THE HARVESTING by Melanie Karsak

The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak
Book 1 of The Harvesting series
Read by Kristin James
Genre: urban fantasy | zombie apocalyptic
Format: ebook & audiobook

About The Harvesting:

It's all fun and games until someone ends up undead.

Layla Petrovich has spent her whole life running away from her hometown of Hamletville. Raised by the town's medium, and dubbed the "weird" girl for her fascination with swords, the last thing Layla wants is to go home.

But when she receives a desperate call to return just as a mysterious outbreak sweeps the country, Layla's instincts urge her to go. Good thing, because the dead are rising.

Layla, however, isn't entirely on her own. With her psychic powers growing, surely everything will turn out okay, right?

Not so fast. Just when Layla believes she might survive the apocalypse, a sinister and ancient force rises from the shadows to finish mankind for good.

Because the truth is, we were never alone in this world.

Source: Info in the About The Harvesting was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31675361-the-harvesting on 05/02/2017.

My Thoughts:

Zombie apocalypse. The theme been around the block a few times. Despite being in a congested genre this book managed to be an enjoyable read.

The first thing that attracted me to this book is the kick-ass cover. However it seems too dark though that the beautiful details are lost in the darkness. That is a shame! But, it still did it's job as a marketing tool... it attracted a reader. It lured me in.

This book is a slow start for me. But once it got going, it picked up the pace. So worth it , plodding through, the first volley.

The best thing about this book though is the world building. It stays with you long after you have read the book. That, to me is a great kudos!

I have a tiny, tiny issue with the "details" though. For a knowable kick-ass heroine, Layla never cleaned her sword! I mean we all know that if you slice something with a knife in the kitchen, the knife always retain a little bit of a debris from whatever it is you are slicing. But the narrative never mentioned her cleaning her weapons. Once, it mentioned that Jamie cleaned her knife for her before handing it back to her but Layla never did. However I like to keep my fantasy, so I did what any prudent fantasy reader does, I added it to the story in my head whether or not it is in book. It just makes the character of Layla a bit more real to me.

This is the first time that I have listened to a Kristin James audiobook. And it was interesting. I like her reading style even though I disagree with a point or two with her interpretation. Lovely narration!

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 4.5
Ending = 3.5
World building = 5
Cover art = 4
Pace = 4
Plot = 3.5
Narration = 4

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 cherries


Other Books In The Harvesting series:
     

The Author
	Melanie Karsak is the author of The Airship Racing Chronicles, The Harvesting Series, and The Celtic Blood Series. A steampunk connoisseur, zombie whisperer, and heir to the iron throne, the author currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children. She is an Instructor of English at Eastern Florida State College.
www.melaniekarsak.com | facebook | facebook author page | twitter | goodreads | amazon | instagram | pinterest | google+

The Narrator
	Kristin James aka Candace Pauline Camp was born on May 23, 1949 in Amarillo, Texas, U.S.A.. The youngest of three children born into a newspaper family -- her mother, Lula Mae (Irons) Camp, had been a reporter and her father, Grady Camp, was the business manager of the Amarillo, Texas, newspaper -- some of Candace's earliest memories are of making up stories which she played out on the floor of their den with whatever objects were handy. She cannot remember a time when she was not interested in creating stories. She began writing down her stories when she was about 10, and from then on writing was her favorite form of relaxation. Explains Candace: "I was always very shy and did not talk much. However, in written form, I could express all my thoughts and feelings." Writing remained only a hobby, though, as Candace attended college at the University of Texas at Austin and West Texas State University, then became a secondary teacher in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She later moved to North Carolina, where she worked in the trust department of a bank. It was there that she discovered the romance novel in modern form and started to write her first romance. She also began law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and while she was there, she finished her first novel, entitled Bonds of Love, that was published by Jove Publishing in 1978, under the pseudonym Lisa Gregory. Candace credits the rigorous training of law school with teaching her the discipline necessary to finish a book. She gave up the practice of law to devote her time to writing. Two pseudonyms later (Kristin James and Sharon Stephens), Candace writes under her own name Candace Camp -- and still loves creating stories. Candace is married since 1980 with Pete Hopcus, and they had a daughter Anastasia Hopcus in 1982, who had started on her own career path in the field of acting and now also writes young adult novels.
www.candace-camp.com | goodreads | facebook | facebook author page | twitter | amazon | audible

FTC Disclosure:
This book was purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.

