TOUCH THE DARK Review - Karen Chance

TOUCH THE DARK by Karen Chance
Publisher: Roc
Pages: 307
My Recommended Age Group: Adult
Released: June 6, 2006
Other work: Cassie Palmer Series, Dorina Basarab Series, Short Stories
Our Rating:

From Goodreads:

Like any sensible girl, Cassie tries to avoid vampires. But when the bloodsucking Mafioso she escaped three years ago finds Cassie again with revenge in mind, she's forced to turn to the vampire Senate for protection.The undead senators won't help her for nothing, and Cassie finds herself working with one of their most powerful members, a dangerously seductive master vampire- and the price he demands may be more than Cassie is willing to pay.

My thoughts:

My latest find in my quest for something new and different was Karen Chance's TOUCH THE DARK, book one in the Cassie Palmer series. I had seen the books before but kept putting them off. A great kindle deal, however, forced my hand so I bought the books and settled down to pour through the first one.

Much better than I was expecting!

I hadn't heard a ton about these books (perhaps it's the fact that I live under a rock) so I wasn't sure what to expect. I figured the story would be good but I didn't know anything about the character development, scenery, etc. To my pleasure, and yours if you pick these up, this first book was actually pretty good.

Cassie Palmer is a clairvoyant living in a world where vampires, weres and everything else that goes bump in the night roams the streets. Some critters are good and some are...well, let's just say that Cassie has had to run for her life a time or two. Growing up under a vampire as a master, Cassie quickly learned that life is a fragile thing that can easily be taken from you if you don't stay on your toes. Cassie's life is full of suspense with a fair amount of running and hiding thrown in. Unfortunately for her, things are only about to get worse.

Overall, I really liked TOUCH THE DARK. I found Cassie an easy character to like with a good deal of back history and complexity to keep us involved with the story. Each new twist and turn in the story tells us a little more about Cassie and even when we think we have the full picture, Ms. Chance throws another curveball in there that makes us reevaluate our thoughts on Cassie. Along with our main character, the side characters in the story were well developed and add another layer of depth to the story. Their history was just as important to the story as Cassie's and, like Cassie, Ms. Chance gave us the whole picture throughout the course of the book, keeping us hooked fairly well.

The only part that I had a hard time getting through were some of the action and inner monologue sequences. I don't know if there was just too much going on or what, but when the story really started to pick up pace, I had a hard time following along and had to go back and reread a few sections. This could just be due to the fact that parts of the story were fairly complex and tied to other past and future parts. Perhaps my brain just wasn't up to par during those moments.

If you're looking for a good urban fantasy type book, I would definitely check out TOUCH THE DARK. Along with having a good story, Ms. Chance takes some well known nasties (vamps, weres, etc.) and puts a new spin on them.

Fighting Bullying - Jen McKen

Book related?  Maybe, maybe not.

Recently there has been a lot of discussion on bullying and cyber-bullying in specific.  Most of us have witnessed bullying to some degree within our lifetimes and if you haven't, some day you will.  Lately, however, it seems that bullying is getting much worse and much more deadly.  From causing physical harm to another person to causing that person to feel like they need to harm themselves, bullying is an epidemic that is spreading throughout our society, especially our school-aged youth.

Bullying is never okay.  End of story.

ABC Family has covered this topic in Cyberbully.  If you haven't seen it - I suggest that you do.  Many authors have also joined together to fight bullying.  If you search on Facebook, you can find a group of Young Adult Authors Against Bullying.  Dear Bully, written by 70 young adult authors discusses these authors' personal experiences with bullying.  Although the book isn't released until September 6th, 2011, it looks to be a pretty emotional read that hopefully will create a huge impact among young adults.

The incident that spurred me to write this post instead of putting up the review that was scheduled for today is a photographer I heard about online.  Perhaps everyone has already heard about her, perhaps not.

Jen McKen is a professional photographer based out of Pennsylvania.  Recently, she wrote a blog post about a disappointing experience she had on the internet.  While browsing Facebook, she came across a page where the entire purpose was to humiliate and bully fellow classmates of the individual who created the page.  Unfortunately, it seems that there was quite a group of individuals who jumped on the band wagon and decided to say some pretty nasty things about their classmates and in general, showed how ugly they were on the inside.  These individuals were clients of Jen's who had already put down their deposits for senior portraits and wanted Jen to spend her energy and time making beautiful photographs of them.

To make a long story short, despite the possible negative impact this could have on her business, Jen took a stand, returned the deposits and told the individuals and their parents that she was sorry, but due to their actions online, she would not be taking pictures of these Seniors.  How could she attempt to make someone look beautiful on the outside when she knew what kind of ugly actions sat beneath the surface?

