Review - Scapemaker by Steve V. Cypert

Published January 1, 2013

Matthew is the son of Mr. Nicholas Namely, a local high school teacher. What Matthew does not know is that his father is a dreamscaper, whose classroom is connected to the dream-world by a single door. From his classroom, his students enter the halls of Scapemaker, a dream-world high school for young dreamscapers. Following a couple of heartfelt tragic events, Matthew is compelled to investigate the unbelievable mysteries surrounding those events and is propelled into a whole new world. Matthew and his mother, Mae, are soon coerced into moving across the country for his father's strange medical needs. While attending his new school, Matthew comes to know the secrets that Daedree, an annoying girl from his former high school, has locked away. Matthew also meets Amber, a beautiful enigmatic girl who leads him to Mr. Xoner's classroom. While there, he learns the art of dreamscaping (which has been in the Namely bloodline for thousands of years). Matthew will come to know of Nox Celare, otherwise known as The Sandman, who is after a special element called Magineum. Neck deep in skinwalkers, sandsleepers, zombies, soul feeders, ghosts, dream-world criminals known as "night terrors" and more, Matthew learns he is in over his head. Matthew must not only solve the mysteries surrounding those tragic events, but he will also have to protect the Magineum with his life and find a way to be with the one girl of his dreams. Filled with secrecy, mystery and a forbidden tangle of young love, this new life will lead Matthew to unbelievable characters with the most extraordinary abilities he could never have imagined. Scapemaker will keep you grounded in the real world while at the same time make the fantastical world around it that much more possible and enduring. This tale of young adult paranormal fantasy will keep you guessing and wanting more.

About the author:

Steve is the second child of seven born in Los Angeles, California to a wonderful mother and father. Born into the LDS faith, Steve served a 2 year full-time LDS mission at the age of nineteen in the northern half of Ohio. At twenty-four he moved from his parents’ home in Los Angeles to Salt Lake City, Utah to try out life on his own. 2 decades later he still lives in Utah, where he found and married his beautiful wife, Katie. Today they live in South Jordan, Utah with their bald little 6 month old son, Ozzie and their very hairy son, Duke - a three year old Shih Tzu.

Goodreads 

Amazon 

Tanya's Review:

Matthew hasn’t been sleeping well, he’s been having nightmares.  Little does Matthew know he’s a dreamscaper, like his father, Mr. Namely (Matthew’s dad)’s classroom is a doorway to the halls of Scapemaker; a school for future dreamscapers to learn more about their gifts.  After his father is found comatose, Matthew starts to investigate what happened and is thrown into this new world he never knew existed. Along with a few new friends, Matthew sets out to find out what happened to his father and to help change events that have been set in motion.  Through their journey, Matthew encounters the Sandman, zombies, ghosts, sandsleepers and many more.  The question is how much Matthew willing to do to protect the Magineum and to bring his father back from his coma.

This story was interesting to say the least.  It took me awhile to get into the story and see what it was about. At first I thought it moved along rather slowly but I pushed along hoping that things will change and they did.  I was drawn into the world of Scapemaker and all the evil that was hiding there (yes there is evil lurking amongst the dreamscapers.  There were a few twists along the way that compelled me to continue reading to see who/what was behind all of this.

The characters each added their own personal element to the story thus turning the story into something I couldn’t wait to find out more about.  Matthew is a young man that had to learn a lot about things he never knew existed and in such a short time but he never stopped believing that his father was innocent and with that he showed a strong will…I was very proud of Matthew as well as a friends who believed in him and what he was doing.

This isn’t my typical type of book to read lately however I was pleased in the end.

Review - The Vampire Code by E.C. Adams

Title:    “The Vampire Code” 

Author:    E.C. Adams   [No image]

Book Summary:

An Urban Fantasy Romance set in a United States where vampires are another oppressed minority in search of cultural acceptance, and featuring a ruling family that wants to change that - the Fiscards.

As part of their plan to connect with mainstream mortal America, when one of their own is unjustly accused of murdering a human, the Fiscards hire one of New York's hottest young attorneys — a young woman by the name Aurora Lake — to stand by them in Vampire Court.

But not every vampire wants to be assimilated, and not everybody approves of the obvious attraction between Aurora Lake and the vampire Sebastian Fiscard.

