The Faerie Conspiracies by Holly Stacey

Book Info:
Genre: Fantasy/Young Adult
Publisher: Wyvern Publications
ISBN: 978-0-9560363-0-8
To Purchase: Wyvern Publications

Beth appears to be a normal teenager struggling through the trials of school and a one parent household. Her father mysteriously vanished and never returned. After months of silence, Beth receives a package from her missing father, dated back to the exact day that he disappeared. It contains curious writings and a stone said to ward away faeries. This package only leads her to more questions and a great adventure.

The Faerie Conspiracies is a cleverly written book perfect for children and adults alike. The magic appears in hints and glimpses and is never overused like other magical children’s tales. Beth has a sparkling personality that is feisty and independent, but also endearing. I found myself silently cheering for her as the book progressed. Her fate is inevitably tied to a cute boy at her school, adding more tension and spice to the plot. Their relationship develops nicely from antagonistic rivals into a charming friendship with a chemistry that promises more.

Ms. Stacey has an ability to create a witty and vibrant tone, all the while spinning a whimsical tale of mystery and deception. I found myself turning page after page to learn what the writings meant, where her father disappeared to, and who was a faerie after all.

It was especially interesting to read about devious and dangerous faeries, when all too many times they are stereotypically cast as benevolent. In this book the faeries are the bad guys and Beth must put a stop to their charade!

Stumbling and Mumbling by Tamara Amanda Bryant

Book Info:
Genre: Poetry/Autobiography
Publisher: Create Space
ISBN: 1442190442
To Purchase: Amazon Link

Bryant’s poems are bold, provocative, and highly emotional. Her words do not stumble or mumble at all, but paint powerful scenes that are sometimes beautiful and longing and other times gritty and raw with a razor sharp edge. The sheer force of emotion drives her writing, and as a reader, you can tell that her words are products of life experience.

Cryptic enough to be universal, there are an infinite amount of interpretations that the reader can make, drawing parallels to their own experiences. You feel her pain, her pleasure, her fear along with your own. As she says in the back of her book, you are not alone. Bryant succeeds in that endeavor, creating a collection of jewels that cut as well as sparkle.

Watery Deep by Roxanne Smolen

Book Info:
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: SynergEbooks
ISBN: 0-7443-1635-9
To Purchase: SynergEbooks Store

Natica Galos is a colonial scout for new worlds, searching for places that can sustain life. She is haunted by visions of a man from a previous mission who died in her care. Although it wasn’t her fault, Natica blames herself for his death, and the battle scarred memories get in the way of her job and her friendships. Burnt out from overwork and guilt, she returns to her home planet to celebrate her sixteenth birthday. Her friend, Impani follows her uninvited, and together they go after her long lost twin brother, entangling themselves with pirates, a sea monster, and much more.

The Watery Deep is a creative and original story with an interesting blend of fantasy and science fiction and a great sense of adventure. The characters are feisty, emotional, and real, with shifting dynamics between their friendships and alliances that makes for suspenseful reading!

I particularly enjoyed the tumultuous friendship between Natica and Impani, two girls from very different backgrounds with very different strengths and weaknesses. There is spitefulness, jealously, and underneath it all, caring and compassion as they sort out their own problems with themselves and their world. Teenage angst abounds in full throttle, which makes every scene a delicious read.

Natica’s home planet of Naiad is full of vibrant imagery and alien atmospheres. Almost entirely covered by water, the cities float on coral, the taxis are air boats, and devious pirate gangs roam the waters. It is one of the most creative worlds I’ve ever read about, and makes the story all that more intriguing.

Complete with romance, adventure, shifting alliances, and good family values, The Watery Deep is an excellent story for all ages.

McShannon's Chance by Jennie Marsland

Book Info:
Genre: Romance/Historical/Western
Publisher: Mystic Moon Press
ISBN:
To Purchase: Mystic Moon Press Bookstore

Beth Underhill is a city girl in the highest sense. The niece of a famous racehorse breeder, she was raised with a lofty upbringing by her Aunt and never asked to do a chore. Her dresses are fancy, and her manners are impeccable. When her Aunt passes away, the estate falls to her cousin, who wishes to sell it immediately, putting Beth in a precarious situation. With enough money to get her through five months and no more, she is desperate. But she is also strong willed. Instead of waiting for her cousin to select his idea of a respectable husband for her, she applies to Trey McShannon’s add for a wife and travels out west to meet her destiny.

Trey McShannon is a practical frontiersman. Having fought for the union at a young age, he’s seen war and death, and his life experiences have changed him into a quiet, mysterious man. He needs a sturdy wife to help him run his household, someone that is not afraid to do hard work and get dirty. When he sees Beth Underhill, and learns of her famous lineage, he fears he has made a mistake. But he is also drawn to her, and realizes that there is more to her pretty face and high pedigree than meets the eye. She’s also a talented artist, a dutiful worker, and shares his love of horses.

