The Dry Bones Society Trilogy by Dan Sofer - Book Review

Description:

YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE? 

He lost everything. His wife. His job. His clothes. Oh, and his life.

When he wakes up, naked and alone, in the Mount of Olives Cemetery, Moshe Karlin finds that the afterlife is not what he had expected.

The doomsday prophecies of the Hebrew Bible are coming true, but why does everyone seem to want him dead?

He’ll have to work very hard to win back his old life… and his wife. Along the way, he’ll make some new friends and dangerous enemies, and discover that perhaps his first life wasn’t so perfect after all. But there’s more.

Just when he thought his life was over, Destiny has more in store for him than he could ever imagine: the shocking secret to peace in the Middle East and the end of History…


My Thoughts:
Wow. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but the description sounded interesting so I thought I’d give it a try. I loved it. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop. A man wakes up in a cemetery and finds out that he died two years ago. Why is he back? What’s he going to do now? This book explores the Jewish religion, but at its core it’s a story about people. That’s what kept me reading. The pace was good and kept moving right alone, and the twists kept coming. I was satisfied with the ending but I can’t wait to read the next book. I want to find out more.

My Rating: *****

Where to get it: (Free with Prime until July 1st. Free on KU)

Description:
HE DEFEATED DEATH. WILL HE BEAT BUREAUCRACY? 

Rooms at the Dry Bones Society are filling up as more and more Israelis leave their graves to rejoin the living. But not everyone is happy to see them.

When Moshe Karlin stands up for their rights, his quest for a brighter future leads through a minefield of treacherous politicians and brutal criminals. Will he usher in an era of peaceful Utopia or trigger a civil war?
THE JEWISH MESSIAH IS HERE. HE DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE… 

Elsewhere in Jerusalem, a recovering prophet hides his apocalyptic delusions, a scientist unearths the shocking secret to peace in the Middle East, and a lovesick suicide bomber wanders the streets in search of his own personal redemption.

In the midst of it all, one chronic latecomer is on everyone's mind—the Messiah!

My Thoughts:
This continues the story from book 1. All of the characters from the first book are back. The resurrected are dealing with the realities of having a second life. The Dry Bones Society is dealing with new resurrected. Moshe ends up getting involved in politics in order to stand up for the rights of the resurrected. Another one I couldn't put down. Can't wait to see where things go in the next book.

My Rating: ****

Where to get it: 

Description:
WORLD WAR III IS THE LEAST OF HIS PROBLEMS…

The final novel in the award-winning Dry Bones Society trilogy.

Everyone knows Moshe Karlin is the Messiah. Except for Moshe Karlin.

As he wields his newfound political power to fix Israeli society, natural disasters—and some very unnatural disasters—devastate the Holy Land and turn his plans to dust.

World War III inches nearer and the planet’s fate dangles by a thread. With time running out until the End of History, Moshe must overcome unimaginable obstacles and diabolic opponents to fulfill his destiny… and uncover the shocking truth of the long-awaited Redemption!

Elsewhere in Jerusalem, a lovesick suicide bomber gets a lucky break, a reformed criminal makes a devastating decision, and a broken prophet defies death one last time.

THE EXPLOSIVE FINALE TO AN AWARD-WINNING SERIES

My Thoughts:

An exciting and satisfying ending to the Dry Bones Society trilogy. I'm going to be vague to avoid giving away any plot points. Jumping between several plot lines and characters, there was not a dull moment in this book. You definitely need to start from book one to get to know all of the characters and what is going on. This book is full of twists and moments that I had no idea how things were going to work out. Kept me guessing to the very end. A very satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend this trilogy.

My Rating: *****

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Review: Playing With Fire by Tess Gerritsen

Description:
A beautiful violinist is haunted by a very old piece of music she finds in a strange antique shop in Rome.

The first time Julia Ansdell picks up The Incendio Waltz, she knows it’s a strikingly unusual composition. But while playing the piece, Julia blacks out and awakens to find her young daughter implicated in acts of surprising violence. And when she travels to Venice to find the previous owner of the music, she uncovers a dark secret that involves dangerously powerful people—a family who would stop at nothing to keep Julia from bringing the truth to light.


