Tag: book

Out of the Box Blogs

The Charley Davidson Series by Darynda Jones

Les

This is an amazing series! Kar and I love it. She introduced me to this series and I can’t get enough of it. I get so excited when we get a new novella or new book. I actually met Darynda Jones at the Romantic Times Convention 2015. She was really sweet and probably thought I was a weirdo, since I was holding my own autographed copy of Eighth Grave After Dark to my chest like someone would try to steal it. I got it at the convention before it was released, so I was reluctant to read it because I knew I would have to wait so long for my next fix of Charley and Reyes.

For those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting Charley yet, allow me to give you a little taste of what this series is about.

Charley Davidson is the grim reaper, and she is a crazy, caffeine addicted, witty, crazily bold girl. Her job is to help people cross over into the other side, Unfortunately sometimes they aren’t ready to go, or don’t believe they are dead. She is also a Private investigator, because she is in contact with the dead she can solve cases easier than by typical means. She has sidekicks that are funny and witty as well, as they have to be because Charley keeps everyone on their toes.

Enter big black, who is  probably the only incorporeal being Charley is afraid of even though he has saved her life before.I can’t reveal who it is, well because you know me I have to leave you hanging. Enter crazy stepmoms, sisters, uncles, and dead perverts and you have a well rounded story that will have you laughing and wanting more.

For those who have read this series, how excited are you for the new novella Brighter than the Sun?

So if you want to check out this series I will list the first three for you.

First Grave on the Right

Second Grave on the Left

Third Grave Dead Ahead

Go ahead pick it up, I don’t know how anyone could be disappointed in this series.

Peace out,

Les

Books, Out of the Box Blogs, Reviews

What’s too far in fantasy books?

Karen

I follow a few different fantasy and urban fantasy series and in the last year I’ve noticed an unfortunate trend, authors going too big with they’re characters and story lines. You see the beautiful thing to me about fantasy is that it can be anywhere and be about anything. So how does an author go too big? These are the things that have been series killers for me:

  1. Over complicated story lines. There is nothing quite like finding out that a great book you read is going to become a series. But when you get into books 3 and 4 and suddenly they completely change the story line or make the plot so complicated it’s ridiculous that’s frustrating to me as a reader. Listen if you, as an author, don’t want to write it anymore or just creativity can’t, then don’t. I know, I know, your saying but if it’s in the series you get guaranteed 5 stars from fans or maybe even you’re under contract. Think about this though what if I have someone read book four first then try to go back and read book one? Would they be confused with the stories even connecting? Sometimes you don’t even have the same characters. If you find that to be true then I’m probably going to stop reading your series.
  2. Unbelievable characters. Again this is fantasy, keep in mind readers do accept unbelievable things in fantasy. Want wings to suddenly pop out of your characters back? A-okay! But when the same character also breathes fires, is invincible and can be chopped in half by a sword and come back to life, come on. The worst is when they are horrible people treating everyone around them terribly why they themselves cry about being forgiven for every minor infraction. The result? Everyone loves them or wants to be them. I just threw up a little in my mouth. Honestly I’ve never wished for so many characters to die at the end of they’re books! But how, they’re invincible!
  3. Long, drawn out books. They’re are books I read that I never want to end, and in fantasy world building takes time so I get that some books will be a bit longer than others. But if the first book was 300 pages, with all the character intros and world building, and the new book is 800 pages some editing maybe required. There is an art in being able to tell a story in 300-400 pages and I appreciate those who do.
  4. Character addition. Stories will grow and with that characters are going to be added, I get that and support it. But when each book adds 5-10 characters and very few are being taken away, I’m starting to lose track. The main character is constantly talking to all these people I can’t remember and honestly it makes me start to lose focus on the story. When that happens I start to lose interest in the series.

I’m not an author so I can’t imagine how hard it is to keep a story line alive but I am a reader and I just can’t take it! Something different make you crazy? Comment. Don’t like my list, make your own…

Out of the Box Blogs

Doctor Who

Karen

Sometimes when I’m reading and working constantly my brain hits a point where it just refuses to take in any more information. I’ve discovered that when I hit my “reading wall” is when I can have 10 fascinating books to chose from to read and I have no desire to read any. So I take a break for a day or two and don’t pick up a book. Well how do I blog about books when I’m not reading? I thought first I could write about something I’ve read in the past, but I’m just feeling bleh about that whole idea. And then it dawned on me, Doctor Who premiers tonight. I’m pretty stoked, yes yes I’m a Whovian as well as a trekkie, one with the force and a lover of anything the ends in the word comic. You did notice the word geek in my website address right? But since I am trying to keep it reader friendly I want to leave you one of my favorite quotes, not from the doctor believe it or not, but from Steven Moffat (a writer and producer of the revamp):

“I find it’s bizarre that science fiction is the one branch of television to push the idea of strong female characters. And I only call it bizarre because strong women aren’t fiction.”

Thanks for making strong female characters science fiction, in t.v. and in books (I’m including fantasy in this little rant) I appreciate it!

Out of the Box Blogs

Black Widow Forever Red by Margaret Stohl

Les

Let me start by saying this book isn’t my usual genre, it is more Kar’s style than mine. However, that being said I told you guys that I read ANY book that catches my attention. Well this one caught it my attention.

I feel like I owe you guys a little background on me. I may be a nerd, but I do not read comic books. I am just not cool enough for that! So I knew nothing of the Avengers, or any other comic book people, with exception to Batman or Superman. Oh and Spiderman, but these only from TV. Any way Kar gave me a 1 1/2 hour lecture on who the Avengers are and all of their stories before dragging me to the most recent movie, which I owed her since I drug her to see 50 shades. HA! Poor Kar!

Ok so with the little knowledge I have I was interested in this book, which dun, dun, dun, has the Avengers in it. This is about the Black Widow Natasha, and two teenagers. It starts with action, then calms down, them throws you back into it full force. I also must say I have read Margaret Stohl before and love a lot of her stories. This one is no different. I loved it.

The main characters, are all different. Natasha is a secret agent for the S.H.I.E.L.D. government agency, and works with the avengers. She is hard and does what is necessary to survive and save the world.  She is also damaged as is Ava. Ava is a homeless teenager, who is bitter, lonely, and always looking over her shoulder. While Alex lives with his mom and is lively, but always getting into trouble, he likes to fight.

Ava’s dreams lead her into a world she thought she escaped, and all her bitterness to the front. Together they all must work together to fight the bad guys. But can they do it?

Well you will just have to read it to find out!

I love how it tells from each persons perspective and the interview parts with Natasha in between the chapters. She is kind of a smart ass.

I feel like I have been choosing great books lately, and I hope my luck holds. I really think Kar should read this one and tell you her thoughts.

Peace out

Les