The Woman in Black (Brandi's review)

Buy The Woman in Black HERE!

Summary:

The classic ghost story by Susan Hill: a chilling tale about a menacing spectre haunting a small English town.

Arthur Kipps is an up-and-coming London solicitor who is sent to Crythin Gifford—a faraway town in the windswept salt marshes beyond Nine Lives Causeway—to attend the funeral and settle the affairs of a client, Mrs. Alice Drablow of Eel Marsh House. Mrs. Drablow’s house stands at the end of the causeway, wreathed in fog and mystery, but Kipps is unaware of the tragic secrets that lie hidden behind its sheltered windows. The routine business trip he anticipated quickly takes a horrifying turn when he finds himself haunted by a series of mysterious sounds and images—a rocking chair in a deserted nursery, the eerie sound of a pony and trap, a child’s scream in the fog, and, most terrifying of all, a ghostly woman dressed all in black. Psychologically terrifying and deliciously eerie, The Woman in Black is a remarkable thriller of the first rate.

Brandi's Review:

I really enjoyed this book. I must admit, I expected more because of the hype of the movie. Then I saw many poor reviews on the site after I bought my book, which was shorter than expected also. I decided to give it a try anyway. I am glad I did. Even though it was not this super scary story, it did intrigue me. It felt like I was reading a letter from a diary. Overall,  it is an intriguing book that gave just enough to keep me wondering what was going to come next.

I gave it 3.5 stars ~Brandi

Below are the links to both the book and the movie.

I do highly recommend the movie for a gothic horror type of night. Perfect for rainy weather!

How do you feed your reading addiction?

In my excursions as a reviewer, I have noticed many different people prefer a variety of formats. My question to you is, which do you prefer? I personally have a vast collection of paperback, hardback, and e-books. 

To me, there is nothing like the smell of a good paperback book. I am the one who loves going to the library and bookstores for not only the ambiance, but the smell! 

It feels so comforting to me. I just want to curl up and spend the day. Last year, I actually made it a goal to fill my den with books. That way I could  have my own mini-library. I loved sitting in there in my comfy chair and coffee. Peaceful, so peaceful. I had books everywhere! It was WONDERFUL!

 (This is NOT my library, but wouldn't it be nice!)

As much as I love having paper books, my Kindle app has become my favorite. I have a crazy amount of books that I am salivating to get to! I need a month long stay-cation...or vacation... where I can just read! I have the Kindle app on my Ipad, phone, and just bought a new computer that has the app as well! Talk about book lovers heaven! If you have yet to get this app, or didn't know it was so diverse, click on the link below and get started. Feed the addiction! ~Brandi

Amazon.com - Read eBooks using the FREE Kindle Reading App on Most Devices

Dauntless Indies Anthology~ From the Ashes

Get From the Ashes HERE!! Only .99 at time of review!

Summary:

Since the 18th century, New Orleans has embraced their own extravagant twist on Mardi Gras celebrations. Set apart from the common revelry, the Louisiana elite host krewes, displaying wealth and power through the production of lavish balls, and stunning parades. One such group, the Krewe of Magus, has extended invites for their ultra-exclusive fete in the Garden District. Run by the influential Deschanel family, access to From the Ashes is highly sought after, and rarely granted. Powerful alliances are formed, and deals are made. And behind the veil of silk and gold, debauchery abounds. Slip behind the gilded curtain, and disappear into the five unique tales that make up From the Ashes…

Brandi's Review:

I had the privilege of receiving an ARC copy of this Anthology from these wonderful ladies. I had already read books from more than one of them, so I was ready to dig into the Anthology. In From the Ashes, one fateful night in New Orleans is covered from 5 totally different points of view, none of which merge, in 3 different short stories. Each author uses her characters to put a special spin on the evening as they all attend the same Krewe Ball hosted by the Deschanel family during the grand event that is Mardi Gras. We are given a taste of everything from an obsessed MC with an interesting secret to budding romances. Overall, I really enjoyed this light and easy read. I was able enjoy it all in one sitting, actually doing so during an acoustic music show one evening.  So now it is your turn! Sit back and watch as the night unfolds for our different characters from these loved authors in  A Cult of Personalities by Michele Breaux-Rowley;  Fire and Ice by Sarah M. Cradit; A Fool's Errand by Michelle Graves; Labor of Love by Brandy L. Rivers; and Heated Hearts by Felicia Tatum.

Are you interested in other works by these authors? Check the links below! You may even find some that are FREE on your Kindle!

