If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn’t jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe “opportunity” isn’t the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: “Lied to Our Parents”). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up “Skipping School” (#3), “Throwing a Crazy Party” (#8), “Buying a Hot Tub” (#4), and, um, “Harboring a Fugitive” (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.

In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn’t-have-done at a time.

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I have to admit that I put off reading this novel for a while because I was worried that it would be all about illicit behavior and sex, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it really wasn’t.  Yes, the parents are out of the picture due to some ingenious leg work by April and Vi, but it’s not just a tale about girls and boys gone wild.  It’s really more so a story of love, betrayal, and coming of age in the real world.  Growing up.  And it’s a really cute tale that took hold of me from the very beginning and didn’t let go until I turned the final page.  This was a fantastic read!

Now, while I don’t think some of the situations within the novel would actually come to pass, or are one hundred percent believable, I am able to easily overlook that because Mlynowski is such a superb story-teller!  The situations the girls find themselves in are comical on the one hand, yet present real life morals on the other.  And, the characterization within the novel is amazing!  I was afraid that April would be a bit bratty and selfish after reading the first few pages, but I found that I really took sides with her and cared about her as the story unfolded; she’s a very well written character that evoked protective feelings from me as I read.  I’d like to meet her in real life; I think she’d make a great friend, and I truly enjoyed reading about her rollercoaster of a ride junior year as she begins to figure herself out.

And yes, there is sex in this novel.  But, it’s tastefully done.  This YA novel doesn’t give the reader play-by-play erotic descriptions, but rather just brushes over the act, as it should.  I was very thankful for this, especially as I’m noticing that many YA novels are now leaning towards more explicit descriptions of the act in their books, and that’s not something I want to read about in my novels, especially a YA book.  I also loved that sex is not glorified as the end all be all of April and Vi’s lives, and that there are very real consequences involved.  This made the story very endearing to me, as well as the superb characterization, hilarious situations, and fabulous morals.  Mlynowski is an outstanding writer and I will definitely be reading more of her work!  Five stars!  

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I don’t usually read or review children’s book as I have no children, but I saw this picture book the other day and thought I’d try it out.  I also came across the following information about it on goodreads:

“As an added bonus, 100% of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to the family of Alyssa Mowery. Last October, Alyssa was struck by a car while crossing the street with her friend Mia Decker (deceased) and sister Rain (minor injuries). Although Alyssa has awakened from her coma and said her first word since the accident, she has a long way to go. With your contribution and support, you can make a difference in this young girl’s life.”

Now, since the book was written, Alyssa Mowery has gone on to the road to recovery, which is awesome!! So, the proceeds from the book are no longer just going to her, but now to the author, which is certainly fair.  I think it is a rare author indeed who is willing to give up all of their profit in order to help someone else, and I found it really intriguing. The last author I saw to do something like this is Joshua Grover-David Patterson (and he’s still doing it), and so I like to support these authors, because I think their heart is in the right place.   

So, anyway, even though I don’t have children, I bought this book, and I read it too, because it’s very short.  Gordon has cute pictures of the baby dragon and all the things he does for his owner, like helping him brush his teeth and the like, so I think it’s good for really young children.

Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect.

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This is a very interesting story that reminds me of my favorite off air TV show, Heroes.  I absolutely loved that show!  Like Heroes, Accardo’s characters harness some amazing powers that, in the wrong hands, can lead to heartache and death.  And, with a cast of characters that readers won’t soon forget, Accardo has created an epic tale that demands an encore. 

Dez and Kale’s story is an enticing one, especially as Kale’s gift is more like a curse.  With a touch that kills, he’s lived a very lonely life, cooped up as a prisoner of Denazen Corporation for as long as he can remember.  This creates the premise behind the exciting storyline as Kale enters the real world, meets Dez (who isn’t as different from Kale as he thinks), and elicits an all out war between those with abilities and those who want to harness their power. 

I really enjoyed this story.  Kale is a very dreamy character and, inability to touch aside, he’s a very ideal young man.  He’s a perfect gentlemen, and his blossoming relationship with Dez was extremely interesting to watch, especially as his sheltered life leaves him without understand of many situations, creating both comical and sad revelations as he continues on his journey.  Accardo is a very talented writer with a vivid imagination that captivated me from the very first page as the story began to unfold.  And, the battle between good and evil has just begun.  I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for an action packed read, and of course, anyone who enjoyed Heroes.  Four stars.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

Hannah Esh fled the Home Valley Amish community with a broken heart, throwing herself into her worldly dreams of a singing career instead. But as much as she tries to run from her past, something keeps pulling her back. On a whim, she brings four worldly friends to the Amish graveyard near her family’s home for a midnight party on Halloween. But when shots are fired and one of her friends is killed, Hannah is pulled back into the world of her past.