Want to learn more?  Check out her blog post.  Want to leave some nice words of encouragement and show her that she's not alone in her stand against bullying?  Leave a comment on her Facebook page.

What kind of experience have you had with bullying?  What are some of your favorite anti-bullying books or shows?  Is there someone that stands out to you as having taken a stand against bullying?

FIRELIGHT Review - Sophie Jordan

FIRELIGHT by Sophie Jordan
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 323
My Recommended Age Group: Young Adult to Adult
Released: September 7, 2010
Other work in series: Vanish (September 6, 2011)
Our Rating:


From Goodreads:

A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

My thoughts:

I am not the last person on the face of the planet to read this!  Really, I'm not.  I can actually guarantee that my three-year-old daughter has not read this yet.  So there.

That being said - why on Earth had I not read this sooner?  Sure, there were other books that were supposed to come first - other books that had priority.

Boy was I wrong.

FIRELIGHT by Sophie Jordan was absolutely superb.  Not only was the story completely awesome, but the world and the characters were so beautifully built that I actually finished the book (and the two bonus chapters of Vanish that mine came with) and was pretty bummed out that I still have to wait for Vanish to be released.

Jacinda is a draki - an evolutionary offset of the ancient dragons that used to soar the skies.  From what I can gather, the draki are smaller and possibly shaped in more of a humanoid fashion.  They come in different varieties with different talents and an array of beautiful colors.  Their biggest secret, however, and one that they must guard quite closely is their ability to take the form of an ordinary human being.  Coming in quite useful when they need to hide from the Hunters that chase after them in the hopes of selling off their skin, blood, and anything else they can gather from the draki's strong bodies, their human forms can be quite a benefit although they may be a bit weaker while in that shape.

When Jacinda is forced to leave her Pride against her will, she finds that life as a human is not easy.  While others around her adapt easily to it, Jacinda yearns to release her draki and soar on crimson wings like she was born to do.  One thing keeps her from completely losing her sanity - Will.  Any sort of relationship with him is completely forbidden and dangerous not only to her, but to her kind as well.  Something about him, however, keeps drawing Jacinda back and the two quickly discover that there is a stronger connection between them than either had imagined.

What first hooked me on FIRELIGHT?  As with most books - the cover.  The model is gorgeous, the artwork is gorgeous and overall, the cover is captivating.  Next, it was the premise behind the story.  A girl who can change into a dragon-type being.  Plus, who can resist forbidden love?  Lastly, it was the way that Ms. Jordan developed her characters and turned them into people that we really cared about.  Although set in a fantasy type setting, the characters felt very realistic with very realistic emotions, expectations, and struggles.  These were characters that pulled you into the story, making the reader a part of their journey.

I absolutely love the work that Ms. Jordan put into Jacinda.  She is officially one of my favorite female leads now.  She really is one of those characters where you can't help but sit on the edge of your seat, flipping pages like a madwoman (or madman) as you desperately read along to find out what happens next.

A+ Ms. Jordan!  FIRELIGHT is a fantastic read and one that definitely can't be missed!  Now, off to wait mostly impatiently for the release of Vanish and the exciting story that promises to unfold there.

PARADISE 21 Review and Giveaway - Aubrie Dionne

PARADISE 21 by Aubrie Dionne
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
My Recommended Age Group: Adult
Released: August 2011
Blog Tour: Kismet Book Touring
Our Rating:

From Goodreads:

Aries has lived her entire life aboard mankind’s last hope, the New Dawn, a spaceship traveling toward a planet where humanity can begin anew—a planet that won’t be reached in Aries’ lifetime. As one of the last genetically desirable women in the universe, she must marry her designated genetic match and produce the next generation for this centuries-long voyage.But Aries has other plans.

When her desperate escape from the New Dawn strands her on a desert planet, Aries discovers the rumors about pirates—humans who escaped Earth before its demise—are true. Handsome, genetically imperfect Striker possesses the freedom Aries envies, and the two connect on a level she never thought possible. But pursued by her match from above and hunted by the planet’s native inhabitants, Aries quickly learns her freedom will come at a hefty price.

My thoughts:

I've heard variations of this story before, but never with the fantastic elements of romance and suspense that Ms. Dionne throws into her writing. A dying race must do anything it can to survive. For Aries, one of the last human women who should keep the human race going, her duty is to pair up with the compatible match assigned to her and have children.  Without these children, the New Dawn, a spaceship taking the last of Earth's hopes to a new planet, will eventually become unmanned and another piece of space junk as its current crew all die of old age.  We all know the complexities of the human race, however.  Attempt to tell a human woman whom she should love and all heck will break loose.

