Now in My Bookbag: Aurora Sky Vampire Hunter, by Nikki Jefford

I find this story entertaining and enjoyable. I can see touches of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in Aurora, but there is a genuine imaginative creation here as well.

The book certainly starts with a bang, and takes a Twilight Zone type turn from there. The progression of the plot is, at times, a bit erratic. There are some elements that seem extraneous. The main story holds its own without them.

The main characters are well conceptualized, some mysterious and/or creepy. Aurora is smart, sassy, and funny. However, she is a little slow figuring out situations sometimes. Fane is a somewhat tragic hero. The feeling that I get from him is that he is good to the core. I can’t help but wonder whether or not the others within this orbit are who and/or what they seem.

I look forward to digging into book two. 3 1/2 stars

Now in My Bookbag: In This Life, by Christine Brae

What a beautifully written, emotional rollercoaster! The story is wonderfully imagined. The feelings expressed, and drawn from me, are beyond compelling. It has been a very long time since a book has affected me to my core. The story is poignant, touching, and tear-jerking. I could not put this down.

The characters are perfectly imperfect. There is a lot of love, a lot of hurt, and a lot of grief. I never thought it possible to be happy for a character, while also being disgusted with them. Getting inside the heads of both Anna and Jude is very enlightening, though adding the point of view of Dante would add to the depth of the story.

I consider myself very lucky to have found this magnificent book. I am enamored of this story, and its author, Christine Brae. I look forward to finding more of her books, and I recommend this story to readers of contemporary books. 6 stars… (5 stars)

https://www.amazon.com/This-Life-Christine-Brae-ebook/dp/B019HXWKVC/https://www.amazon.com/This-Life-Christine-Brae-ebook/dp/B019HXWKVC/

Now in My Bookbag: Ties That Bind, by Debbie White

The publisher of this work provided, through NetGalley, a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Author Debbie White has written a story that has an interesting plot. The events depicted are fairly easy to follow, and the details understandable. The main character, Patsy, takes us on an incredible journey through her life story.

There are many ups and downs throughout. The potential to connect with the segment of readers who are adopted, or know only one birth parent, presents during Patsy and Charles’ expedition to investigate Patsy’s true lineage. The last fourth of the book, or so, elicits several emotions, and offers plenty of opportunity for tears. This is the part of the book that provides the strongest connection to most readers.

However, there is much work to be done on the punctuation… especially commas. There are a very many places that are missing appropriate commas, plagued with too many commas, or a comma is simply inserted at the wrong place. The book needs another proofread. Also, a few of the sentences need restructuring, and the flow needs a bit of work. I am sure that another edit can rectify these concerns.

I like the concept of the book. I love the focus on family. There is an honesty concerning topics like depression, child neglect, and the search for biological connections to the past, and it is very refreshing. I can also appreciate White’s attention to detail on the realities of aging, care taking, and death of a loved one.

With some tweaking, this can be a great book, rather than a good read.  3 1/2 Stars

Now in My Bookbag: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

This is a good book that is engaging and, at times, exciting. Young’s story about Jocelyn, an emotionally stunted woman, is very well-told.

Jocelyn is very good at staying numb and detached from anything meaningful. Upon meeting Braden and Ellie on Dublin Street, she finds that her walls are not as impenetrable as she thinks.

The progression of the book is, at times, a bit choppy as it jumps in time back and forth. In the end though, it does not hinder the evolution of the story.

This is woven well and makes for a stirring read. Young explores a few of the many definitions of emotional suffering.  It is thought provoking in its examination of loss, and the potential effects of that loss. Young’s storytelling captivates and enchants until the end.

This is a 4 star book and is highly recommended.

Now in My Bookbag: Promises (Timeless Series Book 2) by Lisa L Wiedmeier

This is another well-written story in the continuation of Cheyenne’s journey. This one is a more difficult read because Wiedmeier does not spare the heartbreaking moments.

Cheyenne must learn the hard way that sometimes growing pains have expensive consequences. Her quest for the space to ‘find herself’ turns truly tragic and, just like that, the entire mood of the story changes.

Although Promises has a bit more angst throughout, this second book of the Timeless series is well told. I felt light, love, hope and the shell-shocked version of tragedy. This story is worth the tears I shed over it, and I gladly surrender many Kleenexes to the cause.

I am interested to see where the series goes from here.

4.25 of 5 stars

Now in My Bookbag: Cheyenne (A Timeless Series Novel) by Lisa L Wiedmeier

This is a novel I have had for a while. I keep setting it aside so I can read new releases by authors I already follow… I should have started it sooner. This is a great concept from the very beginning. The characters are very likable, the interactions are fluid and the heroine is sassy (if a little young to handle the sum total of her world).

Cheyenne is leery that any kind of relationship can last. She has had no lasting connection to anyone in life except her parents. She begins to feel a connection to her best friend’s family. Then, one truth that comes to light, and she is ready to turn her back and run.

I really love Wiedmeier’s writing style. She gives enough description to visualize the scene, but uses most of her prose to advance the plot and keep my interest. I am not a big fan of books in which half of the prose is dedicated to flowery, overdone, extensive descriptive terms.

CHEYENNE is an awesome book. It has heart, humor and love. I look forward to the rest of the series. 5 of 5 stars.

Now in My Bookbag: Toxic Part Two (Celestra Series 7.5) by Addison Moore

“They say death comes for you once and no more, and then you dissolve to bones, disintegrate from the memory of the world and cease to exist forever.” (Skyla Messenger, Toxic Part Two by Addison Moore)

This is a story about love, loss, destiny and death. Only one who is brave, strong, committed and pure as gold can face the fire. Only true love lends the willingness to sacrifice everything. Skyla’s life is very complicated and becoming more so as the series progresses. Her home life is crazy and produces some laugh out loud humor.

Although Moore crafts an intricate love life for Skyla, the level of angst is almost too much. I also feel that the amount of descriptive prose is lengthy enough to need additional editing. With an eye for paring down to the essential descriptions, Toxic can, I believe, be edited to one book.

Having said all of that, I did enjoy the ideas, the action, the humor, the concept of destiny and the heart of acceptance.

“This is the moment in my life for love and for death.” (Skyla Messenger)