31 October, 2012

October 31, 2012 3

#BookReview :: The Iron Fey (1,2 and 3) by Julie Kagawa

  

This series had been on my wishlist for quite some time and when I got ‘The Lost Prince’ approved through NetGalley, I knew I just had to get this series. 

The first book in the series is the Iron King. Meghan Chase has never been quite the same since her father disappeared. But at sixteen her life is turned upside down when her brother Ethan is kidnapped and her best friend seems to be something else on the whole. She is thrown into the faery world – where the Summer and Winter courts rule and her best friend is just the summer court jester – Robin Goodfellow.  While on the hunt for her brother and with both the courts on her trail, Meghan also meets the prince of the winter court – dark and brooding Prince Ash. Secrets and plots are revealed, but will Meghan be able to save her brother? The Iron Daughter continues as Meghan surrenders herself to the winter court as per her deal with Prince Ash. But the thing is that no one believes her when she tells them about the Iron Kingdom. When the all-important sceptre is stolen, summer and winter courts are about to go to war with each other, it is once again up to Meghan to retrieve it before everything goes haywire. But saving the scepter and returning it to the court doesn’t really solve her problems as she and Prince Ash end up getting exiled from NeverNever. In the third instalment, the Iron Queen, Meghan along with Ash and Puck endeavor to defeat the Iron Kingdom and save NeverNever from extinction. The summer & winter courts have finally come together to fight this common enemy and they need Meghan to enter the Iron kingdom to kill the Iron King.

All the hype and excitement over this series is thoroughly justified. Julie Kagawa has a writing style that is so simple and so easy to fall in love with. She has created a Magical World through this series, where I believe anything is possible. It is really a fantastic world with fantastic creatures.

I am totally in love with Puck. He is fun, mischievous, loyal and I just love the way he refers to Ash as ‘His Royal Iciness’. The first time I read it I was laughing away for the next two minutes because one – it is so funny and two – it is so apt as well. I will never understand why anyone would actually fall for ‘His Royal Iciness’ when Puck is around. And yes, there is no competition to Puck’s sense of timing. He is always just on time to help out. Meghan is a strong character who lives up to every expectation. She is yanked away from her life and family and into the NeverNever, but she really doesn’t complain as much. She is a strong fighter too. With help of course, she manages to overcome all the obstacles that’s placed in front of her. As for Prince Ash, I have a love-hate relationship with him. I sometimes his stubborn and broody characteristics to be quite irritating, but at the same time – the lengths that he would go for Meghan is really endearing. 

I have read the first three books back to back and I am just stalling reading the fourth book because I am quite apprehensive. I don’t want to be disappointed and also I don’t want the series to end. 





30 October, 2012

October 30, 2012 9

#Interview & Giveaway :: Paulette Mahurin - Author of The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap



The year 1895 was filled with memorable historical events: the Dreyfus Affair divided France; Booker T. Washington gave his Atlanta address; Richard Olney, United States Secretary of State, expanded the effects of the Monroe Doctrine in settling a boundary dispute between the United Kingdom and Venezuela; and Oscar Wilde was tried and convicted for gross indecency under Britain’s recently passed law that made sex between males a criminal offense. When news of Wilde’s conviction went out over telegraphs worldwide, it threw a small Nevada town into chaos. This is the story of what happened when the lives of its citizens were impacted by the news of Oscar Wilde’s imprisonment. It is a chronicle of hatred and prejudice with all  its unintended and devastating consequences, and how love and friendship bring strength and healing.


To read my Review of the Book Click on the Banner Below

Tell us a bit about yourself.
First let me say a very heartfelt thank you for this interview and all you do to help indie authors. You are a gem. 
I’m a Nurse Practitioner, which in my country (U.S.) is like a general practitioner, medical doctor. My specialty is women’s health. Prior to that I spent years in the second busiest emergency room in Los Angeles County, California. I love to write and am passionately involved in animal rescue with all the profits from my book going to this cause.

