Face-Off by Stacy Juba

(Image found on Goodreads)

T.J. and Brad are twins, both enjoy playing hockey. But when T.J. has to change schools, their already strained relationship threatens to break. But can they find that together they're stronger? Find the official description on Goodreads.

The thing I really enjoyed about this book is that it wasn't my typical hockey book. Most times I go for hockey romances but this was different. It was intriguing to see a book that does involve hockey without the romance. But at the same time I enjoyed the switch up. It's always nice to take a step outside your comfort zone.

The relationship between the two main characters was strained and awkward. Certainly not the idea you get when you think of twins. It was amusing as well as frustrating to see how their relationship was. 

And then just going through and seeing how the two change and grow a bit in their relationships and whatnot was great. It was marvelous to see.

Overall I did enjoy this book although I found that you didn't get a lot of the thoughts that you did read in other books. There was a lot of dialogue more so than other books. Which isn't a bad thing, just different.

I did enjoy the uniqueness of Face-Off and suggest it to anyone who has teenagers or whatnot. 

Read more...

The Mirror by John A. Heldt

(Image found on Goodreads)

“Ginny knew she’d had a good life and probably had a better life coming up, but she wondered whether she deserved that life and would be able to cope with the many demands of adulthood.” -John A. Heldt, The Mirror

Ginny and Katie Smith have heard the old family stories but are understandably skeptical. But when they travel back to 1941 from 2020, it’s hard not to believe their parents. Especially when they run into a great grandmother that they never had the chance to meet, or at least a chance to meet that they could remember. But when both find themselves hopelessly entangled in the past will they take their one chance to the future? Or will they have to learn how to live in the past? Find the official description on Goodreads.

I have to say that I almost wanted to not open this book. Not because I wasn’t looking forward to it but because I knew that this was the last book that had been published. I didn’t want to read it and then find myself wishing it could go on forever when it came to an end. But I couldn’t help it. I just had to know what happened.

Like the previous books things are different in The Mirror. Nothing is really the same except that some of the characters remain as old friends. While they’re not the focus they are in the periphery. And it’s comforting. It’s like they’re a comforting blanket for readers who have read the whole series. Even while the emotional scenes are taking place you take comfort in the fact that there are familiar characters mixed in with the new characters. It was nice.

What was even more interesting about this book is not that two characters travel in time as that has happened before but two sisters, and more specifically the twin daughters of Joel Smith. I’m not going to name their mother because that would mean spoilers for the first book. But it was interesting to see the problems that can come from two people travelling back who are related and especially when there is someone who knows about one of the previous time travel adventures. It presented new problems of its own.

I found this series intriguing as John A. Heldt was able to recreate the adventure and emotional turmoil in every book. There wasn’t really anything familiar except for a few characters. It was refreshing and I enjoyed it.

If you love time travel, series’ and romance than this is an amazing series, one that I was sad to finish. Have you ever read the Northwest Passage Series? Did you enjoy it? What did you think about the different time travel scenarios?

Read more...

A Native's Tongue by Michael D. Dennis

(Images provided by author)

In Michael D. Dennis’s touching new novel, A Native’s Tongue, a young man, torn between two women, struggles to find his way in the world.

As I walked out under the Los Angeles sky, the possibility of becoming something more than a short order cook, living in the valley, and resenting my dysfunctional family occurred to me…

Charlie Winters has never been an overachiever. He is used to just getting by while living with his single mother and working a dead-end job at a cheesesteak stand. Meanwhile, he’s constantly grappling with the voice of his sister, who died in a tragic car accident years earlier, echoing in his head.

So when Violet, an older woman, sets her sights on Charlie and refuses to let go, he follows along. He soon finds himself immersed in a destructive relationship that still fails to fill the void within him.

But then he meets Jennifer, a mystical young woman whose energy and life convinces Charlie to pursue her, even through the darkest corners of Los Angeles, and sets their lives upon a path that can’t be stopped.

