A Land of Fire" by Morgan Rice

About the Book: In A LAND OF FIRE (BOOK #12 IN THE SORCERER’S RING), Gwendolyn and her people find themselves surrounded on the Upper Isles, besieged by Romulus’ dragons and his million man army. All seems lost―when salvation comes from an unlikely source. Gwendolyn is determined to find her baby, lost at sea, and to lead her nation-in-exile to a new home. She travels across foreign and exotic seas, encountering unthinkable dangers, rebellion and starvation, as they sail for dream of a safe harbor. Thorgrin’s finally meets his mother in the Land of the Druids, and their meeting will change his life forever, make him stronger than he has ever been. With a new quest, he embarks, determined to rescue Gwendolyn, to find his baby, and to fulfill his destiny. In an epic battle of dragons and of men, Thor will be tested in every way; as he battles monsters and lays down his life for his brothers, he will dig deeper to become the great warrior he was meant to be. In the Southern Isles, Erec lies dying, and Alistair, accused of his murder, must do what she can to both save Erec and absolve herself of guilt. A civil war erupts in a power struggle for the throne, and Alistair finds herself caught in the middle, with her fate, and Erec’s, hanging in the balance. Romulus remains intent on destroying Gwendolyn, Thorgrin, and what remains of the Ring; but his moon cycle is coming to an end, and his power will be severely tested. Meanwhile, in the Northern province of the Empire, a new hero is rising: Darius, a 15 year old warrior, who is determined to break off the chains of slavery and rise up amongst his people. But the Northern Capitol is run by Volusia, a 18 year old girl, famed for her beauty―and famed also her barbaric cruelty. Will Gwen and her people survive? Will Guwayne be found? Will Romulus crush the Ring? Will Erec live? Will Thorgrin return in time? With its sophisticated world-building and characterization, A LAND OF FIRE is an epic tale of friends and lovers, of rivals and suitors, of knights and dragons, of intrigues and political machinations, of coming of age, of broken hearts, of deception, ambition and betrayal. It is a tale of honor and courage, of fate and destiny, of sorcery. It is a fantasy that brings us into a world we will never forget, and which will appeal to all ages and genders.

About the Author: Morgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERER'S RING, comprising 17 books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising 11 books (and counting); of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising two books (and counting); and of the new epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising 4 books (and counting). Morgan's books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.

Book #4 in Morgan's new epic fantasy series, A FORGE OF VALOR (KINGS AND SORCERERS--BOOK 4) is now published!

TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), and A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring) are each available as a free download on Amazon.

Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch! As always, if any of you are suffering from any hardship, email the author at morgan@morganricebooks.com and the author will be happy to send you a free book!

My Review: In this episode Morgan continues this superb story. Thor meets his mother in the Land of the Druids, and learns about his destiny. Now he needs to return to his land in order to rescue Gwendolyn and his son. Reece is trying to survive in the Upper Isles, now reunited with his sister and they are struggling in the battle against Romulus' dragons. Erec and Alistair face a civil war in the South Islands, after he is badly hurt and she is accused of trying to murder him. Two new characters are added to the plot, making the story even more interesting. Darius is a young slave in the Empire that is not happy about the conditions of his people. He has magic powers that he does not understand and that his people condemn. Volusia is a young girl, ruler of Volusia after killing her own mother. That tells a lot about her cruelty. Packed with action, this book will keep you entertained for hours. And there is not an idle moment until you turn the last page! Get ready for another very entertaining episode of this incredible saga. You will not get tired of following Thor, Gwendolyn and all our heroes in this new episode. Just be aware that in order to savor every moment of this episode, I recommend that you start reading from the first episode to better understand the dynamics among the characters, as well as have a full idea on the environment of the story.

If you read my review, feel free to leave a comment.