My Thoughts:
This is such a well-told story. It just drew me in and I just had to keep reading to find out where things would lead. It was very suspenseful. The story line goes back and forth between past and present. Eventually the reason becomes clear. I did not foresee the direction the story went. It was very moving. There is some history here that was very sad. I highly recommend this one. I loved it.

My Rating: *****


My Source: NetGalley



Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes


Where to find the author:

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Review: Scents and Sensibility by Spencer Quinn

Description:
When a mysterious case of illegal cactus smuggling comes to their attention, Chet and his human P.I. companion, Bernie Little, find themselves in a prickly situation in this eighth book in the New York Timesbestselling mystery series.

In the latest entry in the immensely popular Chet and Bernie mystery series, Private Investigator Bernie Little and his canine companion Chet return home to encounter some alarming developments. First off, Bernie's wall safe normally hidden behind the waterfall picture in the office is gone, and with it Bernie's grandfather's watch, their most valuable possession. And next door, old Mr. Parsons is under investigation for being in possession of a saguaro cactus illegally transplanted from the desert. Bernie and Chet go deep into the desert to investigate. Is it possible that such a lovely old couple have a terrible secret in their past?

Chet and Bernie discover bad things going on in the wilderness, far worse that cactus smuggling, and all connected to a strange but innocent-seeming desert festival called Arrow Bright. They unearth leads that take them back to a long-ago kidnapping that may not have been a kidnapping and threaten a ruthless and charismatic criminal with a cult following, a criminal who sees at once what Chet and Bernie mean to each other and knows how to exploit it.

Every bit as insightful (Booklist), humorous (Library Journal), and deliciously addictive (Publishers Weekly, starred review) as Quinn's previous books, Scents and Sensibility is a drool-worthy mystery that will have readers everywhere begging for more.

My Thoughts:
I can't believe this is only the second book I've read in this series. I love a good P.I. mystery, but what makes this series unique is that it is from the point of view of Chet the dog. He's not the most reliable narrator, but he is an entertaining one.


My Rating: *****


My Source: NetGalley


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes 


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Goodreads

Review: Alone (The Girl in the Box #1) by Robert J. Crane

Description:
Sienna Nealon was a 17 year-old girl who had been held prisoner in her own house by her mother for twelve years. Then one day her mother vanished, and Sienna woke up to find two strange men in her home. On the run, unsure of who to turn to and discovering she possesses mysterious powers, Sienna finds herself pursued by a shadowy agency known as the Directorate and hunted by a vicious, bloodthirsty psychopath named Wolfe, each of which is determined to capture her for their own purposes...

My Thoughts:
After finishing this, my first thought was that I'm glad there are 9 more books in the series. This is a great start. I was intrigued from chapter 1. There is a ton of action, suspense, and plenty of twists. There is some definite mystery that will likely take time to unfold. Sienna is an interesting character who can certainly take care of herself. There are so many questions left to explore. I'm hooked. 

My Rating: *****

*Notes: Language

My Source: Kindle freebie 


Where to get it:
(Books 1-3 are currently FREE)
Amazon 
Other formats
Where to find the author:

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ReviewCourt of Nightfall: Nightfall Chronicles 1 by Karpov Kinrade

Description:
I've spent my life in shades of grey. It wasn't until I died that my world filled with color.

That night, I still lived in black and white. There was a full moon. Full and looking as if it had been rolled in powdered sugar then plopped back into the sky, so that a white dusting shone around it like a halo.

I've never believed in monsters, or any of that nonsense. Never believed that the dark could be scary. Until that night. Now I know the truth, but it is shrouded with lies. Now I can see the world in color, but it is covered in shadows. Now, I must find the monster that killed my parents. And when I do, I will use my new powers to seek vengeance. A life for the lives that beast stole from me. I am no longer just Scarlett Night, the color-blind girl who dreams of flying.

Now, I am Nightfall—a fallen angel with a lust for blood. And I shall have my revenge.

This is volume 1 of a 6 book volume Chronicle, which is the first in the Nightfall Chronicles.