The investigation into the shooting uncovers deep-buried secrets that shock the peaceful Amish village to its core. Determined to prove her value to the community she left behind, Hannah attempts to bridge two cultures, working closely with both handsome, arrogant FBI agent Linc Armstrong and her former betrothed, Seth Lantz, now widowed with a young daughter.

Caught between Seth and Linc, between old and new, Amish and worldly, Hannah must choose her future. Unless a killer, bent on secrecy, chooses it for her.  

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This mystery novel drops the reader right into the middle of the action as Hannah and her goth friends decide to spend Halloween in an Amish graveyard  near her childhood home.  Yet, unbeknownst to her, the graveyard on which she treads holds more than just the dead buried there, leading to an intense murder mystery as Hannah and her friends become victims of a graveyard shooting.  As the investigation unfolds, Hannah is forced to move back home to her Amish roots, facing the same situations and people she ran away from so long ago, including the man who broke her heart.

Return to Grace is an intense mystery novel that had me captivated from the very first page.  I love novels about the Amish way of life, and when these stories are combined with that of a mystery, one of my favorite genres, I am eager to read them.  Like Marta Perry, Harper weave’s an intricate tale of murder, love, and betrayal within the Amish countryside, juxtaposing the quiet Amish life with the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced city as Hannah’s community is drawn into the public’s eye due to the violence she survived in the graveyard.   

Hannah is a complex character, torn between what is “right” and what she wants.  Though she’s donned the gothic lifestyle to replace that which she has lost, she hasn’t truly given up her past.  Her struggle is very vivid and real, extremely believable, and I couldn’t help but be drawn in by her, rooting for her all the way.  She has many difficult choices to make, including whether to stay and join the church, marrying Amish, or go back out into the world—should she survive the murderer on the loose. Harper’s cast of complex characters throughout this novel were extremely well written and I enjoyed them all, especially the characters of Seth and Linc as they both vied for Hannah’s attention, offering her different pieces of the world that she yearns after.

This whodunit style novel is extremely original and entrancing, especially as everyone is a suspect.  I was surprised by the identity of the murderer, though, in retrospect, the foreshadowing was there, and the case against the actual culprit is extremely strong.  Yet,  I didn’t see it until the killer’s identity was revealed.  I truly enjoy novels that are able to keep me in the dark until the last possible moment, and Harper has done a truly amazing job writing such a complex story. It’s very well written and I highly recommend it to all.  Five stars.

Harlequin Publishers has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on February 28, 2012.

When Marley wakes up to a phone call from a pair of terrified children, she doesn’t expect to be pulled into a secret war. She rescues them from an empty house and promises to find their missing uncle. She even manages to feed them dinner. But she barely feels competent to manage her own life, let alone care for small children with strange, ominous powers…

And when a mysterious angelic figure shows up and tries to claim the girls, it all falls apart…

Plagued by visions of disaster, Marley has no idea what she’s gotten herself into, but she knows one thing: magical or not, the kids need her.
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This is a very intense story with great world building and characterization.  Marley, a young woman struggling to keep herself afloat, suddenly finds herself in the midst of a battle between good and evil, throwing her already chaotic life into even more disarray. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Marley’s character, especially as she matures throughout the story, going from a woman full of anxiety to a more self-assured person willing to do anything to protect those she cares about.  She is a very believable character, and I loved that she is flawed, just like the rest of humanity.  It was refreshing to have a genuine heroine that wasn’t always sure of herself and was afraid, and yet persevered to do what is right.  Having no previous dealings with children, it was also comical to see her interact with the four-year-old twins who are being sought after by a band of sinister creatures.  Marley’s inexperience shines through as she tries to figure out what to do with the girls, what to feed them, how to communicate with them—and as if this isn’t anxiety provoking enough for Marley, the girls uncanny abilities, and the abilities of those attempting to take the girls from Marley, all add to this enticing story.