What got you into writing?
It was a natural progression in my life. I remember picking up a pen and writing on some notebook paper, when I was ten, first little paragraphs sharing my inner thoughts with the paper, then poetry which moved into short stories. By the time I got to college, I won a couple of award for non-fiction short stories.

Tell us about your book ‘The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap’.
After Oscar Wilde was imprisoned and the news went out over the world, it impacted on the way people viewed homosexuality. Prior to his imprisonment there was a conservative tolerance, after overt antagonism and persecution, voices hushed in living rooms before were now screaming vulgarities. This change in attitude hits a small Nevada ranching town, impacting on the lives of its citizens and causing chaos to Mildred Dunlap and her partner Edra. This is the story that followed the breaking news of Wilde’s imprisonment. It’s a chronicle of hatred and prejudice with all its unintended consequences. It’s also a love story, a friendship story,
how love and friends bring healing.

What were your thoughts behind the plot of ‘The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap’?
Intolerance is unconscionable. I can’t imagine loving someone, wanting to be intimate with them, then being thrown in prison because I dared to do something that was my nature, as natural as rain fall, or leaves breathing in carbon dioxide to survive, or a dog wagging tail, all inherent aspects that make up a natural authentic expression of a life. I knew the basic story line, two women fear being found out, devise a plan to avoid it, that backfires at every turn, etc. The underlying theme of Wilde being in prison and how unjust this was drives the story.

Why did Mildred have to have the appearance that she has in the book?
I featured her after a woman I knew growing up, named Mildred who was a lesbian. It was a sort of homage to my friend who was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. When I sat down to write, I wondered if this were to be around a 100 years from now who would I want to be thanking, representing, and Mildred came to mind. It also fit, because she wasn’t pretty or attractive, was tall and manly looking and that would cause her to be bullied and unpopular with the town cliques. It worked.

Is this the first story that you have written or just the first one to be published?
First full length. I’ve written and published short stories years ago in college.

Some people are saying that Indie-publishing is somehow causing the ‘death’ of traditional publishing. What is your take on that?
Not familiar with both well enough to comment on it. I’ve heard this mentioned, but I’d have to see the statistics of sales and costs to run traditional publishing companies. I know that the ones that represent the big name, best seller authors, are probably here to stay for a while.I also know there’s an immense power in the indie movement, witness the fact that it is this incredible group, a force to be reckoned with, that helped me get over 18,000 recent downloads when I put my book up for its free amazon time. Amazon then ranked my book
# 3 best seller. I also know there are great books in and out of the two areas and hopefully more readers will catch on to all the talent in the indie movement and give some of us newbies a chance.

If you were the casting director for movie based on ‘The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap’ – who would you cast.
That’s easy. Ron Howard, he’s gay and I think would do it great justice. 

What three things would you take with you to a Deserted Island?
A doctor, a dog, someone I was attracted to.

Quick Choices then:-
George Clooney or Richard Gere – Clooney
Mountains or Beach – Beach
Pizza or Pasta – Pasta
Paperback or eBook – Paperback
Jazz or Country – Jazz

What’s next?
Working on a love story, taken from real events of a couple that met in an oncologists office, both with terminal cancer, but it has a big surprise miracle twist. I won an award for the short story so hope it mutates into a good longer read.  

Anything else that you would like to tell your readers/fans?
I am grateful and humbled by all he support this book has gotten, in the name of tolerance and because all profits are going to animal rescue (http://www.santapaulaarc.org/) the first and only no kill animal shelter in Ventura County, Ca, where I live. Hope everyone continues to spread the word to bring greater understanding to he world of accepting another for who they are, different, but human, like all the rest of us.

About the Author

Paulette Mahurin is a nurse practitioner, specializing in women's health in a rural clinic in where she lives with her husband and two rescued dogs. She also taught in several college level nursing programs, including UCLA, where she had a Master's Degree in Nursing from their nurse practitioner program. Her two passions are writing and rescuing dogs.While in college she wrote and published two award winning non-fiction short stories.