Escaping to the California coast, Charlie and Jennifer finally find what they’ve always needed. But a sudden illness quickly pulls them both back to LA. It is there, amid the sex, drugs, and split-second decisions that pulse through the city, that tragedy strikes—threatening to tear Charlie and Jennifer apart forever.

Love and tragedy collide in Michael D. Dennis’s poignant new novel, A Native’s Tongue.

About the Author: Michael D. Dennis is an author and playwright who earned a degree in English literature from Loyola Marymount University. Winner of a LMU Playwriting Award for his play Death of a Watchdog, Michael also had his play, Hen in the Field, produced at the Whitefire Theatre in 2012. His highly anticipated debut novel, A Native’s Tongue, will be released in June 2014. Michael currently lives in Santa Monica, California with his girlfriend and two dogs, Jack and Aurora. To learn more, go to http://www.michaelddennis.com/ or connect with Michael on Facebook and Twitter. Goodreads

Review

"Did the endless portrayals of love and romance in novels really exist?" -Michael D. Dennis, A Native's Tongue

First, a little warning. This book isn't about happily ever afters, the bad guys get caught and the good guys get married. It's different. In fact, it seems to be a realistic although pessimistic outlook on life. And I can see that occasionally it's necessary to read books like this, not only because they're interesting in their uniqueness but also because it lets you appreciate the other books you read a lot more.

The book starts with a preview of the ending. But we have no knowledge of the characters, previous actions, anything really. I think this help jumpstart my interest in reading this book. It caught and held my attention, making me ask all of these questions that I simply had to continue reading to answer. Not to mention the whole book was really well written. It flowed smoothly, and it was clear to hear the character's voices. It also kept things jumping and kept the readers interest.

The style of writing changed occasionally. Sometimes it was third person in which case we could expect to be seeing something from Victoria or Jennifer's perspective. And those were interesting chapters. It seemed both women weren't entirely normal(not that anyone really is normal but let's just use the word for now). It was disturbing and upsetting to see their interactions and witness their actions. Then there were some chapters written in first person, from the viewpoint of Charlie. For most of the book I wasn't sure how to feel about Charlie. It seemed that he was almost the teenager that never really grew up. Honestly I didn't really feel much beyond sympathy for him for much of the book, instead preferring the chapters with Victoria or Jennifer.

A Native's Tongue is all about a man whose life has gone downhill and he's trying to get by the best way he can. It seems as if many of the characters are on a path of destruction. We also were given a unique look into a situation that most people see from the outside as disgusting or less than the ideal. It was eye-opening and I was constantly found remembering the old lesson, never judge a book by it's cover.

A Native's Tongue is unique and gives the reader a unique look at several difficult situations. It almost seemed as if a movie was playing through my head the entire time and it gave me a fresh outlook on how good my life actually is.

Excerpt

CHAPTER 1.

Jennifer Bannister’s footsteps echoed down the hall. The uniforms of the inmates dampened the sound. Her ears tried to follow the faint sound, if only to affirm that she was still moving forward. There wasn’t anyone to hold her hand. She just trusted that each sign would guide her in the right direction.

I’ll get there at some point, Jennifer thought, trying to convince herself that she was doing the right thing. You can’t get lost in here; they don’t let you go off course. Her words slipped away. She felt the cold air settle over her skin. She glanced at a placard marked Visitors Only.

In the cool air, her skin tightened. Jennifer shivered and wished she were somewhere warmer. Seeing Violet for the first time was going to be hard enough. She was going to look the woman she hated most in the world in the eye. She didn’t want to be shaking from the cold and covered in goose bumps.

Jennifer peered through the bulletproof glass at Violet. There were markings embedded in the glass, swirls that made it harder to look directly into Violet’s eyes. Jennifer picked up the phone and listened. Violet grabbed it and began to speak, “It was never you that he loved. You know that right?” Violet’s voice was raspy.