As they struggle with their own feelings and with unseen, ancient forces trying to put a stop to their work — and to Aurora — will Aurora and Sebastian overcome The Resistance? And what about their resistance to what their own hearts, mortal and immortal, know to be true?

Author Bio:

A lawyer by profession, E.C. Adams started writing when she decided to take a break from her profession and focus more on her expanding family.

Born in Malta, a tiny island bang in the middle of the Mediterranean sea, she now lives there, but over the years, she's lived in Italy (Rome), England (London) and Cyprus (Paphos).

She loves Greek and Italian food, and throwing lavish parties at home, where all guests are expected to bring a +1 or more.

"The Vampire Code" is her debut novel and the first book in a Series by the name “The Fiscard Vampires”.

Book Two will be published in 2013.

Where to connect with E.C. –

Blog / Site: http://www.thevampirecode.com/

FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/EC-Adams/351173074991874?fref=ts

FB (don’t be shy – send her a request): http://www.facebook.com/#!/e.c.adams.mail

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EC_Adams_

This is how the book starts:

Sebastian Fiscard couldn’t have been older than thirty-five when he died. He sat across from me, wearing a crisp white shirt over dark blue pants and an air of barely contained impatience.

“Help me understand, Mr. Fiscard,” I said. “You want me, a human, to represent your brother, a vampire, in front of a jury of over four hundred vampires, in a murder trial in which the victim was human?”

The vampire sat absolutely still—not breathing, not doing anything, allowing me time to process the information—before he said, “Yes, Ms. Lake. That’s just about it.”

And here’s another teaser… can you feel the chemistry? (The narrator is Aurora):

“You can do it,” Sebastian told me, still bent double. “It won’t even hurt and if you think about it, it will make for a great story to tell your grandchildren some day.” He smiled. How could he smile with a dagger in his back?

I looked at Sebastian then, really looked at him. How many lives had he lived already? This must be a welcome adventure to him, something to kill the tedium of eternal life.

“Son of a bitch,” I whispered….

And this is what reviewers on Goodreads.com and Amazon.com have said:

 “I rate this book as at least 5 stars because it blew me away!” AND “This book has all the moments and elements that we readers love about romance, paranormal and mysteries and this author is able to combine these elements in a way that works! People have tried to write this book for years and wonderfully for us, E. C. Adams has accomplished this.” (Heather - Age 42 , Female , Canada – on Goodreads.com and Amazon.com)

“This is a gripping book with a great love story and we are kept waiting for the next part of this awesome trilogy!”  (Farah - Age 27 , Female , Pretoria, South Africa – on Goodreads.com)

“The twists and turns that follow are unexpected and magical - a great beginning to a unique vampire trilogy.” (Author Sherry Stanfield – on Goodreads.com)

Where to purchase:

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Code-Fiscard-Vampires-ebook/dp/B00CNAYM54/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1367916591&sr=8-5&keywords=the+vampire+code

Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vampire-Code-Fiscard-Vampires-ebook/dp/B00CNAYM54/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1367916625&sr=8-10&keywords=the+vampire+code

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1115247291?ean=2940016756240

Apple Store: http://store.apple.com/us

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Vampire-Code-The-Fiscard/book-ptm5uz3Dik2_7WP-zFopzg/page1.html?s=I6i7-YF2rE2h6LK1Nz6hgA&r=1

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/312872



My review:

Aurora Lake is a lawyer who accepts to take on a case for a vampire wrongly accused of murder; hired by his brother Sebastian.  After accepting the case, Aurora is the targeted by the New Ku Klux Klan as well as members of the Vampire Resistance.  During all of this, Sebastian is the one who is always there protecting her making sure that nothing harmful comes to her.

During the trial, feelings are starting to stir within Aurora for Sebastian but she doesn’t want to admit to them or let them show not wanting their relationship to interfere with Robert’s trial.  Afterwards Aurora learns that she is cursed and the only way to break this curse is to have a baby and Sebastian still wants to do whatever he can do to protect her.