THE ADVENTURES OF FAWN

The Book

The Adventures Of Fawn: 'Til The Last Snowflake Falls by Al E. Boy
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Print Length: 517 pages
Publication Date: October 1, 2014

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

The Adventures of Fawn is a 'coming of age' series set in the magical world of Santa's North Pole! The year is 1849, and legendary reindeer Comet and Vixen have a young daughter, Fawn. In this first book, 'Til the Last Snowflake Falls' the young reindeer spends far too many days alone in the stable at Santa's Village with no friends and nothing to do.

While her parents caution her she's much too young and inexperienced to go exploring outside Santa's Village by herself, Fawn disagrees. Declaring, “I want some fun and excitement! I don’t care how dangerous it is!” she begins sneaking out each day in search of friends, excitement and adventure. She'll find them all...but also find herself facing dangers like a fierce hungry wolf, a freezing North Pole blizzard, and the treachery of a sea captain capturing animals of the arctic to sell to a zoo in New York City.

Along the way, she'll also learn some valuable lessons about what's really important in life. The Adventures of Fawn are filled with fun and excitement for all ages!

Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

The Author

ABOUT AL E. BOY:

Through almost 40 years as a Santa Claus, Al E. Boy developed quite a repertoire of tales to explain and answer the many questions children ask about Santa, the North Pole, his reindeer, and his friends, the elves.

It was this collection of tales which prompted him to begin writing The Adventures of Fawn. Through the young daughter of legendary reindeer Comet and Vixen, he's been able to weave an exciting, colorful, imaginative world which will delight readers of all ages!

Mr. Boy not only hopes you enjoy these tales, but make reading them part of your Christmas traditions, as well.

AUTHOR LINKS:

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE     WEBSITE     FACEBOOK     GOOGLE

f | t | p | g+ | in | yt | i

THE SECRETS IN MY SCOWL

The Book

The Secrets In My Scowl by A. E. Via
Genre: M/M Gay Contemporary
Standalone

About The Secrets In My Scowl:

Sparks ignite and tempers flare when a sexy, optimistic wedding planner moves his business in across the hall from a jilted, divorce lawyer’s practice.

“Look smart ass. This is the last time I’m going to remind you about breaking sections of the lease. If there’s a next time, I won’t stop until you and your frilly, white wedding shit is thrown out of here. Do you got it?!” 
Wylde looked in Jacob’s pained eyes and answered in his deep voice. “Yeah, counselor. I got it.”

From high school, up until he became a successful attorney Jacob Snowden was convinced that love had it out for him. “Everyone left,” were the words he lived by. His mother, his high school sweetheart, his father, and his fiancé, all left Jacob just when he felt it was safe to let down his guard. Not any longer. Jacob was a determined man, set at keeping people at a distance. If his six foot one, military-made body didn’t scare people off, his permanent scowl surely did. At almost forty, Jacob’s social life was non-existent, but he told himself his work fulfilled him. He helped people get out of their loveless marriages. Jacob Snowden was one of the best divorce lawyers on the east coast and was damn proud of it. So, imagine his disdain when a wedding planner moves into the suite directly adjacent to his… an insanely masculine, male wedding planner. 

Wylde Sterling had made quite a name for himself in his hometown of Roanoke, Virginia, working for a wedding planner that catered to the elite. He was known for his charm and impeccable taste. Yep, he was incredible at giving couples the wedding of their dreams. But he wanted nothing more than to plan his own. After striking out in love more times than he cared to admit, Wylde decided to start his own business in a new city, hoping Richmond would give him a fresh start. Things started out wonderfully – until he started to piss off the angry divorce attorney next door. 

