Tuesday, July 5, 2016

"TrustWorthy: Legacy of Trust book 2" by Victoria H. Loren



"TrustWorthy," The title of this suspenseful story, personifies an underlying and reoccurring theme throughout the entire novel. One of significant importance- the preservation of two sister's (Regan and Jessie's) family legacy. In this exquisite tale of dark meets light, as readers, we are met with the fears of the two sister's once again in book two. Looming questions plague the pair, invoking self doubt and inner struggles as we dive into their story of loss. An absolute destitution that has left the women mere shells of their former lives. Will their family's past ever be realized and their strength over evil falter? Will they finally be able to unlock the inner light that begs to be released? Again, we are faced with dark forces that only the two helpless sisters are able to interact with. I found this point of the story to be a highly symbolic test of  the struggle a family must go through to attain dauntlessness and security. The immersive sacrifice of those the girls hold most dear, prove to be the ultimate evaluation of their sanctification and dedication to their heritage. Each sister is commissioned to keeping those around them most, safe. But, will it be enough? Will they be able to triumph over the depraved wickedness that haunts their every day lives to no avail? 

Having read the first book in the series, I easily sunk back in to Mrs. Loren's infallible and veracious  writing style. She has an artistic flair for interpreting details of her story, so that the reader falls in love with its elegance and charm. I eagerly await the next installment and urge anyone who has a chance, to pick up this valiant read. 


Monday, July 4, 2016

"RAGE" by Linda Burson (Reviewed by Jennifer Dickerson)



Plagued by horrible nightmares, Marcy is a force to be reckoned with. She is fueled by anger and tension: taking it out on those closet to her and even  strangers. I immediately felt connected to this character, seeing myself in her easily agitated behavior.  The fact that Marcy can’t see the severity of her actions, made this reader re-think my own anger-fueled words and actions from the past. There is a major development in the plot, within the first 5 chapters, that exposes Marcy’s rage as a weapon, instead of a life-ruining handicap. We soon meet a mysterious man, Liam, who brings Marcy  into a whole new world, turning the world she once knew even deeper into Chaos.
There is a beautiful and passionate romance between Marcy and Brad that kept me on my toes. The arguing between them showed just how much they try care for each other. You can feel the tension and love and lust. Marcy’s employees and friends play a huge part in her life, and are the perfect supporting characters for her. Each person is written in a very believable fashion, to the point that this reader was pulled very deep into the story. All in all, without giving too much away, I give this book a great big thumbs up, and suggest Rage to anyone looking for a romantic, mysterious, and mind-thrilling adventure.

"Dark Illuminations" by A.A Colvin Jr. (Stefanie Jolicoeur)



Dark Illuminations, Volume One by A.A. Colvin Jr.

The five short stories within Dark Illuminations, Volume One by A.A. Colvin Jr. truly evoke the spirit of New England storytelling around a blazing campfire. The stories will remind you of being young and scared, yet keep you yearning for more, hoping the final scene is less sinister than your own wild imagination.

There were two stand-outs within the collection. First, Inside the Caves, reminded me a bit of the 1986 movie Stand By Me based on Stephen King’s novella, The Body. This time, we have three boys in the woods looking for adventure and finding more than they bargained for. My second pick was Atomic Waste. For me, this story harkened back even further, a nod to the Twilight Zone and their gift for leaving you hanging, wishing you could crawl into the story to make everything right again with the world. This story also happens to have the most interesting twist of the five.

I would be remiss to say that Dark Illuminations, Volume One could have used a little more focus in regards to the perspective from which it was told. Many times I was distracted by it, as if the characters were merely being directed by the author versus living within the stories. However, if you aren’t as picky as me, author AA Colvin Jr.’s unique writing style and attention-grabbing descriptions will keep you entertained as you turn the pages, expecting the story to end, but probably finding it has taken a darker, thought-provoking turn.

I look forward to Dark Illuminations, Volume Two and hope that A.A. Colvin Jr. continues with his New England roots, bringing us more tales that keep you wondering what you would do if an urban legend happened to you.

Reviewed by Stefanie Jolicoeur. If you would like me to review your book, please contact me at honest.reviews@comcast.net

Saturday, July 2, 2016

"3 Grams: An Addictive Novella" by Krihstin Zink



Where should I start with this dark, tantalizing book filled with bud-smoking, sex, self-realization and lies? What first struck me about the book, was that it is set in historic Dallas, Texas (A place I called home for most of my life). Mrs. Zink had no problem capturing the skyline of Dallas and the nostalgic ambiance the city radiates. Her illustrations alone, fed my urge to dive into this short, yet captivating piece of art. Not only were the main characters "Lena" and "O" relatable on so many levels, but Mrs. Zink also created a flawless story of a fortress of sexual perversion and the triumph over a sadistic oppressor. All the while, Zink permeates cloudy undertones of addiction fueled by desire and lust. Although, certain parts of the story have a harsh and cruel setting, the ending really brought the entire story together and left me wishing for more. I have never been disappointed by anything Zink has published and recommend you check out her other novels upon reading such a powerful story.