Now, the young girls do see a lot of things that no child should ever see, and some readers may find this a bit jarring—especially as the children become extremely distraught on many an occasion, worried that the adults in their lives will abandon them as everyone seems to have already done.  It’s a bit heartbreaking, and I definitely thought, many a time, that these girls were witnessing way too much to come away unscathed, and my heart hurt for them.  Although a fantastical story, Tzavelas gives her characters and their feelings extreme human qualities, which, in my opinion, makes it a very well written story and the girls are an interesting pair, adding depth to the story.

I really enjoyed the otherworldly feel of this novel as well.  While good and evil converge on Marley’s world, confusing her beyond belief, the author creates an amazing array of action sequences as Marley finds herself on the run.  Unsafe and scared, Marley must trust people she wouldn’t normally give the time of day, and rely on them to keep the girls, and herself, safe.  This is a really good read.  Four stars.

Matchbox Girls is set to release tomorrow, February 21, 2012

I received a ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Using every tool available, The Army has worked to liberate our world from The Enemy for thousands of years, slowly and painfully lifting Mankind out of the dark. On the front of the great Conflict are the Angelkillers, veterans of the fight with centuries of experience.

Jonah Mason is an Angelkiller, and his cell is targeted as part of a plot to unseat a very powerful Minion of The Enemy. Mason and his troop are drawn into a battle that stretches from real-time to virtual reality and back. The Conflict is about to expand into cyberspace, and if Mason is unable to stop it, The Enemy will have gained dominion over yet another realm.

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Angelkiller is an interesting take on the battle between heaven and hell, a battle that has been morphing along with society for thousands of years.  And, as society evolves and moves forward, so do the tactics taken to fight The Enemy.  Jonah Mason, the main character throughout this novel, has been fighting the Darkness for far too long to remember, meeting with his newest cell group through online gaming.  This was a very interesting development within the story as it gives each member the anonymity and privacy they need to discuss their plans for action against the Darkness without leaving the comfort of their own home. 

I was originally interested in this novel because of this usage of cyberspace; I used to have friends really into gaming, and I wanted to see where Blalock was going with this concept.  It turns out the terminology is a little bit beyond me, I’m not a gamer and I don’t know very much about all the logistics of it, but I was able to follow Blalock fairly well as the story progressed, explaining how everything worked while adding suspense to the story, especially once these gaming sessions are compromised and not everyone is who they seem to be. 

Though the story jumped around a bit, Blalock does a good job bringing all the pieces of the puzzle together, referencing prior scenes and making them all fit together nicely.  Yet, I didn’t feel as connected to the characters within the story as I had hoped, and I think the anonymity of the story overall has a lot to do with that.  While I would have liked a lot more character development, I also don’t think it would have fit with the story, especially as the members of the cell are meant to give away as little information about themselves as possible.  Thus, I wasn’t attached to any specific characters, but I enjoyed them nonetheless.  I think readers especially interested in technology and the gaming world will really enjoy this story.  Three stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

After all, you can’t just steal a life and expect to get away with it.

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Valentine has written a great mystery novel revolving around a mistaken identity, a daring theft, and a possible murder.  Chap relays his story through a first person narrative, making it easy for the reader to connect with him.  First person limited is my favorite point of view because it allows the reader a direct line to the narrator’s thoughts, creating a deeper connection between the reader and narrator than, say, a third person narrative.  I was glad to see that Valentine evoked this point of view, giving me an insider’s perspective of everything that happened, heightening the suspense and mystery as Chap begins to fear for his life. 

This is a great mystery novel, and watching Chap attempt to fill in the gaps concerning the disappearance of Cassiel, the boy he’s pretending to be, is quite enjoyable.  It was amazing to see how all the pieces fit together, and Chaps back-story—where he came from and why he was on the run—was exceptionally interesting.  In retrospect, the intricacies of the novel make perfect sense, yet I never noticed how any of the piece fit together until Chap made the connections for me.  That, in my opinion, is good writing.  I was pleasantly surprised throughout the novel, and I was especially happy with the way Valentine ends the novel—there are too many stories out there that leave off on a sad note, and this was a nice change.  Four stars. 

Disney-Hyperion has been extremely gracious in allowing my to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to it’s release on February 21, 2012.

Craig’s crushing on quiet, distant Lio, and preoccupied with what it meant when Lio kissed him…and if he’ll do it again…and if kissing Lio will help him finally get over his ex-boyfriend, Cody.

Lio feels most alive when he’s with Craig.  He forgets about his broken family, his dead brother, and the messed up world.  But being with Craig means being vulnerable, and Lio will have to decide whether love is worth the risk.

