MALLORY HEART RECOMMENDS

Sunday, April 7, 2013

STONEFLY by Scott Holliday_Review

Review of Stonefly by Scott Holliday (Jacob Duke #1)

5 stars

An amazingly powerful and emotionally impacting novel, “Stonefly” deserves more than 5 stars; 36 would be nice. I am so thankful that this is the first in a series, and I can only “wish” (intentional reference) that #2 would be available tomorrow. I virtually read this in one sitting, over the course of several hours, and again, the world around me dropped away as the novel totally absorbed me into its milieu. Jacob is a protagonist unlike any I have ever encountered. His “curse” is seemingly Supernatural in nature, although he insists it was a genetic legacy from his unknown father (remember classical Greek mythology, in which Zeus and other gods temporarily transformed into humans and animals to mate with desired human females—so I guess it would be possible for someone practically a demigod to also take human form, and produce a child). If Jacob hears anyone “wishing,” he is bound to that wish, and must grant it within six days, or the wisher dies. At age ten, he does so to save a girl in his fifth grade class; and the next seven years, until his eighteenth birthday, are spent in Dover, a psychiatric institution in mid-Michigan. On his eighteenth birthday Jacob is released, but he is different; he has been deaf since age seventeen. From this point he tries to live a “normal” as possible life, a small business owner, with a female friend (not a relationship-friend), and occasional contact with his career-driven mother and the police captain who loves her in vain. But of course, when one possesses a “gift” or more properly a “curse” like this, “normal” is a thing found only in stories.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

BETTY THE FIREFLY by Marie-Claire Tetteh_A GMTA review

Betty the Firefly by Marie-Claire Tetteh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review of Betty the Firefly

A heartwarming, touching, and inspiring collection of seven educational stories, told in the form of interactions of Betty the Firefly with insects, animals, fish, and other creatures, this little book is suitable for both children and elders. Middle-graders (or younger with advanced reading skills) can read these stories for themselves, and their brevity makes them suitable for parents and grands to read to younger children as bedtime stories. The main point of this book is to awareness and validation of feelings, and the short stories (and tag lines at the end of each) help to reveal the point of each parable-story. Each ends on a positive and uplifting note, giving hope and encouragement to readers (and the story’s characters as well!)

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WOUNDED PREY by Sean Lynch_Review

Wounded Prey by Sean Lynch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Disturbing and unsettling topic; but deeply-characterized, good understanding of psychology, well-written.

Review of Wounded Prey by Sean Lynch
5 stars

I reviewed a complimentary e-book copy provided in return for my fair and impartial review.

It’s not too uncommon to find a good novel, but it is more rare to come upon a novel as absorbing as this one, where reading it causes the external environment to drop away and time to pass without noting it. “Wounded Prey” is a very disturbing, graphic, violent, terrifying novel; but it is a novel that deserves a wide readership. Author Sean Lynch has the background in law enforcement to know the nature of his plotting; but even more importantly, he is an excellent writer. “Wounded Prey” so riveted me that I could not set it aside, but simply had to read on to find out the unfolding denouement. Psychologically and legally, the characters and plot are well-grounded, and unfortunately all too plausible. I do have to caution that this novel deals with violence, with sexual offenses against children and adults, and with horrible child abuse, and heavy substance abuse; so readers who are sensitive may wish to skip this one. I consider it not just worth the initial reading, but worthy of re-reading as well. I look for more from author Sean Lynch, as he has become a must-read author for me.

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Thursday, April 4, 2013

APRIL KINDLE FIRE GIVEAWAY!

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7″ Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7″ HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International).

Ends 4/30/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DEAD INSIDER by Victoria Houston_Review

Dead Insider by Victoria Houston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Apparently, this is 23th in a series, "Loon Lake Mystery." Means I have a lot to catch up on.:)

Review of Dead Insider by Victoria Houston
5 stars
This is the 13th in a series, the Loon Lake Mysteries, set in Northern Wisconsin, a land of lakes and firs, cold winters, beautiful summers, and isolation from big city confines. Loon Lake, a community, has 300 lakes within its town limits. Chief of Police is Lewellyn Ferris, a strong but lovable individual, deeply involved in a steady relationship with Dr. Osborne, retired dentist and odontology consultant to the Loon Lake force. Additional important characters in this mystery are Ray, a thirty-two-year old tracker, fishing guide, and close friend of Doc’s; Kaye Lund, a woman with a tragic past who has been friends (and formerly babysitter) for Jane, daughter of the late Senator, a very wealthy woman, and candidate for her deceased father’s Senate post; and Lauren Cantrell, the willful and controlling campaign manager.

