ARC Review: Loose Changeling (Changeling Wars #1) by A.G. Stewart

Published: April 1st 2015 by Igneous Books
Genre:  Fantasy
Format: ebook
Source: provided for honest review

Goodreads Summary

When Nicole catches her husband in bed with another woman, she doesn’t just eject him from the premises--she turns his mistress into a mouse.

It’s not as if she meant to. Far as she knew, she was regular-issue human. So she’s mystified (and mortified) when Kailen, Fae-for-hire, shows up on her doorstep the next day, hits on her, and then drops this bomb: she’s a Changeling, a Fae raised among mortals. The doorways between the Fae and mortal worlds have been sealed shut for a millennium, but now are opening randomly at an alarming rate, and mortals are turning up dead. Kailen’s employers believe she’s the only one who can close them.

Nicole would be happy to oblige and get her life back to normal, but she’s developed a magical block. Not only does she fail to turn her husband’s mistress back into a human, she can’t do any magic unless she’s angry--and she’s only angry enough when her husband’s in the room. Before Nicole can say “I don’t believe in fairies,” she’s jumping between the Fae and mortal worlds with her soon-to-be-ex, his mousy mistress, and the Fae bodyguard she’s increasingly attracted to, trying to figure out who’s opening the doorways and why.

And she’d better stay mad and learn how to use her powers quickly, because there’s a price on her head. Any magic a Changeling performs cannot be undone by another Fae, so the Fae have a simple rule for those like Nicole--kill on sight.

Buy Loose Changeling (Changeling Wars #1) Today at Amazon

Ever have your life turn upside down in the span of a few days? And not upside down in the just-had-a-baby or just-bought-a-house or even the my-brother-joined-the-circus-and-just-got-arrested-for-being-a-little-too-close-to-the-zebras sort of way. 

I mean the sort of way where you find out you're not actually human.

The Good

I loved that Nicole Philbin our protagonist is a married 32 year old with a regular crummy job just putting up with daily life. Some of the powers she develops in during the story really had a unique feel to them. Kailen is my type of supporting male character. He kind of has an attitude that his way is the only way until you prove to him another way works. Also the story made sense from a plot point of view.

The Bad

Owen, Nicole's husband, only seemed like a douche to me throughout the book. I guess him cheating on her in their bed as you first meet him coupled with his weak ass reasons why just made me want to punch the creep. To me, Nicole's biggest weakness was letting him hang around and not sending him off right away.

The Romance

Romance love triangle front and center. She's thinking of divorcing Owen but that doesn't mean she can take up with Kailen, right? Besides she may take the cheater back.

Conclusion

Overall, Loose Changeling held my interest and I'm interested in getting my hands on book 2. I really enjoyed the variety of powers shown and some of the interesting fae. How the Fae worlds are set up also caught my attention. The banter between Nicole and Kailen also helps the story along when the actions starts to slow. But don't worry there is plenty of action and a villain that not even their own child could love. Well for long any way.

Excerpts

"Okay, okay," Kailen said, hands held up in a gesture of surrender, "but don't blame me if you don't believe me. Those were hobgoblins. Nasty critters. Very grabby, as you noticed. They get a hold of you with any two of those arms, they'll tear you into pieces. They may look foggy, but cut them in any of their vitals, and they dissolve."

"I'm a mercenary. A Fae mercenary."
I blinked. Not exactly what I'd expected. "What? You're gay?" That -- well, it wouldn't explain anything. Nothing at all.
He glared at me. "Fae. I'm a Fae mercenary. I specialize in protection -- people, objects, animals -- you name it.

Again, Kailens gaze slid from mine. "It's actually a lot like cooking."
"I'm a terrible cook. I burn things. A lot."
He laughed, a tight, nervous sound to it. "It's just a metaphor. There are recipes, but the best cooks know how to improvise. You get an idea, you form it and focus it, and then you pack it with an emotional punch. Bam! You've done some magic."

Buy Loose Changeling (Changeling Wars #1) Today at Amazon

Sunday Cover Scramble [117]

Let's have some fun! I am going to post covers on here every Sunday that are scrambled up graphically, making it hard to tell what cover it is. I would like your guesses on what cover you think I've posted. I won't answer you until I'm posting the next one to let you know if you are right, allowing others to guess as well. Some will be hard, and others may be easy. Let me know in the comments if you'd like some more hints and I'll offer some more if no one guesses it correctly.


I am pulling covers off the Most Popular Page on Goodreads.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Harry Potter Moment of the Week [63]

This is a meme hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows.The idea is to share a favorite moment, magical item, character, spell, quote, object from the books, films or J.K.Rowling herself! Click the links to the blogs to see how to join up &  upcoming topics.

Character you wish you'd invented

I've talked a lot about the different favorite characters I have in this series and why they are so wonderful. When it comes to one that I wish I'd invented though...that's a little different.

My choice is: Dumbledore

Not only is he just amazing, and the best wizard based on pure talent and knowledge, but could you imagine having those words of wisdom in your own head? I mean, Rowling herself is Dumbledore. She came up with all the brilliant quotes that he's given credit for.

