Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Bridge of Deaths review!


Title: The Bridge of Deaths

Author: M.C.V. Egan

Publisher: Authorhouse

Format: PDF from the author for an honest review, pages 358

Rating: 4 stars

Review: The book followed a solid story line of a couple in London meeting a woman in Florida by Skype and piecing together the details of an airplane crash that led to the beginning of WWII. Knowing that the book was intended to be more truth than fiction the author did an amazing amount of research and documentation. Just because I like to try to piece together stories before it’s told to me I became overwhelmed with the amount of facts; however, I feel like the women in the story were too, which is why they finally let Bill tell the story as it happened through a past life regression and came up with as many documents and files as possible to explain the possibility of what Bill revealed with traditional sources. The time period and concept behind the story is what drew me in.  I really enjoyed the photocopies of documents like telegrams, a picture, and death certificate. I would recommend this book to mature, well-educated reader that has the time and patience to read through the facts and reach the end.

The website http://thebridgeofdeaths.com/ has additional pics of the plane (listed under Why Brake a Window under Book) as well as clearer pics of the images found in the book (under Images). The pictures really bring the book to life!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Tentative Reading List

Thank you NetGalley for the Loveswept Vantine's gift. The first 200 requests received Hero of My Heart, Along Came Trouble, and A Vampire's Salvation. Lucky me received all of them!

So Here's My Tentative Reading List:

The Bridge of Deaths by M. C. V. Egan

A Vampire's Salvation by Virna DePaul
 
Hero of My Heart by Megan Frampton
 
How to Misbehave (Camelot #1) by Ruthie Knox

Along Came Trouble (Camelot #2) by Ruthie Knox
 
I may sneak in a few other books as well as authors contact me if I am interested in the genre or storyline of the book. With that in mind, Authors feel free to contact me for review requests.
 

Throat of the Night Book Review


Title: Throat of the Night
Author:  Karyn Henley 
Series: The Angelaeon Circle
Publisher: Andon Press
Publication Date: March 12, 2013
Format: ebook, 248 pages
Acquired: ARC (NetGalley free for honest opinion)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: While the story kept in line with the rest of the series with many unexpected twists and turns, I didn’t feel like the ending was nearly as dramatic as the other two. Each book had a dire, inescapable circumstance near the end or at the end. The fight and restoration of the Tree didn’t seem as dramatic as the reviving of the King or the earthquake at Qanreef. Other than the ending not living up to expectations, the rest of the book was great.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

The Angelaeon Circle and beyond!


Eye of the Sword ended up being great. Trevin was so close to having both of the last two harps. There were so many obstacles and twists and turns that you really feel for Trevin. Overall, I would rate Eye of the Sword 5 stars! The only difference I would've made was to incorporate Melaia and palace life while Trevin was travelling.


I've started reading Throat of the Night, the last book of the trilogy. So far in the first quarter we get to read about both Trevin and his trip as well as Melaia at the palace. I really missed that element in Eye of the Sword. Throat of the Night is expected to be released March 12, 2013. I will be posting a promo post on release day just because I loved the series so much! (The first two books I owned; the 3rd book I received free of charge in return for my honest opinion from NetGalley.)

I'm hoping to finish Throat of the Night no later than Monday so I can begin reading the next book I'm excited about called The Bridge of Deaths by M. C. V. Egan!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Eye of the Sword


So far Eye of the Sword is going great! So far it appears that Eye of the Sword could be read independently from Breath of Angel. The tidbits from Breath of Angel are clarified so the reader isn't missing any of the big pieces of the puzzle. If the suspense and action stays heightened throughout the book Eye of the Sword will probably get 5 stars.

There are a couple concerns I have:  First, it appears that each book is going to be about the journey of finding each of the hidden/missing harps. So far on this journey it appears the characters are only searching for the harp Melaia believes is in Dregmoor, as if they have to be found in a specific order. I say that because when the Prince of Eldarra mentions the Queen watching the stars and claiming to be able to see Avellan, another name for heaven,  Trevin doesn't ask about them having or knowing about a harp. If it was me, I would have asked because the riddle in Dreia's book mentions that "one touches skies." It will bother me if the characters put on blinders to hints on finding the harp solely to find one they already think they know where it is. The other concern is the reader isn't completely certain how much time has passed between Breath of Angel and Eye of the Sword. The events from Breath of Angel are referred to as "last fall" or the "previous fall." We were told in the first book that Melaia has less than 2 years to find all of the harps and restore the tree. A better idea of how much time is left would heighten the suspense for readers reading the entire series from the beginning.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Breath of Angel Definitely Didn't Disappoint!

Melaia, a chantress in Navia, was tricked into leaving Navia for Redcliff. The first couple chapters featured action and a background for the story to build from. However, the trip to Redcliff was drawn out longer than needed. Once Melaia arrived in Redcliff the action picked up and did not slow down until the end. Melaia learned during the story that the legends and myths she had learned growing up was much more complicated and held much more truth than she ever imagined.

For a series, the first book had a solid ending; however, the books are not stand alone novels. I would rate Breath of Angel 4 out of 5 stars, mainly because of how long the action was stalled in the first quarter of the book. If the trip to Redcliff had been summarized in only one chapter instead of 4-5 chapters it would've received 5 stars. For other readers, if you stick it out like I did you won't be disappointed. This is a book that could be enjoyed by any audience middle grade or older.


