The Forest of Hand and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Book Info:
Genre: YA, Horror, Post Apocalyptic
Publisher: Delacorte Press


Mary lives in a secluded village surrounded by wire fences that keep out the Unconsecrated, an army of living dead. Ruled by the Sisterhood and the Guardians, the village may be the last one of its kind. Life is not about love and risk, but commitment and adherence to the policies dictated by the Sisterhood. Betrothed to a man she doesn’t love and tempted by her best friend’s intended, Mary has trouble believing in the Sisterhood’s rules. Even more, she craves what lies beyond the village walls, seduced by her mother’s tales of a vast ocean beyond the forest of hands and teeth.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth is gruesome and dark with love at its core. Set in a post apocalyptic society of religion and fear, the story draws on freedom verses imprisonment and predestination verses choice. Ryan weaves a complex web of passion, love, and jealousy. Filled with tension, strained relationships, and lots of teen angst drama, this tale is hard to put down. A great sense of irresolution keeps page after page turning at light speed. But if you want answers, this book is not for you. Written in a literary style with elegant prose and poignant descriptions, Ryan is more focused on the journey than the end result. Perhaps she will give us more answers in the second installment, The Dead-Tossed Waves.

The Sidhe and the Dragon-Lost Jewel by SilverValkyre

Book Info:
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Gypsy Shadow Publishing
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Mahshon, the immortal prince of the elves, must protect the land from all things, including dragons. His duty brings him to faraway glens and lodges, ancient passes, and magical forests. Along the way he meets beautiful young women but only one lovely lady has captured his true heart. And that special woman is no where to be found. As he answers a tricky dragon riddle, he finally understands what she meant to him. But does his realization come too late?

SilverValkyre weaves an enchanting tale that flows like lyrics to a love ballade. Her prose is graceful and ornately decorated with rich description. Each word is a jewel to marvel at and savor. The story whisked me away to another land. I could almost feel the wind on my face and catch a glimpse of the ravishing elfish prince as he turned my way.

The Sidhe and the Dragon is an indulgence in magic and passion, a real treat to read.

Shades of Green by Rhonda Parrish

Book Info:
Genre: Fantasy/sci fi
Publisher: Sam's Dot Publishing
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Rescued by Reptars at a young age, Z’thandra is the last swamp elf of her kind. A cataclysmic event called the Curse rattled her land. The elves died of fever, and the Reptars’ technology and advanced society crumbled. Now all they have is a mystical stone, rumored to be a dragon’s egg that hovers in their council hall, their last ray of hope.

Z’thandra lives a life plagued by prejudice from her foster sister and the untrusting villagers in the Reptar council. Driven by ignorance, the Reptars are fierce and quick to condemn. After a chance meeting with a handsome human in the swamps surrounding her village, Z’thandra is faced with the decision of her life. Will she leave the only home she’s known and doom the Reptars to extinction, or will she suffer for their own sins and lead them to a better life?

Set in the fantasy world of Aphanasia, Shades of Green is a unique and unsettling tale of life after an apocalypse. The descriptions are exotic and fun to read, and I felt for Z’thandra’s plight throughout. Amongst all of the prejudice and hatred she is able to forgive, and that is truly heroic. The ending is unexpected and left me with much to think about. This is no fluffy fantasy tale, but a powerful and emotional journey with a profound message at the end.

Land of Entrapment by Andi Marquette

Book Info:
Genre: Detective/Adventure/Lesbian Fiction
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This unique detective book is intensely emotional and hilariously witty while dealing with a serious subject that is severely overlooked in modern society. Neo-nazi’s are extremists bent on hating anyone that isn’t white, straight, or shares their same belief systems. Their actions are hurtful and violent, and they prey on innocent minds, recruiting the next wave of terror. Not only does Ms. Marquette deal with this subject in an eloquent and informational way, she shows the reader how someone as normal as we are can get sucked into their schemes. Ms Marquette presents a complex portrayal of seducement and brainwashing that is well researched and well conveyed, making for suspenseful reading.

K.C’s ex, Melissa, has lost her younger sister to a group of Neo Nazis. After a messy breakup and three years of silence, Melissa finds K.C. and pleads with her to help find her missing sister. Because of her research on extremist groups, K.C. agrees to travel to New Mexico and help her ex. What she doesn’t know is that this adventure will turn dangerous and bring her to dark places both physical and psychological, dealing with crazy people that will stop at nothing to have their warped views be heard.

Ms. Marquette’s characters are so real and three dimensional that sometimes I had to remind myself that it was fiction and I wasn’t reading an episode of Dateline NBC! K.C. felt like my own friend, trying to explain to me how she got stuck in a crazy situation. I loved reading about all of the detective work and the profound relationships that develop during the course of the novel. The descriptions convince me to visit New Mexico sometime for a vacation. I can almost taste the chili peppers on my tongue!