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I received a copy of this novel as part of an ARC tour back in May of 2011, and I must say that this is a truly beautiful novel.  The amount of depth Moskowitz pours into her characters is amazing, and I am in awe of Moskowitz’s sheer writing capabilities.  I read this novel in one sitting; it was that good.  Originally drawn to the novel due to its relation to the Beltway Snipers that ravaged the Maryland/D.C./Virginia areas, I was floored by the intensity of the characters, Craig and Lio, as they struggle to make sense of their tumultuous lives while also dealing with the anxiety of the sniper shootings and remnants of September 11, 2001.  This was a beautiful blend of history and fiction, and Moskowitz stays true to the harrowing events of 2002, adding much strength to this powerful novel.  The vivid descriptions and alternate perspectives of the characters allows the reader to become one with the story, connecting with the events and characters in a way that makes the reader feel as if they are in the story themselves.

I absolutely loved the different perspectives Moskowitz portrays through the voices of Craig and Lio as each chapter alternates between them, giving the reader access to their inner thoughts and feelings through the first person narrative.  Confused and hurting, both Craig and Lio pour out their souls while looking for redemption from their metaphorical ghosts, and they are extremely real, deep characters.  Moskowitz is a superb writer of the male persona, and I was truly inspired by this coming of age novel.  The book is completely character driven as Craig and Lio come to terms with their pasts and future, and I was in love with the novel from the very first page.  This is not an action thriller, but rather an in-depth look at the human psyche, a look into the very soul of humanity, including its triumphs and fears.  It is a superb read, and I highly recommend it.  Five stars. 

So, as I stated above, my copy of the novel came as part of an ARC Tour, in which each participant was given a week to read the novel before shipping it off to the next reviewer.  As the reviewers of this copy of GONE, GONE, GONE, our job was to write all over the novel, add photos, drawings, etc., so that when it gets back to Hannah Moskowitz, it’s a highly personalized, beautiful copy that proves its traveled the whole United States.  I was the first to recieve the book on the tour (which will extend into April as the book is set to release April 17th), and I had a wonderful time reading Hannah’s musings and adding my own commentary.  I’ve included a few photos below for all to see how truly cool this ARC Tour was!

Tracey Garvis-Graves is an amazing writer.  Her novel captivated me from beginning to end, and I spent an entire night devouring On The Island because it is a truly beautiful story.  When I finished it, I wasn’t able to sleep or think of anything else besides this incredible novel, and I wanted to share this experience with my readers on the blog as well. Originally I was going to offer two eBook versions of the novel (for international entrants), and one paperback copy (for USA entrants), so that others could read this epic story.  I also contacted Tracey and told her how much I loved her book, and do you know what she did?  Tracey sent me not one, but two signed copies of her amazing novel to be given away on my blog!!! I am in awe of not only Tracey’s sheer writing abilities, but also of her complete generosity to her fans!  

So, because Tracey is an indie author, and because I really want to support her as a writer, I have decided that alongside her two signed paperback copies, I’m going to offer FIVE ebook copies to readers as well.  That means we’re giving away a total of SEVEN copies of this novel for a total of four international (ebooks) and three USA (paperback and ebook) winners.

 So, without further ado, here’s the giveaway information:

 All you have to do is enter your name, email, and location in order to win, but there are extra entry options if you’re interested!

To read my full review of this epic novel, click HERE.

To enter you must:

-Be 18 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)
-Fill in the form with your name and email (extra entries optional)

Click this ENTRY FORM to enter!

This contest is open internationally and will end at 11:59pm EST on March 7th. Please only enter once. The winners will be announced on the 8th of March, and will receive email notifications! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me or Tracey a comment!

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This is an amazing story.  There are very few novels out there that actually cause me to swoon for days upon end after completion, and even further still that haunt my dreams.  Yet, On the Island has done exactly that, tenfold.  I am in awe of Garvis-Graves, she has literally rocked my world and I can’t get her novel out of my head.  It’s a perfect story; the reader can’t help but become attached to both Anna and T.J. as they embark on this incredible journey spanning eight years of their lives.