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Giveaway
Ms.Paulette has kindly agreed to giveaway 2 Kindle copies of her book. So here's your chance to grab this awesome book for yourself! So, go ahead and enter in the rafflecopter below!


The Winners have been selected and contacted. They are:
Alka
Karen

29 October, 2012

October 29, 2012 1

#BookReview :: Interview with Lauren Clark


Presenting:
*** SPECIAL FEATURE - October'12 ***


Interview with Lauren Clark


What or who inspired you to start writing? 
My parents were a big influence on me–especially since they turned off the television all summer, every summer–so I spent my time reading and at the library. I love books and love stories that move me, so I’ve always dreamed about becoming an author.

How did you come up with ideas for your books? 
Dancing Naked in Dixie came about after visiting the Pilgrimage and because I’m a Northern girl living in the Deep South. The cultural differences are so interesting—the food, the mannerisms, the traditions—it’s a fascinating world to explore. I wrote Stay Tuned after working in TV for six years. The two main anchors at the station where I worked actually got into a fistfight. It was in the parking lot, not on-air, but I thought it would make a great start to a novel!  (Yes, this is me on the anchor desk at WWNY-TV7)

What expertise did you bring to your writing? 
I have a master’s degree in journalism, a bachelor’s in English. After college, I worked as a television news anchor in New York and Alabama for six years. It was fabulous experience and I learned to write fast, often while bumping along in a news van at 70 miles an hour, of course when someone else was driving! 

What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio? 
I love to cook for other people, I’m a neat freak, I love the color pink, I like my Kindle and ‘real’ books, I’m a speed reader, I miss the snow at Christmas time, I love libraries, and I treasure my children. (This is my son after getting ‘slimed’ at Nickelodeon Suites in Orlando!) 

Do you belong to a critique group? 
Yes, kind of....I love to socialize–If I went every month, I would spend all of my time drinking coffee and talking! I have a few beta reader-friends whom I trust implicitly. They give me honest feedback and I revise from there! 

When did you first decide to submit your work? 
I began submitting Stay Tuned about five or six years ago. I had some interest from HQ and a few agents, but it wasn’t “there” yet. I dug it out two years ago and worked with a small publicity firm to revamp and polish it. After receiving an offer from a small publisher, I decided to go it on my own. I even established my own publishing company. 

What is the best and worst advice you ever received? 
Best advice – Read a lot, write a lot. Worst advice – Don’t outline. I tried it and the plot meandered all over the place. I had to work twice as hard to get the story straight! Of course, that manuscript will never see the light of day!!! 

Do you outline your books or just start writing? 
Outline! I use note cards first because I can rearrange the order, then once I get them set, I type everything up on my laptop and get to work! 

Have you started your next project? 
I am researching for my next novel, Pie Girls, also set in small-town Alabama. This story will follow a girl who’s gone off to a big city (like Atlanta or New York) and vows NEVER to come home. She’s forced to return home, though, when her romantic relationship falls apart. Since she’s burned a lot of bridges, it will be interesting to see how she makes amends.  

If you were a casting director for the film version of Dancing Naked in Dixie, who would play your lead roles?
Melissa, one of my proofreaders, dreamed that Dixie was a movie! I asked her who played Julia, and she said Reese Witherspoon. She’s adorable, so I have to agree! For Shug, I’m thinking Patrick Dempsey. Alice Eve (She’s Out of My League movie) could play Mary Katherine. David Sullivan – Sam Neill. (Cities all over the South like Eufaula have belles who dress up for special events… these girls are Azalea Trail Maids in Mobile, Alabama with my son & his friend)



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Giveaway

Now for the most amazing news! The Giveaway! Ms.Lauren Clark is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card. Yeah I know its amazing & I wish I could enter it myself. The number of books I could get for it!
So,what are you waiting for??? Go Enter NOW!!