I won’t spoil the plot, except to say that this is a murder mystery. and therefore does contain some gory forensic detail. However, in this era of CSI, court documentaries, and forensic documentary series, most readers will not find this too much. Author Victoria Houston has a flair for demonstrating the scenic background, the locals (and the outsiders, such as Lauren and Kenton, the current friend and colleague of Doc’s elder daughter Mallory), and of fleshing out her protagonists and secondary characters. Additionally, the mystery itself is tautly plotted, and contains certain twists and denouements which will intrigue and gratify readers who “love a good mystery.”

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GIVEAWAY! 100 COPIES OF "EDEN" By JANELLE STALDER

Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12376605-eden

Description of Eden:

Trapped within the cruel world of hormones and bullies, fifteen-year-old Aiden is convinced life has more to offer him. His instincts are proven correct on the night he is awakened by a voice calling to him from outside his window. As he sleepily peers into his yard, his eyes slowly focus on a woman who says she is there to take him to Eden. Aiden is about to fulfill the life purpose he never knew he had.

It is in Eden, a land on the brink of war, where Aiden will finally learn to trust himself and those around him. Accompanied by Wolf, his sidekick Logan, and the beautiful archer, Elisa, Aiden is soon thrust into a battle to save Eden. Meanwhile Elisa, the only girl in the King's Army, is in the midst of her own struggles. Betrothed to a man she has no intention of marrying, Elisa is caught between the need to prove herself and her desire for true happiness. And now that she has met Aiden, she is more confused than ever.

In this action-packed fantasy tale, romance, adventure, and intrigue surround Aiden as he learns just what he is capable of when he discovers confidence and courage.

About the Author:

Janelle Stalder was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario. At an early age she developed a love for literature. Her debut novel, Eden, was the first book in a series of four, released in September of 2011. The second book, Eden-West, was released in July of 2012, and the third book, Eden-South was released in March of 2013. The fourth book of the Eden Series, Eden-East, will be release at the end of 2013. She is a strong supporter of other indie authors, and loves to interact with her readers. When she’s not writing, Janelle is at home with her husband, two children, Aiden and Elora, and her two furry children, Alice and Lily. She now resides in the small town of Orangeville, Ontario in her old, possibly haunted, century home.

Visit her blog at janellestalder.tumblr.com for updates on her books, and follow her on Twitter at @jmstalder.

The Eden Series can be purchased on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and most other major retailers where books are sold.

Author Links

Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter (@jmstalder) | Tumblr

Goodreads Links for The Eden Series:

Eden

Eden-West

Eden-South

Eden 100 Giveaway Press Release

Author Janelle Stalder

Contact: Jennifer Smith, shareAread Publicist

jennifer@shareAread.com

100 copy Eden Giveaway Information:

We are currently holding a fantastic and huge giveaway to celebrate Janelle joining shareAread! Please post the html code below on your blog for all your readers to enter and possibly win a digital copy of Eden!

All you have to do is copy and paste the HTML code into your HTML window on your post editor window and then post!

If you have any problems with this process or need help, just let me know and I will do everything I can to help you out!

HTML code:

Announcement from shareAread!!

We are thrilled to announce that the amazing

Janelle Stalder has become a part of the shareAread Family. So in order to

celebrate this event we are launching a huge giveaway.

shareAread and Janelle Stalder are giving away

100 copies, yes!!! You read that right

100 E-copies of Eden by Janelle Stalder

(Eden #1)

This means that there are going to be

100 winners!!!!!

What do we ask in exchange, well all you have to do is fill the always useful raffle at the bottom and if you win a copy that you give it a super honest review!!!!