A Dark Wind of Vengeance by David Mauldin  5/5 star review

From Amazon.com:

With the grid down and the US government under military rule for the first time in history, the government fights the militia movement for control of the major cities as a key army general defects to the militia. Events spiral out of control as a young woman sets a deadly series of events into motion in her quest for revenge against an unelected and illegal government.

My thoughts:

I didn't believe it was possible, but I enjoyed this third novel in the Path of Survival series even more than the first two. David Mauldin's characters have become my friends, my family, my neighbors across the street, and the scary strangers my parents warned me about. They are that real. They are good guys who sometimes do bad things and bad guys that sometimes do good things, all in a realistic struggle for survival. There is plenty of action to keep you turning the pages late into the night. Morning will find you exhausted but still searching the internet with a sense of urgency for guns, ammo, and books on survival. I hear there is more to come from this author, and I for one, can hardly wait.

Blood Beyond The Abyss by David Mauldin 5/5 star review

From Amazon:

With the grid down, violence and anarchy spreads across the country as the world economy collapses and the US defaults on its debts. In Atlanta, a young man's family is murdered and he is left for dead. As he recovers and begins a new life in the mountains, a renegade general attempts to overthrow the US government, and the nation is pushed to the brink of civil war.

My thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this sequel to The Second Layer of Hell. The author, David Mauldin, is growing in leaps and bounds as a writer. It wasn't just the characters that drew me in. Mauldin painted a picture of north Georgia that has me wanting to pack up and move - tomorrow. His detailed and realistic description of just how tough life could get without all our modern conveniences is on one hand terrifying, but on the other, there is a wistfulness for a more simple life and the close, tight knit relationships that can develop under such circumstances. With danger and death lurking behind every tree, you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough. Count me in on the next novel in this series!

The Second Layer of Hell by David Mauldin - 5/5 Stars Review

From Amazon.com

Massive hurricanes strike the Gulf and East coast of the U.S. and a devastating terrorist attack soon follows. As the economy falters and the grid collapses, a young family escapes to their cabin in the mountains as the world around them explodes into chaos and violence.


My thoughts:

This apocalyptic novel was not only captivating, it was scary as hell. The plot was well thought out and extremely realistic. It was so believable that I immediately started checking off my list of emergency supplies. The scariest thing about it though, was just how easy it could happen, not in the distant future, but at any moment.

The characters were well developed and very likable (or unlikable as the case may be). I even fell in love with the location. Could the novel have been better written? Yes it could. The author did more telling than showing, but the story was strong enough to keep me enthralled from beginning to end. As this author’s writing matures, I believe he will become a major contender, and I look forward to his next novel.

Jaguar Sun by Martha Bourke 4/5 Stars

From Amazon:

December 21, 2012 Will that fateful day destroy our world, or did the Mayans have something else in mind? Maya Delaney knows. Unfortunately. Maya Delaney is just an average sixteen-year-old. She's busy dealing with exams, her soon to be ex-boyfriend and fitting in. But Maya's got bigger problems. She's hiding a major secret from her dad and having strange visions she can't control. In her struggle to figure out who she is, she learns that she is meant to fulfill an ancient Mayan Prophesy and bring forth a New Age on earth. Will the spirit magic Maya wields be enough to defeat Toltec, an evil society bent on keeping her from her destiny? Or will that destiny itself destroy her?

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed reading Jaguar Sun. In a time of world ending prophesies, Jaguar Sun offers a ray of hope for the world, a new beginning. Maybe. I loved the protagonist Maya and her boyfriend Matt. If I were a wee bit younger, I'd love to steal Matt for myself! Both characters were well defined and the twins really added warmth and humor. Add a really bad ass antagonist to the mix and you get a very entertaining novel. I look forward to reading Jaguar Moon.

50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James 4/5 Stars

From Amazon:

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

My thoughts:


I hesitated a long time before buying 50 Shades of Grey. I read tons of great reviews and almost as many bad reviews, but when I read that E. L. James was offered 4 million dollars plus for the movie rights, I caved.

Erotica is not anywhere near the top of my list of favorites, neither is pure romantic fiction. That being said, I have to own up to loving all kinds of novels including the Twilight series, Hunger Games, Misery, The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, Kushiel’s Dart, and Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer. So as you can see, I’m all over the place.

Down to the nitty gritty. I have to say I loved 50 Shades of Grey. Just as I did in Twilight, I could easily identify with someone who felt awkward, clumsy, unattractive, and never quite fitting in - a square peg in a round hole. Add a gorgeous, wealthy, more than slightly twisted stalker, and I’m there. Okay, so maybe I’m a little twisted too. Who knew?

I enjoyed how both Ana’s and Christian’s characters developed as their relationship grew and changed as well. I am giving 50 Shades of Grey 4 out of 5 stars (the humor alone is worth 4 stars) instead of 5 out of 5, only because it ended with a cliff hanger. I like novels to be stand alone even when they are part of a series. It’s just my thing, but I will most likely buy the other two in the series. Wait, who am I kidding? Of course I’ll buy the next two! They are just a click away on my Kindle.

Witches Under Way by Debora Geary 5/5 Star Review

From Amazon.com:

Lizard and Elsie are under way, but the WitchLight journey isn’t an easy one. There are bumps and obstacles inside their own hearts. There are meddling witches, helpful knitters, and a fearsome duo with water pistols. And there is the greatest challenge of all... the one they will pick for each other.

My thoughts:

I am so totally hooked on the WitchLight series! I have read all five novels, A Modern Witch, A Hidden Witch, A Reckless Witch, Witches on Parole, and now Witches Under Way. I have enjoyed every single one of them. In each one I have both cried and laughed out loud. Debora Geary creates such wonderful believable characters and so much more. What draws me in is the relationship between all the characters. When I read these novels I get such a strong feeling of love, support, and belonging. I feel like I know them so well and I belong to the community. Hey, I even feel like I could create a little magic of my own! I can hardly wait for the next release.

A Modern Witch by Debora Geary 5/5 Star Review

From Amazon.com


Can you live 28 years without discovering you're a witch?

Lauren is downtown Chicago's youngest elite realtor. She's also a witch. She must be - the fetching spell for Witches' Chat isn't supposed to make mistakes. So says the woman who coded the spell, at least.

The tall, dark, and handsome guy sent to assess her is a witch too (and no, that doesn't end the way you might think). What he finds in Lauren will change lives, mess with a perfectly good career, and require lots of ice cream therapy.

The next two books in the series, A Hidden Witch and A Reckless Witch, are also now available!

Debora Geary is working on several more books expected out in 2012, if the kids don't spill any more water on her laptop.

My thoughts:

I loved A Modern Witch and had a difficult time putting it down. The characters were wonderful and I loved them all including the children. The plot was light and fun, but still had moments of tension and suspense. It made me laugh, and it made me cry. A Modern Witch blended science and technology along with friendship, love, family, and good old-fashioned magic. It weaves its own spell and will draw you in right from the beginning, all the way to the very end. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!