Escaping the New Dawn, Aries finds herself on a world that may hold just as many dangers as the life she is attempting to leave did, save for one aspect; Striker - a man who is not genetically desirable and definitely not one that should continue the human race.  Yet, Aries finds herself drawn to him and eventually learns that she must do anything she can to keep him by her side.

Ms. Dionne's story was one full of love and passion.  One of my favorite aspects of PARADISE 21 was Aries.  I found her to be a fun character to read, full of emotion and well rounded so that she always made the story interesting.  Her relationship with Striker is one of those that keeps you on the edge of your seat with suspense, waiting to see if the two will eventually find happiness together or if a darker fate awaits them. In a cold world where the logical choice should take precedence, can romance and love win?  You'll have to read to find out!

*****

Guest Post with Aubrie Dionne

Where I got the idea for Paradise 21

What will happen when our sun dies out?

I’ve always been a worry wart, and ever since I was little I’ve had a strange concern at the back of my mind for those people born on Earth when our sun starts to die out. I know it’s millions of years from now, but basically, if humans are still alive, it would suck. They’d hear about all the thousands of years people had to enjoy life, and they’d be stuck with the short end of the stick. I’d like to think that humans will live on when Earth dies, and that was where the idea for Paradise 21 came from.

In Paradise 21, humans have ruined the Earth long before the sun will burn out. They haven’t perfected cryogenic sleep, so the only way to reach another life sustaining planet is to live on the colony ships, producing generations of astronauts in deep space. Not only would they have to share the same vision as the founders of the mission, but they’d have to watch out for inbreeding because only so many bloodlines can fit on each ship.

What if someone became disillusioned with the process? What if they didn’t like their computer designated mate?

That’s where I got Aries. And that’s where Paradise 21 begins…

My question to you is: have you ever thought about the sun burning out and what would happen to life on Earth?

About Aubrie Dionne

Aubrie is an author and flutist in New England. Her stories have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, A Fly in Amber, and several print anthologies including Skulls and Crossbones by Minddancer Press, Rise of the Necromancers, by Pill Hill Press, Nightbird Singing in the Dead of Night by Nightbird Publishing, Dragontales and Mertales by Wyvern Publications, A Yuletide Wish by Nightwolf Publications, and Aurora Rising by Aurora Wolf Publications. Her epic fantasy is published with Wyvern Publications, and several of her ebooks are published with Lyrical Press and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. When she’s not writing, she plays in orchestras and teaches flute at Plymouth State University and a community music school.

Aubrie: On her Website // On her Blog

*****

Giveaway Details

Don't forget to enter to win a copy of Ms. Dionne's eBook, Chameleon's Colors (the first in the Carnival of Illusions series) and a signed postcard.  To enter, simply fill out the form below.  If you would like to be entered in the grand giveaway to win one of three beautiful necklaces made by the fabulous Ms. Dionne, leave a comment on this post.  Each tour post that you comment on earns you another entry into this necklace giveaway.

Continue on to the next stops in the tour!

Monday August, 8th – Cinnamon, A Journey of Books / Guest Post, Where Aubrie got the idea for Paradise 21

Tuesday,  August, 9th – Tishia, Paranormal Opinion / Guest Post, Paradise 21: Space Pirates with a Chip on Their Shoulder

Wednesday, August, 10th – Jules, The Great, The Good and The Bad / Guest Post, Sci fi terminology in Paradise 21

Thursday, August, 11th- Bree, The Magic Attic / Character Interview, Striker

Friday, August, 12th – We Fancy Books / Guest Post, The baddies in Paradise 21

Monday August, 15th – Kristin, My Bookish Ways / Author Interview

Tuesday, August, 16th - Cindy, Oodles of Books / Guest Post, Luggage in Space

Wednesday, August, 17th- Rie, Mission To Read / Guest Post, Creating your own world: Positives and Negatives

Thursday, August, 18th – Grace, Books Like Breathing / Character Interview, Aries

Friday, August, 19th – Ambur, Burning.x.Impossibly.x.Bright / Guest Post, Character Building: Challenges and Rewards

Monday August, 22th – Nikki, Ramblings From A Chaotic Mind / Guest Post, The challenges and advantages to writing Sci Fi romance

Tuesday, August, 23th – Christie, The Fiction Enthusiast / Guest Post, Paradise 21: the twenty first planet capable of sustaining life

Wednesday, August, 24th – Pushy, Bewitched Bookworms / Author Interview

Thursday, August, 25th – Farrah, The Book Faery Reviews / Guest Post, What Makes Space Opera So Awesome?

Friday, August, 26th- Mandy, The Well-Read Wife / Guest Post, Pirate names: learn the crew of the Morphic Marauder