Wylde could see past Jacob’s mean scowl, knowing there was a reason for it. It was the man’s defense mechanism, his means of keeping people away. Everything in Wylde told him to stay away, but he believed Jacob just needed to meet a man who had been hurt as badly as he had.

This story ends in an HEA and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Source: Info in the About The Secrets In My Scowl was from the press kit from the publicity team.

Buy Link(s):
   

Excerpt:

He hadn’t realized how late it was until his receptionist asked if he needed anything else before she and his paralegal left.

“No.”

“I have a Mr. Sterling here, requesting to see you.”

Who? Jacob didn’t like drop-ins and he was sure he didn’t have any appointments this late. “Send him in.”

Jacob was completely unprepared for Wylde to come through his door and flood his space with that goddamn scent, but he walked in with a swagger only he could pull off. Damnit. Jacob was glad he was sitting behind his desk because, for whatever reason, his cock loved that scent. He’d must’ve been staring at Wylde too hard last time to remember his last name.

“Good evening, counselor. I hope I’m not disturbing you,” Wylde said in his deep timbre.

Ugh, god. The way the man said counselor made Jacob’s balls draw up. He just refrained from closing his eyes and blew out a calming breath. He closed the large Code of Virginia law book on his desk before asking, “How can I help you, Mr. Sterling?”

“Why don’t we try a first name basis, neighbor.” Wylde kept progressing toward Jacob and smoothly eased his tight body in one of the chairs in front of his desk and brought his black suede boot up and propped it on the opposite knee. Jacob inhaled again, immediately wishing he hadn’t. From across the office he could barely see the gold hoop in Wylde’s bottom lip, but up closer, the dim lights made it shine beautifully, as well as the tiny gold barbell in his brow. He smiled, showing off pretty, white teeth. “I just wanted to come over and apologize about the discarded boxes in the hall. I didn’t mean to disrespect the building and I certainly didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I wasn’t upset.” Jacob’s voice was raspy, just shy of husky, and he was sure the wedding planner picked up on it.

Jacob watched him cock his head to the side, his smooth forehead wrinkling. “Wow, if that’s you not upset, then I certainly don’t want to see you when you really are.”

Jacob didn’t think that needed a response, and since he felt a little tongue-tied at the moment, he just maintained eye contact. Light brown eyes stared back at him, and Jacob wasn’t sure if he saw a subtle wink or if it was an eye tick. What bothered Jacob the most was he couldn’t get a good read on the man. He had no clue if he was gay, straight, or bi, because he didn’t have a look that screamed his sexuality. Jacob hated to admit it, but he was enraptured by the wedding planner’s look. His was a style all his own. He had on camel-colored slacks with a matching V-neck sweater; however, it was the black suede dress coat and the suede boots that made him look sexy as fuck. He was caught staring again and the man had sat there and let him. Jacob knew he was busted because there was that smirk again. The one that meant, “Yep, I caught you staring and I bet your dick is at least half-hard.”

His neighbor buttoned his jacket when he stood. “Well, I’ve used up enough of your time. I’m sure you’re a very busy man. You have a good evening.”

Jacob needed to say something, for heaven’s sake. “You as well, Mr. Sterling.”

The man’s back stiffened as he opened the door. He turned, looking Jacob dead in his eyes. “You can call me, Wylde. I don’t care much for formalities. I hope that’s alright with you, Mr. Snowden, or may I call you…?”

It had to be at least five long seconds while Wylde stood there in his door waiting for him to respond.

In a voice that came out rough and too damn soft, he finished Wylde’s sentence, “Jacob.”

Wylde’s lips curled up into a devastatingly seductive smile and he responded in an equally rough and deep tone, “Goodnight, Jacob.” And Wylde gently closed his door.