Rules:
1. There's only two compulsory entry to qualify for this Giveaway. 
2. Please provide proper info & links in the Rafflecopter. I will be checking the entries - so no cheating please.
3. The Giveaway is open Internationally.
4. I will select the winner through Random.org on 31st October and will send an e-mail. They have to reply with their mailing address/e-mail id within 48 hours, or I will select another winner.
5. Please do not leave your e-mail id in the comment section.

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27 October, 2012

October 27, 2012 3

#BookReview :: Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1) by Tahereh Mafi


Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war– and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.






I have had this book for quite some time now but never got around to reading it. Reason? One – the pending review pile. Two – the hype over this book on blogosphere made me reluctant to actually pick it up thinking what if I do not like it as much / what if it turns out to be disappointing? Three – I thought that I have read enough dystopian novels to know what to expect. But then I shared my copy with my friend who hasn’t shut up about it ever since and really pushed me to read it and I am glad that I did.

Set in a dystopian society, where the world is slowly crawling towards non-existence, ‘Shatter Me’ paints a world where the ‘ReEstablishment’ is in control. They control everything – from food to the life of a person. Juliette is a seventeen year old girl who has been locked away from her family for 3 years and in solitary confinement for exactly 264 days. Her parents and those around her are scared of her and detest her because of her ‘killer touch’. No, I am not being sarcastic… Anybody Juliette touches or is touched by is tortured to death and there is nothing she can do. Its only when Adam Kent, the boy she has been secretly in love with since eighth grade re-enters her life that it is turned upside down.  For the first time she has hope, a reason to smile, a reason to live and most importantly a reason to fight back the ‘ReEstablishment’ that wants her for their own cruel purposes.

Towards the beginning, Juliette’s striked out conversations in her diary and in her mind was really getting on my nerves. But it decreased as the story progressed and she became more stable. Solitary confinement can turn any sane person insane and Juliette is only a young girl. As she grew out of her confinement, she grew as a character. I loved her sense of loyalty and the fact that she was so kind even after the way society and her own parents had treated her. Adam Kent, I have to admit is an eye candy. But then there’s more to him too. Even he has an abusive past but that has never stopped him from being kind to people who deserved it. His sense of responsibility and his love for his brother is truly endearing. I think I like Castle already.

And Warner, he is a sadistic monster, yet there is something so sad about him. Irrespective of his reputation and actions in this novel, I just couldn’t bring myself to hate him. Somehow, he reminded me of a wounded puppy. Yikes, I didn’t just compare the villain to a puppy, did I? I do not know if anybody else has felt this way or not, or if the author intended the readers to feel this way or not, but I truly cannot bring myself to hate Warner completely.

This is an utterly delicious new world that I just can’t wait to explore more of.


26 October, 2012

October 26, 2012 5

#Spotlight :: How Do You Voodoo? by Janice Horton

Loveless fashion model Nola Nichols thinks being beautiful is a curse; that is until she is cursed and her looks begin to fade just a week before the most important photo shoot of her career.

Nola rejects all rational explanation on what might be causing her lost looks and decides she has to find a way to get uncursed. This imaginative quest takes her from the Caribbean to Glasgow’s own City of the Dead. Along the way, she finds herself taking part in a rather unconventional funeral, involved in a voodoo ritual, reveals one or two unrests in her own past and falls madly in love with a doctor. Erm, that would be a witch doctor, right…?

Raves & Reviews
"A really fun and heart-warming read to curl up with over Halloween or, indeed, any time for that matter." ~~ Sue Fortin

"The story has just the right sprinkling of romance and humour that doesn’t detract from the underlying message." ~~ JontyBabe 

"How Do You Voodoo? is a novella that will entertain you and engage you." ~~ Sharon Goodwin

About the Author

Janice Horton lives in Scotland and writes contemporary romance with humour. Her novels ‘Bagpipes & Bullshot’ and ‘Reaching for the Stars’ are both Amazon Kindle bestsellers. Her latest title ‘How Do You Voodoo?’ is a romantic and humorous novella for Halloween and out now!

