Blood of my World trilogy: Discovery of Death by A.P. Fuchs

Today's book review is the first in the YA Blood of my World trilogy by A.P. Fuchs. The first book is Discovery of Death, followed by Memories of Death and Life of Death.

The trilogy follows the story of Rose and Zach, two high school sweethearts deeply in love. Then one day Zach disappears. Rose is left to try to carry on, but how do you get over someone when you don't know what happened to them? But that's not all that's on Rose's plate. She's about to lose someone she loves, find out monsters are real and discover that she comes from a long line of vampire slayers. And you thought high school was hard!

Zach's not having such an easy time himself. He wakes up dead and in a coffin with no memory. He learns that he's now a vampire, has a whole vampire family and incredible powers. Yet he's tormented by bits and pieces of memories from his human life. He's torn between images of a  beautiful girl and his new found family.

What will happen when Rose and Zach meet up again? Can they forsake their families and their destinies for the sake of true love? Well, you'll have to read all three novellas to figure that one out. The novellas are Young Adult so they're a quick and easy read. The concept is interesting, very Romeo & Juliet meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

I've only read the first novella, and it was a little heavy on the romance for a true horror fan. There are however, undertones of things yet to come that may satisfy the bloodthirsty. Don't get me wrong- these are in no way sparkly vampires. They drink blood and kill and enjoy doing so. But at heart, the books are a love story. Fans of paranormal romance will find them delightful.

Happy Reading,
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Postponed

Today's review has been postponed until tomorrow. Sorry! Bronchitis has got me lagging behind this week. But there will be a review up tomorrow so be sure to stay tuned. I have some fantastic books and authors scheduled for the month of June!

Happy Reading,
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Memoirs of the Walking Dead by Jason McKinney

When you're reading Zombie fiction, seeing Zombie movies or just chatting about the impending Zombie Apocalypse (doesn't everyone do that?), you're usually thinking about your survival. As a human. But what about the Zombies? What are they thinking, beyond the usual "Bbbrrraaaaiiinnsss"? If you have ever wondered, Jason Mckinney's book will answer that question for you.

Memoirs of the Walking Dead is told from one Zombie's point of view. It covers how he became a Zombie and how he's surviving his undeath. Paul Rierson is a Zombie with more morality than most and tries to refrain from snacking on live people. Unfortunately, his Zombie cat Charlotte, doesn't share either his moral values or his self restraint. Paul's just a guy (undead though he may be) trying to stay alive, have a relationship and make his existence meaningful.

The book is laugh out loud funny in parts, gruesome in parts (Zombie sex, anyone?) and thought provoking in others. How do you hold on to your core values in a world turned upside down? It's not without a few faults; grammatical errors and a few slower moving parts, but on the whole its very entertaining!

I would recommend it for anyone who loves Zombie fiction, humor and biographies. And a big shout out to Jason's wife, Tabitha, who did the cover design!

Happy Reading,
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Sam by Lisa McCourt Hollar

This week's review is Sam by Lisa McCourt Hollar. Its the first time I've reviewed a short story, but you all know how much I love short stories. And Lisa excels at the short story form.

Sam is a zombie story. And its a fish story. That's right. It's a zombie goldfish story. And you're probably thinking the same thing I did..."genius"! Who would have thought to turn a tiny harmless pet into a killer? Lisa McCourt Hollar, that's who! Its the most original idea I've seen in quite a while.

The story is well written, you sympathize with poor little Tommy, cringe with Mama Tasha and detest Joyce. The characters are well developed for a short story and the reader is drawn into their world. And then there's the twist ending. I have to admit, she got me, I didn't see that one coming!

For more of Lisa's writing, you can purchase all of her work on Amazon.com or Smashwords. And I'd also suggest following her blog, Jezri's Nightmares, to sample more of her work. She's an author you'll want to keep your eye on. I definitely will be.

Happy Reading,
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The Fury by Claudia Lefeve

 When Claudia Lefeve emailed me and asked me to review her new novella, The Fury, I was excited. I hadn't read any of Claudia's work yet, but I'd seen some of the authors I enjoy tweeting links to her novella. And even though I enjoy a good novel length read as much as the next girl, I adore short stories and novellas. I think it takes a special skill to tell a full story in shortened form. Let me just say that Claudia Lefeve definitely has that skill.

The Fury tells the story of a small town with small town mindset, where football stars are king and anyone who speaks out about them, incurrs the wrath of the whole town. When the unthinkable happens to Abby Sheppard, her first instinct is to keep it to herself. But after rumors are spread that tell another story she decides to set the record straight. Instead of the sympathy and desire for justice she expects from others, she's ostracized and humiliated. No matter what a jury says, the town's mind is made up. Luckily for Abby, there are other ways to see that justice is served.

The novella is a very intriguing read, there are twists you don't see coming (and I don't think I've spoiled). The courtroom scene is realistic, thanks in part I'm sure to Mrs. Lefeve's experience in the Criminal Justice System. Abby is a character you empathize with and root for and the bad guys are believable but also detestable. The pacing is just right and the whole thing just feels real. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys short fiction, horror fiction or even crime fiction. If I had to give a description I'd say "think Friday Night Lights meets the Twilight Zone".  You know you want to read it...so here are the links:

Claudia Lefeve's blog
Claudia Lefeve's website
The Fury on Amazon.com
The Fury on barnesandnoble.com

Happy Reading,
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No Escape by Anthony Izzo

No Escape, the latest book by Anthony Izzo, is a suspenseful and engrossing read. So suspenseful and engrossing in fact, that while I was reading it (home alone in the semidarkness) and my cell phone went off, I jumped three feet in the air. I believe "Holy Hell!" is what I shouted. (And yes, I do know that that is an oxymoron!)

The book begins with a military mission, a ship and some dangerous cargo- all shrouded in mystery. And that's just the Prologue. When the first chapter begins we are immediately thrust in the world of the Hammond family and to say that their vacation is about to get deadly would be putting it mildly. Before the book is done, the Hammond family will become unlikely allies with a secret military unit and some other innocent vacationers in order to survive.

The action starts quick and the body count rises. It doesn't let up until the end. I guess I'd call this one a "nail-biter". Thankfully, I stopped biting my nails. But if you haven't, well, you've been warned. Mr. Izzo  mixes action, suspense, horror, gore and mystery all together in one delectable ball of anxiety. Throw in some well developed characters with believable interactions and you've got yourself a thrill ride of a read.

I would recommend No Escape to anyone who's a fan of military conspiracies, creature horror or suspense thrillers. I haven't read any of Anthony Izzo's other books before but I plan on correcting that in the very near future. He's an author on his way up. And I've added him to my "To Be Read" list.

Happy Reading,
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Don't miss my interview with Anthony over on What Passes For Sane On a Crazy Day!