I will admit, I was a bit skeptical when my friend, Tammara Webber, told me I just had to read this novel.  Not because I doubted Garvis-Graves writing ability, but because I was nervous about a novel dealing with a 30-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy marooned on an island.  Yeah, you’re there with me, you know what I’m talking about.  But, ladies and gentlemen, rest assured, it’s nothing like that. Yes, there are sexual situations, but it’s not what you’re thinking, at least, it wasn’t what I was thinking when I originally heard of the story.  Yes, there is romance, but it’s not rushed, remember, this novel takes place over eight years, and throughout all this time, Garvis-Graves draws the reader in, building up both Anna and T.J. into respectable, caring people that you can’t help but root for as they battle the elements to stay alive—to stay sane. 

I laughed aloud while I read.  That’s an extreme rarity.  There’s just something about “Operation chase a chicken” that made me giggle, as did many instances on the island as Garvis-Graves creates a superb picture in the readers mind of what life must really be like for Anna and T.J.  I cried too.  A lot.  But, mostly those tears were tears of joy, though sometimes they were not, and I felt like a piece of me was dying alongside the characters as events unfolded.  This is a very powerful novel.

I began reading On the Island at 11:30 at night.  I had every intention of just perusing it until I was ready to sleep.  But, let me tell you, sleep didn’t come that night.  I stayed up until 4:30 in the morning, until I turned the last page, and even after that, I couldn’t have gone to sleep if I had wanted to.  This story is an epic tale combining love, suspense, laughter, and sorrow, and I am still in awe, days later.  I need to read it again.  Right now.  Five stars.

And, do you know what?  In 30 minutes I will be posting a giveaway for this novel, which will have both signed paperbacks and ebooks available, making a total of seven winners.  Stay tuned, you don’t want to miss this!

The giveaway for Shift, by M.R. Merrick, has just concluded, and I’m excited to say that the winner has been chosen using Random.org.

The new urban fantasy series is Michael’s second with Seventh Star Press, following the extremely successful release of Cinema of Shadows, his latest Harmony Indiana novel, in 2011. The Legacy of the Gods series is set to build rapidly upon Michael’s horror readership, introducing his well-crafted storytelling to urban fantasy audiences everywhere.

Increasingly recognized for the high quality of its limited hardcover editions, Seventh Star Press is making available a new pre-order offer that allows readers and collectors to secure both a collectible, signed hardcover of Poseidon’s Children (out of a run of just 75 copies), as well as an eBook version suited for their particular eReaders (Kindle or Nook editions will be “gifted” by Seventh Star Press on the day of release).

The bundle of a hardcover and eBook edition is accompanied by a sharp set of glossy 5X7 art cards, featuring the interior illustrations found in Poseidon’s Children, as well as bookmarks from the novel and a set of thee collectible magnets. The price for the hardcover/eBook bundle and extras is one readers will find very attractive at just $32.95. The hardcovers (and pre-ordered softcovers) will be signed and numbered by Michael on Saturday, March 17 and shipped out on the 19th.

The illustrations for Poseidon’s Children were created by highly acclaimed fantasy/horror artist Matthew Perry, who also does the artwork for Michael’s Harmony Indiana Novels with Seventh Star Press. The Poseidon’s Children project also reunited Michael with his Cinema of Shadows editor, Amanda DeBord.

In Poseidon’s Children, man no longer worships the old gods; forgotten and forsaken, they have become nothing more than myth and legend. But all that is about to change. After the ruins of a vast, ancient civilization are discovered on the ocean floor, Coast Guard officers find a series of derelict ships drifting in the current–high-priced yachts and leaking fishing boats, all ransacked, splattered in blood, their crews missing and presumed dead.

And that’s just the beginning.

Vacationing artist Larry Neuhaus has just witnessed a gruesome shark attack, a young couple torn apart right before his eyes … at least, he thinks it was a shark. And when one of these victims turns out to be the only son of Roger Hays, the most powerful man in the country, things go from bad to worse. Now, to stop the carnage,Larry and his new-found friends must work together to unravel a mystery as old as time, and face an enemy as dark as the ocean depths.

Michael West is fresh from a great reception of his first Seventh Star Press release, the Harmony Indiana novel Cinema of Shadows. His other works include novels such as The Wide Game (Graveside Tales) and a single author collection, Skull Full of Kisses (Graveside Tales). He also has an array of short fiction published, spanning many magazines and anthologies, including appearances in Shroud Magazine, and the Apex Science Fiction and Horror Digest.

Poseidon’s Children will be released in limited hardcover, trade paperback, and several eBook formats, such Kindle, iPad, the Nook, and Sony/Sony compatible eBook reading devices. The second novel in the series is slated for the spring of 2013, with other two planned titles to follow on an annual basis.