Find out more about Janice and her novels:


Featured Author & Associate Editor at: Loveahappyending.com

Link to her ebooks on Amazon.co.uk

Link to her ebooks on Amazon.com



Janice is having a The Spellbindingly Fun Blog Party at her Blog. 

I was supposed to write a Spell too - to make one of my wishes come true. But I discovered that I totally suck at it. Does anyone have a spell that would help me come up with other spells???

No? Oh well, go check out this awesome party, the wishes and the awesome spells!





October 26, 2012 0

#BookReview :: Cross Country (Alex Cross #14) by James Patterson

When the home of Alex Cross's longtime friend, Ellie Cox, is turned into the worst murder scene Alex has ever seen, he is devastated. The destruction leads him to believe that he's chasing a horrible new breed of killer. As Alex and his girlfriend Brianna Stone begin the hunt for the villain responsible for the killings, they quickly find themselves entangeled in the deadly Nigerian underworld of Washington D.C.. What they discover is shocking: a strongly organized gang of teenage thugs headed by a powerful, diabolical man-The Tiger.
As the killing spree escalates, Alex and Brianna realize they are not dealing with any ordinary killer, but one who has brought his personal war of vengeance to America's capital. But just when the detectives think they're closing in on the elusive murderer, the Tiger disappears into thin air. Unable to let the killer get away with this narrow escape, Alex makes it his duty to bring the brutal butcher to justice. He knows that he must follow The Tiger. Alone. 
When Alex arrives in Nigeria, he discovers a world where justice is as foreign as he is. Unprotected and alone in a strange country, bombarded on all sides by the murderous threats of The Tiger, Alex must draw on his fiercest instincts just to survive in a lawless world. 



This is the 14th book in the Alex Cross Series and the 6th book that I have read. 

In this instalment, things get personal for Alex Cross as a long-time friend and her family is brutally tortured and murdered. As he investigates, Alex finds similar torture & murder scenarios all over United States and Africa. As the name ‘Tiger’ leads him to Africa, he is prepared to leave everything behind and travel to a different continent all together in search of justice for his friend. Politics, corruption, hired goons, murders, refugee camps… there’s no scarcity of spice in this particular plot.

Alex Cross has a reputation – reputation of being the tough guy with a great mind. I mean the way he has been up against the likes of Gary Soneji and the Mastermind. Alex Cross always comes through and though he does it again this time, it was hard to see him getting beaten up so many times. It is just so unlike Alex Cross. I mean I can believe the first time, but not so much it happened again which made me feel as if he was a sitting duck. Granted, he was on foreign soil and had almost no back-up, still – it is Alex Cross! For me, this book was also a medium to be introduced to Alex Cross’s latest love interest – Brianna Stone. She has starred in an Alex Cross book already (which I haven’t read yet) and so, I guess I did not get a complete picture of her, but from what I have seen in this book, she is certainly an interesting character.

The situation in Africa is vividly depicted. The inhumane and dismal conditions there broke my heart. While we hear and read things in the news and they do make a mark, reading about the same thing in context of a character we have grown to love and admire (even though fictional) is more unnerving than I care to admit. While listening to the news it is easy to be detached but it is not so easy when you are already deeply engrossed in a novel.  The usual brutality and the gore are present in this book too. I have almost come to take it for granted even though I am always taken by the detailed description by Patterson. Also this time, at any point of the plot, I actually had no idea which direction it would take and was on the edge all along. As usual it is quite fast paced and exciting as Alex Cross trudges over three countries and two continents in pursuit of the culprits. It is, in true Alex Cross style, an addictive page turner.







Find out more about the Author & his Titles :: Click Here




25 October, 2012

October 25, 2012 2

#CoverReveal :: The Red Veil Series by Elizabeth Marx

Descent of Blood, The Red Veil Series, The Prequel

When times are darkest, some vampires desire more than blood …
England, 1465. Mortal men clash in the War of the Roses for the English crown, while vampire warriors’ move undetected among their ranks, savoring the flow of blood that battlefields provide. 

