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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

The Grey Wolves Series Books 1 to 3 Review

Book Review of Just One Drop, Prince of Wolves, and Blood Rites by Quinn Loftis

Just One Drop
Book 3 in the Grey Wolves Series
By Quinn Loftis

Book Synopsis:

Jennifer Adams, best friend to Jacque Pierce and Sally Morgan, spicy, out spoken, a little crazy and human...or so she thought. Jen has just found out that human DNA is not the only thing that resides in her veins, she happens to share that little pesky werewolf gene, although it isn't more than just a drop. Now that she and her friends are living in Romania with Fane's pack, she is also oh so conveniently stuck with the object of her affection, the fur ball Decebel. 

Drawn to each other by something they don't understand Jen finds herself frustrated by the lack of mating signs between her and said fur ball. Not only is she dealing with that not so un-frustrating problem, she now has been informed that because of that little drop of werewolf blood in her she is now required to attended a multi-pack gathering for un-mated wolves. This type of gathering hasn't taken place in over a century but with a shortage of females among the werewolf population the males are getting worried they won't ever find their true mates. 

Meanwhile Decebel struggles with the emotions he is feeling towards Jen. He tries to keep his distance but there is just something about the mouthy blonde that keeps him coming back for more of her verbal abuse that he just can't seem to get enough of...go figure

Prince of Wolves, Book 1 in The Grey Wolves Series
Jacque Pierce was just an ordinary 17 year old girl getting ready to start her senior year in high school in Coldspring, Texas. When a mysterious foreign exchange student from Romania moves in across the street, Jacque and her two best friends, Sally and Jen, don’t realize the last two weeks of their summer was going to get a lot more interesting. From the moment Jacque sets eyes on Fane she feels an instant connection, a pull like a moth to a flame. 

Little does she know that the flame she is drawn to is actually a Canis Lupus, werewolf, and she just happens to be his mate; the other half of his soul. The problem is Fane is not the only wolf in Coldspring, Texas. Just as Fane and Jacque are getting to know each other, another wolf steps out to try and claim Jacque as his mate. Fane will now have to fight for the right to complete the mating bond, something that is his right by birth but is being denied him by a crazed Alpha. Will the love Fane has for Jacque be enough to give him the strength to defeat his enemy, will Jacque accept that she is Fane’s mate and complete the bond between them?

Blood Rites:  Book 2 in the Grey Wolves Series

With the challenge complete and the corrupt Alpha of Coldspring defeated Fane is now free to complete the mate bond with Jacque and perform the Blood Rites. Although the challenge is done, the affects are far reaching.  Once it is known that Vasile, one of the strongest Alphas in the world is in America, specifically Coldspring, TX, there is one Alpha who cannot over look the significance of this. An Alpha who happens to share Jacque's DNA, but is this the one she needs to fear?

With her mom driving and her two best friends, Jen and Sally in tow, Jacque sets off for her happily ever after. She will soon realize a plan has been put in motion that will change her course and possibly tear her from Fane's grasp forever. It will take a wolf pack, her mother's love, her two best friend's unrelenting determination, her own will to survive and the undying love of her mate to bring her home. The question remains, if she fights, if she endures, who will she be, what will be left once she is back in her mates arms?

Author Information:
 
Quinn is a 31 year old wife, mother, nurse, and writer, not necessarily in that order.  She lives in beautiful North West Arkansas with her husband, son and Nora their Doberman pinscher. She loves writing, reading, and crocheting. Her favorite holiday is Christmas, favorite book(s) is Pride and Prejudice, The Alpha and Omega Series by Patricia Briggs, and the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling. She loves to be silly and have fun, loves music and thinks there is no greater sound in the world than that of her little boy's laughter. 
@AuthQuinnLoftis

Book Excerpt:

Excerpt JOD Chapter 8
We want you to feel safe, Jen. No one will force you to do anything, and if you happen to meet your mate don't panic, okay?"
"Alpha," Jen smiled ruefully, "when have you ever known me to panic around yummy werewolves?"
A growl resonated through the room.
"Oh, stick a cork in it, B," Jen snarled at Decebel.
Vasile cocked his head to the side as he looked at Jen. "B?"
"Yeah. Ya know, for Beta. Although, I like it because I could also be calling him the technical term for a female dog and he wouldn't know it. So really, calling him B totally works to my advantage," Jen explained in all seriousness.
Everyone turned when a quick burst of laughter came from the right side of the room. When Sorin saw everyone turn their eyes on him, he quickly began coughing. Holding up his hands, he finally composed himself. "Pardon me, Alpha. I seemed to have swallowed wrong."
"You have to be careful while swallowing smart ass comments, Sorin," Jen teased. "They tend to have a choking effect."
Sorin winked at Jen, who refused to look at the ominous wolf in the room currently staring a hole in her head.
Jen looked back to Vasile. "Okay, so the moral of the story is find a mate, don't panic, and try to avoid any male pissing contests…literally." Jen winked at Decebel as she said this and he lifted his lip in a snarl.
"That sounds about right," Vasile agreed. "I think today you should just go about the rest of your day as usual. Try not to worry about The Gathering."
Jen snorted. "Yeah, I'll get right on that."