My Thoughts:
This is the first book of a new series and I am hooked. Scarlett is 18 years old and trying to get her pilot's license, which isn't easy to do when you're color blind. Suddenly her entire life changes. Now she is all about revenge and adjusting to the way things are now. She doesn't know who she can trust anymore, so she trusts no one. The world was easy to get into and there was plenty of action. There were twists around every corner, making me race through the pages. I loved this book and was left wanting more. Can't wait for the next book!


My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: n/a
*Notes: Fighting and some blood, but otherwise clean.

My Source: author's representative


Where to get it: 

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo


Where to find the author:

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Review: Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

Description:
It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. 

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but the also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage--in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education. 
Set in the same world as the Parasol Protectorate, this YA series debut is filled with all the saucy adventure and droll humor Gail's legions of fans have come to adore. 

My Thoughts:
This was a highly entertaining read. Sophronia's mother sends her off to finishing school, but it's not the  type of finishing school she was expecting. I loved the witty humor and the characters. There's even a little mechanimal dog. And the sheer absurdity of girls learning how to flutter eyelashes and curtsy along side classes in poisoning is just entertaining. Overall a fun read. Probably more enjoyable for younger readers, but I have to say that I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Sophronia and company's exploits.


My Rating: ****
Steam Factor: n/a

My Source: Netgalley


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review: Real Santa by William Hazelgrove

Description:
George Kronenfeldt is an unemployed engineer with one shot to keep his daughters belief in Santa intact. When Megan tells him the only way she will believe in Santa is if she can videotape him and then tells her fourth grade class she will prove the existence of Santa Claus by posting her video to YouTube, George realizes he must become the Real Santa. He devises a plan to land nine reindeer on his roof and go down his chimmney, hiring a broken down movie director who eventually has him funding a full scale production that bankrupts him and and threatens his marriage. When George goes to find the Real Santa to help him, the line between what is real and magic is crossed. Real Santa is a funny heartwarming story of parenthood gone wrong and illuminates what lengths parents will go to keep their children happy.

My Thoughts:

Things aren't going well for George when he finds out his 9 year old daughter is starting to not believe in Santa. Unless she gets some empirical evidence, she is done. But George, who is an engineer, is willing to go to drastic lengths to ensure his little girl believes for a while longer. And he has less than two weeks to pull it off.

As a parent, I could understand wanting your children to not grow up so fast, to believe in magic for as long as possible. I knew where George was coming from and I could sympathize. I was rooting for him. This is a very engaging story that pulled me in from the first page. The characters are so real with their flaws and hopes. A very readable story and one that I recommend. Especially if you like stories with humor and a little holiday magic. 

My Rating: *****


My Source: author


Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Google+  | Amazon

Review: Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman

Description:
With a career, a boyfriend, and a loving family, Piper Kerman barely resembles the reckless young woman who delivered a suitcase of drug money ten years before. But that past has caught up with her. Convicted and sentenced to fifteen months at the infamous federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut, the well-heeled Smith College alumna is now inmate #11187–424—one of the millions of people who disappear “down the rabbit hole” of the American penal system. From her first strip search to her final release, Kerman learns to navigate this strange world with its strictly enforced codes of behavior and arbitrary rules. She meets women from all walks of life, who surprise her with small tokens of generosity, hard words of wisdom, and simple acts of acceptance. Heartbreaking, hilarious, and at times enraging, Kerman’s story offers a rare look into the lives of women in prison—why it is we lock so many away and what happens to them when they’re there.


My Thoughts:
I don't read a lot of memoirs. I only picked this up because I watched the show on Netflix. I didn't realize at first that it was based on a book, but when I did I was curious. I'm glad I watched the show first, or I might have been upset over how much the show deviated from the book. I realize, though that it takes a lot to keep a television series interesting. There is actually quite a bit that was taken straight from the book. Many of the characters and events in the show were at least inspired by something that occurred in the book.
I enjoyed the book. Piper explains what she did to land herself in prison and recounts her experiences there. She makes many observations of how the rules don't seem all that fair, and how race and class seem to play a big factor in how people are treated in the justice system. She also discusses how little is done for the women who eventually are released and she realizes how lucky she is to have so many resources. This book was eye-opening and very easy to read.


My Rating:  *****
Steam Factor: n/a
*Notes: Some language.