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."

"Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it."

"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."

"It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be."

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

"People find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right."

"You think the dead we loved truly ever leave us? You think we don't recall them more clearly in times of great trouble?"

"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."

"Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open."

"Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it."

There are many more gems in his quote line-up, but I'll leave you with those today.


What character do you wish you invented?

Blog Tour ARC Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: The Botanist by L.K. Hill

Guest Post:

Top Ten Creepiest Serial Killers of All Time

My new book, The Botanist, is the story of a serial killer operating in the desert, not far from a small, southern Utah town. This is a stand-alone novel, but I also have another crime drama series, Street Games, that revolves around a serial killer. In that case, the setting is an inner city one. Since I write serial killer novels, I thought a top ten list of my picks for best and creepiest serial killers would be fun.

Top 5 Fictional Serial Killers – Killers other writers have come up with that have either inspired or freaked me out!

5. The Casanova Killer and The Gentleman Caller of Kiss the Girls – Really interesting psychology here.

4. John Doe of Seven – So cold and callous. Gives you the shivers.

3. Miniature Killer of CSI – This killer left perfect miniature, scale models of the crime scenes behind. This lasted all season and was seriously fascinating.

2. Norman Bates – Do I really need to explain this one?

1. Hannibal Lector – The quintessential creep factor here. He’s the killer everyone thinks of when they think of serial killers.

Top 5 Real Life Serial Killers – I’m also interested in true crime. In these cases, the truth is stranger (read: creepier) than fiction. These killers are no joke!

5. The Zodiac Killer – Never caught. One of the great unsolved crimes in U.S. History but very creepy.

4. Green River Killer – DNA caught him, thirty years after he began killing, and then stopped.

3. The Vampire of Brooklyn – This dude was seriously disgusting. He’s where the legend of the boogeyman actually originated. Seriously.

2. H.H. Holmes – Murder castle. Hidden torture rooms. Need I say more?

1. Jack the Ripper – Probably the greatest unsolved serial killer case of all time. No one will ever know his identity for sure, though I would submit that Patricia Cornwell makes an excellent case for who he really was.

So, if you’re interested in really creepy serial killers, check out these books, movies or cases. They’ll keep you up way past your bedtime, jumping at imagined noises. Good times!

ARC Review:

Published:  March 31, 2015 Jolly Fish Press
Genre: Crime
Format: ebook
Source: provided for honest review

Goodreads Summary

In the heat of the desert, Detective Cody Oliver inadvertently stumbles upon a strange garden adorned with exotic flowers. Upon closer inspection, he finds the garden is but a cover for the scores of bodies buried below. Soon, the small town of Mt. Dessicate plunges into chaos as journalists, reporters, and cameramen from across the nation descend upon the tiny, desert town to get a piece of the action.

Along with the media, a mysterious woman appears. She may be the only person who has come face to face with the killer, dubbed the Botanist, and lived to tell the tale. If Cody can't piece together a timeline of the land the crime scene is located on, decipher how the woman's mysterious past is connected to the killer, and bring the Botanist to justice, he may lose the people he values most.

Buy The Botanist by L.K. Hill Today at Amazon

In a small relatively quiet desert town, Detective Cody Oliver does not see many horrifying crimes.  While following up on what a hiker found out in the mountains, he comes across a mass grave.  To complicate the situation, a woman who reported a strange man four years prior may be the key to solving the murders and catching the killer, but he has reservations on letting a civilian help on the case.  With the whole world watching, he is under pressure to catch the killer before he kidnaps and kills his next victim.

"No.  Sorry, man.  Just coming down off an adrenaline high, I think."
   Frank grinned. "I been there.  I don't know how women do it every month."
  Cody stared at Frank.  "They don't have adrenaline once a month Frank."

Beautiful Flowers

L.K. Hill is becoming one of my favorite authors!  This book is full of suspense, twists, turns, a little humor, a little romance, and an edge-of-your-seat, fast and furious kind of ride.   I fell in love with Alex right off of the bat.  She is a smart and intuitive woman.   I wasn't 100% sure if I would like Cody or not when we first met him.   But turns out he is pretty amazing as well.   I like that he is flawed but tries to always do what is right.  He is truly one of the good guys.  As far as the plot, it was amazing and very well put together.  I love crime books and stories.  And add the serial killer aspect, and it makes for an amazing time.   Alex has a dark past that unfolds as the story went along.  Cody has some family secrets that we slowly learn.  However, my patience was tested because I just wanted to know everything, I couldn't wait to get all my puzzle pieces and see the whole picture.   This is one of those stay up all night to see what will happen next reads!

"Was he their desert killer?  Was the town covering for him, Texas-chainsaw style?"

Blue Flowers, But Blue is a Color of Sadness

I can't really think of much to say about this book in my "dislike" column.   My biggest dislike was I couldn't read it fast enough.  There were a few moments that were kind of predictable and maybe even cliché so to speak.  But not to the point that it takes away from the story.


