The Legend of Rachel Peterson by JT Baroni

The Legend of Rachel Petersen by JT Baroni 

Review and Giveaway!!!!

Genre:        Paranormal Thriller

Published:  December 1, 2011 by Damnation Books, LLC 

Source:       ebook via author

Rating:  4 STARS!

Amazon Synopsis: Did his book raise the dead? Outraged when The Post Gazette overlooks him for a  promotion, thirty-nine year old sports writer, Christian Kane, quits and moves to the country to write fiction. Inspiration flows from a grave he stumbles upon in the woods. He compiles The Legend of Rachel Petersen, a fascinating story revolving around the dead twelve year old girl lying beneath the weathered tombstone. His book becomes a Best Seller; then Hollywood makes it in to a blockbuster movie. Kane becomes rich and famous but only to have Rachel rise from the grave to seek revenge on him for slandering her name!

My Review: I enjoyed The Legend of Rachel Petersen. I read the book easily and the writing flowed smoothly. I really connected to the character of Christian Kane. I loved his reaction to being overlooked for the promotion. I found myself laughing out loud. Also, loved his wife's reaction when he told her quit his job.  I could feel her stress. 

It felt like I read two separate stories within one book. First, Christian's journey in writing his book and locating a publisher. Second, the life and death of Rachel Petersen and the two young brothers, Seth and Thaddeus, discovering the circumstances surrounding her death. This concept really worked! The ending....WOW...I didn't see it coming!  I don't want to reveal any spoilers but it gave me GOOSE BUMPS!!!

I rated The Legend of Rachel Petersen 4 STARS!

To purchase: 

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

JT Baroni Website

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Oh No! All my email subscribers disappeared!!

As of today, my email subscribers list is at zero.  I don't know what happened.  They all just disappeared.  Curious if this has happened to anyone else.  If so, please tell me there is a fix.  I worked hard to build my email subscribers.  This is very frustrating!  What is the saying? The best lessons are learned the hard way.  My lesson learned is to ALWAYS copy your email subscriber list to your computer!

The Burning Seal by Jenna Storm

The Burning Seal by Jenna Storm

Genre:        Urban Fantasy

Published:   March 2012 by MuseItUp Publishing

Source:      ebook from author via Goodreads Paranormal Romance & Urban 

                  Fantasy Fanatics Group

Rating: 2 STARS

Goodreads


Goodreads Synopsis:  Forced to battle a risen demon, Danni's survival depends on convincing a sinfully sexy man with an iron will that the paranormal exists.  Detective Danni Keegan is plunged into a dark, demonic world where survival depends on deciphering the connection between ritual killings, and a demon terrorizing her for a 'gift' she wasn't even aware she possessed. She must unravel her dreams of another woman who lived during ancient times and battled a bloodthirsty demon. The same demon who now hunts Danni. The loss of Danni's body and soul looms imminent as her only chance to destroy the demon depends on changing her new partner's convictions. A sinfully sexy man, who exudes power and self-assurance with the ease of breathing and has an iron willed determination not to believe in the paranormal.

My Review:  The Burning Seal is the first book in The Elements Series by Jenna Storm.  What can I say? The book started out very slow for me. The beginning confused me. I wasn't sure what I was reading.  I forced myself to keep reading because I thought once I understood the background, then the story would fall into place and I'd enjoy it.

It took several chapters for me to understand the basis of the plot. Danni, a police detective, was brutally assaulted by a demon. The attack awakened Danni's psychic abilities. She is an empath and had visions of the demon raping and viciously murdering young women. Danni actually feels the woman's pain and fear in her visions. She also experienced vivid dreams of a past life in which the demon hunted her for her gift. After taking a leave of absence from work, she returned to be teamed with a partner, Chase, who did not believe in the supernatural. Their physical attraction was immediate. Of course, their relationship developed over the course of the story. Chase finally believes Danni and realized he was Danni's protector from her past life. There developing relationship was the best of the book. Even with that said, I still felt no emotional connection to either character.

Dannie sought assistance from a paranormal school and a local witch, Mara, to learn more about her abilities. This part of the story needed more development. It really fell flat. There were little to no description of her training or learning how to use her abilities. Danni mentioned her close relationships with the owners of the school and the witch. However, their relationship never fully developed in the story. In the final battle, Mara and Danni discussed their immediate connection from past lives and how they were destined to defeat the demon together. Where did this come from? The scenes shared between these two characters showed no emotion or bond between them. It showed Mara being interviewed by a police detective. The story would have been improved by focusing more detail on their bond and friendship and the pull they felt toward each other. After defeating the demon, Danni, Chase, and Mara all agree to track down the other guardians of the elements. I do hope the next book focuses more on character development. As a reader, it is really important for me to emotionally connect to the characters. Unfortunately, The Burning Seal did not accomplish this goal.