My Source: library

Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes


Where to find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review: Shepherd's Gambit by Alec Houze

Description:

The economy has fallen apart. With it so, too, has the country. Walls have been built up as the businesses, and the cities they called home, crumble. Jonathan Monroe, however, is doing just fine. He is a cleaner–a man whose task is to clear out the abandoned buildings that are becoming more and more prevalent. But a bar, that is not a bar, is the beginning of an explanation, and might help him understand why he woke up half-frozen underneath an interstate overpass.

My Thoughts:
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading, but I'm afraid to say too much because I don't want to spoil anything. The story centers around Jonathan, a man who remembers nothing about his past. He just lives his day-to-day life smoking cigarettes and cleaning buildings. The slow pace of this story lends to the mysterious vibe. I was unsure where the story was going, but I couldn't help wanting to read more to try to figure it out. There is some action as the story progresses, but overall it is a story that makes you think. I enjoyed it. 

My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: n/a
Notes: Some language, some gore


My Source: author

Where to get it:

Amazon | B&N | BAM!


Where to find the author:

Amazon | WiLoveBooks Interview

Review: The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon

Description:

A dystopian novel for the digital age, The Word Exchange offers an inventive, suspenseful, and decidedly original vision of the dangers of technology and of the enduring power of the printed word.

In the not-so-distant future, the forecasted “death of print” has become a reality. Bookstores, libraries, newspapers, and magazines are things of the past, and we spend our time glued to handheld devices called Memes that not only keep us in constant communication but also have become so intuitive that they hail us cabs before we leave our offices, order takeout at the first growl of a hungry stomach, and even create and sell language itself in a marketplace called the Word Exchange.

Anana Johnson works with her father, Doug, at the North American Dictionary of the English Language (NADEL), where Doug is hard at work on the last edition that will ever be printed. Doug is a staunchly anti-Meme, anti-tech intellectual who fondly remembers the days when people used email (everything now is text or videoconference) to communicate—or even actually spoke to one another, for that matter. One evening, Doug disappears from the NADEL offices, leaving a single written clue: ALICE. It’s a code word he devised to signal if he ever fell into harm’s way. And thus begins Anana’s journey down the proverbial rabbit hole . . .

Joined by Bart, her bookish NADEL colleague, Anana’s search for Doug will take her into dark basements and subterranean passageways; the stacks and reading rooms of the Mercantile Library; and secret meetings of the underground resistance, the Diachronic Society. As Anana penetrates the mystery of her father’s disappearance and a pandemic of decaying language called “word flu” spreads, The Word Exchange becomes a cautionary tale that is at once a technological thriller and a meditation on the high cultural costs of digital technology.

My Thoughts:
I thought the concept for this book was intriguing. Paper books are basically obsolete. People are dependent on their hand-held devices and even pay for the definitions to words. Anana works at the Dictionary with her father Doug but he is suddenly missing and she is pulled into a mystery. Language lovers will appreciate this story. It was a big slow to start, though and jumped around quite a bit and became a little tough to follow at times. 

The footnotes were frustrating. They were bits of information that could have been put into the story or left out completely. The navigation back and forth didn't work at all on my phone and was hit-and-miss on my iPad. Overall it was an interesting story with some unexpected twists and kept me reading.

My Rating: ****
*Notes: Language

My Source: Netgalley

Where to get it:


Where to find the author:
Website
Random House
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Goodreads

Review: Consequences (Chronicles of M Book 4) by Nicholas Forristal

Description:
Roughly ten years have gone by since the death of A'loc and the unexpected public demonstration from M and Thomas. M, now a minor TV celebrity, is finding out there's more to being a star than just fans and with every turn a new danger lurks. New, blood thirsty mutants attack M at every chance, strange investigations in other countries and a psychopathic mass murderer are just a few examples.

Who are the BLB and why are they so intent on killing M? Why has nothing happened with the Lords and who, or what is a Domitianus? There's never a dull day in the life of M.