Updates and additional information can be obtained at the official site for Seventh Star Press, at www.seventhstarpress.com, or at the author’s site, www.bymichaelwest.com

Contact: C.C. James

Public Relations, Seventh Star Press

ccjames@seventhstarpress.com

Seventh Star Press is a small press publisher of speculative fiction located in Lexington Kentucky.

Followed by the brave and pushed forward by the arms of future peace for all in his kingdom, he carried the mighty torch of peace for all.

Far to the edge of the Green Sea was the west end of the Mystic Mountains. This was believed to be a different land. There lived the one who commands the shadows of darkness, evil sorcery, and the never-ending quest for chaos. Once loved by many yet misled by the temptations of power and greed, he felt deep into the jaws of evil and the forces of pain, corruption, and decay. This dark sorcerer was not just a villain but a powerful warden of the wicked and the face of death to the pure. Argon was his name, and he was now the emperor of his own sinister world!”

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I am sorry to say that this novella isn’t for me.  While I think the idea of the storyline and the ensuing adventure is interesting, there were a few too many discrepancies for me to enjoy it.  One of the issues I had with the novella is that it jumped around a lot, interrupting the natural flow of the story, while also creating excessive repetition as the same ideas were rehashed throughout the segments.  Along the same lines, the overabundant use of exclamation marks made it difficult for me to read as the extensive usage took away from the novella; hence, I found myself focusing more so on the punctuation than the actual storyline.  I felt like every sentence needed to be read with gusto, but it didn’t fit the lines within the story on many an occasion, and so I found myself hung up on this minute point.

While the timeline of the novel is not necessarily clear, it seems like this story should take place in the distant past, yet the dialogue and even the names are what I consider to be much too modern for it to make it real.  I do enjoy fantasy, but I am always looking for validity within the pages, and I unfortunately didn’t find it in this novella.  I’m not sure if this created the reason for my lackluster response to the multiple characters within the novella as well, but I also found that they didn’t really  interest me.  All in all, I felt like this novella was telling more than showing, and so I wasn’t drawn into the story as much as I had hoped.  This novella is probably best suited for a younger MG aged child as they will be able to focus on the story at hand and less on the other elements within the novella.  Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.  One and a half stars.

I received a copy of this novella from the author in exchange for an honest review.

The Enforcers will stop at nothing to find her, even if it means leaving a trail of fire and corpses in their wake.

Now, Lucy and her companions must choose whether to run, fight, or surrender. But first, they need to determine the consequences of their actions for themselves, and the world.

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The final book in Patterson’s Blood Calling Series, The Enforcers offers an action packed, riveting story to readers, as well as the perfect closure to this amazing trilogy.  Patterson’s novel brings back the beloved characters of Lucy, Wash, and Emma, as they fight not only to clear their names, but also for justice against the Enforcers, a group of rogue vampires who take it upon themselves to wipe out any and all vampires who threaten to reveal their way of life.  Bring into the mix a human now on the Enforcers’ radar due to helping his vampire friends move during the daylight, an angry “baby” vampire wanting nothing more than to go home to her parents, and a police investigation hot on their tails with the Enforcers closing in from the other side, and you’ve got an amazing adventure.  Patterson expertly weaves his tale, explaining the intricacies of not only the characters and their dilemmas, but also the mysterious Enforcers. 

Up until now, the Enforcers have always been a serious threat, but Lucy, the protagonist, didn’t always understand exactly how dire their situation really was.  As the story unfolds, and the reader learns more about the Enforcers bloody beginnings and Emma’s close brush with death at their hands, it becomes clear that the Enforcers will stop at nothing to destroy anyone who stands in their way, and if that means killing an entire township of humans in their quest, so be it. 

I loved the presentation of the Enforcers, the group that should represent good, a policing force for the underground vampires, but they’re anything but that.  The Enforcers’ heartlessness and self-preservation is the perfect foil for Lucy and her friends as she attempts to do the right thing, but how far will she and her friends go to protect themselves and everyone they love?  Caught between the desire to live in safety and the need to protect the innocent, Lucy, Wash, and everyone else must make some extremely difficult choices, and not everyone will walk away unscathed, making this an intense, but wonderful read. 

I was surprised by the conclusion of the novel, yet it works perfectly with the series and, though a clean ending, leaves room for more if Patterson ever decides to continue the series, which I hope he does.  The Blood Calling series an enthralling series, and it’s come so far since the very first book.  I think this is the best book of the series yet.  Five stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.