Book Review: Worlds of Ink and Shadow by Lena Coakley

I've seen mixed reviews from others about this book, but, personally, I really enjoyed it!  

The main characters of 'Worlds of Ink and Shadow' are the Bronte siblings (Charlotte, Emily, Anne, and their brother Branwell) and set while they are still in their teens.  Somehow, Charlotte and Branwell are able to cross-over into their written world, Verdopolis.  This 'how' is very important.  At first, the story is rather light-hearted with Charlotte and Branwell writing together and crossing-into into Verdopolis to interact with their characters (Branwell has written the villian, and Charlotte the hero), however, as the story progresses it starts to take a darker tone. More and more hints are dropped about just how it is that Charlotte and Branwell are able to cross-over, and eventually you learn the truth about it.  Things go from the siblings having fun with their written worlds/characters, to fighting to save each other.  I loved every minute of this transition!  

In the beginning, all the siblings have a lot of issues: Anne is too shy and is almost scared to speak up (even when she should), Emily is too reckless and bitter about something she doesn't understand, and Branwell and Charlotte are often bickering and envying each other; but they really do love each other, and as the story goes on they grow and come together in the end to make things right.  The ending is rather poignant, but there really is no other end fitting for it. 

I really, really enjoyed this book and love how the author actually used real worlds/characters that the Bronte's created when they were children.  The mixture of historical detail with the author's own imagination was just great! 

Book Review: The Falling Machine by Andrew P. Mayer

Just finished reading this one and thought I'd give a review of it here.  In a word?............... Lame!!

When I first found 'The Falling Machine' listed on GoodReads, I thought the premise of superhero organization meets Steampunk sounded really interesting.  The concept was great so I was really looking forward to a great story. Needless to say, I was sorely disappointed.  What could have been a marvelous story turned out to be an epic fail.

The writing style was so dry and boring I almost quit during the first chapter. However, I hate not finishing a book so I stuck it out hoping it would get better............ it didn't.  I found the narrative cumbersome and difficult to follow. One moment you were following Sarah, the next you'd be off with someone else without any warning or indication of any kind. It does this throughout the whole book, switching back and forth following at least 5 different sets of characters and there is never any warning. The change could literally be the very next paragraph with no indication prior that you were finished following the previous character until suddenly you find yourself following someone else and seeing their thoughts.  There were also ending/grammar issues (missing words, etc.) that made the book even harder to get through.

The characters? I hated them all. The only two characters that were even remotely likable are killed off. I know Sarah was supposed to be a fiery, independent young woman, but I found her to be highly annoying, overly feminist, and a bit of a brat at times. Nathaniel, who I think is supposed to be in love with Sarah, is a huge chauvinistic jerk and her father is almost as bad.

As to the plot? I found it extremely vague and lacking. Even at the end you are still left guessing as to what exactly the story is all about. Sure you get bits of information here or there, but not enough to really make the plot make sense.

The only good thing for me about this book was the end. Not that I found it to be satisfactory, but that I was thrilled to be finished with it so I wouldn't have to suffer through any more of it. 

25 Books to Look for in July 2016

Ok, so first off, this is by no means a comprehensive list.  There are gobs of books coming out every month and there is no way I can list all of them.  However,  I will give you a list of 25 books that might interest you that are coming out this July.  This list covers a range of genres, styles, and authors.  Also, just to note, I have not read/do not read all of these authors;  some have been included simply because of the general popularity of the authors.

1. 'The Crimson Skew' by S.E. Grove:

'The Crimson Skew' is the final book in S.E. Grove's Steampunk series 'The Mapmaker's Trilogy.' Release date: July 12th.

2. 'The Black Widow' by Daniel Silva:

For those of you who may be Daniel Silva fans, 'The Black Widow' (book 16 of the series 'Gabriel Allon') comes out on: July 12th.

3. 'A Beauty Refined' by Tracie Peterson:

'A Beauty Refined' , book 2 of Tracie Peterson's series 'Sapphire Brides,' is expected to be released on: July 5th.

4. 'Paper and Fire' by Rachel Caine:

'Paper and Fire' is the second book in the Dystopian/Steampunk series 'The Great Library,' it's expected release date is: July 5th.