My Thoughts:
M on a talk show. I was hooked right there. I have enjoyed this series and this book is no exception. There are new and interesting characters, as well as old favorites. This book has Thomas, magic, zombies, Mai and Oni, and a five man midget death squad from Scotland. It is not necessary to have read the other books, but I recommend it. And this one is definitely not the end. There is death, mayhem, action, and humor. It was a fun read and I'm looking forward to book 5.

My Rating: *****
*Notes: Language

My Source: author

Where to get it:


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Goodreads

Guest Review: Keeping My Balance by Stephanie Torreno

Today's review is written by author Lilia Fabry.

Description:

In 1973, complications during Stephanie Torreno’s birth resulted in the diagnosis of cerebral palsy at the age of one. Educating themselves about the condition, Stephanie’s parents sought intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy for their daughter. These therapies in early childhood and throughout school assisted Stephanie in learning to walk and speak while having limited mobility, significant challenges with fine motor skills, and articulation difficulties. 

Stephanie’s narrative chronicles her experiences growing up with a physical disability and her parents’ advocacy for her, an above-average student, in receiving a mainstreamed education. She describes learning alongside typical classmates without handwriting ability and her parents’ continuous fight for academic modifications and individualized services. 

In a deeply personal memoir, Stephanie writes about traumatic family events, including her father’s suicide. She illustrates her pursuits to become more independent while coping with additional loss. Stephanie takes readers through her quest to obtain a college education, her attempts to gain meaningful employment, and her emotional journey to live independently.

My Thoughts:

Whenever I hear the term “memoir” used in non-fiction, I immediately think “whine-a-thon” even if the subject matter is whine-worthy. While I don’t mind getting bummed from reading, I also require a balance of joy and laugher keeping in some sort of step with sorrow and tears.

Stephanie does not fail to deliver to a reader like me. Her narrative reads more like something that happened to you rather than a story being told by a stranger. You step as she does, laugh as she does, feel devastation as she does, and above all, persevere with her. Stephanie’s trials are those we all experience: school, growing pains, family issues, aging parents, and the changes we do and don’t see coming. She takes them on with a contagious humility. 

Additionally, cerebral palsy forces Stephanie to type with a single finger, yet she uses her whole heart for the rest.

My Rating: ****

Where to get it: 

About the author:

Stephanie Torreno graduated from Houston Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and technical writing. Her work included numerous online articles exploring education, special education, and mental health topics. She also wrote an online newsletter for supported employment professionals focused on obtaining work for individuals with disabilities.

Where to find the author:

Website

Twitter

Goodreads 

Lilia’s Bio:

L. Fabry attended the University of Houston where she was overwhelmed by the talent of her faculty and peers. She now writes about everything from reaction injection molding to sex robots in between indulging her need for creative outlets including novels and screenplays.

In her new novel, “Ordinance 93 ,” a law prevents births without government permission, and four people are about to break it. Find out more about it and L. Fabry on www.lfabry.com.

Review: Hitori by Nicholas Forristal

Hitori by Nicholas Forristal

Description:
In the 8th century, Bishamon, Japanese god of war sends his initiate back to Earth. She is to prove her worth by doing the job that she has trained so long for, to defend Japan and its people from the evils of the world. This is her story.
 
My Thoughts:
I loved this. It is a fast-paced, historical fantasy adventure story with lots of action and mythical creatures. A well-told story that really puts you in the time period, without bogging you down with too many details. A great story if you haven't read Chronicles of M. But if you have, it gives you some background on a certain strange warrior woman who has an odd relationship with her sword. I just keep thinking how many years there are between the end of this story and Chronicles of M...

My Rating: *****

My Source: author

Where to get it:


Where to find the author:
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Facebook
Google+
Goodreads

Review: The Golden Crystal by Nick Thacker

The Golden Crystal by Nick Thacker

Description:
In 1791, two men began planning the layout for the nation’s capitol city. One is shunned and resigns in disgrace, and the other is all but forgotten. Years later, an original copy of the plans–long thought to have been destroyed– is found, with hastily marked notations by Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.

During the second World War, American military scientists discover some fascinating properties of the hydrogen atom and its link to an ancient mystical number. The exact findings are never published, but a national laboratory is built in 1943 to further their research in covert silence. America is told it is a defense project, code-named ‘The Manhattan Project.’