See How She Runs By Michelle Graves (Stefani's Review)

 BUY SEE HOW SHE RUNS HERE!

Summary:

One delivery changed her whole life. 

Izzy was a normal girl living in Chicago as a bike messenger before that fateful day. She delivered one package and set into action a chain of events she never could have expected. 

Now she is running for her life from the Corporation, her best friend is not at all who he seemed, and to top it all off she keeps having visions.

Will she survive to navigate the waters as a Seer? Will her feelings for Kennan be her very downfall? Find out in See How She Runs.

My Review:

Izzy is a Seer is about to start having visions that can make the future better if she can understand them. Kennan her Guardian (also her roommate) is there to help her learn how to understand the visions and to keep her safe, all at the same time. The only problem is that they have more than duty and learning between them, an attraction is forming that neither is prepared to deal with. While they are trying to keep their heads clear there is an ever present danger of evil looking to destroy them and those around them.

I liked this book. I had to push a bit at the beginning, but it was a good read. I like that it was a theme that is not used much.

Rating:  5 stars

               

Blue Moon (#2) By Alyson Noёl (Stefani's Review)

BUY BLUE MOON HERE

Summary:

Just as Ever is learning everything she can about her new abilities as an immortal, initiated into the dark, seductive world by her beloved Damen, something terrible is happening to him.  As Ever’s powers are increasing, Damen’s are fading—stricken by a mysterious illness that threatens his memory, his identity, his life.

Desperate to save him, Ever travels to the mystical dimension of Summerland, uncovering not only the secrets of Damen’s past—the brutal, tortured history he hoped to keep hidden—but also an ancient text revealing the workings of time. With the approaching blue moon heralding her only window for travel, Ever is forced to decide between turning back the clock and saving her family from the accident that claimed them—or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows weaker each day

My Review:

This book took a while to get my FULL interest. Damen and Ever are a great pair. Poor Damen has waited so long to be with Ever and then someone new steps on the scene with the full intent to destroy them. This person is sooo evil, on levels that Drina never was. They are content to watch them writhe in pain that lasts for ever. There was definitely a reason to go on to the next book.

Rating: 4 stars

Shadowland (#3) By Alyson Noёl (Stefani's Review)

BUY SHADOWLAND HERE!

Summary:

Ever and Damen have traveled through countless past lives—and fought off the world’s darkest enemies—so they could be together forever.  But just when their long-awaited destiny is finally within reach, a powerful curse falls upon Damen…one that could destroy everything.  Now a single touch of their hands or a soft brush of their lips could mean sudden death—plunging Damen into the Shadowland.   Desperate to break the curse and save Damen, Ever immerses herself in magick—and gets help from an unexpected source…a surfer named Jude.

Although she and Jude have only just met, he feels startlingly familiar.  Despite her fierce loyalty to Damen, Ever is drawn to Jude, a green-eyed golden boy with magical talents and a mysterious past.  She’s always believed Damen to be her soulmate and one true love—and she still believes it to be true.  But as Damen pulls away to save them, Ever’s connection with Jude grows stronger—and tests her love for Damen like never before… (AMAZON)

My Review:

I slowly went through this book, trying to understand what was actually happening.  I am not sure that Ever was the best person for Damen to love, she is really in need of some growing up.

This was kind of a plateau ending. There is an option to keep going to the next one of not. There are some new developments (or one could say complications) in the romantic lives of Damen and Ever. She has once again made a decision that will affect more than just her an Damen, now Haven's involved and the situation is getting interesting.

Rating:  4 stars

Evermore By Alyson Noёl (Stefani's Review)

BUY EVERMORE HERE!

Summary:

After a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever Bloom can see people’s auras, hear their thoughts, and know someone’s entire life story by touching them. Going out of her way to avoid human contact and suppress her abilities, she has been branded a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste.

Damen is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy. He’s the only one who can silence the noise and random energy in her head—wielding a magic so intense, it’s as though he can peer straight into her soul. As Ever is drawn deeper into his enticing world of secrets and mystery, she’s left with more questions than answers. And she has no idea just who he really is—or what he is. The only thing she knows to be true is that she’s falling deeply and helplessly in love with him.

My Review:

After reading this I was a bit upset because I read the entire Fallen series before this one. I hated the similarities present in them.  I know that Fallen came out 6 months later, but, makes one wonder.  I do love the characters. Damen and Ever have a lot to learn (maybe her more).  I am patiently awaiting next book to arrive.  My heart went out to Riley.  A sister's love, eternal!

Rating: 4 stars