Her expressions and mannerisms changed from static to fully engaged. She stood up and waved her hands maniacally at Jennifer, and then she slammed her fist against the glass.

Jennifer hung up the phone. Her blonde hair got caught in between her hand and the receiver as she placed it back on the black hook. Turning, she slid out of the red plastic chair and down the corridor, guided by the exit sign’s green light. In the stale air of the prison, she searched for a pack of cigarettes, unsheathed a Parliament, lit it, and smoked nervously.

Two overweight guards carrying guns in nylon hip holsters directed her to the parking lot, where they offered her matching robotic waves good-bye. The midnight blue 2005 Jaguar xk8, which her parents loaned her for this visit, was the only vehicle in the parking lot row. Her parents thought she would feel safer in their car rather than her own bright red Honda.

In either case, she seemed to fit this car, or the car fit her a lot more. Her lean physique matched the lines on the Jag, and it made her feel more mature. She was constantly trying to act older than she was. Jennifer went around to the passenger side of the car and opened the rear door. She set her oversized black leather purse on the back seat and took out a translucent orange bottle filled with tiny white pills. She slung her head back, popped two, shut the door and walked around to the driver’s seat.

The heat had melted the surface of the Jaguar’s leather seats, reducing the fabric to a buttery texture. Jennifer’s blonde hair clung to the sides of her shoulders, heavy with sweat. She retrieved her car key from the passenger seat, pressed the key into the slot, and burst into tears, suddenly unable to move.

Jennifer hadn’t eaten all day. The heavy dose of Xanax caused her to feel excessively nauseous. She blacked out and fell forward, hitting her forehead on the steering wheel. The car increased in temperature with the late afternoon heat. Her powder-white skin grew red.

“Miss. Are you alright? Miss?” A young guard, Bill Marsh, had spotted the car, and decided to go in for a closer look.

When Jennifer didn’t move, he took out his club and smashed the window. She woke up from her temporary coma and lashed out.

"You Fuck!" Her voice was barely audible, even with the window smashed. Her energy was gone.

"Miss--I, I’m sorry you didn't look okay."

"I am! What business do you have involving yourself in my business? Do you know what you did? You just fucked up my car, you moron.”

“Look, I just saw you from my station.”

To Bill, her face looked familiar, though he couldn’t place where he had seen her before.

"You have no idea. Sitting in your stupid box, behind that intercom.

"I’m sorry, I know we’ll pay for the window. Hell, if the prison won't, I personally will." Bill said.

Giveaway!

I have been given one kindle copy of A Native's Tongue to giveaway! Please enter below and make sure to share with your friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read more...

Minty By Christina Banach and an Interview!

(Image found on Goodreads)

“No, this is real all right - no mistaking.” -Christina Banach, Minty

Teenage twins Minty and Jess are attached at the hip. But Jess is tired of being a pair and says words that she comes to regret. Especially when Minty finds herself a ghost. Jess takes her death hard and Minty has a hard time watching her mourn. But will Minty be able to control her ghostly powers enough to help her family heal? Or will this family be torn to pieces? Find the official description on Goodreads.

Christina Banach creates a paranormal world with her own spin on things. Minty has no clue of what she can or cannot do as a ghost. Which is where her ghostly mentor comes in. But he’s not assigned to her or anything. He stumbles upon her and teaches her what he can. I found that this relationship was sometimes strained but many times humorous. This relationship meant that while the book itself was sad and emotional, it also wasn’t only sad or miserable. There were moments that could make you chuckle. It helped balance Minty a bit.

Then there are the different ways that grief is expressed throughout the book. It’s different for everyone and everyone experiences some form of survivor’s guilt. It was interesting to get that look into the ways that different people grieve a loss. It allowed me to view things through other people’s perspectives and not just my own.

Minty is also told from Minty’s perspective. I enjoyed that. It allowed readers to catch a glimpse of the ghosts perspective and not solely the still alive people. It was something new. Something that people don’t always see.