An ego-maniacal entrepreneur and his company, Vilocorp, will stop at nothing to build the “perfect” human specimen. His firm’s research has been getting closer every day, but they seem to have uncovered a horrific, ancient secret that has been locked away for thousands of years.

Now, it’s up to Bryce to understand the mystery surrounding the events and ancient symbolism before Vilocorp unleashes a hellish fury upon the earth; one that hasn’t been seen for ages…

My Thoughts:
The concept is interesting with a mysterious and potentially dangerous substance that has been hidden and now everyone is trying to find.  I had a little trouble following at first. There are a lot of characters and the story jumps around quite a bit. As the story picks up, we end up traveling the world following clues to find the mysterious crystal. There is lots of action as Bryce ends up in the center of things, trying to make sure the crystal doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

My Rating: ****
*Notes: Blood and gore.

My Source: author

Where to get it:


Where to find the author:
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Google+
Amazon

Review: The Barber's Conundrum by John Hartnett

The Barber's Conundrum and Other Stories by John Hartnett

Description:
The Barber's Conundrum and Other Stories is more than just a collection of thirty-seven short literary humor pieces that will make you laugh. It provides a treasure trove of tips and invaluable advice to help you navigate safely through marriage and relationships, raising kids and to finally understand the more peculiar aspects of day to day living that up until now, had been tossed into a big heap as just another one of God's mysteries. For example, did you ever wonder why weather reporters continue to stand in the middle of raging hurricanes to tell us what hurricanes are like when everybody else already knows what hurricanes are like? Did you ever wonder why people stop their cars in the middle of the street to let geese walk past even though geese have been flying long before Cro- Magnon Man was in knee pants? Did you ever think that if aliens do exist on our planet, most of them work in customer service? They do! All of that, and more is in the book, so what do you say? At $8.99, you're guaranteed to receive at least $10.50 worth of terrific advice and life extending laughter, which as we know is the best medicine, and there's never a co-pay with laughter so you're up well over $20 already and this is only the back cover. Think of the possibilities to save when you read the whole thing.

My Thoughts:
An entertaining, light-hearted read. Full of funny stories, amusing musings, and humorous observations. The stories are very relatable. Especially if you are married or have kids. For me, this was perfect for reading a few stories in between longer books.

My Rating: ****
Notes: Clean and appropriate for all ages.

My Source: author

Where to get it:

Where to find the author:
Website
Goodreads

WiLoveBooks Interview

Review: Rain on your Wedding Day by Curtis Edmonds

Rain on your Wedding Day by Curtis Edmonds

Description:
Will Morse lives alone in a remote cabin in the mountains north of Atlanta, grieving over the loss of two of his daughters and the collapse of his marriage and career.

Over Christmas, Will receives a visit from his only remaining child, his daughter Alicia, who broke off contact with him five years ago. Alicia informs Will that she’s getting married in the spring, and asks him to attend the wedding.

Alicia’s wedding is an opportunity for Will to reconnect with his family and regain part of what he has lost. But Will struggles with his still-raw emotions over his role in his daughter Trixie’s suicide.

Will tries to reach out to the few women in his life to find a date, and makes an unexpected connection with Dorothy Crawford, a writer who shows up at his door, seeking directions. Will develops feelings for Dorothy, but finds that she has secrets of her own.

As the wedding nears, Will must find a way to put the pain and guilt he feels Trixie’s death behind him, weigh the pain he feels at Dorothy’s betrayal with his own need for forgiveness, and pull himself together for his daughter’s sake.

RAIN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY is a poignant, wrenching story about a father’s love, a daughter’s compassion, and the universal need for forgiveness and redemption.

My Thoughts:
Will is retired and lives alone. He hasn't seen his daughter since his divorce from her mother 5 years earlier until she shows up to invite him to her wedding. This serves to snap him back into the real world and he finds himself dealing with his unresolved issues involving the loss of his three children, especially the daughter who committed suicide. This is a well written and emotional book. A story of loss, grief, guilt, and moving on. Well worth the read.

My Rating: *****

My Source: author

Where to get it:


About the Author:
Curtis Edmonds is a writer and attorney living in central New Jersey. His work has appeared in McSweeney's Internet Tendency, Untoward Magazine, Liberty Island, The Big Jewel, Yankee Pot Roast, and National Review Online. His book reviews appear on the Bookreporter website.

