Kitty Goes to Washington by Carrie Vaughn

3 out of 5 stars

"We have Beth from Tampa on the line. Hello."

So, this is the second book about Kitty. I said in my review of the fist one that I'm not a huge fan of the series, yet I keep reading it.

In this book Kitty is in Washington (Shocker, I know) at a senate discussion thing about the paranormal.

During the book she starts to spend more time with Ben, the hunter from list books cousin. As he is a lawyer he's been helping her with all this senate stuff.

But, since this is Kitty there's a little more to it! Kitty's been invited to stay at a vampires house during her visit and I must say, this vampire is one of my favorite characters in the series!

We also get to read about a different werewolf… well their not even a pack. I loved seeing that and the author always has an amazing way of bringing mythology into the series with a paranormal spin.

Over all, the story line didn't draw me in as much as the tone this story was told in. I love the characters but the fact that there really is very little romance bothers me. Then again, I'm a romance fan.

Also Kitty still annoys me a little she is more likable . She feels a little whiny still and a little dull.

I love Cormac and wanted to see more of him! Ben on the other hand… I like but I feel like he is a little flat. However it was nice to learn more about the characters and it made me want to keep reading so I can keep learning. 

The other Issue I have about this book is that a major plot point from the last book is resolved and… it was just anticlimactic.

That being said, be sure to stick around for the next book! One of my favorites! 

Gwynneth Ever After by Linda Poitevin

4 out of 5 stars

Gwyn Jacobs stuffed sketchpad and charcoal into her shoulder bag, and then, satisfied she had everything she needed, turned t her baby sitter

Alright! Again, this was something that I wouldn't normally gravitate towards or pick up and go "Yes, I should read this."

I picked it because my mum actually recommended it and I happen to know the author personally!

This story fallows Gwynneth (With two "n"s) as she meets Gareth; a sexy, Irish(?) movie star who is staying with his cousin in the winter… in Canada's capital, Ottawa.

This was a very fun read that I actually finished on a Bus ride to Manitoba. It was light and easy to keep reading. There were kids, and anyone who reads my blog knows I love seeing kids in romance novels! The kids really helped bring the couple together and this book gets added points for being set in a place that I used to live!

In a sense this was a millionaire romance; after all Gareth is a movie star and money does not seem to be an issue for him. But this is also a family story. Gareth doesn't go out of his way to spend on this kids (or Gwynneth) instead the couple focuses on bounding with the kids over chicken pocks, sick days and bedtime stories.

Now, the main conflict is… well I wont spoil it for anyone who wants to read it but it is a silly and could have easily been dealt with via a little communication. So if you're going to read this make sure you can overlook it! Otherwise you probably wont enjoy it.

So yes, I just wasn't feeling the main conflict and but  I really did enjoy this book. It was one of those romances where the heroine spent most of her time trying to deny the hero (because she was worried about how it would affect the kids) and because of that there was so great sexual tension! It was sweet and light. Defiantly something I would suggest for someone who wants a light read.

Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

3 out of 5 stars

I tossed my backpack into a corner of the studio and highfived Rodney on his way out.

This is the first book in a long series about a werewolf named Kitty.

I've read this book probably 3 or 4 times. It's something I really enjoyed the first time… really, really enjoyed actually. But the more I read it the less I enjoy it.

Warning: Kitty is a winey character! She's not always smart and she's kinda… dull. But you know what is great about the book? The hunter who wants to kill her! Of course he doesn't, he comes in as a love interest and he is a GREAT love interest.

The conflict is simple, but good and the story telling draws me in whenever I read anything by the writer. I'm not going to lie to you, it's simple and light- I would tell you to read it if you want something… well with substance.

Honestly, these are very fun books, there are really cool side characters, good mythology and the fact that they are light reads and there are a lot of them is a big plus for me because I like to be able to finish a book in a day. I'm busy and I don't like taking a while to read a book- its why I like light books. I probably would have given the rating 2 stars if not for the series. But you know what? No matter how much I find myself wondering why I read the last book, I still pick up the next one and I'm glad I have because I've found a couple gems from the series.  