Book "From Afar" by Frank Scozzari

About the Book: For centuries, poets have argued that unrequited love is love in its strongest form. From Afar is a timeless tale of Morgan Stanfield’s search for love in the far northern city of Saint Petersburg, Russia. Leaving the warm climate of Santa Barbara, he embarks on a four-day odyssey where he encounters a Russian beauty, a prostitute, a wise old babushka, an American chauvinist, intellectuals, the Russian mafia, and the ‘face’ of love, and comes to know how love from a distance can be more captivating than love close on hand.

About the Author: Frank Scozzari is an American novelist and screenwriter. A four-time Pushcart Prize nominee, his short stories have been widely anthologized and featured in literary theater.

My Review: This is a very well written book, that you read easily and smoothly. The author talk about the problems a young man (Morgan Stanfield) find in his search for love. After some disappointments in relations, he start searching for love in Russian dating sites and he thinks he have found the perfect match. He travels to St. Petersburg to meet his true love and what faces him there is a reality that makes him reconsider the whole love definition. According to Morgan, "...one cannot understand Russia with one's mind. One can only understand it with their soul".
Love from a distance can be more intense, as you will be idealizing your love instead of living it directly. 

Very nice work, I recommend this book to the permanent library of any reader in search for a book that will keep them entertained for hours.

If you read this review, feel free to leave a comment.

Book "A Reign of Steel" by Morgan Rice

About the Book: In A REIGN OF STEEL (BOOK #11 IN THE SORCERER’S RING), Gwendolyn must protect her people as she finds King’s Court under siege. She strives to evacuate them from the Ring―but there is one problem: her people refuse to leave. As a power struggle ensues, Gwen finds her queenship under challenge for the first time―while the greatest threat to the Ring looms. Behind the McClouds lie the threat of Romulus and his dragons, who, with the Shield destroyed, embark on a catastrophic invasion, nothing left to stand between them and the complete annihilation of the Ring. Romulus, with Luanda at his side, is unstoppable while the moon lasts, and Gwen must fight for survival―for herself, for her baby, and for her people―amidst an epic battle of dragons, and of men. Kendrick leads the Silver in a valiant battle, and he is joined by Elden and the new Legion recruits, along with his brother Godfrey, who surprises everyone, including himself, with his acts of valor. But even so, it may not all be enough. Thor, meanwhile, embarks on the quest of his life in the Land of the Druids, trekking across a fearsome and magical land, a land unlike any other, with magical rules out of its own. Crossing this land will require every ounce of strength and training he has, will force him to dig deeper within, to become the great warrior―and Druid―he was meant to be. As he encounters monsters and challenges unlike ever before, he will have to lay down his life to try to reach his mother. Erec and Alistair journey to the Southern Isles, where they are greeted by all of his people, including his competitive brother and envious sister. Erec has a dramatic final meeting with his father, as the island prepares for him to ascend the throne as King. But in the Southern Isles, one must fight for the right to be King, and in an epic battle, Erec will be tested as never before. In a dramatic twist, we learn that treachery hides even here, in this place of noble and great warriors. Reece, embattled and surrounded on the Upper Isles, must fight for his life after his vengeance on Tirus. Desperate, he finds himself united with Stara, each wary of the other, yet untied in a quest to survive―one that will culminate in an epic battle at sea and will threaten the entire island. Will Gwen cross the sea to safety? Will Romulus destroy the Ring? Will Reece and Stara be together? Will Erec rise as King? Will Thor find his mother? What will become of Guwayne? Will anyone be left alive? With its sophisticated world-building and characterization, A REIGN OF STEEL is an epic tale of friends and lovers, of rivals and suitors, of knights and dragons, of intrigues and political machinations, of coming of age, of broken hearts, of deception, ambition and betrayal. It is a tale of honor and courage, of fate and destiny, of sorcery. It is a fantasy that brings us into a world we will never forget, and which will appeal to all ages and genders.

About the Author: Morgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERER'S RING, comprising 17 books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising 11 books (and counting); of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising two books (and counting); and of the new epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising 4 books (and counting). Morgan's books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.

Book #4 in Morgan's new epic fantasy series, A FORGE OF VALOR (KINGS AND SORCERERS--BOOK 4) is now published!

TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), and A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring) are each available as a free download on Amazon.

Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch! As always, if any of you are suffering from any hardship, email the author at morgan@morganricebooks.com and the author will be happy to send you a free book!

My Review: In this episode Morgan continues this superb story. Thor is away in a quest to find his mother in a magical land, the Land of the Druids, fighting with enemies he never thought would exist. Reece is trying to survive in the Upper Isles after his revenge against Thirus for killing Selese and he is reunited with Stara and the remaining of the loyal members to the Ring. Gwendolyn is trying to rescue her people, leading them to the Upper Isles, even against there will, as Romulus is invading and destroying the Ring with his dragons. Erec is with Alistair in the South Islands, to claim his throne upon his father death, but nothing is easy over there. He has to fight his way to the throne. Packed with action, this book will keep you entertained for hours. And there is not an idle moment until you turn the last page! Get ready for another very entertaining episode of this incredible saga. You will not get tired of following Thor, Gwendolyn and all our heroes in this new episode. Just be aware that in order to savor every moment of this episode, I recommend that you start reading from the first episode to better understand the dynamics among the characters, as well as have a full idea on the environment of the story. 

If you read my review, feel free to leave a comment.

Book "A Series of Timeless Quotes" by Jack H.

About the Book: Feeling down today? Need some cheering up? Then this is the book for you – a carefully selected series of timeless quotations to cheer you up, from Jack’s personal collection of famous, motivational, and inspirational quotes. You’ll find quotes from legendary historical figures, to the latest stars of today. There is something for everyone, and there is something here just for you. Spend your day with the wisdom spoken through thousands of years of continuous human experience. Learn something new about every inspirational author included in this book. Available on Amazon as an ebook and paperback

My Review: this is not just another book full of quotes selected by the author. This book provides a major learning opportunity, as the author provides a one or two paragraph biographical summary about the author of the quote, citing when he/she lived, where,  his/her major contributions and achievements.

I learned so much reading this book! And the best part is that the quotes are really inspirational! A Quotes Book cannot get better than this. The author nailed this book with this incredible format of presenting the quotes.

Very enjoyable, you will read multiple times and every time you will sense something different that will make you think about the true meaning of the quote, considering the timing when it was created and the circumstances.

I highly recommend this book to the permanent library of all readers that appreciate a very nice collection of quotes to cheer anyone up with personal details on the author of each and every quote (with a couple of exceptions, when the author of the quote is unknown and Jack request that if any reader has any clue about the author of the quote, to notify him, so he can add the information to his notes). 

If you read this review, feel free to leave a comment.

Book "A Sea of Shields" by Morgan Rice

About the Book: In A SEA OF SHIELDS, Gwendolyn gives birth to her and Thorgrin’s child, amidst powerful omens. With a son born to them, Gwendolyn and Thorgrin’s lives are changed forever, as is the destiny of the Ring. Thor has no choice but to embark to find his mother, to leave his wife and child and venture away from his homeland on a perilous quest that will have the very future of the Ring at stake. Before Thor embarks, he is to unite with Gwendolyn in the greatest wedding in the history of the MacGils, and he is given the honor he has always dreamed of when he is inducted into the Silver and becomes a Knight. Gwendolyn feels a looming danger to the Ring, and furthers her plans to rescue all of her people in the case of a catastrophe. Erec receives news of his father’s illness, and is summoned back home, to the Southern Isles; Alistair joins him on the journey, as their wedding plans are put in motion. Reece, despite himself, falls in love with his cousin, and when Tirus’ sons find out, they set in motion a great treachery. And Romulus, in the Empire, discovers a new form of magic which may just destroy the Shield for good. With its sophisticated world-building and characterization, A SEA OF SHIELDS is an epic tale of friends and lovers, of rivals and suitors, of knights and dragons, of intrigues and political machinations, of coming of age, of broken hearts, of deception, ambition and betrayal. It is a tale of honor and courage, of fate and destiny, of sorcery. It is a fantasy that brings us into a world we will never forget, and which will appeal to all ages and genders.

