Tag: female characters

Books, great reads, Reviews

Shifter Planet by D.B. Reynolds

Karen

Shifter Planet Cover

This was my first book by D.B. Reynolds but not my last. I really enjoyed the world that she built, but let’s make this blog official, blurb first then a review.

Blurb:

Specialist Amanda Sumner is one of the first to make contact on the Earth-like planet Harp and discovers she’s the only Earthling, who can hear the trees sing in the strange forest. Determined to remain and learn more of the planet’s secrets, Amanda sets out to become part of the elite Guild there…

But there is a secret involving some Guild members-one that could get her killed.

Shifter Rhodry de Mendoza wants the Earthlings off his planet before they destroy it–even if that means denying what he feels for the fierce and lovely Amanda. The pair is thrown together in what becomes a fight for their lives. And they might just lose everything-including each other-in their battle for the right to live in peace.

Now the review: I loved this book! I have to admit in the beginning I was not a Specialist Amanda Sumner fan. I found her arrogant and annoying. For example she practically throws a hissy fit when she finds out there are shifters on the planet and no one told her. Really? This is one of they’re biggest secrets, your people have done nothing but harm but they should have told you because your breathing? That irritated me. But I loved Rhodry from go. He was protective and honorable, plus being smoking hot didn’t hurt. And truth be told Amanda grew on me, her personally became less entitled and more independent (it they’re a difference? Of course there is) which also coincided with the story really picking up. The less I worried about her the more I realized that this was a really good book. The world building was spot on, I was never confused about where they were or what something looked like. The relationship between Rhodry and Amanda was refreshing, instant attraction but not insta-love. And the story itself was great, just enough angst to make you want to read, just a little more.

I recommend reading this, the book comes out October 26th. Grab it, you won’t be disappointed. I did get a free copy from netgalley, so thank you for that!

Books, great reads, Reviews

Brighter Than the Sun by Darynda Jones

Karen

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Reyes, Reyes, Reyes. I’ve been dying for a book from his POV and it’s finally here. Let me give you the scoop.

Official Blurb: All his life, Reyes Alexander Farrow has suffered the torments of the damned. Only one thing has given him hope: the woman who radiates a light that no mortals can see; a light that only the departed can see…

Told from his point of view, BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN chronicles the first time Reyes ever encountered Charley, and how their relationship has been the one thing that can either save him or doom him.

One thing to keep in mind is this is a book from Reyes point of view. No catchy chapter starters, no funny lines, and no crazy death defiling antics. Well he does defy death often but regardless this book has a much deeper, darker undertone than the series does. If you’ve read the past Charley Davidson books you’ll understand that Reyes past is horrific and he’s not the rainbows and sunshine half of their relationship. So prepare yourselves, this is the mind of Reyes, from the beginning, it’s not all happy thoughts.

My opinion? I loved it. Reyes has always been one of those characters that I want more of. More info, more time, more anything. Plus we have only had glimpses into his mind before so having a whole novella from just his POV was great. I also enjoyed the fact that Darynda didn’t try to make it light or funny, Reyes is a dark character with a dark past, his book shouldn’t be light. The story itself was great, if you follow the series a lot if it is information you already have, but seeing it through his eyes makes it that much more impactful.

Reyes is still the sexy, broken, stubborn character he’s always been, this just makes me love him more. Read it! But if you are not familiar with the series start with First Grave on the Right, it will make you understand him even better.

 

 

Books, great reads, Out of the Box Blogs, Reviews

Montana dragons part 2 & 3 by Chloe Cole 

Les

Hmmmm…. Ok so I am finished with parts 2 &3. So I am finished with Drake and Willa. It was short, but enjoyable. I liked the story.

First, please excuse this review. I am under the weather and so it will be short.

So Willa is married off to Drake without her permission. Like any strong girl she is looking for any way to escape. But when it backfires she is hurt and now has to do some hard work to prove herself.

Give it a chance. It’s a quick read and it’s good.

It’s not the best ever, but I didn’t feel like I wasted my time.

Peace

Les

Books, great reads, indie author, Reviews, scifi

The Unspoken Agreement

Karen

I have always felt there was an unspoken agreement between an author and us readers when we purchase a book and frankly lately I think the rules have been out the window. So I’m curious, is it just me that feels this way, having these expectations of my writers? Do I need to adjust to a new way of writing? Or are some books just not playing by the rules? Allow me to explain.

When I buy a book it’s like the author and I have made a contract. A simple one, I will give money to your seller and you will deliver a story. I don’t have to like it but it must follow the guidelines of all stories. Sound simple? Apparently not. This is how I view a story: A beginning, if it’s the first time we are meeting everyone with character and world building when appropriate. Then a middle, this is where your plot comes to life, the climax of the story as it is, whether it’s bad guys seemingly defeating good guys, or a big fight, big reveals, this is when we get the meat of the story. The all important end, the big finish, where you frankly actually finish the book. No cliffhangers (I will discuss this), no unrelated twists, just bring it home. Make it complete.

What I feel like has been a trend in some writing lately…

The Cliffhanger. Why do authors do this? Especially with book one? I have yet to meet a reader that loves this, so why do it? Is it because you just couldn’t think of an ending? Is it because you want me to be forced to buy your next book (doesn’t work with me, you cliff hang I abandon)? Or is it because you knew from the beginning that you would write three books so it doesn’t matter to you? Well that sucks. Let me tell you there are many extremely successful series out there that have 8,10,20 books and you know what, no cliffhangers! Every book is a complete story by itself. We feel satisfied when we read it, like an episode on tv.

The Plot. Ever read the back of a book, then read the book and the blurb has nothing to do with the story? I bought the book because this is what you told me the story is about. Can’t always blame the publisher, indies are also committing this crime, it’s kind of like false advertising. See this whale??? Sorry we are sending you home with a guppy. I might have been interested in your original story, I like guppies, but it’s just not going to sit right with me the whole time cause all I can think about is that whale. Blurbs should match the story and the plot should follow that. Having a plot is good too, some now don’t even have a plot.

The beginning. World and character building are paramount. In fact too often characters are left with no personality, shallow as it were, and books can fall very flat. But some authors swing too far the other way making whole books out of world and character building. That’s great if I already have book 2 and 3 but if this is all I have, then I don’t have a story, just a really long resume. And 200 pages of that gets boring. I know a lot of authors say they are setting up the next book, but I’m not buying, you got to sell this book to me, not the next one.

So the big question is, are my expectations to great?