Where to find the author:
Website
Twitter
Goodreads

**WLB interview

Audio Review: Dark Before Dawn by Stacy Juba

Dark Before Dawn by Stacy Juba

Description:
When teen psychic Dawn Christian gets involved with a fortuneteller mentor and two girls who share her mysterious talents, she finally belongs after years of being a misfit. When she learns her new friends may be tied to freak accidents in town, Dawn has an important choice to make - continue developing the talent that makes her special or challenge the only people who have ever accepted her.

This novel is aimed at young adults, and at adults who enjoy paranormal YA such as the Twilight series, House of Night, and The Vampire Diaries series, Meg Cabot’s The Mediator series, or Lois Duncan books.

My Thoughts:
Dawn is adjusting to a new home, new school and new family. Her mom doesn't want anyone, including her new step-father and step-brother to know about her abnormality. Her psychic ability has kept her from having friends in the past and she is hoping to start over. Events occur that once again make her an outcast, but she is able to find some friends that have the same type of talents. Finally she fits in, but her inner voice is telling her to stay away. And for good reason. There are some very common teen issues in this book, but with a paranormal spin. There were a couple of twists that surprised me. An intriguing and mysterious story. I recommend for anyone who enjoys YA paranormals, including older adults.

The narrator for this story was spot-on. She was just right for the part of a 16 year old girl and also did a fantastic job differentiating between the characters, including the males. I was impressed. An enjoyable listen.

My Rating: *****

My Source: author

Where to get it:
Amazon
Audible
B&N
Smashwords
iTunes
Kobo

Where to find the author:
Website
Twitter
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Goodreads

Audio Review: Face-Off by Stacy Juba

Face-Off by Stacy Juba

Description:
Head-to-Head, Skate-to-Skate, It's Winner Takes All! What might have been a dream come true has turned into a nightmare. Brad's twin brother T.J. has gotten himself out of the fancy prep school his father picked for him and into the public high school Brad attends. Now T.J., the bright light in his father's eyes, is a shining new star on the hockey team where Brad once held the spotlight. And he's testing his popularity with Brad's friends, eyeing Brad's girl and competing to be captain of the team. The whole school is rooting for a big double-strength win, not knowing that their twin hockey stars are heating up the ice for a winner takes all face-off.

My Thoughts:
When T.J. has to switch high schools, Brad suddenly has to share his school, his friends, and his hockey team. This is a story about sibling rivalry with realistic family relationships. The hockey parts were easy to follow, even for someone who does not know much about hockey. Readers middle school and up will relate to struggles with family, friends and school. An enjoyable story, and you could really see how both brothers were affected by the situation.

The audio is excellent. The narrator is perfect for this story and he does a great job with the different voices. Overall easy to listen to.


My Rating: *****


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Review: The Path of the Fallen by Dan O'Brien

The Path of the Fallen (Fallen Chronicles #1) by Dan O'Brien

Description:
The world is broken. The coming of the Intelligence pushed the remnants of humanity deep into the tundra. What remained was a vast sea of ice and the machine city, Culouth. E’Malkai Armen, descendent of the Fallen, has been a citizen of Culouth his entire life. A bitter betrayal, and the inception of a war that will destroy millions of lives, forces E’Malkai to confront the past and undertake a pilgrimage that is his by birthright. As he travels to the cold tundra of the north, the realm prepares for war. The Path of the Fallen is a lonely and arduous path, but it must be walked for the sake of all mankind.

My Thoughts:
E'Malkai is 17 years old when suddenly his world is turned upside down, war is threatening to destroy everyone, and they are all counting on him to save them. A fascinating story with an interesting combination of futuristic and more primitive technology. There is a fate-of-the-world quest and plenty of battles. The book is long with lots of backstory, history, people, and places to learn about. I really got into the story, though, and at the end I wanted to find out more.

My Rating: ****
*Notes: War and violence with a high body count but fairly low on blood and gore. No explicit language. 

My Source: author

Where to get it:
Amazon

Where to find the author:
Dan O'Brien
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