About the Author: Morgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERER'S RING, comprising 17 books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising 11 books (and counting); of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising two books (and counting); and of the new epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising 3 books (and counting). Morgan's books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.

Book #3 in Morgan's new epic fantasy series, THE WEIGHT OF HONOR (KINGS AND SORCERERS--BOOK 3) is now published!

TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), and A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring) are each available as a free download on Amazon.

Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch! As always, if any of you are suffering from any hardship, email him at morgan@morganricebooks.com and he will be happy to send you a free book!

My Review: In this episode Morgan continues this superb story. It starts with Gwendolyn giving birth to a boy. And still trying to pacify the Ring, Gwendolyn  send Reece to the Upper Isles and he meets his old passion from youth, his cousin. Tiro's sons use that fact to prepare a treachery. In the meantime Thor leaves in a quest to find and meet his mother, while Erec is summoned to the South Islands, as his father is dying and Alistar goes with him. Packed with action, this book will keep you entertained for hours. And there is not an idle moment until you turn the last page! Get ready for another very entertaining episode of this incredible saga. You will not get tired of following Thor, Gwendolyn and all our heroes in this new episode. Just be aware that in order to savor every moment of this episode, I recommend that you start reading from the first episode to better understand the dynamics among the characters, as well as have a full idea on the environment of the story. 

If you read my review, feel free to leave a comment.

Book "Turned" by Morgan Rice

About the Book: TURNED is book #1 in the #1 Bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, which includes eleven books (and counting).

In TURNED (Book #1 of the Vampire Journals), 18 year old Caitlin Paine finds herself uprooted from her nice suburb and forced to attend a dangerous New York City high school when her Mom moves again. The one ray of light in her new surroundings is Jonah, a new classmate who takes an instant liking to her.

But before their romance can blossom, Caitlin suddenly finds herself changing. She is overcome by a superhuman strength, a sensitivity to light, a desire to feed, by feelings she does not understand. She seeks answers to what’s happening to her, and her cravings lead her to the wrong place at the wrong time. Her eyes are opened to a hidden world, right beneath her feet, thriving underground in New York City. She finds herself caught between two dangerous covens, right in the middle of a vampire war. It is at this moment that Caitlin meets Caleb, a mysterious and powerful vampire who rescues her from the dark forces. He needs her to help lead him to the legendary lost artifact. And she needs him for answers, and for protection. Together, they will need to answer one crucial question: who was her real father? But Caitlin finds herself caught between two men as something else arises between them: a forbidden love. A love between the races that will risk both of their lives, and will force them to decide whether to risk it all for each other…

About the Author: Morgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERER'S RING, comprising 17 books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising 11 books (and counting); of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising two books (and counting); and of the new epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising 3 books (and counting). Morgan's books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.

Book #4 in Morgan's new epic fantasy series, A FORGE OF VALOR (KINGS AND SORCERERS--BOOK 4) is now published!

TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), and A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring) are each available as a free download on Amazon.

Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch! As always, if any of you are suffering from any hardship, email the author at morgan@morganricebooks.com and the author will be happy to send you a free book!

My Review: After reading the Sorcerer's Ring Series, I enjoyed so much Morgan Rice's style of writing that I decided to give a shot into this series called The Vampire Journals. And I was not disappointed. The story on book 1 (Turned) is very well written, the plot is full of action without a single idle moment. You read the whole book sitting on the edge of your chair. In this book our heroine (Caitlin) sense changes on her that she cannot explain. When moving to a different high school, she ended up in a dangerous neighborhood. Over there she meets Jonah, a classmate which takes a liking to her. While going on a concert with him, she ended up placing herself in a situation that changes her life upside-down. In her rescue comes Caleb, that ends up showing her an entire new world. Caitlin thinks Caleb has answers for her and Caleb thinks Caitlin can lead him to a lost artifact. And a whole love story is on the making. This series promises to be as good as the other series Morgan wrote, full of excitement, action, love stories and characters that you learn to love and cheer for them. I can hardly wait to put my hands on the second book of this series.