McShannon’s Chance has a wonderful historical flavor to it with picturesque writing and scenes right out of a western. Marsland captures the image of a lonesome frontier that is both beautiful and dangerous. Her writing is realistic, but at the same time it has a grand sense of adventure and romance. The pacing is steady and sure, allowing the reader to savor each scene.

Marsland takes her time to tell the tale, setting up a sweeping historical romance with characters that have so much detail and depth they could be anyone’s own ancestors. It reminded me of my favorite series growing up, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. Like Dr. Quinn, Beth is a strong female character with honor, compassion, and patience. She works hard to earn her life beside Trey, and her rewards are immense.

McShannon’s Chance is an ideal historical romance escape! I found my soul soothed and my heart warmed by Marsland’s writing and I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys an excellent historical romance with real life characters and a western flavor.

Dark Mage by Ciaran Corby

Book Info:
Genre: Fantasy/Dark Fantasy
Publisher: Mystic Moon Press
ISBN: 978-0-9823251-3-1
To Purchase: Mystic Moon Press Bookstore

The most interesting aspect of The Dark Mage is the fact that the story revolves around the bad guy, the dark mage Kerberous. The tale begins as he is about to take over a magical city, using a boat made from the wood of sacrificial alters. He is arrogant and impatient, desiring none other than fame and power. Drawing on the years of spilled blood that make up the planks, he plans to kill the current ruler of Syren and claim the city for himself.

The night before his battle, Kerberous runs into two powerful women; Denella, a vampire that makes him uncomfortable and Seana, a fairy that ignites a desire he’s never known. Seana shows him through love that he was a fairy himself. He’s lived the life of a mortal man because he forgot his way home when replaced with a human child. The dark magic that he’s craved has been an unfit substitute for the emptiness in his heart caused by being away from his homeland and his fairy magic.

Corby shows us that bad people are not always evil for simple sport or fun. They have souls and hearts like the rest of us and are only driven to evil because they lack something vital in their own lives. Most importantly, she shows us that everyone deserves a second chance.

The Dark Mage is a tale of romance, adventure, and redemption complete with fairies, vampires, elves, mages, and even water dragons! Corby is a master at balancing the romantic scenes with those of action. She also presents in depth characters that follow an inner journey as they find their true selves.

I sympathized with Kerberous as he confronts his former life and learns to loosen up and make friends. Seana is a luscious and beautiful guardian angel that guides him through patience, tolerance, and love. Together, their love is stronger than his lust for blood magic and power. Kerberous learns that there is more to life, and a life shared with the one he loves is much richer than a life of powerful magic alone.

The Case of the Tom Cat by Cherie Reich

Book Info:
Genre: Crime/Mystery
Publisher: Mystic Moon Press
ISBN: None
To Purchase: http://www.mysticmoonpress.com/bookstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=530

The Case of the Tom Cat is a curious mystery written in a Sherlock Holmes style. Told from the assistant’s perspective, Dr. Johnson, we see the world through his eyes as he admires detective O’Hare’s keen observation and deductive reasoning. We are not aware of the full extent of his friend’s plan until the story unfolds, creating a sense of suspense throughout.

The character motivations were well thought out, and all the pieces fall together in the end. As a reader, I particularly liked Charlotte Parker’s character. She is a strong and intelligent journalist that writes under a male pen name to be taken seriously. This historical reference shows how difficult it was for women to become writers, and how far the world has come today.

Overall, Reich has written an entertaining period piece.

Night's of Blood 2: Lazuli by Christine Rains

Book Info:
Genre: Horror/Vampire
Publisher: 23 House Publishing
ISBN-10: 0980185041
ISBN-13: 978-0980185041
To Purchase: Amazon Link

Carys is a gorgeous, age old vampire who performs burlesque in the nightclub Lazuli. She dances for the money to live in obscurity, for the thrill of performance, and for the surge of applause. With skin that glimmers like silver dust, she is a sought after performer that outshines the other women and has crafted a successful career. But life isn’t easy for Carys. She is torn between her life in the city and the reclusive mansion where her love awaits. Ultimately, she is forced to make a decision between the lights and glory of the city and the age old love that stirs restlessly in the shadows. His heart cannot wait any longer.

Lazuli is a romantic vampire tale centered around an epic love that has lasted centuries.
Both characters are very real in their desires and needs. Carys’s restless urge for the city is poignantly felt when faced with ages of seclusion and isolation. Offryd’s disdain for the “new world” is equally understandable. They are antiques from the past that can only truly be understood by one another. It is a grand, romantic idea spun out in a wonderful tale to read!