Right from the very first chapter I was drawn into the story; the whole human lawyer representing a vampire, human-vampire love story, and everything that happens around them.  I have to say I am intrigued by Sebastian; very stoic and by the law but yet seems so dreamy *drool*; from the description of him you can’t blame Aurora for being drawn to him :D   I thought the story moved along great, enough action to keep it interesting and of course there is the love story aspect of the book.  I am looking forward to the next book to see what happens with Aurora, Sebastian and everyone else ;)

Review - Sentinel by Joshua Winning

Publication Date:  May 1, 2013

Who are the Sentinels? They’re everywhere, but you’ve never seen them. The Sentinels are the world’s best-kept secret, but that secret’s about to come out… Are you ready for it?

A dark fantasy series set in Cambridge, Sentinel is the first installment in the thrilling Sentinel Trilogy, which takes place in a world that everybody knows, but few would recognize. Who are the Sentinels? Who is the mysterious godmother? And why is fifteen-year-old Nicholas Hallow able to sense things that others can’t? Filled with action and mystery, Sentinel takes the reader on a whirlwind adventure with unconventional heroes and a little bit of magic

Cover and Description from Goodreads

My review:

I usually do a recap of what I feel describes the story however I won’t be doing that in this one as I’m still not 100% exactly what the Sentinels are and what their purpose is.  Things happened with Nicholas who apparently is someone “special” for the Sentinels and is sent to live with his Godmother whom he never has met nor has heard about. 

The story was interesting and I’m sure they mentioned in there who the Sentinels where but it could’ve just flown right over my head J  Although I enjoyed reading the book I’m not sure if I will continue on with the series, nothing stood out that made me want to see what happens next.

Review - The Ancient Codex by Louise Herman

Publication Date: December 14, 2012

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Supernatural, Romance

When Faith’s mother starts organizing the second stage of her arranged marriage to wizard, Damien, Faith knew she needed to escape, so she used her school as a place to retreat.

Throughout her after school duties, she meets the intense, alluring Rohan, who changes her life forever.

With his ice cold skin, transfixing eyes and enchanting voice, Rohan took hold of Faith’s heart and soul as soon as they looked at each other.

She knew it was wrong.

There were from two different circles and if the Elder’s found out, the consequences would be catastrophic for all involved, but the more time they spent together, the stronger they’re love grew, until one day someone sees them...

Will their love be strong enough to combat their conflicting mythical needs? And what will they do when Faith is dealt a life threatening blow that forces her to make a heartbreaking decision?

Cover and Description from Goodreads

My review:

Everything in Faith’s life is not normal; she is a witch who has an arranged marriage to Damien, a wizard her age.  She doesn’t like Damien but has decided to make an effort to get to know him since they will have to spend the rest of their life together.  With everything going on, Faith’s need to escape all the happenings brings her to the one place she knows she can and that is at school. 

While at school she meets Rohan, a vampire and feels herself drawn to him both heart and soul although they both know this wrong (inter-circle relationships are forbidden).  Both knowing that what they feel for each other they hide their growing relationship from others until one day they are seen.

Faith and Rohan decide that their love means more to them than anything else so they run off together so that they can be together forever, hiding from the Elders and then one day they are given information that will change them forever.

I really enjoyed this book right from the beginning.  I grew attached to Faith and Rohan’s love story seeing how they choose love over law and would do anything so that they could stay together.  The story moved along perfectly with no gaps or too much information, and there were enough events that took place to keep you enthralled.  Without giving away any of the story because that wouldn’t be fun, there is one major decision that Faith has to make regarding something that will set a whole other slew of events to take place throughout the story and is very interesting to say the least J I am definitely looking forward to the second book in this series to see what happens next!

Review - "The Legend of the Blue Eyes" by B. Kristin McMichael

Publication Date: March 15,  2013 

Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult, Supernatural, Fantasy

Arianna Grace liked her boring, Midwestern, teenage life where she ignored the many unanswered questions of her childhood. Why were her parents dead? Why did she not have family? Where was she raised until she was five? When someone offers to explain it all, Arianna thinks she’s just getting answers. Instead, she is thrown into a world of night humans who drink blood.

On Arianna's sixteenth birthday, her world is thrown upside down when she changes into a vampire. Night humans, or demons, as some call them, live in normal society. Learning all of the new rules of a world she didn’t know existed might be hard enough, but it's further complicated by two former-friends that now want to help her take her role as the successor to her grandfather.