Vampire prince, Severian Pearce, fears the revelation of the immortal clans to humankind should King Henry fall from power. While in pursuit of Henry’s enemies, Severian comes to the aid of Meridian Neville, a human woman he craves—and not for the scent of her blood … Meridian is torn between honoring her father’s dying wish and her unexplainable yearning for Lord Severian. But as Severian and Meridian work together to protect a relic hunted by mortals and immortals alike, the red veil descends over them. This all-consuming attraction can drive immortals to the brink of madness. Will the existence of this powerful bond between a human and a vampire be enough to unite the immortal clans or is the red veil a scourge set on destroying any chance they might have of happiness?

When all hope is lost, one vampire will fight unto death for his forbidden love.

Ascent of Blood, The Red Veil Series, Book One

Sometimes, love is conceived in the mind of a man long before it is ever realized. 

1990, Cardiff, Wales.  Vampire prince, Sebastian Pearce, has waited six-hundred years for the right human mate. His own beloved mother was a mortal capable of carrying immortal offspring. While vampires no longer require live donors for sustenance, Mother Nature has played a cruel trick on them … making breeders a rare commodity. As numbers in his Imperial House dwindle, Sebastian’s virgin bride eludes him, until he happens upon a young woman searching for information about a sacred vampire text, the Book of Descent. Sebastian’s desire for her is more potent than anything he’s felt for another woman, but Everleigh Marbut isn’t innocent. She’s an American with a mind of her own, and worst of all, she’s already carrying an immortal being. Sebastian and Everleigh are so intent on fighting their attraction to each other and the influence of the red veil that they don’t realize they’re being pulled into a battle pitting medieval myth against the power of modern science to recreate life.

Windy City writer Elizabeth Marx brings cosmopolitan flair to her fiction, which is a blend of romance and fast-paced Chicago living with a sprinkle of magical realism. In her past incarnation she was an interior designer--not a decorator--which basically means she has a piece of paper to prove that she knows how to match and measure things and can miraculously make mundane pieces of furniture appear to be masterpieces. Elizabeth says being an interior designer is one part shrink, one part marriage counselor and one part artist, skills eerily similar to those employed in writing.  

Elizabeth grew up in Illinois and has also lived in Texas and Florida. If she’s not pounding her head against the wall trying to get the words just right, you can find her at a softball field out in the boonies or sitting in the bleachers by a basketball court. Elizabeth resides with her husband, girls, and two cats who’ve spelled everyone into believing they’re really dogs. 

Elizabeth has traveled extensively, but still says there’s no town like Chi-Town.


Other books by the Author

 

  

Say Hello to Her


24 October, 2012

October 24, 2012 2

#Spotlight :: Read Me Dead by Emerald Barnes


Alexia Wheaton’s problems go beyond picking a dress and a date for homecoming. 

For seven years, Alex has lived with a painful memory - her parents' horrific murder. As the sole witness, she has kept quiet to protect herself, but when the local newspaper reveals her secret, Alex is plagued with fear that her parents' murderer will soon find her - and silence her forever. 

Alex is catapulted into a race against time to save her own life and bring her parents' murderer to justice.





Raves &Reviews

This suspenseful YA book has strong crossover appeal.” ~~ Dramatic Irony 
on Amazon


I really felt drawn in and hooked on the story.” ~~ 
Sanz 
on Amazon


"I really enjoyed “Read Me Dead” and I am a grandma, not a YA!" ~~ Gloria on Goodreads


"Really well written." ~~ Terry on Goodreads


Book Trailer



5 Lesser Known Facts about the Book

1. It was originally titled the The Article, but I hated that. It wasn't exciting enough.   
2. I started writing it back in high school (about eight years ago), but my writing was abysmal!  However, I couldn't let it go, so I completely re-wrote it.  It went through about 6 versions before I finally fell in love with the current version.
3. When it came to writing the love triangle, I fell in love with the other character, the one who doesn't get the girl.  Poor Landon.  
4. It's written in first person, present tense which is highly unusual for a book.  (Some people are thrown off by it at first, but it makes the book more exciting in my eyes.) 
5. Frankly, the man behind the murders is pretty easy to decipher if you're paying attention.  I didn't mind that.  But the ending, that's where the surprise twist comes in that always leaves people wanting more.  