Interview with Jen Winters

<B>Why don't you tell us about your latest work?</B>
Kissing Demons is a paranormal romance that reads like an Urban Fantasy.
Here’s the blurb:
<I>Guardian Geneva Archer might be more infamous than famous among the supernaturals in Ft. Worth, but when a sexy werewolf enters her territory, she finds herself face to face with her worst fear: save humanity or save her soulmate? After 800 years of guarding humanity from the things that make your hair stand on end in the dead of night, Geneva Archer is given a two-week vacation to work out her feelings of loneliness and refresh her spirit. With time on her hands, she goes to her favorite club: a place for supernaturals to gather without worrying about human interference. While there, she meets Alex, a compelling werewolf with a demonic side. But instead of blasting him back to hell like her instincts would normally tell her to do, Geneva falls head over heels. For Alex, Geneva is an answer to prayer. She can free him from the most notorious demon walking the earth—his father. Yuruch isn’t interested in his offspring’s life, just his body—the perfect body for a demon to inhabit. With Alex’s body and powers, Yuruch will become nearly invincible, able to wreak his hellish destruction on humanity from an impenetrable fortress. In order to get his hands on Alex, Yuruch kidnaps one of Geneva’s sisters, luring both her and Alex into an ambush. After the botched rescue mission, Alex is possessed by Yuruch, leaving Geneva with a dead sister, a destroyed city and no way to get her soulmate back without giving Yuruch everything he desires. Can Geneva figure out a way to defeat Yuruch and save Alex without sacrificing the very best of humanity in the process? Does she even want to?</i>


<B>What inspired it?</B>
I’ll tell you the tale of my woes…
My first husband left me with our 8 month old, stranded 800 miles from home. At least he had the decency to leave me with my parents. I honestly had zero marketable skills, but I was a decent writer, even been published an academic journal. I love paranormal romance and decided I could write one and maybe pull myself up out the gutter he’d left me in.

The Guardians came out of a choice to write a specific genre. I created my world through a lot of research and basic knowledge about ancient near eastern mythology. After three very rough drafts of Kissing Demons I finally, five years later, had a product I felt comfortable selling.

Is there something you are currently working on?
I am currently working on the second Guardian book, Falling Angels.


<B>Is there a topic you would like to write about but haven't gotten around to yet?</b>I’m trying to get ready to write a story with my BFF. She recently told me that she wanted to write with me again, and I agreed we should. She is currently in the process of independently publishing using a small press publisher, but once she has that under control, we are going to put our pen to New Adult and try something different for the both of us.


<B>When did you finally feel like you could call yourself an author?</B>
That moment when my book was finally up on Amazon for sale. I sold copies to friends and family immediately and worked my marketing so that fairly quickly I was selling to strangers too.


<B>Other than writing, what are your favorite things to do?</b>
I am an avid reader, and I enjoy marathoning Netflix series. I spend a lot of time with my kids, being a homeschool teacher-mom, and we go to the zoo on Fridays during the nice weather as our Friday field trip. I am working on a king-sized afghan, and I participate in my mother’s quilting obsession as a supportive daughter and pattern *expert*. I actively participate in Girl Scouts and plan to add Boy Scouts as soon as my son is in Kindergarten.


<B>Are there any websites where readers can connect with you?</b>
Well, I am everywhere so you can find me on Google,Wordpress, Twitter, Goodreads, Blogger , Amazon, Ebook Universe &Facebook


Thank you so much for stopping by Jen and to anyone reading this: This is actually a special occation! It's Jen's birthday today! Make sure you go like her author pages and send your birthday wishes.
Once you have, come back and comment here. You will be entered in a draw to win a copy of Jen's book!
good luck everyone!

Author Interview: Ginny Lynn Sizemore

This blog is mostly about book reviews, but as a writer I am always happy to help other authors promote themselves, and as a reader I know how fun it can be to read author interviews so today... is the first day we will be hosting an author interview! Exciting, right? 

Today we have Ginny Lynn Sizemore here to talk about her first time being published, her experience and whether or not she could survive a zombie apocalypse!  

Welcome! Tell us about Learn To Let It Go? The main character Dawn falls in love while vacationing on the beach. when she gets home her relationship with and is not the dream she planned.

What inspired this story? To be honest other stories I've read.

What other stories influenced Learn To Let It Go? There's a series but I don't recall the name that mostly inspired them.

Now, I've heard this is your first work published, is that true? Tell us about the process? Yes Well I'd say I took a month or so writing Learn To Let Go. Then I submitted it to three publishers. The second one accepted it. I signed a contract with Rebel Ink Press. They contacted me about cover art. Then about editing. I had a friend help me edit. Now I'm waiting on the next step.

Is there something you are currently working on? Yes. It doesn't have a name yet, but it's a part of a series.
What is it about? A couple who neglects their friends for each other.  

Is there a topic you would like to write about but haven't gotten around to yet? Oh yes

If you spent less time writing, what hobby would you take up? Maybe a sport just for fun?

Where is your favorite place to shop? The mall. It's expensive, but I love the atmosphere.