There is a war going on between the night humans. Sides have been taken and lines are not crossed. Four main clans of night humans are struggling for control of the night. Divided into two sides, clans Baku and Tengu have been at war for centuries with the clans Dearg-dul and Lycan. That is, until Arianna Grace finds out the truth; she’s the bridge of peace between the two sides. But not everyone wants peace. With the night humans divided, Arianna is now a pawn in the war between them. She must choose a side—her mother’s family or her father’s—and for once in her life, decide her own fate

Cover and Description from :    Goodreads

Tanya's Review:

Arianna is just like any typical teenager going through life worrying about school and all of the typical teenage girl things.  She does struggle with the death of her parents who died when she was five and since then has lived with her Aunt and Uncle who will not speak of them.

Arianna starts receiving notes stating that they knew her parents and she is happy to finally start getting answers.  That is going good until she turns 16 and changes into a vampire (actuality she is half Dearg-dul and half Baku); something she didn’t realize existed.  Now not only is she having to deal with her new life style, learning that she is the key that will end the wars between all of the clans while making a couple of strong relationships along the way.

Right from the beginning I was pulled into the story and never once did I falter in my reading so much so I read it within one day!  Arianna is forced to deal with a lot in such a short time and with all of this I could see how she is such a strong girl. 

Of course like most YA books these days there is a love story included, however there is a small twist when Arianna learns she will have a keeper from all four clans and the guys who love her (Devin, Turner and then Andrew) understand that they will never be the only one.

The story line is great, everything move along swiftly but in a manner where you didn’t feel like you were missing anything or that it was moving along too fast.  All I can say is that I can’t wait for the next book!

Review - "The Apocaplypse" by Phillip W. Simpson

Tribulation by Phillip W. Simpson

Publication Date: December 2012

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Paranormal

Halfway through the desolate Tribulation, half-demon Samael is still alone, with only his Samurai swords and memories of the dearly departed - especially his beloved Aimi - to sustain him. Fighting for the innocents who remain behind, Sam has thwarted the plans of the Antichrist once before. Now, having already conquered Europe, America remains a thorn in his brother’s side. At the head of a massive invasion fleet, an army of demons, and his sights firmly fixed on New York, he will not be denied again ...

Beset on all sides by adversaries, aided by friends old and new, Sam must stop his brother before America falls. And if that means killing him, then so be it. He failed once before; this time he will succeed - or die trying.

Cover and Description from :    Goodreads

Purchase:  unknown

Tanya's Review:

This is the second book of the series.  It takes place half way through the Tribulation where Sam is still fighting to protect the innocent people left on earth from Satan (his father) and the demons who hunt them.  Oh and I should mention that same is half demon, half human....He struggles all the time with his role in all of this and what will become of him after the Apocalyse when Jesus comes to conquer Earth once again...will he stay on Earth after all the good he has done or will he go to hell where is father and brother will be.

I received this book from the author for my honest opinion and I have to say I really enjoyed this book.  It took me a little bit to remember who the characters where and the story line as it's been almost a year since I read the first book but with that being said it didn't take me long to get caught up in the story again.  I wanted to see how Sam deals with his father and brother as well as seeing if all he does will noticed.

Now I don't know much about the biblical aspect of the story however in my opinion I felt that there was enough information in their to guide the reader along.  One individual that I found myself looking forward to seeing appear through the story was Yeth, a hellhound.  Although one of the more fearsome demons in hell.   I fell that he had an "inner puppy" to him and thought that even though he was helping his master, I believe that he too was doing good for mankind.

Review - "The Unseen Country" by Phillip W. Simpson

Publication Date: January 25,  2013 

Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult, Supernatural, Fairies

Two years ago, Tom’s younger brother, Josh was kidnapped. Josh has been missing ever since. Tom saw who took him. Problem is – nobody believes him. In fact, most people think he’s mad. That’s because Josh was taken by creatures who aren’t meant to exist. Creatures from another realm - fairy creatures that only Tom can see.

In the fairy realm known as the Unseen Country, Flynn, an apprentice fairy (who is in danger of failing), stumbles upon a conspiracy that could mean the downfall of both worlds.