About the Author

Emerald Barnes graduated with a B.A. in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing at Mississippi University for Women.  She resides in a small town in Mississippi and has the accent to prove it.  
She's the author of two books.  She mainly writes suspense/thrillers in the YA genre, but she dabbles in other genres and her books are enjoyed by all ages!  
She's constantly working on new novels and has more ideas than she knows what to do with.  She blogs at yaindie.com, emeraldbarnes.blogspot.com and ebarnes23.wordpress.com which takes up more of her time than she anticipates but loves it so very much!  She's also a volunteer at the World Literary Cafe which is so amazing!
She's an auntie to two beautiful nieces and two handsome nephews who take up the other half of her time, but she couldn't imagine spending her time in any other way!  
She's a Whovian, a little bit of a nerd, a reader, a writer, and a family-oriented person.  God is number one in her life, and she thanks Him continuously for His love and favor. 

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23 October, 2012

October 23, 2012 0

#BookReview :: Antique Forgery (Alicia Trent #2) by Eileen Harris







This second book in the series takes the reader further into the life of Alicia Trent and her friends. Magic, forgery, betrayal, and fabulous jewels surround Alicia as she struggles to find the reason for her friend's death.








This is the Second book in the Alicia Trent Mystery Series. I absolutely loved the first book, Antique Magic (Read my review Here) and so I was totally pumped up to read this second instalment. 

In Antique Magic, a prediction is made by the clock that Alicia would be the one to discover her friend’s dead body. So, Antique forgery takes off with Alicia worried about the prediction while preparing to go evaluate the jewellery collection that Janice and Arthur Darnell have recently inherited. Janice, a friend of her mother, has been a constant in Alicia’s life while growing up - one who has been there for her and her mother through thick and thin. So, when Alicia discovers her friend, Kendra’s lifeless body in the Darnell’s living room, her worst fear came true. Aiming to get justice for her friend’s death and some amount of closure, Alicia tries to piece together the clues that she can find, while more bodies are dropping around her and secrets are unveiled. In this installment, Alicia stands the chance to lose those who are closest to her as she perseveres on to find out the truth.

I loved it! Eileen Harris has captured my heart over the last couple of months with her Antique Magic and Desert Shadow and I am glad that Antique Forgery has managed to live up to my expectations.

I would like to point out that the writing style of the author has remained the simple yet likeable – like in her other two books. It’s with the everyday common language that Eileen Harris spins her web and this book is no exception. I felt comfortable right from the beginning. The mystery in this book has only one huge red herring, but what herring it is! I was feeling quite disappointed that the plot is so simple and certainly did not see the twist coming. I was left dumbstruck when the complete plot was revealed. Awesome is the only word that I have for it. Barry, Nick & Lawrence from book one made an appearance as expected. And though I was not sure whether I would miss Naomi’s mouthwatering dishes, Eileen delivered Laudine to keep those taste buds going haywire.

The best thing about this series is Alicia. She is one of the partners of an Antique Store in Scottsdale, Arizona – that’s her occupation. She is not an investigator by profession or by choice. But she continuously finds herself in situations that test her. Eileen Harris has built up such a practical and strong character in Alicia that when she is investigating the happenings around her, she takes the most practical and logical approach. Not once during the two books did Alicia come out as a Professional Detective, but she remained true to her character – and antique dealer with a penchant of getting into trouble. When she investigates, she is really bringing together the clues that are right in front of all of us – so it is not over the top or larger than life – yet it is something that manages to keep you guessing.

This book had two other future predictions for Alicia, so I am hoping that there’s going to be a book three in the series. So, Ms.Harris if you are reading this – please hurry up with it so I get to go on another adventure with Alicia soon. In the meantime, you all – go and give these first two books in the series a try.



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