Ms. Marquette is a brilliant story teller with a strong voice and a message that everyone should hear. I look forward to reading more of her work.

The Henge Betrayed: Book 1: Flight by Janet Lane Walters

Book Info:
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure/Young Adult
Publisher: Mundania Press
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This adventurous fantasy begins as four siblings flee their home. Prince Zedron is consumed with power and upsets the balance of the land in an effort to extend his borders. He means to slay his own kin and take their lands for his own. The childrens’ parents stay behind to protect the secrets of the Henge while they journey to meet their teachers in the city. Each sibling must use their special ability: earth, wind, water, and fire to protect and care for one another. Along their journey they meet friends and foes and learn that their greatest strength is their bond and love for one another.

There is a great sense of urgency right from the start of this book. Each chapter is told from the varying perspective of the siblings, keeping the narrative fresh. Magic abounds in many mediums. Walters creates new and interesting ways to bend the magic to heal, ward off predators, grow food, and listen to gossip on the air. I especially enjoyed reading about one sibling’s affinity for air and how she uses her flute to “play the hiding song” and keep them from danger.

Alizand, Prince Zedron’s son, is the most interesting character in “The Henge Betrayed”. His situation is a stark contrast to the siblings’ warm and supportive life in the Henge. Alizand lives a Cinderella tale with a vicious step mother and step brothers that conspire to steal his throne. The castle in which he lives is full of power hungry, greedy nobles that will stop at nothing, even if it means torturing young children, to gain influence with the Prince. It is only through his involvement with the siblings from the Henge that he learns true friendship and love.

Book 1, Flight, is brimming with magic, a full cast of characters, and a journey full of danger and adventure. The group of orphan children fending for themselves in the tough city reminded me of Oliver Twist with playful hints of Peter Pan. Walters has written a charming first book to her series.

Gypsy Moon by Brianna Roarke

Book Info:
Genre: Paranormal/Romance/Erotic
Publisher: REd Rose Publishing
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Anna Brannon is a vet with a penchant for bringing in strays. More than that, she’s secretly a gypsy that can turn a coffee switch off from across the room and light her way in the darkness. One night while she’s stranded at home by a storm she finds a naked man lying at her doorstep. He’s one stray that she’ll never forget.

Howl Raven is a werewolf on the prowl for a mate. While taking up a scent, he’s struck by a silver bullet and has to find shelter before the metal heats up his blood. Reeling from pain, he falls at a gypsy woman’s doorstep. Although his family was cursed long ago, luck is now on his side. This woman has the power to heal his wounds and more importantly, is the scent he’s after. Will he be able to control the wolf inside of him? And can she help him elude the man who wants him dead?

Brianna Roarke’s writing is smooth and flows like liquid poetry. The intimacy between Anna and Howl is tangible, and their passion can heat up a house on a cold winter’s day.
I enjoyed the irony of a vet finding a werewolf. Two people could not be more perfect for each other! The gypsy magic added a whole new level of paranormal to the story. Overall, it was a nice combination of werewolves, magic, curses, and romance.

If you’re looking for a great paranormal erotic romance, then Gypsy Moon fits the bill.

Full Moon in December by Lisa Ruszcyk

Book Info:
Genre: Mainstream/Fantasy
Publisher: Club Lighthouse Publishing
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Sam, a newly appointed college professor, has many secrets about his past life. He’s managed to elude his past until a student shows up to his class, bringing memories and questions about why Sam’s shunned his mysterious moonlit powers. Meanwhile, Kayla, a young girl abducted by a witch at two years old, is discovering that the world is much bigger than her greenhouse and her “second mom” may not always be right. In another part of the world, a Hollywood screenwriter, Dall, finds a strange psychic woman on the beach and is drawn to her, taking her home. All of these lives are connected by one person, and their journeys weave an intricate tapestry both mystical and mysterious.

This book was amazing. Lisa Ruszcyk has an intriguing way of spinning out a story and a unique and tantalizing voice. The story is an enigma that tickled my thoughts until it was solved, making me read as fast as I could! Ruszcyk hints at conclusions but never gives enough information for a complete picture until the end, when all the pieces fall together in a perfectly completed puzzle.

There was enough magic and supernatural in the book to keep me interested, but not so much as to take over the plot or the characters. The idea of a “changed” person is fascinating. I enjoyed reading about the process and the various consequences. Ruszcyk’s ideas will keep my mind occupied for days to come as I turn around the endless possibilities and correlations.

Her characters are believable and lifelike, with motivations that are understandable and not entirely good or bad. It is this grey area that makes her characters so interesting. I cared about each one of them, and was excited when they were brought together. Their relationships are complicated and ever changing and what they learn about themselves and others is profound.

Full Moon in December is a captivating read!