Jacob had fallen for it. Fallen for the trap that Wylde set with those piercing eyes and sexy charm. Jacob felt like a fool for taking the bait, and Wylde reeled him right in. This time he was positive there was a wink at the end, and Jacob was most definitely fucked.

Meet The Author

About A.E. Via:

A.E. Via is an author in the beautiful gay romance genre and also founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books. Her writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.

When she’s not clicking away at her laptop, she devotes herself to her family — a husband and four children. Adrienne Via has tons of more stories to tell, but she really would like to hear yours. Via Star Wings Books is currently accepting submissions for established and aspiring LGBTQ authors.

Visit my site to learn more! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peak on upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next.

www.authoraevia.com | blog | giftshop | twitter | facebook | facebook author page | pinterest | google+ | instagram | amazon | goodreads

Giveaway

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A TIME OF TORMENT

A Time Of Torment by John Connolly
Read by Jeff Harding
Book 14 of the Charlie Parker series
Genre: crime fiction
Format: kindle ebook & audiobook

About A Time Of Torment:

Jerome Burnel was once a hero. He intervened to prevent multiple killings and in doing so damned himself. His life was torn apart. He was imprisoned, brutalized.

But in his final days, with the hunters circling, he tells his story to private detective Charlie Parker. He speaks of the girl who was marked for death but was saved, of the ones who tormented him, and an entity that hides in a ruined stockade.

Parker is not like other men. He died, and was reborn. He is ready to wage war.

Now he will descend upon a strange, isolated community called the Cut, and face down a force of men who rule by terror, intimidation, and murder.

All in the name of the being they serve.

All in the name of the Dead King.

Source: Info in the About A Time Of Torment was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25930352-a-time-of-torment on 31/10/2016.

Buy Link(s):
   

My Thoughts:

Listening to this book, I got reminded again why I like to listen to Jeff Harding. I like the way he make the characters come alive with the voices he gives each character. It adds a certain flavour to the story that I wouldn't have had, had I just read the book without the audiobook format. Kudos to the narrator!

It is also pleasing to read of Angel and Louis again. And of Jennifer and Sam too! It is like meeting long lost friends again... It gives one that fuzzy feeling! Looking forward to reading about these beloved characters again next year when the next book in the series comes out. :)

Of all the Charlie Parker books, this one, I believe have the most solid plot. John Connolly was firing on all cylinders when he wrote this book! Such that I am looking forward to reading the next book to see how the news media is handling the news of the bad guys' apprehension. In particular, how the media is portraying Jerome Burnel this time. Now that the truth has been exposed. Did Jerome Burnel got what he hired Charlie Parker for, at last? A federal bust this big is sure to get cover, not only by the local papers, but also by the national ones. It would be interesting to see.

Another thing that I hope that the next book will clarify is whether Shakey lived or not! It wasn't very clear to me whether Lucius killed him or not. And I wanted him to survive! He's a tough old gun who had survived a lot and now that his life seems to be getting better at last, I didn't want him to die!

Ok, so I am a die-hard fan! It is still true that this book is fantastic read!

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 5
World building = 5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (13 hrs & 58 mins)
Plot = 5
Narration = 5

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries


Books In The Charlie Parker Series:
                           

About John Connolly
	John Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 and has, at various points in his life, worked as a journalist, a barman, a local government official, a waiter and a dogsbody at Harrods department store in London. He studied English in Trinity College, Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University, subsequently spending five years working as a freelance journalist for The Irish Times newspaper, to which he continues to contribute. He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States. This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
www.johnconnollybooks.com | twitter | facebook | google+ | goodreads | amazon

About Jeff Harding
	Jeff Harding is one of the most active American actors based in Britain. He is regularly seen in film and TV but he maintains interest in fringe theatre. He is particularly active in voice-over and radio. Having competed in rowing for many years, he still lives by the Thames and rows regularly – an appropriate sport for the reader of Ben Hur.
naxos | audible | facebook | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
This book was purchased with private funds.