The relationships between the sisters and their parents was also fun to glimpse. I have a brother and I could see parallels with the two sisters but I also saw things that were different(and honestly I’m hoping for in the future, haha). But it was great to be able to connect with them in that way.

Minty is an great read, one that for those who enjoy the more emotional books and ghosts will find themselves soaring right through. What do you think about ghosts? Do you enjoy them in books you read? Would you like to see more books from their perspective?

Not only was I able to review Minty but I also got the chance to interview the author, Christina Banach. Here's my interview: 

Hello, Thank you for answering my questions today!

1. First off, let's get to know a little about you. Tell us something that might seem strange or odd to a lot of people as well as a little bit of info on yourself.

What might seem odd is the pronunciation of my name. My Christian name is Christina but very few people manage to pronounce it correctly (I don’t blame them!). I’ve been called Christine, Christiana, Kirstine and even Charisma! So how do you pronounce Christina? The ‘ina’ rhymes with China! As for my surname – hey, maybe we shouldn’t go there. Even I have difficulty in getting my tongue round that one! Now I come to think of it, maybe I should change my name by deed poll. How does Sally Smith sound to you?

So who am I? I’m a former head teacher who resigned from my post several years ago to become a full-time writer. Minty is my first published novel. I live in Scotland, UK, with my husband and our two rescue dogs. I love to read, go for long walks on the beach, listen to music, walk, travel, and eat delicious food. Sometimes I spend too much time on Twitter.

2. Now, can you tell us more about your young adult novel, Minty?

Minty is a contemporary young adult (YA) ghost story told from the point of view of the ghost. It’s a cross between The Lovely Bones (without the grim murder!) and Ghost and is a real weepy with heart and warmth at its core. It tells the story of fourteen-year-old twins Minty and Jess. They do everything together and, although they sometimes bicker, are completely inseparable. But then a day trip to the coast puts their bond in jeopardy. As Minty tries to rescue her dog from drowning she ends up fighting for her life. Will she survive? If she doesn’t, how will Jess cope without her?

It’s about friendship, loss, and coming to terms with consequences. Above all it’s about love and hope.

The idea for the book appeared early one summer morning in 2006, just as the sun came up. During the night I thought I sensed my late father's presence, so, unable to get back to sleep, I sat in the sunroom contemplating what had actually happened. While doing this I heard my dog panting and put out my hand to stroke her. Until I remembered – my pet had died the month before. That's when Minty's story came to me. 

3. Did you have difficulty writing some of the scenes?

Not difficulty as such, although I did find some of the scenes very emotional to write – even eight drafts later, when it came to the final proofread.

4   Did you do extensive research on Roman history in order to include the information or was it something that you had an interest in before?

I touched upon ancient Roman culture when I was at university. I’ve also visited Rome, and various Roman sites in Europe, throughout the years. However, I never set out to add a Roman element to the book. The twins’ Roman obsession became apparent once their characters began to evolve.

5. Do you work using an outline or just write what comes to mind?

Am I a plotter or a pantser? Good question! I’m a bit of both, I reckon. Once I decide to run with an idea, and the characters have entered the stage, I plunge into the research – surfing the Net, reading books, going on field trips etc – taking copious notes as I go along. Once I have enough material I do a lot of brainstorming on character and plot: thinking of scenes, exploring character arc, considering the structure and so on. I always know how the book will start and how it will end. Or so I think…that’s when the pantser part of me comes to the fore, because once I actually begin the first draft anything could happen. The important thing for me is to get that first draft written, and if it deviates from all my carefully thought-out plans, so be it. It’s all about telling the story that demands to be told.

6. What can we expect from you in the future?

Lots, I hope. I have several stories on the back burner but my next project is another contemporary YA novel. It’s a ghost story-come-psychological thriller and, so far, has been a blast to write.

Thanks for letting me stop by your blog, Aly! It was fun!

Thank you for your time! I look forward to seeing what you come out with in the future!

Read more...