5. 'An Author's Odyssey' by Chris Colfer:

You 'Land of Stories' fans will be happy to know that book 5 ('An Author's Odyseey') is scheduled for release on: July 12th.

6. 'Rebellion' by J A Souders:

Scifi/Fantasy J A Souders will be releasing the third installment of the 'Elysium Chronicles' on: July 12th.

7. 'Falling' by Jane Green:

If there are any Jane Green readers out there looking at this blog post, you should be happy to know that her newest book 'Falling' will be available on: July 19th.

8. 'Fallout' by Harry Turtledove:

Generally regarded as a master of alternative history, Harry Turtoledove will be publishing book 2 of 'The Hot War' series on: July 19th.

9. 'Night and Day' by Iris Johansen:

Book 21 of 'Eve Duncan' by Irish Johansen is expected to be released on: July 19th.

10. 'The Transference Engine' by Julia Verne St. John:

'The Transference Engine' is an new Steampunk novel by Julia Verne St. John.  It will be available on (paperback and ebook): July 5th.

11. 'The Loyal Heart' by Shelley Shepard Grey:

Shelley Shepard Grey has a new series coming out this July also.  Book 1 of the new' Lone Star Hero' series will be out on: July 12th.

12. 'The Innocents' by Ace Atkins:

The next installment of Ace Atkin's series 'Quinn Colsson' (book 6) also comes out this July.  The expected release date is: July 12th.

13. 'Gone With the Wool' by Betty Hechtman:

Book 4 of Betty Hechtman's cozy mystery series 'Yarn Retreat Mystery' comes out on: July 5th.

14. 'White Bone' by Ridley Pearson:

'White Bone' is the 4th installment of Ridley Pearson's 'Risk Agent' series.  It comes out on: July 19th.

15. 'Jack' by K.R. Thompson:

K.R. Thompson's 'Untold Stories of Neverland' continues with a 4th book.  The story is only available as a Kindle ebook and will be released on: July 6th.

16. 'Among the Wicked' by Linda Castillo:

If you enjoy Linda Csastillo's 'Kate Burtholder' series, you'll be glad to hear that book 8 will be available on: July 12th.

17. 'Battlesaurus: Clash of Empires' by Brian Falkner:

Fans of the alternative history Science Fiction genre may be interested in Brian Falkner's newest book in his 'Battlesaurus' series.  It's an ebook that will be released on: July 12th..

18. 'Reckless Creed' by Alex Kava:

The 3rd installment of Alex Kava's series 'Ryder Creed' also comes out in July. 'Reckless Creed' will be available on: July 26th.

19. 'Rampage' by John Sandford:

John Sandford's series 'Singular Menace' continues with book 3: 'Rampage.' Scheduled to be published on: July 12th.

20. 'Red Queen' by Christina Henry:

Book 2 of Christina Henry's dark Alice in Wonderland retelling series 'Chronicles of Alice' will be available on: July 12th.

21. 'The Shadow Hour' by Melissa Grey:

Also coming out in July is book 2 of 'The Girl at Midnight.'  'The Shadow Hour' will be coming out on: July 12th.

22. 'Guilty Minds' bu Joseph Heller:

If you prefer listening to books to reading them, you may be pleased to know that Nick Heller book 3, 'Guilty Minds' is scheduled to be available on audio in July. It's release date is: July 19th.

23. 'Outfoxed' by David Rosenfelt:

Book 14 of the 'Andy Carpenter' mystery series will also be coming out in July. Release date: July 19th.

24. 'The Divided Family' by Wande E. Brunstetter:

'The Divided Family' is the 5th installment of Wande E Brunstetter's novella series 'Amish Millionaire.'  It comes out on: July 1st.

25. 'Insidious' by Catherine Coulter:

And lastly (for this list anyway), July also hosts the release date for book 20 in Catherine Coulter's 'FBI Thriller' series.  'Insidious comes on on: July 5th.

So, that brings us to the end of the list!  As mentioned earlier, this is by no means a comprehensive list of all the books coming out next month, but hopefully it is a list of some of the highlights.