Monday, February 11, 2013

Breath of Angel took a break :(

The book starts out strong; however, the trip to the king was very slow. Chapters 1 and 2 were very strong. The Chantress Melaia witnesses the murder of an angel by a hawk. The hawk is actually a man who is a shape-shifter. Afterward, Melaia is informed by Hanni and Benasin that the stories she had heard and even recited several times weren't just old legends and myths. They had some truth to them. An angel murdered by a shape-shifter and learning that the legends held a lot of truth made a strong background to build on. Chapters 3 through 7 promise Melaia and the readers theres a lot more to come and danger is imminent. With such a strong beginning 5 chapters is a bit too long to leave the reader hanging. Then again I guess it's not as bad as waiting a year for each new installment to come out! Waiting it out and hoping the action picks up in chapter 8 or at least very soon - not giving up yet!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Thank you NetGalley!!!

Throat of the Night - the third and upcoming book in Karyn Henley's Series - The Angelaeon Circle is available as Read Now on NetGalley. Just hoping if there are more to come after the first three it doesn't end as a cliffhanger. I would hate to be in the dust and wait for a year or more for the next installment!

My Books to Read:
Breath of Angel
Eye of the Sword
Throat of the Night

Preview about Breath of Angel from the back cover:


The stranger's cloak had fallen back, and with it, a long, white, blood-stained wing.

When Melaia, a young priestess, witnesses the gruesome murder of a stranger in the temple courtyard, age-old legends recited in song suddenly come to life. She discovers wings on the stranger, and the murderer takes the shape of both a hawk and a man.

Angels. Shape-Shifters. Myths and Stories - UNTIL NOW.

Melaia finds herself in the middle of a blood feud between two immortal brothers who destroyed the stairway to heaven, stranding angels in the earthly realm. When Melaia becomes a target, she finds refuge with a band of angels attempting to restore the stairway. But the restoration is impossible without settling an ancient debt - the "breath of angel, blood of man," a payment that involves Melaia's heart, soul, and destiny.

Preview about Eye of the Sword from Goodreads:

Where angels walk the ground and the future is told in song, does a man of low rank have a chance at love with a princess?

In Camrithia, a land of shadows and mystical secrets, Trevin lives to serve King Laetham. But his heart belongs to the princess, Melaia. When the King sends Trevin on on a dangerous quest to find the missing comains—captains in the king’s army—he must leave Melaia to the advances of a swaggering Dregmoorian prince.

Challenged to prove his worth, Trevin throws himself into his quest. Striving to prove his love, Trevin undertakes a second mission—find the harps Melaia seeks in order to restore the stairway to heaven. Through fire caves, rogue winds, and murderous threats, Trevin remains steadfastly dedicated to his quest—even when he is falsely accused of a heinous crime. As Trevin’s time runs out, he realizes he must face the shame and horror of his own past and the nightmare that has come to life. Will he have the courage to finish what he has started?


Preview about Throat of the Night from NetGalley:

Lies, Deceit, Kidnapping, Treason.
When friends can't be trusted and courage becomes costly,
can Melaia and Trevin trust their love to hold?

Melaia sends Trevin into enemy territory to retrieve the third harp she needs to restore the stairway to heaven and free the angels trapped in a human world. But an assailant wants Trevin dead, an unknown traitor is passing information to the invading enemy army, and the Firstborn immortal has vowed to destroy all three harps, along with anyone who stands in his way.

Separated, Trevin and Melaia try to keep their faith, hope, and love for each other alive. From the land of Windwing horses to the mountaintop lookouts of Stargazers, from the blight-ridden fields of the Camrithian homeland to the night-dark caverns of the Under-Realm, they face the ultimate test: What are they willing to sacrifice to restore the stairway and save their world? Will they lay aside their love for each other? Will they give up their future together?

The eagerly anticipated third installment in the Angelaeon Circle series. 

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Secrets Review


Jessica “Fenton,” whose real name is Jessica Morgan is trying to hide her identity and begin a new life for herself. She crashes into Glenbrooke, Oregon rolling her car and being rescued by Prince Charming aka Kyle Buchanan. The teacher that was supposed to welcome her is also in the hospital in worse condition than her after a stroke. Her rescuer helps her find her way to her new home and helps her settle in. Jessica says she wants to be independent but in the process she pushes away everyone she meets.

Secrets is a very powerful book for me. It spoke to me probably more than any other book I’ve ever read. All in all the book deserves 5 stars. As I read I was frustrated with Jessica for letting her secret have so much power over her when she wanted to be free and independent. Even after Prince Charming spills his secret, she is still reluctant to give into hers until the new principal forces her into taking a “sick day.” It makes you scream JUST TELL EVERYONE ALREADY! HOW BAD CAN IT BE?? However, after reaching the end I was pretty satisfied with the story as a whole.

Welcome to A Day in a Book!

Well it took me a little while to decide if I really wanted to start a book blog right away or wait until I get a new Kindle Fire after taxes (second Christmas lol). Then I realized the biggest step holding me back was naming my blog. So what were the other options?
BookCation with the subtitle Books: the Cheapest Vacation You'll ever take! However, another blogger already had bookcation :(
A Book in Wonderland  (another play on escaping reality with a book)
A Day in a Book (originally supposed to be a play on A Day in the Life of.....)

Well yesterday I spent about 9-10 hours in the book Secrets by Robin Jones Gunn
So after literally spending a day in a book I decided it would be the best title for me!
First review on Secrets will either be later today or tomorrow.