Posts Tagged Thriller
Blog Tour Stop & Review! CRANE Legends Saga Book 1 by Stacey Rourke
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News, Reviews, YA Fiction on June 20, 2014
The Horseman is unending,
his presence shan’t lessen.
If you break the curse,
you become the legend.
Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle had no choice but to cover up the deadly truth behind Ichabod Crane’s disappearance. Centuries later, a Crane returns to Sleepy Hollow awakening macabre secrets once believed to be buried deep.
What if the monster that spawned the legend lived within you?
Now, Ireland Crane, reeling from a break-up and seeking a fresh start, must rely on the newly awakened Rip Van Winkle to discover the key to channeling the darkness swirling within her. Bodies are piling high and Ireland is the only one that can save Sleepy Hollow by embracing her own damning curse.
But is anyone truly safe when the Horseman rides?
REVIEW
This was a very unusual twist on Irving’s classic tale, but I found it extraordinary!
The narration alternates between the present heroine, Ireland, and her ancestor, Ichabod Crane. This brilliant maneuver allows you to follow both characters as their stories unfold which builds anticipation and intensifies the mystery. I was completely engulfed in this exciting thriller as the pages seemed to race across my kindle! There are several supporting characters that make a complex addition to this story, and a few that add comedic relief when needed.
With the perfect balance of gore, romance, comedy, and mystery, I found this novel to be an excellent YA read!
About Stacy Rourke
There is nothing worse than being put on the spot and asked to talk about yourself. For me it brings back that inevitable moment in a new school when the teacher would ask me to stand up, introduce myself and tell the class something about myself. I was always worried I would blurt out something stupid that I would get teased for. Something like, “My name’s Stacey and I like pickles!” Then for the rest of the school year I’d be known as the Pickle Girl and let’s be honest, no one wants that. So to avoid such a faux pas I will simply say that I love to write. It allows me to get my crazy out just enough that I can function as a normal member of society.
REVIEW: AMITY by MICOL OSTOW
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News, Reviews, YA Fiction on April 28, 2014
Synopsis:
Connor’s family moves to Amity to escape shady business deals. Ten years later, Gwen’s family moves to Amity for a fresh start after she’s recovered from a psychotic break.
But something is not right about this secluded house. Connor’s nights are plagued with gore-filled dreams of demons and destruction. Dreams he kind of likes. Gwen has lurid visions of corpses that aren’t there and bleeding blisters that disappear in the blink of an eye. She knows Amity is evil and she must get her family out, but who would ever believe her?
Amity isn’t just a house. She is a living force, bent on manipulating her inhabitants to her twisted will. She will use Connor and Gwen to bring about a bloody end as she’s done before. As she’ll do again.
Review:
Growing up, I was a horror film junkie! While Freddie, Jason, and Michael pumped my adrenaline, they never caused me any permanent damage. What scarred me for life was The Exorcist, Chainsaw Massacre, Jaws, and The Amityville series. For in my mind, these were the real horrors that lurked in the shadows. After all, they were loosely based on real stories, right?
Recently, I’ve noticed a fad in which authors are rewriting stories to fit the young adult group, and why not? I think it’s a brilliant idea that gives our teens a bigger variety of literature to choose from.
This novel in particular has interlaced two stories, a decade apart, into a chilling tale!
I applaud this author, as she has done a great job of writing a novel that terrifies, thrills, and disgusts! The brilliance of her work is in the details, as her creativity and story background was above and beyond what I expected. There are a few twists added, making this version of the horror classic a more unique and interesting tale than the previous stories. The narrative is bounced expertly between two teens, whose lives have been abruptly changed by the house and other entities involved. I must add that although Ostow leads you down a twisted path, the most heinous of acts are left to the reader’s imagination. As expected, there are some bloody scenes, a few mentions of abuse, and some vivid descriptions of a demented mind in action. There were several times when nothing seemed real, but everything was horrifying. I loved it!
I highly recommend this to mature young adults, high school being the youngest, and adults who love the paranormal, thrillers, and horrors!
About The Author:
Micol Ostow is half Puerto Rican, half Jewish, half reader, half writer, and, when under deadline, often half asleep. Micol was working as an editor of young adult fiction when she began to write her own books; since then, she has published over 40 works for readers of all ages. Her novel, Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa, was named a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, and her graphic novel hybrid, So Punk Rock: And Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother, was chosen as a Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Teens.
Micol received her MFA in Writing For Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2009, and currently teaches a popular young adult writing workshop through Media Bistro. She lives in NYC with her Emmy-award winning filmmaker husband, Noah Harlan, their daughter, and a persnickety French Bulldog named Bridget Jones. When not lurking online, Micol can most frequently be found reading, running, or drinking way too much coffee. You can also visit her online, blogging with the readergirlz divas over at the National Book Award-winning literacy project, http://www.readergirlz.com.