Book Review:

            “Just One Drop” is the third book in the Grey Wolves Series.  The first book is “Prince of Wolves,” and the second is “Blood Rites.”  While these books can be read alone, they are best read in order of the series.  I have always loved shifter books, especially when there is an alpha.  That whole primal thing… yes I should have my head examined but it’s only in my fantasy so I’m okay.
            In “Prince of Wolves,” we meet all the main characters, but it is basically the story of how Prince Fane meets his blood mate, a half human (who had no clue she was half were) named Jacqueline.  He ends up having to kill to protect her. 
In “Blood Rites,” Jacqueline and Jen, one of her best friends, are injured on the way to Jacque’s blood rite ceremony.  Jen meets Decebel, who would make eggs boil in their carton in the fridge.  Yep, he’s smokin’ hot.  And their relationship take two books to even get to making sense.  Although if they had asked anyone who had eyes, they could have saved themselves a whole lot of heartache.  Oh and Jacque meets her dad… things could go better.
In “Just One Drop,” the werewolves have a Gathering, or the “Mate Fest” as Sally and Jen deemed it.  We find out lots of interesting facts about Jen, Sally, Decebel, and all the other werewolves.  We also finally resolve the issue of Decebel and his mate.
            I was glued to the pages.  I literally read all three in about 5 hours. That’s how quickly I got pulled into the stories.  Yes, I read really fast, but still.  The books are totally appropriate for YA, I would even let my 16 year old daughter read them.  The snarky humor cracked me up and the sizzle is totally PG at the most… although it makes the most of the PG.
            I have to admit I would love to meet these guys in person.  Yes, I’m old (at least that’s what my kids say) and happily married, but yummy ;D.  I have to say I think I like Decebel the best.  I have a warm spot in my heart for the bad guy with the heart of gold.
            My only complaint… and it’s a big one…. was the HUGE cliffhanger ending.  Ack!  Why??  And who is this new person who suddenly shows up?  All I can say is the next book better be out soon.
            I think I have a new author to add to my list of favorites and must read anything written by…  I give this series as a whole 5 out of 5 clouds.  As for the books, Book 1 is 5 out of 5 clouds.  Book 2 gets 4.5 out of 5 clouds because it is the only one I really felt couldn’t be read as a stand-alone.  And Book 3 gets 5 out of 5 clouds.

Book Review for The Analyst




Book Review of The Analyst by P.T. Dawkins

Title: The Analyst
Author: PT Dawkins
Genre: Fiction – Wall Street Thriller
Published by: Llumina Press
Publication Date: August 2011
Recommended Age: 18+
Format(s): eBook, trade paperback
ISBN 13: 9781605947235
Number of pages: 300

Book Synopsis:

After David Heart’s father’s estate is squandered by bad advice, his mother faces eviction and his grandfather needs life-saving surgery. A seemingly-helpful family friend finds David a seat at a bucket-shop off-Wall Street firm with the promise that money flows like wine.
Naive and quickly recognized as an easy mark, David is plunged into the eat-what-you-kill world of a trading desk, where the analysts, salesmen and traders sit like pigs at a two-sided trough. Bullied by the cruel, abusive head trader known only as Blackie, David is relieved when Sandy Allen, a strikingly provocative street-smart saleswoman, comes to his aid. But, what David doesn’t realize is that hidden agendas are everywhere, and no one can be trusted.

Now the target of extortion, David must make an impossible choice: facilitate an insider-trading felony in exchange for the money his family desperately needs, or face the cruelty of his mentor-turned-predator who has framed David and promises that he alone will be found guilty and suffer the consequences of the crime he refused to commit

The Analyst by P.T. Dawkins won Best in Genre at the 2011/2012 DIY Book Festival!