I would like to thank Jenna Storm for allowing me to review the book!

I rated The Burning Seal 2 STARS!

To purchase the book:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon

Jenna Storm's Website

Coveted by Shawntelle Madison

Coveted by Shawntelle Madison
Genre:        Urban Fantasy
Published:   April 24, 2012 by Ballantine Books
Source:      Paperback via publisher (Goodreads First Reads)



Ratings: 4 STARS!

Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis:  For werewolf Natalya Stravinsky, the supernatural is nothing extraordinary. What does seem strange is that she's stuck in her hometown of South Toms River, New Jersey, the outcast of her pack, selling antiques to finicky magical creatures. Restless and recovering from her split with gorgeous ex-boyfriend, Thorn, Nat finds comfort in an unusual place: her obsessively collected stash of holiday trinkets. But complications pile up faster than her ornaments when Thorn returns home-and the two discover that the sparks between them remains intense.

Before Nat can sort out their relationship, she must face a more immediate and dangerous problem. Her pack is under attack from the savage Long Island werewolves - and Nat is their first target in a turf war. Toss in a handsome wizard vying for her affection, a therapy group for the anxious and enchanted, and the South Toms River pack leader ready to throw her to the wolves, and it's enough to give anybody a panic attack. With the stakes as high as the full moon, Nat must summon all her strength to save her pack and, ultimately, herself.

My Reivew: I loved this book! My true profession is social work.  So you can imagine I loved the concept of a werewolf with a mental illness - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In the majority of books, the heroine is portrayed as a confident, kick ass supernatural being but not in Coveted.  I found Nat's character refreshing.  She developed unhealthy coping skills after a breakup with her boyfriend, Thorn. She coped by starting a collection of Christmas ornaments and decorations. Soon, she turned from collector to hoarder.  Due to Nat's mental illness, her pack viewed her as inferior.  Her family just didn't know how to help her and seemed embarrassed by her behavior.

Thorn, the ex-boyfriend. I loved the scenes between him and Nat.  Even after  five years, they were attracted to each other. Their interactions always kept me wanting more. I'd be screaming at Nat and Thorn to just give in and be together.

Nat's participation in therapy offered some of my favorite scenes, especially when she had to give an ornament to a friend, the handsome wizard. The author's description of Nat's panic attacks and anxiety were very, very realistic.  By the way, the handsome wizard...he's exactly what Nat needs.  He's supportive and understands her in a way Thorn will never be able too.

Throughout the book, Nat's character grew and gained more self-confidence.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book, Kept (being published in November). Will Nat overcome her OCD? Will there be a love triangle? Will she be accepted by the pack? Hurry up November...I can't wait!

To purchase: 

Amazon

Shawntelle Madison Website

Shawntelle Madison's Facebook Page

Intangible by J. Meyers

Intangible by J. Meyers

Genre:        YA paranormal

Published:   January 31, 2012 by J. Meyers

Source:       Paperback via author (Goodreads First Reads)

Ratings:  5 STARS!!

Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis:  Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret - she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they've helped those in need on the sly. They've always thought of their abilities as being a gift. 

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they've always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke's ability? He's always right. And he can't do anything about it.

My Review:  The story revolves around teenage twins, Sera and Luke. Sera is able to heal others by touching them and Luke is able to see the future.  They keep their powers secret from their friends and family. When others in the paranormal realm recognize them as the children of the prophecy, they fear their powers and seek out to kill them.  Sera and Luke's friends seek to protect them. I don't want to give away any spoilers but will tell you that the story involves action and fighting.  

The story of the characters were well developed. From the bullying to the feelings of being a freak, the story of Sera and Luke portrays a realistic view of teenage desire to belong. This is what makes Intangible standout from other young adult books. Not only is it a great paranormal story but young adults can learn from the characters regarding friendships and accepting yourself for who you are, including all your strengths and all your flaws. 

I highly recommend this book!  Book two cannot arrive soon enough.

 

I rated Intangible 5 STARS!!

To purchase the book.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

J. Meyers Website

J. Meyers Facebook