Links:
Release & Review- MARKED BY HADES by Reese Monroe
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News, Reviews on April 15, 2014
SYNOPSIS
One choice away from eternity…
For 911 years, Gatekeeper companion Justin Bradford has denied the possibility of being mated to only one woman. He enjoys them all too much to settle down. So when he feels his mate’s Ahavah mark surface, his first instinct is to ignore it. But when he sees the leather-clad beauty in need of his help that’s easier said than done…
Yvonne wakes up naked on a cold park bench in a small town with no memory of who—or what—she is. All she knows is the gentle man who woke her was turned to dust when she touched him. And now the strange mark that appeared on her shoulder throbs in the presence of the raven-haired man now offering to help her…
As Justin and Yvonne navigate the mystery of her past, their bond grows, but the secrets they discover and the sacrifices that must be made could be enough to rip them apart for eternity.
REVIEW
This is an impressively written novel that can invoke the romantic in any reader, even the most prosaic!
I admit that while this can be a stand-alone, the pieces fit much better if you read the first installment, “Forged by Fate”, which is an excellent novel!
As the relationship between Justin and Yvonne unfolded throughout the story, I was swept away by true love, destiny, and devotion. The author has a gift of being able to portray a love so deep, no other bond compares. It’s an emotional experience, on every level.
The battle scenes are impressively dictated, the story is addicting, and the background is given in a strategic manner. While there are several sensual encounters, they are sweet, and slowly build your anticipation for the finale. I was elated that the supporting characters were just as engaging as the main, which gives this novel a well-rounded cast.
Highly recommend!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Originally from Minnesota, Reese Monroe currently enjoys living in the sunny Arizona desert with her husband of seventeen years and her loveable Shetland Sheep dog, Maddux. Monroe holds a degree in psychology from Southwest Minnesota State University and a master’s degree from the University of Iowa. When she’s not busy writing her next trilogy, she can be found pounding the pavement, training to run her first marathon.
Reese Monroe is a contributing blogger at the widely popular site New Adult Alley and has been part of the New Adult revolution for years having penned over twenty-five novels in the exciting new category.
Connect with Reese on Twitter, through Facebook or her website. Reese also writes as Lynn Rush and you can find her alter ego here.
Links: Website + Goodreads + Twitter + Facebook + Lynn Rush
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TRAILER PREMIERE: THE GIRL IN 6E by A.R. TORRE
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News on April 3, 2014
Book Title: The Girl In 6E
Author: Alessandra Torre
Genre: Erotic Thriller
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
My life, inside this apartment is simple. It works, as long as I follow the rules.
1. Don’t leave the apartment. Not in case of fire, not to mail a letter, not to run an errand. The door stays shut, and I stay inside.
2. Don’t get attached to clients. I take off my clothes, I stand in front of the camera, and I perform. What they want, I give. Their secrets, I keep. Everything I tell them, is a lie.
3. Don’t kill anyone. I’ve obeyed that rule for over three years.
My life, inside this apartment was simple, and it worked. Then, I started breaking rules.
About This Literary Chef:
Alessandra Torre is a new author who focuses on contemporary erotica. Her first book, Blindfolded Innocence, was published in July 2012, and was an Erotica #1 Bestseller for two weeks. The sequel to Blindfolded, Masked Innocence, will be released in February 2014.
Alessandra lives in the Southern United States and is married, with one young child. She enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and playing with her dogs. Her favorite authors include Lisa Gardner, Gillian Flynn, and Jennifer Crusie.
Learn more about Alessandra on her website at http://www.alessandratorre.com, or you can find her on Twitter (@ReadAlessandra) or her Facebook fanpage.
PLACE OF A SKULL By: Keith Jacobsen
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Reviews on January 22, 2014
BLURB:
In West Belfast in the late 1960s, Brendan O’Hara and his teenage son, Seamus, are drawn to the nationalist cause and join the IRA. Their obsession divides them from other members of the family, especially Seamus’ mother, Ruth, and his gentle younger brother, Patrick. Ruth copes with her isolation through a close friendship with Linda, Brendan’s sister-in-law, and a passionate and over-protective relationship with Patrick.
The family leave Belfast so that Brendan and Seamus can take part in the mainland campaign, where Brendan and Seamus become ruthless executioners of informers. Betrayed by an unknown informer, Brendan is arrested and sentenced to twenty years.
Seamus escapes the attention of the authorities and tries to put his past behind him. But he is horrified when, on his deathbed, Brendan makes him swear an oath to kill the informer who put Brendan behind bars. But Seamus discovers he has a personal connection to the informer. Tormented by guilt but bound by his oath, can Seamus avenge his father without destroying himself?
REVIEW:
Book one of the “Furies Trilogy”
From the first page, the author’s extensive research for this installment was obvious. Jacobsen’s accurate period detail and believable characters brought the story to life in a brilliant manner.
As I read this book, my heart was breaking. Following a group of strong characters who face the hardships of political and religious persecution is never easy, but the author makes it hard to look away. Dark secrets tear a family apart as they are brought to light and those that seemed the weakest turn out to have the greatest fortitude. With each page the tension, suspense and uncertainty kept me enthralled.
I have never had so many mixed emotions throughout a novel about the characters involved. I would like a character one minute, then hate them the next. The story line was compelling and flowed with ease. I highly recommend this to those that like mysteries, thrillers, and historical fiction.
BOOK LINKS:
Amazon: Place of A Skull
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17987578-place-of-a-skull
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6498538.Keith_Jacobsen
http://www.keithjacobsen.co.uk/da/113119
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