Together, the friendless boy and the fairy who can’t fly need to rescue a boy from a fate worse than death. And save both worlds from something even worse.

Cover and Description from :    Goodreads

Tanya's Review:

The book starts out with Tom who’s younger brother was kidnapped right out of their room, no traces of entry and only Tom saw who did it, however no one believes him because he saw someone who isn’t supposed to be real.

Time goes on and Tom finds himself pulled into a the Unseen Country to help Flynn, the fairy assigned to Tom, to figure out what is happening there that could ultimately affect the Real (Earth realm) as well as the Fairy Realm.  While doing this Tom also hopes that he will find his brother who has now been missing for two years. 

Tom learns things that he didn’t know existed except in fairy tales, learns to use his inner strength something he didn’t know he had and making friends along the way.  He learns that he is special but doesn’t understand how but knows he will do whatever it takes to help protect the Real, the fairy realm and his new friends.

I thought the story was good however it bugged me that it a piece of information was held until the end however I know that it couldn’t have been given earlier because if it did, the story line would be totally different.  The story had everything I liked in it, fairies, goblins, trolls and adventure but I don’t think it’s one that I would pick up again to read.  All in all a good story!

Review - Devour by Andrea Heltsley

SupaGurl Tanya, with another review for you.

Blurb:
He wasn’t supposed to remember.

Callie is a royal vampire. She hunts by taking the blood from her victims and erases their memories afterwards. She goes undetected until a victim named Chase approaches her with all his memories intact. He is intrigued and attracted. She is terrified.  What happens when a human mixes with the immortal world? Chaos. 

Callie’s 18th birthday has passed and she is coming out at the annual blood ball. Will she find a mate or will she suffer the repercussions of her indiscretion? She is brought to the Vampire council and they must decide what to do with Chase. Do they kill him, or turn him to protect their secret?

About the Author:
 I’m a biologist turned writer.  I write YA/NA paranormal romance books mainly.  I’m the author of Devour and have several more books scheduled to come out later in 2013. I book blog for fun.  I also have a strong addiction to caffeine and fruit snacks.  You can find me in Tennessee with my husband and two Italian greyhounds.

If you ask anyone, I’m a total fangirl!  I love the entertainment industry.  I love Revenge and the Vampire Diaries on television.  My favorite movies are Elektra and P.S. I Love You.  I have a definite weakness for Tim Burton movies too. I’m beyond a huge fangirl for Shakira, both her English and Spanish music; Jack’s Mannequin comes in a close second.   I have too many favorite authors to list, but Kelley Armstrong and Rachel Vincent are two of them.  I’ve read all their books J

Review: 

Callie is a royal vampire; one of many.  She is young adventourous and ready to have some fun.  Her best friend is Jane and together they go "hunting" at their favorite bar.  Things are going great, she finds  Chase a very hot guy whom she senses there is something different about him, goes home with him and feeds on him.  She wipes his memory clean and then goes home just like every other week.  Well things are going fine except she has to prepare for the Blood Ball, a huge party for the upcoming girls who are of age and need to find a mate.  On her outing with her mom she bumps into the guy from the club he remembered everything!! From this moment, Callie knew her life would be different.  Now heading into the ball, she has the stress of the whole Chase situation but now is determined to find her mate.  Little did Callie know, she would find her true mate, Cody.  She has known Cody all of her life and hadn't looked at him any other way but as a friend until the ball.  So many things are happening for Cassie and she has to face the consequences of what may happen with having a human know about vampires, hoping that Cody will still love her and having to deal with the new feeling of being matted.

I absolutely loved this book!!!  I started reading it and couldn't put down so I finished it in one day!! Right from the beginning I loved Callie; young, adventurous and ready to take on the world well at least after college :)  The story flowed perfectly, with all the events cumulating into one "big" one where Cassie accepts whatever is coming her way.  She is a young girl who has to grow up fast and I feel that she does this perfectly.  I would definitely recommend this book to my friends in a heart beat!

What do you think, sound pretty good????  Well if you are interested there is a giveaway going on over on my blog, I would love for you to come over check it out, become a follower and of course join in the giveaway

http://tanyasbooknook.blogspot.com