Book Excerpt:

David surveyed the trading desk. He could smell the electricity and hear the fans that cooled the always-running computers. During market hours, the twenty analysts, salespeople, and traders sat at identical, adjacent workstations. There was little space, and no walls, as if they were pigs at a two-sided trough. It was inhumane, if barely legal. David had to squint to see through the reflection from two continuous white vinyl desktops and a sea of matching shirts. The tools provided to each person on the desk included a chessboard of telephone buttons, two flat-panel computer screens, a keyboard, and a BlackBerry cradle. Workers entered the competition for commission dollars by plugging in and donning their headsets. Blinking orange phone lines enriched the black background of the equipment. Some personalized their space by taping a picture of their loved ones to their screens; it was soon yellowed and warped by the heat. During trading hours, the sound of making money eclipsed even the cry of New York City sirens, bus roars, and taxi honks.

Author Information
P.T. Dawkins

A 28-year veteran of the investment world, P.T. Dawkins writes from experience about the insatiable desire for money that leads to unethical, illegal and unscrupulous behavior. He majored in English at Dartmouth College, earned a MBA from The University of Western Ontario and completed extensive studies in Creative Writing at the University of Toronto.

Find & Follow P.T. Dawkins:

Buy the BOOK:

Book Review:

The Analyst is a legal thriller, along the lines of “Wall Street,” and set on Wall Street.  This is not my normal genre, but I found the book interesting.  David was such a good hearted man who sincerely made an attempt to do the right thing, even when he was totally clueless.  Several times I wanted to slap him for being stupid, but he eventually ‘grew a pair’ and got it together.

The story had four main characters, all of whom showed new sides as the story progressed.  I was pleasantly surprised by some.  It was not always clear how the different character fit into the overall puzzle initially, but Mr. Dawkins tied it all up in the end.

I enjoyed stretching my reading range with this book and give it 4 out of 5 clouds for good writing, strong story bones, and generally interesting filling.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Book review and excerpt for So I'm A Double Threat



Book Review of So I’m A Double Threat by Julie Prestsater
So I’m a Double Threat
By Julie Prestsater
Genre: YA

Book Synopsis:

Megan Miller, a freshman at Carver High and a Double Threat, the perfect combination of smart and popular.

She's got the grades, she's got the friends, and she's got the connections. Freshman year should be a breeze, but it's not. How can it be when you have boys, boys and boys on the brain.

And really only one in particular.

Alex Aguilar...the boy of Meg's dreams.

They met at a party and Meg's whole world shifted. The spark was there, there was no denying it. But could that spark lead to more? Can a Senior and Freshman really make a go of it no matter what kind of connection they share? Or will outside circumstances ruin not only Meg's Freshman year, but her chance at hooking the guy of her dreams.

Being a Double Threat is supposed to make you special, but is it worth it if you don't get your crush?




Author Information:

Julie is a high school reading intervention teacher who prides herself on matching her students with great books to encourage them to become life-long readers. She enjoys writing stories that even the most reluctant of readers will not want to put down.

Julie is a mom, a wife, a teacher, a reader, and a writer. She also a lunatic when it comes to the NFL and playing Fantasy Football, especially if she doesn't get my first pick quarterback: Tony Romo. When she’s not at home or work, you can probably catch her on the 15 freeway singing her heart out and dancing away in her car.


Book Excerpt:

Oh no. School hasn’t even started yet and I’m already googoo gaga over some guy. And not just any guy. A football player. A senior.
Suddenly, I awake from my daydream and realize I’m all alone in a crowded party and start to feel like an idiot. Amy tagged along with her sister, Jen, and her group of friends almost immediately after we arrived. Keesh went to dance with some cute guy, and Steph had to pee. I stayed behind to save our spot, a tall circular table full of purses and cups of booze.
I scan the doorway for Steph as I raise my cup to take a drink. Mid-sip I hear my name. I turn around to see Alex, strutting toward me.
He wears a grin on his smooth face that warms my body. “Hey, Megan. What’s up?”
Holy hotness. He’s here. Right in front of me. Talking to me.
I set my cup on the table. “Hey, Alex.” My voice is shaky. And so are my hands.
I pick up my drink again, trying to gather some liquid courage to hold a conversation with this deliciously steamy guy.

Book Review:

            This book starts out as a typical coming of age story.  The real difference is that main character manages to do this without becoming suicidal, being turned into a vampire, shifter, or other paranormal creature.  It seems that most of the coming of age stories I have read lately end up being about paranormal stuff.  This book is not that.  This is the real deal, a real teen with real issues.             There is however, the requisite love triangle, or more of a three dimensional hexagon. 
 

I quickly came to care for Megan as she came across as a real person, warts and all.  She was loveable, but still had her foibles.  Megan had her own issues.  She is self-conscious but strong-willed.  I felt like this was a person I could have been friends with when I was that age.  I sympathized with her and connected with her which pulled me into the book.

The writing flows easily making this an easy.  The writing was clean and easy to read.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.


This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.