If you read my review, feel free to leave a comment.

Book "Oliver and Jumpy - Stories 22 -24" by Werner Stejskal

About the Book: These illustrated cat stories are all about “Oliver and Jumpy”, who are best of friends and experience many adventures together. Oliver is an elegant black tomcat, who is full of himself. As a matter of fact he says: “I love myself!”, quite often. Naughty, isn’t he? But his best friend Jumpy, a kangaroo lady, is aware that he has a soft heart and will always want to help others. The great thing is Jumpy’s pouch, which Oliver loves to ride in! He calls her his kangaroo taxi! These little bedtime stories with their lovely illustrations are great for small kids. A parent can read the text and tell the child in his own words. These animal stories have sufficient text to keep early readers happy and provide some educational value. Depending on your device, there is pop-up text available. Love you all! Meow!

About the Author: Born in Vienna, Austria, Werner is now living in the paradise of Perth, Australia with his wife, two married children and three grandchildren. He worked many years in the printing industry and later for the United Nations in Vienna. His wife had been a pen-friend, whom Werner visited in Hong Kong and finally got married to. After an eventful life, now retired, he began to write children's stories, had them illustrated through Odesk, narrated them himself for YouTube and finally published the ebooks on most platforms. Werner's dream is to see "Oliver and Jumpy" animated as a TV series.

There are lots of fairy tales and bedtime stories around and many of them quite violent. This made Werner decide to write something different. On a flight from Europe to Australia he watched the movie Magic on Belle Island with Morgan Freeman, where Freeman teaches a little girl to have imagination and write her first story. This inspired Werner as well and the first stories with his two characters Oliver, the elegant tomcat, and Jumpy, his kangaroo lady friend, made their appearance. Some very capable illustrators have helped to create this picture book series.

Author Peter Frederick sums it all up!

Here are books created by Werner Stejskal, an author who has a wonderful sense of adaptability into the world of a child. Movements, sentiments, expressions and ideas are being visualized, that enthrall and win over the little reader. Plus, his terminology is perfectly matched to the mood of each self-contained story. The author also displays amazing sensitivity and is able to transport even adults back into long-past childhood. All good virtues are being emphasized, like friendship, loyalty, determination and civility, giving the fascinated reader the right signals for spiritual development. The main characters, Oliver and Jumpy, are the masters of a variety of situations that draw the reader into the stories. But one of the main reasons for the success of these children's books is the artwork! The graphics, outstandingly created by the artist, have their hues and shapes completely adapted to the respective situation and so contribute to the emotional absorption of each picture. Text and message. Somber feelings and cheery situations are being created and masterly entertain the little readers. One can only recommend this series of children's books to all adults who wish to keep their little ones occupied in a positive, entertaining and learning environment!

My Review: This book is part of a series called Oliver and Jumpy. This particular volume has stories 22 - The Incredible Train Journey, 23 - Hiccup and 24 - Fishing. It is an excellent gift for parents with children under 8 as suggested by the author. The book is beautifully illustrated by i Cenizal and that is a very important plus, as its main audience will rely on the images to follow the stories, as many will not have reached the age to start reading by themselves. In The Incredible Train Journey, Oliver, Jumpy and Joey go in a ride in a train through incredible places. In the Hiccup, Oliver goes into a journey to the top of a mountain in order to have his hiccup stopped. Finally in Fishing, Peli the Pelican delivers breakfast to Oliver, and Joey is invited for the breakfast. After eating they go out fishing in another delicious story.
Stories are very sweet and characters are always showing good behavior. No violence, nothing too scary or too exciting, it will keep your toddler entertained during that critical bedtime period. They will love the stories and soon enough Oliver and Jumpy will be in their hearts forever.

In my kindle fire the story was presented in landscape orientation. No option to have it in portrait orientation, but this is far away from being a problem.

If you read this review, feel free to leave a comment.