"...she realized now how old a model the boxy, gaudy cop car was.  The eighties probably wanted it back"

A Rose Garden in the Desert

Overall another amazing book by L.K. Hill.   The Botanist does not let down.  One of the more evil serial killers I have seen in a while.   And two very strong lead characters.   I really admire Alex, her strength and intelligence.   I had Cody pegged wrong in the beginning of the book, but he quickly changed my opinion of him.   It was horrifying, chilling and thrilling all at the same time.  Definitely something you would want to make sure you had nothing planned before reading because you will not be able to put the book down!

Author L.K. Hill

L.K. Hill is a novelist who writes across three genres. Her crime and historical fiction are written under her initials, L.K., while her scifi/fantasy and dystopian are written under her full name, Liesel K. Hill. She lives in northern Utah and comes from a large, tight-knit family. She plans to keep writing until they nail her coffin shut. Or the Second Coming happens. You know, whichever happens first. ;D

Facebook * Twitter * Musings on Fantasia * L.K. Hill * Pinterest * Goodreads * Google +

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Sunday Cover Scramble [116]

Let's have some fun! I am going to post covers on here every Sunday that are scrambled up graphically, making it hard to tell what cover it is. I would like your guesses on what cover you think I've posted. I won't answer you until I'm posting the next one to let you know if you are right, allowing others to guess as well. Some will be hard, and others may be easy. Let me know in the comments if you'd like some more hints and I'll offer some more if no one guesses it correctly.


I am pulling covers off the Most Popular Page on Goodreads.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Harry Potter Moment of the Week [62]

This is a meme hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows.The idea is to share a favorite moment, magical item, character, spell, quote, object from the books, films or J.K.Rowling herself! Click the links to the blogs to see how to join up &  upcoming topics.

Favorite Book Featured (ex. Fantastic Beasts)

I ordered Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as well as Quidditch Through the Ages and enjoyed both of the reads. I think the one that I would love to have the most though is Hogwarts, A History. Hermione quotes this book so much and has a lot of valuable information about the school through reading it. I would just love it if we could have one of these available to read!

What would your book be?

ARC Review: Inhuman Interest (Story by Tess Cooper #1) by Eric Turowski

Published: April 14th 2015 by Booktrope
Genre: Supernatural, thriller
Format: ebook
Source: provided for honest review

Goodreads Summary

Thirteen words in a want-ad turn Tess Cooper’s world upside down after she signs on as a paranormal research assistant to the mysterious Davin Egypt. He reveals a world of grave robbing, clockworks artifacts in blue amber, antique revolvers that fire strange ammo, and powerful forces beyond human comprehension.

As ancient occult energies threaten to destroy her city, Tess must use her journalistic instincts to stay one step ahead of the public works director, Drew Dawson, whose agenda seems bent on destruction rather than maintenance. And possibly murder, but will anyone believe her?

Yeah, right. When garbage trucks fly.

If Tess teams up with the hunky police lieutenant, Kirk Gunther, and the pale, oddball Mr. Egypt, they might be able to save the city in time. That is, if Egypt even wants to. And if Tess overcomes her phobias long enough to do battle in Granddad’s 1983 Subaru Brat.

Buy Inhuman Interest by Eric Turowski Today at Amazon

"The one from the want ads?" Granddad worked the chaw around in his mouth. "Seems kinda hinky to me. Just remember what I always taught you. If he gets out of hand --"

"I Know, I know. Go for the eyes, but kick him in the balls."

He smiled, "That's my girl."

The Good

Tess Cooper is a well written protagonist. She's a reporter who does what she thinks is right despite the cost. While doing so, she tends to stumble upon life threatening situations.

She ends up meeting Davin, Egypt a expert in the occult. She also meets Lieutenant Gunther who seems to take a special interest in her. While Supernatural things happen in the book, you never feel like you're in a fantasy world. It feels very real.

The Bad

I was hoping for a bit more action I guess as most of the supernatural occurrences happen off screen so to speak. I would have liked to see a bit more happen in real time instead of the main characters trying to figure out what happened most of the time.

The Romance

Tess and the Lieutenant do strike up a bit of a romance while she briefly ponders what it would be like to date Davin.

Conclusion

Overall, Inhuman Interest was enjoyable. To be honest, it felt like an episode of the x-files. If you like a bit of the occult mixed with mystery and investigation all wrapped up with a bit of bad luck, then you’ll enjoy this book. Plus, I really love the granddad in the story. He was my favorite character.

Excerpts

"Jesus please us, Tess, this is an 1855 Taylor Fladgate tawny port." The old man gazed up at me in disbelief.
"You're not supposed to drink with the meds you take."
"Hell with that. This is a three thousand dollar wine. Your new boss must be loaded."

My breath caught in my throat. If life were a movie, I'd hold out on Gunther, investigate on my own, not only bringing the perpetrator to justice, but getting the exclusive as well. But life isn't
a movie. Hell, my life wouldn't even make for a decent sit-com. "Did you say tortured to death?"
"We're speculating. We haven't found her arms yet."

I glanced up at him. "You couldn't find a fleeing fugitive in a garbage truck." It was not a metaphor.

Buy Inhuman Interest by Eric Turowski Today at Amazon