Do you think you would survive a zombie attack? No lol. I just don't have very good survival skills lol.

Lastly, when does Learn To Let It Go come out and where can we get it? I haven't received that information yet exactly, but I think it will be early next year.

Thank you for stopping by! Is there anywhere the readers can fallow you ginnysizemore.blogspot.com is my promotion page. Thanks for taking the time to interview me 

Too Many Curses by A. Lee Martinez

5 out of 5 stars

Margle the Horrendous had a habit of collecting things.

Okay, so I lost half my notes on this book which sucks cause it's pretty much full of all the reasons you should read this book!

But I'll tell you all the reasons I can remember:

First and foremost, this is by A. Lee. Martinez, therefor you should read it! I have never read a bad Martinez book and I have never met anyone who has read a bad Martinez book. I can go on for days about how much I love Martinez, and how his writing is amazing and how I wish I could write that well, but for now I'll just try to focus on the book review.

This book started off strong! It pulled me in right away and by chapter four I couldn't put it down for the life of me.

The entire book takes place in a castle, but I didn't feel like it lacked because it only took place in one location, in fact I loved the location.

In reality I feel like this book was just one big subplot/not really a major story. That being said I still loved it! I could not stop reading it and I loved every little  aspect of it. The story was great, the characters were fun and

Like that it is not written from any one characters point of view. We all realize that Nessy is the main character but we also get to see how other characters feel or what they think. I loved seeing how other characters felt, thought and what they saw.

I love the optimistic outlook at Nessy has throughout this book and I think Martinez did a great job with the mythology/rules of the world. In other words, he did a great job creating the universe.

The characters are so good! This book takes place in a wizards castle who loved to curse the opponents he defeated instead of killing them, things brings in many fun characters who have unique curses (Examples include: Bats, bodiless people, being cursed to speak fun, owls, etc.) and each character really has their own unique fun aspect about them. One of my favorites was The Monster Under The Bed, that begins to show signs of jealously when he thinks Nessy has been reading to another monster.  So cute!

Oh! And the nurgax! How could I have forgot him? He was another great character that makes this book worth reading for sure! 

As we get to the end of the book we get to see the characters work together, and we even get to see some special characters who I won't mention as not to spoil the book!

I loved seeing The Monster Under The Bed help save the day. Over all he played such a small role in most of the book but he was such a fun character that seeing him play a heroic role was thrilling!

I loved the way this book ended. Honestly the only thing that I could say is wrong with this book is that it ended! 

Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book:

"I hope it’s a dragon. I love it when they kill dragons. Pretentious reptiles, think they're so special just 'cause they can breath fire and fly. Like that's so great. Is it a dragon?"

The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

It was a breeze, a change in the texture of the unseen that made her look up and walk around a stand of shading beech trees. 

This stated off so slow and there we a lot of things I didn't like about this book. I actually thought several times that I wasn't going to be able to make it through this book. But I REALLY liked the idea of it. It felt slow and sentences like: "The annual Ludlow antiques auction to raise money for the poor" rubbed me the wrong way

Tim annoyed me and there are a few character traits from the main character I HATE reading about. Like the "I'm not that pretty" personality. The big thing for me is that I have my own self esteem issues, I don't want to read about a character who has them. Also as a reader I want my main characters to FEEL beautiful.

But! By chapter 3 things started picking up and the action started. I loved being able to read about all the other women who had the dress. And I'll admit I had a hard time putting this book down at some points

There is a bit of a misunderstanding with "another woman" that just feels like it is so over done, then the characters went on to put the "other woman" down. It felt really of them low to me.

And then there was the part where they needed to open a trunk that hand been welded shut… and they considered using a drill. I'm not as handy as I would like but I can change my oil and normally fix thing something if I need to and I felt like a character not being able to use a drill was unbelievable. I mean I can understand if someone hasn't used them but after a quick look at them it's obvious. And then using a hammer to  hit the welded metal and what? Hope it magically breaks the welds? I've welded twice in my life (once when I was like 8) and even my welds would be strong enough to withstand a hammer

Another thing that really annoyed me about this was that she "feels" like she met her long lost father at one point but there is NOTHING to suggest it. Just a feeling she gets and, while I understand getting odd feelings and everything, I really didn't… it just didn't feel real. It felt like the author just wanted someone to happen and tossed it in there and left it to "feeling"

I loved Emily and hearing the stories about the other 3 women who wore the same dress and, as much as there were things I didn't like about this book I finished it in less than a day. It kept me reading and wanting to read more- Dare I say I even enjoyed it? I think so.